A/N: Another new awesome multi chaptered story idea from me! This chapter is just a prologue of things to come. This is set three years prior to the main story and following chapters. In this Yang, Weiss, and Blake are fourteen and Ruby is twelve. So quite young. Anyways, I hope you all enjoy this new AU I wanted to create. It's going to be pretty dark with lots of killing. Every major character in RWBY is going to be present in this new story of mine. I will have the update schedule for this up on my profile. Anyways I hope you enjoy my new story and prologue chapter! Winds of War; A Prelude of Things to Come!

~ I dedicate this chapter to Jacklyn Frost! Get your computer girl!~

~Thanks ClockPop for hanging out with me while I typed this!~

Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win. – Sun Tzu

3 years prior

"Come on Yang, wake up!" Ruby exclaimed happily as she bounced on the shared bed between the sisters.

Little did small Ruby know Yang had been awake for the past ten minutes listening in on the conversation she and their Mother had been having in the small house of theirs.

Today would be the day that Ruby and Yang would accompany their Uncle to the kingdom of Vale from their village. It wasn't a very long trip, just about a day on foot, but it'd be the girls' first time making the journey.

"Ugh, I'm awake Ruby. Now please stop jumping on the bed." Yang said exasperatedly.

The elder sister then pushed herself off of the bed and wiped her rebellious blonde hair out of her eyes as she scanned the small room.

She spotted Ruby off to her left side who was dressed in her regular town clothes. A dark red tunic with brown pants and sandals. But there was something hanging off her back behind her. Upon staring at her younger sister, it finally hit Yang.

"Uncle Qrow said we can bring our weapons?" Yang asked slightly confused as she continued to eye the small scythe on her younger sister's back.

Ruby smiled broadly and patted her weapon behind her before giving Yang a triumphant nod.

"He says that we need to learn how to be ready for anything. Something about a final lesson."

Yang smiled, before tying her blonde hair into a ponytail. Today indeed was going to be great. They'd get to go to the kingdom and bring their weapons?

"It's gonna be a great day, baby sis!" Yang shouted as she hurried to get dressed.

Quickly jumping out of her night wear, Yang found her faded yellow tunic and gray pants and sandals. She quickly hurried out into the kitchen area and spotted her mom; Summer sitting at the small wooden table.

"By the Gods Yang, why are you always so loud?" Summer asked with a hint of humor in her voice.

She got up from her seat and wrapped her eldest daughter in a tight embrace.

"Ah, Mom!" Yang cried out as she was being held. Yang fought against her mother's grasp until she heard the sounds of weighted footsteps hitting the wooden floor.

"Now now, Yang be kind to your mother. She's just worried about your girls, is all." A thunderous voice said suddenly.

Summer and Yang broke their embrace to stand and look towards the new figure that stood in the doorway of their kitchen.

It was Uncle Qrow.

Uncle Qrow was Summer's elder brother. He was a veteran of the guard of Vale. Retired and older now, he was still a fit man. His slicked back faded blonde hair still kept in military regulation. He wore his armored breastplate and leg guards. Both a smooth steel silver color with the imprint of a roaring lion stamped proudly on the chest piece. The symbol of his old unit when he was in the Army.

Attached to his back was his pride and joy; his massive great sword that hung in its brown leather scabbard.

Ember.

Yang more than anything wanted the massive sword. But as she was only fourteen, the sword was much too big and unwieldy for her small size. Although she could still swing it repeatedly before being winded; that she was extremely proud of. She was pretty strong for a girl her age.

Yang grumbled towards her Uncle but soon broke into a wide smile and thumped her right fist into her chest over her heart. A gesture her Uncle had taught her that served as a salute in the King's Army.

"Yes sir!" Yang proudly yelled out.

She turned back towards her mother and hugged her tightly, this time putting all her strength into the bear hug. Summer and Qrow both shared a laugh at the wild girl.

Not soon after, Ruby emerged from the bedroom, still wearing her wide smile that only widened further at the sight of her Uncle.

"Uncle Qrow!" Ruby threw herself into the tall armored man, who caught her gracefully and pulled her up onto his shoulder.

"If it isn't the fierce and mighty little Ruby! Are you ready for our journey?" Qrow asked the smaller girl.

"Yup! Me and Yang are all ready for our final lesson!"

"Yang and I" Summer corrected the younger daughter.

Ruby threw her mother a small frown, but the woman walked over and ruffled her hair.

"Make sure you take care of your Uncle on the trip girls! You know how he always needs someone to keep him on track." Summer continued while winking at her brother.

The older man chuckled slightly embarrassed before hugging his sister.

"I'm sure they will be more than happy to scold me when I do something wrong. If I mean." Qrow corrected, after earning himself a soft punch from Summer.

Turning towards both her daughters now though, Summer knelt down and hugged both Yang and Ruby tightly.

"Be careful. You both know I love you girls more than anything. Listen to everything your Uncle tells you and be back safe and sound. Understood?"

Summer pulled her face away to look into the lilac and silver orbs that stared back at her own silver ones. Yang's lilac eyes were full of confidence and a will of fire that she no doubt inherited from her Uncle. Ruby on the other hand; her silver eyes were filled with uncertainty but her expression was resolute. Of course she was the more level headed and careful of the two sisters. But Summer knew they both would grow to be fierce strong fighters.

Both girls nodded their head in unison. They embraced their mother once more before making their way towards the kitchen door that led outside, right next to their Uncle who watched the small family moment in silence.

"Love you, Mom!"

"We'll be back, no problem!"

Ruby and Yang both flashed their mother a wide grin.

That is until Uncle Qrow slapped the back of Yang's head softly with his iron gauntlet.

"Ow! What'd I do?" Yang cried out while clutching her head in pain.

"Where is your weapon, girl?" Qrow asked sighing.

Yang yelped then and rushed to her room to grab her weapon in question. She opened her room and took in the small space once more. It was a dirt shaded brown and consisted of one bed and a small dresser that herself and Ruby shared.

Quickly spotting her weapon leaning against the far wall, Yang lifted the sword into her arm. It was a long sword that reached all the way to her chest. It was a smooth gray iron with the handle wrapped in black leather. The hilt had the symbol of a small flame emblem. The sword was wrapped in a light brown scabbard with a small strap that let it be carried over her back.

Quickly slipping the strap over her head, she let it go and slung it over her shoulder. Glancing around the room once more, Yang hurried back out towards her waiting sister and Uncle.

"Ready!" She announced once outside.

The family then said their good byes once more.

Qrow, Yang, and Ruby all together finally embarked towards the Kingdom of Vale.

Outside now, the girls embraced the cool early morning air. The sun has yet to rise as it was extremely early in the morning. Walking through the village, the group barely ran into any other villager. It was a small town of about three hundred people. It was close to the protection of the kingdom but not the closest town. Signal was the name of the village and it served more as a farm town more than anything. All around the town was farmland, that was all Yang and Ruby knew until about two years ago when their Uncle Qrow retired out of the King's Army and took it upon himself to train his two nieces.

During those two years of intense training, he mainly started with Yang as she was the eldest. The wild girl took the training seriously and with an open mind. She quickly exceled at the use of the long sword despite the length of the sword. As she trained with the large weapon she was able to build up her strength and endurance. The girl created an intense training exercise on her own by using the bigger weapon, but it had paid off immensely. She now wielded a full sized long sword despite her only being fourteen with ease.

Ruby took to the odd weapon of a scythe. Qrow one day spotted the girl after teaching them about fighting, playing and twirling a wooden scythe in the crop fields. It was a tool the girls used while farming, but the way the young girl handled it was beautiful. Qrow then decided to have a scythe made for the young girl out of iron. Made for her size, and deadly he taught Ruby as best as he could the fundamentals of handling such a complex weapon. But the girl took it upon herself and basically mastered the odd shaped weapon and was even able to hold her own in the friendly sparring matches he set between the two sisters. Ruby had to be the only scythe wielder of this caliber. In fact, Qrow couldn't remember ever seeing anyone in his years in the military ever use a scythe as a weapon. The young girl was a prodigy.

Now on the outskirts of the small farm village, Yang and Ruby both glanced back at their home. It was an array of multiple stucco huts and small houses, the surrounding crops were flourishing during this time of the year, it was just the beginning of summer time.

Yang wrapped an arm around her younger sister and ushered her onwards.

"Come on Rubes, we'll see home again in a few days!"

The trio continued down the dusty old path that led towards the kingdom of Vale.

The initial set off had been pretty uneventful and quiet, but as the sun rose to bathe the country side in a gentle orange and yellow hue, Qrow took it upon himself to quiz the knowledge of his two nieces on the kingdom's information.

"So do you girls remember the lessons I taught you about Vale and the surrounding areas?" Qrow asked suddenly as they walked in silence a moment before.

Yang flinched slightly at the question. Of course she was present during the lessons, but she paid more attention during the combat seminars her uncle gave them. History sessions bored the blonde swordswoman.

Ruby on the other hand, suddenly had a huge smile on her face at the mention of the past lessons. She loved learning about history and the life of others current and present. It fascinated the younger girl. With eyes sparkling in happiness, the young Ruby spoke up to answer her Uncle's question;

"Mhm! The kingdom of Vale is one of the original four kingdoms. There's the province of Mistral to the west. The nation of Atlas to the south, the dominion of Vacuo to the north. But despite only being four main kingdoms, the empire of Haven has been growing and rising up on its own in the east. As I might note at an alarming rate!" The short haired sister explained, out of breath but with a wide knowing smile plastered on her face.

She looked towards her Uncle and elder sister as they turned around to look at her while the trio continued to walk the path. Uncle Qrow wore a proud smile upon her speech, and Yang blew her younger sister a jealous smile and subtly blew a raspberry towards the other girl.

"Very good, Ruby! I'm glad one of you paid attention to the lessons." Qrow chuckled out while throwing a side glance towards Yang.

"Hey! I know stuff too!" Yang whined out. She rubbed her chin in thought before perking up and speaking again.

"King and Queen Schnee rule over the entire land and kingdom of Vale. They are regarded as kind and loved by the people of the land. They have two daughters named Princess Weiss and Winter. Weiss is the heir to the throne but it's known that she has a talent for warfare and tactics! The kingdom of Vale has three main armies led by Generals Kristoff Winchester, Penelope Nikos, and William Schnee. The three armies are named; The Wings of Vengeance led by General Winchester. The Iron Shield led by General Nikos. And finally the pride and joy of Vale; The Order of the White Lion led by General Schnee." Yang explained prideful.

She lifted her chin slightly as she continued explaining.

"The three armies are always led by the three main families. In fact the next generation of Winchester, Nikos, and Schnee are soon to take over their respective armies. Although it is unknown which Schnee sub family is taking over the Order of the White Lion yet. It's known that the young and fierce Cardin and brave Pyrrha are next in line for their respective spots." Yang finished.

Uncle Qrow smiled towards the blonde with an approving look on his face.

"Very good Yang, you as well Ruby. I'm glad to see combat wasn't the only thing my two nieces learned from me." Qrow said with a smirk on his face as he ruffled the two girls' hair.

Ruby smiled, but Yang bashfully pushed his hand away.

"No one touches the hair Uncle!" Yang chided while giggling.

The trio continued to speak and quiz each other on the matters of the kingdom and refresh on lessons long past as they continued their trek. The sun was now rising and the weather was perfect. So far everything was going smoothly for the trio.

One would say almost too smoothly.

Stomping through the white halls of the White Castle, a very agitated young Princess made her way towards the throne room of her parents. With boots echoing off the large halls, and low growls escaping her mouth, the Princess looked anything but.

Princess Weiss had just received word from her mentor and close friend; Councilman Ozpin that she was not the candidate to lead the great Army of the Order of the White Lion. When Weiss had heard that she wasn't even considered for the position thanks to her becoming Heiress to lead the kingdom, the young Princess was livid.

She stormed out of her combat training lesson, leaving her mentor, Ozpin alone. She knew what she had to do now. She had to present her case to her King.

Her father.

As she continued her brisk power walk, drenched in a light sweat after having just been in the middle of sparring Weiss glanced over towards the countless house maids, guardsman, and other White Castle occupants. They all bowed their head at her approach, but didn't dare ask what the off centered pony tailed Princess was up to. She had on her usual scowl and it was known throughout the noble household that the elder Schnee daughter loved to rebel against her parents' wishes.

Upon sight of the large white and gold doors that led to the great hall where her parents were, Weiss' initial bold confidence faded slightly. She stopped in front of the door and nodded towards the two white clad knights who stood resolute at each side of the door. These two knights didn't even bow towards the Princess as they were the royal guard answering only to the King and Queen of Vale.

Once they noticed Weiss' nod however, they both pushed open the massive doors letting Princess Weiss entry into the hall.

Upon entering the large walkway, Weiss yet again was assaulted by the massive room. The walls, paintings, ornate decorations, everything was a bright white, gold, and light blue. The massive room wasn't so much as intimidating as it was impressive. One could only hope that they would one day be able to experience the great hall once in their life time.

But the young Princess wasn't here to gawk at decorations and paintings. No, she was here to be the next leader of the Army.

"My dear daughter, Weiss! I could hear your footsteps from here!" Weiss father, King Schnee announced happily as he spoke.

As King he wore a giant white overcoat made of fur and expensive silks, with a light blue uniform underneath it. He was a stoic looking man, and was in fit shape. He wore the white and silver crown that was adorned with various gems ranging in color. He had a full head of hair that matched Weiss' own in color. The very color of white. But it was not due to age, it was a genetic trait found in all pureblood Schnees along with the piercing ice blue eyes. The King himself was only at the tender age of thirty eight.

Next to the King was Weiss' mother. She was the most beautiful woman Weiss had ever seen. She was proud to be her daughter; while the King was known to be kind hearted most of the time though Weiss' mother was the very definition of saint. She often volunteered; herself, to help out the homeless down in the poorer districts and donated as much money and time as she could to better the lives of the less fortunate. This earned her the love of almost all the lower class citizens as she kept creating jobs and homes for them. Although it was the most selfless thing anyone could do, this earned her quite a few enemies in the upper class of Vale, including some of the councilmen and women.

She mirrored Weiss' own looks with Ice blue piercing eyes, but her hair was more of a silver than pure white like her father's. She was a fit and beautiful woman at the age of only twenty eight, who wore her long silky hair down without any design. She let it hang loosely behind her and it reached all the way to the small of her back. She was a practical woman who didn't like to flaunt her wealth. She wore a simple yet elegant white dress with her own crown, although slightly smaller than her husband's, sitting atop of her lap.

"Mother, Father; I have a request." Weiss stated, not hiding her irritation.

She folded her arms in front of the rulers of the kingdom of Vale and wore a scowl on her face. She waited for her father to grant her permission to speak. She was a rebel, but not entirely disrespectful towards her parents. She did love them, just not all of their decisions.

King Schnee wore a tired smile before nodding his head allowing her to speak.

Weiss bowed her head slightly. Her confidence waned slightly at what was about to be said. The weight of this decision will impact her for the rest of her life and she was sure her parents would never look at her the same. She swallowed hard, unable to get rid of the lump in her throat. Her palms were sweaty and her vision wavered for a moment. She took in a deep breath before raising her head and meeting her parent's looks.

"I want to lead the Order of the White Lion. I am willing to give up my status as Princess and status as the Heiress of the kingdom of Vale for this honor. I'll give that privilege to Winter." Weiss announced loudly.

Her voice boomed and echoed off the walls in a thunderous demand. Even Weiss herself was surprised how steady and stern her voice remained at the request.

She watched her parent's faces turn from neutral to having a knowing smile appear.

Queen Schnee was the next to speak however;

"My beautiful daughter, your father and I both knew that this was what you wanted most in your heart. Why else had we agreed to let you attend private combat lessons?" She spoke with a gentle tone as if she were reading Weiss a bed time story as she had in the past.

Weiss on the other hand was frozen on the spot. She clearly didn't think her parents would be this calm about her decision. She swallowed hard again, but still didn't rid herself of the rock present in her throat. She cleared her throat loudly before continuing;

"Ah, well then. Is my case approved? Will I be able to lead them then?" Weiss asked a little uncertainty present in her voice now however.

Her legs were shaking and she was sweating profusely now at the asking of such a straight forward question.

Her father now rose from his throne and wore a serious expression, it rocked Weiss slightly as it looked like he was about to yell at her. He sighed deeply before motioning with his arm towards his left side.

Weiss turned her gaze towards a royal guard knight to her right open a door and let in someone.

"Weiss, it's time you learned about another family important to the foundation of the kingdom of Vale." King Schnee said solemnly.

Weiss was slightly taken aback but regained her composure, she knew of the three great families already and didn't need another history lesson.

"With all due respect father, I already know about the other two great families. The Nikos and Winchesters."

Her father's smile reappeared although looking exhausted now.

"You know my personal guard, Adam Belladonna correct?" He asked his daughter again sternly.

Weiss nodded towards her father. She knew of Adam. He was a Faunus who wore an all-black cloak and carried around a short sword. He never spoke to Weiss herself personally but he was almost always at her father's side. She did wonder about his heritage and why her father had chosen him as his most personal guard instead of the other countless knights, but she never paid it much thought. In fact Adam wasn't even a knight. He looked like a vagabond to the young Princess, but her father would never let himself be guarded by someone who didn't know how to fight or know how to protect themselves in battle so she figured the man was extremely skilled although not looking the part.

"Well, the Belladonnas are a family of… Skilled trackers and guards to the royal family once they become the ruler of Vale. As you may remember from your history lessons, before Vale was founded, your great great great grandparents united various clans and families to their cause and created the kingdom we have today. One of the smaller families that opposed them at the time was the Belladonna clan. Although they were enemies at the time, they were not eradicated. Instead they were offered a place in the new kingdom. Although the clan was ill regarded by almost everyone because of their certain practice, the merging of this alliance was kept in the dark. Much how it is still today. But your great grandparents saw promise in this family and allowed them pardon in exchange for them swearing loyalty to the royal Schnee bloodline." King Schnee stated.

Weiss looked towards her father with a face full of doubt. Why hadn't she ever heard about this or read it in any of the countless textbooks she had studied before? But before she could voice any of her concerns her father continued;

"They work in the shadows for the King and Queen of Vale. Carrying out various orders, or just basically acting as a protector. They are one of the finest warriors in the land and serve not as servants, but close friends of the family. Although their name may still harbor ill will they proceed to keep themselves hidden. But every new generation of Schnee ruler is assigned a bodyguard from the family. As I see you not being Queen anytime soon or ever now in fact, I still would feel better in knowing that you had a Belladonna present in your future endeavors to protect, guide, and befriend you in your journey. Although you have now given up your status of future Queen, I shall still grant and award you with your own personal guard. You may come out!"

Weiss turned her attention suddenly back towards the side door. All this new information was slightly unsettling and made her wonder what kind of practice that this new family that she had never heard about was involved in.

Walking out into the great hall was a girl. She couldn't have been any older than the former Princess herself at fourteen years old. She too was a Faunus, a cat one at that. She had mid length black hair with a pair of cute kitten ears sitting atop her head. She wore a black leather chest guard with skin tight black leg guards that was comprised of black leather and silver metal armor. Slung across her back Weiss spotted a sword in its scabbard along with two daggers that hung off her hips in a belt on either side of her.

If Weiss didn't know any better she looked like an assassin.

She continued staring at the girl in question, until the girl raised her head and looked right back at Weiss. She had stunning gold eyes that froze the young former Princess mid breath.

The girl's eyes were beautiful to her.

The girl in question continued to walk into the great hall, stopping once at the foot of the throne. Her father walked down the steps from the throne to the ground level and placed his hand on the girl's shoulder gently.

"Weiss, this here is Blake Belladonna of the Belladonna clan. She will be your new friend, mentor, guide, and rock whenever you're ever in a tight spot or situation. She is one of the best and brightest minds in the clan. Better than her elder brother Adam or so I've heard. Just don't tell him I said that." King Schnee guffawed.

Weiss continued to stare at the girl now known as Blake. She certainly looked like she could handle herself in a fight, but Weiss was still unsure of her skill.

"Is the reason why you are introducing us meaning that you accepted my request and are sending her to spy on me to make sure I don't mess up?" Weiss asked suddenly, keeping her ice blue eyes still on the pair of golden ones that held her gaze.

Her father chuckled before answering.

"No Weiss. Ever the paranoid one, are we? But alas, no. She is not here to spy on you. I already explained what the situation is. Although I have all the confidence in your tactical abilities as per tactician Goodwitch herself has said you are skilled beyond your years in tactical warfare, your personal combat skills I've yet to see tested."

Weiss' expression soured instantly at the question of her battle prowess, but she held her tongue. She'd prefer to let her skills do the talking instead of defending her case with words.

King Schnee looked towards Blake before patting her shoulder and looking back towards his daughter.

"I'd like to see you and Blake spar. If I find the outcome acceptable I will grant your wish to lead the Order of the White Lion alongside with your new partner, Blake. Although she will serve as a voice of reason of sorts."

Weiss instantly reached for her rapier; Myrtenaster. The rapier was long and narrow. It was an elegant silver in color, comprised of forged steel mixed in with the extremely rare mineral of dust. dust is so rare that the kingdom of Vale only had enough in storage to forge a third of Weiss' weapon from the unbreakable alloy. She craved to find more in her future journeys to acquire a fully made dust weapon. As dust was extremely rare it had no real magical abilities other than being unbreakable and when forged by a skilled blacksmith, is sharper and much more durable than any other metal known to man.

Grasping the hilt of her weapon and the small steel buckler off her back, Weiss took up her combat position. Her right foot forward slightly, her back poised and straight with her rapier held in her left hand in front of her and her buckler in her right hand against her chest. Legs bent slightly and she steadied her breathing. Her eyes trained on Blake.

She watched the raven haired girl walk forward towards her and grasp one of her daggers in her right hand and take up a loose combat stance. Her face showed no emotion, almost as if this was a common practice to her.

"Well then girls, begin!"

As the sun was in full bloom sitting right on top of the trio, Yang grumbled. It was much too hot for her. She started flapping her tunic; fanning herself slightly.

"How very lady like behavior, Yang." Ruby said while looking at her sister in question.

Yang winked towards her younger sister as she continued to cool herself off. Uncle Qrow chuckled lightly. The three were making good time, it was only midafternoon and they had already passed three other villages and would arrive at the kingdom of Vale before nightfall it seemed. They only stopped twice to rest and eat, but the girls have yet to complain about the long walk. Something that made their Uncle proud about. They were growing into fine young ladies.

"We are making great time and should even be there before night fall."

Yang and Ruby both exchanged looks before breaking out into wide smiles.

"So why are we going to Vale anyway?" Yang asked suddenly.

Her uncle's face hardened slightly, but he kept his playful tone;

"I want you girls to continue the legacy of becoming proud warriors and to serve your country. Of course it will in the end be your own decision, but I trained you both physically and mentally so that one day you can use your skills to protect others."

Qrow's face softened before his next words.

"War is coming soon. It is inevitable. Although I hate the thought of my two beautiful young nieces to fight in such a despicable thing, I'd rather you two face it head on rather than be victims."

The two sisters remained quiet as their Uncle explained the reasoning of the journey. But Yang spoke up yet again;

"War? So I can test my mettle in true combat and kick butt!" The blonde cheered.

Although this earned her a small smirk from Ruby, Qrow stopped walking suddenly and reeled on the girl with an angry look on his face.

"War is never the answer, Yang!" Qrow shouted at her. He sighed deeply before regaining his composure. Yang on the other hand looked visibly shaken. She never had been yelled at so suddenly by him like that, not even during training sessions.

"I'm sorry, but war is a despicable thing. I hope more than anything you girls will never have to experience it."

Ruby perked up then; "Why don't people just not have wars then?"

Qrow smiled at the small naive child before muttering more to himself than anything;

"War would end if the dead returned."

Yang and Ruby both looked at him questioning the quote but he brushed their looks off before continuing.

"You will both learn in due time, but we must continue."

But no sooner did Qrow say those words, did he feel the familiar sensation of something cold tickle his mind. It was a feeling he felt countless times during battle.

It was the feeling of being observed by someone with a murderous intent.

The tall well-armed and armored man quickly spun around to scan the area, successfully confusing Ruby, but Yang it seemed had picked up on the subtle change in the atmosphere and reached for her weapon slung across her back and turned towards her side.

Qrow smiled slightly at Yang's innate skill on picking up on the small hint, but quickly refocused himself to search the area.

They were in the worse area to fight off an ambush. The small dirt path was lined with luscious trees on both sides. Although it was day time, Qrow couldn't look in between the trees and spot anyone. He suddenly wondered if it had been his imagination, but the sudden chilling sound of a voice yelling dropped his stomach.

Quickly spinning back to face his front, Qrow was greeted by a man who appeared to be a bandit at first glance. His torn black tunic and ragged trousers all pointed in that direction. He had short black hair and was currently holding an axe over his head as he emerged from the trees and was running towards the trio.

Qrow quickly took up a wide combat stance and brandished his giant great sword with his right hand while holding his left hand out as a sign to keep the girls behind him.

"The other part of this journey, to always be ready." He whispered towards the girls. He didn't look back to see their reactions for he always kept his eyes on his current enemy.

The bandit was now almost upon him and swung his weapon in a downwards arc swing towards Qrow's head. The veteran warrior easily swung his great sword with his right hand to meet the swing. The distinct sound of metal colliding with metal filled the peaceful air as the two weapons clashed violently.

Qrow then grabbed the sword with both hands and shifted his body forward to put more force in the stalemate of locked weapons. This successfully caused the bandit to fall back against the larger and heavier weapon and lose his footing. Qrow widened his eyes at the sight of an opening and took it.

He swung his weapon around and brought the pointed end right into the stomach of his downed opponent with a sickening pop. He watched on with no mercy as the red liquid flooded out of the wound as his sword was embedded in the man's stomach. His eyes glazing over and life fleeing from the man's very body.

But the sound of heavy footsteps caused Qrow to pull his weapon free from the dying man and turn around just in time to see two more bandit dressed men emerge from the brush. Right behind the two girls who were turned around staring back at the incoming would be murderers.

Yang already had her weapon out and assumed a defensive stance, but Qrow could see her shaking with fear from here. She hid it well from what little he could see, but Ruby on the other hand had yet to even unsling her weapon from her back. She stood there motionless facing the two men.

"Yang, guard Ruby!" Qrow yelled as he charged forward to intercept the incoming two men. He wasn't that far from the girls, but he knew that the closer bandit with a sword out now and charging towards the girls would get in at least one swing before he'd make it to fight them off. He'd only hoped that Yang was confident in her abilities. She could fight, Gods knew both girls could but to be suddenly thrown into a real combat confrontation would be jarring to anyone.

As he ran forward, Qrow's legs felt heavy and his weapon felt unwieldy all of a sudden. If anything happened to those two, he'd never forgive himself. It'd be his fault no matter what. He kept his eyes open as he watched the bandit lunge his weapon towards Yang's chest.

Yang anticipated the attack though and swung her weapon in a two handed grip against the man's lunge, successfully parrying his attack and setting him slightly off balance. The blonde girl then took a step forward and prepared to bring her weapon into another swing towards the man's neck.

"No! Stop Yang!" Qrow yelled.

He didn't want to see his niece kill a man. At least not like this. Killing wasn't the right answer no matter how, but he had to teach them about the horrors to come once they committed the act. Not just wildly do it left and right and not think of the consequences.

His heart leaped when he noticed Yang freeze in her attack and let the man trip over to the side from the parry. Yang shuffled towards Ruby, still in a defensive position but now guarding her frozen younger sister.

Qrow now was upon the man Yang had parried, and he brought down his sword atop the man's head, crushing his skull easily. He watched as blood shot up into the air in a small geyser and pulled his heavy blade from the dead man. His great sword was now tinted with a dark crimson and brain matter from the vicious blow, but he had one more matter to attend to. He turned towards the last man, who now stopped his initial charge and stood about two meters from Qrow and the girls. He was dressed in a dark brown shirt with leather pants and boots. He was wielding a short sword and eyed Qrow warily.

"Shit, didn't think we'd be facin' off against any guardsman." The man muttered with a heavy accent as he continued to keep his eye on Qrow.

Qrow paid his words no heed as he was about to charge. But suddenly the bandit dropped his weapon to the ground and raised his hands in surrender.

"Dun kill me, I give up!"

Qrow stopped his charge and lowered his weapon.

"Why stop now? You attacked us in cold blood." Qrow asked angrily.

The man cast his gaze downwards before replying;

"I didn't even wan hurt no kids or nothin'. Jus' business I 'sppose."

Qrow then kicked the man's dropped weapon towards the trees before sheathing his own great sword. He then threw a hard punch into the surrendering man's face, successfully breaking his nose and dropping him onto his back. The man squealed in pain and writhed in agony as he clutched his broken nose.

Qrow then turned to face his two nieces.

Yang still had her weapon brandished but had lowered her guard; she stood in front of Ruby protectively with a stern look on her face. Her lilac eyes stared back in Qrow's own black ones as if seeking guidance at her actions. Ruby on the other hand, her eyes were cast downwards and filled with tears.

"I- I failed you Uncle Qrow. I w-was scared." Ruby sobbed out.

Yang turned towards her sister and let her weapon hang in her hand and pulled the younger girl into a one armed hug.

"It's okay baby sis, I was scared too!" Yang whispered out.

Qrow started towards the girls to begin his explanation on how it wasn't easy to fight for the first time, but as he opened his mouth words didn't come out.

Instead he felt a hot liquid force its way up from his throat and out of his mouth. Bewildered, he tried to speak again, but now threw himself into a choking coughing fit as more red liquid erupted from his mouth. That and he felt something odd in his chest. It was a muted pain, but it didn't really hurt. Without warning though, his legs gave out and he felt himself fall to his knees, before falling onto his face right in front of his two nieces.

He watched in what he now figured would be his final moments as Yang turned around to look at him with confused eyes, before glancing up above him with wide eyes. He tried to refocus his efforts to keep looking at her, but he felt so tired suddenly and couldn't for the life of himself keep his eyes open any longer. He felt a warm wave of air take hold of him then and let his eyes flutter close, at least for a little while.

He still had one last lesson to teach his two nieces.

Yang turned around at the sound of something being ripped. As soon as she dropped her embrace from her sister, she spotted the bandit that her Uncle had spared thrust a sword into his back. She watched on in muted horror as her Uncle, the very definition of unbreakable and brave fall to his knees and finally fall forward onto his face with blood protruding out of his back and mouth.

"Uncle Qrow?" Yang whispered out as she watched his black eyes close, sealing themselves behind eye lids forever.

She heard Ruby sob and gasp loudly behind her, but Yang had a duty to do now. She had to protect her little sister and live up to her Uncle's expectations now. She'd have plenty of time to mourn later. She wasn't stupid; she knew that the man in front of her now who was eyeing her like some kind of sick predator had just killed her Uncle in cold blood.

All the fear she had earlier had vanished. Yang felt an unfamiliar hot, burning sensation in her now. Her weapon no longer felt heavy in her hands and her mind was no longer filled with doubt and uncertainty. No, those thoughts were long gone. She now just felt anger. It replaced the sadness, the fear, every other emotion that should be present in her mind right now, but she didn't fear the new emotion.

No, in fact, Yang Xiao Long welcomed it.

Anger felt so right.

She took up her sword, which all of a sudden felt so light in her grasp. She lifted the long sword above her head, her lilac eyes boring into the bandit who now pulled his sword from her Uncle's bleeding body and brought it up to block the incoming strike.

But Yang wasn't stupid.

She stopped her swing in midair and jerked her body towards the right to bring her attack into a side arc swing towards the man's neck. She watched him bring his sword to his side to parry it, but Yang widened her eyes and felt something inside of her bubble up then.

Anger.

She put as much force as her small fourteen year old frame could wield and forced her sword into the man's weapon. She heard the distinct clash of metal on metal and watched the slight sparks illuminate the quick attack. The man shoved her weapon aside and brought his up to lunge at her chest. Yang kept her eyes on the blood soaked sword. The same blood that was just coursing through her Uncle.

She felt herself get hotter again, sweating now even. She'd have no time to block the lunge from the man, as his weapon was shorter and easier and quicker to swing. Yang back peddled so that his lunge was over extended, Yang then brought her weapon under his own, and knocked the sword upwards and pulled back and thrust her long blade into the bandit's chest successfully stopping the man in his tracks.

Yang stared into the dying brown eyes of her Uncle's killed and watched blood seep from his wicked smiling lips.

"I almos' had you, kid." He muttered out, coughing blood from his mouth.

Yang thrust her weapon further into the man's chest. But something gleaming caught her eye. She glanced up and noticed that the man's sword was mere inches away from coming down atop of her own head. But the sudden realization that she had almost been killed did nothing to stop her anger. She kicked the dying man off her weapon and turned around before his body even hit the ground with a soft thud.

Yang then dropped her sword and watched as Ruby was clinging to the lifeless body of their now deceased Uncle Qrow.

Yang was still fighting with the mixed emotions in her mind now. She knew she should be feeling sadness or something but all she continued to feel was anger.

She should have killed the other bandit.

Uncle Qrow shouldn't have shown mercy.

She and Ruby weren't strong enough yet.

All these things and others ran through the blonde girl's mind. But she spotted something from the one of the bandits. It was a piece of paper clutched in his hand. Yang kicked the dead man's hand and retrieved the blood stained paper but was still able to read between the lines.

::Wanted; Dead or Alive; Douglas Townsend; Reward 100 gold pieces::

It was a bounty poster with the description of the man she had killed. Yang glanced over back at the man, then back at the lifeless body of her Uncle Qrow and Ruby. She knew what she'd have to do. She made her way to the loudly sobbing Ruby and knelt next to the girl and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Shh, Ruby it's okay. You're alright. We'll be fine, but we have to keep moving. We don't know if there are more. Remember what Uncle Qrow taught us!" Yang whispered into her younger sister's ear.

She would continue the journey to Vale as her Uncle would have wanted, but she had the duty of protecting Ruby now. She'd have to teach them both the last lesson her Uncle was trying to do before he was killed.

By showing mercy.

Yang made a promise to herself then and there that she'd never show mercy to anyone be it enemy or something else. As showing mercy was a sign of weakness.

"I found another lesson you've taught me, Uncle." Yang whispered. She pulled Ruby up to her feet and sauntered over to her Uncle's lifeless body now. She finally felt a tear escape her as she leaned down and collected his weapon off of his back, and his White Lion amulet from around his neck, before pulling his body towards the edge of the road.

They wouldn't have time to give him a proper burial, but that didn't mean that she'd leave his body out in the open. She hid it in the brush on the side of the path so that they could come back later and retrieve it.

But she suddenly turned around at the sound of something being swung at a quick speed and hitting something.

Yang turned to find Ruby brandishing her scythe and slamming the pointed blade into the dead bandit that had killed their Uncle. Yang watched on with tear filled eyes now as Ruby cut away at the dead carcass of the cold blooded killer, before she remembered about the bounty.

Yang chuckled at the cold words she was about to say, but this very day she knew that they both had changed. For better or for worse, it had yet to be seen.

"Hey, Ruby. Think you could cut his head off? He has a bounty on him I'd like to collect." Yang shouted out towards her sister with a hint of sadness now present in her voice.

Yang watched as Ruby froze at the hearing of such words, but then smirked before bringing her scythe in a side arc sweep and cleanly cut the man's head from the body. Yang couldn't help but be impressed at the skilled move. She watched the man's lifeless head roll towards her and she picked it up by the hair.

"Serves that bastard right." Yang muttered before lifting her belongings and Ember onto her back. She watched Ruby as her face was still pointed towards the ground; she was clutching her scythe with both hands now and was shaking.

Yang walked over towards the girl, the full weight of her Uncle's weapon and burdens at her back now, currently slung over her shoulders was her long sword and massive great sword and was dragging on the dirt path slightly due to the sheer size and small height of Yang.

Yang wrapped her sister in a one armed embrace and once again ushered her down the path that led towards Vale. She didn't say anything or make any kind of promises. All Yang did was hug her sister while they continued their journey towards Vale to finish off what their Uncle had wanted. Together.

For Yang will always be there for her sister, and if anyone would threaten any of her family the wild blonde would answer swiftly and brutally, and without mercy.

But one other thing went through her mind as she thought back to the bounty in question.

They'd have to get stronger. Strength meant money, and money meant power, and power meant everything to Yang…