The shutter to Emmara's camera clicked when her sister appeared in view, Tira's energy reflected in the captured image before she fell from view back into the empty pool.

A new skate park had opened in the city and Tira after being cooped up in Beacon for so long refused to pass up the chance to check it out. Grabbing her skateboard and her sister the red-head rushed to the new park to have some fun. Skating the edge of the pool to gain some speed Tira hit some of the rails and one of the half pikes before dropping into the pool leaving her sister waiting for her to fly into view before she could get a picture.

Seeing her sister smile of course made Tira smile even wider, as much as she loved showing off and burning off her endless energy the only thing she loved more was seeing her little sister smile. She would pose when she came into view of Emmara's camera giving a quick flex or performing a trick to make sure her sister had a good shot. It was these moments she longed for, as much of a thrill seeker as she was, as much as she wanted to find that one rush to beat all others, more than anything she longed for and lived to see that smile as often as possible.

With a final lap around the park and a few jumps on the half pike to build up momentum Tira skated into the air nailing two full 360 turns before coming back down and sliding to a stop in front of Emmara.

Smirking Tira asked her, "How was that?"

Emmara checked over her gallery, "Pretty great" she panted, out of breath from keeping up with her sister, "Beautiful as always."

Tira's lips curved, "Careful with that choice of words, you might make me blush" a statement that made Emmara's cheeks go red.

"Uh, I, I didn't mean it like tha...Tira" she groaned causing her sister to laugh before she wrapped her arm around Emmara pulling her forehead in for a quick kiss.

"Sorry Emmy" Tira laughed, "You know I can't resist teasing you. Besides, I know you wouldn't ever flirt with me. That'd make your girlfriend jealous."

Emmara's cheeks became brighter, "A, Alexia isn't my girlfriend."

Tira smirked, "I never said who I was referring to."

Emmara's next words became trapped in her throat. She could feel the heat from the blood rushing to her face. Slowly she looked down pulling her hood over her head hiding her face just like she had so many times in the past. Whimpering her sister's name once again completely defeated by her sister's teasing.

Tira stepped forward, wrapping her arms around her adopted sibling, "Alright, maybe I took that one too far. Sorry, Emmy. I love you."

Emmara leaned her head against her sister's chest, "I'm sorry I'm so."

Tira tightened her embrace, "No. Don't apologize Emmara. I'm the one who should be apologizing to you right now" she rubbed her sister's back, "Come on, let's head back home I'll buy lunch."

The two make their way back to Beacon, stopping at a cafe along the way. Emmara stared at her camera going through the pictures she took deleting a few and keeping the rest, she loved watching her sister and she loved taking pictures of her. It took some deliberation until she found which was her favorite, a picture of Tira soaring over her crouching forward on her skateboard and blowing a kiss to the camera. Her blazing red hair trailing behind her blocking the sun in the shot leaving the outline around her sister to make her seem like a divine figure.

The two enjoyed their lunch on the patio of the cafe, thankfully the lunch rush was over leaving the street relatively quiet as most of the people had returned to their jobs. Tira gazed at the sky seeing a bullhead fly over heading for the landing pad it would be there for only a half hour before taking off again. Checking her scroll Tira checked the balance of her account doing the math in her head for when they paid their check.

"Who's calling?" Emmara asked when her sister's scroll began ringing as they left.

"I'm not sure" Tira answered, "I don't recognize the number. Hello?"

"Ms. Cage" a familiar and calm voice answered.

"Professor Ozpin?" Tira asked surprised.

Emmara looked at her sister, "The headmaster? Did you do something wrong?"

"Is something wrong?" Tira asked him.

Ozpin replied, "Possibly, but don't worry, you and your team are not in any trouble, but I do have an assignment for you. Please contact your teammates and come to my office immediately."

Tira nodded, "Alright, we'll see you soon."

Looking to her sister as she hung up she asked Emmara to call Alexia and Cassandra and meet them at Ozpin's office before they ran of to catch the bullhead back to Beacon.

Arriving at Beacon Tower Emmara ran over to their teammates, "H, hey Alexia" she hesitated.

The half-faunus smiled, "Hello Emmara, I trust your sister did not tire you too much this morning?"

Emmara shook her head, "No I'm fine. How was your morning?"

"Well enough thank you" Alexia replied as pleasantly as always.

Emmara nodded before looking at their other teammate, "An, and you Cassandra? D, di, did you..."

Cassandra spoke before she could finish, "I'm fine, don't worry about what I do in my free time."

Emmara froze, "I, I'm sorry."

Tira quickly came to her sister's side, "Come on Emmy, we don't want to keep Ozpin waiting do we?"

She gently pushed Emmara inside glaring at Cassandra remembering the last time the scarred girl spoke to her little sister, the threats she made, the tone she used and the anger that welled up inside Tira from hearing it.

Inside the four rode the elevator Tira keeping an arm wrapped around her sister holding her close and away from their fourth member while Alexia stood between them and Cassandra. Tira liked Alexia, though she was quiet and was into things Tira could never dream of doing herself, she was polite and nice to Emmara unlike their fourth member.

"And she's damn sexy to boot" she thought to herself, "Not my exact type, but I would not mind trying."

The doors opened and the four girls stepped out seeing it for the first time, Ozpin's office. To say it was magnificent would be an understatement. The floor was see through and underneath were giant gears and the frame of the window that looked out over the academy was designed in the likeness of a clock's face with numbers lining it.

"Nice office" Tira said turning to take in the view, "Guess there are some great perks to this job."

Ozpin grinned at her remark, "There are, but they are limited to what you see before you Ms. Cage" he leaned forward setting his mug down and interlocking his hands, "Thank you for coming, I have an assignment I'd like your team to undertake."

Tira asked, "What kind? Something fun I hope."

Ozpin allowed himself to chuckle, "You are always eager for excitement Ms. Cage. Unfortunately the assignment I have for you is not something you should go into with that mindset. Tell me, have any of you heard of the Death Forest?"

Alexia answered, "The northern most end of the Emerald Forest. It was once home to many creatures of grimm, some speculated that all grimm came from that end of the forest before spreading out to the rest. There were also reports of Gloom Widows."

"Of what?" Tira asked.

"Gloom Widows" Alexia repeated, "A species of grimm so dangerous even a team of professional hunters struggled to kill them. So dangerous that they were hunted to extinction."

Ozpin corrected, "As far as we know at least. We still don't know exactly where the creatures of grimm come from, how they are born or how they come to exist. It's possible there may still be some of those out there we just haven't found them, but considering the history of them any reports of them are immediately investigated. Please Ms. Adel, continue."

Alexia nodded, "Upon thorough investigation that end of the forest was deemed too dangerous. Hordes, no, legions of grimm were found eventually the Vale Council agreed the best way to solve the problem was to burn that side of the forest killing everything in there, but for some reason even though it was nearly twenty-five years ago it remains scorched with no signs of life other than the creatures of grimm. No plants, no animals, just the monsters, over time some people have gone into the area to investigate and see how the plant life never grew back, but very few who have ventured more than a few hundred yards in have never returned."

Ozpin nods, "Very good Ms. Adel. Like you said we do occasionally send scouts and scientists to investigate the forest and try to understand what happened to it, but sometimes they don't return. Much like what happened a couple of days ago. A team of seven researchers went in, but two of them have not returned. I would like for your team to investigate."

Emmara hugged her camera, "But sir, we're. We're only first-years."

Ozpin looked at her, "I'm aware Ms. Ace and I'm just as well aware of the dangers this assignment comes with, but going through the list of available teams I do feel that yours is best suited for investigating. Ms. Adel's skills and mobility along with her semblance would allow her to easily escape trouble and scout the area while your skills with your camera will help gather any evidence that myself or the Council may need to know of. And if you run into any trouble your sister and Ms. Lynch are strong enough to fight them off."

He took a sip from his mug, "The tracking beacons of the missing researchers are still active and they are transmitting from well within the safe zone, but any attempts to contact them have failed. This is simply a rescue mission and as I said I fully believe you four are the best choices for this. Of course if you're not feeling up to it, you're more than welcome to decline, I would not force you to do this."

"Well I'm in" Tira said, "What about you guys?"

Alexia nodded, "If there are people in trouble it is our duty to try and help them."

Emmara hesitated, "I'm worried, but I can't ignore someone who needs help. I'll go."

Cassandra turned her glare out of the window, "As long as there are grimm to kill I don't care."

Ozpin nodded, "Very well, go prepare, a bullhead will be waiting for you in one hour to take you there."

That was two days ago. Team TEAL had ventured into the safe zone of the Death Forest and found the first of the two beacons with no sign of either researcher, but the second beacon was moving it stayed within the safe zone, but it was moving. Its movements were random indicating no real direction, assuming it was one or both of the researchers wandering around lost TEAL decided to continue investigating.

"Every time we get close it moves away" Tira said.

Emmara watched the signal move away again, "They're scared, they've been out here alone for so long."

"Or maybe they got eaten" Cassandra said, "The signal could be coming from inside a grimm."

"Wouldn't it be moving in a pattern then?" Tira asked, "Patrolling its territory."

Alexia watched the signal's movements, "Some species of grimm are known to be solitary, and those that do travel in packs have been known to separate and remain isolated for some time before reuniting with the rest. I doubt its checking its territory, the way we've been following it we surely would have been attacked by now."

Tira looked at the half-faunus, "So you think it is them?"

Alexia turned her attention to the scorched trees, "I'm only stating it's a possibility and that we should prepare ourselves for either outcome" she turned back to her leader, "Either way we should attempt to find it."

Emmara watched the signal stop, "But every time we get near it moves away."

"So we split up" Alexia said, "We flank it and come at it from both sides. If it's one or both of the researchers then we can get them to safety. If it's a grimm and we are unable to deal with it then I'll have an escape strategy ready."

"I like the sound of that" Tira said, "Emmy you're with me."

Alexia looked at her, "Actually Tira, I think it would be best if Emmara was paired with me."

Tira met her eyes, "Trying to steal my sister Triple A?"

Alexia's lips curved into a small smile, "No, but if she were to go with you then you would be too distracted by her and I know you would not allow her to go alone with Cassandra so I would be the best partner for her."

Tira looked at Cassandra, "I'd rather go alone honestly."

"No objections to that" Cassandra said, "I'd be better off on my own."

"No!" Emmara cried, "It's dangerous to go alone" she turned to her sister, "Please Tira, I. I know you don't like her, but it's too dangerous otherwise."

Tira grabbed her shoulders, "Alright Emmy" she sighed, "For you."

Emmara hugged her, "Thank you."

The team separated, to flank and corner the signal while it was stationary when they split up it began to move when they got close. Eventually they cornered it only to find it was a grimm, it looked similar to an Alpha Beowolf, only taller and a more barreled chest with noticeable muscles. Instead of the bone-like white ribs this grimm had a plate like a piece of armor covering its chest, the spikes protruding from its back were more jagged and a mouth full of razor sharp teeth complete with the black shadow body and evil red eyes that all grimm had.

Frightened Emmara hid behind Alexia, "What is that?" she asked quietly.

Alexia didn't know, "I've never seen a grimm like that" she said, "Take a picture and we can ask Ozpin.

Emmara nodded and raised her camera snapping a picture of the grimm has it stood on its hind legs and another after it had laid down.

Alexia brought her scroll to her ear, "Tira, do you see it?"

The team leader replied, "Yeah, it looks like an Alpha Beowolf only worse. Any idea what it is?"

"No" the half-faunus answered, "I say we keep our distance, we don't know what it can do. Judging from the blood and shreds of clothing I think its safe to assume the researchers are dead I suggest we head back, quickly and quietly."

Tira nods, "I agree. We'll see you back at the entrance to the forest, the spot we marked on our maps."

"Copy" Alexia replied, "Be careful on the way back, use the smoke bombs I gave you if you get into trouble."

Hanging up Alexia looked at Emmara, "Stay close and move when I do alright?"

Emmara nodded and followed her teammate, the half-faunus' movements were always graceful no matter what, whether she was simply walking or fighting, but seeing the way she was sneaking staying low to the ground was different, she really was like a ninja. She reminded Emmara of a character in her favorite book series, Jessie Graymane, the rogue. The main character in the third book in a series of nine, while originally an assassin she used her skills at stealth and infiltration to gather important information against the demonic hordes that invaded the world.

Emmara loved that character, beautiful, intelligent, skilled and shrouded in mystery what wasn't to love about her. She smiled as she watched and mirrored Alexia's movements until they were clear of the grimm they stood up and continued at a hurried walk. Alexia lagged behind keeping watch on their rear in case they were followed or ambushed, depending on their enemy she would either dispatch it quickly or grab Emmara and flee, but luckily they made it out of the forest without trouble.

Reaching their rendezvous point first Alexia and Emmara agreed to split up and scout the perimeter while they waited for their other two teammates, seeing that the sun was setting Emmara wanted to get a picture of it and left her path only to see a girl around her age standing there bathed in the orange light. Her hands were cupped behind her back and she was humming. Unable to resist Emmara set her tome down and raised her camera, turning the aperture to focus and as the shutter clicked she saw something at the top of the girl's head twitch.

"Ears?" Emmara thought before the girl turned around to face her, "She's a faunus."

"I, I'm sorry" Emmara apologized, "You, you looked good against the sunset, I couldn't resist" she shyly looked at the ground, "Um, my name is Emmara."

"Hello" the girl replied, "I'm Yumi, Yumi Asuma, nice to meet you. Are you by chance a member of Team TEAL?"

Emmara was surprised, "Um, ye, yes" she answered nervously, "How did you know?"

Yumi told her, "Beacon's headmaster said a team of first-years were sent here on a mission and hadn't returned yet. He wanted my team to look for them."

"Do, do you attend Beacon?"

Yumi shook her head, still smiling, "No, my team doesn't attend any of the academies. We're traveling mercenaries" seeing the girl's reaction Yumi clarified, "Don't worry, we never do anything bad, we just take jobs for money although those jobs tend to be pretty dangerous."

Yumi sits and Emmara joins her, the two spend an hour getting to know each other until another person shows up. Emmara stares at her, the woman was easily six feet tall, with long black hair and fair skin, but what unsettled Emmara was the woman's one red eyes, her other eye covered by an eye patch. The newcomer looked the timid girl up and down sizing her up before introducing herself as Rena Schwartz.

"Uh, um, I" Emmara struggled to speak under the intensity of the woman's gaze, "My name, my name is Emmara."

"Are you uncomfortable around my kind?" Rena asked her.

Emmara looked up and frantically shook her head, "N, no! I, I just..."

Her teammate's voice spoke for her, "Emmara is nervous around new people. Please be patient with her."

Rena turned around to see Alexia appear out of thin air, "Alexia!" Emmara exclaimed running over to her.

"Sorry I'm late" Alexia told her, "There was a pack of beowolves that got too close, had to deal with them" she looked at Rena, "I know her" she thinks, "That night I attacked a White Fang camp."

Emmara asked her, "Where are Tira and Cassandra?"

Alexia gently pets Emmara's head, "They should be along shortly, don't worry."

It was only a few minutes before the absent two members returned along with Rena and Yumi's other two teammates Draco and Xavier, together they formed Team RXDY, a mercenary team of nothing, but faunus. The two teams spent some time introducing themselves, Rena their leader was stoic with an intense aura coming off of her, Xavier was clearly the calm one of the group while Draco seemed to be holding something back and Yumi was a carefree playful type. Of course Tira's first act was to jump to Yumi's side and seize her hands asking her out, overjoyed to see such a cute girl out in these dead woods.

They were eventually interrupted by a pair of large grimm, the one TEAL had spotted earlier and another that looked the same only it walked on all fours. Their battle was long and fierce, but eventually they emerged victorious. Emmara dropped to her knees trying to catch her breath, those unknown grimm were far tougher than any they had encountered before.

"You okay?" Yumi asked leaning forward and offering her hand.

Emmara nodded as she took it, "Yeah, I, I don't have that much stamina. I get tired easy."

Yumi smiled, "Well it's a good thing you fight at range then. You were pretty cool."

Emmara blushed and looked away, "Wel, well I...I practiced a lot so..."

Yumi looked at her, "Oh, I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you nervous."

"She's not" Tira said wrapping an arm around her sister, "Emmy just gets embarrassed easy. She's pretty cute when she turns red like that don't you think?"

Emmara pushed her sister's arm off, "Tira" she whined hugging her tome close to her chest causing her sister to laugh.

Team RXDY's bullhead arrived and they all piled ready to return to Vale, and Beacon. The faunus team decided it would be best to separate at the city's landing pad, but they knew they would be meeting each other again. Returning to Beacon and the tower at the center they made their way back to Ozpin's office to inform him of everything.

"I see" the headmaster said leaning back in his seat, "So both researchers were killed?"

Tira nodded, "We weren't able to confirm that for sure, but based on what we saw, we have no reason to assume the opposite."

Ozpin nods in return, "As tragic as that is, I must agree. What about these grimm you mentioned? The two you fought along with that team I hired."

Emmara showed him her camera, "Um, this is one of them."

Ozpin takes a few seconds to look it over, "Well we don't hear about those very often. Lupine, they are a rare variation of the Beowolf. Less than a dozen are seen in a year. They are quite dangerous, you performed exceptionally well to defeat one, even if you had help that was no small feat. Well done."

Emmara smiled, "Th, thank you sir."

Ozpin returns her camera to her, "Thank you, all of you. Honestly, I'm just happy the four of you returned unharmed. I'll think of a way to reward you for going above and beyond, but for now, please return to your room, you all deserve a rest."

Following the headmaster's request the members of TEAL returned to their room and as the moon rose Emmara stared out the window as she slowly brushed her hair, "Do you think we'll really see them again?"

"We will" Alexia reassured her, "You seemed to enjoy talking to Yumi."

Emmara looked at the desk in front of her, the picture she took of the wolf faunus displayed on her camera, "She, she was nice."

"Should I be jealous?" Tira asked her making Emmara blush.

Alexia chuckled as Emmara began shrinking in her seat, "Leave her be Tira, she's been through enough today."

Tira stretched, "Well" she began feeling her joints pop, "It is time to turn in, see you two in the morning."

Tira put her headphones on and laid down, Cassandra had already gone to sleep and Emmara after talking to Alexia had eventually given in to the sandman as well leaving the half-faunus on her own.

"I should check" she thought standing up and grabbing her equipment, silently leaving the room and catching a bullhead into the city to track down the faunus team that helped them, she had to make certain, she recognized their leader, Rena. She had fought her before, but she had fought a lot of White Fang members over the years, but she had to make sure. She would find them and spend a few days watching them just to be sure and find out if their presence would be a threat.