I do not own RWBY

Running his hand along the rim off his cup, Aiden watched the café owner closely. The way his eyes shifted nervously and his hands twitching every once and a while, but only when he looked toward the door, was a big hint. Resisting the urge to huff, he drained the cup before waving over a server to order another. If the man was any more obvious Aiden would have killed him thirty minutes ago when he'd first entered the café. Looking up when the bell above the door chimed he hid a smirk behind his cup. The ginger haired girl was horrible at hiding. Of course that was mainly his fault, he should have taught her how to hide better in stead of lecturing her about the benefits of being able to drink coffee.

"Salutations Aiden," Penny stated as she entered. Raising an eyebrow he pointed to the scarf she was wearing on her head. If androids could blush she would have. As of now, there were two customers in the café, so he supposed at least there wouldn't be any casualties when he attacked.

"Cute Pen," he said motioning to the seat across from him. Sitting down slowly Penny froze when he reached over taking the scarf from on top of her head and wrapping it around her neck. Mumbling something about helpless women he sat back sending the waiter a grateful look when he got a refill of coffee. He might have to kill the owner soon but at least he could enjoy the coffee first.

"It's good to see you but should you really be in Atlas," she asked tilting her head to the side. The worry in her eyes was enough to make him smirk.

"I'm not the only one here," he said softly a frown crossing his lips as he remembered Weiss' actions the day before. Sipping his coffee he glanced over at the suspicious café owner for a second as the man vanished into the kitchen. Most likely to see why Aiden wasn't falling over dead from the amount of poison put in the coffee. Laughing internally he refocused on Penny as the girl shifted nervously. Sighing he placed down his cup saying, "I'm sorry to put you in this position."

"Don't worry," she said quickly trying to wave off his apologies. The amused grin he gave her reminded her of happier times before Beacon.

"Still, as one of my only friends I hate putting you in danger," he stated spotting a hooded figure walk past him. Firmly he decided that the first thing he'd be doing once he took over the assassin's made sure they got stealth training. Honestly, he'd already spotted both of the first two idiots they sent to kill him.

"Friends help each other," she said a smile on her face. The simple statement was a testament to her innocence. Something he'd sworn to protect even from himself.

"True," he agreed glancing behind her to the third assassin who'd replaced the nice blonde waiter he'd been silently admiring since arrival. Anger shot though his heart for a moment for the needless death for he had no doubt the man had been slaughtered. Looking back into Penny's eyes he smiled hiding everything but the fondness he had for the synthetic human as he said, "can you wait outside for me?"

Penny stilled her hands clutching the hem of the dark green sweater she was wearing. She wasn't stupid. She knew why he was asking her to go. Everything he'd noticed she had too. Not even bothering to lower her voice she asked, "you're going to kill them aren't you?"

The smirk he gave her was nothing short of demonic. Standing she reached up to touch her scarf wondering for a second how a man as ruthless as he was could care about someone like her. She wasn't human so why was he nicer to her than his own kind. Nodding slowly she dropped her arm and turned. As much as she hated leaving him here alone she didn't doubt his ability to draw blood. Aiden watched he girl leave making sure she was safely out of danger. Taking one last sip of his coffee he heard the shift of clothing behind him. The metallic ringing of a blade being unsheathed, didn't even make him look up.

Reaching back he grabbed the blade without turning. While his attacker tried to pull back Aiden stood slowly his eyes closed as he drank the coffee. Opening his eyes he pinned the man with a glare before attacking. The hooded man stumbled releasing his blade as hot coffee was splashed onto his face. Watching the man fall back howling Aiden tossed the short sword into the air.

"It's rude to attack an unarmed man," he scolded catching the weapon easily. The redhead who'd replaced his waiter lunged forward holding a knife. Rolling his eyes Aiden parried the attack grabbing the man by the neck. Spinning he tossed his captive into the one charging at him. Following the men, he lashed out the stolen dagger scrapping against the redheads back before being knocked away by a silver spearhead.

Not deterred he gripped the shaft of the spear and pulled steel met steel as he stared at a masked face. The dagger strained against the metal forearm guard she wore. The black face mask covered with golden veins jogged his memory of the days before Ironwood. Of a smiling girl and blood covered hands. Shae.

"They said you would freeze if I wore this," she said her voice breaking him from his thoughts. Releasing her spear he stepped back slowly. Shaking his head he wondered who'd told her about him.

"Your good," he told her meaning the praise. He honestly hadn't even sensed her. She inclined her head accepting the complement as she pulled her spear back. Leaning back he asked, "are we going to fight?"

"I was ordered to come welcome you to Atlas," she said her voice sounding almost robotic. He winced at the familiar sound knowing he'd had the same tone years ago. Pity filled him for a second the memories of his own training tugging at his heart. Still that mask was throwing him off. Deciding that the offending mask had to go he winked at her. Deactivating his aura he slammed the dagger into his hand without flinching.

Blood dripped from his hand as he pulled out the dagger tossing it away from him in the direction of one of the assassins. Waving his blood covered hand he willed his semblance into motion. Sharpened needles of blood flew forward in a curved arc and he followed behind them a single curved blade forming from the remaining blood gathered on his hand. She stumbled back her spear spinning to knock away the needless.

Taking the opening he gripped the shaft of her spear with one hand and shoved her against the wall while his other pressed the blade against the vulnerable skin of her neck. Her cloak fell to the ground behind her the pin coming loose. Waves of dark blue hair fell over her shoulders matching the vest she was wearing.

"Take off her mask," he ordered calmly. The anger burning through his blood that someone would dare use Shae's mask made him reckless. Flowing light blue sleeves fell back as he forced her closer to the wall.

"Why are you angry," she asked confusion dripping off her words. He tensed slightly before snarling. Stabbing the blade in his hand into the wall beside her head he pulled the mask from her face. Dark purple eyes stared at him emotionlessly. If it hadn't been for the frown pulling at her lips he would have thought she was a robot. Hearing footsteps behind him, he dropped her mask to the ground and spun. Releasing her he kicked out catching the nervous café owner in the face. The cracking sound of his nose breaking was followed by the sharp gasp he gave out when Aiden slammed his palm into the man's chest.

The man flew back tumbling over the tables around them. Ducking Aiden dodged the sword swung at him, coming back up he grabbed the redheads wrist pulling the man forward. He saw the widening of the fool's eyes as he used the man's own weapon to stab the assailant coming to behead him from behind. Releasing his hold Aiden danced around the stunned man and broke his neck.

The bodies dropped to the ground with a thud as he tilted his head to the right to avoid her spear. Noting the flash of anger in her eyes he frowned. It seemed she wasn't totally emotionless after all. Stepping away from her he watched closely as she lunged forward again.

Swinging the spear at his chest exposed the golden necklace around her neck and the vine like tattoos that trailed up her neck. Her annoyance at his constant dodging showed in the way her attacks sped up the need to hit him overwhelming her logic. She obviously felt something for her fellow assassins. Finally, she messed up.

Stabbing down at his legs she felt her eyes widen as he kicked away the head of her spear the movement causing her to stumble. Grabbing the woman's arms he tossed her away the spear falling from her hands as she hit the counter. Watching her struggle to sit up he causally plucked her spear off the ground. Studying the weapon he appreciated the feathers engraved along the shaft. It was obviously custom made.

"Don't touch that," she ordered emotion leaking into her voice for the first time. He stilled looking down at her. There was true fear in her eyes. Not of being kill but of dying by her own blade. She must have an attachment to the weapon. Staring into her eyes he noticed the golden flecks entangled within the purple. Shifting his grip on her spear he lunged forward.

She rolled out of the way and her arms coming up to block his next swing. Her aura lit up light blue over her body as the weapon bounced off the metal attached to her arms. Pulling back he allowed her to stand. Blocking the kick she aimed at his chest he felt his arms shake from the force she put behind it.

Kicking off the ground she flipped away from him trying to put distance between them. Reaching back she gripped the handle of her gun. Rushing forward he twisted to the side avoiding the bullet she fired the area behind him exploded from the fire dust she'd shot. Knocking the gun from her hand he met her eyes briefly before slamming the blunt end of her spear down onto her head.

Penny kicked the snow blow her feet impatiently. The dark blue jeans she wore standing out against the green boots on her feet. Reaching up she straightened her bow feeling slightly put out as the cold wind blew it out of place once again. For once she was glad not to be human since the wind couldn't affect her. She did, however, love the amount of winter clothing her father had gotten her once she returned from Beacon.

Hearing the door open she turned surprised to see the woman thrown over Aiden shoulder as he exited. Opening her mouth she began to question him onto to squeak when he tossed a spear in her direction. Scrambling to catch the weapon she barely managed to before it hit the ground. Holding the weapon tightly she waved it in his face irritation on her face.

"You're not supposed to toss weapons," she scolded repeating what her father had told her many times. Aiden rolled his eyes adjusting his hold on his opponent so that the woman's head rested against his chest. She looked fragile laying helpless in his grip. Penny blinked her annoyance forgotten as she moved forward asking, "who's she?"

"Our way into their base," he stated coldly.