Chapter 21: Breaking News

A/N: Sorry been busy and I changed the story back to Teen.

So two author notes today. One for the Vacuo arc and Ice Queendom.

I have also been reading the After the Fall book to plan the next arc and how she could change it. The only certainty is the Crown attempting to recruit her to their cause. Maybe even stopping a few villages from falling due to some 'emotion bombs'. And I'm likely not to get the book 100% right but I'll try my best.

We fought in a clearing in the forest. The leaves and sticks cracked and snapped underneath us.

"You need to tell him," He threw a jab.

"I'll tell him when he isn't busy," I ducked underneath and countered with an elbow. He jumped back.

"And what about the excuse when it's his free time?''Uncle Qrow sighed, "You know, Icey. Tai's the one that you should be sparing with. Your dad is the better brawler."

"He's busy."

"Oh! And the last time he was free you said, and I quote,' I'm going to let him relax. I didn't want to break the heavy news to him' or the time he asked you if you wanted to be a huntress and you said?" he mocked.

I launch an uppercut that barely touches his chin.

"Shut up!"

"Shut up? To Tai? How rebellious. You aren't even in your teens yet," He smiled and nearly lost his teeth to a flying knee, "Tell him, Akame. It's been days!"

I charge forward throwing a flurry of punches.

"I know!" I screamed," I'm-I'm…"

"I'm what?" My uncle said," Too scared?"

He kept retreating and avoiding my hits. I'm starting to feel like an amateur fighting him. He's a world-famous huntsman for a reason, and I'm only equivalent to a skilled Academy student, in his words. I could even see my uncle defeating me back in my old life.

I even played the scenario in my head. Assuming we knew nothing of each other or our abilities. Muramasa wouldn't be as effective due to aura and his semblance will keep me off balance. Uncle Qrow's semblance isn't something I can counter or defend from. That is until he forces me to use my trump card.

"I'm not scared!" I scoffed," I don't think he's ready to hear it. Maybe it is too early for me."

I got unlucky.

The ground I'm standing on has flesh leaves on it. Somehow, there is a rodent hole in this wide expanse of open space. A hole that happens to be the right size for my foot to slip into. Predictably, I lost my balance.

I made a split-second decision to disengage but it wasn't enough.

Crap.

A punch came at my face faster than I could dodge.

I closed my eyes and braced for impact knowing there was nothing I could do.

Instead of pain, I felt the wind.

The entire length of his arm went past my face. I know this fight is over. Uncle Qrow is a seasoned Huntsman and he wouldn't miss such an easy opportunity. We break away.

"I could handle being punched in the face," I pouted.

"I could but there isn't a need for unnecessary damages," he lectured," Remember that especially when you become a huntress."

Ah, I see. So he's using the excuse not to give me a black eye as a review of our lessons.

"Accurate, precise, and professional," I repeated. It was a lesson he wanted to embed more so than my sisters. When I become a huntress, the Academy and Government will be extra strict with what I can't and can do.

I am still a criminal after all.

I need to show them I can finish contracts without causing unnecessary damages. That I can keep a clear record as proof of my redemption. As well as maintaining a proper demeanor while fighting Grimm and among the public.

Now that I think about it. Even my swordsmanship became predictable in his eyes. Uncle Qrow is a frighteningly strong opponent.

The more I ponder the more I realize this world is going to have strong opponents in higher quantities. There are a limited number of Teigu users in my world: only forty-eight at most. While not all of them are combat capable. While Remnant has ten of thousands of Huntsmen and Huntresses. The numbers get even higher if I factor in anyone and everything near the strength of this world's elite warriors.

No wonder why I have trouble with mercenaries nor can I beat a trained Huntsmen or academy team in a straight fight without using my semblance.

I need to try something new. I should learn new fighting styles and/or pick up a gun to adapt and be unpredictable. That seems to be the one reason why this world weapon has multiple forms.

"You did great," he walked over to a log where we left our stuff and tossed me a water bottle," Anyway, Why don't you want Umber to come over more often?"

I opened it and took a quick sip.

"She isn't from a notable bloodline and her aura level wouldn't amount to much," I recalled the lessons from the tutor in Malachite Castle and my mother," I don't want to put her at unnecessary risk and she is the type to push herself until she breaks."

"You know that line of thought is upper-class bull crap right?"

"It's what?" I looked at him," That is not what I was taught and it seems to make sense from observation."

I made my way to a fallen log and set down. My uncle joined me soon after, ready to give me another lecture. He took a drink from his flask.

"By nature, Aura is what everyone has. The quality and quantity varied from person to person. But everyone got it," he continued," By nurture, Can a person's full potential be discovered. And that's where accessibility to training comes in. Do you understand?"

"Somewhat," I answered.

"Right," he nodded," The myth that bloodline and recurring hardship is where warriors are born is from the expectation of family and peers placed upon a child. Even until recently, the availability of training is either taught from a pay-to-enter combat school or family back in the day. While most ordinary people, who can't afford or have time to train, rely on those with power to protect them. Nowadays, If you have the determination to become stronger and lack any debilitating health issues, A person from generations of shopkeepers can become a Huntsman."

"Interesting, So it's all societal."

"Yep, The exception is if we go further back in history or look at tribalism," he lectured," There is a reason why in a lot of places on Remnant, people prefer a tribal lifestyle. But that's a whole history course that I'm not getting into."

"I didn't know that?" I commented," I guess I should question what I'm learning from time to time. By that logic, Vacuo has a larger combat-ready population compared to Atlas."

"Yep, Vacuo is where you either survive together or die alone. Men, women, and children are more likely to pick up arms compared to the rich denizens in Atlas that never saw a Grimm. Not to say one is better than the other since Vacuo was complacent early on while Atlas got by with being innovative. Good observation, That's how you stay well-rounded," he attempted to pat my head but I ducked out the way," Apply logic but don't forget to have a heart, too."

"You like to over-explain stuff."

"Because you are currently not in school and I am a teacher," he said," Pay attention, This counts as homeschooling or I'll quiz you on it."

"Thank you, I still have much to learn," I acknowledged," Now what about those people we fought? The Vacuo mercenaries? Are they making another move?"

"Not that I'm aware of," he shook his head," All of them took a ship back home when I followed them. I haven't heard from them since. Not even from the connection I got."

"That's it?"

"Why are you so paranoid?" He asked me.

"Why aren't you more paranoid?" I countered," What if they come back to arrest me? Or worse?"

"Aren't you forgetting? Those Mercs are from Vacuo," Qrow pointed out," If they come back, they will either recruit you or get your autograph. Trust me when I say, Vacuo is the friendliest place on Remnant! It is also the most livable."

I raised a brow at his words.

Friendly? If you can survive.

Livable? Now that's not right.

"Uncle Qrow, You need to drink more. I think you're sobering up."

"…for Branwen's."

I can't help but smile at the joke. For most people outside of Vacuo, living there is hell. But for someone like us, it's a vacation.

I could tell him that all of them minus the silver mercs have the same aura color. I know that people on Remnant could have identical/similar aura color but how can the majority of them have it?

I'll tell him when we get to Vacuo or if it turns out to be nothing. I don't think my Uncle will approve of me accepting a mission before I'm even legally allowed to on a flimsy agreement where Fang and I are the only witnesses. It's a gamble that is too good to be true. I'm hoping Fang keeps his word and pays me. Otherwise, He isn't going to be the only or last person to lie to me.

Damn it! I should have asked for money up front!

The more I think about him the more I realized, a million liens and he didn't seem to be distraught over it. How rich is he?

I think I should take a lesson from corrupt politicians, greedy businessmen, and cruel criminals. What secrets is the Headmaster of Haven hiding? And how many enemies does this man have as well as people that will miss him if he disappeared?

No, the last one is beyond what I'm willing to do unless I found out he eats babies or runs a prostitution ring. He needs to do something heinous to justify killing him guilt-free.

I need to start thinking about contingency plans, counter plays, and intel. Even if it's against my 'allies'. I can never be too careful.

"That isn't guaranteed," I huffed," Those silver armbands are suspicious."

"Heh? Interesting," He crossed his arms," How do you feel about the color silver?"

"Nothing! It's just a color," I defended. I'm not sure why silver incites a reaction from me.

"Rigghhht," he emphasized," Let's head home."

I should have known he was up to something.

"Good luck!" He yelled.

The door slammed the moment I stepped into the living room. My dad sat on a chair with his arm crossed. He has a worried look on his face.

"Dad?" I calmly said," I thought you were at work."

"I'm on my lunch break, Akame," he relaxed," I need to make it quick. What do you want to tell me? Is it combat class related?"

"How's Umber doing in class?" I deflected.

"She is doing great," He reassured," She is already ahead of her class despite joining early this week. She is an intelligent girl."

"That's great to hear," I awkwardly coughed.

I hate you, Uncle Qrow. I hate you for this.

The ambient sound of the clock ticking and the soft hymn from the kitchen permeated the room. I stood stiffly and took a step forward. Why can't I tell him?

"But that isn't what you wanted to know?"

After everything, I've been through with the old and new world.

"I want to be a huntress," I blurted out. Expecting and secretly hoping for him to say no.

He nodded in approval.

"I would never deny you that opportunity. It wouldn't be right for me and those in need of saving," he explained," But why the big fuss over it? Is there something more to it?"

There it is. I need to tell him the part of the news I don't think he will accept.

"Yes, Dad," I sighed deeply," And I'm not going to the academy to achieve it. I want to take the licensing exam and become a huntress as soon as possible."

My dad stared at me with a dumbfounded expression.

"H-How soon?" He asked.

"Thirteen."

"Eighteen."

"Thirteen in a half."

"Now it's nineteen, We aren't negotiating," He told me," I know you are capable for your age but becoming a huntress isn't just about killing Grimm. Why are you in such a hurry?"

Fame, infamy, money, power.

Without context is the most selfish reason to become a huntress. But I need them to make my move against those I need to go after and a safety net if I make a mistake. Besides, my ultimate goal is to end this eternal war between Ozpin and Salem.

I could never sit back even with the divine guarantee of a peaceful life. No matter how much I want it to all end.

A goal like that would require all the help I can get.

"I want redemption," I revealed," I made mistakes and I ran from it."

"You were just a child that shouldn't be held liable," he sighed," Do you feel guilty for what you did?"

"Yes," I explained, "I would have become a huntress regardless. I want to use my power to help those weaker than me."

We looked at each other in silence until he chuckled.

"You are absolutely nothing like your mother," he said," You remind me of Ruby's mom."

"Thank you?" I'm going to take this as a good sign.

"She fought for what is right until the very end," he struggled to smile," It would be selfish of me to tell all my kids to give up on their aspirations to be huntresses because they might die."

"Does this mean I can become a huntress early?"

"No, Thirteen is unbelievably early," he pointed out," No one in the Academy history has become a Huntsman that early for a reason. I'm worried that even if you do pass the exam, it could set a bad precedent for other kids. There are no rules on the age requirement to take the exam. I don't want to see dead kids on the news because of it. People will want to be like you. Look at Umber, She didn't want you to know this but I saw her coughing up blood trying to keep pace with you."

I tensed up. That girl never listens when it comes to training. I don't understand why she wants to be as strong as me. Umber is far from an idiot yet she is doing this to herself.

"She wouldn't listen even if I told her to slow down," I explained," It isn't my fault she's like that."

"And yet you act like her superior because you are afraid to lose her."

I sighed knowing what he said was correct.

"Back on topic, Dad," I said," The quicker I become the Huntress the better it is for the world."

"But is it better for your well-being?" He called out," You just turned eleven, Akame. I know you went through a lot, it is in your eyes. They belong to veterans that see and have done too much."

"I told you my reasons," I argued and sat in a chair across from him.

"And?" He countered," You need to take care of yourself first and foremost. You have finally found a peaceful home and a family that loves you. I'm willing to throw hands with the entirety of Atlas if they come to take you away. You are my daughter and you deserve a happy childhood. Just hold off on it for now and live the life you deserve."

I looked down. I can feel my eyes watering but held back. I have been hearing that phrase so damn often. Either directly or indirectly.

"You have a point," I smiled," Fine, I'll hold off for now. But I still want to start, just not age 13 early."

I cleared my throat and rubbed my eyes.

I can sense Uncle Qrow is out of earshot. I got enough of his aura signature to detect him. I should tell him one of the reasons why I need to hurry. I want to get this one off my chest.

"There's something I need to tell you. Please, Never tell Uncle Qrow about what I have to say next," I revealed in a low voice.

My dad raises a brow wondering what it is.

"Explain."

"I need to save one person from the same hell I went through," I said," Do you know who Martha Black is?"

"The women Qrow obsess over and wanted to marry," he said. I could tell he was slowly putting the clues together. I can feel my heart ache hearing more proof of his love for her. She is the beacon of light for the Branwen.

"She has a son."

"And the father is Marcus Black. Infamous Assassin that goes silent a few years ago," I pointed out.

"How did you know?" I asked him.

"Qat his happiest when he is with her," he answered," I did my research, too. Now, what are you planning to do?"

"Take down Marcus and rescue Mercury."

"Akame, This is a suicide mission."

"My semblance-"

"He outmatched you and your Semblance is useless against him," My dad reasoned.

"Useless and outmatched? How?"

"There are rumors that he can lock away someone's semblance or steal it," My dad alleged," He is also a skilled combatant that killed two teams of Huntsman in his prime."

"He's old now isn't he?" I made an excuse even though I knew it was bullshit.

"Akame, Beware of an old man in a profession where men die young," he warned," Do you even know where to start? Or where he's hiding?"

"I won't let Mercury become who I once was," I insisted. I mentally facepalmed myself for revealing a snippet of my past life. Luckily, My dad didn't press the issue and assumed it was my service to the tribe.

"You can become a huntress," He leaned forward," I don't want you to throw your life away over one person, especially. You already did it once with Martha. I don't know why you're not telling your uncle. Both of you can both work together to save the child."

"I can't just do nothing," I gritted my teeth.

"You can't do it alone," my dad explained," Tell Uncle Qrow and we'll come up with a plan together. I'll hold him back if he goes at it alone."

The original reason why I don't want to tell him is because of that old wizard. I still don't have a read on him besides his desire for peace on Remnant. But peace can be achieved by questionable means.

Uncle Qrow is not going to tell Ozpin. If he is truly against me, the Headmaster or Atlas should be knocking at my door by now. After all the evidence and how he treated me, Umber, and my sisters. I can finally come clean to him about Mercury.

I just hope we aren't too late when the time's come.

"Wait, we?" I realized," You're going to help?"

"Not directly. My days of risky missions are long behind me," he confirmed," You two need a third eye to make sure the plan isn't downright suicidal. Saying no to rescuing the son of the woman you both love isn't something I can stomach."

"Thank you, Dad," I smiled brightly.

"Call Uncle Qrow over and tell him the truth. I need to get back to Signal before the next class starts," he got up and walked to the fridge," After I grabbed my lunchbox."

I nodded and made my way to the door.

I opened it and stepped outside, detecting the world around me. At first, I didn't sense my uncle's aura signature until my head turned to the right. It felt small but compact. I narrow my eyes to see a small black dot come closer and closer until it takes the shape of a bird.

A few seconds later, the raven landed in front of me.

Huh?

I felt another aura signature behind me and turned around to see my uncle.

How did he sneak up on me?

Why didn't I notice him?

I should have detected him.

"How did it go, kiddo?" he asked.

I look back to see the raven is gone.

What was that? Was that my imagination? My guilt? It felt as if there was a vice grip on my heart.

"Uncle Qrow," I lamented," We need to talk."

"She has a son? With that piece of shit!" My uncle sat in a chair with his head down," Why did she tell you and not me?"

My dad left minutes ago and it was just us again. Now I'm sitting in the same spot he was.

Maybe because the risk is too hard or she is too scared of losing someone she loved.

"She made a slip-up," I lied," She mentioned it one day and I keep bothering her about it."

Which isn't true. Martha never once told me about her son nor hinted at it. Salem is the one that told me during her attempt to break me. It's strange how it unfolded, too.

How did Salem know about my relationship with Martha, and why does she know who Marcus Black is?

That witch saw pieces and scraps of my memories and used them against me. At least, the corrupted version of what I remember. She wasn't able to break into the deepest part of my mind. At best, she scratched the surface.

But it doesn't explain the knowledge I don't know. It is as if Salem is pointing toward a particular set of objectives. The rioting in South Anima, the context behind Martha's death, and Mercury. These are all things I don't know.

"A Second Great War is coming and you helped to plant the seed of division. Peace is no longer an option," Salem's words echoed in my mind," Thank you, For carrying out my plan."

So many questions and all the answers are just speculations. I even thought of the worst possible scenario.

Did Martha use to work for Salem?

Maybe there's a traitor in the tribe feeding Salem information about me?

I closed my eyes and calmed down. Maybe this is her backup plan if she fails to convert me into her pawn. I'm being directed into a trap and/or doing her dirty work.

Never in my past life did I need to think ahead like this. It is no longer a simple fight or a self-contained mission. I'm playing a grand game of chess in this world, reading the opponents and the pieces on the board.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Because you will put yourself at risk," I reasoned," I know you barely take care of yourself after Summer and Martha's death. The last thing I want is my uncle throwing his life away-"

"Because It felt like I was the only one that gave a damn," he yelled," My bad…Sorry for yelling. What is his name?"

"Mercury Black," I revealed," Dad and I want to help, too."

"Tai?" He narrowed his eyes," Are you serious?"

"He said indirectly and doesn't want either of us to be reckless about it," I explained," Which is why I can't be a huntress at thirteen."

"Were you planning to do it alone?"

"Yes," I admitted and looked away.

"Well, guess the apple doesn't fall far from the trees," he smiled," Akame, Thank you for telling me. In exchange, I'll tell you something you don't know about her."

"Really?"

"Yep," he nodded," Do you know her maiden name?"

"No?" I answered. I assume Black was her maiden name and didn't realize it until now.

"Don't freak out because it will make things much more complicated for everyone involved," he remarked.

"How bad could it be?" I know I'm going to regret those words.

"Martha's maiden name is Martha Schwarz."

"That's a nice name."

It took me a moment to comprehend the significance of her last name until it finally hit me.

"WHAT!"

A/N: You know if their one thing I can take away from RWBY: Ice Queendom. If a Nightmare Grimm tries to possess Akame, that thing gets absorbed into her with no issue. And likewise in the spin-off and my story, Akame would end up empowering that Nightmare Grimm inside Weiss just by being near her.

Does this mean Akame has no place in Ice Queendom? She has a place and a major one.

I'm not saying how but it is true Akame would view Weiss as a noble brat and Weiss would dislike Akame due to Atlas propaganda. But I already have a plan in place to bring another AgK character back that still works in RWBY and my fanfic lore. Akame's nightmare made real.

Ice Queendom arc is a long way off anyway and the season would be done by then. The current roadmap is Vacuo, Schwarz/Black, and Huntsmen Exam. And those are happening when she's between 14-15. For now, it will be family bonding. Akame needs another break before she deals with more problems.

Now please leave reviews. I do read every word of it.