Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY series.
The Campfire, The Outlaw and The Bounty Hunter.
Yang Xiao Long was leading her bike across a huge grass field. She had to give Bumblebee's engine a rest as she used to take many detours around these lands. There was still a long trip a head, Yang wouldn't want anything to jinx her good company before she successfully tracks down her target.
The nearest town showed on the map was only a couple hours away if she traveled by foot. No big deal, Yang could handle the road just fine. This was the way of life she got used to when she decided to become a bounty hunter. Sign her up for any adventure with thrilling experience.
"Hm?"
She picked up a fresh smell of something burned, kinda like fried meat plus the sound of water flowing in the distance. There was a river up ahead, streaming past the opened field and down the cliffside, which was a bit further away. She spotted a small campfire set up by the shore. And a figure was sitting right next to it, prepping the fish in sticks. Sniff! Um Uhm! Smell nice. That person must have caught some pretty good ones.
"Hello~." Yang greeted in a sing-song voice.
Oops, she made that person startle. They seemed to stop whatever they were doing and pulled up the hood to cover their face. Hm? Why hide it? Oh, sign of suspicion.
"Sorry, I mean no harm. Just a lady who loves adventures and talking to people." Laughing a bit, Yang parked Bumblebee on the side of the road and approached the camp slowly. "That looks cozy. Mind if I join you? The night is still young and my bike doesn't seem like she want to go on another ride."
They turned their head and looked at Yang. Watchful gaze directed at the ammunition belt filled with some ammo shells and the shotgun hanging in the cloister by her waist.
"Oh! Are you nervous because of my weapon? Worry not." They flinched when she took it out. Another subtle sigh Yang won't forget. "Apart from the outlaws and criminals, this baby here has never aimed at or hurt any good citizen. The same thing can be said to its owner, they're both packed a Yang!"
She tried to crack a joke. But the wind blew it off the sky, leaving an awkward atmosphere as the other person showed no reaction. Right, she hasn't introduced herself yet.
"Ahem! Does that ease your worry?"
"S-Sure." They replied. A young man's voice, bashful. "I got some food here. Make yourself comfortable."
"Aww, thank you!" Yang sat down, taking a bowl from him. "Glad to find another good company out here in the wild."
She extended her hand, flashing a friendly smile.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Yang, Yang Xiao Long. Renown bounty hunter, adventure seekers and something else in between. You must have heard of me."
He briefly glanced at her, hesitated. She waited until he finally grabbed and shook her hand. This guy was being warried of her. Keep that up and you have a red flag, mister.
"I think so." He sounded uncertain.
"Great! Then you have nothing to worry about me! I won't rob you blind."
"I'm a little nervous, that's all."
What a bashful person.
"So what's your name?" Yang asked.
"Uh, Jaune...just Jaune."
"Alright, Jaune." Yang gave a nod. She doubted that was a part of his real name. "Hey, I was wondering if you can point me to the nearest town. I haven't been to this part of Mistral so I'm not familiar with the area around here. Can't check the map either since my scroll battery died a while ago."
At her request, he put away the food and took out a map from his bag. The fellow called himself Jaune drew a line on the map and marked an X at the location which she asked.
"Here. If you can follow this path, you'll reach Blueheart in no time. That's the shortcut, they haven't updated it on the scroll yet."
Yang had her journal ready and jot down all the details.
"Okay, got it. Thanks a lot. Say why don't we both go there next morning, breakfast is on me."
"Err. No need! I'm just staying here for a short rest. I'll be heading out again when I finished my dinner." He said, choking himself afterward when he shoved all the bowl content into his mouth.
Eyes widened, Yang looked at him in surprise.
"Wait what? Why the rush? It's almost midnight, you're not planning to rest until morning?"
"No." An instant reply. "I have a job. It's urgent so I'll pack my stuff after this. Don't mind me."
"But you've already got the tent set up all warm and nice." Yang pointed inside. "There's even a sleeping bag in there."
Jaune quickly closed the curtain, undone the nails and let the whole thing collapse, folding it.
"I tend to sleep better in it instead of the ground." Jaune hurriedly tied it to his backpack. "I got my good rest this evening. Now I have to go, you can take the fishes. I seasoned them before cooking so they'll taste good."
Cool. Yang didn't have the heart to decline such an offer. But still!
"O-Okay. Are you planning to go to town right now?"
"I go the other way."
Yang shifted her line of sight to the opposite direction.
"Are you sure? There's a big forest that way. I heard there's a dangerous gang hiding somewhere in there, nobody's managed to catch them yet. Do you really want to go there the middle of the night?"
All done, Jaune threw the backpack over his shoulder then stood up, doing too quickly he almost stumbled into the river. Under the campfire light, Yang took in his features. He had a tall built, quite scrawny and not at all muscular considering the size of his figure. Black hoodie and blue jean, fingerless gloves. Oh! So it wasn't just the face, he also tried to pull down the clothe to hide away that gleaming cold metal piece attached to his belt. This person was full of surprise. Full of red flag!
"I'm sure. Also, you need not to worry about me. I'll be safe. Someone in town said the gang has been taken care of by some bounty hunters today."
He walked off, giving a half-hearted wave.
"Goodbye. And goodnight to you."
Yang could hardly suppress the smirk on her face. Well, it was about time she carry on her works as a renown bounty hunter.
"Hold up, Jaune. You forget something."
Hearing those words, Jaune turned around without suspecting a thing. His entire formed froze like a rock. The sawed-off double barrel shotgun was aiming straight at his head.
"Hands up."
Yang had the trigger already pulled nearly half way, a clear sign that told him she demanded no funny action.
"You were right about the fishes, they taste good." She took the last bite and dropped the stick. "These must be good catches. But guess what, I got an even bigger catch right here."
Jaune slowly raised both hands.
"I don't want any trouble."
"Don't worry about that, Jaune. I'm not the trouble here. You are."
"I'm not sure I understand what you mean."
Yang snorted.
"Why are you getting all flustered and nervous when you know I'm a bounty hunter, huh? Is it because you've already crossed the line many times? Is it because you know that I would find out sooner or later your name doesn't even begin with a J?"
"You think I'm a criminal." He frown.
"No. I think you're an outlaw." She rephrased.
"But I haven't done anything wrong."
"You're right. You haven't committed any bad deed, In My Sight. Pull down the hood, Jaune. Let me see your face." She stressed his 'faked' name. "Do it slowly so I can still see where your hand is going. Don't think I didn't notice that budge on your right side."
He followed the order. Above the sky, moonlight brightened the place. Lilacs slightly shone at his appearance. A golden hair and a pair of sapphires staring back at her. She didn't expect him to look so young, as if he was just about her age.
He didn't have the face of a wolf with traces of a bloodstained past or troubled personality. His face was just like that of a naïve deer who tried to get by and survive in the wilderness.
"G-Good." Yang stuttered.
Yikes! She needed to get herself together. Appearance can be deceiving. He maybe looked tall, blonde and scrawny and be one of the most dangerous people out there. She shouldn't let her focus be distracted.
"Come back here and sit down. I need you to answer me a few questions before I bring you in."
"Can I stand?"
"Okay. If you prefer to stand on one leg." Shotgun front sight shifted to one of his legs. "I don't mind cleaning up the mess later."
"Alright, alright! Take it easy! I'll do it."
Backpack steadily lowered to the ground, he moved back to the campfire and quietly sat down. Yang did the same, the shotgun in her grip remained watchful.
"Ask away." Jaune let out a heavy sigh. "Please."
"First off, what's your real name?"
"It's Jaune. My real name is Jaune."
She stared at him for a while, eyebrows twitched.
"Hey, I'm serious! Your gun is holding me at point-blank. I'm not in the mood to tell lies!"
"Oh yeah? And how am I supposed to know you're not lying right now." Yang was skeptical.
"You don't believe that's my real name, fine. I lost my ID so I have nothing to prove either way."
An excuse, hm. Next question then.
"Tell me, where were you the day before?"
"Graystone town. Did odd jobs for some lien."
"And?" Lilacs narrowed.
"Sigh. And paid my visit to the general store for supplies before heading out to another place."
"..."
"..."
"Is that all?" The gun soothed a bit closer.
"Groan! I also bought a cheap rifle from the gunsmith. That was everything."
"Where is your rifle now?"
"Things happened. Components broke so badly it can't be fixed so I threw it away, back in the wood."
The details perfectly lined up in her thoughts. Nailed it! The bounty hunter finally got what she wanted.
"So it was you who did it, huh." Yang concluded and he uttered a sharp sigh.
This guy was the target she'd been searching.
"Yesterday and this morning, I'd been around Graystone and these woods to investigate ever since people heard gunshots, lots of it."
Jaune said nothing, sapphires remained in contact with lilacs as Yang continued to reveal the story.
"That direction you was about to run off to, I was there. The app on my scroll showed me I was the only bounty hunter available in this area. And you know what, Jaune. I found the aftermath of a brutal massacre. The whole place is a mess, shell cases everywhere. Over ten people found dead. All members of the Beringel gang. Those guys could have fought against each other over a feud and ended up like that. But no! There's a single bullet wound, same size, on each body. Each and everyone of them was shot in the head."
The campfire made some sparks. Yang stopped for a little while to let her words sink in.
"Next, I started digging around until I discovered a worn out rifle in the bushes, which is a good distance away from the gang's camp. Here's the best part! I counted the shells. Apparently, whoever shot that thing didn't miss a single bullet. I know some people who can really shoot, but rarely heard about that kind of precision. Some of the gunslingers I've met before are top notch but even they missed their target at some point. That's big trouble if an outlaw has that monstrous of a shooting skill."
"So you think I'm the shootist?"
With a smirk, she nodded.
"I brought it back to town, you known. There's only one gunsmith in Graystone, I asked him to inspect the rifle and serial number for me. Guess what, he has the description of his customers all written down in the book. The owner of that rifle is one tall, blonde and scrawny. Pfft! He really wrote it like that."
He whined hard.
"Very funny, Miss Xiao Long."
"Hey, that's what he wrote." Yang shrugged. "And your name really doesn't begin with a J."
Her eyes narrowed.
"That rifle was bought under the name Felipe Arkane, a legit ID. You lied, Jaune. Should I call you Felipe now?"
"O-Okay, look..." Jaune aka Felipe tried to explain. The shotgun moved closer to agitate him. "S-Sorry. But listen, the issue with my name is pretty complicated. Still, I assure you the real name is Jaune."
"Yeah, I agree the name Jaune suits you better but enough about that. You can't fool me, Felipe. I checked your record. I have to say the numbers doesn't add up and there's no definitive picture of your appearance. Not sure how that works but it matters not since I caught you now. I thought you were a man in his late thirty based on the record description but turns out you are much younger. Then again, the world is full of wonder so I won't waste time making a guess."
He looked down, lip pressed together without a word to say. She got him cornered good.
"To be frank, asides from what I found back in the wood. I didn't expect someone to be so capable as to rob a farmhouse and slaughtered an entire family in cold blood just because of some lien."
His head snapped back up, staring wide eyed at her. He looked clueless about what she was saying.
"Ah. You look surprised. Need a jolt of memory? It's mentioned in the record. Years ago, you became a wanted man. You robbed and killed a family of ten in Ansel. Your victims were a father, a mother and their seven daughters. They had a son too, he went missing after you burned down the house and the farm. Witness stated you adducted the son, probably left him somewhere in the mountain, let the starving do the rest after you squeezed out everything he knew about the family's bank accounts. Till this day, he's never been found."
Yang blinked. Her vision watered a bit.
"Outlaws, criminals, bandits. No matter what price they put on your head. People like you make me sick all the same."
"...I'm sorry." He replied in a low tone of voice.
"Sorry won't cut it."
"I...I know."
"Turn around." Yang took out the handcuff.
"W-Wait!" Felipe suddenly raised his voice. "There should be more in the record right? What else is in there?"
"What else? That's all I see. Oh! Got it, you want the massacre to be added? Don't worry, they'll add it in eventually when your butt lands in jail."
"No! Not that! There's really nothing else?"
"Nope! Now turn around."
He didn't listen. He sat there, frozen as if a realization drawn to his mind.
"...but...the old man..." He muttered something Yang couldn't fully comprehended.
Eventually, he stood up as told. However, both hands gradually lowered much to the bounty hunter's irritation.
BANG!
Shotgun opened fire. Parts of the log he once sat on blew away. Yang delivered a warning shot. She got one bullet left in the chamber, one was enough to persuade this stubborn fool.
"I said put your hands up, Felipe!"
"Miss Xiao Long, can I tell you something?"
It was strange. One minute ago he was still nervous. For some reason, he didn't look at all worry at the moment. Something else stronger burned in his eyes, Yang noticed that change as he looked at her straight in the eyes, unwavering despite the gun still pointing at him. He was just calm.
"I don't want to hear any-"
"The hospital!" He cut her off. "Did you check the hospital in Graystone?"
"No, I didn't go there."
"There's a family of three currently under treatment. Doctor said it'll take weeks for them to fully recover from the wounds and trauma in that wood."
What? What was he talking about?
"Before coming to Graystone, I was in Blackwood. They had a poster up by the green board next to the sheriff's office. A family reportedly went missing on their travel, their carriage was last spotted near Graystone. I found them, Miss Xiao Long. Right where the Beringel's camp was located. They were ambushed and captured. The family spent days in the big hole, barricaded. If you've seen how the Chill cult reshaped their hostage's mentality, imagine what the Beringel can do on a physical level."
He stopped for a bit, letting the silent atmosphere help Yang to process the new information.
"That's why you were there." Yang added. "To save them."
"Yes. And I absolutely didn't make it up." He quickly said.
"So what? You think telling me this story will give you an excuse to justify your killing? Well, you've gone overboard with that kind of morality. You wiped out an entire gang, Felipe. You aimed and pulled the trigger at their heads without hesitation."
"W-What!? Y-You know I can't take risk losing any second while the family was being held as hostages."
Yang rolled her eyes. He would probably ask them for payment later.
"Save it, I heard enough. Turn around now."
"Miss Xiao Long, I...I haven't done anything wrong."
"You keep telling yourself that." Running out of patience, lilacs changed to red. "Last chance. Don't blame me if you didn't listen."
He flinched. The term sure had a good effect.
"Then you shoot me." Oh boy, he still got some spirit to argue back. "If anything I did Graystone and travelers here a favor, at least that counts for something."
Speaking like a true outlaw, clutching to every little benefit popping up. Did he expect to be rewarded or something? Unfortunately, Yang Xiao Long wasn't so easily swayed by words, especially anyone who owned a bounty on their head.
"Well thank you very much for the righteous but unlawful killing!" Words hardened by sarcasm.
"..."
Yep! There he goes, speechless.
Not wasting more time, Yang approached, keeping her target in line with the shotgun's sight. She pressed the weapon against his chest. In resignation, he extended both hands and let her handcuff him. Just in case he still had funny idea, she should take care of that.
"H-Hey! What are you doing!?"
"Confiscating."
Yang took away the pistol hid underneath his hoodie. Caution, caution. Huh, bland design, no engraving whatsoever. Just a normal looking revolver, nearly in bad condition and no bullet. He didn't reload the chamber. No scroll or wallet, pockets were empty.
"For an outlaw, you sure are emptyhanded. Unprepared too."
"I plan on cleaning the gun." Felipe cried. "My stuff is all in the backpack."
"Whatever."
Finished her capture, Yang went behind Felipe and tapped her gun on his shoulder, signaling the outlaw to walk toward the bike. She got a rope tied around his waist and linked the other end to Bumblebee's tail.
"Wait! You want me to run all the way!?"
He looked pale. She ignored his question anyway. Engine started up, roaring shortly before shutting itself off. Ahh, Bumblebee still needs a break.
"Can't help it. We walk." Yang turned back to Felipe. Her shotgun holstered. "I'm watching you through these mirrors."
The wheels turned, she led the bike and he moved along. He distanced himself far from her as much as the rope allowed him to.
To get to Blueheart, they needed to cross the river, lucky for Yang there was a bridge nearby. It didn't take much time for them to reach there.
Yang occasionally glanced at the mirrors and behind her shoulder to check on the outlaw. He had been awfully quiet for a while. She didn't find it in her to start a conversation with someone who can lie through their teeth anyway.
Once they made it to the other side of the river, Yang double checked her note. Asking Felipe for direction wasn't entirely a strategy to lure him into talking, she just didn't travel much around these parts of Mistral. If this was Vale or Vacuo, she would know her way around more.
"Huh? There should be a path here. Why is it a dead end?"
The road was blocked a dense forest. The sight confused Yang, she couldn't find any narrow pathway. This was the route she drew based on his map.
"Hey, you said this..."
Yang turned around, her jaw dropped. Felipe Arkane wasn't standing there. The rope which she tied around his waist left on the ground, seemingly been cut off by something sharp. He had a knife on him!? Dang it! She should have checked everything!
Rustle!
Immediately, a shadow zipped by the corner of her eyes and headed straight into the dark wood. He was running away!
"Felipe!"
Yang gave chase, shotgun out of the holster. Her eyes still carried the shade of a bloody red fury. Yang shouted his name while aiming her gun at the blurry figure passing the bushes and trees in a mad sprint. The bounty hunter gritted her teeth, the reputation she had didn't just appear over a day. It took years to build ever since the day Taiyang taught her how to use a gun when they went on a hunt. She'd gone through rigorous training in Beacon Academy for things like this, to track and catch the bad guys no matter the environment.
Yang broke into full speed, reaching closer to the shadow ahead of her by seconds. It stopped behind a tree. Good! Anymore goose chase and she might have to bring him in cold for real.
"Step out slowly!"
She expected him to follow her order.
"!?"
She didn't expect a deer to walk out from the tree. When Yang looked around, she was surrounded by more deers. The herd inhabited these wood.
Okay, hold on a minute! She was chasing a deer this whole time?! Did she miss him and go in the wrong way? Thinking back, he showed her the route that led to this place. He said it was a shortcut to Blueheart but in reality, it wasn't.
And...
And...
He did that after she introduced herself as a bounty hunter. Which mean...
"HE TRICKED ME!?"
Birds flew. Deers flee. Her scream scared all the animals living there. Felipe had everything planned ahead the moment she walked into his camp. Yang quickly rushed back to Bumblebee. Out of the wood, she spotted a familiar blonde head by the bridge. Right on sight, that bastard was running back to the campfire to get his backpack!
"Come on! Come on! We have to catch him!"
Engine bumping lively, full of energy. Front brake lever gripped tightly, throttle hit limit, back wheel kicked the earth off the ground. A wild grin emerged on Yang's face. Bumblebee never disappointed when her rider wanted to kick someone's ass. The handcuff was still on him, his gun remained in the holster by her belt, Felipe stood no chance.
The bike launched forward at top speed. He took something from the backpack and pointed at her, its silver paint gleamed under the moonlight. He kept a second weapon, another revolver. Yang doubted he could hit an object moving this quick.
Riding past the bridge, Yang raised her shotgun. He ducked down.
Bang!
She shot first. It hit the campfire next to him. Fire sparks scattered in the night. Felipe didn't flinch.
Then, a tiny flash. The weak echo of his gun rang in her ears.
In the next second, Yang lost control of the bike.
A violent shake struck as the bullet torn a hole through Bumblebee's front wheel. With a yelp, she hit the brake on reflex. Bumblebee slide on the ground while Yang landed on the soft grass, getting all the dirt on her hair and clothes.
The renown bounty hunter was shocked. The landing stung everywhere on her body, she couldn't get back up in time. Yang'd underestimated him.
She closed her eyes, regretfully preparing herself mentally for the next shot to open a wound on her head.
It didn't happen.
Baffled, Yang looked at the outlaw. Eh? He threw his backpack into the river. EH!? He jumped into it, too!? Instead of firing another shot, he just wanted to escape from her?
"You!"
Yang forced herself to get up and ran after him by the river shore. He'd already disappeared into the flows, Yang couldn't even see his head on the water surface anymore.
"This isn't over, you hear me!" She yelled. "No one shoot my Bumblebee!"
Standing on the cliffside, Yang's cheeks buffed out as she inhaled deeply.
"JAUNE! Felipe Arkane or whoever you are! I remember your face! I'll track you down! I'll find you! Then I will catch you again! Yang Xiao Long PROMISES!"
Her voice resonated across the wilderness. Never before had Yang felt her blood boiled so much.
Still, she'd smiled. It was the first time she met an outlaw like him, someone with a league of their own skill and wit. Out of all the bounties, capturing him would be the most challenging task yet.
And Yang loves a difficult challenge.
...
...
Somewhere downstream, he made it to the shore. The handcuff put away in his pocket and the lockpick hid back underneath his boot.
Felipe Arkane the outlaw, real name Jaune Arc, wordlessly nodded to himself. He took her promise to heart.
/
Author's Note: Suddenly inspired to write a short story takes place in a gunslinger AU. This is what I got.
Thank you for reading. Take Care!