CROOKED VIEWS

"Here." Blake crouched to the ground to clear a pair of fallen leaves on the ground. Ruby who was right behind her moved forward and looked down to see the freshly made tracks on the ground.

Three. They had counted three tracks of the Grimm, and from the mission, the students needed to effectively track and kill them. Well they had an obligation to kill one, but they never said they couldn't aim higher.

Considering the competitiveness of the class they were in, they were all going to try and kill more than the other.

Ruby wondered. How long had it been? Months?

Like the current wind, time just blew past her, and the students had all grown in leaps from what they were when they first joined the Academy. This was their first mission, a mission into the wild. They had learnt all they needed to, and now was the time for them to put their skills into practice.

"There are three of them." Blake said, before standing up and looking to Ruby who looked withdrawn, deep within her thoughts.

"Are you okay?" she asked, noting her countenance.

At the absence of a reply, Blake snapped her fingers before Ruby.

"Hey Ruby."

Ruby blinked and looked to Blake in surprise.

"Blake?" She blinked again. "Is something wrong?"

"I should be asking you." Blake said. "You've always been out of it since the classes, but we need your full attention here; we are tracking three Grimm."

"Three?" Ruby asked. "I thought it we are expected to get one."

"I really don't care about it too, but we've been searching for hours now, and this one decided to move with others. Besides," Blake smiled, "No one said anything was wrong about going bigger. I'm sure the other groups are having the same thing through their minds."

"Should we be worried?" Ruby asked, "That they might be too much?"

Blake shifted her head in the negative. "Headmaster Ozpin said they wouldn't be above our capabilities, so I don't see the need." She looked around. "We need to get ahold of Weiss and Yang, we have the tracks of the Grimm."

"You sure know a lot about hunting, don't you?" Ruby said with a smile, to which Blake nodded, looking to the trees.

"I know quite a bit."

"You learnt it back home?"

Blake's body stiffened, not giving a reply to Ruby's question. Instead she said, "Shoot the flare, Weiss and Yang should be close by, the Grimm is right ahead. We need a plan if we are going to quickly defeat them."

Ruby just sighed and drew her Crescent Rose which was already in its sniper format. Blake was always quiet about her past, not needing to share memories regarding her home, if she had any. Ruby had always respected privacy, knowing that eventually, Blake would trust them enough to reveal whatever it was she was hiding. She took out a special type of dust from her pouch and inserted it into her weapon, pointing the nozzle to the skies.

She pressed the trigger, letting off a thin stream of high velocity smoke to the skies.

"How far are the Grimm?" Ruby asked, bringing down her weapon.

"The three of them shouldn't be that far off. We need to ambush them, we will have a surprise factor to our benefit and we can use that to kill them off quite quickly."

"Right." Ruby just gave a humorless smile and looked to the tracks, noting their deepened indentation on the earth. "Do you ever think there must be a way to save them?"

Blake looked confused, turning to their team Leader. "Save? What are you talking about?"

"The Grimm."

Blake blinked, letting out a surprised chuckle from her lips. Leave it to Ruby to joke in the situations such as these. It was quite a bizarre thought. "Why do you think we need to save them?"

"Aren't you curious as to how they came about, or do you think that they just appeared out of thin air? They are rather strange, aren't they, beings that disappear after being killed."

"I don't think it matters." Blake surmised. "It's pointless to think about it."

"Why?" Ruby asked, trying to pass something across. "I'm sure there was a time that there was no Grimm, no Hunters, just us. Aren't you curious if there was a purpose for them, as to why they are here?"

Blake arched an eyebrow. Was she actually serious? "This isn't like you Ruby?"

"Nothing is how it used to be?"

"Nothing?" Blake narrowed her gaze to Ruby who had a serious expression on her face. She really was serious. "What are you talking-"

"Hey guys." Weiss called out, stepping into the clearing with Yang. "We saw your signal, have you seen it?"

Blake observed Ruby for a brief moment and shook off the thoughts in her head before looking to Weiss and Yang.

"Yes, if we follow their tracks, we will be unto them in no time." Blake said, gesturing to the tracks. "There are three of them."

"Haha! Awesome!" Yang said in glee while she smashed her fists together. "It'll be challenging at least. Right sis?"

Yang tapped her younger sister's back playfully, who just let out a smile. "Y…Yeah."

Blake just sent Ruby a look before looking back to the tracks. She was the lead right now, considering she was the most adept in tracking.

"Follow me, and be quiet."

From the distance the waterfall had been like a silent white stream cascading over the rocky outcrops. As they had drawn closer, the noise had increased steadily, until they were only a few hundred meters away. They could no longer even shout to one another over the deafening roar of the water.

Closer still they drew until they were in the plume of water vapor that hung over the plunge pool and in only minutes, they were as wet as they would have been in any rainstorm. Their hair clung to their heads and around their faces, but no matter how wet they became, it could not dampen their spirits. They stood in awe.

Blake who was in front, drew their attention by waving to them and pointing to the top of the cliffs. They needed to climb.

Ruby arched an eyebrow. This was not the gentle sort of water fall one might see in a pompous home garden, it was the kind where torrents of water are poured over rocks hard enough to crack one's skull and mash the brains on the way down, then swirl in a plunge pool below, deep enough to drown you is they had survived the fall. From the bottom it was beautiful, but on the way up, it was brutal and terrifying.

Despite the fears, they had made it to the top. Ruby was the last to climb and as soon as she was helped up unto the top of the cliff, Blake instructed her to be quiet, pointing to the distance.

Slowly, the team hid behind a huge outcropping rock that hid their presence from the Grimm. The humidity in the air, followed by the thin atmosphere, aided in making their scents unable to be tracked.

The rounds of the clashing waterfall was still felt in the distance, and Blake used that sound to hide her voice, effectively communicating with the group.

The Grimm were spotted in a clearing, moving slowly through the rocks. Ruby observed them, noting that the two of them moved on their four limbs, led by a much larger Grimm that was bipedal. Ahead of them was a deep ravine that was very narrow, a stream of water flowing through it. She looked through the landscape, trying to remember what it was like, back home, back with Naruto.

It was unbelievable, that in just a day, he managed to change her world view. She knew that the people in her team were affected in some way by the Grimm. Even her mother was killed in a battle with them. So she wondered if it was possible to show them what Naruto showed her. If it was possible to change their views, the way Naruto changed hers.

The thing that bugged her the most was that she wondered if she was going to be able to show them, if what happened that day was able to repeat itself. Sighing, she went down from the rock to the earth, looking to her sitting teammates. She had observed the terrain.

"So," Blake asked Ruby who was the Leader of Team RWBY. "What should we do? How best do you think we can kill them? I've pretty much done my job."

The members looked to Ruby who rubbed her eyes, before letting out a sigh. She picked up a sharp stone that was lying right beneath the rock they were using to hide and drew the ravine on the earth.

"There is a narrow path just ahead of them." She began. "All we need to do is to lure them into it. From the size only one of them would be able to pass through at a time. From what I've seen, the one on two legs is probably their Leader so we need to get it first. It's probably tougher than the others, so we need to be careful."

"I and Blake can take care of the biggie." Yang suggested. "While you and Weiss can kill the other two."

Weiss nodded in agreement. "That's okay. If you are taking too long, I and Ruby can move to support if the Leader is stronger than suspected. And if we are taking longer you can come and help us."

"While I agree with that," Ruby mused, "I want you to drive the big one straight to me. I need to try something."

The team looked surprised, and Blake narrowed her gaze.

Weiss looked confused. "What's that something?"

"Even I don't know, but, I feel this is the best chance to see if it's possible."

Yang looked to the rest of the members, unsure of this decision, not to mention she was a little bit worried for Ruby. "Are you sure about-"

"I can only explain it if you see it okay." Ruby said, "I don't know what to say only that you should trust me. I wouldn't be so crazy if I didn't have a reason."

Yang blinked and looked to Blake and Weiss, noting their silence. "W…Well, say something."

"I don't know what to say other than this is weird." Weiss looked to Ruby. "I don't understand Ruby. This is a more dangerous move."

"It's quite simple." Ruby said. "I'll go around them and wait right at the end of the ravine, and you guys chase the big one right to me."

"What are you trying to do?" Blake asked.

Ruby looked determined. "Make you all listen. Look, I know this sounds strange and stupid and risky but I have to do this, I need to do this."

The moment was silent while the team deliberated on the issue. Blake knew it had something to do with their discussion earlier. Was there really a way to save them? She wondered. It was not a thought she would have envisioned in a thousand years. Deep within her mind, she knew that the Grimm were threats, and they needed to be killed. But still, despite all that, she didn't say anything to the others regarding what Ruby had asked her earlier simply because Ruby hadn't said anything. If Ruby really had a way, perhaps then she could try it. Not to mention this was the only way she could see if it would work or not, considering this was the first Grimm they encountered.

"Sure thing." Blake said, stunning Yang and Weiss.

"And here I was thinking you were the voice of reason." Yang said to Blake as Weiss nodded.

Blake just shrugged as Ruby looked as surprised as Yang and Weiss. "If she wants to try something, by all means we should let her. If a Professor was here, he'd probably shoot her request down."

"Damn right." Weiss supplied.

"But," Blake said, looking to Ruby. "She's the Leader. And I think I've known her enough to tell when she's serious, and I'm sure she isn't backing away from this. So, let her do it. We'll be close by to watch her and step in if something goes wrong."

"Just what are you trying to do Ruby?" Yang asked in worry as Ruby smiled back at her sister.

"You'll see."

The wind blew softly, through the ravine. If one had focused well enough, the faint sounds were similar to the wind blowing softly through the holes of a flute. And as peaceful as it seemed, the atmosphere was rather ominous. True to the plan, Ruby had managed to snake her way around the Grimm and moved till she was right above the edge of the ravine.

Naruto had done this right in front of her, how hard could it be? She wondered.

She made her way down, noting the smooth feeling of the rocks. She was very careful, knowing that if one wasn't careful, a rough and painful fall was imminent. She wanted to prove that the Grimm weren't the monsters as everyone was made to believe, and if she was able to prove this to her friends, she was going to be able to prove it to the world.

Sometimes, she always wondered if what had happened that day was a dream, if it was all an imaginary construct in her mind. And for that reason, she was afraid that it was not going to work. If it didn't, what then was ahead for her, what could she look forward to?

She knew the chances of seeing Naruto were slim to none, but deep down she held out a hope, a feeling that he was still there, in the forest, waiting for her to come back, no matter how delusional it sounded. She dropped to the bottom of the ravine, her boots splashing the water outward. Ahead of her was the path through which the Grimm was to approach, if everything went according to plan.

She looked behind her to note the crevice through which the water was flowing from, and she was certain, if she looked deeper into the crevice, a cave unexplored was there. She shook her head, not wanting to be sidetracked. She wondered how things were going over there, wondering if they were successful in driving the Leader of the Grimm towards her. But she trusted them, and she waited, listening to the wind that emerged from the crevice as it resonated with the stream that moved towards the cliff side.

She had to be patient as Qrow taught her. Focusing her breaths, controlling the inhale and exhale that she channeled through her body. She wanted to recover that feeling she had when she touched the Grimm, the feeling of thrill, awe, fear and excitement.

She focused deep within herself, trying to draw that piece of herself to the surface, the piece that she felt was buried deep within her mind.

It approached.

The Grimm's thundering steps began to move towards her. It was distant, but she could feel it, the other two were not with it, being occupied by Yang, Blake and Weiss. The sounds slowly became louder, and even she could feel the slight tremors in the earth. It was quite big, she thought.

The Grimm came into view, a few paces away from Ruby. She looked to the creature, its teeth snarling against her while it approached on its two limbs.

Its presence was intimidating. Easily towering above her, emitting growls from its mouth as it approached.

Still, despite the fact that her heart beat a million times per second, despite the fact that a second felt like hours, she persevered, a goal deep in her mind. Ruby Rose was always determined when she sets her mind into something, and here was no different.

Naruto changed her life, and this moment was going to shape it for her. She always felt that despite the friends that surrounded her, despite the love from her family, despite the Academy, she felt that it wasn't enough, there was something bigger, calling out to her, and she was going to find that out.

Before she could realize it, the Grimm was mere inches from her, a black miasma of terror emerging from its skin.

Just why are you in our world? She thought in hope. The creature slowly tilted its head, accessing her, and slowly, Ruby reached out for it. The moment was silent, the streams being the only thing that showed that time was passing.

She reached out in hope that it would also reach for her. She knew that her guard was completely down, knowing if it wanted to kill her, it would have no resistance. This was a gamble, and she was willing to risk her life on it.

Slowly, her eyes began to widen as the Grimm also began to reach for her.

It was happening!

And in that moment, unknown to her, her eyes shimmered.

"Oh my! Ruby look out!" Yang yelled out in alarm at the scene, jarring both Ruby and the Grimm away from the moment. The Grimm snarled, looking to Yang and back to Ruby in rage.

"No." Ruby muttered.

The next thing she could feel after feeling weightless was crashing against the smooth rocks at the side of the ravine. The Grimm had given her a powerful strike to the side and at that moment while she dropped to the stream, she couldn't feel anything other than a loud whirring in her head.

No. She thought as the Grimm approached her, intending to bite through her, its teeth dripping with drool. The sounds of a rope moving through the air drew its attention as Blake sent a rope which curled round its neck, stopping it from finishing its task. She was seen at the top of the ravine pulling with all her strength.

The Grimm clawed in protests trying to cut of the seemingly durable rope. It began to gag as Ruby looked to it, unable to move at the moment.

No. She thought blearily, her vision covered by darkness in short intervals. No, it's not…

Yang roared out as she engaged the Grimm which was struggling with her powerful fists. The attacks were non-stop, the older sister not intending to risk holding back. The Grimm could not attack, and it could not defend. It could only feel the punches rippling through its body.

Feeling pleased Yang quickly jumped away as Weiss quickly sped forward with her sword in tow. She cleaved right through the Grimm, which froze immediately.

Ruby watched, drifting into unconsciousness as the Grimm dissipated into nothingness.

"Ruby!" Yang moved to her sister, followed by Weiss. Blake who was at the top of the ravine, recoiled her rope and used it to jump down. "Ruby!"

Ruby looked to Yang as black began to surround her vision. "N…No, it was… it was not…" she trailed off into unconsciousness as Yang called after her in alarm, trying to ensure that she was safe.

"Ruby!"

In Ruby's mind, it was another thing entirely.

While the Hunter prospects deliberated on what had just happened, deep down in the cave right past the crevice, soft growls was heard as multiple red eyes glimmered in the darkness.

On a brief hiatus due to exams, will be back in approximately two months' time.