A/N: Well...not as much action as I thought. ~_~ I changed some stuff around and well...this happened. Thanks for being patient and there will be more action in the following chapter. And after that...there just might be some more romance involved as well. ^_~ Though I now have to rewrite the next chapter as well. Bear with me and please, feel free to critique me and feel free to share this story. I'd appreciate fully. ^_^

Partner

Finally Dusk leveled Severance and fired two bolts with wires attached. Using his momentum, Dusk launched himself further into the forest. After choosing a landing spot, the nearby shadows started forming into a tree shape. Dusk focused on his creation and getting closer, disappeared into it and materialized on the other side quickly. "Little sloppy," he muttered to himself. Before he could further critique himself, he heard a small, panicked scream. Rushing in it's direction, Dusk only hoped that it's owner was okay. Quickly coming to a clearing he saw two beowolves snarling at something. Looking closer he saw the girl in green surrounded by thorns and vines. He also saw her holding what looked like a glowing staff, sharing the glow with the vines, Dusk noted. Sizing up the two creatures of Grimm, Dusk drew Sorrow & Guilt and unleashed twelve shots. Turning to face the sound of this new threat, the duo charged him. Holstering his revolvers, Dusk jumped through the shadows and drew Genocide. He appeared through a tree's shadow and brought his blade through the side of one of his opponents. Relishing in the sound and feeling from his blade biting the first beowolf's side, he listened to it yelp in pain as he jumped away to create distance from it's partner. The second wolf turned and charged the black clad fighter. Flaring his aura, Dusk easily countered the attack and turned splitting the beowolf's skull in two as he brought the blade down.

Delicious, the word darkly flew through his mind.

Still recovering, Dusk rushed the other wolf and ran his sword through it's torso up into it's skull. Immediately his target slumped forward, lifeless on the blade penetrating it's body. Removing Genocide, he cleaned and returned her to his back. Remembering the reason he just slaughtered these two Grimm, Dusk turned to see the vines returning to the trees and ground. The girl remained kneeling on the ground however. Must of been tiring to hold her semblance that long, the thought trailed as he walked over and offered his hand to her. "You alright?" Dusk asked, concern in his voice though his smile could be seen behind his cowl. "Y-yeah. I'm fine, thank you," she replied in a very timid voice as she hesitantly took Dusk's hand. Gently pulling her to her feet, Dusk scanned her for any wounds. After ensuring she could stand on her own, Dusk backed off and bowed deeply. "Dusk Ebonshroud," he introduced himself with a bold grin.

She giggled slightly at his gesture as she introduced herself. "Esmeralda Verdant."

Such a pretty name, Dusk though. "You alright to keep moving?" Dusk asked.

"Go?"

"To get our relics, partner!" Dusk exclaimed.

"Yeah! Let's go," Esmeralda said with some excitement and a smile. Dusk returned the smile and they started heading further into the forest.

I was hoping to find Marron or Yang, Dusk said to himself. He looked over at Esmeralda as they walked through the forest. She was looking throughout the forest with a smile on her face. She seems happy to just be out here...she still doesn't seem like a fighter though, Dusk wondered what brought her to a school for Hunters. Esmeralda's gaze fell onto his own and he looked away shyly.

"Something the matter Dusk?" She asked, concern in her voice. How could she be concerned about someone she just met?, Dusk was confused at that. "Huh? Oh, nothing. Just wondering where these ruins are," he lied, badly at that.

"Are you sure? Your face looks a little flushed," she said as she stepped towards him. Dusk stood shakily as this girl stared into his eyes. Swallowing, Dusk tried to calm himself and stop his face from being red. Finally, he broke her gaze and walked forward, "I'm fine. I just want to find these ruins and relics," Dusk said quickly. Esmeralda ran to catch up, concern still on her face. "Really? Cau-" Dusk interrupted her, "Stop. I'm fine. There's nothing to worry about." Dusk was upset that he responded that way, but he just wanted her to stop worrying. It was his job to worry about others. Taking a quick glance over at her, Dusk could see a hurt look in her eyes. Great, now she's gonna hate her partner, Dusk worried in his head. "Hey," he said softly. She didn't respond. Dusk felt terrible already at what he'd done, but if she didn't want to respond it would have to wait.

They continued in that uncomfortable silence until Dusk heard something overhead. "What the hell is-" Before he could finish his thought, giant feathers came raining from the sky. Instinctively, Dusk grabbed Esmeralda and pulled her behind a few trees. Nevermore, Dusk sighed, great. Peering around the trees, Dusk smiled. A small dash away were the ruins. "C'mon," Dusk said to Esmeralda, "we can sneak around and get to the relics." Dusk pointed out so Esmeralda could see their target. She nodded and leading them around, Dusk ran out with Esmeralda as they rushed to the ruins. Getting closer revealed that there were others here already. Dusk could see Yang and Ruby easily. Stepping forward he could also see the girl in black and the happy-go-lucky orange haired girl with her quiet, black haired friend. Looking skyward, Dusk saw something in the air. Someone was falling and it was...Weiss Schnee? Seeing this sight he started laughing a bit which got the attention of Yang and the black clad girl. "Hey Dusk!" Yang shouted. Dusk and Esmeralda neared when Dusk noticed the blonde haired boy leaping through the air to catch Weiss. After watching them fall and laughing some more, the group heard some more rustling. Then a loud crash followed. Pyrrha came running into the clearing with a large Deathstalker chasing her and Marron and a girl clad in red and pink stepped out from the nearby foliage. Knocking her back, Pyrrha sailed through the air landing near all of them. Looking at the two creatures threatening them, the group of twelve looked at each other and started thinking of a plan.