Fanart done by Tahmidismyname on DevianArt. I don't own it.

---

After their meeting with the king, the Jaegers were set up in their personal meeting and lounge room, Bols and Wave in the kitchen. Currently, the masked man and the man of the sea were using Wave's fish that he brought over as a gift to cook for their dinner.

Wave: (thoughts) 'I figured my souvenirs from the sea and all it's bounty would make for a perfect welcome meal for everyone. Isn't it weird that he can cook with a face like that!?'

Bols: "Wave. The spinach goes in last. Otherwise, it'll wilt!"

Wave: "Ah. Sorry." (nervously laughs) "Man, I gotta tell you... I'm relieved that you're such a nice guy, Bols." 

In Bols hand was a kitchen knife, him bringing it abruptly down onto the fish's head, severing it from the body. A chill ran through Wave's body as he looked at the masked man, knowing he had a frown underneath his mask.

Bols: "I'm... Not nice..."

In the dining area, Esdeath, Seryu, and Kurome were seated at the table. At the current moment, Seryu and Esdeath were talking amongst themselves while Kurome was messing with Koro, waving a toy in front of Koro's face. Every time Koro leaped up to snatch at it, Kurome would yank it away before she would resume doing it again, as which Koro would try again to snatch it. It was a rinse and repeat cycle.

Over to the side, Run was dressed in a butler's outfit, casually listening to Dr. Stylish ramble on. 

Seryu: "Captain. I'm curious... What do you like to do in your spare time?"

Esdeath: "Hunting, torture. Or studying up on either one. But at the moment... I'd like to find love."

The room then fell silent, Kurome and Seryu internally screaming. They didn't think that the fierce and deadly General Esdeath desired to feel love. After all, she was a sadistic and battle hungry general with an endless bloodlust to fight all the strongest opponents. 

Esdeath: "By the way, I understand there was an extra Teigu left after the battle?"

Seryu: "Ah, y-yes. We're in possession of a scissor-shaped Teigu collected from the enemy. But we haven't yet found someone qualified for it..."

Esdeath: "If someone isn't found soon, the Minister will take it... What a waste. While we search for someone who can wield it, perhaps we could have some fun."

---

Next Day, Capital

Currently walking through the streets in a white cloak, somehow not looking too suspicious, was Tatsumi. He shoved his way through the crowd, then coming across a building. 

Inside were many shelves lined up with books, comics, and magazines. The sign of the store read, "Book Night," the store's owner being Lubbock. The green-haired teen was leaning outside his store as he sees Tatsumi walk up to him, the brown-haired teen taking off the hood of his cloak.

Tatsumi: "Yo."

Lubbock: "Hey."

The perverted idiot grinned as he gestures towards the back of the shop. Opening the door at the back of the shop, they enter a small room, Lubbock crouching down as he removes a false floor panel. Underneath it was a secret set of stairs.

Lubbock: "Watch your step."

Tatsumi: (gasps) "It's like a secret lair!"

Lubbock: (grin) "Right? It's my pride and joy."

Tatsumi: (sweat drop) "I doubt you made this..."

Upon reaching the bottom of the steps, he was met with a large room. However, he was surprised by Leone's carefree attitude as she sat on the couch, some liquor bottles on the table. Akira was behind her, leaning up against the wall and balancing a knife on his finger.

Leone: "Yahoo! Welcome to our Capital hideout!"

Tatsumi: "You're making yourself way too much at home!"

Lubbock: "Now, then. Wanted posters of Mine are all over the place... So we three are the only ones who can walk freely around the Capital now."

Tatsumi: "Wait, Akira, how were you able to get here? Can't you not walk around in broad daylight?"

Akira: "I don't know if the people are stupid or not, but it seems they haven't recognized my clothing and haven't connected me to the only wanted poster of me with my hood on."

Tatsumi: "My face was also seen back on the ship... So I thought it'd be dangerous for me out there."

Lubbock: "But you just walked down the street without a hitch, right? Nobody recognizes you."

Akira: "And I don't think the official that you were protecting was dumb enough to rat you out. Besides, I'm sure he's figured out that the Minister wanted him dead, that he'd rather ally or stay neutral with the Revolutionary Army."

Tatsumi: "So. The whole town's buzzing about this security squad called the Jaegers."

Akira: "Just as the intel said that I provided. Of course people are going to talk about it because the strongest person in the Empire is leading it."

Lubbock: "Yeah... That dangerous witch..."

Tatsumi: "...Just how bad is this lady?"

Lubbock and Tatsumi notice Leone straightening up, the blonde girl remembering the amount of bloodlust she released that day. However, Lubbock knew what Esdeath was like, considering he was a former soldier of the Empire himself, serving under Najenda during his time there before he left with her.

Lubbock: "Well... I'll tell you one of the many stories about her..."

Some years ago, a savage tribe in the south had begun to rise up and retaliate against the Empire. An army of 120,000 Empire soldiers were sent to dispatch the 10,000 savage tribe members. It would be clear as to who would win the battle, but terrain was something the Empire soldiers weren't prepared to deal with. The various marshes and muddy waters provided obstacles, pests and illnesses broke out and dampened the morale, and there were the several Danger Beasts that inhabited that area of land that attacked the soldiers relentlessly.

Not only that, the tribal savages knew their land well, them were capable of taking out the expeditionary forces that were already exhausted from the various obstacles along the way. 

So in a desperate attempt to quickly quell the uprising in the south, the Empire sent the young, but capable generals, Najenda and Esdeath. Needless to say, the military might and prowess of Esdeath's army quickly overwhelmed the savage tribal members, quickly winning the battle. With that over and done with, Esdeath's army ravaged and raided the village, the icy general allowing her soldiers to do as they pleased. They raped and killed, forcing young children to watch such horror. All this made Najenda begin to question the Empire, it eventually leading her defection to the Revolutionary Army, which was a massive loss for the Empire.

Lubbock: "And there you have it."

Tatsumi: "That was pretty twisted of her, making them watch and seeing the hate build in their eyes, only to let them loose."

Lubbock: "That's Esdeath's aim. She wants to create more turmoil."

Akira: "She's a woman who loves war. She lives to fight. I can imagine the reason why she's like that was due to how her childhood was. I heard her ideology revolved around the strong living and the weak dying."

Tatsumi: "...She's a real piece of work."

Leone: (lays down on couch) "Ahhhh.~ We were right to avoid her and taking her on by herself. She is bad, bad news. How many millions of people do you have to kill to gain that kind of prestige...?"

Tatsumi: "She must be quite a beast for you to talk like that."

Akira: "In any case, Esdeath had made an announcement this morning."

Lubbock: "Oh, right. You ought to have a look at this yourself."

The green-haired teen nods to Akira, who went into his cloak's pockets and took out a rolled up piece of paper. He tosses it towards Tatsumi, who catches it and unrolls it to read it.

It was a flyer of sorts, it being displayed with a big cash reward.

Lubbock: "Esdeath is hosting a civilian combatant tournament! The winner gets a monetary reward! And it'd mean more money for you to send to your hometown, right?"

---

In the end, Tatsumi decided to check this tournament out. At the current moment, the tournament had started and two fighters were currently fighting in the arena. 

Esdeath was watching from a high place, a clear view of the arena as she was the one sponsoring this event. Run was standing beside her, him looking towards her as he sees a bored look on her face.

Run: "What do you think of those two, General?"

Esdeath: (yawns) "Boring men... Make for a boring match. As I thought, no Teigu wielders among them so far."

Run: "Ah. It seems the match is settled."

Below, in the arena, Wave stood at a safe distance with a mic in his hand.

Wave: "The winner! Draper Nobunaga!"

Run: "The next match will be the last one."

Two fighters began to step onto the arena's platform. One of them was a rather quite large man, or rather, a bull as it was a humanoid bull walking onto it. On the opposite end was Tatsumi, instead of wearing a white cloak, he was wearing a tattered brown trench coat.

Wave: "In the east corner! Kalbi the butcher! In the west corner! Tatsumi the blacksmith!"

Run: "One of them's just a boy."

---

In the crowd's seating area, Leone, Akira, and Lubbock could be seen sitting there, the black-haired teen having his hood up so he didn't get spotted. 

Leone: "That's a funny alias. Can he really work iron?"

Lubbock: "Not as good as me, but... He's got some skills."

Akira: "I'd praise him if he didn't mess up on my sword."

Lubbock: "I fixed it, didn't I?"

Akira: "I'm just saying. That blade isn't just a weapon... It's a memento as well."

---

Kalbi: "Aren't you a tiny squirt. The prize money's as good as mine. Heh-heh-heh. Before I was expelled, I reached the ninth rank of the Temple of the Imperial Fist."

Wave: (thoughts) 'This guy... He's arrogant, but he does look strong...' "Begin!"

The match began and Kalbi readied himself to fight. However, Tatsumi remained still in his spot, staring up at Kalbi defiantly.

Tatsumi: (thoughts) '...Not long ago, I would've been shaking in my boots... But I'm so calm now. Compared to the power of the Three Beasts... This guy's no big deal at all. I won't even need Incursio to take out this guy!'

Kalbi: "Here I come! Blasting Fist Full Course!"

The bull man charged at the brown-haired teen, Tatsumi meeting him head on. Kalbi slams his fist onto the ground, the impact of his fist creating a crater underneath. But Tatsumi avoids it, jumping over him as the attack was very obvious.

Using his momentum, Tatsumi twists in the air and kicks Kalbi, whom raised his arms up for defense. However, he wasn't expect Tatsumi's strength to be strong, the bull man being pushed back as his feet skid across the ground. He let's out a roar, charging at Tatsumi once again, unleashing a flurry of punches. But Tatsumi kept himself on the defensive, blocking all of Kalbi's strikes.

It wasn't until Tatsumi found his opening, ducking and moving to the side to dodge one of Kalbi's punches. Reeling his own fist back, Tatsumi puts as much as power as he could, launching it forward as it strikes the bull man in his stomach. But it wasn't enough to knock him down, Kalbi raising both of his fists up into the air.

Tatsumi then crouches down and sweeps Kalbi's legs, causing him to fall backwards. The brown-haired teen then brought his other foot up and swiftly kicks Kalbi in his face, causing him to fall onto his side. A crack could even be heard, Tatsumi having put enough power into his foot to break Kalbi's skull.

The crowd was surprised at Tatsumi's feat, including Esdeath and Run. The crowd would soon erupt into cheers.

Run: "That boy has exceptional talent, General."

Esdeath: "...Yes."

Wave: "The winner is Tatsumi!"

Tatsumi: (thoughts) 'Everyone's... Cheering for me...' "...I did it!"

Tatsumi then erupts a smile. An innocent smile at that. Just seeing his face caused the icy general to blush, a huge red hue on her face.

When Esdeath had handed the emperor her ideals and what she was looking for in a man, it was a bit of head scratcher for the Minister and child Emperor.

1. "Spends most of his time thinking about the future and advancement. Enjoys training in general-class weaponry."

2. "Has nerves of steel and can hunt Danger Beasts with me."

3. "Like me, was raised on the frontier and not in the Capital."

4. "Because I will rule him, preferably younger than me."

5. "Has an innocent smile."

Those were Esdeath's requirements. And it seemed that Tatsumi fit those.

Currently, he is training to use Incursio properly and is looking to the future, a future where the Revolutionary Army creates a new peaceful nation. While he doesn't necessarily have nerves of steel, he could most certainly hunt down Danger Beasts. Tatsumi was also raised outside of the Capital's walls, and seemed to be younger than Esdeath.

And just as Esdeath has seen. He has an innocent smile.

Her heart was racing. She made up her mind, she wanted him. No matter what it took.

Esdeath: "I've found him."

Run: "A candidate for wielding a Teigu?"

Esdeath: "That too... But also something else."

Run: (confused) "Captain?"

Getting up from her seat, she walks past her subordinate, Run only continuing to look at Esdeath with confusion. She now began to make her way down the steps, heading into the arena herself.

Tatsumi: (thoughts) 'Whoa! She's entering the arena herself!'

Esdeath: "...Your name is... Tatsumi, correct? That's a good name."

Tatsumi: (nervous) "Th-Thanks." (thoughts) 'This person is Esdeath... The leader the Three Beasts mentioned... If it weren't for her... Aniki would be...'

Esdeath: "Your match just now was brilliant. I will give you your reward."

Tatsumi: "Thank you very much!" (thoughts) 'Even if it's from my enemy, money's still money! I'll gladly take it.'

The blue-haired general began to rummage around in her uniform, searching for something. Leone, Lubbock, and Akira were watching attentively, watching her every move carefully. They weren't sure what she was going to pull.

Tatsumi was prepared to receive the money from her, but he let out a surprised noise, a collar soon being attached around his neck. Esdeath had a small blush on her face as the collar was connected to a chain, and said chain was in her hand.

Esdeath: "From now on, you belong to me."

Tatsumi: "...Eh? Eh? Eh!?"

Esdeath: (proceeds to drag Tatsumi towards the palace) "There are too many distractions here. You're coming with me to the palace."

Tatsumi: "Wa-Wait!"

Esdeath: "I can't wait."

Tatsumi: (thoughts) 'Wait... What did she just do to me?'

Esdeath had yanked the chain upwards, bringing Tatsumi close to her. She would then swiftly chop his neck, knocking him out unconscious. Once he slumped over, Esdeath catches him, bringing him closer to her.

Esdeath: "We'll talk in my room. Just the two of us..."

The people in the seats were confused as to what was happening, as was Leone and Lubbock. Before either of them could respond, a figure next to them dashes off.

He quickly began to descend down the various seats as if they were steps, dodging some of the people that were still seated. He takes a key off his belt waist and it morphs into a scythe, him using his speed and momentum to start spinning rapidly as if he was a buzzsaw, heading towards Esdeath. At the same time, the figure launched ice daggers towards her, but Esdeath simply raised her arm up, facing it towards him.

She lets an ice blast explode from her palm, freezing the person that dashed towards her with killing intent. His hood was now off, his face now exposed towards her. Esdeath's eyes widened momentarily before she grinned.

Esdeath: "So, you were alive after all. I knew you wouldn't die so easily."

Leone and Lubbock look to each other.

Leone/Lubbock: "Wha... What's going on here!?"

---

Some time later, Night Raid's Base...

Akame: "Akira and Tatsumi's been kidnapped by Esdeath!?"

Some time had passed and the two assassins of Night Raid had returned to their base to inform their other comrades. Once telling them the news, Akame had slammed her hands on the dining room's table, hints of anger in her voice. Needless to say, Leone and Lubbock were a bit terrified, a small glint in Akame's eyes signaling to them that she was very close to killing them if they didn't explain.

Mine: "Did she realize they were with Night Raid!?"

Lubbock: "I-It didn't seem like she meant any harm... Well, she did start to grin a little bit when she saw Akira... But aside from that, I don't know... Maybe half-and-half..."

Leone: "We only saw that they were being taken to the palace. What do we do, stand-in boss?"

Akame: (clenches fist) "Akira..."

She felt powerless at the moment. She had finally felt close that he would finally remember her. And now, he seemed so far away. Unreachable. 

Akame thought that she could possibly infiltrate the palace to get him back. Even if it meant going by herself. But it would be a dangerous endeavor, as the last time she left the palace months ago when she was going to defect, she barely escaped. Mine could see the desperate glint in Akame's eyes. 

Mine: "You'd better not suggest some crazy idea--like that we go and save them, Akame. The palace is full of traps and guards, remember? We couldn't get in, even under normal conditions! And Tatsumi's and Akira's identities might have not been found yet."

She was right. The palace was filled to the brim with guards and they were always on high alert. Even without the traps littered throughout the area, with their current squad, it wouldn't even be enough to take on all the soldiers in the palace. Not only would they have to deal with Esdeath and her Jaegers, they would also have to deal with the Commander-In-Chief Budo, who is regarded as the Empire's "Trump Card."

Akame: "Either way, let's move our base deeper into the mountains."

Leone: "Good idea. We might be found out here."

Lubbock: "So... What do we do about Tatsumi and Akira...? I don't want to think the worst, but..."

Akame: "I know. We won't charge in, without a plan... But... Tatsumi and Akira are our precious comrades! We'll do what we can!"

---

Imperial Palace, Jaegers Meeting Room...

Esdeath: "And so... This is our new backup member for the Jaegers. Tatsumi."

Bols: "You brought a civilian in here? Just like that?"

Esdeath: "He'll have everything he could ever want here. And he's not only a spare for the squad. I felt it. Tatsumi is going to be my lover."

The Jaegers had all gathered in their meeting room and were a bit dumbfounded by Esdeath's declaration. The most confused out of all of them was Wave, especially since he could see Tatsumi was bound to a chair and a collar was around his neck.

Wave: "Then why does he have a collar?"

Esdeath: (shrugs) "Because I like him. I just slapped it on without thinking."

Run: "If you want a real lover and not a pet... You might want to remove it."

Esdeath thought about it for a moment before she nodded.

Esdeath: "That's true. I'll take it off. While we're on the subject, has anyone here ever been in a relationship or married?"

No one seemed to be, but they were shocked when one person raised their hand. Bols.

Seryu: "Bols, is it true!?"

Bols: (blushes under mask) "Yes... I've been married six years! She's such a good person. I don't deserve her!"

Tatsumi: "Um... Excuse me! I'm flattered that you like me, but... I... Have no desire to serve the Empire..."

Esdeath: (giggles) "I'll enjoy doing something about your disobedience."

Tatsumi: "Listen to what I'm saying!"

Seryu: "Now, now. This is all so sudden, he's just having a hard time adjusting."

Tatsumi froze, his eyes darkening. Seryu began to walk up to him and began petting his head.

Seryu: "It's going to be okay. We're on the side of justice, so don't you worry."

He wanted to so badly snap at her. To slap her hands away. But he couldn't. He couldn't risk jeopardizing his current situation and revealing who he is. If he did make such a fuss, he'd end up putting the rest of Night Raid into trouble, something he didn't want to do.

Run: "Now that I think about it, didn't you also bring in one more person, Captain? I find it odd that you brought in your assailant."

Tatsumi perked up. Someone had tried to kill Esdeath? He wasn't sure who would be crazy enough to do that.

Esdeath: "Ah, him. He'll be arriving soon. Although, I suggest you all ready yourselves."

Before any questions could be answered, the doors were busted open, a blood covered Akira coming in with his scythe out. A menacing glow could be seen in his icy blue eyes, his gaze locked onto Esdeath.

Wave: "What the hell!?"

Esdeath: "I ordered a few of the guards to taunt him and that seemed to have pissed him off. Good. Now, you lot's objective is to survive and calm him down somehow."

Seryu: "Koro!"

The auburn-haired girl orders her Teigu to attack, but in an instant, the Teigu was encased in ice. Seryu tried to respond, but she was quickly attacked, Akira having kneed her in the gut. She was sent flying across the room, crashing into the wall. The next one to attack was Kurome, unsheathing her katana as she attempted to stab it into the ground.

But Akira had quickly moved up to her and knocked it out of her hand, then kicking Kurome in her stomach. She was backed up against the wall, Akira lunging forward and grabbing her by the neck, letting his scythe dissipate and taking the sword off his back and putting it up to her neck. Kurome began to eye the blade, it being fairly large, something an ordinary person wouldn't be able to wield. But she gasped slightly as she recognized it, her black eyes traveling upwards to meet the other person's eyes. She recognized those icy blue eyes. After all, only one person had that distinct feature. 

Kurome: "A-Akira?"

Akira: "You..."

A jolt of pain went through Akira's head as he let go of his sword, it falling to the ground. He then clutched his hand in slight pain as he fell to his knees, Kurome going over to him to make sure he was okay. But, just looking at Kurome seemed to have unlocked another memory.

Flashback

Kurome: "We'll get to fight side-by-side from now on, sis!"

*****: "You said it, Kurome...!"

Natala: "Ahem. I'm Natala. I look forward to working with you here after."

Gin: "And I'm Gin. Same."

Akira: "Just don't slow us down."

Green: "Uh, weren't you the one who suffered the most injuries, aside from Poney?"

Akira: "Shut up before I shove my foot up your ass."

Green: "Y-You okay man?"

Akira: (sigh) "Sorry, just stressed right now. First Corey, then Guy, and now...Najasho...I need to blow off some steam."

Further into memories...

*****: "This miso...it's perfect sticky consistency to spread flavor across the tongue."

Kurome: "And the milt is so fatty and has great texture...and since the males and females have different flavors, there's no getting bored with it."

*****: "Does this mean we'll get to try all the tasty things from each region!?"

Kurome: "Trading is wonderful line of work!"

*****: "Let's have another helping!"

Kurome: "I'm down for more!"

Akira: "You two... This isn't a gourmet, you two. So settle down and don't eat everything, understood?"

*****/Kurome: "...Yes, sir."

Akira: (sigh) "And that proves my earlier statement."

Even further into memories...

Gozuki: "You guys are competing in sales, aren't you? After tallying the results... Team Green wins."

Natala: "Th-Thank you very much!"

Akira: (sigh) "And this is why I told you two not to eat everything too much."

*****/Kurome: "We're sorry."

Akira: "Well, it's done now, so there's no point in dwelling on it."

Flashback End

Akira slowly opened his eyes, seeing Kurome hovered over him with a concerned look on her face. On Kurome's point of view, she was confused, but relieved. He was considered KIA after they launched the mission to save them from Merraid Oarburgh, but a month later, they would head to Mount Hakuba and encounter him there.

After the battle, Akira would be marked MIA, never to be seen again. And here he is now, crouching right in front of her. Kurome still thought whether Akira remembered him or not. As she did remember what happened to him, a former Gravekeeper had implanted a parasite within him so he could have control over him. But the Gravekeeper has been since dead, so she wondered what the effect was now.

Akira: "You... You are..."

Kurome: "It's Kurome. Surely you remember that, right?"

He let out a small hum as he stood up. He noticed that he was in the Imperial Palace, seeing that every single member of the Jaegers were in the room as well. Seryu looked like she was about to pounce on him at any moment, anger in her eyes as she clearly remembered that night. But for now, Akira had to act like he wasn't with Night Raid, feeling Esdeath's gaze on him.

He turns around to see his former teacher with a smirk growing on her face, walking up to him. The two stared at each other for a moment before they both created an ice sword in their hands, thrusting it forward at quick speed and pointing it toward each other's necks. 

Esdeath: "...It's good to see that your skills haven't diminished over the months we've last seen each other. Tell me, have you been keeping up with your training?"

Akira: "When I can... Esdeath-sensei."

Esdeath: (turns to the other Jaeger members) "Though I was disappointed that I didn't see him here initially when I first met you all due to some... Complications, he's now here. I would like to introduce the last member of the Jaegers, as well as a former student of mine, Akira."

Tatsumi: "...Huh!?"

Akira: "I... Apologize for any trouble I have caused you all before." (bows) "I am in your care."

There seemed to be mixed results among the new members. Wave was still looking bewildered, looking at Akira as if he was a psychotic maniac. Seryu was ready to kill him at a moments notice, but could see the warning glare in Esdeath's eyes, causing her to back down.

Bols seemed glad to have gotten a new member, Run nodding at Esdeath's statement. However, Stylish seemed to be evaluating him, something Akira noticed. Akira stood there calmly, showing no indication of how alert he was. He didn't want to cause trouble for everyone else back at the base. When he looked down at Kurome, he noticed she was smiling. It was the same smile as Akame's.

That very same red-eyed girl flashed in Akira's mind. He let out a small grunt, it only being heard by Kurome.

Kurome: "Is there something wrong?"

Akira: "No... It's nothing."

Kurome: "Okay. But in any case, welcome back, Akira."

Akira: "...Yeah." 

Before any more words were spoken, an Imperial soldier bursts through the door.

Soldier: "General Esdeath! We've completed our investigation of the area surrounding Lake Gyogan as you ordered."

Esdeath: (grin) "What perfect timing." (turns to everyone) "You guys have your first big job."