Man life just sucks sometimes, it's been rough on my end. I really hope and pray everyone though has had some cool weeks since a majority should be back at school, I hope it has been great for everyone. So, still kicking around this new idea while being stuck on Chapter 16 (for reasons you'll see in two months. That's gonna be fun lol). Anyway, next couple of weeks are a bit filler, more just character development than anything else, hope you guys don't mind. Lastly, since no one knows how Scarlet fights, I just thought of something that I think works, though its probably gonna be completely different in the show. As always, if you are really enjoying it or loathing every word, do let me know so I know what to change, improve on, etc. and also do fav, follow, tell your friends, all that jazz. Have an amazing week guys and I'll be back next week!

Chapter 8

"H-How?" Aero said, holding his side and feeling a piece of wood lodged in it.

"Quite simple really: send people after you then wait and see what vehicle you get into," Saunin said, loading a new shell into his shotgun.

"You motherfucker."

"Oh I've been called worse. Ready to say hi to Mr. Shotgun?" he asked, his finger on the trigger. Aero gulped and looked over at Sebastian, who looked horrified at his best friend. Aero was shocked when Saunin was suddenly rocketed back outside. Aero looked up at Sun, who was holding his staff in one hand and held the other out to the assassin, who grasped it and helped himself up.

"You okay?"

"Eh, a couple of new scars and splinters," Aero said, quickly pulling out the thin piece of wood that was in his side, "You?"

"I'm good," Sun said, handing Aero one of his shortblades. He took the blade and looked around at the thirty attackers that had come with Saunin.

"Seb, go get my sword and your pistol. Scarlet, would you mind helping?" Aero said as he stood back-to-back with Sun, the two ready as Sebastian made his way up the stairs while Scarlet ran to join them. The attackers moved in, their weapons poised to strike down the three but were met with a full counter-attack. Aero slashed one's chest, broke another's arm and drove the blade into the head of a third. Sun smacked multiple attackers back and blasted a few more away with his shotguns. Scarlet easily avoided and parried varied attacks, using fire to blast some away while leaving burn marks on others with solid punches and kicks. The numbers dwindled as Saunin got back up and was handed his claymore, which he swung around easily in his hand, ready to charge into the battle.

"Aero!" the assassin heard and turned behind him in time to see Sebastian throw his sword, which Aero caught and engaged the blade in time to stop an overhead strike from Saunin.

"You t-two take care of the rest!" Aero said before he received a swift punch to his gut and was tripped by the more experienced assassin. Aero landed hard and rolled in time to avoid Saunin's sword being driven into his mid-section. He got up and launched an attack of his own, using his quicker moves to catch Saunin off-guard, finally being able to knock him back, allowing Aero to catch his breath and easily dispatch an assassin. Only a few remained and were being handled by the two hunters, Scarlet creating a wall of fire in front of two assassins, allowing Sun to knock the last one into the other two. They turned to the downed elder assassin, who was getting up and looking at them.

"Today I get to kill two hunters and two former members of the Assassin's Guild… yay to me," Saunin said with a grin.

"Is that the reason you called him mad earlier?" Scarlet asked as he moved over to Aero with Sun.

"Yeah, he really loves to kill and he's usually brutal with it."

"Oh joy," Scarlet said as Saunin ran at them, parrying Sun, kicking Scarlet square in the chest and stabbing at Aero, who dodged the blow and lead with his shoulder into Saunin's chest. Aero turned to grab his pistol from Sebastian but was slammed face-first into the wall by his opponent. With Aero stunned, Saunin turned his attention to the two Hunters, who readied themselves as Sebastian aimed his pistol at Saunin.

"Stop Saunin," he said, the assassin turning to him, "you're outnumbered and you have to deal with Aero and two Hunters. Just surrender."

"Oh come on Sebastian, you know I don't do that," he said, suddenly throwing a knife that pierced Sebastian's hand. Sun and Scarlet moved in, Sun smacking him with his staff and Scarlet throwing a ball of fire at him, which impacted him and stumbled him back. The two saw their chance and put the pressure on, Sun nailing multiple shots with his guns while Scarlet landed multiple fiery hits. Saunin moved back, absorbing the blows until he swung with his mighty claymore, knocking both Hunters back. He shook his arm which was stinging from Scarlet and walked over to the dazed Hunter.

"A man who can wield fire. Interesting, now die," he said, pulling out his shotgun and aiming it. Scarlet quickly formed a shield with his aura, the pellets deflecting off it as Sun sent two clones at Saunin, which threw his balance off. He moved to the side and aimed at Sun only to stop because of a stinging pain in his back. He moved his arm and smacked something, the sound of glass shattering behind him confirming to him that his attacker was off him. Sun moved only to be met with another mighty swing from Saunin's claymore, this time leaving a shallow gash on Sun's chest. Scarlet moved in as well, exchanging hits with the assassin who grabbed him and threw him roughly on the stairs, Scarlet impacting the steps awkwardly. Saunin reached around and grabbed at the pain, realizing it was Aero's sword and turned to see the assassin crumbled underneath a broken window, groaning in pain.

"Nice try Aero," he said, throwing the sword to the side as Sebastian tended to Sun.

"I-it was the best I could think of," Aero said, turning over in time to see Saunin look down at him.

"This is the end of your little crusade," Saunin said, swinging his blade only to stop as all of a sudden Aero turned and stabbed Saunin in his right foot with his short blade. The assassin yelled in pain, the blade penetrating the floor and pinning him there, leaving him unable to move as he tried to grab the blade. He looked up and swung with his claymore, missing Aero multiple times until Aero grabbed his arm and broke his wrist. Saunin yelled in pain even louder as Aero wrenched the claymore from his hands and looked at the assassin.

"What was that about this being the end?" he asked. Before Saunin could reply, Aero broke his left leg and removed his short blade, flattening Saunin on the floor writhing in pain.

"D-damn you Aero! They w-won't s-stop!" Saunin yelled as Aero stood above him.

"I know they won't. But I'm ready for them," he replied, driving the blade into Saunin's chest, knocking the air from the assassin as Aero grabbed his sword and drove it into his adversary's heart. Saunin drew one last breath and closed his eyes, allowing Aero to draw his blade out and clean it. He turn and moved slowly to his friends, who were looking after each other.

"You guys okay?"

"We're fucked up, but we're up," Sun said with a pained smile. Aero called the authorities as Sebastian helped the two Hunters to the medical room, treating them then retrieving Aero. Everyone was patched up and gave statements, each lying and saying that the White Fang had attacked them.

"Why did we have to lie?" Sun asked as he sat on the steps with his friends while the bodies and unconscious attackers were taken away.

"You want the Guild super pissed at us for revealing them to the world?" Sebastian asked, everyone shaking their heads, "Good."

"What about the ones who were knocked out?"

"Oh they know how to lie."

"Weiss is gonna be super pissed."

"Oh yeah."

"What now?" Aero asked, standing up and looking at the carnage.

"I was thinking about that, because this could've been too easy for them," Scarlet replied, "I have a plan."

"Which is?"

"Well-"

"WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED?!" Weiss yelled, causing everyone to look at her and her entourage. Ruby and Blake ran past her to their significant others and Lila ran to Aero, looking him over as she hugged him.

"Are you okay?" she asked quietly, Aero nodding in response.

"Saunin's dead."

"He attacked?"

"With about thirty members."

"He was a damn tough dude," Sun replied, Scarlet agreeing with him as Weiss approached Aero.

"What happened?!"

"We were attacked by the Guild."

"How did they know about this house? You said they couldn't track you!"

"I know Weiss," Aero began, walking down the steps to her and lowering his shoulders and his head, "And I'm sorry. I thought they couldn't but they followed our limo back from your company's meeting. I'm so sorry."

Weiss had her hands curled into fists and was shaking as Aero talked, but calmed down when she saw that he was truly sorry for what had happened. She was further calmed by Yang, who placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed.

"At least they're okay, right Weiss?"

"Right," she replied quietly, patting Aero's arm, "It's okay Aero."

"It's not at all. I'll find a way to make it all up to you," he said, placing his hands on her shoulders and looking down at her with his golden eyes, "I promise I will make it up to you."

"Isn't that sweet?" Yang said, Aero chucking softly at her as Weiss shook her head and pulled his hands off her shoulders, "So, what's the plan?"

"Scarlet?"

"Oh, right, sorry," he said, looking up from Ruby after a quick kiss, "I was thinking we could split up."

"Split up?" Sun asked, "Dude, the hell is wrong with you?"

"Hang on, hear me out. What happened here can't happen again, it's too easy for the Guild to attack again and take us all out. The mansion needs to be repaired, why not split up? Lila, you seem to really enjoy these two, so why not come with me, Ruby and Yang to Patch? And Sebastian, you could use some weapon training, why not head with Sun and Blake to Vacuo? Weiss still needs guarding so Aero can go with her to Mistral or Vale."

"That all sounds good, except I kinda have a problem with my situation," Weiss spoke up, Aero looking at her with concern.

"Is this about yesterday?"

"As in?"

"Your demeanor to me changed after you ran back to the boardroom."

"I know."

"So it does have to do with yesterday."

"And?"

"What is it? What did I do?" Aero asked, the air getting thick with tension. Everyone except Sebastian, Aero and Lila knew what was coming. Weiss breathed in slowly and looked Aero dead in the eyes.

"Who are you?"

"What?" Aero asked, confused at the question.

"Who are you really?"

"I'm Aero Lewis Kalo if that's what you're asking, you know that."

"Do I?" Weiss asked, rummaging in a bag and pulling out a piece of paper, "Because according to this, you died seven years ago."

Aero snatched the paper from her hand, ignoring her complaint as he sat on the steps and read it over. It was an obituary for Aero Lewis Kalo, which confused the assassin until he looked down, his eyes going wide at the author of the piece. He tried to say something but couldn't, his mouth being left slightly open as he slowly put the piece of paper to the side, looked down then back up at the group.

"Seven years ago I completed my first mission for the Guild. After that I returned home in the opening hours of the day. I thought my mother had already left for her shift at the mine, instead she caught me coming in through the window of our apartment. We argued and she was shocked and disgusted with who I had become. I'll never forget what she told me: 'You are no son of mine… I'll just tell my friends that my son passed away and I had a private ceremony.'"

Everyone except Sebastian looked at Aero with saddened eyes as the assassin stood up and turned to Weiss.

"The reason why I didn't tell you is because I just wanted to forget it all," he said quietly, walking past her and the group upstairs to his room. Everyone looked at one another, too shocked to say anything until Lila looked at Sebastian.

"You knew."

"Hell I witnessed it."

"Why didn't you guys tell me?"

"Lila, sometimes you can't tell someone everything. I understand if you're hurt," he said, rubbing her back, "but I'm sure he would've told you."

"Yeah," she said with a twinge of hurt in her voice. She got up and walked upstairs with everyone else, packing up their things and getting ready to leave the mansion. Weiss noticed Aero's door was ajar and peeked inside, not seeing him then knocking on it. She knocked again after a few seconds, hearing Aero yell that it was open. She walked in and looked around until she noted the balcony doors were open and found Aero leaning on the rail looking at the mountain behind the mansion, enjoying the peace and calm that contrasted the scene in the lobby an hour ago. She walked up and stood next to him, staying silent until he spoke up.

"I take it Winter found all that information."

"She did."

"Figured. Probably just looking out for you."

"She was," she replied, more silence following as Aero breathed in the fresh air, a slight breeze rolling through the area, "Look Aero-"

"You don't have to apologize Weiss," he said, stopping her, causing her to look up at him, "I knew you were going to apologize."

"Well I am sorry. I didn't mean for it to dredge up horrible memories, I was just looking out for my friends."

"I know Weiss," Aero said, leaving the balcony and walking back to his room. He started to pack then turned to her.

"You sure you still want me to go with you? I can go with Sun and Blake, Sebastian can tag along with you."

"I would rather have my bodyguard," she said, a small smile on her lips that came to Aero's face as well. She patted his hand then departed, letting Aero finish packing until Sebastian and Lila walked in.

"So, I'll still give you guys missions but you're gonna be on your own, so for the love of all that is good be careful," Sebastian said to Lila and loud enough for Aero to hear, "Oh and I need to see your weapons Aero."

"Why?"

"Just let me see them," he said. Aero handed his short blades, sword and pistols over to Sebastian, who held them in his hands and moved them around slowly, getting a feel for them then handed them back.

"And that was for?"

"Nothing," Sebastian said with a smile, "Almost ready?"

"Yeah," he said, slowly placing his weapons back in his suitcase, closing it and looking up at Lila, who looked back at him.

"I feel like a broken record when I say this, but I'm sorry Lila."

"Why do you feel like a broken record?"

"I've said 'I'm sorry' a lot the past month. And I am for not telling you. That day was just really hard on me and I didn't know how to deal with it, ya know? I honestly didn't know how to tell anyone 'yeah, my mom just told me I'm dead to her.' It just slipped my mind afterwards, it honestly did. I'm sorry."

"It's okay Aero," she said, hugging him. He hugged her back and held her for a few moments before letting go.

"Well, Weiss already has a private airship that will move us all around Remnant. Ready to head out?"

"Ready."

"Sounds good," Lila said, putting the call in as Aero ran in front of her. He dashed across the rooftops, jumped down to the street and crashed through the front doors of the building, shocking the three inside the lobby.

"Room for one? Man I've always wanted to say that," he said as they looked at him with anger while he strolled to the front desk.