Chapter 36: Spotlight and Crosshair

A/N: The more I think about it, the more I realize Akame is a group project where everyone hates each other. In other words, I accidentally created Ichigo. I swear this isn't on purpose, She doesn't have a Faunus trait.

*Look at Raven*

Still no, the show doesn't show us the origin of Faunus yet. I suspect Qrow and Raven are a hint to it.

I might as well go all in with the Shounen tropes.

Countdown: 1 Months and 3 Weeks until the Exam

"No way. That has to be her," Taiyang watched from afar with his daughters. He sees his daughter sitting at a cafe with a shirtless boy. Tai wanted to get closer and maybe put the boy in a friendly chokehold and ask about his intent. They're only five blocks away. He'll make it.

Akame wasn't wearing much of a disguise. Her hair is slightly messy with the ends having a slight curl, and she wears an all-white dress, her favorite red-laced sandals, and sunglasses. The soon-to-be huntress forgoes any major disguises. She didn't bother to keep her hair dyed.

"She's laughing," Yang stared through her binoculars. The blonde could see the boy frantically moving his arms around," No way! That isn't my sister."

"Lemme see!" Ruby jumped up to reach for Yang's binoculars before funneling her hands to make a scope. She squirted through one eye," OH! That must be Akame's boyfriend."

"NO!" Tai and Yang turn toward the twelve-year-old girl.

"How do you even know that word?" Yang fumed.

"I'm not a little girl! And you have a-" Ruby was silent as Yang pounced on her little sister.

"Arf!" A corgi hopped on the railings," Arf! Arf!"

It has been barely a day since the Xiao-Long/Rose family landed in Vacuo and got a place within the city to rent out. Glynda Goodwitch helped escort the family and is currently staying in the Academy. She told them to keep her arrival a secret. She's leaving soon but will come back to observe Akame's exam.

Which leads to the family coincidentally spying on Akame from afar. Yang called the family up to the roof of where they're staying when she used her 'twin telepathy to locate Akame.'

In reality, Qrow pointed it out to Yang, gave her two binoculars, and then called everyone to the roof. The drunkle disappeared without Yang noticing. He needed their arrival to be kept a secret from Akame.

There are a few tribe members he needs to deal with.

Qrow flew to a second-story apartment over a restaurant. The apartment had most of the windows closed and cameras scanning the vicinity.

He carefully sneaks into a slightly open window and out of sight. They wouldn't suspect a bird.

The room is bathed in darkness with hums of electrical equipment and the clicking of scrolls. An air conditioner keeps the electronics and the occupants cool. The only source of light is from the monitors observing the date, several areas of interest, and the hotel the family is staying in.

Qrow switches off his crow form and walks toward two tribe members snapping pictures of the family across the street. The Huntsman's footsteps were soft against the concrete floor. They're too engrossed in their job to notice his hands reaching toward them.

He tapped Akame's soldiers on their backs.

They jumped and ready their weapons.

"Clam down, kiddos," he raised his hands," I know you are eyeing those three up on the roof. They're friendly, and I need you to keep quiet about it?"

The two tribe members looked at each other. The tribe member with a pink comb over and shaved sides turned on the lights and sighed. The young teen slouched his shoulder.

"Two kids and one adult. There is a dog too but that isn't important," the pink-haired hair said," The blondes must be father and daughter. And I'm guessing the black hair one is your little girl?"

"Ru-" Qrow stopped himself," The girl in red is his daughter. They're all his daughters, including your boss."

"Akame briefly mentioned a family," A young woman with platinum hair put her daggers away," Why should we overlook them?"

"I will knock you two out and destroy this room," Qrow threatened, "I need to keep this a surprise. She hasn't seen them in over 10 months."

Qrow wondered if he should print business cards featuring answers to all the commonly asked questions.

'Yes, I'm drunk but that doesn't affect my performance.'

'I'm not homeless.'

'No, Ruby isn't my daughter, stop asking about it.'

'Yes, I'm single and a professional lover. Please leave your number here:_'

"Secret safe," the pink-haired tribe member put a finger to his lips," We aren't ordinary tribesmen if we know her identity. We're Night Raid and proud of it, Brawnz Ni reporting in as Akame's shadow," Brawnz saluted," Sup Drunkle Qrow."

Militia kept calling him Drunkle, and now it is stuck within Akame's friend group. It's a term used in endearment. They respect the old Qrow for everything he did.

"I'm guessing the last group got wiped out," Qrow shook his head," And stop calling me drunkle."

The previous Night Raid members, the same ones that stole the Lamp, were hunted down and eliminated even in the safety of tribal territory. Qrow wonders why anyone would join a group with high casualties. Maybe the people that join are looking for their death.

"Ah c'mon, That's how you treat me after I'm stationed back in Vacuo," Brawnz laughed," I'm not winning, but Cali can pull it off."

The woman gritted her teeth but kept her facade.

"You seem strong," Qrow observed the woman.

Qrow started making note of Akame's top fighter.

'Hardened red eyes, bullet wounds on her dark olive skin, likely an indigenous local of North West Sanus, dress light but ready for combat and survival in the desert, and enough blades on her body that a hug is life-threatening,' He thought to himself,' And carried herself with confidence. Akame picked a good one.'

She simply nodded and crossed her arms.

"I'm one of the best," She uttered confidently. She was one of the strongest Royal Guards for former Queen, Gillian Asturia. Cali considered herself invincible until Akame proved her wrong.

"How do you compare to Akame? You have to make sure she doesn't go home early."

"Aren't you watching her?" She narrowed her eyes. Their red eyes stared with intensity and caution, waiting for the other to make their first move.

"Aight, I'll leave," he opened a window, leaped out, and disappeared into the crowd below.

Cali collapsed to her knees and whined. The visage of a battle-hardened warrior disappeared instantly, replaced with a softer expression. Cali ran a hand through her long, platinum hair.

"Are you related to the Branwen's by any chance?"

"No!" She raised her voice," Just because we have red eyes doesn't mean we are related. Look, My eyes are a paler red, almost orange even."

"I thought we were about to get our ass kicked," Brawnz sweatdropped.

"We? Don't you mean me? If I can't beat Akame, and Akame can't beat Qrow…What chance do I have? You teens are going to be the death of me!" She complained crossing her arms again," We tell the half-truth on this one. There's a surprise for her, but we won't reveal what it is."

"Do you think she knows?"

"Akame detected May looking through a scope half a kilometer away, stared directly at her, and waved. She is going to text us on what we know," Cali revealed.

"Which May? I know two."

"The refugee from Mistral," She clarified.

"Zedong?" He sighed," We should all have a proper get-together one day."

"Yes, I wish we can. Akame is very serious about following a script. I still don't understand, no offense to all of you, why inexperienced recruits are in on her identity."

"Maybe she sees potential in Copper or a good fighter like you," He motioned," For me, it was a matter of convenience, but May is an odd one. She tried killing Akame and is still trying."

"I don't understand what the boss is thinking," She checked her scroll.

"That's the boss?"

Cali nodded and replied.

Akame PoV

"It's a surprise but isn't a bad one," I mumbled to myself.

"I didn't know you like puns," Sun smirked as if he was getting ready to throw more bad puns at me.

"It reminds me of home," I gently shake my strawberry iced tea," Even the drink reminds me of them."

Ruby and Yang love strawberries. The plate of cookies in front of me reminded me of the little Cookie Monster. Rube would have vacuum-cleaned the plate by now. The cookies are good but don't compare to how Yang makes them. She got the recipe from her late mother, Summer Rose. I wish I could meet her.

How long has it been since I talked to my family?

I'm opening up to him, but not everything. So no naming names or getting into detail about my relationship with them. It's hypocritical compared to what I did. I did an in-depth background check on all my friends without their knowledge. Umber called me out over it, but I told her our safety was more important.

I can trust them to varying degrees.

Sun is a good friend. He has been texting me often and checking on my well-being. Initially, I didn't text him back, but after three or four months, I would respond with a few words. Recently, We have had entire conversations over the scroll. I assumed he wanted something from me but his intention was pure hearted.

I can't even push him away without feeling like I kicked a puppy.

"My dad and one of my sisters like to make unfunny jokes, dad jokes and puns, respectively. I roll my eyes at it and ignore their attempt to make me laugh," I revealed," I didn't know how good it was until it's gone."

"You're homesick," he pointed out," I'm gonna go out on a limb and say you can't call them because of who you are."

My enemies already know about my family. They can't do anything against them but could bring in a third party. I imagine the news and paparazzi finding 'leaked' calls and invading my family's privacy. That's my life. The spotlight and crosshair will always be on me.

Do I need to overcome this world to reach my dream?

Sure, I'll do it. If the world comes after me, I'll go after it.

"I could have contacted them a month ago. I can't risk it because I love them," I admitted and adjusted my shades. I took a risk and showed my real eyes to Sun.

The reveal caught him off guard. Sun was at a loss for words and I needed to snap my figure to get him to focus. I never had someone react like that.

"Sorry, Your eyes are…good," he fumbled his words. Your family would be happy to see who you become. Vernal said You hate socializing."

What is she gossiping about now? I don't hate socializing. I hate socializing with strangers. I'll hang out with friends, and it just so happens Sun is the only friend available.

Drew is in school. Gwen is an acquaintance at best. Umber is still lost in the desert. Vernal and Militia got duties in the west. Fox is watching Umber. Copper and Brawnz have no excuses and follow a 'bro code' of lying about where they're at and giving Sun a chance with me. They're watching this date with the rest of Night Raid. Granted, I only hired four so far, counting those two.

Boys…

"My family would see this and think it's a date," I uttered, and felt a chill run down my spine. It can't be. My father and sisters aren't here.

It's a surprise but isn't a bad one.

I'm overreacting. Homesickness is messing with my sense of logic. It must be a gift or an event. It's likely not a threat to me and at worst, an annoyance.

"You? Me? I mean we are just friends hanging out and aauumm…talking like normal coup-people," he slipped up and tried to play it off," A couple of friends. You look great today for someone sweaty and dirty in the desert for a week. I mean…Crap, Pretty and beautiful day today!"

Sun quickly stuffed his mouth with food.

Somehow, He made it worse.

"Pretty you-no I mean, You're average. Eh-above average. No uhm," he awkwardly grabbed a drink with his tail and drank it," What I mean is pretty much."

"Thank you for caring," I interjected. Sun stopped his rambling and looked away.

*Thump* Thump* Thump*

I can hear his heart pounding in his chest.

I went to the tribal compound, took a lengthy shower, broke into the hostage room(Militia) to use her lip gloss, and put on my spare clothes. Qrow didn't want me to come home yet for whatever reason. So I decided to hang out with friends. But most of them are busy. Thus leading to this moment.

We finished our drink and dessert in silence until I spoke up again.

"My stay in Vacuo would've been boring without you."

"Uhm, no problem. I'm glad I met you. You're the reason why I come to Vacuo often."

"Why did you take an interest in me?" Besides being attracted to me. He should be thanking two out of three close friends for encouraging him.

"You seem depressed even with your friends. I could tell when a smile is fake," he answered," I figured you're going through some stuff."

Is my smile fake? I wanted to feel free from my burden and have an alibi when I decided to have a girl's night after defeating the Crown. Yet it felt like I was…disembodied.

This is the same cafe Melanie passed out drunk at while Militia was back home. I decided to mess with Militia over it even if she wasn't the one black-out drunk. I told the girls the truth, but we aren't letting this one down.

It has become a regular spot my friends and I visit. I get half off of drinks and food. This place is a safe spot since the owner knows who I am after coming for months.

I'm slowly becoming the worst-kept secret in Vacuo. Yet the people don't make a big deal out of it besides discreetly asking for my autograph or giving me stuff discounted or free. A few locals even invited me to hang out with them. I declined every time.

A wordless oath to keep my existence a secret.

"Is my smile still fake?" I asked.

"Nope," he took out his scroll and took a picture of me," It's as real as the sun witnessing you in the morning and the moonlight."

Smooth…

"Are you sure we aren't on a date?" I tapped on the table

It is, but I won't admit it, neither will Sun.

"I dunno. That's up to you," he deflected.

I lifted the drink to my lips and slowly took a sip. I wanted to buy myself some time. That's clever and uncharacteristic of Sun to recite poetry. I'm guessing one of the boys told Sun to say it. I bet it's Copper.

He showed me the picture of me smiling at him. I thought I had a poker face the entire exchange. How could I not notice my lips?

"You don't have to answer it. You need to focus on proving the world wrong and leave Vacuo happy with all you have done to improve yourself," Sun assured," You can do it."

"Thank you, Sun," I smiled and felt genuine.

Sun isn't the only one who helped me. It's the friends and family that support me. It's all the more reason to push forward.

I'll be prepared for whatever comes next.

Third PoV

Down the Street from the Cafe

"Thank God he didn't screw the line."

"That idiot called a girl smelly and dirty," May said from a nearby building," Why is a sniper this close to a target."

"You're still trying to kill her?" Copper Alistar communicated through her earpiece," You even lost an eye this time."

May reached for her eyepatches and turned toward a specific direction. She lifted the eyepatch to show a perfectly normal eye.

"No, This eye contains the ultimate power to defeat the demon Queen!" She shouted," My bullet shall pierce the heavens and come down to strike her in hell!"

Silence accompanies the other end of the earpiece.

"What? I can't have style?"

"Not when that style handicaps you," he said," Why the eyepatch? Be real with me."

"It's a badass look, okay! Perfect for me! Maybella Ze Dang, the deadeye of the Mystic Forest of Anima," She moved animatedly. Passersby ignoring the weird girl in the alleyway.

"Ya, it's cool until someone goes to your left side, dummy," Copper gives in.

Copper point was proven a second later.

"He got a point," Qrow whispered into her left ear.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaa!" She leaped back and pushed her back against the wall, aiming her sniper rifle.

"Told you," Copper laughed until he started gasping for breath.

"It's out of ammo," Qrow pointed at May's sniper rifle, unfazed as he stared down the barrel.

"How? I just-"May's hand reach the empty mag well. The sniper lowered her rifle with a deadpan expression," Can I have it back?"

"You can still shoot. There's one in the chamber," Qrow smirked and tossed the magazine back to her. She loaded the sniper rifle and put it on safety only to realize it was still safe.

"What? How?" She frantically checked her sniper rifle. She made sure it wasn't a mechanical error.

"Bad luck? You still have much to learn, deadeye," he walked over and patted May on the head," That's why she picked you. Same for you, too."

Fox's uncle, Copper Alistar, is only a year older than his nephew, and are often mistaken as brothers. He hasn't been training as much as Fox until recently. Although, Becoming a fighter is secondary to his true aspiration.

"Hello, fellow uncle," he waved while approaching his partner," How many cells have you uncovered so far?"

"Just two," Qrow counted and walked away," I'll look around for a bit. I doubt there are more Night Raid members since she reformed it yesterday. Akame's family is in town, and she isn't aware of it yet. They're equally Night Raid's responsibility to protect."

"I owe you two everything," Copper saluted.

"Aight, But don't get yourself killed."

"If I die, who is going to save others?" He bantered.

"My liver is fine, Doc," Qrow deadpanned and left the area.

Akame PoV

They're all giving me vague answers, All four of them. My uncle works fast. This is Qrow kindly saying how easy it would be to dismantle my assets. I'm glad he understands what I'm up to. My fledgling NR aren't up to standard even if they ambush my uncle. They're all I have in Vacuo.

I need protection since the majority of the resources are diverted westward. The Tribe and the Crown are coming back during the exam. Theodore and I will need all the help we can get.

"Fun day today, huh?" Sun nudged my shoulder. He wanted to escort me home. I couldn't say no.

"I enjoy it," I nodded. Sun slows his steps to celebrate his small victory while I keep pace and stare at my texts.

Qrow: Are you heading home, Icy?

He is planning something. What could it be? Another attempt to ambush me? Maybe, there's a party?

I close my phone and beckon Sun to hurry. He gasped in surprise when I grabbed his hand and dragged him to my house.

The closer we got to home, the more cautious I became. There is a feeling in the pit of my stomach crawling toward my heart. I don't know if it's a good or bad thing. It's like a perpetual sense of eagerness and dread.

"Are you okay?" He coughed," You're holding my hand a little too tight."

Crap. I don't want to send that kind of message. We're friends and nothing more. I let go immediately. I'm not dense. I know some of my friends want to be more than friends. But relationships are a waste of time for someone like me. Never mind, I'm technically a young woman among boys and girls.

Did I die old? I don't remember. I feel more mature than those in my age range, but not by much.

Sun and the rest of us are going through puberty. I would feel sick to my stomach taking advantage of him.

Then again, I always wonder what it's like. Did I even have a proper childhood in my old life? Maybe I loved someone but can't remember them anymore? Do I even love? No, I will banish those thoughts.

"Sorry, Sun," I apologize," Stay back, I have a strange feeling that something will happen when I walk through the door."

We stood at the base of the ramp leading to the front gate. I tried focusing on sensing the aura within the house but couldn't.

Impossible.

I know there are people inside, but I can't sense them. So it's an ambush involving a few members of Night Raid. They must be suppressing their aura if I can't detect them.

I push open the gate and walk into the front yard.

There is no one here?

I stood ready to be attacked, but the air didn't feel hostile. The exercise equipment is in varying states of damage. The once flat, sandy surface is now a landscape of miniature mountain ranges and deep valleys.

The house seems neat. My uncle must have been doing repairs. Meanwhile, Umber and I were on our wilderness survival training. I still find it odd that I can't detect the people inside the house. I counted three signatures and one very small one.

They aren't enemies. My asset or Theodore would catch them before they set foot in the city. I've already won the espionage war against Ms. Malachite. The MIA branch of Vacuo is gutted (literately in some cases) and in hiding.

I took a deep breath and opened the door.

I must have passed out in the desert. They can't be here. They shouldn't be here.

I couldn't prepare for this instance. Because I can't comprehend it.

They didn't bother to hide and pop out like a surprise party.

Silver eyes and a pair of lilac eyes. Even Zwei is here.

Their warmth embraces me, yet their voice becomes muffled in my ear. My arms couldn't come up because they pinned it to my side. It leaves me feeling vulnerable, yet I feel safe.

Ten months.

Ten years.

It's all the same, even if the years turn into centuries, millennia, and then eons. Even if it turns out to be infinite, I'll still reach out.

I could never plan for home to come to this house.

A/N: Sun and Akame's date idea was inspired by a meme video that is probably still on my YouTube feed. I hinted at it with one word. The vibe of it makes it easy for me to get into a romantic writing mood.

This chapter has a bit of Sun x Akame. It's Black Sun but Akame would never slap Sun or get mad at him for following her. In terms of shipping, I just tease it. Other characters would want to be with her, not just the boys. I hinted at it with one of the girls on Akame's team.

Neopolitan was also a romance option. But after how I wrote Akame, Neo is either going to be too afraid or the fear just excites her more.

If I wrote this from Sun's perspective, it would be the most lovey-dovey writing I have ever done. And It would seem like they're into each other when in reality Akame isn't interested. But she's too kind to say no.

If a relationship works better as I write a potential couple, then I would go with it. It is more fluid in my opinion if a ship develops that way.

TLDR for the rest of the author notes: Talent(semblance) vs. Hard Work(Aura mastery). But if talent is trained, then hard work won't catch up. For example, If Ruby and Akame race without using their semblance, Akame wins all the time. But if Semblance is allowed, Ruby will always win.

Long version:

A huntsman could train their aura to emulate some semblances, boost base stats, increase recovery, and open up more room for versatility. The explanation makes Marcus Black's idea that semblances are a clutch would make sense. In the show, Marcus' ideals seem like a handicap rather than an alternate route for power. There isn't much focus on aura techniques so I filled in the blanks. At the same time, trying to not make it too complex.

Using aura to explode Grimm was seen in volume 1 with Ren and volume 2 with Fox. There was a plan for it early on. I'll reveal more about how mastery of aura works because it's not based on Haki, Nen, or other power systems although I could take some inspiration. But whatever I can dig up and speculate from the limited/retcon/forgotten lore of RWBY.

And Dust usage is a different branch I'm not getting into yet. Mastery would make you a Maiden-lite.

*Look over at Weiss, who has a powerful semblance and is likely the Dust expert on team RWBY.*

*The same Weiss that only won once in a 1v1 against a human opponent.*

She's still best girl.

Night Raid members:

Cali Devi, age 21

May Zedong, age 14

Brawnz Ni, age 14

Copper Alistar, age 16

More to be added.

Fun fact: Three out of the four members of Night Raid die in canon. While Cali Devi is my OC. She did die by sacrificing herself in the original timeline. Night Raid is made up of living corpses. Akame's main team, Vernal and Umber, are dead. There is a theme going on with all of them.

Maybe they survive this time?