Since the world cursed them with a monsoon last night, none of the girls got much sleep and spent the night miserable.

The rain only got worse, so the dense leaves didn't do much to cover them. Fortunately, now it was midday and the sun was high in the sky. The group had air-dried by this point.

To find a way to get to their supplies on top of the waterfall, the group split into pairs. For some reason, Weiss wanted to explore with Blake. Probably because the faunus wasn't rowdy like the sisters.

Weiss didn't have the energy to spend time with them. Weiss loved Ruby, but she was feeling off. Something wasn't right. And it wasn't the raging headache or the fact that they were lost.

Together, Blake and Weiss knocked over some tree branches, so they could continue their trek.

"I'll get this one," Blake said.

"Okay."

Firmly, the faunus carved a slash into a trunk. This was so they could find their way back and for the sisters to locate them.

Instead of commenting on the mark, Weiss walked past her friend and led the way. Every few feet they'd mark a tree.

The faunus watched Weiss walk by her in the corner of her vision. She looked exhausted. Then again, they all were. A cat ear flicked in thought. Her friend looked paler than normal, and they'd been out in the sun the last couple of days.

The uneasy pit of dread wouldn't leave.

"You okay?" Blake asked as she trailed behind her. "Normally, you're more talkative. And you look like you're in pain."

"Just a headache," Weiss dismissed. "I hope things will work out. I've never been in this situation before. It's… unsettling."

The faunus took note that her friend was very worried. "We'll find a way back up," she said with confidence.

Weiss glanced over her shoulder. "You sound like Yang."

"Just trying to be positive," Blake commented.

That caught Weiss' attention. "You- you almost died yesterday and you're acting like it didn't affect you."

Blake sighed as she recalled the memory. "I almost drowned once before that," the revelation caused Weiss to perk a brow. "It really comes down to me not being careful."

"I'm sorry you had to experience that," Weiss said, solemness trickled in her tone. "It can't be a welcome memory."

Water rushing into their lungs and choking them. Not knowing if they'd survive the fall or not. Not knowing if Blake would survive.

For a moment, Blake questioned why her friend was being so sentimental. She concluded that this had to be one of those rare moments they could only share if they were alone, so she appreciated that.

"It's not," the faunus agreed. "It can't be for you guys, either. None of you would've experienced that if I didn't fall over."

After Weiss marked a tree, she paused to give her friend the attention necessary.

"You can't blame yourself. We simply won't let you."

For the first time in a while, Blake cracked a small smile. "Thanks, Weiss."

That earned a tiny grin in return.

The two shared the pleasant moment for several seconds. When Blake decided to keep moving onward, she slammed her pinky toe into a vine on the ground.

"Agh! Shit!"

Azure orbs widened. Weiss had never heard Blake cuss before. She couldn't even imagine that. To see it happen was amusing, but concern took precedence.

"Are you okay?" Weiss asked.

Blake grimaced as she stood there, trying to get over the throbbing. "I wish we had our shoes."

"That does complicate things a bit," Weiss admitted. "We should get a pedicure when we get out of here."

"I'd like that."

Since it was just a stubbed toe, the two kept trekking.

However, it didn't take long for Weiss to grow breathless. Blake had known her friend for years. A little hike like this was practically nothing, so she watched her the whole time. On occasion, Weiss lost her balance.

"Are you sure you're fine?" Blake asked, wanting to make sure.

Without answering, Weiss dropped to her knees. This elicited a gasp from Blake as she knelt by her side.

"I knew something was wrong!" the faunus exclaimed. "Hey, are you sick?"

Stubbornly, Weiss swatted her hand away when Blake tried to feel her forehead. This earned a confused expression.

"The situation is bad enough," Weiss explained as she narrowed her eyes in determination. "I'm not going to drag everyone else down."

Desperately, Blake searched her gaze. Blue eyes looked glazed over a little and she was sweating more than she liked.

"You have to tell us this kind of thing," Blake used a soothing voice as she placed a hand on her back for comfort. "You'd only worry Ruby even more."

"You almost died yesterday," Weiss said darkly. "We're lost, and now I'm sick."

Blake bit her bottom lip in concern. This shouldn't be surprising. Odds are, one of them would get sick from the downpour and spending the night drenched. Not to mention, they haven't had anything to eat for too long. The sickness and hunger had to weigh her down more than the others.

"We're heading back," the faunus decided.

"What? No, I can-"

"It's not because of you," Blake said firmly. "Look ahead. I don't see how we can make it up this way. It's a waste of time."

When Weiss was about to retort, Blake cut her off.

"I bet Ruby and Yang had more luck."

Weiss remained silent like she was blaming herself for getting sick. Blake knew the feeling all too well and pulled her in closely.

"We shouldn't have split up," the faunus said. "Do you think you can stand?"

"Of course I can."

"Agh!"

Her scream echoed through the forest and even caused some birds to abandon their nests. The sudden cry sent Yang into overdrive as she frantically checked on her sister.

"What?!" Yang yelped, thinking the worst "What is it, Rubes?!"

Quickly, Ruby pulled her hands away from the tree trunk and wiped them on the grass. "Sap! It's so gross!"

"Oh, for the love of- Ruby!" Yang chided. "It's just sap!"

"It'll never come off," Ruby said like she was doomed. "This is the worst!"

"Stop your whining," the blonde rolled her eyes from how childish she was acting.

When Ruby heard that, she adorned a smug grin. Yang looked confused until Ruby lunged at her with her palms out. Successfully, Ruby smeared some sticky sap on her clothes and arms.

"Agh!" Yang yelped as she tried to push her sister away. "Don't drag me down with you!"

"Accept the sap!" Ruby pressed her assault.

After some wrestling, Yang managed to throw Ruby off her. Somehow, the blonde only got some sap on her arms. It wasn't enough, but still an irritating feeling. Overtime, the sap would fade but it'd be frustrating for a while.

"Aha!" Ruby claimed. "Now you have to suffer with me."

"I wasn't before?" Yang quipped.

"Fair enough…" Ruby mumbled. "I could really use some Goo Gone."

"We didn't even pack it," the blonde said. "You were doomed from the start."

A sudden gasp.

"What is it now?" Yang asked in annoyance.

"Deer. Behind you."

Her sister's tone did a huge one-eighty. This had to be the real deal. Sure enough, there was a doe in the distance. The sisters were shocked that they didn't scare it away from all the arguing.

The sight was beautiful. Like the brown doe was painted on a canvas. Some red was about to be splattered on it.

Ruby whispered. "Let's kill it."

At first, Yang was taken aback by the suggestion. But it made sense. They had no idea if they'd be able to reach their supplies. This would be a good fallback.

"That's actually not a bad idea," the blonde murmured, liking how her sister was resourceful. "We need to eat something. I'm sure Blake and Weiss would appreciate it… maybe."

The two loved animals and might be put off by the idea, but it'd been a while since they'd eaten. Might as well secure a meal now.

"You sneak around it," Ruby suggested. "I'll make it run right to you."

"It might spot me because of my hair," the blonde remarked.

"We'll have to take the chance," Ruby replied. "I don't know if I can take down a deer by myself, but you can."

To get ready, Yang swung her arms in circles. "Our chances are slim but this'll be one for the record books."

The sisters thought back to when Taiyang took them on camping trips. He taught them everything there needs to be known about hunting. Even hand-to-hand stuff like fishing with spears and carving knives out of wood.

Ruby smirked as she held out a fist. "Good luck."

"Thanks, but I won't need it," Yang fist bumped her.

With that, the blonde crept into the woods. It took several minutes to position herself. During that time, Ruby sharpened a branch. Now and then, the deer would lift its head and roam to another spot. This was the most frustrating part. When the sisters thought they were good to initiate, the deer began to move. By the time they were in good positions, the sisters were irritated, but ready.

When Yang gave her a thumbs up, Ruby hopped out from behind a tree. The suddenness of it all made the deer whirl around and bolt away.

Exactly where they wanted it.

When it was just a few feet in front of her, Yang pounced like a lioness.

"Agh!" Yang let out a war cry.

Instead of going for the main body of the animal, she tackled the legs. Anything to force it to the ground. Unfortunately, the doe was stronger than she anticipated. The opponents wrestled on the grass as Yang let out strangled grunts of effort.

Finally, she managed to pin down the larger animal. Once Yang squeezed her arms around its neck, it stood no chance. The deer was on top of her squirming as she bear-hugged it like some anaconda that kills prey by suffocation.

The moment Yang pinned it on top of her, Ruby was on them. In a rush, she impaled a vital spot through the back. In seconds, the deer's cries ceased screeching and it went limp on top of Yang. A trickle of red seeped out of the wound.

When the animal was finally still, Yang rolled the corpse off her.

"Yang!" Ruby called. "You did it!"

"We did it," the blonde corrected.

Honestly, Ruby had her doubts. But she was glad their efforts paid off. That probably won't happen again anytime soon. Then again, if there was a next time, their friends might be with them. More help is always appreciated.

"Like…" Ruby continued to brag for her sister. "Holy shit!"

"Ruby!" Yang scolded. "Language!"

"Oh, shut up," Ruby said evenly. "We just killed a deer. That's a little more graphic than cursing."

Yang shrugged. "Good point."

Happily, Ruby held out her hand. Yang accepted it to stand. The sisters looked down at their reward.

"We should get back," the blonde suggested. "It'll take a while to cook."

"I can't wait to see the looks on their faces," Ruby said.

Easily, Yang was able to heave the corpse over her shoulders. The doe was about two-hundred pounds, and she acted like it was nothing. Ruby watched her and her eyes twinkled. Her sister never ceased to amaze her.

"Woah… you sure it's not too heavy?"

"This is nothin'" Yang insisted. "Lead the way."

Proud of her sister, Ruby moved ahead. On every other tree, there were marks to follow back. After several minutes, Ruby recognized the markings had shifted to Weiss and Blake's forward slash marks. They were getting close.

To make sure Yang was fairing well, Ruby looked over her shoulder. She was fine. Just a little slow thanks to the heap on her back.

"We'll run into them soon," Ruby encouraged.

"Awesome," the blonde said.

She was looking forward to throwing the meal off her back. She didn't act like it, but there was a lot of pressure on her knees.

"Ruby!" what sounded like Blake yelled.

In the distance, there were black and white blobs. From the sight, Ruby gasped.

"They're here!"

Her giddiness was cut short when she noticed that her girlfriend was leaning on the faunus for support. From the realization, Ruby darted forward without sparing Yang a glance.

"Catch up."

Yang didn't seem to mind. It sounded like Ruby was concerned. She probably wanted to go find out what was going on.

"Guys!" Ruby greeted. "Is everything okay?!"

But Ruby could tell for herself. Blake was holding Weiss upright like she couldn't stand on her own. It looked like the heiress was having trouble keeping her eyes open.

Blake looked down to Weiss with her cat ears folded.

"She's sick," Blake revealed in a sad tone.

"Ohhh, Weiss…" Ruby mumbled as she gazed at her in concern. "No…"

Knowing what to do, Blake coaxed Weiss into Ruby's arms. Ruby held onto her with deep worry. Her girlfriend was hot to the touch, her face was red, and expression clearly pained.

"How long has she been like this?" Ruby asked, scooping her up bridal style.

"About an hour," Blake informed, keeping her eyes on her friend. "She took a turn for the worse on the way back. She needs rest and food."

At the mention of food, Ruby was hopeful. "We got a deer."

That perked Blake up. "I'm sorry, what? You got a what?"

"A deer!" Ruby exclaimed. "Yang did most of the work," upon seeing her skeptical expression, Ruby elaborated. "We got it with sheer willpower!"

Yang cut in. "We got the deer willpower."

"Ugh," Blake groaned from the sight of the carcass.

"We can all eat," Ruby said cheerfully.

She looked down at Weiss with concern swimming in those silver pools.

"You'll feel better in no time. I promise."

Stay dandy,

~Toto