The battle between the two sisters was now over. Wave was holding Kurome bridal style, who had cuddled up into his chest, leaning her face into his neck. Yatsufusa's shards were at the feet of both Akira and Akame.

Wave: "We're going far away from the Capital."

Akira: "The most logical answer there is."

Akame: "Yes. We'll make it look like Incursio smashed you into pieces. We'll use the shattered Yatsufusa as proof. Once the Empire hears the story, you'll truly be free."

Wave: (nods) "I'm grateful to you."

Tatsumi: "Hey, you gonna be okay using two Teigu?"

Akira: "Indeed. There was another iron clad rule that forbids the user from using two Teigu at once as it requires an unnatural amount of mental energy to use."

Wave: "It's nothing you need to worry about. My body hurts like the dickens, but... That's as far as it goes. Looks like I'll have to make up for the fact that I'm not as powered up as you." (thoughts) 'Maybe that's... All thanks to Run...'

The blue-haired man turned his head around slightly. Briefly after the battle, they buried Run's body so he could properly rest. He soon returned his gaze back to Akame, who stood by with Akira while she held an appreciative smile.

Akame: "You're amazing, Wave. You saved my little sister."

Wave: "You're the amazing ones, for fighting with such conviction. We're just bailing."

Akame: "You have my thanks. Take care of my little sister."

Wave: "Leave it to me. That's all I'm going to live for."

Kurome: "Sis..."

The black-haired girl had outreached her hand, but she was weak due to the battle having sapped much of her energy. But even still, she wished to hold her sister one last time before she left.

Akame could see this, turning her head around to look at her partner. Akira got the gesture, gently pushing her forward as Akame made her way to her younger sister, then grasping her hand.

Akame: "You've got a good friend, Kurome."

Kurome: (nods softly) "When I'm reborn... I hope to get to be your little sister again."

The ravenette had paused and stood there for a moment. She didn't wish for her sister to speak like that, to speak of such things. However, Kurome doesn't have much time left, and would soon die if she didn't make it to the springs. But she had faith in Wave that they would get there in time, the older sister smiling softly as she nodded, squeezing Kurome's hand, soon nuzzling her own face against hers.

Akame: "I hope I get to be your big sister again. Live a long and happy life."

Kurome: "Mm-hm."

With a nod, Wave readjusted his grip on Kurome and began to walk the other way. Akire soon stood next to his partner, wrapping his arm around her as she leaned her head onto his shoulder. The four Night Raid members watch as the two walk away, seeing Kurome wave in goodbye as the two defect and leave the Empire.

Tatsumi: "I know I'm talking about a former enemy, but... I think we can trust Wave."

Akame: "Yeah. He was really mad when he heard I was going to kill Kurome."

Akira: "But?"

Akame: "But... I know I can leave my little sister to him."

The icy blue-eyed teen looks to Leone and Tatsumi, motioning for them to go on ahead. They seemed to have understood him, turning the other way as they headed back in the direction of their base, Fenrir soon following after. Once the two were alone, Akira brought her closer, hearing the small sniffles that soon escaped Akame's mouth. It wasn't long after that her sniffles would morph into cries of despair, the red-eyed girl fearing the worse for her younger sister.

Calmly, he had her face him. The arm that was already wrapped around her stayed that way, Akira bringing his other arm to fully envelop her into a hug. He soon rested his chin onto the top of her head, Akame muffling her cries into his shoulder while she muttered her sister's name.

Akira: "It'll be okay. You'll see her again after this whole thing is over, right?" (feels Akame nod in his shoulder) "Then be glad. You ended this feud between the two of you without having to take her down. There's no better outcome than that."

She soon lifted her face out of his shoulder, looking at him with her puffy eyes due to all the crying she was doing. Akira brought a thumb up to her face and brushed her cheek to wipe away some of the tears that stained her beautiful face.

Akira: "Everything we've worked for... It's almost over. The end is almost near. So chin up, okay?"

Akame nodded once more as she buried her face into his shoulder as she continued to cry. He rubbed the back of her head, soothing her as he looked to the horizon, the sun soon coming up as the dawn of a new day came. However, this peaceful moment wouldn't last forever.

He soon frowned upon hearing the voice of the Lich in his head. It was already ordering him to extract the souls of the damned. The damned of the Empire. But Akira pushed those thoughts away, saving them for when the final battle would come. They couldn't act hasty or rush through plans as it'll all just end up in them being killed. The right moment had to be waited for. But today... Today was to relish in celebration.

The day before the final battle.

---

Najenda: (smiles) "Today, let's rest and prepare for tomorrow."

Tatsumi: "Oooooh! Look at this banquet!"

Lubbock: (murmurs) "...Why is there so much...?"

Chelsea: "You really outdid yourself this time, huh?"

Akira: "Enough praises and start eating. The food is getting cold."

As the final battle was drawing near, Najenda had instructed the reaper to create them a large banquet of food. Naturally, Akira was a connoisseur of the culinary arts, and if anyone were to taint the arts or anything of the sort, there'd be hell to pay. Aside from that, he obliged and for the whole day, he went out on a long hunt and venture with Fenrir to collect the highest quality ingredients to construct the most extravagant and delicious banquet there is.

With dinner time rolling around, the group were amazed. He had really outdone himself this time. Platters of different dishes were around, soups, sushi, paellas, baskets of meats and vegetables, many splendid dishes of food had decorated the table.

Everyone began to pig out on the food, but Lubbock soon appeared a bit sickly after downing down three bowls of food. Surprising Akira, however, Akame was eating pleasantly for once. She wasn't rushing through the food, but thoroughly enjoying it. He smiled at her, soon taking a seat next to her as he grabbed himself some food as well. He quickly took a large chicken leg and tossed it behind him, the wolf leaping into the air to catch it, then taking it to a corner by itself to eat it.

Leone was chugging down bottle after bottle of whiskey and beer. It wasn't long that the room began to smell like alcohol as the blonde lioness was getting considerably drunk.

Leone: "Nice! Very nice! It's relaxation time.~"

Najenda: (deadpan) "If you drink too much, there won't be any alcohol left for tomorrow."

Leone: "Yeah, yeah."

Najenda: (chuckles a bit) "Your carefree attitude gives me hope."

Leone: (raised eyebrow) "What's up? You're showing your soft side."

Lubbock: "Well, it's the night before the final battle, isn't it?"

Najenda: "Indeed it is. Besides... I get like this."

The silver-haired general leaned back in her seat, letting out a content sigh as she took a small sip of the bourbon she poured herself. Chelsea looked on with a small smile, reminiscing about the time like this with her old group. Since Najenda was letting out her soft side, both Leone and Lubbock let out awkward chuckles and coughed. They had some things to get off their chests.

Leone: "Ah! Then I have a confession before you find out through someone else! The truth is, I've been sneaking drinks from your stash."

Najenda: (eye twitches) "I thought it was running low a little quickly. Oh, well. I forgive you."

Leone: (nonchalantly) "When I go into the Capital, I save up my stipend for the trip to gamble with."

Najenda: "...All of your missions have been successful, so I forgive you."

Lubbock: "A few years ago, you know how you asked about something was wrong with your metal arm a little?"

Najenda: "...What did you do?"

Lubbock: "I may have accidentally spilled some... Stuff over it. There's also that shrine of you I have in my room of you."

Najenda: "...Why do you even have those? And no wonder my arm smelled weird for a couple of days."

Leone soon transformed into Lionel, her tail soon wagging as her drunken state was starting to get to her. With a carefree smile, she was about to say more.

Leone: "Uh. There's a lot more. So I better get it all out there now."

Lubbock: (nervous chuckle) "Yeah... I better do so too."

Najenda: (visible tick mark) "Save it for when the fight's over."

As Tatsumi continued to eat at his food, he looked to the two stoic assassins. While Akira ate normally, he soon spit out his food, which landed on the icy blue-eyed teen's face. Tatsumi ignores Akira's annoyed face momentarily, solely focused on Akame, who was eating quietly and not trying to shove everything down her mouth.

Akira: (annoyed) "Oi..."

Tatsumi: "Akame, what's the matter!? You're eating so slowly. Did something happen!?"

Lubbock: "Eh!? She's not shoving and stuffing food down her throat!?"

Chelsea: "What the hell happened!?"

Leone: "Ack! Now that I get a good look at her, she looks so serious!"

Najenda: "What's the matter, Akame!?"

She was surprised that they were all worried for her. Well, Akira was currently annoyed and was wiping food off his face with a napkin. She then let out a bitter smile, putting down her rice bowl onto the table.

Akame: "It's nothing... I'm sorry. I don't mean to dampen the spirit of the party, but... I was just remembering everybody."

The purple-eyed woman let out a grunt whilst everyone else looked at her surprised. Their surprised looks were soon replaced with more saddened ones, Leone taking a sip out of a bourbon cup she poured herself.

Akame: "Sheele. Bulat. Suu-san. Mine. And you all. It's thanks to them... I'm even here." (serious gaze) I swear that my final mission is to dispose of those who have corrupted this country will be a success! That's the duty of those who survive!"

Akira: "Heh. Finally got into the mood, huh?" (pats Akame's head) "Eat as much as you'd like."

Akame: "Yes... And that's why I eat!"

The boy would soon sigh as the normal behavior of his girlfriend soon returns, Akame suddenly picking up a large wooden bowl that had been specifically made for her. Laughs soon erupt among the group while Najenda held a sweat dropping expression.

Chelsea: "There she goes."

Tatsumi: "There's her appetite!"

Najenda: "That's our Akame."

As she was eating, Akame would soon halt. Through muffled noises, although they were still manageable to hear, Akame spoke to the brown-haired teen.

Akame: "You're laughing, Tatsumi."

Tatsumi: "Eh? Oh. So?"

Akame: (bows head) "I'm sorry... You're much stronger than I thought."

Akira: "Yeah. You've come a long way, country bumpkin."

Tatsumi: "What's that supposed to mean?"

Akira: "Remember what I first told you when we first joined? During your first battle?"

The brown-haired teen thought about it for a moment until his eyes were wide.

Akira: "If he can't take a single person's life, he's not cut out for it. Let alone falling for an obvious provocation like that. People like him will just die and wilt away with the wind like they've never existed."

Tatsumi: "What's your problem!?"

Akira: "My problem is that people like you are nothing but a liability. If you can't hurry up and come face to face with how the real world works, then you'll never get far as an assassin. You'll just end up lying dead in the dirt."

Tatsumi: "Why you...!"

He had closed his eyes, remembering that day. When he initially first joined, he was naive, unaware of the cruel nature the Empire held for it's subjects. The corrupted ruled over the weak... And his friends were victims of it.

Thinking back now, he was quite objective to the nature of how Night Raid operated. But since working with them and going through the hardships, he understood Akira's words then. Tatsumi let out a slight smile with a laugh.

Tatsumi: "Yeah, I do remember them. I should've had those properly driven through my thick skull."

The silver-haired general then smiled at Akame and Tatsumi.

Najenda: "That eases my mind, you two. But you've all lasted this long through sheer will. So make sure you all come back home alive."

Akame: "We will." (smiles) "When this is over, let's all board a ship and go to another country. Like we talked about in Kyoroch, remember?"

Chelsea: "I wasn't there for that conversation."

Lubbock: "You were resting at the time. But, yeah, I remember."

Tatsumi: "Yeah. We're going to board it with Mine too."

Akame: "If... If it does happen... I want Kurome to come too..."

Akira: "With Air, too, right?"

Akame: "Of course." (thoughts) 'Right... Our precious daughter...'

The red-eyed girl closed her eyes, imagining the scene in front of her. They would all be on the deck together. Both herself and Akira would be at the front, her partner holding onto their daughter as she sits upon his shoulders, a bright smile along her face while they look up at her.

Off to the side, Wave and Kurome would look out on in the distance, the man of the sea most likely telling her about his ventures in the sea. Of all the kinds of fish he's caught, the pirates and barbarians he fought with his comrades. Mine and Tatsumi would be behind the trio at the front, the pink-haired girl dragging her lover across the deck to point at the magnificent fish splashing out of the water with graceful leaps, Tatsumi smiling at how much Mine is enjoying herself. And finally, Najenda, Lubbock, Leone, and Chelsea would be in the foreground, talking amongst themselves.

What a grand vision she had imagined herself. Akame would then subconsciously drift her hand over to Akira's holding the top of it while he would flip his hand over to intertwine his with hers. She was already giving them her signature warm smile.

Akame: "If that becomes reality... It'll be a really fun trip..."

---

(A/N): In case you hadn't caught on... *cough* there's about to be some warnings up ahead... Well, this is the warning, really. If you don't want to read what's up ahead, just continue till the next bold text. Or just stop reading here if you want. Also, there's a reasoning that it's happening now and not after the war. Further reasoning will be shown near the end of the book.

Hours after the dinner, they were still having their celebration in the lounge room. Bottles of champagne, beer, liquor, and all kinds of alcohol were popped open.

Akame, however, had decided to retire to the shared room with Akira for the night. Most of them expected for her to go to sleep, but she didn't. A small candle had been lit at the bedside table, the ravenette sitting on the bed as a journal was open on her lap. Occasionally, she would flip through the pages, carefully reading each entry. Sometimes, a look of sadness would fill her face, but would be soon washed away with a happy expression.

The journal was in fact Akira's, the boy having recorded an entry through their days during the Elite Seven. They were fun moments and many enjoyable memories, that much was certain.

She was then knocked out of her thoughts when she heard a knock on the door, prompting her to shut the journal away and put it back in the drawer of the bedside table.

Akira: "Akame, you in?"

Akame: "Yes, love?"

Akira: "They opened up another bottle. Just wondering if you wanted some."

Akame: "No, it's quite alright. You can head on back."

Akira: "Wasn't planning to, anyway. I'll be inside in just a sec."

There was a bit of shuffling behind the door, Akame mentally preparing herself for what she was about to do. She had decided upon this, thinking about the possibilities if either one of them, or the both of them, didn't make it back from the fight. The door to the room then opened, Akira soon walking in.

Akira: "I just went to check in on them, and they seem to be having fun. I just thought--"

He couldn't finish the rest of his sentence, the door being shut behind them as Akame had lunged herself forward. She hugged him and buried her face into his chest, something he wasn't surprised about. However, he wondered why she did such a thing. Akira would soon respond with a hug himself, one of his hands caressing the back of her head, running his hand through her raven colored locks.

Akira: "What's going on... Did I do something?"

Akame: "No... Nothing of the sort."

The boy hummed as he continued to run his hand through her long black hair, from all the way down to the middle of her back and then all the way back up. He soon stopped, his hands rested on Akame's shoulders as they looked at each other. The two admired each other's eyes, having already noted before that they could get lost in them for hours upon hours. They mesmerized each other.

It was long after that Akame had initiated a kiss between the two, it being slow, gentle, and passionate. They held for a bit before they separated, a small string of saliva connecting them.

Akira: "What brought this on?"

Akame: "I just wondered... If one of us, or either of us--"

Akira: "Hey...don't talk like that. We're both making it out alive. That's a promise I'll ensure to see through."

Akame: "R-Right... I'm sorry..."

Akira: "There's no need to apologize. You don't need to."

She hummed in acknowledgement, the arms that were wrapped around him beginning to trail upward. She once more entangled their mouths into a kiss once more, Akira reciprocating the action. Akame's hands went up to the collar of his shirt, the red-eyed girl beginning to pull up on it. However, she was stopped. Akira had grabbed her hand with his own, halting her action as he looked her in the eye.

Akira: "Are you sure this is what you want?"

Akame: "Yes... I've never been so sure in my life. Now, let me see more."

Akira: "Very well. Whatever you desire, leader."

Akame giggled as she rolled her eyes. She's heard it before, but it wasn't often that she heard that nickname leave his mouth.

But either way, Akira obliged with the girl's order, slowly discarding his shirt as he tossed it to the floor. Akame took a deep breath, her red eyes scanning his body, up and down his torso. Her fingers begin to trail over the distinct scars that riddled his body, Akame remembering many of them over the course of their journey together. Especially remembering the one down near his stomach area, a healed up vertical slit.

She remembered that this particular wound was when they fought Weneg in the Gravekeepers hideout, the wound having been from Akira's own ice blade. Weneg had overturned the weapon and stabbed it through him, lodging it through him while the icy blue-eyed teen had struggled to escape his grasp. Akame had remembered that day vividly, soon frowning as she knew that he had gotten it from protecting her. Akira notices the frown that had graced her beautiful features, soon brushing his thumb across her cheek, which knocked her out of her thoughts.

Akira: "Must you trace over all of them?"

Akame: "I'm just merely..." (deep breath) "Remembering all of the times you've saved us...saved me. You earned most of them because of me."

Akira: "And I would do that all over again if I have to. Besides, as No. 2, I was also responsible for looking after you all after Najasho. Especially, you."

She simply smiled upon hearing his answer, Akame leaning up to capture his lips again. He picked her up, bringing her to the bed as he pushes her down onto it. He hovered over her, the black-haired teen having moved his mouth to her neck as bit down and sucked on it, trying to leave a mark on her neck. Akame gasped a bit as she withheld certain noises from leaving her mouth.

However, he soon stopped his assault, removing himself from her neck but still remained hovered over her. Once again, they stared into each other's eyes, Akira then leaning down to her ear.

Akira: "I'm... Truly glad that you found me that night... You know that?"

Akame: (content sigh) "I could say the same thing. Everything felt so lonely without you."

Akira: "And you don't know how I felt lost without you... But it's alright, now. I'm right here."

The soothing whispered words ticked her ear, Akira leaning down to bite down onto her ear. Akame bit her lip, once again trying to keep in her moans. It was a type of feeling that she had never felt before, but she could quickly get used to it... And relax into it. It was his love, after all.

Akira's hands went from beside her torso and then all the way to her outfit. His hand then grabbed the red tie, gently undoing it as he tossed it away, down to the floor like it was forgotten. His hand now then began to undo the collar of her sailor uniform, pulling it aside and lifting it up over, after having stopped biting her ear. Like the tie, he too tossed it to the ground. Both of them were now without their tops, the black-haired teen gazing down at the girl below him. His eyes scanned her down, carefully examining her. Akame blushed as she could feel his stare going down her body, the boy in front of her admiring the reasonable-sized chest she had. They weren't too large, nor were they too small.

His hands soon made it's way all the way down to her skirt, Akira soon slowly taking them off, along with the other undergarment. Likewise, Akame had discarded the pants he had worn, the two now in the nude. She could feel his breath just above her, the two sporting bright blushes as they were now fully exposed to each other. No more words were said as he leaned down once more, capturing her lips as his fingers trailed down even lower. She moaned into the kiss as she felt her partner's fingers just brush over her entrance, feeling him touch them as he lightly rubbed them. The volume of her moan would increase as he slowly began to insert his fingers between her folds, Akame trying to hold her moans back. If it weren't obvious, Akira was trying to force her voice out. Seconds later, Akame felt a pleasure she had never experienced before, soon coming off her high as she breathed heavily, her chest slowly rising up and down.

She soon felt something rub against her. She already knew he was asking permission for something so she gently nodded.

Akira: "Tell me if it hurts, and I'll stop."

Akame: "You could never hurt me."

That was a lie, and they both knew it. But Akame wanted to reassure him that everything would be alright.

Slowly nodding himself, he pushed forward. He watched as her face scrunched in slight pain, Akame even letting out a small pained moan. He was about to stop, but felt her legs wrap around him, causing him to look at her. Despite the pain she felt, it subsided soon after, Akame offering him a gentle nod, giving him the okay to continue.

Akira nodded, slowly and gently moving his hips. Unlike the pleasure she felt before, this was different. This type of pleasure was even more heavenly than the last one if she were to describe it. Light moans escaped her mouth, briefly causing her to cover her mouth. She didn't want the others to hear them of their activities, especially Leone. Who knows what would happen if she heard. Akame could feel his heavy breaths upon her, the amount of pleasure she felt causing her to not think straight. Her mind did end up wandering toward back then.

He loved her since they first met in the forest, he just never admitted it. Akame cursed herself for not noticing it then. But that didn't matter anymore, she acknowledges it now. She loved him dearly, just as he does so as well, the intercourse they were doing to consummate their love.

With each thrust of his hips, Akame found her moans getting a little bit louder by the second. He had increased the speed of his thrusts, but still maintained that gentle pace. She was enjoying it, or rather, she loved it. She then brought her arms to wrap around his neck, her hands being entangled in his hair, Akira's face being pushed down into the crack of her neck. He continued to suckle down and bite to leave his mark, showing that Akame had belonged to him.

But things would soon come to an end, Akira beginning to increase his speed just a little bit more. It wasn't long that he came, Akame feeling the warmth inside her as she continued to hug him tightly.

She soon let go of him as he rose up, a small blush on his face. Most likely because he didn't pull out, but she smiled at him warmly to reassure him. Just seeing her smile was more than enough, Akira soon falling down onto the bed to lie next to her. His fingers would run through her hair whilst she ran her own finger over his chest to trace over the scars.

Akira then turned to face her, Akame now giving him her full attention. He was about to speak, but she silenced him with a finger to his lips, leaning forward slightly to whisper into his ear.

Akame: "I'm sorry...sorry for taking so long to tell you."

Her tone was lovingly soothing, just as it had always been. He closed his eyes and kissed her cheek.

Akira: "It's alright... I love you."

She subconsciously smiled, Akame beginning to fall asleep. The three words that escaped his mouth were ones she longed to hear for a while.

While she wished that she had recognized it long ago, she was satisfied. She was happy to have someone love her, but also someone to love. She would be happy for as long as they were together.

That's all that mattered.

---

That's the end of it. As I had previously stated in the warning, there was a reason why I had it occur now rather than doing it after the war. All I can say is that the reasoning is crucial for the end of this book.

That's all the details I can spare, so you'll have to wait until the end of the book. Thanks for reading so far.

Until the next chapter.