Twenty Four hours after the confrontation with the Neseloch, the team had not made as much progress as Wolf had hoped. The next morning everyone woke early, and broke camp, in order to try and make up time. The group walked through the forest, with Henry and Wolf in front, teams RWBY and JNPR in the middle, and Velvet and Fox taking up the rear.
The usually boisterous group was unusually quiet, which had Wolf worried. The usually hyper Nora, and Jaune, walked along a little distracted by the unusual nausea of Pyrrha, who was having a hard time keeping up with the group.
Then there was Yang. Even though she had tried to joke away her mistake, she was still worried about what her team thought. Yang sped up and caught up with Wolf.
"Hi stud muffin," Yang said with her usual grin. Wolf did not respond, forcing Yang to step forward. "Wolf, I'm sorry about yesterday. I should have listened, and someone got hurt because of me."
Wolf kept moving forward, but looked over his shoulder at the upset blonde. "It's not me that you need to apologize to." Yang peeked over her shoulder to see Pyrrha heading away from the group, into a cluster of shrubs followed by Jaune.
"Okay people," Wolf shouted, raising a hand. "Take five, then we're back on the road."
Yang slowly followed Jaune, not wanting to bother him and Pyrrha, but needing to talk to him.
"How's Pyrrha doing?" Yang asked as she came along side Jaune.
"She keeps having these spells of nausea," Jaune said hissing in pain as he readjusted his hurt shoulder. "I'm still not sure what's wrong with her."
"Maybe it's morning sickness," Yang said elbowing Jaune lightly in the side.
"Psh, Yeah right. That's not even remo...tely... possibl..." Jaune froze for a moment, as his face turned red. Yang caught it and began to laugh, "It was only one night. She can't have morning sickness yet? What should I do if it is?" Jaune asked turning to Yang obvious fear in his eyes. "I can't knowingly let a pregnant girl fight on the front lines."
"Jaune," Yang said grinning. "Pyrrha would dislocate your other arm if you tried to make her sit out this fight. It will be fine, she might not even be pregnant. It might be a stomach virus."
"Yeah," Jaune said with a nervous laugh. "You're probably right."
A moment of awkward silence fell between the two blondes. Yang shifted nervously not used to having to say the next words that needed to be said. "I'm sorry for not listening on the beach." Yang said quickly, like pulling off a band aid. Jaune paused for a moment to process the words Yang had spoken. He stared at her for a moment which made Yang a little nervous. It felt to Yang like an eternity passed before Jaune spoke.
"Yang," Jaune said slowly. "I have one thing to say about that. Next time listen to the one in charge. If one of the others had gotten hurt, I wouldn't have left it with just this. But everyone is alright, and I heal quickly, so all in all a good experience. Next time though it may not turn out so good." With that Jaune turned and headed over to Pyrrha leaving Yang alone.
Wolf quietly walked up beside Yang, and said, "Poor Pyrrha. Morning sickness this early in the term."
Yang jumped at the sudden appearance of the faunus, "Is it really? How do you know?"
"Instinct." Wolf said simply, "I think Blake has a suspicion as well. Now please don't tell those two right now. Both need to focus on the fight ahead."
Yang nodded with a quick zip of her mouth and throwing away the key.
"Were it so easy." Wolf said with a grin.
Yang gave a pout, "I thought you loved me."
Wolf turned on his heel, "Alright everyone, it's time to move out."
"Come on," Yang said following him. "You can't avoid this forever."
"That's what you think." Wolf said grabbing his pack. "Alright you guys, its time to hit the road."
"Hey coach," Ruby said from the top of a nearby tree. "There's this large grim, and its getting closer to us."
"It should be fine as long as we don't mess with..." Wolf stopped talking as he hopped onto a branch close to Ruby. He then grabbed Ruby and dragged her to the ground in an instant. "Everyone needs to grab their things and follow me now. And be a quiet as you possibly can."
"It can't be that bad," Yang said while doing as she was told.
"It flies and breathes fire." Wolf replied, "I'd rather not fight it if I don't have to."
"Point taken," Yang said helping Pyrrha gather her things. "Fighting a dragon not a good idea."
Wolf did his best to keep the students quiet, while Henry acted as look out for the dragon. Henry moved like a man half his age, and possibly with ninja training. Every few minutes Henry would stop and watch the approaching grim. Henry jumped to the ground and moved quickly next to Wolf.
"Partner," Henry said removing his stetson and wiping his brow, "we either need to find a place to hole up or a place to take a stand cause that thing is still coming right for us."
"I've been looking for both," Wolf whispered, "but I haven't seen any place that comes close."
"Should I run ahead?"
"No," Wolf said turning and signaling Jaune to come forward. "Jaune I'm going to run ahead and see if I can find a good place to hide till that thing leaves. I want you to keep leading the group forward until I come back."
"You can count on me," Jaune said quietly.
"Remember to use that technique I showed you while training."
"Alright Coach," Jaune took a deep breath and signaled the others to follow his lead, as Wolf took off into the woods. Henry stayed in the trees to keep an eye on the dragon, as it steadily drew closer.
Suddenly it roared now with in visual range of the group.
"Let's double time it guys," Jaune shouted out, as he ran as fast as he could, hissing at every bump that jostled his shoulder. Wolf appeared from the foliage and signaled them to follow him. The group veered off after the faunus, and picked up speed when another roar resounded over the forest. The group ran for several minutes until they stopped to catch their breath on the edge of a clearing.
"Okay," Wolf said winded, and trying to catch his breath. "Do you guys see that ridge? There is a small cave in the cliff face. When I give the signal run with all your might. Ruby I want you to lay down suppressing fire, aim for the eyes and wings, those are less armored."
"Aye," Ruby said with a mock salute.
Suddenly the large grim flew over the clearing, casting a shadow over the entire area. The monstrosity had a wing span over one hundred yards long, and was at least fifty yards from nose to tale. It passed over the clearing and then began a lazy circle back around.
"Run!" Wolf shouted leading the group towards the opening. Ruby bolted ahead and began firing explosion dust rounds at the grim, causing little to no damage. As the others made it to the cave, Ruby slowly drew in a breath, and gave the grim more focus than any thing before. She let loose one last explosive round with a long exhale. The shot hit the dragon square in the eye, which caused the beast to fall into the forest bellow.
"I did it!" Ruby shouted excitedly, doing a little jumping victory dance.
"Ruby it's not dead come on." Wolf called to her waving for her to hurry. Suddenly a roar sounded from the forest, and the shadow rose from the forest.
"Uh oh," Ruby dis appeared with her semblance, as the beast began to burn a line through the forest and reached the clearing. Ruby continued to speed towards the cave ahead of the flames, when she suddenly tripped over a loose stone hidden by the grass.
"Ruby!" Yang yelled as she was held back by Wolf. Ruby looked up at her sister a look of absolute terror on her face. A shrieking 'Ruby' was Yang's response as the flames engulfed Ruby Rose.
Saga walked down the street without her robe or illusions for the first time in a long time. She stretched feeling the afternoon sun on her skin and the wind in her purple hair, or at least what she had of it. She kept her hair in a short crew cut, making it easier to disguise with simple illusions. As Saga stretched she saw Yasu still wearing his robe.
"Yasu," She said stopping in mid stride, "Why don't you take off that robe. If I can walk around without drawing attention, you can too."
"Do you really think so?" He said not as sure. "This is an island full of faunus. I'm not sure their ready for me."
"Don't worry," Saga said running ahead of him. "It's a chance to let loose. Come on."
"I think I'll wait until I get back to the inn." Yasu said adjusting the robe to make sure it was still straight.
"Your loss," Saga said walking down the street in a happy fashion.
Suddenly two White Fang members walked out of a bar, both stumbling drunk, and one with ram horns bumped into Saga grabbing her to stop himself from falling.
"Hey baby," The ram said putting his arms around her. "Wanna get with a man that can show you a good time?"
"I'm sorry," Yasu said grabbing the faunus, and pulling him away. "She's with me."
"Hahaha, we're with the White Fang," said the second man. The man was almost skin and bones with large eyes almost bulging from his head. "You ain't got anything to say about this now get lost." The Chihuahua faunus tried to push Yasu's giant frame, but might as well have been pushing on a wall.
"I will give you one more warning," Yasu said engulfing the dog faunus' head with his metal right hand. "Leave now, and no one gets hurt."
"We're White Fang," The dog faunus said in defiance, "You can't defy u..." The dog suddenly disappeared, then fell from the sky, to the spot he was standing.
The ram suddenly charged the large man, who lifted his right hand and caught the charge, with no trouble. The impact was charged with the ram's aura, disintegrating Yasu's robe, and revealing one arm one leg and both eyes to be cybernetic. The ram swung his fist, punching Yasu in the chest with the ringing of metal, and the shattering of knuckles. Yasu grabbed the faunus with his non-mechanical left hand and launched a small ball bearing out past the city, and over the ocean, with his right. Both faunus disappeared in an instant, to become small dots over the waters.
"You were right," Yasu said looking at Saga, "The sun is quite nice today."
Saga laughed, putting her arms around the cyborg. "Let's go meet up with the others. They said something about dinner at Coco's house."
"I just can't wait to finish this mission." Yasu said looking around the town, "It's too quiet around here. I prefer the noise of the city."
"I think its nice to have piece and quiet once in a while." Saga said holding onto Yasu's left arm. Yasu blushed at the gesture, and his left leg suddenly went stiff and couldn't be moved. "Yasu," Saga started concern in her voice. "What's wrong."
Yasu stood still for a moment taking slow deliberate breathes. "Certain chemicals cause my systems to malfunction." He said still slowly breathing, "The doctor said I would be alright as long as I try to avoid them. There are some that just go with being young, and for those I need to focus on something else."
"I'm sorry," Saga said a little sheepishly, "I messed you up, didn't I."
"A little bit yeah," Yasu said giving her a grin. "Next time make sure I'm sitting before you do that."
"Roger." Saga said with a salute. "I wonder how the forest team is doing?"
A/N: I'm sorry but a friend of mine told me that I should do it this way, soooooooo. Blame him. RWBY is property of Rooster Teeth. I have had quite the long month so sorry for not updating like I wanted to, but I will try to update a little more often. Remember that every story is a journey, you just have to imagine it.