"Onee-chan!"
"Onee-chan wake up! You're going to be late!"
"Dunwanna…"
"Oneeeee-chan!" At this, Kyoko allowed her eyes to open as she let out an exasperated sigh.
"Late? For what? It's not like I've got anything goin-" The redhead's eyes shot open and she threw her blanket into the air, leaping out of bed.
"The airship!" Kyoko took a valiant stance, holding the pose for a moment until the sound of light giggling filled the air, steadily maturing into laughter. The source of the offending sound refused to wither under Kyoko's glare, standing dutifully by her bed in the same position she used to wake Kyoko from her slumber. Kyoko's glare wilted before disintegrating, and the sisters lost themselves in a chorus of laughter.
"I'm going to miss you, Onee-chan." Momo walked around the bed, embracing her older sister.
"I'll probably miss you too, lil-sis." Kyoko winked at her sister, the younger girl giggling once more.
"You head on out and go make sure mom and dad are awake while your big sister gets changed. Knowing your old man he's probably all tuckered out from planning another one of his sermons." Kyoko stepped back as her sister skipped towards the door. Momo hung in the entrance a moment longer, giving Kyoko another smile before moving on to wake up their parents.
"So today's the day it starts, huh?" The redhead slid the door closed slowly as she lost herself in thought. "This almost doesn't feel real. Imagine me, Kyoko Sakura, heading to Beacon Academy! I'm gonna be one of the best huntresses that ever lived! I may not be able to preach a sermon like dad, but I can swing a spear better than anyone. Just watch the Grimm try and mess with this." Kyoko grinned as she swept up her spear up from its' mantle on the wall, cutting down an invisible Beowulf before spinning it through the air and slamming it down at her feet.
"Kyoko! Breakfast is ready! Are you coming?" Kyoko jumped, almost dropping the spear as she was yanked out from her reverie. Groaning, she then smiled and reached for the clothing that comprised her battle uniform. "Yeah mom, I'm just getting dressed!"
She pulled on her pink skirt before sliding on a dark top. Over her shirt and skirt went a red dress that opened diagonally at the midriff, displaying both the bottom of the shirt underneath and the skirt below. The white truffles that outlined the split weren't something people usually expected from Kyoko. If she were honest with herself, at first it wasn't something she was happy with either. But her sister had insisted, and she grew to like the look. Besides, it was always satisfying to smash down an opponent who tried to make fun of the spear wielding warrior. The frills even matched her fighting style; they were both something others didn't expect.
Dark buccaneers and red boots finished off the uniform. Kyoko then grabbed the red eye shaped gem she always carried with her, placing it just below the neck. It fit snugly in a small cut in her uniform. She retrieved suitcase that held the rest of her clothing and lugged it out into the hall. A conglomeration of smells wafted down the hall, the aroma practically singing to the redhead's soul.
"What's cookin'?" Kyoko asked as she stepped through the kitchen.
"Your favorite. We know how much you love omelets, and today's the last day we're going to be able to spend with our baby girl..." Kyoko's mom cooed as she pulled the protesting girl into an embrace.
"I'm not a baby anymore, mom." Kyoko groused, but she allowed her mother to dote over her anyway. It was the last day the two would see each for a while, after all.
"Your father and I are very proud of you, you know. Our little baby is going off to fight the dangerous monsters!" The woman laughed as she released her daughter and returned to the stove. She knew that kind of talk embarrassed her daughter, which of course meant she spoke that way constantly. "You're going to have some much fun up at Beacon. I'm sure you'll make a lot of friends."
Kyoko grimaced for a moment before seating herself alongside her sister. The two locked eyes for a moment, Momo looking as if she had something to say.
"Blessed be those who thirst and hunger for righteousness!" Kyoko's dad sent her a pointed look as he entered the kitchen, seating himself alongside his daughters.
"Morning dad." The sisters said in unison. Kyoko gave her father an exaggerated eye-roll, though she smiled at the implication that she was a defender of righteousness.
"You stayed up all night writing another sermon, didn't you?" Kyoko teased.
Her father gave a hearty laugh. "For once that's not the reason why I'm so tired. I wouldn't dare miss being fully awake when I'm seeing off my daughter. Speaking of which, when are we seeing you off?"
"Geez dad, I thought you adults were supposed to know this stuff." Kyoko stuck her tongue out at the man.
"Keep that kind of sass up and I'll have to break out the soap." Kyoko blanched and the two chuckled.
"You know, it will be half a day's journey followed by a layover until the next flight. You're going to be on your own for the next two days."
"Dad, I'm going to be going to a school where each day is a life or death battle, and that's what you're worried about?"
"This is just the first time you're going to be off on your own like this. As your father it's my job to be worried."
"Don't worry Dad, I'll be fine." Kyoko embraced her father and the man held tightly.
"Beacon… Academy? Me?" The unsure question came out at barely above a whisper. The girl's eyes were barely visible from behind her red glasses as she looked down at the ground.
"Yes, Miss Akemi. We... no, I would like you to consider enrolling. You possess what can only be referred to as 'extraordinary ability.' I've never seen a semblance quite like yours." The man who had introduced himself as Professor Ozpin replied calmly. He folded his hands as he examined her, though the results of his observations didn't show on his face.
"I'm not that special, Professor. I can't run or jump or swim anywhere near as well as other girls my age can."
"And I am unable to fly a bullhead, build a robot, and am completely incapable of teaching any group people about the laws of thermodynamics. If all we ever do is focus on our shortcomings, how can we ever become strong?" Homura raised her purple eyes to meet with Ozpin's gray ones. "Everything you mentioned can be fixed with time. So long as you're willing to give it a try, we will be willing to teach you."
"B-but... won't I just drag my team down? I don't know how to use my ability. I don't even know how to fight without my ability. I'd just get in the way." Homura looked down dejectedly once more.
The sight of Ozpin nodding on the edge of her vision, accompanied by the sound of clicking heels, caused Homura to look back up. "Alright then Miss Akemi. There is something I must attend to momentarily. Why don't we continue this in a few minutes? You can go and grab some fresh air while you wait."
"O-okay…" Homura clutched the hem of her skirt as Ozpin left the office. She didn't want to get in the way, but she didn't want to let Professor Ozpin down either. The man had done so much for her already. She walked over to the window, placing one hand on the glass and looking out over the city below. They were on the third floor of a hospital, borrowing one of the offices for their meeting.
"But how could I go straight into Beacon? I haven't even attended any of the other combat schools. There's no way I could even pass initiation."
"Hi there!" Homura was startled from her despair by the pleasant sounding voice. She turned to see a pink haired girl clad in what appeared to be a school uniform. She wore a white blouse with a red bow below the base of her neck. All of this topped off a black and white plaid skirt, long white stockings, and short brown shoes. She held her hands behind her back as she looked on bashfully.
"H-h-hello." Homura's hand unconsciously drifted to cover the diamond shaped dark purple gem on her land hand.
"I couldn't help but notice you standing there when I walked by, so I figured I'd come say hello." The pink haired girl smiled. "You looked so sad standing there all alone. What's your name?"
Homura stared for a moment before answering. "Homura Akemi."
"It's nice to meet you Homura. I'm Madoka Kaname. It's a nice day out today, isn't it?" The pink haired girl's smile never left her face even as she made her way to stand next to Homura. Homura opened her mouth for a moment before closing it.
"What's wrong? Did I say something to offend you?"
"N-no!" Homura's hand shot out in front of her. "I d-didn't mean it... like that. I, uh, I... just… I don't... get called by my first name a lot…"
"What? Why not? Your first name is awesome, Homura! It means flame, like you flare up passionately or something! I think it's cool."
"I… I'm not really like that though." Homura's reply was quiet.
"What?" Madoka cried with disbelief. "How can you say that? If you have an awesome name, then you have to make it your mission to be just as cool!"
Homura looked down, a pink blush tinting her cheeks.
"You know, I'm going to Beacon Academy this year. I'm going to be a huntress in training." Homura's eyes widened at Madoka's admission.
"The truth is, I'm a little nervous though. Well, more than just a little." The girl laughed again, turning to stare out the window. She clasped her hands together. "It's going to be really dangerous and really scary."
"I can use my bow well enough to enter the Academy, and I've even fought the Grimm before. But there's so much I don't know how to do. There's still so much I have to learn." She turned back towards Homura, voice filled with resolve.
"But I can't back down just because of what might happen. If I did that, how could I expect other people to put their lives on the line for me? Even if I do screw things up a lot, I can't just stop trying. Even if things do get bad or scary, I guess I'll just have to rely on my friends to help me out." Madoka paused and thought for a moment.
"Just like you are right now, Homura."
"W-what?!" The dark haired girl paused, the information coming in too rapidly.
"Believe it or not, just talking with you like this has really helped me. I've been able to organize my thoughts, and I feel more confident in my ability to face this." Madoka smiled at her again. Homura guessed that she spent a lot of time smiling. Yet the girl hadn't even noticed when Madoka's smile left her face.
"Thank you, Homura." Madoka locked eyes with the girl, and in that moment Homura had no doubt of the sincerity they held.
"I know it's strange since we've just met, but I hope I can count you as a friend." It was Homura's turn to smile at the sentiment once more, the blush returning to her cheeks. "Y-yeah."
"Ah, look at me; I've been talking about myself this entire time. I didn't even ask about you."
When Professor Ozpin returned to his office he found the raven haired girl sitting down, hands folded in her lap and a faint blush on her cheeks. She was alone.
"Miss Akemi, have you given any thought towards your decision?"
"I…"
"Hi there!"
"I…" Homura looked down at her hands in her lap.
"If you have an awesome name, then you have to make it your mission to be just as cool!"
"I think…"
"The truth is, I'm a little nervous."
"I guess I'll just have to rely on my friends to help me out."
"I know it's strange since we've just met, but I hope I can count you as a friend."
Homura looked up, locking eyes with Ozpin with a ferocity that raised a look of astonishment to his face. "I wish to become a huntress-in-training!"
With a sense of resolution that she hadn't thought herself capable of possessing, she continued. "I want to attend Beacon Academy, and I wish to learn how to fight for myself and for others. I want to become strong! I don't want to be weak anymore!"
She stood there, panting after the outburst. Her social anxiety hadn't disappeared, and it was rearing its ugly head after that outburst. She reached out to grab onto an armrest, unaware of when in the conversation she had even risen at all. She was too shocked at the outburst herself to feel embarrassed or ashamed.
"Is this truly what you want?"
"Yes!" She breathed, slumping back down into the chair.
"Miss Akemi." Professor Ozpin extended his hand. Homura examined it for a second before meeting it with her own. "Welcome to Beacon Academy."
The last disc exploded in a shower of clay, littering orange chunks across the open field. The sun lowered itself towards the horizon as a lone girl walked amongst the remnants of the multitude of discs.
The blonde twirled her rifle once before dissipating it completely. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply for a moment, before opening them and smiling at the setting sun.
"Tomorrow I leave for Beacon Academy... who knows what I'll find there." The blonde girl closed her eyes and let her mind drift back through her memories.
"Beacon Academy? What's that?" Eight years ago a much younger version of the girl sat on on a wooden stool at a small wooden table. She was attempting to delicately slice her meal, obviously not used to the procedure. Across from her was a large man with rippling muscles that were easily visible even through his dark coat. Any distinctive features he might have had were overshadowed by the large scar running from the back of his head all the way over to the left side of his face. Much of the skin had not healed properly and the left ear was missing entirely. To anybody else the man might have been intimidating. To the small girl he might as well have been a giant teddy bear.
"It's a place where they train some of the strongest warriors on this planet. There anybody who's tough enough can learn how to become a hunter or a huntress." The man tried to keep his voice gruff and stern, but before the wonder of the little girl in front of him he found he couldn't hold the expression. "You could go there, if you wanted."
"Really? But I read that proper ladies shouldn't fight!" The man let out a hearty laugh at the girl's protest.
"And proper ladies are supposed to eat their vegetables too, aren't they?" The girl pouted, eliciting another chuckle from the man. "Mami, if you want to fight as a lady you can. You can always have a cup of tea afterwards. Some of the most powerful hunters I've ever met were huntresses. And while your mother never learned how to fight, we both know she fought at the very end."
Mami looked down at her hands, food now forgotten. The man sighed as he got up and moved to place a hand on her shoulder. He knelt down so he was eye level with her, though she refused to make eye contact. "Mami Tomoe. Your mother died protecting a lot of people. I've made it my mission to protect people as well. We do what we do because we believe that protecting the lives of others are important. Your mother may be gone, but she was happy in the end. Never forget that."
That was as much as she could make out of that particular memory. It was one of the few that stuck with her over the years. It was one she would never forget. Even now as her mind was dragged back to the present she found she still held the words close to her heart.
"Protecting others…? Alright. If it's for you, I'll do my best."
Author's Note: There it is. This is the first chapter of my Madoka Magica - RWBY crossover. Any type of feedback, writing style suggestions, and criticism as harsh as you can get it is welcome. I'm the type who is constantly trying to improve. There is a lot I want to accomplish with this story, however I currently don't have the skill to do so. That's where you all come in. Don't bother holding back, I can take whatever you guys dish out. I'm even open to suggestions onto where to take the story, though I have the overall structure set up. However unlike most stories I don't consider the ending nearly as important as the character development throughout and the themes I'm trying to explore. So as a result I'll be open to changes.
On another note, if anybody is interested I could use a prereader or a beta reader. Not even somebody to edit my drafts. I just want somebody to look over what I have and give some feedback/suggestions before I expose it to the world in all its glory. I appreciate any help you guys can provide!
Reviews would be appreciated, those really help! Hope you all enjoy!