I do not own KHR or RWBY. Everything belongs to their respected owners.
"It's all her fault!"
The doctor clutched the tiny bundle closer to his chest, eyes wide and frightened. The man in front of him roared in grief, sinking into the chair behind him. He was surprised that all the loud noise had not woken the girl, but the tiny mint-green haired girl was still fast asleep, eyes that had first opened and revealed to be beautiful red only minutes ago. Her small, brown face was smooth and calm in rest, as though she were content with the world. But the doctor couldn't help but pity the small child, especially with the trauma that had come with her birth.
The doctor fixed his glasses, keeping the baby snugly in the crook of his elbow. "Sir, you really must calm down."
The man looked at the bundle, as though just realizing that out of all of the complications and problems that someone other than the doctor and himself was in the room, despite the fact that he had been screaming at her for almost three minutes. He slowly stood up; walking over to the doctor and cautiously eyed the bundle, gazing down into the tiny face of the girl.
Suddenly, the baby's mouth opened into a huge yawn, her red eyes flashing open and gazing up the scruffy stubble, grey eyes, and shining cheeks. The girl gave a giggling laugh, and her lips spread apart in a wide smile, revealing a set of pink gums.
The man flinched and jerked back, his lips curling back in disgust. "She even looks like Jade."
The doctor again looked at the girl, who he now realized indeed looked like her mother had. The hair, red eyes… they were both very similar to the woman who had less than an hour ago left the world.
"Perhaps she is the memory you have been looking for." The doctor said timidly, holding out the girl. The man looked warily at the bundle, the girl giggling at her father's face. Her eyes were bright and her lips upturned and apart, spurting out giggles and laughs in a way that caused the doctor's spirits to lift slightly. The girl sounded so happy to be born, so happy to be alive.
And yet, her father still gazed at her as though she were a bomb, waiting to see if she would explode.
The man walked forward slowly, gingerly taking the bundle of blankets into his arms. He held it awkwardly, looking down in worry. The doctor nearly smiled. Every first time father it seemed was like this. But for some reason this gaze made even him feel uncomfortable. Was it he lack of understanding in thei man's eyes. Without a mother, how would the girl grow up? How would the man deal with a motherless daughter?
The doctor watched as the man stepped out of the hospital, babdy girl in his arms. This future was unpredictable as the next.
KBT
Emerald Sustrai, one of the many children in Remnant, was born with luck that no one would be jealous over. Upon reaching the age of six, she had already witnessed many forms of crime, committing some of her own. The school she was supposed to attend was rundown, and near the point of collapsing. Students themselves were dark, cruel, only acting like human. They preyed on the weakest among them, releasing their anger the best way they knew how… on others.
Emerald herself was no exception to their taunts and abuse. No soul her age would listen to her pleas for help. They turned their heads, covered their ears, some watched for fun. Not even her father would extend his arms. She knew that from the very beginning.
The fear of the abuse went so far that she felt the need to hide during breaks between classes. She lifted money from strangers along the way to school, using the lien to buy her lunch. During classes, and even before, she prayed her tormentors would leave her be just so she could enjoy her food. Most days, she was lucky. They found others to harass.
Today was not one of those days.
KBT
"Are you Mr. Quartz?"
The man gave a half, almost roguish smile. "Yes, I am."
The woman shook the man's hand. She looked like a smart individual with her hair tied back in a bun. Her brown eyes inspected the man in front of her. The two looked nothing alike, father and daughter. The man's dark hair was a ruffled mess, the stubble of a beard growing on his chin. His shirt creased, obviously never having been introduced to an iron before. All in all, the woman found little respect for him.
It was quite odd, seeing as Emerald was always so well dressed. Her hair was always draped down perfectly, her clothes bright neat and bright.
She had seen a lot of parents come into the classroom, but all during her career of being principals she had never seen two biological family members so different in appearance.
"I'm Miss Doux, Emerald's principal." The woman said cheerfully, despite her look. "I'm here to speak to you about Emerald."
Mr. Quartz's body went stiff, a dangerous gleam entering his eyes. "What about her?" He grunted.
Miss Doux swallowed, hard. She straightened the papers in front of her almost nervously. "Sir, it says here that you and your daughter live here in the city?" What was supposed to be a statement came out as a question.
The man nodded.
"You do realize that your home, which we are in right now, is nearly a mile away?"
"Yes. Is there a point to this?"
She re-straightened her papers. "Sir, I have never seen you at the school ever. How often do you drop your daughter off?"
"I never do."
"Do you know what family your daughter carpools with?"
"She doesn't."
"Pardon me?"
"She rides the trolley."
The woman's heart beat faster. "She rides the bus?!"
"And walks."
"By herself?!"
Mr. Quartz nodded.
"Every day?!"
The man raised an eyebrow. "Really, Miss Doux, I don't see how Emerald fits in with all this."
The woman straightened up in her chair, gazing with ferocity at the man. "You mean to tell me that your twelve year old daughter, who is still attending elementary school, rides through the city alone, every morning, to come to school?"
The man nodded. "Since kindergarten." He added with an expression as confused and apathetic as ever.
The tall woman started to gently rap her finger against the table. "Don't you find this dangerous?"
Mr. Quartz shrugged in a way that made Miss Doux's blood boil in anger. "She's a good kid. She'll be fine."
"Sir, I don't know if you are aware of this, but it is in school policy here that your daughter be safe on her way, while at, and on her way home from school. I must request that you take her home every day in your car, or at least ride home with her."
"All the way home with her? That's a ridiculous notion!"
Miss Doux was taken aback by the sharp words. She blinked a few times before continuing. "What exactly do you mean, sir?"
"Why do you think I put her in school?"
"So she can learn?"
The man raised an eyebrow again. "So I don't have to have her around. So someone can take care of her and I don't have to deal with her all the time."
The woman felt her heart and mouth drop. How could… just… how…? "You… you send your daughter to school… so you don't have to take care of her?"
"Yes."
"How…?" The woman let her mouth hang open for a few seconds. "How can you not want to spend time with your daughter?!"
The man's face grew angry." I have my reasons for everything I do, Miss Doux." He stood and grabbed the woman by the arm. "And if you don't understand, and your school doesn't, then get out of my house!"
With a firm pull and shove, the principal was out of the door.
Slamming it shut, the man was quick to rummage through the cabinets until he eventually found a bottle filled with tablets.
"I'm sorry for making you wait… Jade. I'll see you soon."
KBT
"Emerald!"
"Emerald!"
"Oi! Can't you hear me?! EMERALD!"
The fourteen-year old green haired girl with dark skin was so focused on reading the dictionary that was sitting on her desk that she jumped when her name was practically roared out. Looking over, she stared directly to a man with hairy arms, busy eyebrows, and a big build. "Ah… U-uncle…"
"It just won't click no matter how many times I call you, huh?!" The man growled. "Bitch, if you don't seriously start going to school the city will stop giving me child support! What would I do if I starved to death?! Huh?!"
"S-sorry… Uncle…" Emerald apologized. "I… No matter what I do at school I just seem to give up…"
A hand slammed onto the desk loudly. "This bullshit again?! Think of a better excuse!" Her Uncle roared before lowering his voice. "It's 'cause your daughter had a 'special condition'… Wasn't' that why your father killed himself? Huh?!"
"…" Emerald couldn't even speak.
It had been two years since she discovered the dead body of her father lying at the table with a bottle open and tablets scattered. Despite her being the reason of Mr. Quartz disappearing forever, she was all alone from the very beginning. She ended up having to rely on her sole relative… Her Uncle…
She ended up living with the man in a house.
She hated her Uncle.
To make himself happy, he constantly said bad things about her mother and anything that the girl would care about. If he didn't like something she did, he shouted and beat her. Emerald didn't want to live in such a place, but she would have nowhere to go if she were forced out. There was nothing she could do.
"…My older brother spoiled you too much." Her Uncle suddenly spoke out. "I'm going to have to teach you some serous manners." Eyes stared towards her chest. "You're also becoming a big girl now, huh…"
Emerald couldn't even speak as she was suddenly grabbed by the man and slammed onto her bed. "A-all of a sudden! What are you-?!" She cried with shock out when he ripped her top off to reveal she still had clothing underneath. "Stop! Stop!" She could feel tears begin to pool in her red eyes.
That hand however grabbed her face and silenced her. "Don't make such a fuss." Her Uncle leered dangerously. "I'll kill you."
Emerald eyes were still wet and her body shook. Was this really going to happen to her? Right here and now? But if she didn't do as she was told, he would easily dispose of her and toy with her corpse anyways. If she decided to live though… she will be hurt even more for the rest of her life…
She fell silent as she closed her eyes, still crying.
"That's right. You'll be a big girl now…" Her Uncle gently assured her as her began to bend down. But then there was a banging on the door. "Shit… Noisy people. Who is it?!" He grunted getting back up. "Don't you dare run. Well, whatever you try and do anyways, apart from here, you've got nowhere else to go to, right?" He grinned before slamming the door closed.
Emerald hugged herself, trying to regain her senses as she gained control of her body. Filled with panic, she had to run. If she didn't… she didn't want to think about it. Looking over to her window, she opened it and saw that she was too high up from the ground.
That way wasn't going to work. If she were to get away she'll have to go through the front door. She couldn't do anything but force her way throu-
Her thoughts were cut off when she peeked out the door and saw the scene behind it.
On the floor laid her uncle with blood flowing out of his head.
In front of her, behind the corpse, was an infant with a green pistol in a suit and a fedora. The baby stood completely calm, as if they had seen this scene a countless amount of times. "…Are you Emerald Sustrai? I figured you were at school. However, you just saved me a lot of time."
What? What was this?! This baby… Who is he…? Did he kill her Uncle…? That was… a gun… with a smoking barrel. It looked dangerous. Next was… her? She was next?
She was next.
It ran though her mind like a train. This kind of situation… She was next… Emerald was going to end up like her Uncle… She was next… If she didn't run… She won't be able to live… What would she do…? What would she do?!
The baby pulled the trigger.
But while the infant still moved his finger though, thoughts still ran through Emerald's mind. The kid was going to kill her. What could she do to save herself?
The child's eyes widened as the bullet he shot struck the dark-skinned girl in her shoulder. "I missed?" He asked himself before realizing it." No… she dodged it."
Only one though ran through her mind.
Before he could killer her… she had no choice but to kill him.
She had no choice… She couldn't do anything but kill to avoid the situation.
Reborn didn't show it, but some surprise took over his person as the expression changed on the girl's face. "All of a sudden, the look in her eyes… even the atmosphere changed… Could it be? She-?"
Before he could finish his little monologue, he saw something out of the corner of his eyes. Glancing over, he wondered why she suddenly appeared to his right when she was just in front of him not even a second ago. No, wait…
Pointing his gun forward, he was about to pull the trigger once more but then a boy ran in front of his aim.
"Reborn, wai- GAH!"
The boy shouted out in pain as the girl suddenly reappeared and bit right into the neck of the boy. With teeth clenched and a fierce tear, Emerald ripped a huge chunk of the boy's neck. Despite the large wound however, the boy's eyes suddenly turned orange and he extended his hand and grabbed her head. With a quick slam to the ground, the girl was out cold.
KBT
Emerald moaned as she slowly began to get out of bed.
Opening her eyes, a sight she was unfamiliar with met her vision. It was a brunette that was about her age looking right back at her. Some sort of emotion she was not familiar with seeing on people filled his face as he turned his head. "She woke up!" He announced.
Looking to where the brunette was looking, seven infant met her sight. It was certainly a weird scene. There was a green-haired baby with the outfit that belonged to those mad-scientists she would see on books. One was in red in a garb that would be seen in a kung-fu movie and had a monkey sitting on his head. A falcon perched itself on a blonde wearing military gear who was sitting next to a female baby. One looked like some sort of creepy-biker with a helmet and octopus sitting nearby. Sixth was a baby covered by a hood and cloak with a frog sitting on its head.
But then the final baby she had seen before.
Jumping out of bed, she grabbed the nearest object she could find. A knife was apparently such a thing as she quickly grabbed the brunette and dragged him down onto the ground. The fedora-wearing infant simply pointed his gun at the green haired girl.
"Wait a minute!" The brunette shouted in complete gibberish in the girl's opinion. "Don't kill her! Don't kill her!"
"I'm sorry, Dame-Tsuna," The gun-wielding infant answered. "I don't understand Japanese."
Japanese?
The boy apparently rolled his eyes before switching to words she understood. "Don't shoot her!"
"Calm down, both of you." The green-haired baby sighed, readjusting his glasses. "You both stress out your wounds it'll only hurt more."
Emerald held a questioning glance before looking down towards her shoulder which was wrapped in bandages just as she suddenly winced with pain. Red eyes then noticed the bandages wrapped around the boy's neck and the memory struck like a rock.
"Here…" She breathed still pointing the blade to the boy's neck. "Where am I…?"
"This is our hideout." The biker-baby answered.
She wasn't satisfied with that. "Just who are you all?!" She was now threatening to pierce and puncture the boy's skin who was surprisingly calm for someone that was freaking out seconds ago.
"Our names are not your concern right now. But we are known as the Arcobaleno, the Selected Seven. Specializing in all sorts of things, mainly assassinations." The fedora-wearing baby answered as the gun suddenly changed back into some lizard.
"Assassinations…" Emerald repeated with disbelief. "Umm… Don't they appear only in books?"
"It really doesn't matter if you don't believe him." The female baby stated with a fold of her arms. "However, your Uncle already no longer exists in this world."
Another memory suddenly struck through her head. The corpse of that man flashed in her brain. So… it was not a dream. Dropping the knife out of shock, the brunette breathed but was ignored. "W-why though?" Emerald asked.
"Onyx Quartz borrowed money from an underground dealer." The hooded infant began to explain despite clearly not liking to do so. "That sum of money consisted of more than 100 million. Quartz was the only one who dealt with this illegal money, but then eventually lost it all and had no way to pay it back… except with his life."
Emerald's mouth was now gaped open as it all sank though. "…" She couldn't form any words for a good few minutes. That gave the brunette plenty to time to get up and walk away. Yet he still stayed a close distance to her. "Please let me go back to my house." She pleaded after her silence.
"But where do you plan to return to?" The infant in red asked. "There isn't a trace of Onyx Quartz's existence left. That house is already considered vacant."
Shock filled Emerald once more but she recovered faster. "That… that's fine! Just let me go back! I want to go back!"
"Sorry, but we can't do that, kora." The blonde baby stated.
"You see, the reason you're not dead yet is because of Dame-Tsuna here," The fedora-wearing infant gestured to the boy who scratched his head sheepishly. "And because you have a valuable body."
All of them but the boy began to approach her slowly. Her hand went back for the knife. "P-please let me go back… Let me go back… Let me go bac-!"
She attempted to stab one of them but then the boy, now known as Tsuna, quickly wrapped his arms around hers and prevented her from moving. A gasp came with school memories as she froze with fear. Tsuna noticed this emotion and eased his hold a bit.
"Wake up, Emerald." The fedora-wearing baby ordered. "You spend too much time thinking about everything. Because of that, you aren't paying enough attention to your surroundings. That makes others think you are dull, or even stupid. Every day you live with the criticism. Am I wrong?"
Eyes widened on the green-haired girls face. Everything that kid said… was right. She did spend too much time things about everything. She wasn't able to pay attention properly because of it. She was made fun of for being an idiot.
The boy tilted his head." Reborn… What are you talking about?" Tsuna asked.
"That's C.E.C." The green-haired baby answered. "A mental disorder called 'Congenital Excessive Concentration'. When the execution functions of the frontal lobe pass through the brain it results in an increased response to a single event. Your ability to recognize your options, examine them, and make judgment are all vastly increased. Sometimes that means you aren't able to do anything for a short time. It might hinder daily lives, but…"
That idea sank in and everyone looked at the baby known as Reborn. "Y-you don't mean…" The biker stuttered.
"If she could control it, it would become a great power." Reborn nodded his head. "Learn the method of controlling that with us. With that power, if you have anybody you want to get rid of, since it'll be the end of them, just go all out. You want to, don't you, Emerald?"
"I…" Emerald began, stunned at this sudden reveal. She soon began to fight against the brunette's grip though. "I don't want to!"
"…Is that so?" The fedora-wearing infant asked. Within seconds, Reborn was pointing his gun at Emerald again. "If that's the case… then I can kill you right here and now."
Tsuna was quick to react however as he immediately twisted Emerald's body around. With some fast foot work, Tsuna found himself covering the girl while facing her. With orange eyes ignoring the close distance between the two teenagers, his gaze glanced to the babies. "Reborn! If she doesn't want to then that's her choice! Why do we even have to kill her?! She still can have a good life ahead of her!"
"You're too soft, Dame-Tsuna. Move or I'll shoot you too."
"Then do it! You have no right to control her life!"
Emerald soon stopped struggling in favor of just string at the brunette. It finally hit her that he was protecting her. Despite being complete strangers… Despite giving him that giant wound on his neck… He still shielded her from harm.
Reborn clicked his tongue and had his gun transform back into the lizard. "We begin controlling it tomorrow. Don't think that this means we'll be neglecting your training either, Dame-Tsuna." Turning around, the baby walked off soon to be followed by the others.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Tsuna stepped back slowly and released his hold. "Sorry about that." He apologized. Another first that happened to her. "Reborn is a good person. He just… he just… umm… shows it through different methods." His orange eyes turned back to their doe-brown. "Well… I… guess I should introduce myself? My name is Tsunayoshi Sawada…" He greeted nervously since he was no longer affected by HDW Mode slightly. "Wh-what's your name?"
Emerald flinched when the hand extended towards her. Normally this meant she was going to be hit. But the pain never came. The hand was extended, hovering in place with nervous patience. Looking at the it cautiously, she carefully extended her own hand and almost jolted back at the contact.
It was warm… Nothing like she had ever felt.
Was this what it was like to touch another person?
"Emerald… Emerald Sustrai."
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