Life of a Grimmborn Chapter 11: Familiar Faces and Places

A/N: Long time no see guys! I am back with another chapter of this fic with more mystery, intrigue and revelations to be had. Now we enter a new arc for Team KOVE as they partake in their shadowing mission under a huntsman. What fresh new horrors and trials await them?

TheSib: No problem man, here you go!

Gameboyninjaicarius: That relationship point will be brought up again soon, don't you worry about that.

Cosmo Camellia: Fuck Cinder indeed

Rouge Black Knight: Kor's gonna be going through a lot in this arc so don't you worry about that.

Dracohalo117: The answer to your question lies in this chapter buddy and as for Cinder poking the dragon, oh boy that can of worms will come soon I can tell you that much.

Guest: Here you go

XDANTE1: Glad to see I still have your attention buddy

Ninjafang1331: Thanks

Demidevil45: glad you liked it buddy!

Cole Grimm: Glad to hear you say that, I'm honored you believe my humble little fic deserves to be in the actual series.

Halloween Servant: Thanks man, appreciate it.

Shadow Knight Destroyer: Sorry but Kor is taken and yes this current arc is set in Vol 2 and I will be going into the events of 3 soon.

Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY, all rights go to Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth.

Life of a Grimmborn chapter 11: Familiar Faces and Places

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

It was a rarity whenever something loud or attention grabbing would find its way down to the peaceful and quiet town of Windgate. Never anything more than a stray Grimm finding its way into the central plaza or someone announcing an engagement tended to be the buzz around here. However when three Bullheads came soaring through the sky all bearing the insignia of the Atlas military and were landing in the towns distant landing strip, one could bet that there would be a huge commotion all around.

At first Kor didn't seem to know what to make of the three ships landing near the town as this was his first encounter with the airborne vehicles. However he couldn't really question much of what was going on as his mother suddenly grabbed him and pulled the Grimmborn into the house. Before he could question his mother's actions she pressed a finger to his lips and gave a small shake of her head.

"Kor honey, listen to me. I need you to not go outside or be near the windows until I say it's okay understand?" Alyssa whispered softly to her son.

The boy only raised a confused eyebrow at such a strange request. "Why? What were those ships doing here mom?"

"I… don't know Kor but please just promise me you will hide until they're gone. These people are from Atlas and their Kingdom isn't exactly… fond of unique things that they don't understand. Given that you're a Grimmborn and haven't been seen by people outside the village the Atlassians wouldn't react well to you." Alyssa admitted. "I just don't want anything to happen to you so please go upstairs and hide okay?"

As much as Kor hated the idea of hiding from people about who he was, the last thing on his mind was to make his mother upset. He nodded his head and fled upstairs to follow his mother's orders. Once he was out of sight and hidden away from prying eyes, a kurt knock came from the front door.

"Is anyone home? This is the Atlassian scientific division requesting permission to enter." a commanding voice asked from the other side.

'Oh no…' Fearing the worse, Alyssa slowly came to the door and opened it to reveal several soldiers holding weapons standing at her front porch. "M-May I help you fine soldiers with something?" She managed to squeak out.

"Actually yes you can." A voice from behind the armored battalion said. The soldiers in front of her door parted left and right as a man with jet black hair wearing a white fine pressed suit and red tie came to the front step. "I am General Ironwood of the Atlas Military and commander of these forces. I have heard there was a rather peculiar case here and I wanted to look at it myself."

"A-And what m-might that be…?"

Ironwood pulled out a large Scroll from the inside of his suit and brought up a picture of a young girl with soft brown hair and bronze colored eyes. "I have received word that this small girl by the name of Sienna Clockwork was recently mauled by a Grimm and is receiving care from this town's hospital. I would like personal directions to the facility where she is being taken care of."

Alyssa gave a look of confusion to the general. If he was truly a leader of the great militaristic force of Atlas then shouldn't he have had knowledge of the town coming here? "Forgive me for asking but why are you asking for personal directions?"

"Truth be told I was on my way back from a recent visit to close ally of Atlas when I had found out this piece of news while on route back to the base. I can assure you that this isn't an order from the military of Atlas, just my personal reasons for wanting to find this girl."

"And what of the small militia of soldiers behind you."

"Safety protocol." The general said simply. "Even though this town is only a rural area my men only wish to be safe. Now can I ask for your compliance on the matter?"

Though the thought of leaving Kor was unnerving, denying his request would only look more suspicious in his eyes. She just had to hope that the boy would listen to her order and stay hidden until her return. "Very well General follow me."

Closing the door and locking it, Alyssa began to lead the small army to where the girl Sienna was being treated at as Kor carefully peaked out of his window to see his mother leave with the strange group of men. He just hoped nothing bad was going to happen to her.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

"Hey freak get up! Cinder wants to have a word with you."

Earthly brown eyes surrounded by a void of blackness opened from semi-pleasant slumber to see the mocha colored, green haired human looking at her through the cage bars. With a small grunt, the Grimmborn brought herself to her knees and gave an empty look to the girl in front of her. "And pray tell, why should I care if your owner is summoning me? I have little interest in listening to her stroke her ego and fragile pride while telling me of her delusional plans of grandeur."

"I think you're gonna find you don't have a choice in the matter demon." The thief reached into her back pocket and brought out an item that made the lady Grimmborn eyes narrow sharply. The maddening flute that enslaved them in the first place. "Unless you want to suffer you will come to Cinder and be grateful that she's wasting her breath on scum like you."

"Oh so scary that you must use your keeper as leverage to demand respect." The older woman laughed as she got up and walked to the front of the cage bars. Emerald moved back a slight millimeter away from the unholy monster but that small movement made her smile wide. "You must regret coming down here by yourself girl, knowing that I could kill you right now and take that flute from your lifeless hands." Sharp teeth were bared to grind against the bars, the Grimmborn's dark eyes fading into an abyss of blackness as the brown irises disappeared altogether. "What a waste~ What a waste~. I think when I kill you I'll tear off your skin and drape it over my neck like a little coat~."

"Scarmiglione, that's enough." Xavok called from his cell making the light in the woman Grimmborn's eyes return to look at her master. "Go to the witch and listen to what she tells you."

"Master…"

"You know of our situation here. Best not to upset the pups at her side lest we suffer as a result."

The hybrid named Scarmiglione simply moved from the bars and gave a soft bow to her master. "As you wish master Xavok. Rat, remove the bars and take me to the witch. I want this over with sooner than later."

Growling at the audacity that the prisoner was showing her, Emerald begrudgingly opened the door for the Grimmborn and pulled her down the hall past the eyes of the other prisoners. Once the two made their way past the door to the prison, Xavok smiled with dark elation.

"Run fast little street rat, your legs must be swift to avoid the calamity coming."

Past the doors, the dark skinned thief gave another forceful shove to Scarmiglione who decided to go slower in an attempt to taunt the would be jailer. "Move it scum, I'm not gonna keep Cinder waiting because a worthless subspecies decided to drag her feet!"

"Oh my so forceful! So eager to impress your owner?" The Grimmborn sneered. "Hoping she'll give you a small pat to your head and make you feel worthwhile? What a joke."

"Why yo-"

Whatever Emerald was going to yell at the prisoner died on her lips when a shoulder slammed into her throat, pinning her against the wall and leaving her breathless as the pair of black empty eyes stared into her own crimson.

"Now listen here human, if you think I'm gonna be a docile little doll that will follow orders blindly you're mistaken. I'm not so foolish to surrender everything about myself to please the ignorant." Sharp teeth extended from Scarmiglione's mouth as the stench of death wafted into Emerald's nostrils, making the girl dry retch out of reflex. "Unlike everyone else here, I'm not afraid to die. Death and me are quite familiar friends if you catch my drift. So I recommend that you don't touch me again lest I make true on my threat from earlier, get it?"

Unable to answer with her words, as the Grimmborn's bony hand was still holding her throat, Emerald only nodded her head meekly which made the demon release her. Scarmiglione took satisfaction in seeing the thief gasp and choke for air as she kneeled down to her eye level and smiled.

"Now, now, we shouldn't keep the witch waiting. After all, you don't want her thinking you're useless do you?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

It had been an eventful few days following the trip to the Schnee Dust Corporation. Team RWBY had some rather close encounters with the White Fang behind the backs of the faculty of Beacon as well as an… interesting dance to say the least with Jaune's whole dress escapade. After the advent of these events, it was time for the students to begin their training out in the field away from Beacon's safety net. Time for the aspiring huntsmen of the school to go and shadow actual hunters and huntresses to see what the business is truly like outside the safety of the kingdoms.

After one very inspiring speech delivered via Ozpin at his usual podium, the groups and teams scattered to find out the available missions that awaited them. Both Teams RWBY and JNPR already knew for the most part what mission they wanted to undertake ever since it the shadowing assignment was announced but the leader of Team KOVE was left pondering in front of the screens, unable to make up his mind.

"What about security patrol in Atlas?" Ophilia suggested. "It says that there is gonna be little to no Grimm involvement and only have to deal with rowdy people."

Kor shook his head at the wolf girl. "As lovely as that sounds, Atlas is still probably on a witchhunt for anything faunus and Grimmborn related. Last thing I want is the both of us being put under that sort of heat."

Vector moved in between his friend and leader to point out the mission above it. "How about an escort mission? Smooth sailing with very little work on our end to just parade around a snobby rich guy."

"And that same guy is a racist against faunus and I don't want to put Ophilia through that crap." Eden interrupted

Kor rubbed his head in mild frustration. This was getting to be a very annoying effort just to find a job that wouldn't be too much of a hassall. Normally teams that held faunus members only had to deal with finding a job that wasn't discriminating against them but with Kor being a Grimmborn that was double the hurdles to jump through. Not to mention trying to find a huntsmen willing to be around Kor without feeling the need to stab him in his sleep. "I'm gonna get a quick breath of air and mull things over a bit."

"Just don't take too long Kor, we gotta decide in the next thirty minutes what our mission is going to be." Eden warned. Kor gave an acknowledging nod of his head and left through the doors. "Man this is getting to be hopeless. I know Kor can deal with animosity but I would rather not subject him to it at the sake of our comfort."

Vector gave a soft shrug of his shoulders to his green haired friend. "Well maybe we can ask Ozpin if he'll let us slide on this mission thing. Can't be that important anyway."

"I do believe I have an alternative to this whole situation if you would lend me your ears."

The trio turned around to see Professor Everheart standing next to one of the mission boards. "What do you mean professor?"

"Well I just so happen to have spotted a mission in a village that is rather remote in Vale and has established itself without the protection of a kingdom. Given the low Grimm activity that has been present there not many if any of the residents would have ever even heard of a Grimmborn much less seen one." Sorid explained, looking at the very mission he was talking about on the board next to him. "Now if you were to take this request, only having to deal with a small rise in Grimm activity and no racial animosity, would that not be a mission Kor would enjoy and you all would as well?"

The group pondered the opportunity laid out before them. With the prospect of Kor nor Ophilia dealing with racism and the fact that the job was easy as village protection, there was really no question against this matter. Eden nodded her head and pressed the mission statement on the screen.

'Would you like to accept: 'Defend Windgate Village'?' The screen asked them.

Eden pressed the Yes button and the screen was cleared of its contents and a message appeared signaling Team KOVE's acceptance of the mission. Sorid smiled slightly at the group and gave an approving nod of his head. "Very good students, I'm sure your leader will be joyful at this mission. Now be sure to get him and head to the meeting area by the air docks, last thing you want is to make a bad first impression to the huntsman you're shadowing."

With nothing more to be said the bat faunus teacher simply walked away from the teenagers, leaving them with their determined smiles. Not even noticing his teacher pass him by, Kor entered through the doors to reunite with his friends. "Hey guys whats with all the smiles?"

"Oh nothing much, we just found the perfect mission for all of us to do our shadowing under!" Ophilia cheered with a fistpump. "It's gonna be great! The place is very isolated away from the kingdoms so they probably don't even know what a Grimmborn is so you don't have to deal with hatred from other humans."

"Yeah just slap on some sunglasses on you and glove up those arms of yours and you could pass as a lizard faunus!" Vector chimed in. "Really, the plan is bulletproof. No possible way it could backfire on us!"

Kor sighed at seeing his partner responding to the vermillion haired demolitionist with a solid right hook to the back of his skull. "Don't say crap like that you idiot, you're just begging fate to come and bite you in the ass."

"Oh please Deathy, if this mission is going to bite us then may the great creator strike me down right this second!"

"Is that an invitation Vector?" Eden asked dangerously, her hand leaning to the handle of her axe.

"...On second thought I think I'm gonna retract myself a tiny bit. Just… put that thing away alright?"

The emerald haired girl smiled in response and let her hand return to her side as she turned back to her partner and leader. "I know we should've got your feelings on this matter but I think things will be alright. You aren't mad or anything right Kor?"

The Grimmborn shook his head at the thought. "Think nothing of it, I know you guys were only thinking about the best situation so I trust your judgement. Where did they say the mission was supposed to take place?"

"... Ah I forget the place, I know it started with a W though… Either way I'm sure thing'll be fine so there's no need to stress an easy job right?"

Ophilla nodded her head. "Yeah let's not overthink things, let's just do what Team KOVE does best! Turn heads in the most noticeable way possible!"

"Think we might wanna keep a low profile this time around Ophilia." Kor suggested. "Last thing we need is Beacon Food War 3 happening. My jacket still faintly smells of ketchup…"

The team moved outside to where the Bullheads awaited the eager students who wanted to get a jump start on their shadowing. From amongst the big sea of people Kor and the others spotted Ruby and her team chatting with each other. "Hey guys, you looking forward to your shadowing?"

The red reaper turned to the sound of Kor's greeting and waved back at him. "Hey Kor, yeah we're headed up to Mount Glenn to do some digging around. What about you guys?"

"Just some Grimm clearing at some remote village, nothing too spectacular like our grandiose friends who want to survey a whole mountain. Seriously why couldn't you guys just do something easier like blowing up a building or two?"

"Because not everyone has your arsonistic nature Vector." Weiss pointed out. "Plus I don't believe that the huntsman that we are shadowing would approve of such dangerous and unwarranted destruction."

"Either way it looks like we all gotta get going." Kor noted, seeing the other students start to board their Bullheads. "Let's meet up after this assignment and trade stories eh?"

Ruby nodded her head excitedly. "You know it Kor! Good luck you guys."

"Same to you my cookie loving friend."

With that being said both RWBY and KOVE parted ways to their respective aircrafts. Kor wasn't too sure but he could've sworn he heard a cry of anguish come from the red hooded girl. But rather than focus on that the Grimmborn decided to focus on the teacher who was standing right in front of his team.

Sorid Everheart.

"Well students glad you could finally join me." Sorid said as he put away a small pocket watch. "A while longer and I was afraid I'd have to track you down myself."

"P-Professor Everheart? A-Are you our huntsman that we have to shadow!?"

"Indeed Ms. Talius. Headmaster Ozpin was kind enough to grant me the ability to choose which team I would guide along and I made my choice to be you four."

Eden frowned. "So when you guided us in searching for a mission you were also looking for a place where you wouldn't be discriminated against also?"

"On the nose as ever aren't you Ms. Cyrus? Yes in truth I was watching out for the best interest of the whole team as well as myself. But let's not waste time here. I do believe we have feral Grimm to subjugate to our wrath."

Sorid ushered in the four teens onto the Bullhead, making sure all their belongings were taken care of. As he finished packing the last of the carryons, he turned around to see Kor looking at him. "Kor, is something amiss?"

"Just… why us Sorid? Why pick us in particular over all other teams in the school?"

"Do I even need to say it? We are kin, a kell if you will. No member of a kell would leave another to fend for themselves. We Grimmborn believe in unity in our strength, it would be best if you were to take that lesson to heart Kor." Sorid said simply. "I've much to share with you on this trip and I hope you are willing to listen and absorb what I am going to teach you."

Kor said nothing but only nodded his head to his teacher. The more Sorid shared with him the more Kor felt connected to his Grimmborn heritage and culture that he felt so alienated from. It was like nothing he'd ever dreamed of before and yet there was so much more to learn. If this trip was another way to learn more about his culture then so be it. "Okay but we have to be careful, the others don't know you're a Grimmborn and considering what happened in Atlas their impressions on other members of our race isn't exactly positive."

"Of course, of course. Now shall we be off? We have a two hour trip ahead of us my student."

"Let's."

With the Bullhead loaded up and the students all buckled in and ready to fly, the ship took off into the sky to their destination at Windgate Village. However as the students gazed out the windows to the sights below, Sorid grimaced as he felt his scroll vibrate in his pocket. Looking at the device he saw that the witch had sent him a message.

'Make sure the boy is ready. I'm sending the decayed one after one of the other nuisances. Do not disappoint me.'

'Oh don't worry witch, I will be sure to give you a show to remember.'

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

-Two hours earlier-

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Cinder, I brought the Grimmborn." Emerald announced with her entrance.

Cinder looked up from her scroll at see her right hand woman guiding the brown eyes demon to her. "Good job Emerald, you may leave us now."

"But Cinder I-"

"I do not care what you have to say Emerald. I do believe I gave an order."

"...Yes Cinder…" The thief muttered softly, bowing her head slowly and exiting.

Scarmiglione chuckled at the young girl's expense as she saw he leave. "My, my how cruel to the little girl witch~ All she wanted was a pat on the head and for you to tell her good job. Where is the incentive to do good work if her mommy won't reward her?"

"I see you've quite the mouth on you demon." Cinder mused with a soft grin on her face. "Not afraid of what I can do to you and your ugly friends?"

"Bah, about me I don't care one bit. Your fire can do nothing to burn away at the hate that feeds me life. And as for the others I have confidence they can take whatever you can dish out. But let's not beat around the bush here woman, you have something for me to do don't you?" The Grimmborn sneered while walking up to her pyromancer.

Cinder drummed her fingers on the desk she was sitting on with her right hand while the left hand trailed dangerously close to the flute that Emerald left behind. "What are your opinions on killing troublesome humans?"

"Are you offering your life?"

"Cute. No there are a group of humans who have been throwing pins and needles into my operations." Cinder lit a small flame in her open palm. "They've been nothing short of irritating and I want them snuffed out." To make her statement come full circle, the scarlet woman closed her palm and smothered the flame out. "I take it you can handle such a task since the others have been… less than cooperative lately."

Scarmiglione shrugged her shoulders. "Can you really blame them when a witch strolls on in, kidnaps them and tries to assimilate them into a mindless army? But to answer your question if you would back off on the younger ones then yeah I'll kill some humans. It's been ages since I've needed to sharpen my claws and I think human bones will do just fine."

"Good, as long as you come through on your end I will take under consideration your request. Now for your targets, they are a team on huntsmen in training called Juniper. Four teens by the names of Nora Valkyrie, Lie Ren, Pyrrha Nikos and Jaune Arc that must meet their end by any means possible."

"...I'm sorry did you just say… Arc? As in the family of "heroes" Arc?" The dark haired woman asked. A snarling frown graced the Grimmborn's lips when Cinder nodded her head in confirmation. "Arcs…"

Cinder raised a soft brow at Scarmiglione's sudden show of unprovoked anger. "Is there something wrong? Would the prescience of an Arc be a problem to the plan?"

A bone chilling smile slowly creeped onto the demon's face as she shook her head. "Oh no this won't be a problem at all. If anything it's a blessing that I can finally see an Arc after all these years. So other than the fact that there's an Arc among them, what other reason do they have to die?"

"The children are friends with another team that have been interrupting my plans left and right and I want them to suffer for their constant problem making by taking the lives of their precious friends."

"Ah revenge by proxy, a concept I'm familiar with." The Grimmborn laughed slightly. "Fine I'll kill the brats no problem just tell me where they're at and they're rotting corpses will be fertilizing a flowerbed before you know it."

The dark haired pyromancer opened her scroll and brought out a map of a small town with an orphanage in it. "They seem to be shadowing a trained huntsman on a mission. So you must separate them from the skilled warrior and deal with them accordingly understand?" She placed the scroll on the desk and moved to the door.

"Oh honey, I've been alive longer than you think. If there is anything I've learned how to do with my time on this planet it's how to kill humans in the most painful way possible." Scarmiglione said, grabbing the scroll on the desk as she followed the White Fang leader out the door. "Just ship me away and you'll have four obituaries to laugh about soon enough."

"I'm glad you see this situation my way. Do not disappoint me Scarmiglione, I do not take failure lightly."

The Grimmborn paid no heed to Cinder's parting words, rather she was planning her assassination of these kids she had never met. Well minus one, one who she would revel in seeing the life drain from his eyes.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

-Skies above Vale-

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

As the plane continued to soar through the sky over the forested landscape of outside Vale, Kor felt as if something was wrong. It wasn't air sickness or anything but rather a heavy feeling in his bones that just was agitating him. Maybe it was the Grimm blood in his veins but the closer they were to their destination, the more that his blood felt like it was boiling. Perhaps it was the ruling negativity that was at the village they were going to? The more Kor pondered about it the more unsure and irritated he got. In the midst of his reverie he was shaken from his thought by Eden placing a hand on his shoulder.

The axe swinger eyes flashed with concern seeing her Grimmborn friend shake hard away from his thoughts and look at her with a questioning gaze. "You alright there Kor? You've been staring blankly into space for the past ten minutes."

"Yeah I'm fine it's just… I have this strange feeling in my bones the closer we get to our destination. Something wild and unkempt."

"That comes as no surprise young Kor." Sorid intervened from his seat. "Given that we are headed to an area in which Grimm activity is on the rise and you carry the blood of their kind inside you, you are most likely experiencing what they are feeling. The rush of negative emotions that drive them into a frenzied bloodlust so I caution you to keep yourself in check."

"I think it'll help to also have one of us keep an eye out on Kor as well." Eden suggested. "Last thing we want is him making a scene and racism being created when we can avoid it."

Kor gave a smile to his partner and patted her on the back. "Good to know I'll have a watchful eye looking after me."

Eden smiled back and gave Kor a small slug to his shoulder, making him flinch in pain. "Don't mention it, just looking out for a friend."

"Hey guys! I can see the village coming up!" Ophilia shouted from her window seat.

True to her word the Bullhead made it's way past the sea of trees to make way for a vast plain that held numerous windmills and a village in the center of them. The students were amazed at the large amounts of power generating windmills surrounding the area and kept their eyesight through the window.

However seeing these windmills, the village in the center made very large warning bells ring in Kor's head making him back away from the window in a small panic. WIthout warning he pulled Sorid aside from the group and brought him to the back part of the plane. "Sorid why are we here!?"

"What is the problem Kor? Are you familiar with this place?" The hidden Grimmborn inquired.

The younger Grimmborn started shaking his head feverishly, looking incredibly distressed over the sight of their destination. "Is this place Windgate Village?"

"Yes it is. I chose it thinking such a small village would not have any ties to what has transpired recently. Although judging by your reaction I'd say I was mistaken in choosing this place. What are your ties to place Kor?"

"...This is my hometown, where I was born and raised. Although I guess it's fair to say it WAS my home before…"

"Before?"

Kor shook his head, taking deep breathes to calm his rising heart rate and moved back to where his friends were. Sorid sighed deeply seeing his student's drastic reaction towards his home village.

'Forgive me Kor for what I am about to do. You will end up stronger for it, that I can promise you but the experience won't be pleasant. Not in the very least.'

Soon enough the Bullhead landed on the ground in a landing strip outside the village perimeter which meant a bit of walking was in order. KOVE began to gather up their belongings from the plane and soon exited it, looking at the place where they would be staying for the next few days.

"Yo Kor you sure you seem up for this?" Vector asked giving a passing glance to the Grimmborn. "You look kinda pale there dude."

Kor waved his hand, dismissing his friend's worry with a steeled look. "It's nothing, just the negativity surrounding the area making by bones jitter. I'll be fine I promise."

Though Ophilia and Vector seemed to take his words at face value, Eden didn't look the slightest bit convinced that he was telling the truth. In his eyes she saw numerous things, worry, doubt, fright, and most of all anger in them. As much as she wanted to call Kor out on his lie, she knew this wasn't the time or place to do so lest she anger him in the process. Sorid rounded up the four teens and led them along to the village entrance to find the place they were staying to unpack before beginning their mission. The village itself seemed pretty quiet on the streets with very few people out and about their day. More likely than not, this was due to the influx of Grimm activity causing many of the villagers to be wary of their surroundings. But for those of them who were out their gaze was transfixed on Kor's presence, watching him move through the village. What was the most unnerving was the fact that all who saw Kor suddenly stopped what they were doing and silently stared at the Grimmborn, not saying saying but offering their cold gaze to him.

"Keep heart Kor, we are almost at our place of residence. Their prying eyes won't bother you for much longer." Sorid encouraged from Kor's side.

The student just nodded his head silently, not giving either him or the villagers any attention as his gaze was steadfast in his front. The best he could do is not give any of them attention in the hopes that they would not confront him.

Finally walking through the village the group finally arrived at their destination, the village chief's house that was settled on a hill overlooking the settlement. Sorid moved in front of the team and knocked on the door to get the chief's attention. "Once we get settled in with our belongings we will start our patrol of the area in comb out nearby Grimm, understood?"

"Yes sir." Team KOVE echoed back to him.

"Sorry but I'm not taking any visitors now." A voice from behind the door answered. "Please go back to your home until the group from Vale arrives."

"We are that group, if you would be so kind as to open the door we can discuss our plan of action." Sorid responded back.

A soft silence followed his words before the sounds of locks being turned was heard and the door in front of them opening. In front of them stood a woman who looked to be in her late thirties with long black hair that fell down to her lower back wearing a purple tunic with gold engravings on it, the sign of the chief it seemed along with a long black skirt that covered her feet. Her face, though still young showed a good deal of stress on tiredness behind it. "Hello to you all, my name is Alyssa Kunzite, leader of…Oh..."

Her words died on her tongue as he eyes settled on the boy who stood behind the others. Settled on Kor who stared back at her with an unreadable emotion in his eyes, body shocked stiff. The village leader and Grimmborn both kept their gazes upon each other for what seemed like an eternity, both unflinching in their stare before Alyssa let out a small sad laugh.

"I want so badly to say 'Welcome back home Kor, I'm so glad you're safe.'... But… I know how it is." The chief turned around and began to walk through the door. "If you have belongings to unpack please come in and get settled in the rooms upstairs and when you are ready please meet me in the dining room. You all must be so tired from your trip here."

"Kor… is that your-"

"Let's go." Kor didn't bother to let Ophilia finish, moving right past the group and followed Alyssa to where she went.

The others stood baffled at what had just occurred with their leader's sudden behavior shift. The wolf faunus made a move to follow Kor but was stopped by Eden who grabbed her shoulder and shook her head. "We need to let this happen, Kor needs to confront this by himself. Something's been eating him ever since we got here and I say we found the root."

"But…"

"Miss Cyrus is right." Sorid said. "We have to let this happen for better or worse, it needs to be done."

Alyssa felt a pair of eyes looking at her from behind, familiar eyes she hasn't seen in years. "I take it you have questions for me Kor."

"You know what I'm going to ask Alyssa, don't try to sugar coat it."

"Not even gonna call me mom anymore huh? Not that I can say I deserve it anymore…" The chief got up from her seat and sighed. "...When you're ready come follow me into the next room. It's okay if you aren't, after all I'm not ready either."

With reluctance Kor watched his mother move into the room down the hallway and with even more reluctance, he followed her down the hall.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Well that was uncomfortable…" Ophilia started as the group finally got settled in.

"Uncomfortable? No uncomfortable is sitting next to a homeless dude on the bus. This was like sitting in a waiting room about to be told you have two weeks to live." Vector countered. "You think you'd only see this crap in T.V dramas, not in real life."

"Disregarding Kor's current situation, I think it'd be best to start with our mission. We shall begin patrol immediately and allow Kor to catch up with us later once all this has been settled, agreed?" The team nodded their heads. "Good, Eden you shall take the northern district, Ophilia shall take the south, Vector the east and I shall watch the left until Kor catches up to then I shall relocate to the town square. Let's move out."

Picking up their weapons and extra gear, the teacher and his students exited the house to enter with positions. The watch for today was simple Grimm detection, to engage only if they enter the safe zone. Other than that either report their appearance and stay safe. While the four of them went to protect the village, Kor had another goal in mind.

'I've answered all that I know and why I did what I did Kor. Any other questions have to be answered by him. All I know is that after what happened four years ago he skipped town, whereabouts unknown.' His mother's words echoed in his head. 'Check the hospital to see if records are still on the system, other than that I've done all I can to help you. Tell them the chief sent you and that your request is not to be denied. I'm sorry for everything I've done to you my son, I really am.'

'Almost there… The answers about what happened all those years ago are a few feet away…' The hospital was within sight and closing in with Kor's quick stride. The Grimmborn was going to have the answers he sought after many years and damn all who would try to get in his way.

"Hey you!"

'Well, can't say I didn't see this coming.' He thought, slowly turning to the voice behind him.

Standing a few feet away was a girl who looked to be around his own age, she had shoulder length brown hair that was parted to her left side. Though the most noticeable part of her face was on the right side of it, a metal plate that ran down from her right ear down to her chin with a square antenna where her ear was supposed to be. Attached to the antenna was a HUD mini screen that was in front of her right eye. She wore a brown and tan colored jacket with an open V-neck and black leather straps where her breasts were. Underneath that was a black combat top with her left sleeve being longer than the right, the right side clearly cut shorter. Accompanying her ensemble was a brown mini skirt and black spats under it with brown and orange colored combat boots tied with leather straps. Another noticeable feature the girl had was her bionic right arm that ran up to her elbow.

The bionic girl slowly walked up to Kor, keeping a wary distance between them. "You… You're Kor right…? Kor Kunzite?"

The sight of the arm, her metal plate on the right side of her face struck a familiar chord within Kor. This girl couldn't be the same one could she, from all those years ago?

"S… Sienna?"

The girl known as Sienna brought her hands up to her face in shock at the confirmation. A face from the past was back here in the town they grew up in. A face she thought she'd never see again after the incident that took the Grimmborn out from her life. Slowly, the girl walked towards Kor with him reciprocating the action. Like a glacier the two of them drifted to each other, savoring the moment of reunion. But as nostalgic as this was for him, Kor felt a feeling of dread erupt in the pit of his stomach at seeing Sienna raise and pull back her bionic arm.

The metal fist closing in on his face was the last thing he saw before blacking out from a wicked sucker punch.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Chapter 11: Familiar Faces and Places -End-

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A/N: Alright and that wraps up another chapter of this fic. And to those of you worrying about Kor getting a black eye, don't. After all, he already has two of them! *Buh dum tish* … I'll be going now

But seriously thanks for all of you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter and are looking forward for what's to come. Leave a review if you like it and have a good day or night!