Chapter 22: Public Outing


"And so the final Grimm is vanished by a warrior of light and her friends. After many battles and hardships, their land is finally free from the creature of darkness. But it is not yet over."

Ruby snuggled into her blanket and Zwei.

"What happened next?" She asked me.

"They all go their separate ways to rebuild the kingdom," I smiled," But it won't be for long. Once everything is all set and done, The hero and her friends have made their home a paradise, Just like our home, the Island of Patch."

"Glad they did it," She yawned.

"And they lived happily ever after," I stood up, fluffed Ruby's pillow, and kissed her on the forehead.

"Thank you for coming up with a bedtime story, big sister," She said.

"Anything for you," I nodded and took a step back, preparing to leave.

"Can you pick me up tomorrow?"

"I can't," I came up with an excuse," I need to help dad with his garden."

"Pssh, That has already been taken care of," My dad whispered through a slightly opened door.

Why is my dad there?

"Maybe Uncle Qrow needs-"

"He's already out of town for tonight," He replied," Yang also needs to be picked up from school."

Uncle Qrow has a mission? I thought he had a few weeks off to help at Signal.

"I can't escape this, can I?" I sighed. My family has been bothering me about needing to go out lately If I'm in public, it will increase my chance of being discovered even with my disguise. I'll leave this property if it's related to my Huntress training.

"Nope."

"Pretty please with a strawberry on top?" She begged. Ruby's adorable expressions are hard to resist.

"Fine, I'll do it."


It has been almost five months, and I'm happy with spending the limited time I have with my loved ones. I leaped over a railing and ran down the alleyway towards my sisters and Umber's school.

I'm glad Umber has been able to make friends at school. But she may have to leave them soon.

My dad has found her relatives.

I travel down back streets and alleyways to get to my destination. I want to see the least amount of people.

The town of Patch has been poop more active as of late, and I know why. It was announced publicly that the Island of Patch is Grimm-free two months ago. It created a rush of both tourists and visitors looking to move in. As well as further investigations to see if it is true.

There are too many people in the town and hiking in the countryside. It's worrying, but the benefits outweigh the downside. All these people and the tragedy of last year made a good cover story for me.

No one suspects Akame Branwen is in Patch. The disguise works despite how minimalist it is. The memorial I made for my mother can easily be explained as my father's work. He's fine with accepting responsibility for it. As long as I'm not caught attending to it.


The same night after Ruby went to sleep, I talked to my dad about the grave.

"You don't need to deface your mother's grave, Akame," he said," I'll claim responsibility for creating it."

I cursed myself at the lack of hindsight of having a Grimm-free island. I'm starting to see more 'people'. It is only a matter of time before someone finds it.

"I'm renaming it to someone else," I explained," I don't think you should have anything to do with her."

"Akame!" He raised his voice and I jumped," I denied your existence for a decade."

"It was the smart thing to do," I reasoned. I'm doing the same with my past. There is no reason for me to reveal it beyond gaining pity. It's extra emotional baggage that will only get in the way of the mission.

"No, it's not," he expressed with sadness," I won't lie to myself, again."

What did he even see in her?


My new identity is Aka Kurono. Umbra Carolina and I are from the destroyed village of Kuroyuri, Mistral. A lot of villages were lost in Mistral over the years, especially around Salem's attack. I even did my research on Kuroyuri and give my suggestion to my uncle. It's the perfect place to create an alias from.

There were no survivors reported and all documentation was destroyed. It covers up and explains Umber's and my demeanor. We're orphans with survivor guilt and PTSD.

It's an unfortunately typical story in this world.

Even if I run into a survivor, it would be unlikely. But, I'm around bad-luck Qrow all the time, and the God of Light hates me. The causality could be warped against me.

My scroll rang, and I checked the caller ID.

Umber.

I looked around and answered the call.

"Hey Umbra," I said cheerfully," How's the search going?"

"It's going well," I can hear her audibly sigh," I hope you can find happiness here after I leave."

She hung up immediately without saying goodbye.

Strange.

Umber should be ecstatic at the idea of becoming a part of my family. That's what the tribe preaches and what I'm offering her. At least this time, it is on the right side of the law.

I lean against a wall thinking about it.

Am I doing something wrong? I did everything to keep her by my side and happy. I don't want her to leave for Atlas.

What if her family/relatives are abusive?

It can even be a trap to draw me out.

I would rather blame myself for not finding a way to keep her with me. If anything happened to my best friend, the entirety of the Atlas military and its vast tundra would only slow me down. Umber would have done the same for each other if the roles were reversed.

Maybe, Umber's relatives are good people that will care for her.

What kind of a person will I be if I deny them a reunion?

Atlas is one of the safest places on Remnant. Umber can spend the rest of her life in relative peace instead of eventually becoming a victim of my mission. I want her to live for herself instead of following my shadow.

I continue walking.

The rest of the journey went smoothly. A few people waved at me, and I waved back. I smiled at them and carried on my way. The people here are genuinely kind. I don't detect an inch of malice from them.

Eventually, the school came into sight. A decent size compound with lots of open spaces for kids to play and train while being fenced off from intruders and potential Grimm attacks.

I could see cars and people waiting outside for the bell to ring. I kept my distance from the crowd. I stood behind a tree to lower my chance of being spotted.

*Ring*

The dismissal bell finally rang. After a minute, students pour out the front and side doors on the fences. I carefully scanned the sea of students for my sisters. From the side door, I saw Ruby in line with her classmate while a teacher escorted them out.

I looked for Yang. Yang came out the front door with friends…ABORT MISSION.

Time to go home.

"Pick 'em up," A voice in the branches called out," Pick 'em up, coward. You promised."

Uncle Qrow?

I look up to see a crow with red eyes staring at me.

"No, The fewer people there are, the better."

"Icey…They're kids. Go over there and make some new friends," he sounded disappointed," Your only other non-family friend is Umber. Trust me-hey don't walk away."

I walked away faster.

I should've run instead.

"CAW CAW!" He swooped down and attack.

What the hell Qrow!

My bird uncle started pecking at me. Naturally, I started swinging.

"Quit it you dumb bird," I pulled my punches to avoid seriously hurting him. Even if he has his aura active and mine is off.

"Miss," he spoke quickly," Caw!"

You're not even a real bird!

He picked at my hair and pulled out a strand. My uncle 'looked' shocked and dropped it. I watched it slowly fall to the ground.

He continued to fly around me.

"Oops, My bad."

DAMN YOU QROW!

He slowed down, and I aimed for his wing. I punched forward with all my enhanced strength.

Wait a-Oh F-I tried to slow down my punch, but it was too late.

*Bang*

*Crack*

It impacted the tree with the force of a jackhammer. A massive crack appeared on the tree trunk as I slowly retracted my fist. I lean sideways to see everyone looking at me. A hundred people were staring at the source of the sound.

I quickly lean back, hoping everyone would forget about it. It didn't work. The tree broke in half, and now everyone has a clear view of me. They know I'm the one that caused it. I stood frozen in place, embarrassment overtaking me.

Uncle Qrow flies away and toward the school. He even denied me the opportunity to chase him down and make him pay.

I didn't even want to look at the crowd anymore. I looked down and took a few steps back. I can hear a few people talking about me, but I didn't want to hear it.

This is one of the worst days of my life.

"Aka!" Yang shouted and ran toward me," What's up!"

My blood pressure and the desire to disappear from this situation. My mom's semblance would be perfect for that.

Why is Uncle Qrow always the one pulling this crap?

At this point, Most of the parents and kids go about their business. Yang dragged me into a tight bear hug and swung me around like a doll. We were soon joined by her friends who crowd around us.

I counted five of them.

"Yang? Who's the girl?" A tall girl asked.

"She has the same eye color as you," Another girl pointed out, "Is she Aka?"

"Did she just punch a tree in half?" The girl with glasses noticed.

"She looks kind of like…" the girl with orange hair and fox ears speculated," Nevermind."

I look kind of like who?

While the fifth one remains silent.

"Anyway! This is my cousin from Mistral, Aka Kurono," Yang introduced me," Say hi to everyone."

Yang pushed me forward. Now all eyes are on me as I contemplate running back home.

New people, I'm forced to meet. I think I say, 'Hi' back?

I got a better idea. I'll pretend not to speak Valish, that should do it.

I wanted this day to only be between my sisters and me. Uncle Qrow, You can go F-

"Hey, Firecracker," He said and jogged toward us with Ruby on his shoulder," We had to hurry and catch the next air ferry."

There you are, my uncle. What was that about an air ferry?

Why do we need an air ferry to travel around Patch?

"Oh right!" Yang clasped her hands together," Family time. Sorry gals, I can't hang out this weekend. I must help my shut-in cousin touch the grass. I'll be in contact, girls."

I blinked.

"Excuse me? What?" I deadpanned. Yang locked her arm around mine and dragged me away.


"Can you repeat that?" I deadpanned.

"Amusement park!"Yang and Ruby shouted happily.

"I see," I pretend to understand," I was getting worried Grimm replaced my family."

What's an amusement park? The name sounds familiar, I assume it is a place of leisure. It is something I'm unable to do in both my life due to a lack of long-term rest.

"Why?" Ruby asked innocently.

"None of you said a word until we got on this air ferry!" I pointed out.

"Dramatic effect," Yang smiles smugly.

"30 mins of silence after you called me a shut-in," I countered.

"You are a shut-in," Yang argued.

"I go outside for my daily activities."

"You go outside but never go out," she fired back.

"That's the same thing."

"Nope," Yang insisted," You don't go into town to sightsee or make new friends. I haven't seen you do grocery shopping either. You live either at home or in a forest."

Because I am hiding from the authorities. I can't even say that in public without risking everyone's safety. Yang should know this, too. She also knows I'm constantly going to the grave site.

"Even with your disguise-," A hand quickly came over Ruby's mouth.

"Careful kiddo," My uncle said quietly. My little sister nodded. I'm amazed my cover hasn't been blown by Ruby. She isn't the best at lying and would make up for it by being adorable.

"It's just south of Vale," my uncle said. He walked behind me and rubbed the top of my head.

The great thing about our current height difference is my ability to throw a punch at a sensitive area. But that would be too mean even if Qrow is responsible for the most embarrassing day in my life.s respo

I stepped on his foot instead.

"Ouch!" He winced in pain.

This is for making me look like a fool in public.

I did it again for his other foot.

"Aaa!" He screamed and hopped back.

That is for bringing me closer to Ozpin! South of Vale is still too damn close to Beacon.

"I don't want to go," I complained.

"I deserve that," he prepared himself for another attack.

I fake a punch, and he recoils back.

"I'm still mad at you."

"Heh," he smiled smugly.

My sisters looked at each other and shrugged.

"Uncle? Aka? Are you two siblings?" Ruby asked innocently.

Yang and my uncle laughed loudly.

My face heats up. I decided to hide behind the palms of my hands. I should jump over the railing and swim home.

"Ruby, We are sis-," I paused, realizing there were people around us. I need to pretend to be her cousin from our father's side of the family," He is our uncle."

"What's up, little sis!"

"Qrow you idiot!" I shouted in Mistranese.

"Yep," he smiled and for a brief moment, I could see the pain in his eyes. He didn't say it out loud, but I know what he is thinking.

'Exactly what Raven would say.'

I look over and see Yang covering Ruby's ears and releasing them moments later.

"What was that?" my little sister said.

"I was speaking Mistranese," I pointed out," Now can I go home? I don't want to go to some park."

"Nope," All three of them responded together.

Maybe I should-no, He has gained immunity to puppy eyes from Ruby. Those eyes are more lethal than Murasama's curse.

I accepted my misfortune.

"Fine," I sighed dejectedly."I'll give the amusement park a shot."

My sisters hugged me tightly and let go. I need to connect with them more.

"What's the worst that can happen?" Yang said.

I remembered the last time I went out in public.

I need to prepare for the worst. NOW.

"This is your captain speaking. We are leaving the safe zone," he said over the PA system," Be mindful of your surroundings and don't get too close to the railing. And more importantly, enjoy the rest of the trip."

I can sense a dozen auras activated around the air ferry. Suddenly, it felt like I hit a wall.

As if more weight is placed on my body and stabilizes once again. I grasped and nearly toppled over.

"Akame," My uncle whispered. I didn't notice I held onto Qrow's arm.

I stood back up and breathed slowly.

"Sorry," I apologized," Just…motion sickness."

I lied. It was much worse.

It's another attempt to kill me. It felt like a crushing, burning sensation. As if I'm being crushed by the weight of the world itself. Then nothing but the feeling of being weightless in an endless icy abyss.

My sisters looked at me with concern but I smiled back at them.


Relax. Just relax.

I repeat those words in my head. I readjust my earmuffs and took a stance. I rested the buttstock on my shoulder and aligned the back and front sights.

I needed to be careful because these are live rounds. This is odd because I don't recall my old world using live ammo at a leisure event near a major city. Maybe arrows at the bare minimum.

Of course, this is expected of this world and its abundance of guns. 'It's also a gun is a common motto on this planet.

The target is across an enclosed field and the scope has been adjusted for me. The sounds of gunfire reverberate throughout the building.

I blocked out all sounds and activities. I release the safety, breath in, breathe out and squeeze the trigger.

One round goes down range followed by another.

After I used up all five rounds with 2-3 seconds to readjust. I breathed in and looked away from the scope.

The score is five for a bullseye and twenty-five is the highest possible score.

I scored twenty-one. It is far from perfect but I haven't shot a rifle in a long time. The last firearm I handled was when I was five-year-old and that was a handgun.

I looked over to Ruby at the other booth. Yang leaned over and whispered into her ear. I couldn't tell what they were saying but it wasn't anything good. My little sister removed the scope, put on the ear muff, switched to her nondominant hand, and got into a stance.

Ruby is only slightly taller than the rifle yet she lifted it effortlessly and aimed it. My little sister fires all five shots in under 6 seconds. Her final score is 25. I look at the paper target and notice it's only one single hole.

Huh? That's impressive for someone her age. I'm honestly a little worried, too.

"You threw it," Yang crossed her arms.

"That's throwing it?" I was shocked. Is she implying Ruby, our little sister, is good enough to rival Mine of my old world and Martha of this current one?

For reference, Mine shot a man, with an iron sight, from 3,000 meters away. Martha wiped out a town police force in under a minute while under live fire. They are the most lethal snipers I know. If Ruby trained and perfected her talent, She would be dangerous.

"No, I'm not used to this kind of gun," she reasoned," It hasn't been well maintained either."

"What kind of guns do you use?" I asked her as we set the rifle aside and left the range.

"At the school armory, I use a large caliber sniper rifle," She beamed," I saw it in a weapon catalog once and thought how cool it is and fit me so well. I can turn it into a scythe-like Uncle Qrow. No! Maybe also a sword modethatcanturnintoaneasytocarrypackage!"

Somehow, I understood all of that. She wants it to fold into a carriable form.

"How did I just find out about this?" I ask her," I only saw you practice with those toy guns but not the real deal."

As the sounds of gunfire faded behind us, we left the building and went into the bustling amusement park.

"She had trouble settling on a specific weapon until Uncle Qrow helped narrow it down," Yang added.

"I can still improve my future weapon," Ruby smiled," Like different ammo types and firing modes."

"Ruby."

"Should I make it a box mag for the capacity or clip load for an old-school feel?"

"Ruby."

"Bolt action is the obvious choice because there are fewer mechanical issues to worry about and the rifle would be more accurate."

"Ruby!" Yang envelops Ruby from behind and swings her around.

"Yannnnggg!" she screamed. Yang slowly set Ruby down. She stumbled and regained her footing.

"My turn!" Yang jumped," What should we do next?"

She looked around the park until, without warning, Yang dragged Ruby and me underneath her arms.

"ROLLERCOASTER!" She yelled and carried us toward the largest one.

This feels familiar and nostalgic. A blonde girl forcing me to do something I'm not comfortable with and being very touchy with me. While Ruby reminds me of my little sister if the Empire didn't remove the goodness in her. They both have the same sweet tooth.

Ruby, Yang…Thank you.

And thank you Uncle Qrow for making everything run smoothly.

Where are you and what are you up to?


Normal PoV


Qrow leaned on the railing of a catwalk watching the security workers below. They were in a hidden facility on the amusement park's lower levels. The underground also doubles as a haven if there's Grimm inclusion.

"Coastline is clear," A man in a black uniform reported to his superior.

" All guests at 7:45 PM entering the main entrance are deemed safe," The woman wearing black nodded. The scanners at the entrance immediately relay info about the guests that enter.

Luckily, it was a slow day which made the security services job easier.

"You Schwarz aren't what I expected," He looked over to the old man in a black suit," What the catch?"

The old man is someone that Qrow has little reason to trust. Even if public opinion is favorable compared to their 'former' rival, the Schnee's.

"Were you expecting us to blackmail you?" He asked," That's beneath us."

"How long have you been watching us?" Qrow questioned.

"After the announcement of a Grimm safe zone." he explained," We came to investigate. Sky came along too since he knows the area best. He recognized Umber after he visited Signal Academy and it was easy tracking from there."

"Seriously?" Qrow said.

"He is a skilled Huntsmen comparable to you when you graduated."

"He's a little punk," Qrow crossed his arms, recalling the first time he visited several years back," He stepped into my property and insulted Akame."

"I'm aware after the fact. We talked to him about his desire for vengeance and violence is no longer the family way," he sighed," Unfortunately, he learned the hard way that path will lead him."

"I feel sorry for that kid," The huntsmen grimaced," Losing his friends so close to graduation."

Qrow knows it could have been prevented if Lionheart's treachery was discovered sooner. He purposely sent the best Huntsmen team in Haven into a trap.

"He's getting better and improving his outlook," he nodded," That's more than I can say about Fang. The man champions himself as the savior of the people yet only targets the lower levels of society. Instead of going after the corrupt nobles standing behind him."

"He is a bastard," Qrow shook his head. He considered Fang to be someone with good intentions but with openly extreme methods. He'll admit that Fang is at least honest about it and genuinely cares about the students. Now he's rebuilding his power base. Even after Sky and his team dismantled it years back.

"We can be trusted. Akame has proven herself to us."

"Our family and yours had killed each other back during the Great War," Qrow bluntly said," And my niece killed one of your sons."

"The sins of the father are irrelevant," The head of the Schwarz family smiled," I understand the circumstances of what happened and have prevented any further revenge attacks from within my own family and organization."

Qrow gritted his teeth, recalling the death of the woman he loved. He wanted to take a drink from his flask but decided to show respect to her father.

"That day was a tragedy for everyone," he explained," Revenge and underhanded tactics will no longer be the way of my family. I had seen feud, vice, complacency, and self-indulgence ruin lives. It is the reason why we left Atlas and abandoned our business rivalry with the Schnees. At the current path, Atlas and the Schnee will destroy themselves."

Qrow silently agrees with the sentiment. It reminded him of the tribe and what they became. A hollow shell of the freedom fighters that wanted to abolish slavery and the reign of an unjust Emperor. The Schwarz started as liars, thieves, murderers, and all sorts of crooked individuals but changed into the philanthropists they are now. Nicolas Schnee would be turning in his grave if he saw what Jacque did to his family and company.

It wasn't just Martha Black or Aaron Schwarz that died that day, Raven made sure to wipe out all the detectives, cops, and crime scene investigators in the building. While Akame ruined her life in a bout of rage. Martha wasn't a saint either. She was determined not to be arrested.

The more Qrow thought about it the more layers there were.

"Martha wasn't meant to die that day. Aaron wouldn't be that heartless to kill his sister," he inquired.

"I wish I knew what transpired that night to give both of us closure but…There were no witnesses."

"Why not announce it publically?" He stared at the old man," It can make her life easier. Better yet, why didn't you do it sooner?"

"That's the catch you are looking for," the head of the family pointed out," I want her to come to us. Whether she gets captured or reveals herself, I would have tried reaching out to her."

"Hell no," Qrow raised his voice.

"I want to see if she wants forgiveness. I want to see if she regrets her actions with her own words," He defended," I'm not asking for her to bow before me or become an asset to us. I forgive her, but can she forgive herself and move on?"

"I'll relay the word myself," He narrowed his eyes," Thank you for all your help but finding another reason to make my little niece stress out is not one of them."

The two stood silently and stared each other down.

"Mr. Branwen," he persuaded," The meeting between Akame and I will be supervised by you and my grandson, Sky. He's alive because of her, you know? Think of it as a therapy session or an intervention, nonalcohol related of course."

"That's an awful joke," Qrow sneered," I can stop whenever I want to."

"Of course, you can. I want to tell her myself that my family doesn't hold any ill will against her and that she wants to move past it. Why are you denying her the peace of mind she deserves?"

The huntsmen thought it over for half a minute before speaking.

"No tricks and hold up your end of the bargain," Qrow reached out," I don't want to work with another Ironwood."

Ironwood's action scattered the trust Qrow had for him. It is obvious Akame has a connection to Ms. Malachite and the latter chooses to repay her silence by sending her out to die while slandering his niece afterward. He wants to make them pay but can't. What can he do against two of the most powerful people on Remnant?

Even so, If Akame didn't accept the suicide mission that got her infected by whatever Salem put in her, He would have died.

"You have my word as head of the Schwarz and CEO of its Enterprise," He reached for Qrow's hand and shook firmly," How would two days from now work?"

"I want to choose where we meet," Qrow added.

"Deal."


Akame PoV


My hand reaches for my sword. It wasn't beside me. Crap, It's at the fair armory.

I heard and felt the explosion.

It assaulted my eardrum, heated the top of my skin, and penetrated my bones.

I-I'm overreacting again.

I watch more explosions rock the night skies.

I relaxed and breathed out. My sisters didn't notice.

Ruby and Yang grab my hands and lead me to an empty bench to watch the fireworks. The multitude of lights dances and bursts across the sky forming beautiful patterns and shapes. I remain transfixed on the light show alongside the people around us.

Whatever my uncle is up to, I'll talk to him later. The park security is doing a better job of watching me than he is. I thought about looking for him and questioning the prying eyes but didn't want to leave my sisters behind. Besides, They aren't out to get me. I can tell. I spotted a familiar face several times even if he tried to stay hidden. Including other people with similar features.

I sensed a man passing behind us but I didn't bother to turn around. His step came closer and my detection became clearer. I already know who he is. Sky lightly tapped me on the shoulder and walked away.

Finally reveal yourself, Sky.

Now it makes sense.

Schwarz Enterprise.

This amusement park is one of their many businesses throughout Remnant. l can let my guard down a little bit more in their territory. I sense no hostile intention.

The Schwarz family are good people from what I learned online. I could dig deeper with my recon but I prefer not to at the moment. I'm on a much-needed vacation. If Uncle Qrow trusts them, I will too.

"Are we staying at a hotel after this?" I asked Yang.

"Yep!" She said," Dad and Umber are going to join us tomorrow. We have a family pass for a two-day stay."

"Thanks to uncle Qrow!" Ruby cheered.

Umber…

I wish you opted to come here sooner. She didn't want to come and Dad finally forced her to join us. I should talk to her about…Damn, What do I-what should I even talk-I don't know how to handle her right now.

"Are you okay?" Yang leaned over and whispered in my ear," I see a single teardrop from here."

I blink and let a single tear streak down my cheek.

"I'll be fine."

"Talk to me later," she whispered and wrapped her arm around my shoulder," You need it."

"I'll be fine," I repeated.

"Akame," She whispered.

I'll be fine as long as I finish my mission.

Huh? Why did I choose to accept it in the first place? The thought crossed my mind, but a part of me forced it away. It will be my undoing. I must focus on the here and now before it consumes me.

What were those bedtime stories Ruby loves? Are those the stories with idealistic endings where everything is perfect, evil loses and the righteous hero prevails? While all the mistakes fix themselves.

I look over at Ruby's innocent expression.

Now I remember.

The cycle must come to an end.

And so, I will do what I can to reach Happily Ever After.


A/N: Akame is going to make some powerful allies and enemies.

I won't explicitly say it in the story but Akame isn't exactly in the right mind. Which make sense when I realized how utterly mess up her situation is that the fact she is still a functioning human being is a miracle. I do need to hurry to the canon date after setting up Akame's plotline in canon. I will try to reach RWBY season 1 by 200k-250k. I need to deal with the Schwarz/Mercury story, Vacuo/Crown, and finally Huntress License.

I have been putting a lot of thought into the story. I know the involvement of the Gods is an over-the-top escalation and how much of a mess the plot is becoming. It isn't going to branch out too far from now on. The Gods are going to mostly be passive observers and there isn't anything new being added. There is a certain theme to the story and conflicting ideals between all characters.

Sorry, For the late updates. Been too busy with a lack of coverage at work. I lost the motivation to write for a long while.