KS: (exhales) Alright, I've been wanting to do this for a while, but due to writer's block and an overall lack of motivation, I never got around to doing it. Also, I wasn't sure if posting this would be a good idea, seeing how Volume 4 started and ended... but I digress. I've always wanted to do something like this and I figured now was a good time. Remember, do not hesitate to give me any feedback on this. Now... let's begin.

"Jaune."

The blonde looked up to see Ruby staring at him, concern drawn all over her face. And for good reason, too. At least six months has passed since the fall of Beacon and he barely said much since... since he heard of Pyrrha. All that was left of her was the circlet that was hooked to his belt. They were travelling to Mistral to find out anything about the "transfer students" that were the cause of Beacon's fall... and the demise of Pyrrha. The blonde had not said a word regarding his partner, and just the mere mention of her is enough to send him into depression.

"If you want to talk anything, don't be afraid to ask," she said, forcing a smile.

Jaune sighed and walked past her, much to her disappointment.

"I just wanted him to know that what happened wasn't his fault," she muttered solemnly.

Trailing close behind them, Ren and Nora watched as their leader sulked on ahead. They were affected by Pyrrha's death just as Jaune was, but he took it the worst. So many things unsaid, so many things he should have said... now, they would be forever more unheard.

"He can't keep going on like this," Ren stated. "I understand that he has lost a dear friend and valued team member, but if he continues being this way, he'll be ineffective as a leader."

Nora didn't say anything as Ren continued.

"There will always be time to mourn, but that time must eventually pass. If one continues to wallow in sorrow, they will never move forward at all. This behavior is unfitting and unacceptable for a leader and needs to end immediately. If he can't do that, then we'll just have to rely on Ruby from this point onward."

Nora remained silent as she walked alongside her friend. She knew that Ren had a point, but she couldn't really agree with him, for she felt the same way. She loved Pyrrha, like she was the older sister she never had. She would always laugh at her antics or lend a shoulder for her to sleep on. That had to be why she liked Pyrrha. She always had this motherly vibe that makes Nora feel warm on the inside.

"We're here," Jaune said, bringing the groups attention to him.

They had reached a tall gate with a few men standing close to it, as if they were expecting a threat of any kind. One of them noticed the group and aimed his rifle at them.

"You there," he said. "Why have you come?"

"We mean you no harm," Ruby said. "We're travelling hunters who need somewhere to stay for the night."

"Hmm..." The guard whispered to his colleagues, who whispered in response. He turned back to the group. "Alright, we'll let you in, but you gotta hand in your weapons before you enter."

"What?" Jaune spoke up, probably the first time in a long while. "Why do we have to do that?"

"Because we don't trust outsiders, especially ones who claim to be hunters. If you don't comply, you will not be permitted to enter."

Ruby couldn't believe what she was hearing. She thought that villages were welcoming to any hunters looking to rest up after a long journey. But now, she and her friends have reached a village with guards who do not trust them to enter with their weapons? She couldn't wrap her head around it. What if there were bandits that have infiltrated the village, waiting for the right moment to run it to the ground?

"Perhaps we should do what they say for now," Ren suggested. "Should anything happen, they will be obliged to return our weapons to us."

"I don't know," Nora said. "They seem pretty suspicious of us."

"Even so, we might as well, go along with it, or we'll have to sleep outside." He turned to Jaune. "What do you say?"

The blonde sighed and scratched his head. Clearly, this situation did not sit well with him either, but he was well aware that the team was feeling weary and needed some place to rest.

"Okay, we'll play ball with them for now." He turned to the guard. "Okay, we'll give you weapons, but one condition."

"Name it," the guard said.

"In case of an emergency, such as an attack by bandits or Grimm, you'll hand our weapons to us."

The guard scoffed. "I doubt it will come do that, but I'm nothing if not reasonable. Should anything come up, we'll hand you your gear."

And so, Team RNJR handed the guards their weapons. One of them gave a signal to the guard at the watchtower and opened the gate. They walked into the village, which had a fair number of people living inside of it.

"We'll rest up here, then continue to Mistral," Ruby said. The group agreed and headed for the nearest inn. But unbeknownst to them, a figure watched from the shadows.

"Mistral, huh? Looks like I introduce myself soon."

KS: There we go, first chapter. I'll be posting the second one shortly after, so... you know what, you can just go ahead and read the next chapter after I've posted this one.