Chapter 19: New Life


"Do you want the good news or the bad news?" Uncle Qrow asked me as I looked across the table from him. I slowly put my spoon back into my cereal.

He was standing on the window sill in crow form. I haven't seen him for two days and now he's back while Dad dropped Ruby and Yang at school. Umber is still asleep/passed out in her room.

"Bad news?" I held back my frustration.

"Yep," he nodded with his beak and hopped onto the chair next to me. He transformed into his human self.

He took a quick drink of his flask and set it on the table. I'm going to need it later.

I give myself a moment to prepare.

"Give me the good news first," I groaned.

"Good news, Ozpin and the authorities don't think you are here and are focused on other targets," he revealed," But you can't rest easy yet."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue box and a hair tie.

"Everyone knows your face and you need to make some adjustments for people to overlook you," he explained," Your eyes are the most striking features so I got you some lilac contacts. Now your long hair is also going to be a problem."

"I'm not cutting it," I narrowed my eyes.

"Definitely Yang sister," He smiled," Don't worry icy, I wasn't expecting you to. That is why we go to plan B."

"Icy?" I muttered.

"Yes, That's what I'm calling you from now on," He poked my shoulder,'' We need to alter your looks just enough for you to be unrecognized but easy to put on and take off. From experience, You don't need to go too crazy with the disguise. As long as there isn't anyone looking for you specifically."

I resumed eating.

"Go on."

"So how do you feel about going blonde? We need to match your lilac eyes."

I thought about what I would look like with blonde hair and decided against it. This felt like the perfect opportunity to ask him about silver eyes.

"No," I answered," I think it best if I kept it simple. Contact lens and tying my hair into a ponytail should be enough. Although, I think I should go with silver."

"No," Uncle Qrow promptly answered.

"Why? My black hair color could lend to the backstory that I came from Ruby mother's side of the family," I explained," I can't pull off blonde at all times since I need to dye it once every 4-6 weeks at least. It would be a strain on money, evidence if we have too many blonde dye boxes in the trash, and can damage my hair with overuse. Plus, I look awful with blonde hair."

I gently ran my hand through the length of my silky smooth hair.

"That…makes sense but silver is out of the question," He shook his head.

"Remember Uncle Qrow, We aren't identical twins," I reasoned," I don't want to drag Yang and Dad's family name with me nor do I want to be associated with Branwen since I'm still a fugitive."

"So you want it to be Akame Rose?" He crossed his arms," You don't have red highlights."

"You make it sound like I want to pretend to be Ruby's twin sister. I wasn't planning to do that," I continued to make the backstory," I didn't even want to have a last name."

"That is not how it works in society, Icy."

"Good point, But what if I wasn't from any major settlements or cities," I planned," The best lie is the one with truth mixed into it. I grew up in the wild with my family. My parents died and the Xiao-Long household adopted me alongside Umber. Easy enough to remember and recall. If anyone pushes for more details, I'll fake cry about it being a touchy subject."

"Silver eyes," he repeated," Why silver eyes?"

"Because they look pretty," I said," What's the issue with it?"

"Nothing. We will only do highlights but we are sticking to lilac and changing up your hairstyle," he finalized.

I silently agreed. He isn't going to tell me anytime soon. I need to research it later on today.

"I am curious to see what I look like," I lifted the cereal bowl to my mouth and quickly finished it. I set it in the sink and washed my hands.

"Almost forgot to mention," he reached into his pocket again and pulled out a hair clip," I overheard Taiyang saying you like this flower."

It's a Spider Lily hairpin.

I don't feel any particular attachment to this kind of flower. It just so happens that the yukata I wore has that design. I'll admit it's a very pretty flower and not to come off as rude, I smiled and thanked him.

"Thank you, You shouldn't have," I smiled.

He set it on the table next to the hair tie and the contacts.

I quickly got to work putting all of them on. I started by gingerly placing the contacts on my eyes. Afterward, I tied my hair back the same way I would when I'm cooking. Finally, I pin the flower to my hair.

Uncle Qrow lifted his scroll and turned it toward me.

I examine my new look in the mirror, I mean, camera. I'm impressed. It isn't too drastic yet unrecognizable.

"You can make yourself harder to suspect if you put on makeup. Only when you are 13," he announced," According to all the women I talked to, that should be the age when you use it."

Too late for some of us. The Malachite twins already started last year, and Vernal is always the Guinea pig for them. Personally, I'm not into makeup the same way Mine or Sheele is in my old life.

I wonder how my friends are doing. I paused to remember that one went in the wrong possible direction of running away and the twins are the daughters of my enemy.

"I can alter my vocal tone by a small amount," I added," I could hide in plain sight, now."

"That's good but what about your name," he pointed out.

"Aka," I answered," It still means red and close to Akame. I dye just the tips of my hair red to add onto it."

"I can see that working," Qrow stretched," Well, I guess disguises are out the way. Time for the bad news."

I look at his flask.

"Ozpin is thinking about killing Vernal, Ironwood is looking for Umber because she's an Atlesian civilian, and Ms. Muffintop wants to hand the 'Empire' to her daughters," he revealed to my dismay.

Ah, A reason to drink. I reached over toward the flask and he smacked my hand away.

"Akame no!" He raised his voice," Go get your own."

I stared at him, surprised he was okay with me drinking.

"Okay," I deadpanned.

"NO!"

"But you just told me I can drink," I groaned.

"Look, Raven and I had snuck a few drinks back when we were kids, but it is not allowed in the kingdoms," he lectured," Until you are 21."

Ah…The constant reminder that I'm a child.

"Uncle Qrow," I decided to ask him an important question," I want to be a huntress."

He chuckled and roughly rubbed my head.

"Uncle, I just did my hair," I pushed his hand aside.

"Atta girl, That's what I love to hear," He laughed happily," If you want recommendations, I'll get you into Vacuo."

Vacuo is the perfect place to go to school because I'm well-liked there. Historically, The Branwen tribe and Vacuo during the Great War were neutral, but after the war, they became much closer. The kingdom itself, the people, and the government have even been accused of aiding and sheltering tribe members from the other three kingdoms. Even if the Academy staff is within Ozpin's inner circle, I can rely on the people to support me.

During my stay at the Malachite castle, the two hired Vacuo-huntsman and huntress treated me with complete respect. Most of which became my personal bodyguards and sparring partners during my time there. According to the Vacuo-Huntress, I had a lot of fan mail. I hope they are still alive and alright. They made my stay slightly less paranoia riddance.

...

Am I fooling myself? Ms. Malachite would have noticed them getting close to me. I think they were killed and I'm framed for their murder.

Sorry, Roy Morado and Aisha Alizarin.

"How soon?" I asked him.

"I will only endorse you when you're seventeen," He clarified," Just like everyone else, kid."

As a young woman in a child's body, I reacted accordingly.

Pouting and puppy dog eyes.

"That isn't going to work," Uncle Qrow smiled," You're proving my point. You're too young to be a huntress. You, of all people, should know how dangerous it is."

I dropped the act. My attempt to act cutesy has failed, thus I must find another method.

"I want to be a huntress to redeem myself," I explained," The sooner the better. Please, Let me enter school early."

"Wait until you are older," he argued," I don't want you to gain a larger target on your back. You've done enough, Akame. Focus on family and your well-being. I will be the one out there making sure you and the rest of Remnant stay safe."

I stood up.

"That's why I need to hurry," I countered," I want the freedom, money, and recognition to do what I need to do."

"And that is?" He looked at me in my lilac eyes.

"I want to protect my friends and family from what I've done," I responded," Do you want to know what I've been doing since I killed that specialist and boarded the Airship? I did nothing! Five years of hiding from my mistake."

"Akame…"

I wanted to say more but held back. It's just so damn frustrating dealing with everything but I can't turn away. I should have betrayed Ms. Malachite sooner even if it would ruin my friendship with the twins. They would hate me for ruining their lives. Followed by the constant need to look over my shoulder for assassins and other killers.

I had relatives and/or friends of those I killed come after me in vengeance back when I was an assassin. Naturally, I have to kill them, too.

And now?

They would become my enemy regardless because of their mother. While I'm still being hunted down.

And Vernal?

What on Remnant is she even doing? Why isn't she halfway across Remnant by now? She hates the tribe! I know she wasn't the brightest in the group, but she is the one with the best morals.

At this point, I only have Umber. I need to lie to her and pretend to be someone I'm not. I don't want to keep the act up forever. Umber may be indoctrinated, but she's a smart girl. She'll eventually see through my lies.

He looked down and out the window.

"You want to be a huntress to protect your friends and family?" He asked," That's noble, but what about the other one? Fixing your mistakes? Be honest with me, and I'll tell you everything you need to do to become a huntress."

I sat back down and sighed. I decided to be honest about most of my intentions. Uncle Qrow is someone I decided to put my trust into. Otherwise, I'll do this alone after family time is over.

"Putting down the rebellion, overthrowing Ms. Malachite regime, knocking a few teeth out of Ironwood's mouth, avoiding Salem and Ozpin, and-," I paused.

I left out searching for Martha's son, God's plan for me, and silencing the loose end, Cinder Falls.

"What's the last one?" He questioned me and I came up with a lie immediately.

"Forgiveness for my crime."

"That's all?" He leaned slightly forward, analyzing me.

"Yes," I nodded," When all that is done. I can focus on living my life."

"Ah, I see," he deadpanned," I'll pay bail if you punched Ironwood. Just aim for his fleshy side and don't punch hard enough to kill him. He's half metal, Akame."

"Thank you," A smile crept on my face at his approval.

"Oh, I know what he did to you. Sorry for my language, but fuck him up," he cursed," Now back on track. There are two ways to get a Huntsmen license: going through the Academy system or the licensing exam."

He grabs a notebook from the corner of the dinner table with a pen jabbed into the spine. He slid it over to me.

"I'll take the licensing exam," I opened up the notebook and held the pen in my fingers.

Uncle Qrow looked at me with doubt and confusion. He took too long to process what I said until a confused "Eh" came out of the his mouth.

"What? Did I say something wrong?"

"You want to skip the whole school system? Well, I was honestly looking forward to bringing you under my wing," he said," Aka, What age do you want to be a Huntress?"

"Thirteen."

"Are you crazy?!" He paled," You would have to start the prerequisites for a licensing exam yesterday."

"Come on, Uncle Qrow," I cooed," I did worse this month."

"You did but you also 'died' fighting all those Grimm and you lost against team SKYS," he countered," And being a huntress isn't just about killing Grimm. It is about helping the people and being a beacon of light during dire times. We act as police officers, detectives, and even construction workers if a city or village needs it. We have a lot of roles and versatility that we either need to master or be competent with. The difference between us and mercenaries is morals."

"All of that?"

"And more," He continued," We are keepers of the peace, and it will be revoked if you cause more harm than good or perform any criminal activities. I want to believe in you, Akame. This is why I will help you with the licensing exams."

"Thank you, Uncle!"I leaped up and gave him a big hug before sitting back down.

"Calm down, Icy. You almost give me frostbite with that hug. We need to renegotiate the age you're getting the license, but I'm not the one who has the final say in it," He sighed, "Your father has legal guardianship over you."

My dad...

I bit my lip. I have to talk to dad about this step, but he would never approve of why I want to be a huntress. I can't tell him I'm overthrowing a government, wiping out a rebellion, and going after some of the most dangerous people on Remnant. I could just say it's for redemption and leave out the rest. I just got home, and now I'm leaving him again soon.

"Are you going to tell him?"

"Yes, Of course, I will," I responded. I don't know if I have the heart to.

"Good, I want you to write down what needs to be done and checked off."

I got the pen and notebook ready.

"I'm ready uncle Qrow."

"First up is fieldwork-"


I put the pen down and looked at the requirements.

-Shadowing a Huntsman(s) for at least a year.

- Wilderness survival.

-Combat proficiency: Grimm and Humans.

-Multiple Referrals.

-Physical Evaluation.

-Health Evaluation.

-Psych Evaluation.

-Weapon maintenance and proficiency.

-Written tests on various subjects.

-Kingdom Laws

-Aura measurement.

"There is a reason why the licensing exams are called the impenetrable walls and Academy are crucible courses," he explained," If you have the skill set, basic requirements, and determination, It isn't too hard to get into the Academy's. It's staying that's the issue. Because in the Academy, you either improve or drop out. And remember, The schools tend to accept questionable people like me and your mom. Eventually, Those that have a bad past will work hard in the present and become a better person by tomorrow."

"What if that fails?" I asked him," What if that person doesn't change their ways?"

Qrow closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair. He looked as if he was reminiscing and a moment of regret crossed his face.

"There are always going to be bad huntsmen and huntresses that abuse their power. Even if their licenses were revoked, they will still use what they learn in the Academy to leech off of society or hurt it," he explained," But those that are determined to do good will stay good. We must safeguard the Kingdoms and the people in them. From both Grimm and the darkness of humanity."

"Eliminate all darkness," I look at my pen imagining it is my sword," I can follow through with that."

Those like my mother have their backstory and reason to do what they do, but they are no better than Grimm when it comes to hurting innocent lives. Humans tend to justify killing others with complex reasons like religion, wealth, orders, vengeance, and justice. While the truly inhuman do it for enjoyment and the most justified is survival. It doesn't hide the fact that killing will always be an evil that can be necessary and unnecessary. I'm no different, either. At least the Grimm are straightforward in their motives.

Elimination is what I can excel at.

Qrow looked perplexed and almost spoke again.

Until the birds outside stop chirping.

It is followed by multiple snapping branches, loud popping sounds, and metallic chimes.

My instinct screamed at me that something wasn't right.

They found me!

My uncle and I both stood up wordlessly and grabbed our weapons.

When we left the house and ran into the tree line, a strong, metallic smell assaulted my nose.

Blood and lots of it.


A/N: I just watched Ice Queendom yesterday and it's nostalgic. Many parts don't compare to the original show, but it seems like most of its effort is going into the newer Weiss Queen storyline. I could write paragraphs nitpicking things like how Adam feels so damn slow compared to the Black Trailer or the Nevermore fight isn't as hyped. But again, They are abridging the core story to tell their own, which matters most in my opinion.

Season 1 and 2 in my story are mostly the same since there is nothing to change. And I'm NOT going to write those word by word. There are thousands of fanfic that do it already and it won't make sense for Akame to be hovering around RWBY/JNPR all the time.

But the idea of Akame disliking Esdeath/Weiss and vice versa would be fun to write. It's just too early to work it into this fanfic even if the Nightmare Grimm works well with the new subclass of non-disappearing Grimm in my story.

I also have a habit of keeping certain details like how Raven magic doesn't return to Ozpin because it supposes to. Ozpin can't possibly be dumb enough to repeat the Maiden mistake, twice. Granted, the CCT system and a floating city are a ridiculous liability in hindsight. Or how Jinn could transfer to Vernal's body even if it's lore-breaking. There is one answer and it is all caused by one immensely powerful hypocrite.