If anyone peered down into the valley they wouldn't see a thing, however, if they focused their eyes for longer than a minute, they'd find a young man heaving in and out. Exhausted, while a man wielding a large sword, now resting on his shoulder was staring at him in an amused state, they'd been sparring since the sun came up and it been close to midday now.

???: "Easy kid... It's not like you could keep up with huntsmen either way."

I clicked my neck from side to side as I studied my supposed mentor for a moment, his name was Qrow Branwen and he just defeated me... Again.

I sat on the floor for a moment quickly catching my breath and question what took place, the battle only lasted a few minutes.

Y/N: 'I jumped... dodged the blade... missed him when it came to range... Fell... Then lost... How?'

Falling onto my back and arching my legs back, I quickly threw them forwards. Making me land on my feet as I rolled my right shoulder. While Qrow watched me in silence.

"We're. Not. Done. Here."

Slowly I started walking around him, trying to find an opening. His back, his knees anything that would give me a clear opening, but I didn't see it.

When Qrow charged, I remembered our previous battle. His speed was superior to mine and planned, grabbing one of my smoke bombs, I detonated it in my hand. Consuming in a wall of smoke.

Qrow: "You think smoke, is going to change anything?"

I ducked, as his sword pass overhead, leaping back. While he swings his sword from side to side, trying his best to part the smoke.

Qrow: "OK... That's somewhat effective."

I threw a few cheery bombs scattering them all around the field and watched Qrow's head dart from side to side when I struck Qrow. The aim was to disarm him. Grabbing the weapon by the hilt, he only looked at me surprised as I head-butted him pulling the weapon away, then threw it aside. Turning back to him as he throws a right, but it wasn't precise allowing me to slip past, then kneeing his chest.

Forcing him back...

He held his chest as I threw a right hook to his jaw, he takes the hit showing no signs of effect. Making me bouncing off the ground and plant both my feet into his chest sending him flying.

Y/N: 'He's not a proficient hand to hand, especially without that blade of his. But I can't give him the upper hand. Not now...'

Qrow: "You are so dead, kid."

Staying silent and darting to the shadows, the smoke parted and scanned the forest for Qrow. But, he was no longer here, my eyes darted in and out of Eagle vision as I searched for him, losing tracks. As though he disappeared.

Y/N: 'How can that be?'

Qrow: "Heads up!"

My body moved on it's, my neck turned to find Qrow kicking me as I did to him. Sending me flying backward into the trunk of the tree. I grabbed my jaw and looked up to see Qrow still smiling and was more than pleased for getting that hit in.

Y/N: 'Twice now... Twice I haven't been able to see his movement. Is he just that fast... Or, is he better than me when it comes to ambush tactics?'

Qrow: "Jesus kid who taught you how to fight..."

I watched him take a swig of his flask while I slowly got to my feet and readied myself for the next beating. Yet, Qrow just kept on drinking and finally stopped with a grin on his face.

Qrow: "You fight... Like nothing, I've ever seen before. Different tactics and moves every time, as soon as I've got a reading on you and got an idea on how to act, you change again, and again."

He takes another swig from his flask.

Qrow: "Don't get me wrong, your strong and dangerous. I'd hate to fight you in a dark alley."

I watched him touch the side of his cheek and groaned a little. While I did the same with my wound.

Qrow: "But, you're not exactly on my level yet. We're not here to make you a huntsman are we?"

I grabbed my jaw and flexed it a few times. Remember how he punched nearly took two of my teeth.

Y/N: "Right..."

Qrow: "Your semblance. What's so special about it, that dear old Ozpin needed you to be in a forest in the middle of nowhere and not in school?"

I stared at my hand and then Ezio's gauntlet.

Y/N: "I can... Summon Grimm."

Qrow stopped within mid swig of his flask and stared at me for a second, I shrugged my shoulders and scratched my chin.

Y/N: "Thing is though... It's only happened three times now. Once when Ozpin was beside me, another was when one of my friends was being bullied. Finally, my last was when... Well, when one of my targets was close to escaping."

Qrow: "Ozpin told me what happened and that you are something of an assassin."

I raised an eyebrow as Qrow placed his flask in his coat pocket.

Y/N: "Got nothing to say?"

I watched Qrow rub his face and retrieve his blade.

Qrow: "Listen... I ain't your babysitter or here to judge you. I'm here, to help you with your semblance and I've got a good idea what's making it act up."

Y/N: "Really... And here I thought it was just randomly happening."

Qrow: "Right... 'Randomly.'"

He said quoting it, while I shook my head annoyed. Not getting the joke.

Qrow: "Alright if you don't see how your semblance was awakened, then why don't you consider how you felt in those moments?"

I stopped and leaned against the tree, as I recall the first time I activated it. I felt hurt because of team RWBY following me and was surprised. Then with Jaune being picked on by Cardin, that was anger... Same with the Templar.

Y/N: "Anger... My semblance is driven by anger?"

Qrow: "I don't think so kid... Your semblance is driven by emotion."

I looked at Qrow as he pulled out his scroll, showing me a video of my fight with the Templar then the one with Ozpin.

I stared at Qrow as we watch the video a second time, just to be sure his claims are true. Trying my best to recall the emotions at play. The battle with the Templar didn't have any rage to start with, it was focused solely on defeating her.

No anger

No hatred

Or anything like that.

But as I watched that Templar slips through my fingers like Roman...

Forcefully, I bit down on my thumb annoyed that this whole time my semblance had relied on emotions and I never considered it... It was staring me, right in the face.

Qrow: "Seems your strongest emotion that awakens the semblance is anger. Makes sense... If you think about it, anger is one of the stronger emotions out there."

I glanced at Qrow, remaining silent then looked the other way defeated. I walked into the forest.

Qrow: "Don't get lost now."

I didn't answer and kept on walking.

Slowly after a good ten-minute walk, I took a seat under an oak tree, covering me the hot sun of Remnant. As I slowly started to breathe in and out, taking on a meditation seating position and slowly control my breathing.

Y/N: 'To strike an enemy in anger... Is the same as giving them the win and to lose control... If we anger them, we disturb them. He who is quick-tempered, can be insulted and lose focus in the moment of battle.'

I slowly started to center myself. But after thinking those words, I didn't believe I was centered... As Assassin we must be aware of what we do, it's dark, and that we must not willingly take blood.

It separates us from murderers or and other kinds of killers, we kill, when we must. Having a steady hand in those few moments where we are at our weakest... I cracked and bent at that second.

Y/N: "Am I letting my emotions control me..."

Qrow: "A lack of emotions could be the source of your problem."

Y/N: "Should've known you'd be listening in."

I glanced up and found Qrow sitting on one of the oak branches, he was chuckling along. I had heard his footsteps... But now, he was moving in another fashion. I could barely hear him as he got closer. How did he even get above me?

Qrow: "Hey, I'm just interested. In a way, you remind me of me when I was your age. But don't tell me you believe in the mumbo jumbo about meditation?"

I broke the lotus position and shook my head.

Y/N: "I understand it's reasoning and it's value, to calm the mind. But it beats other options."

I could see Qrow's flask and he chuckles.

Qrow: "You wouldn't be the first person to recommend a different outlook besides drinking. Then again, not like you've ever tried."

He chuckled as I pulled out one of my throwing knives balancing it on my index finger as he takes another sip.

Y/N: "I'll have you know."

I flicked my wrist up letting the knife go and knocked the flask out of Qrow's hand, then sinking into the tree trunk while the flask lands in my hand.

Y/N: "The legal age where I'm from is 16."

I smelt the flask and looked the other way.

Y/N: "And it wouldn't be whiskey that is for sure, it would be wine or some other happy drink. Not this..."

Qrow: "Hey... Don't go insulting the drinking buddy."

Qrow dropped to the floor and I handed him back his flask as I got to my feet then bound up the tree retrieving my knife. Then drop to the floor right beside him.

Y/N: "So what do you suggest as training for this semblance."

[Time Skip 2 Weeks]

Qrow: "Not bad... You've got some control over your semblance now."

Said Qrow as we did another mock battle, for the second time today and I must admit. I did enjoy this time with Qrow, he was teaching me something about myself and that was...

I had no real emotions or as Qrow puts it...

A lack of emotions.

So he suggested that I speak out a bit more and try to change my outlook. Granted it sounded strange coming from an alcoholic.

But since he knew more about my semblance.

I started to figure out more of this semblance of mine, Qrow ducked as an eagle I've named Senu dived overhead.

As Qrow called his weapons back using the pistol function, I've thrown my blade towards his pistol making him miss Senu.

Qrow: "Not bad..."

I smiled and leaped over Qrow throwing my blade, he dodges to the side raising an eyebrow.

Qrow: "It won't work the second time."

I smiled and pointed to the sky, at that moment. Senu dropped a bomb directly above Qrow, he brought up his weapon making it act like a shield. I went for the weapon on my hip.

It was the combination of a boarding ax and rifle. My design since Qrow recommenced I needed an upgrade to my arsenal, I finally could take out someone from afar and use a deadlier weapon on grim when the time comes.

So...

Dropping to one knee and aiming for Qrow, I spoke up.

Y/N: "Tick. Tick. Boom."

I fired the rifle and watched Qrow being shot out of the smoke, I had put rubber bullets in and even still, having something of a grenade launcher for bombs of certain qualities.

They were a lot like my darts, Hazed for enemies so they could fight themselves, and Sleep when I needed to infiltrate or just deal with a group.

Qrow: "Ow..."

Y/N: "What do you think of that, old man."

Qrow: "Old man... You gonna get it now kid."

I smirked as Qrow's blade took on his scythe form and I charged in headfirst. It was fun to finally fight and feel emotions burning up inside me. Still, as I'm tossed around and took the hits from Qrow. Mentally, I started to understand the joy of fighting a strong opponent.

Something Ezio often mentioned, when we trained. But something I never truly understood.

[Time Skip - 2 Weeks later]

Y/N: "You sure you don't want to come and check up on Ozpin?"

I craned my head back as Qrow and I stood on the outskirts of the city, it had been some time since I'd seen Beacon. For that matter, we mostly spent our time in the wilds dealing with Grimm and hanging out near the outskirt villages, with most of the people being of your normal... Well, most of them were cutthroats, but they're good people among them.

Qrow: "No thanks kid, I've done enough. Besides, I've already got my orders."

I simply nodded about to walk off, until I feel a tap on my right shoulder. Then turn to see it's Qrow with a slight grin.

Qrow: "Good hunting kid, hopefully, you find Roman before I do."

I held my hand out and shook the man's hand.

Y/N: "Same to you Qrow..."

We walked off and I heard a click on my rifle. Noticing one of the bolts had been bent in a certain way, I rolled my eyes knowing this was due to Qrow's semblance. Never worked on me, but it worked on my equipment and the environment.

Y/N: 'This is the universe having a little laugh at me isn't it.'

With that I walked into the city, keeping my head low, and listened to the conversations taking place around me. Kids were heading off to school in their uniforms, while a group of mothers was jogging by, paying no real attention to anything else.

Even passed a group of construction workers, fixing one of the many shops that had been attacked by the White Fang.

Y/N: 'I'll need to gather some info about what's happened since I left.'

Mentally I was taking notes of roads, streets, buildings anything that stood out as odd. Dipping into my Semblance hearing and seeing things from a distance. However, in this state, I noticed a group of teens, no older than me. Walking down the road, they appeared to be huntsmen.

What gave them away was their weapons on one of their waists, but as I watched the two split off. I came to a stop looking up the road, hearing a person hit the floor, falling from a ladder, I watched the girl help the old man up.

To anyone else she would be doing a good thing, however this... The girl had just pick-pocketed the man without him noticing, I leaned against the lamp post-hearing where the conversation is going.

???: "Excuse me. Hmm, sorry not really from around here." She pulled out a piece of paper and held it towards the man "But do you mind pointing me in the direction of this shop."

He simply nodded and pointed her down the road, it was almost to easy as I watched the two-part ways.

Y/N: 'She's good...'

I started walking towards her, just as her friend with silver hair came around the corner. He was rolling his eyes as I heard the girl speak up.

???: "I knew you were lost."

She spun around, pulling out the picked wallet.

???: "Mercury, I will seriously pay you to shut up."

Mercury: "That's not your money."

???: "But it could be yours for five minutes of silence."

He looked to the sky and thought about it.

Mercury: "Hmm... No deal."

She growled and took out the cash from the wallet then threw it to the floor, placing the cash in her back pocket.

???: "Fine."

As they turned and walked down the street, my hands moved within a flash and accidentally hit the guy in the shoulder. Making him step back, when our eyes met I could tell he was annoyed.

Mercury: "Hey!"

I brought my left hand up.

Y/N: "Sorry..."

I grabbed the bridge of my nose pretending to be drunk and the two walked off.

Mercury: "Drunk idiots... Can't even see in front of himself. Ain't that right Emerald?"

Emerald: "Sure whatever you... What the..."

Emerald started to dig through her back pockets and her eyes shot opened.

Mercury: "What?"

Emerald: "I'm missing the cash."

Mercury: "You mean the cash you just stole."

Emerald: "How did... That guy."

She hissed as I heard her turn around. Unaware that I was right above them on a rooftop. Mercury started to laugh and felt his own pockets, then looked to Emerald.

Mercury: "Oh I'm going to kill him."

As he said that I stood up and threw the two empty wallets into the alleyway bouncing off one of the nearby metal dumpsters, I watched the two walk-ins then jump down handing the wallet to the old man, then disappear out of sight.

[Time Skip]

[3rd Pov]

Ruby: "Alright team, one more day until school starts."

Yang rolled her eyes and pointed to the sky.

Yang: "Yay..."

Ruby: "I know; I can't wait either."

Weiss was staring at one of the mirrors doing some makeup, while Blake was tying up her bow finally brushing her hair back.

Weiss: "Well, let's see what happens."

Unknown to the rest of the girls Blake was watching the window, noticing a few students walking around. Some saying goodbye to their parents or friends. But she turned just in time as Y/N stepped onto the school campus, he wasn't given any attention like before. However, when he heard a person screaming at him from across the field, he found it was team JNPR.

Y/N: "Well speak of the devils, it's been a long time."

Pyrrha: "Nearly a month since you vanished on us."

Y/N simply nodded and greeted each of his friends, then listened to them as they headed towards their rooms. But, as they got closer Jaune had asked the Y/N to follow him and the two went to the roof and turned to one another.

Jaune: "I'll show you how much I've improved."

With that, the two get into their fighting stances.

Jaune: "HA!"

Y/N: "Not bad"

Jaune: "I'm not done- Wow."

Y/N: "Watch the feet, watch the feet."

Jaune: "Got you!"

Y/N "Try harder!"

Jaune: "Stop dodging... and fight me!"

Y/N: "Tactics Jaune, how do you overcome this!"

Jaune: "Got-Not again!"

Y/N grabbed Jaune by his hoodie stopping him from falling off the roof. Y/N let out a laugh in amusement and helped Jaune to his feet. Giving him a quick pat on the back.

Y/N: "You're getting better."

Jaune: "Y-You think so? Cause I mean I thought I was doing so-so. But if you-'

Y/N: "I'm sure Jaune, you must've practiced every day if you've gotten that good?"

Jaune scratched the back of his neck, proud of himself. But not wanting to show it.

Jaune: "Thanks man, so when do I get to have one of those?"

He pointed to Y/N's hidden blade and for a good moment the assassins just stared at Jaune for a moment, he never thought much about the weapon. It's his creeds weapon, but over the years, the Templars and Assassins have used the blade. Often switching hands depending on the legacy of others.

There are even some families that left the order yet still use the hidden blade, of course, it's all in secret.

Y/N: "I... I need to get back to you on that."

Jaune: "Oh come on... I mean, sorry. Just thought it would be kind of cool to have a weapon like that is all."

Y/N scolded Jaune, but it wasn't directed at him. It was actually towards himself, the hidden blade at the end of the day is only a weapon. And for those few assassins who believe it to be the basis of the creed, the ideal of it all.

However, it's not stipulated in any texts or formally mentioned. It's more of an afterthought, an unspoken rule.

Y/N: "I'll have to ponder that for a while... But Jaune, why do you want the weapon?"

Jaune: "Honestly, it's an amazing weapon and versatile..."

Y/N watched Jaune stare at is his old sword and shield. Jaune sighed and for a moment Y/N thought about it then scratched the side of his neck.

Y/N: "Well, if you want the weapon. I can show you more or less the way to create your own, of course. I imagine you want to make it like this?"

Y/N pointed to the gauntlet with the grappling hook and brass knuckles. Jaune nodded staring at the weapon with the eyes of a child, curious and amazed by its construction. With that Jaune followed Y/N to his bedroom, giving drawing up a simple schematic from memory.

Then told him, he'd help with construction on a later date.

Unknown to Jaune he's given the basics of the original hidden blade, with no added attachments. For the next few minutes, Y/N simply lay on his bed, embracing the comfort of the modern world.

Every other bed up until now had either been the ground, or a crappy mattress that had seen better days. It didn't shock him that Qrow drank as he did, he wouldn't even notice the differences between the floorboard or the bed.

"Screeee..."

Y/N's right eyes slowly opened up revealing Senu, his Grimm. It was the easiest one to call and sometimes, even came to this site on his own accord in times of fear or worry. The red-eyed black eagle stared at its partner, its head tilted to the side, watching him like a guard dog.

Y/N: "Dammit, i forgot... I've still got to send those letters and check up on team RWBY."

Senu did a faint nod. In agreement, with that Y/N got to his feet. Pulling out three letters one for Ezio, Claudia, and Blake, he planned on sending these. But, the time never seemed right.

However, with Y/N back, he pulled out a few pieces of paper, then deciding to write an update to the letters. Giving the ones for Ezio and Claudia, with a quick instruction on where Senu should take the letters, he took off.

While Y/N turned to the mirror hanging on his wall, he hadn't gotten a new scar or anything like that. If nothing else he was perfectly fine, his hair had grown. But his face and body needed a proper soak in the tub, with his clothes needing the same treatment.

He practically fell into the shower in his dorm, singing a soft song from his home town. The words, he mumbled. But the tune in his head, he could never forget. The crisp and fine notes hung in the air, as he washed.

Unaware that a few moments ago, his door had been knocked on. The whole team RWBY were standing at the door. Only moments ago had they spoken to Jaune and Pyrrha stating they'd seen him half an hour ago.

Ruby: "Y/N? Hello?"

Ruby tapped on the door once more, unsure if he was there. But Yang pushed her sister aside tapping her on the back.

Yang: "Here let me try."

Within the next few seconds, the door handle broke and the door opened. With the rest of the team RWBY staring at Yang shocked, as she scratched the back of her neck.

Yang: "Oops..."

Ruby: "Yang!"

Yang: "Don't worry, I can... Fix this."

She picked up the door handle and slammed it into the door, now leaving a giant dent in it.

Weiss: "Stop touching the door!"

Yang: "OK, but... Since it's opened-"

Blake: "No!"

Yang turned to her friends shrugging her shoulders.

Yang: "Come on kitty cat. You want to see him as badly as us."

Blake looked the other way, trying her best to hide the blush on her cheeks. Soon enough, everyone walked into the room, with Ruby, tapping on the table a few times trying to catch Y/N's attention if he's in the room.

Ruby: "Y/N!?"

Yang: "Your door was broken so we, came to check on you."

Weiss groaned, slapping her forehead.

Weiss: "You broke his door."

Yang: "Shoo... He doesn't know that."

Ruby: "Yang..."

Unaware of the group, Blake was walking around the room and finally stopped at the bed she'd known was Y/N's, finding his clothing on the bed. Along with the letter addressed to her, her name was written out in calligraphy.

Yet, that wasn't what she was staring at, instead, she picked up his undershirt and looked at it for a moment. Her nose caught whiffs of his scent, making her ears perk up.

Yang: "Blake~"

Blake froze, quickly spinning around in a cartoonish fashion. Hiding the shirt behind her back.

Blake: "What... What is it, Yang?"

Yang had a glint in her eyes, amused by Blake's antics. As she walked up to her friend, trying her best to see what she was hiding behind her back.

Yang: "What you got there?"

Blake: "Nothing..."

Yang: "Doesn't look like nothing... So why don't you-"

Yang tried to go for Blake's back, however, Blake saw this coming darting back missing her hand. The two carried on, while Ruby and Weiss stared at the older girls in disbelief.

Ruby tensed up to bring her hands.

Ruby: "What do we do Weiss?"

Weiss rolled her eyes and didn't answer, instead turned to the bathroom. Being the only one to hear the singing being sung.

Ruby: "Yang stop that."

Weiss turned and found Ruby trying her best to hold Yang back, while Blake darts onto one of the beds, keeping her distance.

Yang: "Let me see!"

Blake: "NO!

Weiss: "Guys..."

But she wasn't loud enough for them to hear, instead, the three carried on. With Weiss staring at the broken door, and simply took a seat at one of the empty chairs. Listening to music on the other side of the door.

Blake: "YANG!!!"

Yang: "COME ON!!!"

The two were now on top of one another, as Ruby stepped in trying to pull the two apart. Just in time as Y/N steps out with a towel wrapped around his waist as he stared at the three girls, his right eyebrow raised.

Y/N: "Can... I help you?"

Blake: "Y/N!"

Yang chuckles waving Y/N, he's jumped out of the shower and was still soaked more or less. Her eyes focused on the bath towel, while Ruby covered her eyes as soon as he stepped out.

Ruby: "Sorry... We... I mean."

Yang: "Hey~"

Weiss sighed, catching Y/N's attention. She points to the door as it simply drops off its hinges.

Yang: "Whoops~"

She chuckled, but her eyes never lefts Y/N's body. Making the young man groan as he turns to his friends and smiles.

Y/N: "It's good to see you all..."