Beta read by: SecretlySilentlyEvil

Recommended story: "The Broken Huntress" by Crescent Sunrise

A soft yawn covered by the back of a pale hand was released shortly before Mato opened her bleary eyes. It was afternoon and she was in the area she used to train with Black Rock. She must have fallen asleep in the shade of one of the trees when she sat down to take a break. She felt pretty hungry but when she tried to move the noticed a strange weight in her lap. Looking down she spotted little Velvet laying down next to her with the young rabbit girl's head in her lap.

Mato's shifting was enough to disturb the faunus' sleep but not enough to fully rouse her as she scrunched up her face and grumbled quietly as she pressed herself a little more firmly into Mato's legs and settled right back down. Mato couldn't help the smile that crossed her face as one of her hands moved to gently run through Velvet's hair between the pair of rabbit ears that twitched and shifted at the slightest contact. Gently Mato began to shift and adjust so she could scoop the small girl up into her arms. It took some awkward movement on her part to make it happen and part of her was certain that Velvet had woken up while she was being moved but thus far she hadn't protested or made any move indicating she wanted to walk herself.

So it was a very amused Marco that greeted Mato when she returned to her borrowed home. Mato's suspicion that Velvet wasn't quite as asleep as she pretended was made clear when she tried to hand the girl over to Marco only for her to cling stubbornly to the raven haired girl instead. Leaving Mato to look a little sheepish as she shrugged at Marco.

"It's okay, food at our place." He said, or at least that's what she thought he said—it was that or he wanted new shoes. She was still learning but she was fairly sure she got it right this time as she nodded and followed him back to his home. She was surprised when she entered to see a new person inside talking to Marco's wife Satin.

She had short black hair cut above her shoulders and wore a white cloak with what looked like a sword strapped to her waist with a Rose etched into the hilt. Her most striking feature though was her bright silver eyes. Mato had seen hair and eye colors of all types since arriving on Remnant but this was the first time she had seen silver.

When Marco announced his presence it drew the attention of the two women to them and had Mato not grown so used to the strange and curious looks she had been receiving over the past few weeks the young woman would have been a bit uncomfortable with the amount of interest the newcomer was showing.

Marco cleared his throat as Mato gently set Velvet down in a chair. She had to poke the rabbit girl a few times until she let go but in the end Mato was able to stand up straight and unencumbered while Marco introduced her.

"Miss Rose, this is Kuroi Mato. She is the girl my team found wandering the shoreline" He said and Mato appreciated that he slowed down his speech so she could keep up with what was being said. She didn't get all of it, but what she did understand made the rest clear in context. It was then he turned to introduce the woman. "Kuroi, this is Summer Rose, she is a huntress from Beacon."

That Mato did understand. It wasn't only the language that Marco taught her afterall. Once he realized she had absolutely no idea where she was or anything about the world around her he started to tell her some of the important things about Remnant. It was in broad strokes and very simplified so she would be able to understand but she at least had a grip on the bare bones by this point.

While that didn't explain why the woman was there in the first place Mato was sure that she would find out soon if it pertained to herself in any way.

The displaced girl thanked her hostess with a bow and a smile before holding her chopsticks together in her hands and saying her thanks in her native tongue. The act never failed to get her peculiar looks but she'd gotten used to those as well. Afterall, a few odd looks were no reason for her to be rude to the family taking care of her in this strange new world.

Rice and seasoned fish flavored with lemon was set in front of them and the group ate quietly with the exception of Velvet chattering excitedly at Mato throughout the meal. The young woman looked a little overwhelmed as she struggled to keep up with Velvets speech. In truth Mato believed that she learned more talking with Velvet than she did with Marco simply due to how much effort it took to understand what was being said to her.

The sun had set by the time the group had finished their meal and Velvet's mother was hurrying the girl to bed while Marco drew Mato's attention back to the table Summer had yet to leave. After a moment Marco unrolled a map on the table he used to teach Mato about the kingdoms. The locations of each were circled along with that of Menagerie.

"Mato, Summer is here to take you to Beacon." He explained and Mato blinked wondering if she had heard that correctly.

"You, want me to leave?"

Marco winced when she said it like that and sighed. "No, not like that, we are happy to have you here, and you will always be welcome. But I think it might be better for you there." He replied and it took Mato a long moment to mentally translate the words in her head.

Somehow she doubted he was telling her that she will always be parsnips.

"You think I should go with her?" Mato asked slowly pointing at Summer and down at the map where Beacon was. If Remnant was nearly the size of Earth than it would be a great distance away. She would be right back at square one in a place where she didn't know anyone and with no idea what she should do.

The only thing she did have going so far was that she could speak the language now… barely.

When Marco nodded in return she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "When?"

It was Summer who answered this time. "We'll be leaving tomorrow morning. A bullhead will be taking us to a town in Anima where we'll refuel before making the rest of the trip to Vale."

And of that Mato got the first sentence before the rest became a garbled mess to her. Words she didn't know yet mixed with ones she did but there wasn't enough context for her to guess and it only frustrated her to try, so instead she focused on what she did understand.

Mato couldn't help but feel hurt and even a bit betrayed as she looked between Marco and the human woman. She had never felt so unwanted as she did at that moment. Oh she knew she was a burden on them that they never asked for but it never seemed to bother them and she tried to do everything she could think of to make it easier on her hosts.

It was just as she was beginning to feel overwhelmed that Black Rock took the pain away just as swiftly as it came, leaving Mato with nothing more than understanding. She knew he likely only wanted what he thought was best for her. While Menagerie was nice, and with time she would no doubt acclimate to it, it would be faster if she could go somewhere with an actual school and trained instructors. It still bothered her but it didn't have the emotional element attached to it anymore, which on the whole made what she did next much easier.

With a nod Mato stood and bowed to Marco, forced to speak slowly to ensure she was not only saying the right words but that they would be understood through her accent. "I see, thank you for taking care of me. I will see you all tomorrow."

She noticed them flinch and ignored how he tried to call her back as she left the building. It's strange how easy it is for her to notice now when Black Rock is 'stealing' her negative emotions based simply on how something she knew bothered her simply failed to register an emotional response. Part of Mato wondered if she would ever even cry again.

'I will never abandon you'

The words came suddenly, ringing through her mind from her constant stoic companion and immediately she was shown that indeed she could still cry. Tears of joy were well within her capabilities still. Black Rock might not speak words filled with tenderness or affection. One could even be forgiven for believing her Otherself to be heartless and cold.

Those people could not be more wrong. Black Rock loved her more fiercely than she could even understand and while it was intimidation to know at times. At moments like this it was very welcome and she knew that no matter what Black Rock would always be there for her.

'Thank you Black Rock.' Mato replied. She knew that her thanks weren't necessary. Black Rock didn't have a need to have her actions or words appreciated. But that only made Mato want to show her appreciation more. Just because Black Rock didn't need it, didn't mean that she didn't deserve it. And to Kuroi Mato, that is what mattered.

The next morning was strained. Mato had changed back into the outfit she arrived in before folding up the rest and leaving it on a bed in her hut. She took changes in her unmentionables of course and they were packed into a light knapsack slung over her shoulder along with a small amount of the card based currency Lien she earned here and there helping people setting up their stalls in the morning.

At first Marco had objected and tried to tell her that the clothes were hers and she should have them but she just smiled back and bowed her thanks telling him as well as she could that she couldn't accept anything else from his family. She also failed to mention the money she left amongst the clothing to pay the family back for the underwear she did take.

Eventually when he realized that she wasn't going to take them he looked pained and sad before shaking his head.

It was parting with Velvet that was difficult. Mato had to beg Black Rock not to take away the emotions tied to parting with the little rabbit girl and was surprised when her Otherself relented. She felt the pain of parting from the little crying girl who clung to her leg and begged her not to go. And when Velvet did finally relent she produced a picture and stuffed it into Mato's hands before running and hugging her mother.

When Mato looked at it she knew exactly when it had been taken. It was shortly after Marco began to teach her. Velvet had brought her camera and interrupted Mato's studies by jumping into her lap and grinning at the camera with her ears framing the older girls surprised face.

Mato saw the tears hit the photograph before she realized they were flowing and she gave a weak smile at the little faunus girl before gently placing the picture in her sack. Mato hesitated before giving the small girl a wave and a weak smile before turning around and following Summer onto the vehicle seating herself opposite the dark haired woman.

They remained silent for quite awhile after that until it began to feel oppressive though Mato didn't know how to break the silence considering her own weak vocabulary. At least with Black Rock around Mato knew she wouldn't have to worry about falling into a depression as even her emotional parting with Velvet was gradually removed from her.

Eventually it seemed that the older woman couldn't take it anymore and she moved to sit next to Mato rather than across from her drawing the blue eyed girls attention away from the window and onto a picture she was being shown of the woman herself next to a strong looking man and a pair of young girls.

"This is my family." Summer stated simply before using her other hand to point out each person. "My husband Taiyang, and our daughters Yang and Ruby."

Mato stared at the image for a long moment before looking at Summer curiously. She understood the words but wasn't sure why the woman was showing her a picture of her family. In the end it only reminded Mato of the fact she was alone in the world and of the family she just left behind.

"Okay?" She replied questioningly her brows furrowed as she tried to get Summer to elaborate. She tried not to let herself get upset because that would just lead to another wave of apathy but she couldn't help the small amount of irritation that got through at being reminded of what she just left behind so soon after.

Her response got a sheepish chuckle out of Summer before the older woman turned her own attention back to the photo with a fond look, a smile tugging at her lips. "Maybe I can introduce them to you some time. I promised to bake cookies with Ruby when I get back, do you like cookies?"

Mato had no idea what the last word said to her was. She recognized the rest but unfortunately the context clues she received only told her that Summer was talking about some kind of baked good and in the end Mato could only look back helplessly.

"Didn't understand all of that huh?" Summer asked in reply putting the photo away. "That's alright, you'll have plenty of time to learn everything you'll need to know when we get to Vale."

"Alright, um… How long until Vale?" Mato asked quietly. She could deal with flying and while she was normally happy to be around people after all the time she spent alone in the 'Other World' At the time she would have admitted to not minding the idea of a little solitude for herself, her thoughts, and Black Rock.

"Well we should reach our first stop by midday at the latest. Well make a few stops on our way to Vale for fuel but overall around a week." Summer replies and while once again Mato didn't understand all of it she did get the last part and looked around the bullhead for a long moment before sighing. It looked like she would be getting very familiar with the inside of her transport.

"Are you cold?"

The question snaps Matos attention back to the dark haired woman as she blinks in momentary confusion until the words actually register. "I am okay, why?"

It was then that Summer waved towards Mato's body and the girl looked down at her outfit for a moment before blushing at just how much of her skin it really did show. Then she felt the cool air on her skin from a vent in the roof of the vehicle. It was a bit on the colder side at the moment but a welcome break from the heat she had gotten used to during her time in Menagerie. The invention of air conditioning was truly a sign of any proper civilization.

"Only clothes I have." Mato responded with a shrug as she tried to ignore her own embarrassment.

"Well, you wouldn't want to visit Atlas then…" Summer commented before frowning. "What about the clothes you wore last night?"

"Borrowed." Mato replied simply. She couldn't wait to get more fluent in the language as having to pause and mentally translate everything from Remnant's language into Japanese mentally and then do it again in reverse for her replies left quite a pause in the conversation and Mato couldn't help but think it might make her appear stupid.

"I'm sure they would have let you keep some of it at least." The white cloaked woman insisted frowning at the realization that there was a chance Mato would be stuck in the same clothing all the way to Beacon if they couldn't find anyone who had something in her size along the way.

At that Mato shook her head. "Won't be a burden." she replied "Big enough debt already."

"Still you should at least have taken something that would cover more than… that." Summer finished lamely only to sigh as Mato eventually shrugged in response tugging gently at a corner of the jacket.

"Comfortable." Mato replied and found a small wry amusement in how similar to her other self the response was. She had been doing that throughout the conversation looking back and she found herself chuckling lightly only to shake her head with a small smile at Summer's curious look.

Eventually silence came again over them only this time is was not nearly as oppressive as before.

It was late at night and moonlight was pouring into the room Mato and Summer shared at an inn. Minutes after Mato's blue eyes closed they opened again to show a pair of rings formed in each Iris.

Black Rock sat up in the bed and ran her hands over the covers. Her jacket, gloves and boots were placed on and around a chair in the corner. The fabric covering her currently was soft and felt good against her skin so for a moment she enjoyed the sensation until her attention was drawn inevitably towards the window and the moon beyond it.

With silent steps Black Rock made her way to the clothing items, dawning them quickly before heading for the window itself. Slowly she leveraged it open before sparing a look at the sleeping body of Summer Rose and pulling her hood up over her head.

After slipping out Black Rock hadn't bothered to close the window as she scaled the side of the wooden building on her way to the roof. Her footsteps careful as she headed for the peak of the buildings roof in order to engage in her usual habit of star gazing as she waited for the first signs of Mato's mind rousing from unconsciousness.

The Otherself tilted her head when she heard a pair of feet stepping across the roof from the direction of the window she exited previously. "Ms. Mato? Why are you up here? You really should-"

The woman's voice cut out when Black Rock turned her head to look at Summer who apparently hadn't been as asleep as the Otherself thought.

"Ms. Mato? You're eyes…" Summer trailed off as the person she was meant to guard turned around and stared impassively at the edge of the small town where red eyes were gathering in the forest. Slowly a group of the same dark creatures that attacked Mato and Black Rock on their first day began to emerge and approach the settlement.

"That's a lot of Grimm…" She commented with a frown as the townwatch spotted them and she heard the first rounds of dust weapons firing into the crowd of approaching creatures and a bell rung to alert others to the attack. "I'm going to help, you stay inside."

Black Rock looked on impassively before a blue energy appeared in her hand, and it grew into the shape of her cannon along side the tell tale sound of grinding metal. The Otherself could hear the woman talking but she was no longer paying any attention as the cannon was lifted and fired blasting back a boarbatusk that had been rolling towards the towns wall. The heavily armored grimm might have survived the hit but it's momentum was broken while she turned to another target.

The white cloaked woman next to her hesitated for only a moment before jumping down from the roof and running as fast as she could towards the sounds of battle to the east as the shouts of people defending the small town mixed with the roars of the grimm and the sound of standardized weapons.

As Black Rock focused her attention on almost lazily picking off targets from her rooftop she heard a loud screeching sound from behind. When she turned her eyes narrowed on a flock of small black birds flying towards her with the same bright red eyes as the rest of their kin. A few shots from her cannon punched holes in the formation of wings, beaks and talons but they simply grouped back up and continued forward until they flew around Black Rocks body, tearing gashes and tears in her flesh that gushed with purple blood as they passed with her only managing to lift an arm to block her face.

'If pain is what I must endure to keep my precious one safe, than I will endure all of it.'

When the flock of monsters passed her arm lowered and eyes reopened her left flaring with blue fire as the cannon let out a clank of metal before it shifted and ground it's form shifting and twisting into a triple barreled gatling gun. The barrel began to whir as it picked up speed until bullets began to pour out in a wave, spent shells spilled from the gun as it fired pouring down the roof tiles to cover the ground beneath in rapidly growing mounds as it cut down the flying creatures until the last of them fell, their corpses rapidly disintegrating.

Picking up the large weapon Black Rock started to move to the north wall where the Grimm seemed to be gathering the most before setting the gun down on it's spike between a pair of startled defenders. She paid them no mind as the barrel began to spin once more and bullets poured forth from her creation ripping into any exposed flesh it was aimed at.

The bullets, similar to the cannon itself, were not strong enough to pierce through the hardened bone plate and didn't have the force to even push them back like her cannon did but the sheer number of rounds hammering into Grimm like rain did their grisly work on the monsters. Tearing the monsters apart even as they tried to push against the onslaught.

The men and women began to cheer as the Grimm were brought low around her and it seemed like the rest of the defenders were experiencing similar jubilation as the sounds of gunfire and combat wore down and silence fell over the town.

As people began to move cautiously firing extra rounds into corpses that weren't disintegrating fast enough for their liking and hauling their wounded deeper into the town, Black Rock released her gun and ignored it fading into blue light before it vanished entirely amidst the group of startled townspeople she had fought beside.

Black Rock was about to simply make her way back to the inn when she found herself surrounded by grateful townsfolk grabbing her hand and shaking it while talking too quickly for her to understand what was being said. They weren't threatening by any means, but they crowded around and the Otherself found herself stuck in place impassively watching as they continued.

That is until Summer arrived and pushed her way through the crowd. "Alright everyone! Give her some space. It's been a long day for us and we have more than a few left ahead. We're happy to have helped but I think it's time we get some rest." The woman shouted loud enough to be heard over the grouping people before taking one of Black Rock's hands and guiding the generally unresponsive teen back towards the inn.

Once separated from the crowd Summer let out a soft chuckle looking over her shoulder at the girl she was leading. "That's some semblance you have there. I've seen the Schnee summoning semblance but I don't think I've ever seen anyone make weapons like that. Guess I don't have to worry about you being defenseless." She chatted on and when they arrived at the building she released Black Rock's hand. She barely turned around before the Otherself jumped and grabbed onto the edge of the roof and hauled herself up.

"Maybe she's just the quiet type…"

When Summer awoke it was after the sunrise and she groaned turning over in her bed to glance at the other one in her room when she spotted the girl she was meant to be escorting getting into her bed, her clothing having been removed and placed back on and around the chair last night.

Black Rock paused and locked eyes with her observer/minder/escort before seeming to ignore her presence entirely and continue climbing into bed. Her eyes falling closed and for a moment she seemed to pass right out. Summer paused then watching before climbing out of her bed and taking a step closer only to watch the girl groan and bring her hands up to her eyes rubbing at them wearily and yawning before opening them again.

The first thing Summer noticed at that moment was how the rings had vanished from Mato's Iris'.

AN: So this chapter and the next were originally going to be a single chapter but I thought it best to break it into two once I got this far and looked at my word count. Funny enough I didn't originally intend for this story to be as action packed as it's becomming but I can hardly complain so long as I continue to have the impetous to write.

I appreciate everyone who takes the time to even read my work let alone favorite or follow it. But people who leave a review, even just to tell me they liked the story, always have a special place with me so I would like to take the time to thank Mx2432, akiranakamuranura, UnkownSoul, Blackmill321, Guest #1, Guest #2, Crescent Sunrise, CheatEXE, SatoshiKyu, Infinite Omega, Guest (Ali), ptl, William neary, PTKadota, and murkywater Your support is always appreciated.