A short chapter, wanted to get something out at least. Apologies if it is shorter than usual.

If you've read my previous announcement, I am going on a hiatus for who knows for how long, but I will probably do random updates here and there. But no promises on that, though, so please don't expect much and be patient for when chapters return on a regular (sort of) basis.

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In the west, Esdeath's Camp

West of the Capital, General Esdeath of the Imperial Army was sent to quell the various rebellions caused here, along with dealing some bandit problems. 

Currently, some of her soldiers were relaxing as they had went through a long day of fighting. A large pot was in front of them as it contained a variety of contents and food, the fire below it keeping it warm as the soldiers would come and go to collect their servings. As one of them shoveled a spoonful into their mouth, a man riding a dragon came in.

Messenger: "A message from the Capital! Where's General Esdeath!?"

Soldier 1: (mutters to himself) "They seem to be in an awful hurry." (clears throat) "Uuuhh... Where's the general supposed to be tonight again?"

Soldier 2: "Probably with the Yarshes Unit. This way, please."

One of the begins to lead the messenger and his unit towards Esdeath.

Messenger: "Doesn't the general have her own tent?"

Soldier: "Here, the general eats with the soldiers."

The messenger was surprised to hear this. Most generals he's met in the army either ate in their personal quarters or in their own personal tent when out in the field. But Esdeath was different, the blue-haired woman wanting to keep the morale high.

Esdeath would soon come into view, the messenger and his unit looking on in amazement. Esdeath was currently talking to her men, a smile on her face as they ate and laughed. 

Messenger: "Ohh..."

Soldier 2: (smug) "You see, our unit isn't just a bunch of war hungry brutes. We talk to each other."

Messenger: (thoughts) 'Yet I've heard that men die during her training... This must be the balance behind her army's strength...!'

The blue-haired woman would soon notice the messenger standing there, now gesturing for him to come over. Doing as he was told, the messenger walks up to Esdeath and hands her a document of sorts.

She quickly skimmed through it.

Esdeath: "This is a surprise. An order to return to the Capital immediately... But isn't Budo already with them?"

Messenger: "It seems there's some unrest in the northeast. They wish for your immediate return. Your success in pressing the barbarians from the west this far is already more than enough."

Esdeath: "More uprisings, eh? I suppose this war is far from over. So I'll be going back to the Capital..." (thoughts) 'Tatsumi. Something tells me... I'll be seeing you again soon.'

---

Outskirts of Imperial Capital, Night Raid HQ

Akame was concerned. Lately, Akira had been waking up in the middle of the night, screaming in terror. Of course, she was there for him and being supportive, like an emotional crutch for him. In return, he'd tell her of the nightmares he was receiving, how his past victims and the people he's killed trying to drag him down into a well of all-enveloping darkness where nothing in sight could be seen. Just talking about it, Akame could see the horrified look and regret that filled his eyes and his face, sometimes the ravenette waking up to find him curled up in the corner, his head in between his legs as he cowered in fear.

While this could affect their missions, yes, this was also affecting his well being. With each passing day, Akira was more prone to shocks and surprise, always being on edge as if he was paranoid. And he was always focused on this feeling of regret, losing focus on some of the more important things. One time, when he and her were training, he apparently felt something grab his leg, causing him to pause and lose track of what was happening, resulting in Akame slamming a wooden blade onto his head. She apologized for hitting him so hard, but he dismissed it, saying that it was an accident and she didn't intentionally mean it. Another occasion like this was when they were cooking dinner one night. When Akira had grasped a knife to cut up some vegetables for the dish, something seemed to have flashed in his mind, or rather, some sort of a chilling aura touched him from behind, causing him to jerk back and drop the knife onto the floor, nearly stabbing it into his foot. It was all worrying to her. 

At the moment, she was walking through the various halls and corridors of the base to find the boy.

Speaking of which...

Lubbock: "Hey, you love birds! You gotta help me out with something!"

The green-haired teen had yelled to the top of his lungs, the boy standing the kitchen. He was actually yelling at Mine and Tatsumi, the two wearing aprons as the pink-haired girl held a whisk and bowl, the brown-haired teen holding a baking tray.

Tatsumi: "What is it, Lubbo?"

Mine: "Don't barge in like that." (suddenly hugs Tatsumi's arm, him yelping) "We're spending our precious day off baking sweets."

Tatsumi: "Knock it off with the P.D.A!"

Just watching the two interact like that only made Lubbock's eyes twitch in annoyance. Taking in a deep breath, he soon gets onto his knees as full on bows for them, which surprised the two. Normally, Lubbock would never do this.

Lubbock: "I want a lovey dovey relationship like that too! Please help me!"

The green-haired teen then bowed his head, slamming it onto the floor as he begged and pleaded, the two in front of him giving him a deadpan stare as they sweat dropped. Later, they moved into the conference room, finding Akira there, whom Lubbock had previously called here.

However, when Tatsumi spoke up to say hello, the icy blue-eyed teen jumped in surprise and fell onto the floor, summoning ice daggers and throwing it in the three's direction. Mine snapped at him with anger while the other two boys calmed her down, Akira sighing and apologizing for such actions. In times like this, the only way that really keeps him normal was when Akame was around. Anyway, with all of them seated at the conference room's table, Lubbock told them of his dilemma.

Tatsumi: (nods repeatedly) "Mm-hm. I see. So you still can't bring yourself to tell the boss how you feel."

Mine: "Pathetic. Just go up to her and say it."

Akira: "They're right, you know. Who knows when you'll get another chance."

Lubbock: (sighs, looks down dejectedly) "But... I'm afraid if she rejects me, it'll ruin the relationship we have now..."

Mine: "That's such a pathetic for a man to say! Just go ahead and say it!"

Lubbock: "Would you not jinx it before I've done anything!? Mine is a love that's been smoldering for years now! You guys jumped into your relationship out of the blue! You'd never understand!"

Tatsumi: "Then why whine to us about it!?"

Akira: (deadpan) "Like, seriously. How about you get a grip on it and actually tell her how you feel already, dumbass."

Lubbock: "Shut up, you damn lovey dovey bastards!"

The green-haired assassin leaped out of his chair and got on top of Tatsumi, shaking him as if his life depended on it. Akira sighed while shaking his head, taking a small glance to the entrance of the conference room. He could sense the souls of Najenda, Leone, and Akame right outside the entrance.

Standing up, he began to take his leave. He attempted to go past the three girls, but Akame grabbed his wrist. He looked to her, the red-eyed girl looking at him with a concerned gaze as she held his wrist with a firm, but soothing grip, which soon moved to the two grasping each other's hands.

Leone then sent a cheeky grin to Najenda.

Leone: "You're so popular, boss. What will you do?"

Najenda: (small chuckle) "Yeah, yeah. I'm real popular... But I'm in no position to love someone right now. I'm the type who throws herself deeper into her cause when she finds out something like this."

Akira: "Well, I'm sure you'll find someone once this war is over, Najenda-san."

Najenda: "Perhaps so." (thoughts) '...After the revolution succeeds... It might be nice to give it a go.'

---

It was around the evening, Akira was sitting under a shade in the training yard. His wolf was curled up next to him, having a nice sleep as the boy gazed up at the orange sky, the sun beginning to set.

He recently finished his usual therapy-like session with Akame, thus becoming a regular thing with his nightmares and hallucinations now becoming more prevalent. During these sessions, he'd go into detail of the things and atrocities he's done. For example, after the battle at Mount Hakuba, feeling from the battle after she had killed Mudi, the parasite that had resided in his eye had died, causing him excruciating pain, but ended the brainwashing technique.

However, he still had no recollection of himself, other than his name, but nothing of his past. For days after the battle, he would keep on moving, drifting from town to town. While he committed many murders of Imperial soldiers in the east, there was one small, or rather, horrifying detail he had left out on his escapade. During this dark time of his, he went on a relentless murder spree, killing anything that stood in his way. Whether they were innocent men, corrupted individuals, kind-hearted people, or even children, he killed them as his mind considered them a threat. 

One time, he was found unconscious by a group of kids. They had awoken him to ask him if he was alright, but they next thing they knew, they were all lying on the ground in a pool of blood, cuts along their bodies, severed limbs, lopped off heads, and other body parts strung around. Just hearing these stories was something Akame couldn't believe her partner would do, especially since with the amount of time they've spent together. In their early missions during the Elite Seven, Akira was quite sadistic with his opponents, even using torture to some extent. But as the missions kept coming, the craving of doing such acts increased, but they were never to the level of what she had been told. But even with what he had just told her, it didn't deter her from not loving him.

He was broken, that much was certain. But the same could be said for her. She didn't condone such actions he had committed, like she doesn't condone the actions she's done as well, they could necessarily be blamed. They were blinded and made to be loyal to the Empire, but the two of them would eventually see the true horrors within, the corrupt nature of the Capital being exposed to them with each passing day. All they could really do was gain redemption for their actions by fighting for a better future. For a more peaceful country to emerge. 

As he continued to bask in the orange glow of the setting sun, he heard footsteps approaching him. He opened one eye, noticing a familiar person, causing him to raise a single eyebrow.

She soon stopped short, her familiar auburn hair blowing with the gentle wind as she gave him a firm gaze.

Akira: "What are you doing out? Aren't you supposed to be recovering?"

Chelsea: "I am. But..."

Akira: "But what?"

Chelsea: "I can't just sit back and idle by and be useless. We've lost enough manpower as it is, and I want to help."

Akira: "And how are you going to do that?"

Chelsea: (mutters quietly) "Train me..."

Akira: "Hmm?"

Chelsea: "I... I... I-I want you to train me!"

The boy stayed silent before he sighed, Chelsea thinking the worse as she lowered her head. But she soon grew surprised as she felt something flick the top of her head, looking up to see Akira had just flicked her head with a finger, now beginning to walk past her with Fenrir at his side. 

Akira: "You want to help and grow stronger, huh? Fine, then. Meet me out here, 4AM tomorrow. Don't be late."

Before she could give her thanks, Akira had already headed inside. He soon sighed as he slumped against the sliding door, Fenrir noticing this as he sat down, letting out a small whine. He let out a small laugh as he pet the wolf's head, the companion soon wagging at it's master.

He could never forgive her for what she had done in the past. But he knew, he would have to move on at some point. Cornelia, a girl he wished he could bring back if he had the chance, but couldn't. She was dead, and nothing could change that. But, she would most certainly scold and chide him for such behavior he was treating Chelsea, especially now that they were comrades. And because of Corey's nature, she would've disregarded such conflicts that had happened in the past forgave her, should they be comrades now. 

Akira let out a wry laugh as he looked up at the ceiling.

Akira: "...Guess you've all rubbed on me somehow... Right, guys?"