A/N: I fixed some weird wording choices and spelling errors in the last chapter. Im not fond of the last chapter its lacking something. oh well, On with the show!

Ruby and Blake made short work of waking the group. Breakfast, camp clean up and dousing the campfire all done it was time to get back on the trail. They would be meeting their escortee at a crossroads between the towns. The group all in fairly high spirits, partly because the mission had been so easy this far. The group all making an effort to get to know Oscar. What was his farm like? Where did he go to school? Their banter causing a rabbit to dart out ahead of them on the path before disappearing under a nearby bush.

"Aww, the cute bunny rabbit ran off." Yang pouted.

Ruby bursts into a fit of giggles. Jaune just sighs. Yang raises an eyebrow at Nora when she turns to walk backwards for a while. The little silver eyed girl trying desperately to contain her laughter.

"C`mon Ruby didn't you get that out of your system months ago?" Jaune whines, it only serves to make Ruby laugh harder.

"What on earth is so funny?" Weiss demands.

Nora shrugs "Ruby's thinking about Jaunes hoodie." Its said in such a matter of fact way, almost feeling like "obviously" could have been added at the end of her explanation. Ruby completely dissolves into full blown laughter clutching her sides. Jaune gives a long suffering sigh. Ren smiles clearly amused.

Yang, Blake Weiss and Oscar share confused looks.

"ITS GOT A CUTE LITTLE BUNNY RABBIT ON IT!" Ruby shouts.

"ooohhhkkkaayy then" Yang shrugs.

They walk for several minutes, June's protests about his Pumpkin Pete hoodie only serving to fuel Ruby's laughter. Passing a road sign was like flipping a light switch. Ruby stopped laughing, Jaune stopped protesting. The mood of Team Ranger suddenly somber, silent.

"Is everything ok?" Oscar asks, trying to judge if the mood shift is due to a threat.

"Yea, let's just get out of here" Jaunes voice, weary and sad. Ruby, Ren and Nora just nod.

Oscar examines the sign. Whatever town it lead to the name is weather worn, unreadable and crossed through with a bright red X. It didn't take a genius to understand the meaning. The girls trailing behind him feel the weight of realizing the town had failed and was lost. Oscar absently wonders how many towns RNJR passed through that had met the same fate. Apparently enough to elicit a strong emotional reaction it seemed.

The last hour of the hike was nearly silent, though the somber mood had lifted. The rest of the group noting the way RNJR walked just that much closer to each other. The little team within a team, each drawing silent comfort from the other. Yang, Weiss and Blake each feeling tugs on their hearts. The Ruby they remembered always turning to them for comfort.

They reach the crossroads where their pickup will take place. It's a well traveled road. A few farms seen in the distance. A horse drawn carriage coming into view over the horizon.

"I hope that's our client. If it is, and,we walk fast we can be back to the inn tonight before midnight. Ruby stretches, working the stiffness out of her shoulders.

"I really don't want to camp out again tonight, but isn't it dangerous to walk so far after sunset?" Weiss speaks up.

"I'd rather not camp out again either. This forest gives me the creeps." Jaunes voice is stern, but not harsh. Weiss notes the non answer.

There's an awkwardness in the air that's quickly forgotten when the carriage pulls up. Their client has arrived. He is around sixteen, leaving his home town for the first time. Hes tall, not particularly strong looking, and admits hes been pretty sheltered his whole life, up until this point. His name is Cyan, name matching the hue of his hair. "You can call me Cy, if you like." He smiles, but it seems off somehow.

Ruby had migrated to the rear of the group feeling uneasy with everyone's backs being unprotected. The group gather their things as the carriage drives off. She stays guard while everyone re-enters the forest. Cy tailing behind. He passes Ruby, she smiles awkwardly when they make eye contact. He stops dead in his tracks, mouth agape for a moment. "You have silver eyes." His words are simple, they seem neutral enough on the surface. something about the way he says it causes a chill to run down Jaune, Ren and Nora's spines. No one else in the group picks up on it. They are actually quite startled when the three backtrack, making a point of keeping themselves between Cy and Ruby.

Jaune gently leading her to the front of the group. Ren and Nora stay at the back. Eventually Cy makes his way near the front of the group. Jaune changes his pace leaving Ruby on point and keeping distance between them. Cy tries several times to match Jaunes pace. The blonde telling him to stay in the middle "For your own safety, we are your escorts after all." He repeats and reminds the boy several times. Yang and the others not understanding NJRs actions but picking up easily, that for whatever reason this boy is being perceived as a threat. Yang has her gauntlet cocked just in case. Oscar, Blake, Yang and Weiss share a look, they'll be ready.

Friendly banter soon starts up, awkward silence becoming overwhelming. Ruby asks Cy what his family is like. They learn he's the son of a businessman. His father started The magpie organization years ago. Now with his older brothers expressing interest in running it with their father, he was finally free to roam the world. Maybe even becoming a huntsman at some point. His words and walk exude confidence.

Weiss whispers to Yang that the company's name seems familiar, but, she cant quite place it. Maybe they did business with the SDC at some point. This seems to ease Yangs mind a bit, she allows her gauntlet to fall back to standby. The news is passed along to Blake and Oscar they will tell the other four at lunch. Blake catches the boy tapping on his scroll. " Informing father on our progress." Cy states.

Lunch is pleasant. The three girls and Oscar warning up to the boy. To Yangs delight he's a fan of puns. They trade a few jokes, most of the group groaning at the punchlines. A calm quiet overtakes the group as they eat. Ruby leans back raising her face to soak in the warm sun. She's tucked safely between Jaune and Nora. She feels safe and warm between them. knowing Ren is next to Nora makes her feel even more comfortable. Jaune and Nora catch each others eye and smile, moments of peace like this, especially on missions are rare and precious. Yang watches the moment from her position nearby. The ease of it all weighing her heart, the tiniest bit of jealousy rearing its head. She couldn't help but feel that Ruby should be nestled beside her. She shook her head clearing the errant thought.

Cys scroll beeps and the peace is broken. "Father says hes happy with our progress!" He flashes his scroll quickly as if to show the message but pulls it back, tapping a response.

Lunch ends WBY and Oscar having never found the opportunity to fill in RNJR about Magpie doing business with SDC. The mistrust RNJR has for the blue haired boy still evident. Ruby and Jaune were leading again. Nora and Ren behind them this time. There was no hostility from RNJR to their current charge. It was clear they were in no way going to be letting their guards down. They were all business. The air of professional Huntsmen seeming to emanate from them. The walk was pleasant enough and peaceful. Weiss deep in thought, only speaking here and there. A nagging in the back of her moon won't leave her alone. She knows she has heard her father mention Magpie, on several occasions, but, she can only remember him sounding angry when doing so.

The chatter in the group dies down. One of those inexplicable random silences capable of shushing an entire room. The sound of a branch breaking in the distance causes everyone to freeze. Ren closes his eyes listening, waiting. He lowers his hand to his weapon. Jaune, Nora and Ruby ready their weapons almost on instinct. The rest of the group follow suit, though unsure why. The air is tense, they expect any manner of Grimm to come charging out at them. They are surprised when a group of six bandits charge out at them weapons drawn. The logo of a black bird with a blue diamond on its chest jogs Weisss memory. "Oh no." she breathes.

"Oh yes." Cyan grins.

A/N: I know, I know, mean author leaving it at a cliffhanger for tonight.