16 Madness: CASUALTY

As time passed, Billy noticed that everyone walked out from the hideout, curiously, he followed them and saw a severely injured Mine in front of the hideout.

Billy: What happened?

He looked around and saw everyone with a shocked face, meanwhile, Mile was holding her injured arm with the other injured one in pain and stuttered.

Mine: S-Sheele was…

Everyone had a different reaction, Akame apathetically looked down, but it was obvious that she was holding back tears;

Bulat gritted his teeth and closed his eyes;

Lubbock was crying and desperately cleaning his eyes from tears;

Leone had a cold face as she looked down;

Najenda just closed her eyes and stood calm;

Billy just sighed;

But the one who had it worst was Tatsumi, who looked as if he saw his friends dying again.

Tatsumi: Wh-Where is the person who did it…? Mine!?

Najenda: Wait. What do you intend to do, Tatsumi?

Tatsumi: It's obvious, isn't it?! Revenge!!!

Najenda: Stop. If you go off half-cocked, all you will be doing is increasing the body count.

Tatsumi: Hey! Our friend was killed!!! Do you think I'm just going to sit here and sta-

A kick arrived to his face, unexpectedly coming from Billy, due to the strength he used, the kick sent Tatsumi away of a couple of dozen of meters with a purple bruise on his cheek.

Tatsumi: Wha-

Billy: Oi! Retard, look around yourself.

Tatsumi did as Billy said, and saw that everyone showed different grades of sadness about Sheele's death, at this moment, he gritted his teeth and held back some tears.

Najenda: Sheele's death was certainly not pointless. The empire will now finally understand that it takes a Teigu to fight a Teigu. And now they will bring in more Teigu users to fight for them, but it will be useless since we can easily make copies each day.

Not only that, if Billy can see more of them, we can make a new variety of Teigus for the Revolutionary Army.

Everyone nodded, and turned back inside to rest. Yet, no one knew that this would be the start of a long time full of headaches for Billy...

[Tomorrow]

Today was different, everyone looked normal, even if some were still in sorrow for Sheele's death, yet, Akame was still the same as before, apathetic as a brick, but it didn't need a genius to know she was holding back tears.

Like every other days, Akame did her job in the hideout, cooking, hunting, cooking again… Yet, there was this feeling coming from Billy's heart… Pity.

Billy: 'No, she killed you and your family, she ruined everything… I should feel happy that she is sorrowful…'

He continued to think that, but the satisfactory smile he wanted to have never came to his face.

The day passed, and it was night, like every night, he picked his corner and slept there after removing his sunglasses, what? He can't stay 24 hours with sunglasses or a veil, he need some rest from that too.

In the night, Billy got woken up from the sound of footsteps leaving the room, he opened his eyes and saw that Akame wasn't in her bed, he sighed and stood up, he put his sunglasses and walked out, going towards the kitchen.

Like he thought, Akame was there holding some snacks in a plate, she almost walked away when she heard footsteps and turned around, unexpectedly finding Billy.

Akame: Billy…

Billy: Hey, Black…

Akame: ...What do you want?

Billy: …*Sigh* I know it's EXTREMELY rich coming from me, but I want to help.

Akame almost let the plate fall in the ground from the shock of hearing Billy say those words.

Billy: I know, I know, surprising, isn't it?

Akame: ...What…?

Billy: Look, if you want to look like you normally should, then don't hold back the sadness and release it all at once, it will be bad for your health if you hold it back…

Akame's hand that was holding the plate started to tremble and a shadow covered her face.

Billy: So… Don't hold back, there is no one else… I will liste-

The plate fell in the ground and Billy was tackled in the stomach against the wall.

Billy: Hey, hey! I said listening, not huggi-Ugh…

He could feel Akame's arms tightening around his waist as she fell powerlessly in the ground, with her face placed over his lower body, soaking his pants in tears.

Billy: *Sigh* Goddammit, if it wasn't for the atmosphere I would have kneed your face...

Akame: Please… don't leave me alone…*Hic*

Billy: Oh, shut up, I can't even go to the bedroom even if I want, I am stuck with you until Snake says otherwise, you are holding me here, and besides, if someone is going to die forever, that one isn't me.

*Step* *Step*

Tatsumi: Can't sleep at all.. Maybe some water will hel...p…

Tatsumi came in the kitchen, and the first thing that he saw was Akame crying with her head on Billy's lower body, however, the image that Tatsumi got was completely different…

Tatsumi: I-I'm sorry I disturbed you two, forget about me…

Billy: Huh?

He looked down, and finally noticed the cause of Tatsumi's blush on his face.

Billy: H-Hey! No, you got it wrong! She isn't doing a bl...

It was too late when Tatsumi ran away… Billy let out a bitter smile and shook his head.

Billy: Fuck you, Akame… In every places there were, you needed to lay your head "There".

A crying Akame slightly raised her head and said.

Akame: What…? *Hic*

Billy: *Sigh* Nothing, continue to let out everything…

He patted her head as she cried over his pants…

Billy: ...You will be cleaning my pants, fucker...

Akame: Yeah… Sorry...

They continued to be there for a quarter of minutes, before they turned back to the bed, like always, Billy took his corner while Akame slept on the bed with a smile on her face.

[Tomorrow]

This time, surprisingly, Tatsumi was assigned to Billy for training. Apparently it is a training for defeating people with different weapons.

Tatsumi rushed at Billy with his sword, while Billy held an hammer with both of his hands.

Tatsumi: DORYAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

Tatsumi slashed down while Billy made an uppercut with his hammer, rebounding the sword upwards, then Tatsumi grabbed the hilt of his sword with both of his hands and slashed down again, but harder.

Billy reacted by twisting his body and hammering Tatsumi's side, sending him fly away with a heavy hit.

Tatsumi slowly got up and stumbled a bit, before regaining his balance.

Tatsumi: Again!

Billy shrugged and put down the hammer in a black puddle, then he took out a pair of metallic fans.

Billy: Come.

Tatsumi: This time I will beat you!

Tatsumi kicked the ground once again and reached Billy, before throwing a series of thrusts with his sword, Billy opened his metallic fans and blocked all of them due to those thrusts being concentrated in a small area.

Billy: That's all?

Tatsumi: Tch…

Billy closed his fans and used them as dual daggers to hit Tatsumi, who used his sword to deflect his attacks. Billy suddenly raised his leg to throw a kick, but it was intercepted from Tatsumi's foot.

Then Tatsumi used Billy's knee as a platform and jumped in the air, preparing for another attack that carried his weight.

But Tatsumi didn't expected that when Billy swung his fans, a fireball came out and hit Tatsumi in the chest, then Billy casted another fireball downwards with his fans and used the explosion as a push to reach Tatsumi.

Before Tatsumi could react, Billy transformed those fans in a golden harpoon sharp on both of the ends, and slammed the weapon on Tatsumi, making him crash on the training ground.

Tatsumi: Ugh… What's with those fans…

Billy fell on his feet and looked at the golden harpoon with a smirk, this was another weapon from the RHG, precisely from Jade, leader of Nemesis Clan, her weapons are two fans that can cast fire and are able to be transformed into a golden harpoon.

Billy: Do you want to continue?

Tatsumi: Y-Yes… Tch, that was a heavy hit…

Billy didn't wait for Tatsumi to get up when he put away the golden harpoon and summoned a M60, an American 7.62mm machine gun, and shot out airsoft bullets at Tatsumi.

Tatsumi: Hey! That hurts! Stop it! Ouch!

Billy: I'm not going to wait for you here, you live or die. Welp, I'm going to check my casino again.

Then Billy put away the machine gun and left to speak to Najenda, who gave him the permission only if he brings Akame like always.

Billy: God, it seems as if I am carrying a parasite…

Then Billy and Akame left in a black fissure to reappear back to the casino, Billy looked around and saw that his business was going really good, he smiled and checked a minion about the amount of money they took from the Empire.

His smile widened and then got ready to turn back to the hideout, when another minion rushed in the room, surprising Billy and Akame, the minion reached Billy and whispered something…

Billy's smile vanished immediately and said.

Billy: Akame, report to Snake that Esdeath is back, I can't follow for now because she is looking for me.

Akame nodded and Billy opened a black fissure for her, she rushed in it before the fissure disappeared, then Billy reached for his own armchair and told to his minion.

Billy: Tell her that she can come here.

The minion nodded and left from the room, soon, the door opened, revealing Esdeath.

Esdeath: I'm back.

Billy: I see, so… You came here for a game or for talking about how good was torturing people at the north region?

Esdeath took a seat in a sofa near the armchair where Billy was sitting. Meanwhile, a minion came in the room to serve some wine and a sweet for Billy and Esdeath, she drank some wine and tasted it with a smile.

Esdeath: I missed this good taste, do you mind if I take a bottle or two at home?

Billy: Sorry but that thing costs, and soon I need to get some more.

Esdeath: Still, it is a surprise knowing that there are still people like you that don't mind my status as General and talk to me like a normal person.

Billy: If you want I can speak formally.

Esdeath: No, no. I enjoy it. How is the business going?

Billy: Really good, there were some bumps like Zank the Beheader that killed people at night and exponentially decreasing the number of clients, but it's solved.

Both of them started to eat the sweets that were served, and Esdeath spoke again.

Esdeath: I came here to talk a bit about various things. I am gathering a group of Teigu users and I would like to ask you to join.

Billy was genuinely surprised and asked.

Billy: Me? But you don't even know my combat prowess.

Esdeath: Knowing that you can break my ice with a mere yo-yo is already enough, I might not even used that much strength to bind you last time, and yet, you broke the ice with a yo-yo, some factors might go to the yo-yo to be hard enough, but just that isn't enough.

Besides, your ability to teleport in different places is really useful.

Billy: Hmm… How much time is there before the assembly?

Esdeath: 1 week.

Billy: Then I will answer you in 3 days, is it alright?

Esdeath: Hm? Not now?

Billy: I still have the best casino in the capital to manage, I need to think about your request carefully.

Esdeath: I understand… Billy, do you remember the last conversation we had?

Billy: The one about trying to fall in love?

Esdeath: Yes, I think I should give a try, hopefully it is as good as you said.

Billy: Don't worry, with your looks, there aren't many men that could resist you, the problem is your personality.

Esdeath: My personality?

Billy: Yes, not everyone has a fetish for sadistic women, and fortunately I am not of those people. As much as you could like someone, there is the possibility that the other side won't like you.

Esdeath: And how do you think I can solve it?

Billy: Either you change, or the other party changes. But that is something incredibly hard, so the other suggestion is to find someone else. Having a relationship is like having a Teigu, both of the parties involved need to be compatible.

Esdeath: ...You are right.

Then she got up and said.

Esdeath: I will take my leave, I am a bit busy now.

Billy: Alright, bye.

Billy stood up and walked towards a wall, before he created a black fissure from there.

While Esdeath and Billy walked in opposite directions, Esdeath suddenly turned around and shot some ice shards at Billy, however, he just put an hand on the black fissure and pulled out a Sonic Umbrella, then he opened it and used it as a shield to block the ice shards that froze the external layer of the umbrella.

Billy pulled a trigger, and a blast of plasma came out from the umbrella's tip, melting the ice on the umbrella and heading to Esdeath, who created a shield of ice without a single gesture, the blast exploded, destroying the ice shield, but leaving Esdeath unharmed.

Esdeath: Heh, I might have some fu...n… Tch, he escaped again.

She was smiling in excitement before the smokescreen vanished and noticed that Billy already entered in the fissure that disappeared.

Esdeath: At least I have a better idea about his fighting capabilities.