A/N: I've had this idea for a while, but updating might take a while. I'm new to the site, and I need to learn how to edit books lmao. This will be rated T to M, so for now, it'll be M. So bear with me, and I hope you enjoy it! Reviews and criticism are welcome. It's just constructive, though. Don't be the idiots saying, "Worse fic" or "This is terrible." without any input. So, thanks again for reading.
Mistral. Vale's better-looking counterpart. Known for its steep mountains and lush forests. You could practically see almost every biome from a bullhead. Even from the ground, if you're close enough, you could see its very own huntsman academy.
"We are departing from Haven Academy." One of the pilots stated.
Ozpin, lightly tapping his cane, mindlessly watches Haven slowly disappear from view. He glanced at his scroll, a slight hum of amusement escaping him. One of the other pilots sat before the headmaster, clearing his throat.
"Apologies, sir," the pilot said, brandishing his scroll. "Looks like we'll arrive at Beacon once the sun is down. Maybe around ten."
Ozpin fixed his posture. "That's fine. I knew I should've left earlier."
"Understood," the pilot nodded, standing up after typing updates. "If that will be al–."
"Actually," the headmaster, cutting him off, smiled toward the man. "If it's no trouble, can you open the door? I'm expecting a guest."
The pilot stared for a few seconds, nodding slowly. He didn't know nor wanted to know what he meant by that. He only met two headmasters, and they were both weird. He unlocked the side door hesitantly and pushed as the wind smacked against him. It's not his first rodeo; dealing with huntsman tends to have wind go where it shouldn't, but it's his first time being attacked by a bird. The pilot yelped and swung around as he stumbled. After composing himself, frantically looking and breathing, he noticed a rugged man sitting opposite the headmaster.
"Hey," He said, taking out a flask. "Can you close the door? There's kind of a draft."
The pilot, glancing between the man and the door, begrudgingly closed the door and took his leave. This might be the first time he considers early retirement.
"Hello, Qrow," Ozpin smiled, although shaking his head softly. "How has life been treating you? Pleasantly, I hope."
"Dandy," taking a sip, Qrow glanced out the window. "Nice place, strange folks, even stranger bars, what's not to like? I even went to a gift shop."
Ozpin's smile widened, "Yes, well, how could you say no to traditional drinking?"
"You could." Qrow always was a bit much, especially when offering to drink.
"No thanks."
Silence hung in the air before being broken.
"She's still on the move. Acts like she knows where she's going, but I saw her lost in the market."
"Amber tends to underestimate street markets."
Qrow stifled a laugh. "Why do I feel like she got pressured into buying things?"
"She's kind-hearted."
Qrow then frowned, sipping more. "There's been talk about her, though not in great detail. She's safe for now. She almost saw me, but I can tell that she knows something's up."
"Have you spoken to her?" Qrow glanced at his old teacher, sighing at his words.
"A bit," He scratched the back of his head. "Made it seem like she stumbled upon me. Had a drink, laughed, and embarrassed her."
"Let me guess," Ozpin tapped against his scroll, looking at this year's applicants. "She poured a drink on you?"
"Almost. She still denied the offer to come to Beacon but was more hesitant this time."
"I see."
"I'll keep watch for her. Don't worry, Oz."
"I know you will, Qrow." Ozpin looked back out the window, watching the forests become less dense.
With everything that has been happening, Ozpin is worried. Qrow can see it on his expressionless face. Ozpin being worried makes him tense, and if he's scared, well, it's not something he'd leave unattended for long.
"If you want-" He stopped, noticing what Ozpin was looking at.
Smoke, but not too much to indicate a village or a town. Maybe a camp? No, it's too dense. Qrow focused, catching glimpses of a wagon or some car. Ozpin sighed; perhaps he should have stayed at the meeting.
"Some barbecue." The huntsman took a longer drink, side-glancing at Ozpin. "Do you want me to…?"
"If you could please?"
Qrow nodded, lazily standing as he took another quick sip before opening the door. He nodded at the headmaster before slumping out of the exit and into the air. The same pilot glanced back, feeling the wind hitting him again. Ozpin shrugged.
The oversized grill died down the moment Qrow landed. Just by a glance, he could feel himself becoming annoyed. Raven was his first thought. She might not have been personally involved, but her little goons could have done it. Now, he has to take care of this and return to Amber. It's not the best way to end his Friday.
The wreckage is a supply wagon, more or less. Judging by some of the ruins, Qrow had yet to learn what he was looking at. That was until he saw a body. White Fang. Great, so not Raven. Raven might be a bandit leader, but still not a total idiot. Qrow crouched down as he inspected the White Fang member.
Mistral Branch. He heard they started attacking people, but in 'self-defense.' After the sudden violence, Qrow is very tempted just to leave. Some bandit bodies were found, definitely not Raven or her goons. It looks like it got too heated; both sides abandoned supplies, and judging from the tracks, there was more.
A voice cut Qrow's thoughts out. Young, a kid maybe? He never delved into politics, so he didn't know kids could join the Fang. Stepping over the body and making his way over, he raised a brow at the kid before him. He's a little bruised, but Aura is slowly patching him up—signature mask in his hands. Glancing at the top of his head, he noticed the black hair with orange highlights. Though with some faded yellow and red tips in his locks.
"Cowards!" The kid growled. "Ran when we had the advantage!"
Qrow went to speak until he was cut off. "It's fine; some supplies made it."
The kid spoke, but he could tell the difference in tones. Qrow stared at the boy, mouth slightly opened. He was talking to himself—a kid who's been traumatized, great. The Fang are getting desperate. Unfortunately, he stood there for too long. The boy turned, eyes wide with both fear and hostility. The boy's a faunus; the sclera in his eyes is black, pupils orange. Qrow, realizing the knife in his hand, quickly threw his hands up.
"Hey, easy." This kid is missing a few screws. "Not a part of-"
The kid turned and ran. Qrow stood dumbfounded before sighing as he gave chase. The child, most likely no older than thirteen or fourteen, dodged branches and jumped hedges. He was tired, most likely from whatever fight he was in. The leaves rustled as he sharply turned, knife pointed. His eyes widened, seeing no one. The crunch of leaves behind him made his nerves skyrocket.
The boy turned again, ready to kill his pursuer, only to blink as his dagger stabbed into the ground and his back slammed into the dirt. Qrow winced, not expecting to see the boy's aura shatter. Orange flickered as it burst and faded away. The boy grits his teeth, Qrow able to his canines.
"Ah shit," Qrow mentally smacked himself. "I didn't mean to push you that hard. Didn't know your aura was that low."
The boy rolled over to his hands and knees. Some will, Qrow thought. The boy slowly looked up at the huntsmen. Qrow tried to knock some sense into the kid, opening his mouth to speak. Until the boy's orange eyes turned red. Bright, and yet the color was slightly darker. It reminded him of his niece on a bad hair day.
The boy's aura suddenly flashed, coating his body with red instantly. Qrow stepped back, eyes widened, and questioned if he had taken too much to drink. The boy suddenly dashed, snatching the dagger from the ground, and slashed the full-fledged huntsman.
Qrow weaved, surprised by the sudden attack. Countless questions started circling his mind as he continued to dodge. His aura broke; he was sure of that, yet Qrow couldn't help but question. Like a switch flip, and suddenly, a different aura covers him? Qrow composed himself, side-stepping the thrusting blade. He slammed his knee into the boy's ribs, feeling a bit of guilt at the pained gasp escaping his mouth. He applied a good bit of strength, hopefully enough to stun or break his aura.
It looks like it's the ladder, and his aura shatters as he slams into the ground. Qrow sighed, seeing the boy struggling to stand. The boy glanced back at him, glaring eyes flickering. Qrow hoped this was over. He groaned, seeing the boy encased with a yellow aura. Qrow inched closer, ready to deal another blow, until a slightly new voice spoke out.
"Wait!" The boy cried out. "Please don't hurt me!"
Qrow stood stunned, staring at the now yellow-eyed boy. Maybe not insane, hopefully. Qrow eased up but made sure to keep his guard up. He stared at the boy, seeing the fear in his eyes. The boy flinched when the man kneeled, shaking his head.
"All right," Qrow is pretty sure he ain't drunk. "Why'd you attack me?"
"I," the boy started, sheepishly looking away. "Didn't."
Qrow almost burst out laughing, stifling his grin. "You didn't? Then who did? The wind? A ghost? You possessed?"
"N-No. It was me, but not me."
"Kid, I'm not drunk enough. I already deal with someone who speaks in cryptics."
"I'm not lying!" He nervously shouted. "It wasn't me. It was them!"
"Them?"
"The doctors said, 'other personalities'." Personalities? So, he is insane.
"Personalities? Like a split personality?"
The boy nodded hastily, so he continued. "All right, hold up. Explain from the beginning while I drink and think."
And so he did. Confusingly, but he got the gist of it. From that point, bandits attacked him and his members at Qrow showing. Supply trade. That's what they were doing here, then they got attacked and high-tailed it out there. Even if it meant leaving some behind, then as he was fighting with some others, the bandits left. Retreating is more likely. Surviving members left him to guard the supplies. It's been a couple of hours.
Qrow shook his head, seeing a pattern. "All right. I understand, but you didn't tell me how you did all that with aura."
The boy awkwardly sat against the tree. "I don't know."
"You don't?" That makes sense. "So it just happened one day?"
"No." He put some thought into it. "Well, I don't know about 'personalities'. It just happened when I was a kid. I- We don't remember much. Then, a few years ago, someone unlocked our aura."
This needs to be clarified. Qrow was almost done drinking, too.
"Then it was weird. We all felt ourselves get lighter."
"Yeah, aura does that when you first unlock it." Qrow smiled at the unknown kid. "So it just happened? And you stuck with it?"
"We kinda keep it secret."
Qrow stared at the boy, unconvinced. "Some secret…"
The boy blushed, embarrassed. "We didn't expect you to chase us."
"That's fair." Qrow laughed before humming. "That brings up another question. Do you have a name? Or at least do any of you have a name? You know, multiple personalities and stuff."
The boy smiled and shook his head. "We share a name. Cause it's weird to have different names."
"Oh, that's weird." Qrow rolled his eyes. "So what's your name?
"August."
"No offense, August." Qrow stood up, dusting himself off. "Kinda expected something different."
"I get that a lot."
"How old are you anyway?"
"Fourteen." He quickly added. "Turning fifteen in a couple of months."
"Don't you have parents? Someone who takes care of you?"
"I was from Menagerie. An orphanage. So no. No parents."
"And you joined the Fang?"
"I'm a Faunus. Why wouldn't I?"
"Well, yeah," Qrow awkwardly stuck his hands in his pockets. "But why a protest group? Aren't you mad that they left you?"
"Not really. I always disliked them. We didn't know them much."
"You don't have friends?"
Now, it was August's turn to be awkward. "Not really."
Qrow mulled over the options, choosing the worst one. "What kind?"
"Huh?"
"Faunus, I mean. What kind of Faunus?"
"Oh, lion."
"Huh, I know a lion."
The boy looked up, intrigued. "Really?"
"Yeah, though always nervous, so kinda like you."
"Oh."
Awkward silence. Then again, how else do you continue the conversation?
"What are you?"
"Huh?" Qrow stared at August as if he asked if he asked if he was a woman. "A human?"
"No, like, what do you work for?"
That makes more sense as Qrow shook his head. "Professional Huntsmen. Beacon graduate."
The smug look on Qrow slowly widened, seeing the boy's eyes widen.
Silence.
Qrow started to worry that maybe he had broken the kid.
"We're going to prison…" The boy suddenly said, deflating.
"Wait, what?" Qrow's eyes widened at the realization. "Wait, no. You're not going to prison."
August's eyes widened. "I-I'm not?
"No, kid. It was a misunderstanding."
August sighed in relief.
"But that doesn't mean we're done here."
August took back his sigh.
"You're a special case, and honestly? Protesting ain't," Qrow tried to find the right words. " Your guys' specialty."
"I kinda figured," August said softly.
"But you ain't out of cards, kid," Qrow stated, kneeling before August. "Look, my-"
Qrow mulled over the options.
"-Old headmaster is not new to the whole weird thing. Plus, you have nowhere else to go, so…"
"So…?" This kid…
"Why don't you come with me and see the headmaster?"
"Become a huntsman?"
"I didn't say that." August deflated. "B-But maybe? He's pretty nice. Look, he's helped a lot of other people, including me. Just come with me and see how it goes. Alright?"
August stared at the hunter. He thought about it, and it terrified him. How could it not? Fighting monsters and school? He shivered at the thought of it. Plus, they all don't even have semblances.
'Might as well.' August heard in his head. He felt relief wash over him. At least one of them can make this decision.
Qrow stood up as an orange aura engulfed August. His eyes turned orange. He let out a sigh.
"Sure, why not?" August pushed himself to his feet.
"And you are?" Qrow is way too sober for this.
"Just consider me the one that mainly talks." August awkwardly smiled. "Also sorry for, uh, trying to stab you?"
Qrow raised his brow at the 'question.' "Eh, water under the bridge. So you're coming?"
"Yeah, plus I don't have anything better to do. It's the best option. Also, I've always wanted to go to Vale."
Qrow shook his head at this smiling kid. "You are something else, kid."
The two started to walk, mainly August following behind him as Qrow began to make a call.
Edit: Fixed grammar and punctuation.
