Skye

Whoa. Whatever was in the book sure had gotten to Rex. Seemed like there might be a pretty good reason for the whole chop-chop thing. Skye glanced at the book, but didn't bother picking it up. "So, what is it? Murderers? Kidnappers? Nah, not enough." she mulled it over for a second. "Oh. Torture, right? Call it all three." she looked over at Glasses Girl. Apparently she was the good guy.

Still, where was the other parent? There were two of them after all. She looked around the room, her eyes resting on a man who was cowering in the corner. There he was. "So, you thought you'd mess up my pretty little face, huh, daddy dearest?" she smiled like a shark. The man bolted, barging past her. She stayed completely still, her smile getting wider.

To his credit, he nearly made it to the door, before one of the spears shot out of her case, going right through his leg and taking him down. She spoke again, without turning around. "Much as I'd love to finish you off, it's not really for me. See, I never trusted you too much anyway - smug old bastard in some kinda fancy mansion, taking in strangers outta the goodness of his heart? she laughed. "Gimme a break. Rex here actually seemed to trust you though, and you messed with that. Way I see it, you've done worse to him. Guy deserves a shot to finish you off."



That almost killed me! Tatsumi thought, panting from exertion. Maybe that old idol really was lucky, it had probably saved his life! It didn't seem like he'd been saved for long, as the girl lunged for another attack. He saw his life flash before his eyes, as the katana sliced towards him, then... "Hold up. I owe this guy a favour." she smiled, winking at him. "Thought I'd pay you back."

That was strange. Some kind of lion woman? But her voice seemed familiar. Wait a minute! She was the reason he was in this mess! "You're the boob-lady! You took my money!" Now that he realised, he could recognize her face. Among other things.

She smiled, putting the other girl down. Suddenly, she seemed to become more serious, walking over to the door. "She's not as innocent as you think she is, lad." with that, she smashed the door open, and Tastumi recoiled in horror upon seeing the figures inside. "What is this!? Sayo!? Ieyasu!? Why!?"

Rex actually growled, he was so angry."Just finish him, Skye," he said. The young woman stood aside for a moment. "Miss, Night Raid isn't what they told us, right? You don't kill people indiscriminately?"

"It's Sheele," she introduced herself. "We are killers, but we only kill people who do cruel things. The Imperial Capital is filled with corruption, and it's our job to deal with them." Her eyes went down to Rex's hands. "Could I see those for a moment?"

The young man raised one of his hands, but didn't take the glove off. Sheele turned his hand. "These... these are Imperial Arms." She let go. "How did you come by these?"

"They were my father's," Rex explained. "Imperial Arms? What're those?"





Akame couldn't help but cock an eyebrow. So Leone knew this kid. That was interesting. But the fact that he knew two of the people inside... The young woman was dead, her body torn and mutilated. The young man, however, seemed to be suffering from some kind of severe illness. "It's unfortunate that you know some of these people."

Skye

So, Glasses was part of Night Raid. Scheele. Funny how the assassin chick with the freaky scissors was the good guy here. Still, what was that about Rex's gloves being an Imperial Arms? Talk about a coincidence and a half.

Anyway, she supposed she should finish off the old man. She turned and tossed the spear that she'd been holding at his head, killing him instantly if a little messily. Looks like someone smashed a watermelon. Heh. she found the thought funny in some messed-up way.

She strolled over to the others, looking at Rex with a reassuring, slightly cheerful smile. Might as well try to explain it in her own way. "Some kinda old-age super weapons. They've all got special abilities and stuff. 'Bout all I know."

Speaking of that, she realised she'd left hers stuck through the dead guy. She put her hands out, willing the spears to fly into them. "Pretty funny we all ended up meetin' like this though, huh? Not every day you meet some other sucker with one of these things."

Tatsumi

Sayo was dead. God, it looked like she'd been torn to pieces! And Ieyasu was... "They did this? he was angry. So angry, that it didn't even feel like anything at all.

"It's a lie! I didn't know!" Aria yelled, maybe sensing his fury. "Tatsumi..." he looked up at Ieyasu, who seemed to be using the last of his strength just to speak. "They invited us...Sayo and me. That girl - she tortured her to death!" Anger took him over.

Aria started ranting and raving. Worthless, country hicks. That was what she called them. The assassins seemed to be preparing to take her out, but he stopped them. "Wait." he walked over to Aria, slowly. "I'll kill her." he said coldly, tearing his sword out of its sheath and slicing her open. He didn't even notice the lion-woman looking at him curiously. Didn't even hesitate... Hmm.

Taatsumi ran into the shed and grabbed onto Ieyasu, tears streaming down his face.

Rex himself didn't believe in coincidences. That was a rule his father had drilled into him. No such thing as coincidences, always carry a knife, never screw over your partner, things like that. He nodded, his mind flashing back to when he'd found his brother in that classroom. "Some sick bastard killed my little brother, and all of his classmates," he murmured. "I've always hated people like that." His hands clenched into fists. "I want in. And I want to speak to whoever's in harge about my one condition."

Sheele nodded. "That can be arranged," she said. She adjusted her glasses. "And you, Skye? What do you want?"





She watched Tatsumi silently, evaluating him. He had potential. He had been driven by rage, and the need for revenge, but would he still function in real combat? Or would he freeze up? She nudged Leone. "C'mon," she said quietly. "The others are waiting on us." She could see Sheele leaving the mansion, tailed by two more individuals. They weren't a threat.

Skye

Skye spoke seriously in response to Sheele's question. "You're kidding me, right? You actually expect me to just agree to spending all of my time in the shadows, giving up any hope at a normal life to spend it killing people for you, just 'cause a couple of lunatics decided to try and abduct me or something? If I joined a rebellion every time someone tried to kill me then I'd never have time to sleep."

Of course, Skye had already made her decision, but she decided to wait a moment, make 'em sweat a little, before her face split into a grin. "Glasses, you are lucky that I'm crazy. 'Course I'm in! Who'd pass up an opportunity to teach the Empire a thing or two, am I right?" she said, with a cocky smirk directed towards Sheele.

To be honest, she'd planned on messing with the Empire from the get-go. She had a bone to pick with them anyway, even if she wasn't some kinda expert on the revolution or trained soldier or whatever. But if it meant that she could make things good for herself, she'd be happy to stick with 'em. "So, you wanna lead the way, Scheele?"

Leone

Leone looked at Akane. "Sure, sure. I think we should bring the lad back with us. He's lucky, got guts and he's got some skill with that sword of his." she didn't bother waiting for Akane to agree with her, instead just walking over and effortlessly picking up Tatsumi, who loudly objected. "W-wait! I can't Just leave them! I have to bury them!" Leone sighed.

"Relax. If it bothers you that much, I'll come back and grab their bodies later. Hey, Akane, I'm ready to go!" she said, walking over to the swordswoman, Tatsumi struggling to get out of her grip and failing completely. With a grin, she bounded past Akane, heading towards the rooftop where everyone was waiting.

She didn't really seem to care if the others were okay with it. Leone had decided that Tatsumi was coming with them, and that was that. It was pointless to argue with her, but Akane had to know that by now. Unlike Tatsumi, who was still trying. "Lemme go! Hey! Put me down!"

Rex followed closely behind Sheele. He could see that Tatsumi was quite upset. Judging by his words, he'd discovered what the family had been doing. And judging by the tears... he'd known someone in there. Rex knew the feeling all too well. Tatsumi was being dragged by a blond bombshell with cat ears and a cat tail (just the sight caused a dribble of a nosebleed), and said bombshell was with a girl he recognized from Wanted posters around town. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled. These people were all dangerous, even though they were on the side of good.

He examined each and every one of these... "Night Raiders" carefully. One was tall and muscular, totally encased in armor. Rex could tell from a glance that he carried himself like a warrior. However, the others looked like normal people: a skinny young man with goggles, and some kind of clawed glove with thread; a short, petite young woman in twin tails (and an obsession with the color pink, apparently...); and Sheele. His gloves gave him the same sensation as when he ran into one of the more menacing Danger Beasts.

These people... despite their appearances, each and every one of them was a predator of some of the highest caliber.

And their prey were creatures more vile than the worst Danger Beast.

"Seems Leone and Sheele ran into someone they think is suited for our line of work," Akame observed. Her tone was soft; if she hadn't been carrying a lethal weapon, she could pass for a normal young lady. Sheele nodded.

"These two were inside," she said. "Their names are..." The bespectacled girl frowned. "Their names are..." She turned to Rex again. "What's your name again?"

Rex's expression said one very simple phrase: Lolwhut?

Huh. Sheele was kind of absentminded, that was funny. She'd seemed like one of those brainy analytical types that Skye found a little creepy, so it actually made her less uncomfortable. Not sure why she'd thought that - Probably the glasses. Before the others could say anything, Skye grinned, raising a hand in greeting. "Name's Skye. Like, well, the sky. I think it's 'cause of the hair. Not really creative, but I'd like to think I make up for it."

She grinned at Rex. "That's Rex. He's pretty cool, I guess, even if he does get kinda quiet sometimes. Right? Right."

Nodding at Tatsumi, she grinned. "Oh, and that's--"

Tatsumi, still not having accepted that he wasn't escaping Leone's grip, took a break from struggling to glare at Skye. He'd had enough crazy things going on today, and to be taken away without even burying his friends... He wasn't in the mood to deal with the blue-haired right now, even if he'd only ever spoken to her for a few minutes. The look he shot her was enough for her to stop talking, although she appeared slightly annoyed. Before she could continue, though, the lion-woman started to speak.

"This one's Tatsumi." Leone dropped Tatsumi onto the floor with no warning, leaving him sitting on the ground with a surprised expression. "We can figure everything else out when we get back. In case you hadn't figured it out, starting today, you three are coming with us!"

Tatsumi looked up at the group of assassins with horror. He'd killed Aria, sure, but that didn't mean he wanted to join some kind of assassins group! "What? I didn't agree to-"

"Bulat, you can carry them!"

"W-What?" Tatsumi looked terrified at this new development as he was handed over to the armoured figure. They were taking him with them? To be an assassin? He'd just wanted to protect his village! He looked at Rex for help, having decided the other guy seemed like the sanest person here that wasn't a trained killer.

Rex held up a hand. "I'm sure I can keep up," he said. And he probably could. Hunting and fighting Danger Beasts ever since his mother had passed away had been how he kept his little brother fed and in school. When fighting Danger Beasts, speed was necessary. But now that the subject of Imperial Arms had been breached, his mind began asking questions: if the gloves from his father were, in fact, Imperial Arms, what did they do? Did they have anything to do with how he could sense danger without seeing it? Why the Beasts he hunted always had a look of shock in their eyes?

The big guy-- Bulat-- grabbed Tatsumi... unfortunately for the latter, it looked and felt like a bridal carry. "Calm down, little buddy," he said. "Hold on tight." His voice unexpectedly took on a suggestive tone. "This is gonna be a rough ride." He glanced at Skye. "What'dya say, hon? Fancy a piggyback ride?" Scheele did her best to hide a smirk. Akame, however, didn't react.

"Mission completed," she said. "Let's go home, Night Raid."

Tatsumi looked up at the man holding him, looking more than a little intimidated. When he'd been handed over, this wasn't exactly what he'd expected... And what did that statement even mean anyway? Tatsumi decided that he was probably better off accepting the ride. At least this guy seemed friendly - in a manner of speaking - so it could be worse. Besides, running away from the trained super-assassins seemed like a fast track to death.

Skye looked from Tatsumi to Bulat before shrugging and shouldering her weapons case. "Sure, as long as I'm not interrupting you guys' special moment." With a wink and a grin that thoroughly unnerved Tatsumi, she climbed up onto Bulat's back. She could probably keep up on her own pretty easy, but wearing herself out for the sake of looking tough when she could get a free ride seemed like a waste of time. Besides, this was surprisingly comfortable.

Seemingly unimpressed by the new arrivals, the pink girl glowered at them before speaking sharply. "Fine, whatever. Let's get moving before you bring in any more strays."

The guy with the gloves, however, seemed a lot more relaxed, grinning at the rest of the group. "I guess we should get moving. I bet Najenda's waiting for m- I mean, for us all to get back!"

With that, it seemed like they were all in agreement. And without any more discussion, they started their journey back to Night Raid's headquarters - leaving the empty mansion far behind in the night.

Two days passed. In that span of time, Rex realized that the people he had joined were leagues ahead of him, in terms of skill. That feeling he'd gotten before, like each and every member of Night Raid were S-class Danger Beasts, was further reinforced when he watched them train. Bulat in particular. The first time he'd seen the big man outside of his armor had been a shock.

"What'd you expect?" Bulat chuckled, wiping sweat from his brow. Rex didn't swing that way, but he couldn't help but stare at Bulat's muscles.

"Well, maybe a horrible scar from a Danger Beast," said Rex. "Or maybe someone not even human." He smiled apologetically. "Sorry. I should have waited til I saw you out of the armor before making a judgement."

"It's alright," Bulat assured. "The couch treat you okay?" There had only been two extra rooms. For now, Rex was sleeping on the couch.

"Better than the ground," he replied. "And certainly better than the time I had to gut and sleep inside a Danger Beast in order to avoid freezing to death." He still remembered it strongly. God, the thing had secreted an oil that could only be described as "foul". The inside?

Much, much worse.

He glanced off towards the cliff. Rex had helped bury Tatsumi's friends yesterday. The other newcomer had barely left the spot these past two days.

Tatsumi still didn't understand why any of this had happened. He'd failed - hadn't he? They were supposed to save the village together, his friends and him. Sayo, Ieyasu... He couldn't get it out of his head no matter how hard he tried. There was a tormented expression on his face as he stared down at the graves. Part of him knew he should keep moving, but he just wasn't sure how to deal with it. And then there was the matter of where he'd ended up, captured by a group of assassins. There was no way he could join the Imperial Army now, so how was he meant to save his village? He could join Night Raid, but murder didn't feel like something he could do. It wasn't about talent, but Tatsumi wasn't sure he could take someone's life so easily.

He sighed as he saw one of the assassins approaching. Probably going to try and get him to move, even if he didn't feel like it right now. Still, there wasn't much he could really do about it as Leone picked him up. The woman seemed to have decided it was her job to look after him, despite Tatsumi's repeated protests against the idea. "I'm to show you around the hideout today. Have you seen the other two around anywhere?"

In contrast to the young man stood by the cliff, the cyan-haired girl perched in a nearby tree seemed much less cut up over the incident. Admittedly, she also just figured that the whole 'assassins' deal sounded cool, and the people that got murdered - sucked to be them, but she couldn't fix that now. But watching how cut up he seemed to be, she'd started to think about maybe helping Tatsumi out. Emotional stuff wasn't really her strong point, but if she needed to say something then she would. Not like she hadn't dealt with anything like this before, but she decided to wait and see if the others could help out first. Didn't want to be all sappy and cry everywhere, there was enough of that around.

Overhearing the blonde, Skye glanced over towards Rex and Bulat vefore moving through the trees with surprising grace for someone that seemed so dimwitted. If nothing else, she was definitely acrobatic. Dropping from the trees next to the pair, she waved. "Morning guys. Or is it afternoon?" She glanced at the sky. "Yeah, morning. I think Leone's looking for us, Rex. Something about showing us around? I'm not sure. She already grabbed Tatsumi while he was busy moping over there." She nodded towards the cliff, yawning and adjusting her case. Despite the fact that they knew about her weapons, she'd decided to keep the thing. Sentimental value or something.