Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY, nor do I profit financially from this work of fanfiction.

AN: Having stalled on my other Blake-oriented fic - RWBY: Cat's Out of the Bag - for some time, I got to thinking of other stories I could write, and the premise for this one came to mind following several stories of a similar theme that I'd read, though they were only set in Modern AUs. Now, with my general fanfiction premise - take one basic, simple change and draw it out to what would seem a fairly natural conclusion - I decided to take another crack at the RWBY fictions with this little idea of mine. Let's see if I can get this one to pan out, eh?

Credits (aka. Betareaders/Proofreaders/Editors/etc): N/A

RWBY: Kittens

Chapter 1

It was done. It was over. Blake thought she would be more relieved as she watched the train cars with her now ex-partner disappear off into the distance, but instead she simply felt… felt…

Did she even feel anything right now? She wasn't sure, it felt almost dreamlike, numbing her as the all-too-familiar visage of Adam Taurus grew smaller and smaller into the distance. The moment the head of the train rounded a corner, breaking her line of sight to the rest of the train that she'd severed away from her, it was like a switch was flipped powering her back on, forcing her back to reality once more.

That's when the anxiety kicked in, as well as the uncomfortable realization that she was notably more exhausted than she figured she ought to be after the fighting she'd just done. She wasn't back to her old self it seemed; the better part of a year without working on an assignment had apparently done it's toll on her. She'd have to get back into better shape if she was going to follow through with this plan of hers, no, theirs.

Blake knew better than to move further up in the train; she may have just saved the entirety of the human crew aboard, but she didn't actually expect them to know that since she was one of the ones previously assaulting said train minutes prior. She checked her watch, noted the time, did the best she could to calculate the speed they were going at, and having memorized the map of the area ahead, she knew that she had an hour or so before she was at the rendezvous point. She sighed and sat down on the end of the train, legs dangling over the side above the tracks below. Blake figured she had a little time to rest and distract herself from her growing anxiety…

The red leaves of Forever Fall eventually faded out, and the green trees native to central Vale became more visible. Already it had Blake relaxing, knowing that she was physically further from what was her life until now, in more ways than just distance. Glancing at her watch again, Blake knew that her stopping point was going to be soon, before they got to the next station for sure, and from there, it was all up to everyone else. Minutes later, and Blake hopped off of the speeding train into a small clearing, tucking and rolling with the momentum, sticking back onto her feet and taking off towards the point she'd planned out.

It wasn't far at all, and why would it need to be? This far out nobody but the trains and perhaps a huntsman on a job would be around, and for the latter she wasn't terribly worried about them messing with her or her allies at all. Her target was a large, sky-scraping tree that looked strangely out of place; the tree itself was visible above the rest of the forest, and from her understanding was the oldest one for miles around, having survived the test of time, the Grimm, and the wars that had plagued human and faunus alike. It made for a very good meeting point as a result, a calculated risk that was minimized by her ex-partner having to attend to the job he'd just finished instead of looking for her… for the moment.

As she reached it's base, she stopped, crouched, and listened. Blake was dead-silent as she listened around her, before reaching up and pulling off her ribbon so that she could hear just a little better. Fluttering of wings was the first thing she noticed - a crow, not native to the area that she knew of, but she was no expert on bird migratory patterns - then the wind blowing through the leaves bringing a sweet-smelling scent with it, and then… then she heard what could be footsteps, barely detectable and only because she was actively looking for just that. She listened a little longer, until she could recognize them as familiar, and then, and only then did she speak for the first time in over an hour:

"Ilia?"

The footsteps paused a moment, then sped up and headed towards Blake's position. Blake sped around the tree to meet her friend halfway, watching as her friend reappeared from the background, throwing off the 'stealth cloak' that worked with her natural chameleon abilities. Ilia looked as relieved to see Blake as the cat felt to see her, though Blake was not without a small hint of anxiety fearing to overtake her.

"Is she-?"

"She's fine Blake. She's just fine; she's been sleeping for a while now, just after I left with her," Ilia answered with a gentle smile, cradling the small bundle of cloth in her arms, keeping her voice low and soft. "She's as well behaved as ever. Calm and quiet, just like her mom."

Blake let out a breath she didn't realize she'd started holding, and quickly - but carefully - received the swaddled infant and brought her to her breast, holding her protectively as she finally regained her proper breathing, suddenly feeling all the more tired after the ordeals of the day. Blake gazed down upon the small child sleeping in her arms, with her pale skin and the blood-red lockes of brand-new hair, and the two cute little ears sitting atop her head, twitching slightly as Blake moved to brush them gently with her thumb. Blake couldn't help but smile; this little girl was everything and more to her already, her breath and her life-blood.

"Hello again, my little Rouge," she cooed softly, knowing that the young child in her arms was fast asleep, unbothered by the stresses plaguing her and Ilia.

She felt a hand upon her forearm - Ilia's of course - and the silent message from the chameleon was clear: they had to keep moving. They were a long way from civilization, in an area that very well could have many Grimm in it, and they had to keep making distance between them and the White Fang camp in Forever Fall. Blake nodded, and cradled her child safely, following Ilia quickly into the woodline away from the giant tree in the direction of the capital of Vale. They had a 'contact' to meet with bordering the edge of the Emerald Forest, and was another assumed risk in their plan.

Their contact was a human after all, with strong ties to Beacon Academy, the most renowned school for Hunters and Huntresses around. Humans with connections to power were the ones that the White Fang hated most, not without good reason in many instances. But… Blake had to take this risk; it's why she asked Ilia to help her out in the first place, had her seek out and arrange this meeting and assist in her escape with Rouge.

All Blake could do as she walked through the green forest with her young, sleeping daughter was hope, and pray…

They had been expecting to find a bullhead, as they still had quite a distance to travel, but what Blake hadn't been expecting was to hear a voice without any footsteps, or having smelled anything, or seen anyone, or anything of the sort.

"So, you're the three I'm here to pick up huh?"

Blake whirled around and had Gambol Shroud up in an instant, the quick motion and sound of her weapon transforming waking Rouge from another round of napping, her cries demolishing what was left of the silence. Ilia had her weapon up and at the ready too, but lowered hers first as she lay eyes upon the dark-haired, red-eyed man who… smelled of liquor?

"Blake," Ilia motioned for the cat to lower her weapon, and begrudgingly she did so, motivated more to soothe her upset child than any semblance of relaxation about the man and his intentions.

"Eh, I've had worse introductions," The man shrugged his shoulders as he stood up straight from his spot leaning against a tree. "Name's Qrow, kitty cat. Would love to get acquainted, but the little one there is going to get a lot of unwanted attention with those healthy lungs of hers."

Blake mustered a brief glare, but knew the man was speaking true, and of course her daughter was still upset and in need of soothing, rubbing her back and holding her close, talking in what Ilia had called 'mommy voice' to her. She didn't make too much of a fuss as they were loaded into the back of the bullhead - after it was clear that the drunkard was actually sober and not a risk to their lives - and with the exception of Ilia bumping her head on a low bit of ceiling and cursing up a storm, all seemed to be going well so far. Once she had Rouge soothed back down and relaxed, Blake felt herself nodding off to sleep despite her best efforts, and finally did so after Ilia took over holding her daughter for her so she could rest with ease…

"Miss Belladonna, Miss Amitola, my apologies for the wait; there was another matter earlier this evening that I had to take care of." the tall, grey-haired man whom the two ex-White Fang members recognized as Headmaster Ozpin of Beacon Academy began upon stepping off of the elevator into his own office where they had been waiting.

Following in behind him was a slightly shorter, but far more stern-looking blonde with glasses and what appeared to be a riding crop. Blake recognized her: Professor Glynda Goodwitch of Beacon Academy, one of the high-value targets behind Ozpin himself. Oddly enough, Blake couldn't recall having heard of Qrow before; the White Fang had no intel on him, yet he was clearly directly involved with Ozpin.

Speaking of Qrow: he'd been keeping an eye on Blake and Ilia - and drinking - since they arrived to wait in the headmaster's office, but it was like he vanished the moment the two teachers arrived. How had he gotten out of a building where the only way in or out was the window - which didn't open large enough for a person to get through - and an elevator?

"It's fine," Blake responded, her attention torn between Ozpin and her daughter, whom was awake and smiling, making her smile wide. "Rouge was hungry and wanted my attention earlier; she's starting to coo, and I think she's smiling at me now."

Blake's attention may have been split, but Ilia's was focused solely on the two humans in the room. Even though she'd been in indirect contact with Ozpin previously, she still stood a firm ground and held a stern gaze, her body placed protectively between Blake and the human duo, whom clearly noticed but took no action to suggest they did. In fact, Ozpin smiled, and chuckled softly before making his way around to his desk.

"Amazing, isn't it? To think we all started like that: so small, but so bright, beautiful, and filled with limitless potential. Such things are to be treasured and protected, are they not?" A rhetorical question, but to Blake the answer was an unequivocal and emphatic yes. "When Ilia first made contact, I was unsure of what to think. I mean no offense, but arranging for two members of the White Fang to knowingly make their way to my academy, and then to harbor them as students-"

"I can't blame you for not trusting us," Blake answered, taking her attention from her daughter - whom was exploring her own fingers for the moment - and turning it to Ozpin. "A man in your position likely has many enemies, and every reason to be cautious."

"Wisdom beyond your years, I see. I did have my suspicions, but seeing you now before me, with your young daughter, I believe my concerns have been satisfied in full," Ozpin shrugged gently, and placed his cane across his lap. "Glynda often says I am too trusting, but I have no intentions of doubting - let alone turning away - a young mother whose life has been filled with hardship, and who has given me every reason to believe she only wants to make the world better for her child.

"To that end, we have a few formalities to take care of, namely filling out the student profiles with the contents of your pre-registration interview, and-"

"Actually…"

For the first time since he'd come in, Ilia spoke up and interjected herself. Blake could see nerves creasing her features, furrowing her brow.

"...I don't want to become a huntress," Ilia admitted, and this was a surprise to Blake.

"Ilia…"

"Interesting… while becoming a huntress was not mandatory for our arrangement, I am curious what brought about this change of plans?"

"Well… I'm not really a fighter, not the way Blake is," Ilia shook her head as Blake started to speak, and so Blake held her opinion back. "I didn't join the White Fang because I wanted equality; I did it because I was angry, I wanted humans to suffer the way I had, and I wanted them to hurt. I… it wasn't right, but realizing that doesn't mean I have what it takes to be a huntress, someone fighting for the good of everyone. And-"

Ilia bit back her tongue quickly, swallowed hard, and her tone notably softened as she continued.

"...if we were both huntresses, what would happen to Rouge if we went on a mission and…?"

Ilia had trailed off, but everyone in the room knew the question left unfinished. Blake found herself instinctively bringing her child in tighter to her breast, knowing that to Ilia that this was far more than just some concerning hypothetical to her. No, for Ilia this was a glaring reality that she herself lived through, and knowing that, and seeing what it had done to Ilia… was being a Huntress really the best way she could make the world a better place for her daughter? Was it the right decision?

Ultimately, she'd concluded that yes, yes it was, and so had Ilia until now.

"I would like to say that such events would not transpire, but that would not be a promise I could keep, or even attempt to make," Ozpin sighed, his expression morose and subdued, but for his eyes that spoke volumes. "Huntresses live lives of necessary risk and danger, bastions of defense for human and faunus society alike against relentless enemies that would destroy it. You may romanticize it all you want, but I've seen more hunters and huntresses laid to untimely rests than you could imagine…"

Blake found herself locking eyes with Ozpin, those brown eyes of his like a lure, drawing her in…

"Do you wish to reconsider becoming a huntress as well? I would be more than happy to simply provide you asylum, or use my connections to get you wherever you would like to go, or even help you set your new lives up, employment and all."

All tempting offers, safer offers. She could set up a new life in Mistral, far off where Adam would be unlikely to look for her. Maybe Vacuo instead, and guaranteed work? That was quite a promise, but with what she knew of Ozpin that was not such a far fetched feat for the man to make happen. She could stop fighting, leave the violence in her life, not put herself at further risk and focus on raising her daughter in peace.

The cynical realist in her spoke up though; how long would that peace last? What if Adam DID find them? What would happen when Rouge grew up, and went out into the world on her own? What would the 'peace' that Blake had chased for them be worth then, if the rest of the world was still the same place it was when she left?

Blake looked deep into those golden eyes of the infant in her arms, watched her toothless grin widen as she let out more of those adorable noises that could make Blake's heart melt. Blake was good at running away, so good in fact that it was literally her semblance. Seemed like no matter how fast or hard she ran though, whether it be into a book or away from a man-turned-monster and the pain he wrought, it never seemed to change things for long.

Seeing those little golden eyes, and that wide, toothless grin, and seeing those red little ears twitch and flutter though…

"I'm not the fighter that Ilia thinks I am; I've always ran when things got hard. It's why I'm sitting in front of you today," Blake replied, her back straightening as her ears flattened to her head, destroying the illusion that the bow was there to maintain. "But if there is anything, anything at all that I can do to make sure Rouge doesn't have to go through what I did, what other Faunus have, and that will let her grow up to be happy and safe, then I'm willing to do whatever it takes.

"You couldn't stop me from becoming a Huntress if you tried."

The steely resolve in Blake's words was powerful, and Ozpin's reaction was one of respect. Unbeknownst to Blake and Ilia, Ozpin had received two nearly perfect answers that night, and that was something to be thankful for.

"I assure you, Miss Belladonna, that I have no intention of stopping you," Ozpin replied, pulling up what looked to be an in-progress student profile on the holographic projector. "We just need to fill out the rest of your profile, and you'll officially be starting in two months as a student here at Beacon. I should have arrangements made for childcare while you are attending classes by then, and that gives us plenty of time to get both of you situated in your new lives…

"That reminds me: Miss Amitola?" Ilia's back straightened as she was addressed, focusing back on Ozpin instead of smiling across at Blake. "I assume you'll be looking for work at this point, correct?"

"...uh… yeah, I guess?"

Blake would swear that she saw a twinkle in Ozpin's eyes, and heard a groan from Goodwitch across the room...

End Chapter 1

AN: And there we have it; the establishment of the premise for this story! Unlike my previous Blake-centric fic, I am starting it with full awareness of her backstory and the fact that she has family (I started Cat's Out of the Bag prior to Season 4, and stated she was an orphan, which after it was revealed she had canon family did bug me a little as I like to make as few changes as possible to canon when conceptualizing an idea). For those whom are a fan: I am not abandoning my other RWBY fic at this time; it is a non-zero chance that I will, but at this time I am intending to work on both stories as the inspiration hits me.

Anyway, please leave a review - I love reviews and feedback, good or bad - and I'll work on getting the next chapter up and running as soon as possible!

A.W.R II