It's funny how he was so convincing. Red isn't the type to be mean on purpose.

I think he meant it though. He's tired of it.

He might be. I think he's thrilled about it though. How many good guys can legally play the bad guy?

To me, the new guy looks creepy as fuck. I don't know… He seems like bad news.

Apparently, he has a pet Grimm… I wonder why and how…

We just need everything to be over with soon. Rain won't wait forever. I am a dad still and my kids mean everything to me.

Same here. Juno misses the babies already. I do too, to be honest. They are my everything. I have never been apart from them ever.

The White Fang is my baby but I'm still allowed to go back to it.

Haha, jerk.

Jealous much, Yuri?

Maybe a little.

We need to sleep.

I guess. I'm too scared too though.

Really?

Blanche looks like the thing of nightmares.

…

Yea.

I agree.

X

X

Red woke up the next morning… alone in his bed. He sighed heavily. He didn't think it was a dream… everything he heard. It was between Yuri, Wyeth and Blake. They too seemed to have mixed feelings and it made him feel a lot better because he wasn't the only one.

I wish I was strong enough.

He rolled over in bed.

I only can fight Grimm. Killing people isn't my thing. Why did I say war?

Red groaned in frustration.

"Jazmin, he is still asleep!"

Eton was there… of course he was.

"I don't give a damn who is asleep! I am so angry!"

Red hid under the covers. He actually trembled with fear. Angry women were the scariest creatures on the planet.

"RED ROSE!"

His heart nearly stopped once the bedroom door slammed into the bedroom wall.

Oh my god… I'm going to die…

The covers were jerked off his shaking body. He opened one of his eyes to see a fuming Jazmin at the end of the bed. She got onto the bed and crawled across it like a monster from under the bed to drag a kid to hell itself. She jerked him upright by his shirt and glared at him fiercely.

"Are you fucking dense?!"

"I-I-I-

"No! WAR?! WHO THE FUCK CALLS FOR A WAR!"

"Me-

"Yea you, you fucking idiot!"

She let go of him and slapped him across the face snapping his head to the side.

"Red, what kind of idiot are you?! Everything we built will be torn down because you had to play the dumbass!"

"Hey! Don't blame me! You forced this on me!" Red yelled back, "I didn't ask for this. If you wanted me to say certain stuff then you should've given me an ear piece and tell me what to say!"

Jazmin flopped backward on the bed with a weird look on her face.

"I can't believe I didn't think of that," she whispered, slightly dumbfounded.

Red grabbed the covers and covered up his body.

"I'm sorry, Jazmin."

She sighed and sat down Indian style.

"Red, I'm sorry too. I guess it can't be helped."

She looked up at him and smiled.

"What?"

"Everyone said you looked and sounded like a badass."

Red turned pink and hid his face.

Jazmin snickered, "Don't be ashamed. I know where it came from."

"What does that mean?"

"You want to protect everyone from someone threatening the happiness everyone has. You don't want that disturbed by anyone. I understand that."

He said nothing.

"If that's what helps you do this, keep it quiet."

"Yea."

X

X

It was two in the morning and most of Vale was asleep already. Scarlet has been walking around in Blake's defined area three for hours now. She had drunk so much coffee she was constantly running to the bathroom or feeling the desire to scream. She honestly wondered why no one had questioned her when she said she would go to area three alone.

She needed time alone.

Doing everything… silently moving in the night and acting like a criminal was almost tempting to go back. To go back the way she was before Crimson intervened. He was lawful chaotic man and she was wouldn't listen for the longest time until he offered more money for his 'so called' jobs. She wanted to be herself again.

I feel like my heart is aching. The need to do what I did best… but I love the peacefulness I have with Red and Akairo. Would I really sacrifice the life I have for thrills?

She bit her lip.

First it was Akairo with that job hunting down exploited children and now… This. It's even worse than what we did. It drove me insane and I lost it on that train. Now, I feel like Jazmin is dangling the night life back in my face. It's like holding a bag of drugs in front of a drug addict. How can I resist?

Scarlet gripped the handle of her cane harder.

I can't even fight. What the fuck am I doing here?

Self doubt had been creeping around her for months… It was worse when she was alone.

Why can't I be anything like Akairo?

It was a saddening thought.

"So, Scarlet Torchwick…. You're all alone?"

She froze up.

Damnit, that's what I get for overthinking! I forgot I was out in the open!

"How did you find out my name?" she asked looking around.

"I asked around… Most people said they don't see you often… Since Crimson's death years ago. Why is that?"

"Is it any of your business?" she snapped.

Blanche grabbed her hand making her whip around to face those red eyes.

"I hear you've played the good guy in his place. Saving children."

"And?"

"You had his child…. But you're with his older son? Does Red know?"

Scarlet swallowed hard.

"N-no."

"Secrets…"

Blanche pulled her a little closer.

"I heard about you… How you were one of the greatest criminals… You almost got killed by Akairo Taurus of the White Fang. Now you're in a poly relationship with her and Red? What an interesting thing."

"What I do is my business."

"You can join me."

"Excuse me?" Scarlet spat, angry that he even said something so stupid.

"I will protect you and your son. Crimson used to be my best friend. I would never hurt his woman and infant son."

"No thank you."

Scarlet tried pulling away. Blanche pulled her closer.

"You also can't fight."

What the fuck? Did he torture someone for information?

"You can melt things or explode things into fire but you more or less do it when you're angry. You have no control over how things go when you use your semblance."

"Who is telling you all these things?!" Scarlet yelled angrily.

"The underground is filled with people with loose lips when you have money and Dust."

She snarled at him.

"I bet it has to hurt."

She looked away.

"I bet they took pity on you when Crimson died. You're just third wheeling a sad relationship. She's borderline psycho and he's a bastard child. Didn't even know who his daddy is until recently. What did you tell them when they asked who the daddy was? Did you lie and say it was Red?"

"No… I said I wasn't sure. I have my own needs."

"Of course. I woman with a wonderful body like that would."

Scarlet wanted to vomit.

"You're just trying to psyche me and cause a rift between Red and his men."

"No. I honestly would leave town now if you came with me."

Scarlet's jaw dropped slightly.

"Don't be surprised. I could use a strong woman beside of me. One who isn't afraid to do a man's job. You are honestly skilled beyond a huntress. How many people can slip past people without having to fight? I never met anyone like you. I was so surprised when I heard the stories."

Scarlet finally freed her wrist.

"It doesn't matter what you say. I won't go with you."

Blanche grinned weirdly.

"I guess… You have a few days to think about it… Did your man mean what he said?"

Scarlet gave a nod.

"Even once the fight starts, my offer still stands but… I wouldn't mind fighting you one on one. I would love to see your semblance up close. You're quite beautiful and dangerous. I like that."

"We can fight now. I don't have a problem with that."

Blanche laughed and shook his head.

"I actually came alone. I think that would be dumb… I had to talk to the infamous woman of Vale. I'll see you later Green Eyes."

Scarlet watched as he walked back into the shadows and he was gone.

How… How did he zero in on what I'm so insecure about?

X

X

"You ran into him?! Are you ok?!" Red cried grabbing Scarlet's shoulders.

"I'm fine. He was just telling me he knows everything about me."

Jazmin stared at her.

"What about you?"

"He knows Ash is Crimson's son."

Akairo arched an eyebrow, "I hate gossipers. We should hunt down the snitch and cut his lips off."

Everyone stared at her.

"Calm down… I'm kidding… Kind of."

"What did you say?" Yuri asked looking worried.

"I said Red had no idea that my son was his little brother. He did say they were best friends at one point. Is it true?" Scarlet asked.

Jazmin shrugged, "Crimson had a life before he arrived to Vale… I didn't know everything."

"No more going alone," Akairo stated.

"What?"

"I might go on a murdering rampage if you were to die. It's not safe to go alone. You're not allowed to go out until the war."

Red shrugged, "I agree. We can't risk anything happening to you. I wouldn't know what to tell Ash."

Scarlet smiled and nodded, "Ok."