Chapter 30: Side Story

A/N: I originally wanted Ruby and Yang to have the most chemistry with Akame in this story. But Ruby and Yang only knew Akame for a few years. Militia and Vernal met Akame when they were six. Umber grew up with her. So naturally, The majority of the chemistry would be from those four. Up until a certain point in the story where Akame can finally hang out with her sisters in relative peace.

I'm also splitting the story into two fanfictions. The next one is going to be the canon timeline. The word count on this current is getting astronomically high. Luffy is going to find One Piece before this fic is even finished.

EDIT: What I mean is the 2nd fanfiction is the continuation of this one. Regardless, Akame is still going to be involved in vol 1-2 but not by much. She got other plans outside of Vale. Besides Akame yelling at Ozpin over Ruby entering early. And Oz told Akame she became a huntress at 14 and caused a lot of younger students to join.

We spent half of the night defeating the Crown and the other half was a blur of activity and insanity. Girls' Night is an alibi for any injuries or damage Ver and I incurred during the operation.

The night went great for us. Robyn was kind and gave me 4,800 liens to spend. She was happy with how the operation turned out when Vernal and I debriefed her about it. She liked how we avoided casualties, rescued the hostages, and caused as little commotion as possible. I split the money four ways between my friends.

We visited a lot of places and spent most of the money. I bought souvenirs to send to my sisters, a weapon maintenance kit, clothes, and a few other minor stuff. Vernal and Miltia bought make-up, clothes, and some jewelry. Umber barely spent any money on herself, besides weapon upgrades, and paid for Vernal tattoos. Which is surprisingly kind of her. I didn't expect she would willingly give Vernal money.

The trouble started when we walked past an outdoor bar at around 6 am. Some girls were already up early and whispering amongst themselves about Umber, Militia, and I. Vernal is unnoticed like usual.

Umber didn't like their tone and things got out of hand. As it turns out, It wasn't an easy battle. Those girls had their aura unlocked plus training. Umber didn't let me fight despite my protest.

I'll help if weapons are drawn or one side is winning a little too much.

Mil took one look at the chaos and stole a full bottle of Swan Vodka and walked down the street.

She left me to deal with the problems.

I think their names are Dew, Gwen, and Octavia. It was over us being tourists with money. I'm guessing the Mistral accent gives it away.

Umber won the 3 vs. 1 fist fight but she ended up with bruises due to her abysmal aura level compared to the girls who have much more. The fighting drew a large crowd taking bets. Vernal hyped up the fight and enabled it further. I pretended I didn't know Vernal. Vernal bet in Umber's favor and won a lot of liens.

It lasted 5 minutes and Umber knocked out two of them. I stepped in when Gwen started throwing knives.

I ruined my coat trying to break up the fight and we had to scramble when the cops arrived. We would have been caught if it wasn't for a Faunus boy leading us to safety. He said his name is Sun. The boy apologized for his people's rude behavior and helped us locate Militia.

We found Militia at a cafe. She was heavily intoxicated but otherwise fine.

I also got peer pressure into getting the blonde numbers courtesy of Vernal and a barely functional Militia. I'm not calling him back nor will I let my uncle know about it. Despite his chill attitude to our antics, He draws the line on talking to boys.

We walked to the compound and dropped off all our stuff with the Happy Huntresses. Vernal insisted we have a sleepover. I initially said no until Vernal won't stop following me. Robyn drove all of us home.

We picked a spot to fall asleep once we arrived.

Vernal slept in the living room with Militia. She got her water and a trash can before they knocked out. I carried Umber to my room where I patched her up and fell asleep, too.

It's currently 3 pm when my uncle woke us all up.

We were in the living room being interrogated. I sit on the couch with Umber lying on my lap. She's covered in bandages and wrapped like a mummy. Vernal is getting a large glass of juice from the kitchen with a side of crackers for Militia. Militia is slumped in the chair messaging her head.

"Akame Branwen, Umber Karolina, Miltia Malachite, and Vernal Easter," My uncle spoke slowly. He looked at us with a smile," What did all of you do last night?"

That's a loaded question.

"It's going to take a while to explain it all," I told him."

"Start from the top," he crossed his arms," What's the damage."

"So what did you learn today about drinking Ms. Miltia Malachite?"

The underage drinker is the one in the most trouble. I thought she would be smarter and not finish half a bottle of Vodka. I didn't even know she could do that without dying of alcohol poisoning.

My instinct telling me something is off.

I want to believe she got tired of Vernal and Umber being their chaotic self. Militia is acting very aggressively. She was even wearing a different outfit when I came to pick her up last night. I focus my aura sensing on her.

"That it should be left to the professional," she responded to my uncle.

"No, try again," He shook his head, offended.

That can't be right?!

I try remembering what aura color the twins have.

Militia's aura color is jade green.

Melanie's aura color is malachite green.

"That I shouldn't steal the booze," she slurred the words.

"No."

"What is it drunkle Qrow?" She insults.

"You're so grounded once you sober up," Qrow sighed. Melanie falls back asleep.

How the hell did they switch places? And why didn't I notice sooner? When did they switch?

"She's a mean drunk," Vernal pointed out. What she did next took us by surprise. She made a halo out of ice. Then she somehow set the ice on fire," It seems I'm the only law-abiding citizen here."

Am I the only one that noticed?

"The mistakes are right on your skin," My uncle stared at the outlines," And you! Akame, I expected better from you."

"I'm sorry, I should have avoided conflict in the first place instead of-"

"No," he interrupted me."I'm upset you didn't back Umber in the fight."

I lowered my head.

"I ask her to stay out of it. Akame fighting would be unneeded exposure, Militia, understandably, left us, and Vernal can't fight for shit," Umber mumbled," And I handled it."

"It doesn't look like you did," my Uncle stared at the wrapping.

"It isn't as bad as it looks," Umber grunted as she dragged herself up," Akame overdid the bandages. Heh, if you think this is bad, those Vacmin look even worse."

"Who taught you that slang?" Qrow raised his voice.

Those Vacuo girls and Ver were offended by that word.

"I won't snitch."

My uncle shook his head. He takes a moment to think about his next words.

"The training is delayed until tomorrow but otherwise, You're all grounded," His eyes wander on all of us," And that includes the Spring Maiden and the hostage."

"Bu-But we aren't your kids," Vernal talked back.

"The punishment is coming to my Huntsman classes," he ordered," Five days a week until Akame turns fourteen and starts the licensing exam."

"Oh? That's it?" Vernal grinned," I don't mind learning."

"We were expecting much worse," I said.

"Ya…NO," Umber deadpanned," I don't want to be with her."

"It'll be fun! Like the good old days when we studied at Militia and Melanie's place," Vernal nodded," Right?"

My uncle chuckled.

"Vivi, I'm going to put you through training meant for young adults and you won't use your maiden powers," he explained," I'm putting you through hell. Understood?"

Vernal's smile dropped. That's the face of someone who never physically challenged herself. I doubt she feels the heat of Vacuo since she keeps a cold air bubble around her at all times.

Melanie isn't going to be happy either. I'm going to interrogate her when she wakes up. I figured it was a semblance. My mother had a portal semblance so a switch semblance isn't out of the ordinary.

But at least we got away with assimilating the Crown. We have contingencies if it leaks but the Crown wouldn't want to be arrested either. I don't even care if Fang contacts me or not. I already got what I needed.

11 pm

Melanie and I look at each other from across the yard. The two of us needed a place to talk. I let my uncle know so he doesn't check up on us. We fade into the darkness with the light from the house behind our backs.

"Which one of you has a teleportation semblance?" I asked her," You're a great actress, Melanie. I didn't know you switched places with your sister until this morning. You should pursue acting instead of inheriting a crime syndicate."

"Thank you," She smiled," I can see why my sister looked up to you. We would have made a great partner in crime if only you worked for us."

There is an air of hostility between us. Melanie isn't here to be my friend. I can sense her hatred and respect toward me. I don't know why but I assume it's her mother's influence. I don't think I did anything to make her hate me.

Melanie felt like the extension of her will and power. She has the same cold, calculating eyes and unbreakable confidence. I have the power to cut her down with ease yet a feeling of unease well up inside me.

"She knows you're here."

"You're on the wrong side, Melanie."

"And? Do you even know which side you are on? Grimm child?"

That video.

My uncle and the rest of Ozpin's inner circle know what Salem did to me. I can't believe Ms. Malachite told her daughter the truth. There is going to put a bigger bounty on Melanie's back.

"I will become a Huntress to redeem myself," I told her.

"How about you start by destroying the tribe like promised, Aka-sama," she narrowed her eyes," A righteous hero shouldn't be socializing with villains."

"Kettle calling the pot black?" I countered," I don't want to fight. Whatever your mother is doing shouldn't concern you."

Melanie thought about it for a moment but shook her head.

"I wish, but standing around like a pampered princess isn't going to help me," She explained," I will get stronger by any means necessary but it won't be because of you."

"Good luck," I said genuinely.

"I don't need your pity," She growled.

"Can you answer a question for me?"

"What is it?" She snapped back.

"Militia is telling the truth about leaving her family behind but I can't understand why? Does she disagree with what her mother is doing?"

"That's not the sister I know," Melanie laughed," She doesn't care about the people suffering. Mil is a coward. She only cares about surviving and letting others carry her to victory. She will jump ship the moment you fall. For me? I want to thrive on my power. Get it?"

I didn't expect the answer. This whole time, I thought Militia felt the same about her mother. I don't know my friends very well.

"Thank you for letting me spend some time with the girls, again," She nodded," But from henceforth, You are now my enemy."

"It's never too late to stop all this."

"It's too late the moment you killed that Specialist. We should have never associated with you," She turned her back to me," Hey sis, Switch with me."

Melanie disappeared in a green flash followed by Militia standing where she stood.

She looked at me and gulped. She wore a long green dress with her hair braided down the middle. She held a small envelope in her hand. I can't walk into the house explaining this. It looks like I need to tell Uncle Qrow the truth. I can't hide it.

"Nice semblance," I told her," How did you discover it?"

She fidgeted with the envelope and could barely keep eye contact with me. That is without a doubt, Militia.

"When I was watching the movie with Robyn and her team," she revealed," I excused myself when I heard Mel speak to me. It was like she was right in front of me."

I motion for her to keep going.

"I reached out and suddenly, I was back home," she revealed," We switched while Mel was having lunch with Mother. I was totally scared of what she would do to me and I nearly switched again."

This is awful. Melanie and by extension, her mother would know about my alliance with the Happy Huntress. I need to warn them about it.

"Yet you stayed for almost 24 hours," I analyzed," Your mother and sister still love you. Melanie got drunk so you can spend more time with her."

"She did what?" Militia blinked.

"an entire bottle of vodka like it's nothing."

My mother loved me and I backstabbed her. It took every inch of my willpower not to start shaking at the memory.

She opened the envelope and held a handwritten letter right in front of me. The words seem to grow in the dark.

Why isn't she handing it to me?

"Mother wants you to read this. She wrote it in dust-lace ink if you are reading it in the dark," Militia explained," I'm using my aura to activate it."

That makes sense. I had to tell Vernal not to get a subdermal dust implant with her tattoos last night. I didn't care if it would make her look cool with the glow effect. She is going to burn her tattoos off.

"We need to check that dress for bugs," I looked at the dress.

"It should be fine. This is like my personal clothes," she said.

I read the letter and Militia looked away.

It felt like the world suddenly came crashing down on me once I read the first sentence.

How are you enjoying your reincarnation? How many times have you died and come back? All for what? More deaths and destruction?

I would love to speak to you but a letter is more secure and easier to get rid of. But I also need to make it quick.

I haven't told the others about what I know. But I wouldn't be surprised if they suspect it. Here is the deal, the war between us is inevitable. Neither of us will let the other go free. So let's keep it between our people. I won't attack your family in Patch and you will make sure Militia stays out of it.

I know what you're planning. You originally wanted to destroy the tribe but can't because that would leave you alone and vulnerable. But instead of an active role, You decide to run it by proxy.

Lucky for you, I have no proof of it.

Afterward, You will take the Huntsman exams and work to be the shining beacon of heroism. While moving through the shadows and making deals to expose and take me down. The people will cheer for their hero after liberating them from their tyrant.

Akame, We both know that isn't how it will work.

This is what will going to happen:

Civil War. The People will choose sides. I bring orders to Mistral. Your kind bought nothing but chaos.

I know you're an assassin from a past life. Do you think you're capable of unifying the people when all you know how to do is kill?

You couldn't even rationalize not killing your mother. Akame, You aren't here to help Remnant. You're just another Salem.

How close am I to the truth? Shinigami~

How.

HOW.

How does she know so much?

She must have a mind-reading semblance because this goes beyond deductive reasoning and intel gathering. What the hell is she?

How can I fight against someone that knows my every move?

I need to calm myself down. She's trying to get into my head. I took a step back and breathed.

Suddenly, the paper catches fire. It turns into ashes within seconds. I look at Militia's sad expressions.

"Final order from my mother is to destroy the evidence," Militia said monotone.

"You're not here because you disagree with your mother."

"Why should I care for those beneath me?" She raised her voice. I clenched my fists.

"I thought you were better than this?" I stared at her.

"Then you don't understand your friends," She rubbed her eyes," If it was up to me, I don't want anyone to fight. I just want everything to go back to normal!"

Silence.

I didn't know what to say to her. What am I supposed to say in this situation? Especially if I don't fully believe my own words.

"Are we just bodyguards to you?"

I'm disappointed in Militia. But she has a point. I want to live my life without needing to fight and kill.

"Yes," She answered truthfully," There is still a chance this can be resolved without fighting."

"You need to accept it, Militia," I told her," Unless your mother gives up her ambition or I betray myself, we can't."

I will not let the Empire rise again and she can't leave a threat to her rule alone.

The Empire.

Why do those words sound familiar but not related to Mistral?

"Although there is one certainty. Your mother and I want you to stay out of it," I told her.

"Is that it? I'm going to see my family and friends kill each other?" She said coldly," That's what I've been telling you this entire time. I'm being honest about what I want."

"I'm not going to kill them. I don't want to be that kind of person anymore," I convinced myself," I will not kill."

Malachite is wrong. I can escape my old life. I no longer have the memories to blunder me. I can do this.

"You promise?"

"I promise," I reached my hand out and she shook it," But you will need to learn how to defend yourself. Training starts tomorrow at 6 am."

Militia wanted to pull back but I held on tightly.

"Let's go in the house and tell my uncle about your semblance," I smiled.

Patch

1 month after Akame left

The month has been anxiety-inducing for the household of Rose-Xiao Long. There were constant movements in the wilderness as huntsmen and other law enforcement officials searched the area. The whole island was encircled and isolated within days of the sighting of Vernal Easter. The search eventually died down when they realized Vernal and her hostage left Patch undetected.

Yang and Ruby were fearful for their sister's well-being but learn they have escaped before the island is fully sealed off.

The household can't breathe a sigh of relief yet.

There have recently been two groups who seem to be at odds with one another. They stayed due to their suspicion of the family.

Those in white are Atlas Anti-Banditry Unit (AABU).

Those in purple are from the Mistral Intelligence Agency (MIA).

They occasionally come close to the Xiao-Long property and Raven grave site but are chased away by 'locals' within the area. As well as sabotaging each other's efforts to the point where none of them gets anything done. It took another week for the two agencies to permanently leave the island once Ozpin and Vale realized what was going on.

A month of intense surveillance has come to an end. It felt like they were walking through a crowded room with all eyes on them.

Taiyang sat in the kitchen wondering if that's how Akame and Umber felt throughout their childhood. They constantly need to be looking over their shoulder and watching their actions.

One slip-up and an entire army would be on them. It must have been suffocating for the children.

Tai decides it's best to let Akame and Umber have as much freedom as possible. They're mature girls for their age. But their maturity comes from living in harsh conditions and witnessing unspeakable horrors. He doubts they have much of a childhood to enjoy.

"Akame, Umber, Ruby, and Yang. I will be a better father from now on," he promised to himself," That's what Summer would have wanted."

Ruby sits in her room tinkling with a new weapon while Yang is nearby.

"Yang," Ruby sighed," I don't think we spent enough time with Akame."

"Sure we have," Yang countered, "We got to know her after two years. She'll be back the moment she gets her huntsmen license."

Ruby slowly nodded and continued with her work. The little girl wants to believe it's true and they do love each other. But Akame rarely speaks of her time before returning home. The few stories she does tell are inconsistent when she asks Umber about the same thing.

"Watcha doing? Making another gun for yourself," Yang leaned over.

Ruby checks the slide of the handgun. She already smelted and designed the components at school. She wanted to assemble it at home so her friends or teacher wouldn't ask who it was for.

"This is Akame congratulations gift," She picked up the integrated suppressor/barrel," Would she love it?"

"You're making Akame a handgun? She's more of a swordsman, Rube," Yang said," How about forging her a shorter sword instead?"

"I should but whether or not she uses the gun is up to her. She could use it as a jump boost with Gravity dust," Ruby smiled," Guns are always helpful."

"Akame can't use dust, remember?" Yang pointed out. She doesn't understand why Akame dust usage is nonexistent. Even a five-year-old can get a small spark out of lightning dust without training.

It is a mystery how Akame's plentiful aura isn't able to boost dust, not even slightly.

"Ah, crud, I forgot about that," Ruby pouted," I can put a small knife at the end of the handgun. It will slide out when you pull the handle back. And extended mags to compensate for low propositions. I'll tell Akame to use her aura to enhance the bullet."

Akame's bullet will hit harder if laced with her aura but lacks any elemental effect associated with dust. The propulsion is only going to be from the mechanical ignition. Instead of it being boosted further by aura-enhancing the dust inside the rounds.

"That could work," Yang pulled up her chair and sat next to Ruby," I want to see what it looks like."

Another 5 minutes have passed and the weapon is completed. It's a pistol with an integrated suppressor and chambered 9mm. The handle can slide back and a spring would release a double-edge dagger.

"Should I add a scope and laser sight? Maybe a retractable stock with extended rounds?" Ruby wondered while checking the chamber," I should make the barrel longer next time and add rails for the attachment."

"No," Yang gently put her hand on top of the gun," Keep it simple. You'll overwhelm Akame with all those extra bells and whistles."

"Yang," Ruby whispered," I don't know if I can lie any longer about Akame."

Yang leaned back in her chair.

"We aren't lying. We're keeping a secret."

"A lie is a lie," Ruby crossed her arms," Mom has always told us liars never win. She does, right?"

"Yep, Mom never lies," Yang echoed and privately thought,' She also didn't keep a promise.'

Yang was the last person to talk to Summer Rose before she left. It felt like a sixth sense that something is off. So she woke up, sneaked out of her house to see her mom. Summer spoke to her daughter before telling her to go home. She promised to return. Yang didn't know it was going to be the last time she sees her mom as she disappears into the tree line, a raven with red eyes watching her from afar.

She hopes Akame and Umber keep their promise to return.

"Yang, Can I become a Huntress sooner? Like Akame?"

"No, Dad made an exception for Akame," She sighed.

"You asked him too?" Ruby stared at the handgun.

"He didn't give me a straight answer but Akame needs to become a huntress early to redeem herself and save someone's life. He didn't say who it was but It's a personal mission," Yang smiled," So I heard you want to be as strong as her?"

Ruby nodded.

"I do too. It isn't going to be easy Rube. She's many steps ahead of us," Yang explained.

"I'll do whatever it takes to get stronger."

The sisters did train with Akame on occasion. But Tai and Qrow deemed it too dangerous. Akame prefers live rounds, metallic training dummies, and strict conditioning.

"At a safer pace," Yang added," Akame regiment isn't humane…"

"She doesn't hold back," Ruby stuttered," How could Umber stand it?"

Yang thought about it. The aura disparity between Akame and Umber is far larger. Akame needs to get hit Umber once to scatter her aura. While for Ruby and Yang, it takes less than a dozen.

"Umber is either insane, determined, or stupid," she explained," And she's the closest to Akame."

Akame trusts Umber the most. She shares her secrets and frustration with her. Akame had ruined her life by avenging or protecting her family. Ruby and Yang hope nothing happens to Umber in Vacuo. She is keeping Akame in check.

Akame PoV

At the same time

The month went by fast and everything has been running smoothly.

Militia semblance, Switch, is genuinely impressive. It doesn't require much aura to use and she can spam it. We recently learned it can work only with objects but not people with Melanie being the exception.

The semblance works well alongside her sister which is called Unity. I don't know the full extent of Melanie's semblance but according to Militia, it felt as if they were sharing a mind and an aura reserve even from afar. She hasn't made a connection since.

She has tied her hair in a low ponytail, a black sleeveless dress, and a green combat skirt with knives lining it.

Militia and I started our fight in the front yard. I challenged her to remove me from my spot. We stared at each until she attacked.

She threw three knives and I blocked each one of them. I can see her aura imprinted on those knives.

"Switch," She whispered and appeared to my left where one of the knives was. I responded by focusing left. She switched again but to the right, I countered right.

She disengaged by switching with the knife in front of me and throwing it forward. I caught it and quickly pump it with my aura so she doesn't use it to switch.

She hesitated.

Militia leaped into the air and threw more knives down.

I block the knives and her switch attacks. The knives landed all around me. There were at least a dozen knives on the ground. I couldn't tell which knives she would switch with but I'm always fast enough to react.

She teleported with such speed and precision that afterimages are left behind and a few of the knives levitated midair.

Suddenly, Militia slips on her knives. I kicked her in an instant and sent her flying back.

"This is totally not my fighting style," She huffed.

I sheathed Shūsen.

"It's the best one for your semblance," I told her," There is still room for your claws but you lack range."

Aura Slash solved my range issue but it's best used to destroy stationary/slow-moving targets.

"I guess you are right," She dusted herself off and got ready," Oh, And who knives are these?"

"Don't worry about it!" Umber yelled from the sideline," I found it!"

"She found it on someone!" Vernal responded. Umber beat up Gwen for them instead of buying it from the weapon shop.

"Lies, She found me and found out," Umber yelled back.

Those two are sitting next to each other. Why are they yelling?

You know what? Nevermind.

They aren't trying to kill each other. I'll be even more worried if they're completely silent.

Silence is not golden around those two.

I felt a ping in my cloak pocket and motioned for Militia to give me a moment.

I checked my scroll.

Carmella: Your new jacket has been lost in the desert

Aka: That's unfortunate. How is my order for the Royal Express?

Carmella: That can be arranged, ma'am.

I put away my phone. I interviewed Jax and the spear/crossbow woman 3 weeks ago. I decided to give them a chance. Those two proved they were a liability.

Crossbow almost exposed the tribe yesterday. Vernal buried her alive in quicksand. I didn't order her to do it but it has already been done. I ask her how deep she made it. She told me enough for a body to become a liquid.

Vernal worries me but she saved the tribe. I'll give her a pass on this one but forbid her from killing again.

Jax attempted a coup d'etat this morning. Wicker stopped him before he could mind-control several of my soldiers. Wicker forgives him for his transgression and assigns him to caravan duties. He was the only casualty. Carmine did a great job at making it seem like it was his fault. Jax clumsily falls into a pack of Grimm. We have video proof of it to alleviate any concerns.

A few Royal Guards met an unfortunate end in the past hour but I didn't order it. Gillian has eliminated the rebellious elements I wasn't even aware of. The truth about her father and Jax's death has been damaging to her mind. I'm trying to figure out what to do with her. Besides finding a therapist.

All in all, I didn't kill anyone, and no link to me. I need to make sure Umber or my Uncle doesn't find out about this.

"You still haven't forced me out of my spot."

Militia charged with knives between each finger.

The training resume.

A/N: Akame friends do represent a part of her.

Vernal represents her ability to kill. Militia's personality and leadership potential are much closer to Akame's. Umber is her heroic, strong-willed side.

They also have traits that are the opposite of Akame. Vernal will enjoy killing. Militia is selfish and only cares about those around her. Umber is brash and overconfident.

If you are wondering what an Akame handgun looks like, It's a Maxim-9. I decided to cameo a few canon characters in this chapter. You will still see them appearing once in a while like Sun Wukong. I'm not shipping those two since Akame lacks any romantic interest.

But I will admit, It could work after volume 9. Just ask Weiss. But it's mostly due to Jaune earning Akame's respect after becoming a proper leader but that's for the next story.