A/N Sorry if this chapter is a little late, or something similar to late, like a little rough, I had to get a tooth pulled and its not a great feeling, so I'm gonna take it a little easier for the next few days.

Qrow sat next to Ruby as she explained everything to the other three, from Salem to the maidens, they listened with wrapped attention after she finished they all sat around processing the information

"Really?... No questions?" Qrow commented after a few moments earning a glare from Jaune

"Of course we have questions. This is just... a lot to take in." Jaune snapped causing Qrow to nod a bit

"Yeah... of course... sorry." Qrow apologized as he leaned forward

"So... that's what Ozpin was planning to do... to Pyrrha... you were going to, make her..." Jaune angrily trailed off

"We gave her a choice, and she chose. Akame was there if she said no... though I wouldn't have been very happy about that." Qrow said coldly "She's my kid after all."

"I wanted to ask about that too. What the hell did you do to her?" Jaune asked glaring at Qrow who sighed and looked at Ruby both seeming to debate what to say until Ruby spoke

"You'll have to talk to her about that." Ruby finally said earning a sigh of relief from Qrow

"Fine... but if there really is some evil woman trying to end the world, why doesn't everyone know?" Jaune asked causing Ruby and Qrow to share a look

Qrow then looked back at him "How would you react if you were told that the Grimm were the good guys?" Qrow asked causing Ren to clench his fist "My point exactly." he then added gesturing to Ren "If we came out and told everyone that the world isn't the way they thought it was half the people wouldn't believe us and the other half would think that throwing in with her would be for the better. Its just safer this way." Qrow explained earning a sigh from Jaune "Add in the maidens and the relics... war would be the only thing on anyones' minds. Then people like me and Akame would have to go back to our old jobs."

"And what might that be?" Ren asked carefully

"Nothing you'd want to know 'bout." Qrow waved off as Ruby sighed

"Back on the topic of questions, I have a few." Nora said slightly louder than everyone else

"Fair enough, what do you wanna know?" Qrow asked earning a serious look from Nora

"If Tyrian is working for this Salem chick how did he know you, and from what you said she shouldn't have allies... right? Shouldn't she just kill everyone?" Nora voiced earning a raised eyebrow from Ren too

"Salem is smart. She uses us to get what she wants, so when it comes time to point fingers we can only point at each other." Qrow answered earning a scared look from Ren and Nora "What she wants is what matters, she wants the relics, we have the relics, so that gives us the advantage."

"Okay, so whats the plan." Ruby asked "I figured we'd get to Mistral and you'd have something for us then." Ruby reasoned causing Qrow to chuckle awkwardly

"I don't have a plan." Qrow answered causing Rubys' jaw to drop as she glared at him "Look, Oz put a lot of trust in the headmasters, but Leo hasn't been reporting in even before the attack, so we're going to see him. He might have something for us, but until then you just gotta keep moving."

"Okay, but you're here now. So why not travel with us?" Ruby asked as Qrow stood

"I... it's complex." Qrow avoided with a sigh

"Complex... really... and Akame isn't? Esdeath isn't? The twenty minutes you were gone for five months isn't?" Ruby snapped at him "Why wont you trust me?"

"It has nothing to do with trust... I..." Qrow again struggled

"So you're just using her as bait." Jaune snapped at him

"I wasn't using her as anything." Qrow growled causing Jaune to quickly shrink away from him, Qrow sighed again "Ruby..." Qrow began when he looked over to her she was staring blankly at him but they both knew that she was hurt, Qrow sighed and stared into the fire for a few moments

"Did you know that crows are a sign of bad luck?" Qrow asked as he sat back down, before they could answer he continued speaking clearly uncomfortable with the topic "Its an old superstition... but it's how I got my name. Some people can absorb electricity... and some can burst into rose petals... and some people are... born unlucky..." Qrow explained, he then sighed and took a swig from his flask "My semblance isn't like most... its not exactly somethin' I... do... its always there... whether I like it or not... I bring misfortune... I guess you could call me a bad luck charm... comes in real handy when I'm fighting an enemy... but it makes it a little hard on friends... and family." Qrow finished as he stood and began to walk away

"Uncle Qrow." Ruby said causing him to stop and turn back to her "I understand why you didn't tell me. Thank you... it must have been difficult."

"Thanks... I'll um... I'm going for a walk... you kids have fun." Qrow awkwardly answered her as he began to walk again vanishing into the darkness, Ruby sat back down and sighed

"SOOOOOO..." Nora began looking directly at Ruby "How long have you been in this?"

"Since a week before the Vytal festival. Esdeath told me and my team about it, and gave us the same choice you have now. Join our hidden war... or live with the knowledge that all hell might break lose at any second." Ruby said causing the three to look at each other "Its a hard choice, one that I completely understand, but remember this; all the hardships of your lives are due to our enemies, and you can help spit in their faces by fighting with us."

"I'm in, I still have to pay Cinder back for what she did." Jaune said coldly "But you lied to me, that's gonna take time to repair." Jaune added as he stood and walked in the opposite direction to Qrow

"What about you two?" Ruby asked looking over to Nora and Ren who were staring at each other

"I think we're gonna need to talk this over a bit... but I'm pretty sure we're with you." Ren answered both him and Nora looking back at each other, Ruby sighed and looked into the fire

(o)

Yang sat watching ships fly by, at some point this became something she enjoyed watching... it was calming

"Yang." Esdeaths' voice came from behind her, quickly standing Yang turned to her

"Yeah?"

"Walk with me." Esdeath ordered as she began walking, Yang jogged after her and the two began towards wherever Esdeath wanted to go "It has come to my attention that you aren't happy with your progression."

"I'm fine with my progression in strength, but... my morals... are... I need to leave this place." Yang explained earning a nod from Esdeath

"You're scared that you've become desensitized to these things yes?" Esdeath asked for confirmation, Yang nodded and she was quickly pulled into a hug from Esdeath "Your fears are unfounded! Everyone is scared of something, and change is one of those that most people fear. If you are ever scared of something like this again, come to me. I will help you." Esdeath said as she ran her hand through Yangs' hair, Yang made no effort to prevent this, she was just feeling jealous of Ruby being picked by Esdeath now, she was always the one people would come to and she would reassure them... but now Esdeath was doing that for her. . . closing her eyes she relaxed, Esdeath was far stronger than she'll ever be, and that's fine.

(o)

Weiss sat across from her father blankly listening to his tirade of angry words, he was steadily running out of steam at this point so she decided to speak

"Are you done yet or would you like to keep going?" Weiss asked causing her fathers' eye to twitch

"Like hell am I done." he growled "Your sister had something to do with this! I know it! All she wants is to destroy this family. Now you're helping her by siding with that... that... psychopath."

"Look who's talking. I've learned since I lived here, Esdeath isn't even close to a psychopath, I've learned and seen what you are. I have chosen my path in a accordance to what I believe now. You are the worst thing for me. I'll be taking my leave." Weiss snapped causing her father to lean back in surprise "Enjoy your home 'father'." Weiss snarked as she stood and began to walk away

"What about the company! You are the heiress, what would people say!" Jacques quickly began to scramble

"Well, third times the charm... isn't it?" Weiss snarked with a grin as she walked out of the room then the house, hopefully forever

(o)

Exiting the building Weiss found Raven waiting for her, she was waiting in front of a large airship, with a salute Weiss marched onboard, sitting down she let out a sigh, Raven sat down next to her

"So... how did that go?" Raven asked causing Weiss to sigh even louder "Must have been fun."

"Gods I hate that man. He couldn't believe that I'd want to work for General Esdeath."

"Master Esdeath and your father aren't on the best of terms, if you want to you can pledge yourself to her." Raven commented to her

"I'd rather not, I wont trade my freedom from one to another."

"Well you are clearly different to your sister." Raven commented earning a double take from Weiss

"Did... did Winter do that?" Weiss asked earning a nod from Raven

"Yes, she was quite enthusiastic to join us as servants to master Esdeath."

"When did she do that?!" Weiss questioned this was the first time in a long time someone had said something that she didn't foresee

"After the battle at Beacon, she seemed to be quite effected by the battle. She is currently on a mission for master Esdeath. She will either die or return victorious." Raven answered as Weiss quickly recovered

"Ah... yes... that makes sense." Weiss recovered "It seems that our family owes her quite a lot. Breaking both of us free from fath- Jacques." Weiss added happily, she was glad to finally cut herself free from her father

(o)

Akame walked farther and farther down into the city, she found that the deeper into the city she went the easier it was for her to think, she spent every morning watching Leonardo, but he didn't seem to be doing anything out of the ordinary, once father arrived she was going to have to talk it over with him and see if he was suppose to be doing anything in particular that he wasn't. Turning down an alleyway Akame leaned on the wall.

It was faint but she could feel someone watching her, jumping up onto the roof Akame looked around trying to find who was watching her, dropping off the roof she placed her hand on Murasame as she walked out the other end onto an almost empty street, the few people that were on the street weren't paying her any attention, Walking out into the street Akame turned back to the alley it looked empty but she felt that someone was just behind her. With a sigh Akame walked away, she was focusing every sense she had on detecting who was following her but she sensed no one.

(o)

Blake leaned against the wall of her room, Leone was searching for Ilia... she wanted to ask her to stop, but the feeling she gave off killed any question she wanted to ask, Leone said she was fine but she felt so angry, so Blake felt that waiting for her to calm down would be a good idea... but she didn't calm down, her anger seemed endless

"BLAKE DINNER!" Kalis' voice called, with a sigh she pushed off the wall and began out the door. Entering the dinning room Blake found her mother, father, and Sun all sitting around waiting for her

"Hey Blake! Any luck in your search?" Sun asked as he began to eat

"No... I got nothing." Blake answered with a sigh, sitting down, Kali placed a plate in front of her

"My search was no better." Sun said with a sigh "It's like she disappeared entirely." Sun added clearly frustrated by the turn of events

"I was going to visit Leone and ask her if she found Ilia." Blake added as she began to eat quickly

"She's actually on her way over. She said she had something for you." Kali informed earning a nod from Blake

(o)

After eating dinner Blake waited out front for Leone, she didn't have to wait long, Leone quickly reached her and let out a sigh

"It's been a while since I had to do any tracking." Leone commented with a chuckle she then reached into her top and pulled out a scroll "Your little chameleon really needs to get laid." Leone added as she held the scroll out to Blake

"You... found her?"

"Yeah, shes not that hard to track, back in the empire spies were far more cautious, she seems pretty lonely though. Anywho I followed her to her camp and took her scroll while she slept."

"You didn't kill her did you?"

"Nah, she's still breathing. But if you wanna go visit feel free." Leone offered, Blake wanted to agree but quickly gave up on that idea when she thought about the White Fang, Leone sighed

"The information on that scroll is quite informative, as most information is. Shows that they are taking orders from a guy going by the name Adam Taurus." Leone added causing Blake to pale a bit "Not his biggest fan?" Leone commented as Blake recovered

"Yeah... he was... the worst thing to happen to me."

"Well now's your chance to kick him in the dick." Leone offered "Well mostly, from the looks of things it said that he's planing on overthrowing the current leader Sienna Khan and replace her with himself." Leone explained causing Blake to feel very queasy "That's not the worst of it either, he also plans to attack Haven academy, so we should send someone that way to give warning to both."

"I... I think we need to talk to my dad about this one." Blake carefully said as she stood guiding Leone inside to talk it over with her father

(o)

Yang slowed to a stop and checked her scroll, she hadn't gotten a text from Weiss in almost three days, changing from her messages back to her running app she noted that she ran a little over twelve miles, through pants she looked around the gym, there were a few occupants, but the one everyone was looking to was Esdeath her jaw dropped, much like everyone else in the gym she was in shock, Esdeath was basically benching the equivalent weight of a bullhead

"General... do you want someone to... spot you? Maybe?" Yang asked as she walked over to her bench

"I don't really need one, but if you want to try this I could spot you." Esdeath casually answered as she rested the bar back on the rack, Yang looked at it for a few moments

"Sure... I'll give it a shot." Yang finally said, Esdeath stood from the bench and let Yang lie down on it

"Any advice for this much weight?"

"Don't arch your back. While it helps with much lighter weight it causes problems with this. Being about twenty-two tons its not something that you can lift, you want to hold it up for as long as possible." Esdeath explained Yang nodded and grabbed the bar, slowing her breathing Yang forced the bar up, holding it up she felt her arm shake her other arm was giving her a few warnings began to flash due to the weight all her concentration was focused on holding that weight off her

"Breath Yang." Esdeath ordered, Yang realized that she was holding her breath this whole time, Yang slowly drew in breath then exhaled the weight became more bearable, moving the weight back onto the rack Yang let out a sigh as she sat up

"How can you bench that?" Yang asked as she began to check her other arm which seemed a little sluggish and glitchy "Yep... that broke my arm. I'm gonna have to see Pietro to get this thing fixed."

"Funny you should mention that, he told me that he has a gift for you. I'm pretty sure I know what it is, but he wants to see your face when you see it." Esdeath informed causing Yang to nod and remove the broken appendage

"Also, be sure to protect those eyes of yours. If you lose one I'll have to assume that all my friends lose limbs or eyes." Esdeath added Yang felt a swell in her chest, Esdeath considered her a friend.

"I'll make sure to watch out." Yang said attempting to prevent herself from sounding too excited about the friend comment, Esdeath nodded and Yang walked away as she deactivated her arm causing it to fall limp, watching her exit the gym Esdeath let out a sigh and went back to benching the weight.

(o)

reaching the laboratory Yang looked around "Pietro! You here?"

"Yes yes! Over here." Pietros' jovial voice came from one of the corners of the room, walking over there she could see he was working on something, it looked like another prosthetic limb, but it was much bulkier than hers

"Hey, whatcha workin' on?" Yang asked as she looked at the limb

"Ah, James' arm was giving him trouble so he asked me to do some maintenance on it." Pietro answered as he finished up with some wiring and closed the panel he was working in

"I didn't know he had a cybernetic." Yang comment earning a hum from Pietro

"Yes, its unfortunate that many see them as gross additions to the body... now what can I do for you Yang?" he asked as his chair turned around so he could face her

"Ah, I was working out with General Esdeath, and... well... it broke, I think its probably the hydraulics that are messed up." Yang explained as she handed the limb to him, Taking it and looking it over for a few moments then opened it up and let out a chuckle

"You are right, the hydraulics are dented and the sensors in the palm are fried, but you don't need to worry about waiting for repairs. I made you this." Pietro began as he reached into a drawer withdrawing a new arm, it looks far sleeker than her current one and had Esdeaths' mark imprinted on it forearm, she didn't mind the mark, taking the arm she connected it to her stump and began flexing and moving it around

"This is one of the most advanced limbs I have ever made. So you shouldn't have any trouble with lifting tons of weight. But I don't recommend working out with Esdeath anytime soon."

"Why not?"

"I'm assuming that you didn't bench much given her terms but most people cant handle her whole workout routine. So be careful." Pietro warned earning a hum from Yang

"I could see that. But if it makes her stronger than I should do the same. I gotta work harder to get stronger."

"You... you really think you're not strong enough? Ever since you got here you have put so much effort into getting stronger, you probably don't need more strength."

"I wish that were true. But with what were up against I cant settle for anything less." Yang denied earning a chuckle from Pietro

"As long you are happy and proud of what you are doing... but do try and take it a little easier." Pietro warned "I would be beside myself with grief if you were to get irreparable hurt." he added in a concerned tone

"You're too kind Pietro, I feel like I should owe you much more than you ask of me." Yang commented earning a laugh from the man

"So long as you are happy I am happy." He laughed off "Now go on, you have some work to do with that new arm of yours, and I'm sure Esdeath would love to see it." Yang nodded and walked away, leaving the man to his project, she didn't know what it was but she did know that he was putting almost all his time into working on it, which made her new limb all the more precious, exiting the lab Yang began to make her way back to the gym, upon entering she was greeted by Esdeath who was waiting near the door

"So what did he have for- oh a new arm. And it has my design on it." Esdeath commented as she looked over Yangs' new arm "Are you going to paint it?"

"No, like this it shows that I work for you. So if I go back to my old outfit for some reason I'll still show off that I work for you." Yang answered earning a smile from Esdeath

"You seem far more willing to serve me than you used to." Esdeath commented earning a chuckle from Yang

"Yeah, but you proven a hundred times over that working for you is better than being a huntsman." Yang answered earning a nod from Esdeath

"Very good. But where do you draw the line?"

"Don't torture when I'm around." Yang answered earning a nod from Esdeath as she made a mental note of that

"Is that all?"

"Yes."

"Good. Now that you properly serve me I have a mission for you. It will be one that you are going to enjoy I swear." Esdeath said as she began out of the gym quickly followed by Yang, walking into the briefing room Esdeath gestured to the map, it was a map of Mistral and the surrounding areas with a few areas highlighted red

"This is your mission. These locations represent different locations that we believe that Raven Branwen is hiding her camp."

"My... mom?" Yang asked sounding unsure

"If she was your mom wouldn't she have stuck around?" Esdeath questioned Yang sighed and nodded "Clear her from your mind. She isn't worthy of being your mother." Esdeath added as she placed her hand on Yangs' shoulder with a squeeze she continued "If it helps, you can replace her role with me in your mind." Esdeath added, all Yang needed was someone to lean on and Esdeath filled that role perfectly, with a nod Yang began to look over the map

"I want you to find her, then use her to take you to Ruby."

"Couldn't I just search Mistral for her?" Yang asked looking down at the map table that Esdeath was leaning over

"You could, but that would take a lot longer than needed, remember this; complete your missions fully and quickly. If there is a way to complete a task I give you faster, use it." Esdeath answered earning a nod from Yang, she was new to this but she'll learn just how to help Esdeath

"Right... what about Weiss? Shouldn't she come too?"

"She has already left, I must admit that this plan was hers, she proposed it to me a few nights ago during a game of chess."

"You play chess?"

"I don't find it as fun as many others do, but seeing a plan come together is its own form of satisfying." Esdeath answered with a smile growing on her face

A/N Here is eight. There's not a whole lot to be said this chapter, its a bit slower than the others but that's its purpose, a nice little chapter that doesn't have too much in it so I can work on the other chapters too.