10 Chapter 9

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Meanwhile at the shelter...

- Why the *** did you let him go to the tournament!!! ???? - Yelled Najenda, not holding back in her expressions.

Concern was clearly evident on the faces here, but Akame... she had a fierce fear on her face that the members of the Night Raid had never seen before.

- Boss... I..." Leone mumbled, but the former general was no longer listening to her.

- It's not even the fact that Kaneki was kidnapped, I'm sure that if he wanted to, he could even get out of the centre of the palace... But that's just it..." Najenda said thoughtfully, inhaling the smoke of her cigarette.

- Boss? What, 'but only just'? - Mein asked anxiously.

- Based on his behaviour, he might just not want to come back. And his motives lately... Esdes might get wind of his power, and offer to join the Huntsmen.... Which for a man, a creature like him, would be very tempting. And he might just say yes.

- How can you say such things about Kaneki? - Akame literally hissed with anger. After which she picked up her cloak from the table and headed towards the exit.

- Akame, stop! That's an order! - Najenda roared.

- I don't care. I'm going after him. - she heard in response, to which she was very surprised. For Akame, such a response was very atypical.

- Akame, I'm coming with you. - Mein said seriously, picking up the suitcase with Pumpkin and rushing after her.

- Hey, wait for me!!! - Leone chased after them.

Shelly, on the other hand, also picked up her scissors, but only silently ran after them. Only Lubbock remained next to Najenda, looking at the girls leaving with a little sadness.

- Go. - Najenda nodded sadly to him, taking out another cigarette.

The boy's eyes sparkled with joy and he also rushed to help his friend. Najenda gave him a glance, then said to herself:

- And he could be a real problem...

***

I looked at the happy face of Esdes, who was currently holding half of my hand, against her chest. She was afraid that I would run away, however... in this position, even if I could, I would refuse to run away.

All the way to that hill from the capital, I travelled in the arms of the ghastly red Esdes, who was parallel driving the horse on which we were riding. Again, I didn't feel much like running at this point.

The brave band of Huntsmen were sent to saw off the revolutionaries' fortress, which I looked at quite calmly. I don't really give a damn about them, I'm only fighting for the Night Raid... for some of its members....

Esdes fidgeted, gently releasing my hand. I didn't react at all, looking enviously at the carnage in the fortress.

- See... I'm not that evil. - said Esdes warmly. - Is reality much different from what you imagined?

I remained silent, pondering her words. There was an image in my head that kept slipping away from my consciousness.

- To tell you the truth, this is the first time I've experienced something like this. - Asdes continued. - But being in love with someone... it's not so bad. - she finished with a smile, putting a hand to her chest.

- Not always. - it came out of my mouth, accompanied by the image of Mira. After all, I was really in love with her, until... I went crazy. And I almost slaughtered her along with the rest of the guild.....

Esdes looked at me in surprise, and I inwardly slapped myself on the forehead for my emotion.

- By the way, where will I live now? - I abruptly changed the subject.

- In my room, of course! - Esdes exclaimed, completely forgetting about my last remark.

And then I got cold. There was a pink-haired sniper on a hill about a kilometre away. Considering the fact that Esdes was now holding my hand, Mein's tracking wasn't that critical... Yeah, the whole Night Raid was up there!!!! Yeah... I threw mental channels on them... they immediately rushed to my rescue... I wish they hadn't gone into battle... Then all my plans for Esdes would go up in flames... And I wouldn't be able to eat those flames....

***

Thank God they didn't go into action. The huntsmen finished their mission and Esdes dragged me to her chambers. The girl herself went to take a shower, and before she did so, she put Kurome and Dove on my guard. Sitting on the bed, I contemplated my future actions, namely escape. I remembered she had sent Tatsumi along with Wade the next day... However, that might not work with me. She could very well pair me up with her, and then it would be ******. However... I can run away from Esdes too.

In the meantime, the girl finished her bath, and then shouted from the shower for Kurome and Dove to get out of the room. The door to the shower opened the next moment, giving me a wonderful view of Esdes in her nightie.

And that's when I really freaked out. My body was affected by something familiar, but with an energy I didn't understand at all. And that's when the ****** kicked in. My whole body went into a frenzy, a little Ghoul hunger kicked in, the kakugan activated without my permission, and the kagune started trying to break free.

- I'm going to shower... - I wheezed out loud, running at full speed past Esdes with my eyes half-closed.

Locking myself in, I glanced in the mirror in shock, trying to cut off the kakugan while turning on the cold water and bursting right underneath in my clothes. After a couple of minutes, I managed to calm down. Kagune stopped lashing out, and the kakugan obediently passed out. Except the hunger wasn't going anywhere.

I went completely into myself, trying to analyse the effect... and the magic just refused to do it! Whenever I tried to touch the information about the effect, the magic just shut down for a few seconds, giving me a rather unpleasant sensation.

After a couple of minutes, I gave up, stripping down to my waist and getting my clothes back to normal with mana.

***

When I got out of the shower, Esdes was sitting on the edge of the bed, smiling at me strangely. Was she going to seduce me? I wouldn't mind, though.

The girl patted the seat next to me, urging me to sit down. I didn't resist, and complied.

- Would you like something to drink? - Esdes asked.

The thought of coffee flashed through my mind, but I dismissed it.

- No, thanks. - I replied, smiling.

- To be honest, I don't know how to behave in a situation like this... I think we'll figure it out if we want to....

Mm-hmm... but I'm very good at this sort of thing... because of some experience from three lives at once.

However, Esdes didn't let me finish my thought, giving me an unexpected kiss that instantly threw all thoughts out of my head. I automatically responded to the kiss and put my arms around the girl's waist, while trying to hold back my reflexes... follow ups.

So... what should I do? I'm not going to lure her to the revolutionaries, because I'm going to escape from there myself. I don't really want to go to the Empire either, since they'll try to manipulate me there too... So... I have to give Esdes the idea that I should leave and then beat everyone up. At least that's how it'll look to her.

Wait, what am I trying to do? I haven't really asked myself that question. Just having fun? After all, according to the canon, everything is limited to this war... I don't have any acquaintances to sit on the throne... Well, for now, I'll just try to lure the most important people to me.

I pulled away from Esdes, moving away from her.

- Esdes... hear me out. - I wheezed.

- Hmm? What is it? I'm all ears. - replied the girl playfully.

- I hate the current empire! - I began remotely.

- No wonder. A lot of people feel the same way. So what's the matter?

- I don't want to fight on the side of the empire. And I never will. - I smirked.

- Don't worry about it. Just stay here with me. - Esdes said softly, snuggling into my arm and hugging me. - I know you've been through a lot... but I won't let you suffer any more....

A facet of my consciousness began to scream for a second impact, but I paid exactly no attention to it. I was filled with an anger I didn't understand. I remembered all those people I had experimented on and killed for the sake of getting even the slightest grain of power... Also, I saw a huge, blond man with tongs, as well as pain... a huge pain... Except... not mine? The pain felt like a part of me that I had no control over....

I instantly threw off Esdes' arms, standing up abruptly from the bed. Barely, I held back a furious growl.

- Kaneki? What's wrong with you? - I heard a concerned voice behind me.

- You don't know anything about me. - I said with an unnatural fury in my voice. - You have no idea what I've been doing. Then why the hell do you say you know what I've been through!???? - I sharply yelled, striking my fist against the nightstand. The wood easily shattered into pieces, which slowly began to smoulder.

And then... I abruptly calmed down. The impact was completely gone, unlike what was happening in the bathtub. Then I just thought it was gone... But hell... who could do that?

I thought of Esdes, and the possible consequences of my antics. I had my back to her, so she didn't see my new calm. So, with a fake look of anger on my face, I took a heavy, quick step toward the balcony, then activated the Impulse at full power.

Esdes shouted something at me, but because of the spell, I didn't hear her....

I landed on one of the roofs of the capital, and then lay down, tiredly began to watch the stars. A kilometre away from me, a Night Raid was rushing towards me rather quickly, however... I was not interested in that.

I was thinking about what had happened to me. And it felt like it wasn't the first time... And an impact of this level... I can't even imagine who could do it....

- Kaneki!!! - I heard Akame's joyful voice.

Raising my head, I saw Akame running across the roof, followed by everyone else. Rising to my feet, I smiled as I spread my arms. And just a few seconds later, I was swamped with hugs from my friends.

***

- Whoo! When we get back, we'll have a feast! - Leone exclaimed happily.

- By the way, have you and Esdes... well... been indecent? - suddenly asked Lubbock.

We were in the capital's asylum, where I had already managed to visit. And now everyone was guzzling wine at Lubbock's question.

- No," I replied, smiling brightly. - However... I need to stay in the capital. - I replied seriously.

- WHAT! ????? - resounded from all sides.

- Esdes really fell in love with me. - I began to explain. - And I plan to strengthen her feelings as much as possible, so that I can lure her to our side. And I myself... in such a short time I started to feel something for her.

The faces of my teammates, they've been great. They come to rescue me from the capital, and I tell them I don't want to leave.

- However, for someone like Esdes, it is necessary not to reciprocate in order to strengthen feelings. On the contrary, it is necessary to run a little from her, in order to breed an even greater desire to receive reciprocity. - I finished.

Perhaps I didn't need to tell them everything... However, if they seriously try to keep me, I'll just use the mental channels, and then they'll definitely agree.

- I'll stay with you. - Akame said suddenly.

- Ahh..." a dumbfounded Mein stretched out.

- No, Akame. - I replied. - You could easily be caught, and in that case, they would kill us both, because they would find out that I belong to the Night Raid.

- Akame, he's right. - unexpectedly serious, agreed with Shelly. - I think an ally like Esdes would be a great asset to the revolutionary army. And about her being in love with Kaneki..." the girl blushed a little. - I think he should know better.

- But Kaneki..." said Mein confusedly.

- He's right. - Lubbock interrupted her. - If there's a way to get Esdes on our side, we should take it. - and added in a whisper. - Why is that arsehole so lucky with girls?

- Mm-hmm. - Leone nodded sadly. - Let's believe that you will succeed! - The metamorph suddenly cheerfully exclaimed, picking up a glass of wine and drinking it in one gulp.

***

I opened my eyes and turned my head. The first shock followed. The face of a sleeping Akame was resting against my cheek. Scraping my thoughts together a little, I realised that we were lying completely naked. Carefully, I lifted myself up and looked around the hotel room where our clothes were scattered around.

Yooo... I'm not getting drunk, am I? Then how? I don't even remember shit! How did we move in?!?!? What if Akame saw us!????

Meanwhile, Akame fidgeted, trying to find me. Here her eyes open... She collides with my dazed look... And lo and behold, the blanket is pulled off me, hiding under it with my head. I hurriedly rush to pick it up, pulling on the shirt lying next to me.

Once I was dressed, I patted the blanket lightly. A pair of confused eyes peeked out from underneath.

- Do you remember anything? - I asked forehead to forehead. I got a small, negative nod of my head. - Okay, I'll go see if anyone's seen you, and you get dressed.

Akame remained silent again, and I headed out of the room.

***

As it turns out, I came to room one last night. So it was a window again, which was a relief. It was only 7am, which meant it would soon be time to head to Delicious Paradise... First, however, I returned to the room. Akame was already dressed, and was now hooking Murasame on her belt.

- No one saw you. - I threw open the door abruptly. - The others are at the base now, so hurry up to them and head to the shelter.

Akame crumpled and blushed a little, which was unnatural for her, but still asked:

- Can't you still come with us?

However, seeing my gaze, Akame lowered her head sadly.

- Be careful..." Akame whispered, suddenly hugging me.

I was a bit discouraged by this turn of events, so I automatically hugged her back. After a few seconds, she let go of me, and without a word, jumped out the window. I grinned, and went outside in a more traditional way. Akame and I had forgotten about what had passed between us....

Nothing had changed at the café. Everyone knew that I was one of the winners of the tournament, but they didn't dare to ask. As usual, I ordered a coffee and sat down in my favourite place, enjoying the morning breeze.

However, my idyll was interrupted. Namely, a panting Serue abruptly plopped down in front of me, storming over to me with a worried look.

- Kaneki... Phew... Why did you run away? - she asked calmly.

- Good morning to you too, Seriu. - I nodded, taking a sip of coffee. - What are you doing here? - I asked, pretending to be an idiot.

- All the gamekeepers are on their toes! Except for Mr Balls... Esdes called him in for some kind of conversation... And everyone else is running around the city trying to find you! - she exclaimed in emotion, grabbing me by the sleeve of my cloak, jumping up and running towards the street.

- Seriu, leave me alone. - I waved her off lazily. - I'm not in the mood to talk to Esdes.

- But why?

- She knows why. And if she didn't tell me, then you don't need to know. - I replied, finishing the rest of my coffee, then set the cup aside.

When I looked at Seria, I noticed that her left hand was in her pocket, which smelled like ice magic. Another "signal?" Pretending as if I hadn't noticed her actions, I got up from the table, simultaneously accelerating on pure fire mana, which gave me a trail of fire behind me, and going outside.

After thinking for a bit, next I headed out to hunt. Besides, I've still been holding back hunger since yesterday.....

Meanwhile...

Esdes was sad. In her entire life, this feeling had only visited the girl a few times. She had not at all expected her lover to react so harshly to, one could say, innocent words. And behind her surprise, she had missed the moment when Kaneki had fled in a fit of anger.

After a moment's thought, she realised that she'd obviously done something wrong, so she called Balsa over to her as the most knowledgeable on the subject.

- You must have touched on something about his past," said the flamethrower thoughtfully. - You should look into it more. As far as I know, Serue is quite familiar with Kaneki-san.

- That's how...'' Esdes stretched out. - Well, thank you, Balls.

- And remember, you can't rush into something like this! Everything will work out in time, so you have to have patience!

But then Esdes felt a signal from Seriu, signalling the success of Kaneki's search.

A while later...

Esdes was walking down the street with Seriu, constantly running her gaze through the crowd, hoping with all her soul to see white hair.

- The name of the village? He said something like that..." Seriu frowned, thinking about it. - Ah, I remember! Magnolia! He said he lived half his life in a village called Magnolia!

- Hmm... I've never heard of such a thing..." Esdes frowned. - I'll have to tell the librarian to look it up....

***

I stopped eating the corpse of the guard because I felt the pigeon approaching. Putting the illusion on my clothes, I released the "bloody" kagune, preparing for battle.

The pigeon attacked without a second thought. However, he couldn't even scratch me with his iron, and got a hole in his wing... However, he was still able to dodge. He collapsed on the ground... After that, he was planted on one of my blades.....

On second thought, I decided to mutilate his carcass as well, so that he wouldn't be in my way in the future. And in general, all the Huntsmen, with the exception of Kurome and Esdes, should be cut out. They have some kind of power, and therefore pose a threat to my plans.

I tore off the pigeon's legs and arms and tore its torso, throwing a few bones to the side. After that, I headed towards the nearest river.

Logically, Esdes and the Huntsmen should be out on patrol tonight. After all, the kuroken killed one of the members of her squad... And, perhaps, we should get in the way of the general. It's getting tiresome just running around the city.

I looked at the sun and sighed. It was noon now, and there was still plenty of time before nightfall... What to do...?

***

I looked at the burning circus dome with a pang of regret. It had all started as an innocent prank... I had just increased the flames on the juggler's sticks a little... But still, that performance was the last one, so I hadn't lost anything.

Sighing, I climbed up from the roof of one of the buildings, after which I galloped across the rooftops towards the Delicious Paradise. Perhaps I should have a cup of coffee to calm down, then head out to see what the situation with the pigeon was. He should have been found by now, so.....

Unfortunately, for whatever reason, Delicious Paradise was closed. There was a sign hanging about some sort of incident and the temporary closure of the cafe. Sighing sadly, I headed to the already pigeonholed place.

The crowd was indeed already there. From behind their backs, I couldn't see if Esdes was there, so I didn't think twice about it. The huntsmen were in full health, gloomily watching the guards as they collected the body fragments. Esdes was the only one calm, but she had a special outlook on life, so she was forgiven.

- Mistress? - Esdes whispered to Sera.

- We're going out to patrol the city tonight. The Prime Minister is already seriously unhappy with the situation. And I'm getting more and more interested... - the girl replied with a smile.

- Justice will prevail!!! - exclaimed Seriu, smiling brightly.

And then she looked at the crowd... In which she saw my head sticking out. Yeah, still with white hair, you stand out too much from the crowd.....

Sighing, I turned around and headed out with a quick stride....