Chapter 24: Spring Pulse

Neither of us spoke yet the silence is enough. We both went through so much together and we aren't even in our teens. We are still children. I have the excuse of my past life and my strength to move forth. Umber has none of that yet she fought on.

She reminds me of myself in my old life. I only have fragments of it now.

We both grew up an orphan.

One by tragedy and the other by selfishness.

We were meant to be loyal killing machines.

A bandit and an ██████.

We both risk it all for our family.

I saved ██████. She saved me.

My old memories…

My ability to recall those memories is like trying to dig a hole in the sand while the walls keep failing. It's a list of words and sentences that make little sense. This is fine. I don't need it right now. It will only get in the way.

I take the initiative to speak.

"You knew?" I leaned forward against the safety railings. The rooftop of the hotel gives me a perfect view of the park and the horizon beyond," This whole time…"

Umber stood beside me. She looked down at the people below enjoying the early morning. I feel ashamed for lying and trying to manipulate her. It could have worked. But my dad caught on and undid it behind my back.

"Your dad opened my eyes to it a few months ago," she explained," I'm not mad at you, anymore."

"You're supposed to be," I responded. I'm prepared to lose Umber right on the spot.

"We are supposed to be a lot of things but that never panned out did it?" She reasoned.

"What now?"

"Well…I would never have left for Atlas in the first place," she revealed," That would mean never seeing you again. You…the tribe…this family is all I know."

I looked back at my attempt to manipulate her. It was more due to my fear of losing her than anything logical. Whether she was forced back to her nonexistent family in Atlas or sneaked away to rejoin the tribe. I can't keep the act up forever.

"Neither of us is being honest with the other," We said at the same time.

"Let's cut this short before they look for us," She said," I'll tell you a secret and you tell me yours."

I thought about it and nodded.

Umber has proven without a doubt I can rely on her. Dad, my sisters, and Uncle Qrow make my new life wonderful but I won't burden them with who I once was and what I will do. Umber is no longer an underling. The time spent with family has removed that mindset. We are now equal.

"One secret," I composed myself. I wanted to start with a secret I never told anyone. I wanted to drag it to the grave with me.

"One secret from me, too," she smiled.

"I'm going to sound crazy."

"And I'm going to sound insane," she countered and poked me with her elbow.

I turned toward her and gathered what I can remember of my past life.

"Do you believe in reincarnation?"

"I believe it."

Akame age 12 1/2

I have made a severe miscalculation. I needed to leave much earlier than expected. Because Vernal has caused more international incidents and decides to COINCIDENTALLY visit Patch with the entirety of Remnant on her tail.

Where do I start with her? I'll start with what the public knows.

She is rumored to be Lionheart's killer.

She defeated a Battalion of Atlesian in 4 days. If I recall correctly, She killed 250 and wounded 600 more.

She is leading the Branwen Tribe.

Creating a rogue kingdom in southern Mistral.

She destroyed a dam and killed a whole company of militias with a few civilians.

While a storm was happening, She leaked Watts' final moments and nearly got Ironwood removed from office. I'm okay with that one but the result was a vengeful specialist coming after me because of my association with the tribe.

Before she left the kingdom, She Incited a city-wide gang war in Mantle.

Or what about the many raids on military installations throughout the kingdom?

Somehow she sneaks into Vale and KIDNAPPED Miltia Malachite during a diplomatic event.

The Spring Maiden kill count is going to surpass my old life soon.

Damn it, Vernal.

What the hell are you even doing? This isn't like you. I need to find and talk to her.

Interestingly enough, The media doesn't know about her. It is always an unknown assailant or the tribe. But she is never named. This is either the work of Ozpin keeping her name hidden via proxy and/or her semblance gotten that much stronger.

Even I wouldn't be able to detect her if she was in a group or a crowd. Her aura is defused everywhere if I can't pin her down to one location, a single body. It's like trying to find a ghost.

A large bump on the road snapped me out of my musing. I held Shūsen tightly. I looked around my surroundings to see a desert with cacti and other foliage. I could see rocky hills in the distance as my uncle drove Umber and me out of the kingdom of Vale and toward the border of Vacuo. The two of us sat in the backseat of a rental van.

Umber wore tan pants with ripped on the knees, a white shirt with the sleeves torn, and a gray scarf around her neck. She has earphones on and is listening to music.

And I'm wearing my usual black short skirt and button up, sleeveless shirt with a red tie. This time, I have a red cloak to keep the sun out and fingerless yellow and black gloves. The cloak is a matching gift from Ruby and the gloves are from Yang.

"Uncle Qrow, Is this how you feel when mom decides to stay with the tribe?" I asked him.

"It wasn't surprising to me," he explained," But Vernal is unexpected."

I know my mother threatened her back on the airship but she is dead now. Vernal should have run for it and left it all behind. That semblance of hers would have insured it.

"I would have too if all of you didn't talk me out of it," Umber added.

I'm glad that path was averted and she didn't end up like my comrades or my sister. I didn't want to kill her but a threat is a threat.

I told her about my past life on Remnant. I hinted at my origin from another world by explaining it as ancient memories. The only thing I didn't tell her is anything related to the divine.

However, Umber revealed a dream she had while recovering from a near-fatal stomach wound.

There is a pathway leading to a vault.

Her purpose is self-sacrifice.

Grimm's arm pierced her stomach.

Death approaches but She refuses to accept it.

And Death agrees.

Vern-Umber used the last of her life to distract ██████ and save ██████.

Fading into blackness, She wakes up to see a bright sunny morning at my father's house.

"All it takes is lots of love and support," My uncle smiled," You gotta meet the right people and be in the right environment."

Hui Fang was the one to warn us early. Despite his draconian method towards criminals, he cares very much about those on the side of good. Maybe I should help him if there is an assassination attempt.

Jacque Schwarz also pulled through. He let us stay at his amusement park for a week while the heat died down. Afterward, He has given Umber a new identity and a ride with extra cash to get us to Vacuo.

The downside to all this is that I can't contact my sisters or dad for at least a few months. I'm going to be fine with it. I waited for 10 years to see them and a few months is nothing by comparison. Vernal and I will come home once my training is over.

"Aight, Final rest stop is coming up," he pointed at a sign," After this is the end of the road for Vale and the tough wilderness of Vacuo."

"Supplies are still good," I looked in the back and made note of the inventory," What is the food like in Vacuo?"

"You eat everything," My uncle quipped," You'll love gecko cake and bat stew more than I do."

"Mole crabs are really good," Umber added," Auntie used to make them into several dishes."

Qrow and I loved her cooking. She's really good at making seafood and other healthy delicacies. Luckily, I know how to make those dishes and have been making them ever since. They will never be as good as hers. I still prefer a nice meaty burger but I can't deny her ambition.

My uncle went out back to use the restroom while I started picking out snacks and drinks. The counter clerk was a young woman with a cowboy hat and several revolvers. Umber continued talking to her. She was very nice to us and mentioned Uncle Qrow traveled down this road often. The rest stop is often not visited due to the road conditions and bandits.

The bell at the front door rang and it put me on edge. I ducked down and observed from the corner of the store. They have weapons on them and are around my age. I track their movement from a safe distance.

One of them has long blonde hair tied into a high ponytail and with green tips. She has a green pistol at her side and a rifle with a bladed front sling across her back. She wore camo cargo pants and a white t-shirt. She has bandages wrapped on both arms.

The other girl has long black hair. She has red and black claws that retract into her right forearm. She has a jade green jacket with a black tank top underneath and black shorts.

I know who they are.

Umber didn't seem to notice until they were halfway toward the counter.

The clerk noticed them first and smiled.

Umber looked over, turned her head away, and then snapped back in shock.

"MILITIA?! BITCH!"

Militia…

Wait? Isn't she kidnapped?

That explains why I didn't feel their approach until they were at the door. If Vernal has proper training, she can even hide from me.

"Umber?" Militia jumped," Is that you?"

Meanwhile, Vernal is speechless.

None of us can believe what we are seeing.

I looked outside and didn't notice anyone hiding in the scrubs. Is it just those two?

I quickly sneak up behind them and place a hand on both their shoulders.

"Eep!" They jumped.

"I'm glad you are here," I closed my eyes and smiled for Militia. Who relaxed as I gently patted her back.

Vernal on the other hand is pulled away. I turned her over and held on tightly with both hands around her arms.

I pushed her back out the front door and looked back.

"Umber, Keep Militia company," I commanded.

I pushed her further outside until we were in the parking lot. I let go once we are far enough.

"So ummm, You live on Patch? I didn't know," She smiled awkwardly," I'm sorry?"

I brought a hand to my face and looked down. I didn't know what to say first and physical violence would be going too far even if a hard smack in the back of the head would knock some sanity into her.

"Explain yourself," I spoke in a low foreboding tone.

"What do you mean?" She said quickly," I-"

"When I tell you to leave the tribe when you have a chance. WHY ARE YOU THE LEADER?" I yelled at her in Mistranese," I know my mother forced you to destroy the ship engines but after that? Why didn't you LEAVE? Are you aware of how much destruction you caused and the people you killed?"

"I-I," Her eyes watered up. I looked into them and noticed they were two different shades of blue," I'M SORRY!"

She flies away in an instant. A second later, I can hear a sonic boom followed by my uncle running beside me.

"What was that?" He hurried over and looked into the sky.

Crap, I feel awful for yelling at her.

"Vernal was here," I revealed as Militia came outside with Umber.

My uncle sighed in disappointment.

"Always a coward," Umber sneered.

"Do you want to go look for her?" He said. Uncle Qrow sounded uncertain himself.

"Yes," I expressed," I want to know the truth. Vernal would never kill or stay with the tribe."

"You know we can't," he finally noticed Militia," She needs to stay and call the authorities to rescue her. I don't want to have the spotlight on us especially now."

"And let Vernal get away?"

"She made her choice and committed atrocities," My uncle explained," Icey, Let her go."

Uncle Qrow could easily call the cops or a local huntsman to pick up Militia and bring her back to her mother. But that would slow us down and risk further exposure to law enforcement. We need to leave before trouble finds us.

"Let's look for her," She stepped forward," Vernal is by herself and she can only count on me."

"Screw her," Umber argued," I don't want anything to do with that backstabbing, annoying, cowardly, bitch!"

"She's our friend," Militia stated.

"She isn't mine! Didn't she kidnap you?" Umber said," Stockholm syndrome is setting in already?"

"I wanted to leave and Vernal is the same girl," Militia revealed," She just needs us. I'll handle the talking if we can locate her. She wouldn't go far."

"She left us to the mercy of the Atlesian! I almost died! Raven is dead because of her! And Akame is now-" She nearly revealed my secret," Is now forced to leave her home again."

"Icey," Qrow forewarned," I can't in good conscience tell you to let it be. This is a chance you can talk some sense into Vernal. But logically, We can't waste time and it isn't a guarantee we will find her again."

"If you leave me here, I'll tell the police about you two," she placed her hands on her hips.

"You aren't a snitch," Umber shook her head and Militia pouted.

Under different circumstances, I would hug both of them. They are my friends who I haven't seen in years. If only Miltiades was here, too. I do value our friendship. Despite how bratty the twins are to everyone else.

"We are going to go look for her," I decided.

Umber wanted to speak but crossed her arms.

Militia silently celebrated.

"I'm going to pay off the clerk," he patted me on the shoulder," Good choice."

My uncle walked back into the truck stop to pay a bribe.

"We shall follow the direction she left and hope for the best," I ordered.

Umber walked to the van while Militia watched.

"Oh, and by the way," I walked up to my friend and gave her a hug," Great seeing you again."

"Ahh!" She yelped," Eh-I miss you too."

She started gasping for breath. I let go before she begged me to stop.

"Jeez Akame," She complained," Are you like? Trying to kill me?"

"With kindness," I smiled and held her hand," I'll ride shotgun."

"You seem happier," she pointed out," And colder."

I look behind me to see Militia observing my arms.

My scarless arms.

"Of course, I'm happier. I don't have to worry about being imprisoned or killed. I'm also glad my every move isn't monitored 24/7," I explained," Is that why you left? Or was it the desire for freedom and to see the world?"

She didn't answer my question. Before I left, I asked her if she wanted to travel the world instead of watching it on her TV. Militia is easier to manage when her sister or mother isn't near. It seems the thought I implanted came to fruition now that she is not in her mother's grasp.

I forgot the details of my unwanted change since everyone around me has accepted it in some ways. Now I'm worried about Vernal figuring it out, too.

Militia must have internal turmoil after I ask her those questions. There must have been a huge argument with Miltiades and/or her mom before she left.

I hurried into the van as my uncle came running toward it. Militia hopped into the backseat with a visibly upset Umber.

"She went north-west," Militia said," And I think I know where."

We all looked at her.

"Where?" My uncle asked as he pulled the van out of the vacant parking lot.

"She loves seeing the ocean," Militias divulged," She is likely at Ventura cove."

That is when my uncle hit the gas and headed off the road.

A/N: This chapter was going to focus on Umber only and it was called Umbra. I had already given her enough attention and decided to wrap it up now. After that, I thought about revealing what Akame was really planning with the storm in Atlas.

So I was able to post this quicker than usual due to extra free time. And I now need to hurry up and read those Vacuo's books since I'm barely finished with the 1st one…After a whole year. The whole Vacuo arc was going to be Akame only. But it will be the first off-the-record mission of team AKME/MVRK.

And if it isn't obvious, Melty Pyrite is Miltia Malachite and both twins are deaged since Roman Holiday wasn't out when I wrote this story. She isn't going to be good enough to assume leadership over the team yet. But will be a more capable leader in aspects Akame lacks.

Interesting change/inspiration while writing the story. Vernal fighting style was originally going to be more flashy/Rwby style with her glaive and sniper combo. I changed it to be more tactical due to her training with professional soldiers instead of Bandits or Huntsmen.