A bead of sweat rolled down lightly tanned skin, falling from a furrowed brow before dripping into crimson and silver eyes that burned with conviction even as her sweat stung as it mingled with her tears. Even so, she kept going through the oppressive heat, breeze so humid and hot wrapped around her that it felt suffocating, but still, her hand kept moving, and her knife with it, making the tiny notch in the tall, dried out sapling that she had cut down in the days prior. It was rough and barely made, but it was good for at least one shot. Her fingers ached and she was sure she was getting blisters, but she wouldn't lose momentum. Her cuts were precise, digging a deeper and deeper groove into the end of the slightly bent wooden shaft.

The late day sun beamed down through the dense canopy, shifting with the swaying leaves but still adding a layer of excessive heat onto the hard working hybrid Vampire. Her outfit was trimmed down for the extended stay in the wilderness before she left the village. Ruby now wore dark grey cargo pants, her usual combat boots and a green tank top with a red hoodie for warmth courtesy of her mentor that she tied around her waist. She was given very little to survive, aside from the knife, she got a fire striker and a canteen of water that clipped to her thick leather belt. Even so, despite the practical nature of her outfit, she kept one thing that stood out midst the trees and dirt; a small ruby earring dangling from her right ear by a thin gold chain.

Finally finished! With a heavy sigh of relief Ruby relaxed her tight grip around her fixed blade knife, blowing away the small shavings of wood left in the notch. With a tired but bright and satisfied smile she gripped onto the end of the sapling, pulling down on it with just enough for to begin to bend it, testing its resistance and integrity. Her smile though, was short lived as the wind began to die, static white noise ebbed, giving way to the sound of the forest, the chirping of birds and the movements of animals on the ground. A deep and permeating discomfort and sadness bit at her heart as it had been doing since she first felt the pangs of mortal hunger as Raven said she would. Her eyes dulled with sorrow as they turned up to the clear blue sky above, her expression softening with wistful melancholy as her mind began to wander. I- I need to do this. For Raven and Alan and Calister and everyone back in the village… and for Weiss, Yang and Blake. They're expecting me to come home, those mercenaries will be attacking my clan soon and I need to be ready to help. I know all that but… I still don't want to do this.

With a deep breath Ruby slowly got down on one knee, letting her half finished bow fall to the leaf littered ground while she sheathed her knife at her side and reached for her boot. Her calloused and worn down fingers maneuvered the shoelace through the holes, weaving it out of her boot. Her ears were sharp and kept guard over her in place of her occupied eyes. She didn't notice it in the village but sense of hearing had become more acute since turning and feeding regularly, she couldn't help but wonder how it stacked up to Blake's.

It's been five days… I think. I thought that first night without blood would be the hardest but I'm so hungry now, it feels like I haven't eaten in- oh… I guess I've only been feeding on blood since I turned. Which means I haven't actually eaten in weeks. I never even missed food, blood just tastes and feels so much better but now I'm like any other starving person, all I can think about is food. With a painful growl of her stomach compelling her to hurry Ruby pulled her lace free, the well fitting boot still held snugly around her foot as she pulled the long length of thread from it. Her muscles ached, begging for rest, her sore feet sent waves of pain up through her and her legs trembled in protest as she forced her body up. All she could do was grit her teeth and get to her feet, her face contorting as she fought with her own body, picking up the bow from the ground before using it to support some of her weight, taking the burden from her legs.

Come on, you can't give yet, just hang in there a little bit longer. With a staggering step forward she widened her stance, stabilizing herself as much as she could. Her head felt light and fuzzy and she had never felt so weak and exhausted in her entire life. She didn't have much time and she knew it. She was in a losing battle with hunger and every second extra she gave it the more likely she was to succumb to its grasp. She gulped down what little saliva her parched mouth could spare and set to work. The wood resisted as she pushed her weight against it but ultimately, it gave her the few centimeters she needed. She moved as quickly as she could feeling her muscles grow weaker by the second. With a fluid motion of her hands and wrists she tied the string securely into the notch she had made, looping it around to pick up the excess slack before pulling the lace taut and flipping the bow, repeating the process on her first notch until the tension in the string was enough to keep the bow bent without her weight behind it.

Well, it's not pretty, Weiss would probably call it sloppy and Yang would laugh but it should still work. There was a strange feeling of satisfaction, something powerful and intensely proud as she wiped the sweat from her brow and pulled back on the string, the wood bending to her strength as she drew the string back. One eye closed as she focused on where she imaged her arrow would fly and her breathing slowed, barely audible even to herself while her expression became cold and focused. Yeah… this will work.

With a soft and subdued exhale she let her bow relax, the wood creaking ever so quietly as it returned to its most stable shape it could with the string holding it down. The bow was almost as tall as her and had enough draw strength to do what she needed it to do. As she let go of the string, holding the bow by the shaft she turned her gaze to a small, innocuous tree, the only thing distinguishing about it as the straight and thin length of wood resting at its base. Her steps were deliberately hushed as she made her way towards her arrow, delicately picking it up off the ground, the soft, pitch black feathers she had happened upon were perfect for fletching and the shaft of was as straight as she could make it.

That's all it takes huh… Her eyes dulled as she stared at the sharpened point of the arrow, her mind unable to stop itself from imagining what she was about to do. T-there's nothing else I can do! I don't know what plants are edible and the longer I wait… I don't want to die out here and I can already feel the hunger making me weaker and weaker. If I don't do this now, I don't think I'll be physically capable. This would be easy for Blake. Yang might even have fun with this. Weiss would just do what she needed to do… but I don't want to hurt anyone. Animals aren't like Grimm, they have souls, they feel pain, they can be warm and compassionate and have love for their families.

Her jaw clenched as her thumb gently stroked the dry wooden tip, carefully pressing her thumb into the point until it hurt… and then just a little bit more. It didn't feel good and it wasn't even puncturing her skin. She could only imagine how much pain would come from what she intended to do and it made her want to vomit in disgust… or maybe the nausea was just from the ever gnawing hunger, she couldn't be sure. I wish they were here. Maybe then I wouldn't feel so bad, but this has to be done. I have to do this alone and all of it, all their pain and their death will be on me.

I better get moving. Giving a stressed release of her breath she pulled her thumb from the arrow's tip, her skin indented some by the pressure on the pad. With her arrow in one hand and her bow held in the other, Ruby forced her muscles to move, compelling them to take that first step forward deeper into the woods.

Even after being isolated for five days in the wilderness, she still felt in awe of the dense, untamed forest. The Grimm had rendered the space between the kingdoms largely uninhabitable, allowing the wilds to grow unhindered by society, untouched and pristine. It was likely that aside from the Vampires, no one had walked these woods in a very, very long time. The trees towered overhead taller than any she had ever seen before, the canopy was so dense in places that it blocked out the sun completely. She marveled at the beauty of nature without the hands of human and faunus to reign it in. The animals were wild and free and larger than their counterparts closer to the kingdoms. The birds sang more beautifully, the air was so clean and fresh it felt nothing like Vale or even Patch and even the colors seemed more vibrant.

I think I'm actually getting used to this. It was scary, sleeping alone in the woods for the first few nights but now I like finding a place to sleep where the canopy is open. I can fall asleep staring up at the stars, they're so much brighter than back in Vale and I can see so many more of them. I don't know how long it'll take me to find my Familiar but hopefully it won't be too much longer… I miss Raven and Alan and the rest of the clan. She hadn't even know them a month and for most of her life Raven was just the mother who abandoned her sister and her dad. Turns out, nothing about that is true. Yang isn't my sister and Taiyang isn't my father. Yang is my cousin and Qrow is my dad. It's still hard to wrap my head around. Raven didn't want to abandon Yang, she loves her, why else would she keep her birth certificate hanging up above her bed? She's been a good mentor to me and I can tell she cares… she probably would have been a good mother to Yang but the clan has rules and for some reason, those rules compelled Raven to leave and seal away Yang's Vampire nature.

I- I kinda wish that I grew up as a Vampire. I really like my new home, it hasn't been that long but I really feel like I belong there. When I was growing up Tai was a good dad but he was distant after losing Mom. Yang did her best and I didn't usually feel lonely but something was always missing, like there was some hole in my heart that nothing really fit into. Now, when I'm with my clan, when I'm home, when I'm working with everyone and having fun, knowing their names, seeing them smile when they see me, when the acolytes give me their blood, I know it's because they see me as family, I can taste it. The hole is gone now, with them, I'm really home… I want to get back to them soon. If Raven were here, she would tell me I need to be strong, that even if it's hard, I have to do what's best for me and our family. She was pulled from her thoughts as she came to a slow stop beneath comparatively small tree with branches low enough to climb. Determination sparked in her eyes as she hung the bow over her shoulder, the arch of the bow at her back with the string resting across her chest. She put her arrow between her teeth, biting down gently into the wood while she stared up at the tree, her eyes darting from branch to branch, plotting her course. Raven would want me to be strong, Raven wants me to come home. So I will.

She felt the presence of someone watching over her, someone who cared for her and wanted to see her succeed. She imaged her mentor watching her with pride as she grabbed onto the first branch, pushing past her weakness and hunger as she pulled herself up, her arms shaking to support her weight and her feet struggling to find their grip on the rough bark. Her palms were sore and she felt the wood biting into her blistered and calloused fingers but she fought through the pain, hoisting herself up until her knee came to rest atop the first branch, her hand steadying her against the trunk. Looking up, she could see her next target and without losing the small amount of momentum she had gained she got to her feet, her legs wobbling, nearly giving out and sending her falling back to the hard ground, but she caught herself, letting her body instead fall against the trunk instead, giving her weak legs a small reprieve.

Ruby caught her breath, she was only on the first branch but starvation had made her weaker than ever. Her body was shaking from the strain she was putting on it, but she knew she had to keep moving. Securing her footing on the thick base of the branch Ruby reached up to the branch directly overhead, wrapping her fingers around it and taking in a deep inhale as she bounced on her toes. At the height of her voice she pushed off and pulled up simultaneously, her muscles bulging and tensing as they bore her weight, pulling her halfway up as they seared with pain and exhaustion, shaking violently as she battled for every inch against gravity. Her clothes clung to her skin as sweat dripped from every pore, her teeth gritted painfully, her fangs bared and aching dully, almost unnoticeable amidst the pain and discomfort that her entire body was under. With one final, desperate pull she got her head above the branch and swung her arm over, her armpit and forearm holding her body up while she pulled herself onto the branch, panting heavily while she sat down, letting her pounding heart calm itself for just a moment.

Her head turned up, looking to the next branch. It wasn't that much higher up but there was a sizable gap. Her legs swung gently back and forth, trying to not let them rest completely so they would be ready for the next bout. Shakily Ruby forced herself up, leaning heavily against the trunk to keep herself steady despite her failing muscles while she kept her gaze very firmly fixed forward. She bent her knees, keeping one hand to stabilize herself on the trunk while she crouched, tensing her muscles and pouring all the strength she had into them then…

Whoosh!

In a blur of red and rose petals Ruby launched herself upwards, boosting her jump with her Semblance, pushing her fatigue weakened aura to its limit before her upper body slammed hard and fast into the thick branch, knocking the air from her lungs. She could feel herself falling as gravity took her body while she gasped to reclaim her breath, her arms flailed wildly and by pure luck her hand caught the branch, gripping onto it for dear life, her fingers holding on as tight as they possibly could while her body came to a jarring stop with a sharp pain in her shoulder. There she dangled by just a hand from a not so insignificant fall, still she knew if she was hurt out in the wilderness hunting would be the least of her problems.

I can't fall! Come on! Just one more stupid branch! Her sweat threatened her grip almost as much as her crippling exhaustion. It was a struggle just to lift her other arm into the air to grab hold of the branch, giving her other arm some relief from the burden of her weight. Still, getting her grip was the easy part and she was out of strength, her arm muscles were now holding on by pure adrenaline but she was too worn out to lift her body up again no matter how much she struggled and with each failed attempt she could feel her grip getting weaker and weaker. Okay… new plan.

With a breath she relaxed her body, only letting her fingers remain tensed around the only thing keeping her from falling. Her head turned to her side, towards the trunk of the tree and her eyes burned with fierce determination and conviction as she loosened her grip on one hand, easing it up just enough to slide it down towards the tree, inching it ever so carefully until her fingers clamped back down. Ruby move little by little, never looking down or up, focusing only on her goal and shutting out the pain, the fear, the emotional turmoil and the the exhaustion as she got closer and closer to the trunk. Even through everything, even dangling only two weak hands away from likely injury and probable death, something new burned inside her, a fury and passion that was unlike anything she had ever felt, a fire that raged in her heart, powerful and uncompromising as it flooded every vein in her body. It was beyond empowering, it was awe inspiring just how primal and intense and right it felt and she couldn't help but waste a little precious energy, grinning, baring her sharp fangs in the blissful inferno that consumed her entire being.

Suddenly, her body felt just a little bit lighter and her muscles a little bit stronger. It didn't matter, nothing mattered but her goal, surviving and getting past this obstacle. It wasn't merely her survival instinct compelling her, it was a sense of determination and ferocity like she had never felt. She didn't have to question it, she knew… I will overcome this!

Ruby started swinging her legs and body, rapidly moving her her hand to the other side, reorienting herself so she was facing the trunk that was less than her body length away. With each swing her legs went higher and higher up, building off the momentum and energy of the previous wing and each successive motion becoming easier and easier until the instant her soles touched the bark. Energy surged through her like a bolt of lightning! Ruby dug her toes into the wood and kicked off as hard as she could, rose petals bursting out from behind her feet as ran up the trunk giving herself the speed she needed to throw her lower body over the branch before locking her legs around it!

Her teeth bit down painfully, the rough bark of the branch biting into her palms, she was sure she was bleeding, but that didn't matter either. Ruby was huffing for breath, trying as hard as she could to suppress the sound while she struggled up the thick base of the branch, shaking and panting while slowly and carefully moving herself against the trunk, resting her upper body against it, a deviating, upward jutting branch thankfully supporting her back enough to where she could lean back without falling.

I finally made it… The longest and most satisfied sigh of relief she ever had left her lips as she reclined back into the deviating branch, the arrow falling from her teeth now with small grooves in it from her bite. Her head rested weakly against the trunk, suddenly feeling like the little safe spot halfway up the tree might not be the worst place in the world to fall asleep. An exhausted laugh left her parched throat, she was already struggling to keep her suddenly very heavy eyelids open, only the very prompt return of her hunger kept her from falling into the sweet embrace of sleep.

The woods were still beautiful, even though she wasn't too far off the forest floor, things looked different from her higher vantagepoint. She could see small animals scurrying about and the birds fluttering from branch to branch. The late day sunlight streamed through the leaves above bathing the forest in the most brilliant, awe striking green she had ever laid eyes upon at an angle that told her that sunset wasn't far away. Begrudgingly, she knew she didn't have much time, so she lifted her arms that felt like lead, pulling her bow from her back while carefully making sure her arrow stayed her her lap before resting the bow on top of it.

I guess now I just wait. Her eyes looked down towards a trail she had staked out earlier in the day. Ruby barely remembered anything from her basic survival course that she had back at Beacon, they only took a few classes and she really didn't want to hear about the hunting parts. It was a voluntary class but Weiss convinced her to go. Still, she knew what a frequently trafficked trail looked like and she knew, sooner or later… Those deer will come back, and for one of them… I guess this will be it.

Without the adrenaline or that passion for living burning away her every superfluous thought, those fears and doubts returned and her empathetic heart came into conflict with pragmatism and her own need for survival. Every aspect of what she was about to do made her sick to her stomach, she tried not to think about it but the turmoil in her mind was the only thing keeping her from feeling the pull of sleep.

Oh! I know! Ruby's big crimson stained silver eyes shot open with excitement as she carefully reached into one of the big pockets of her pants, lifting her knees up to make sure her bow and arrow stayed put. After a few moments of rummaging, she slowly pulled out a pad of paper and a pen, something Raven allowed her to bring with, giving her merely a shrug and saying that it didn't matter. Still, despite the possible disapproval of her mentor, she couldn't help but feel very happy to have brought it as she flipped it open and shakily put pen to paper.

" Dear Yang, Blake and Sun;

Hey, I'm sorry I haven't been in touch since I left. Kinda packed up in a hurry, Qrow said I had to and I didn't want to hurt anyone so I didn't really get to ask any question like if there was reception where we were going. Turns out… not really.

So, I'll be sending you this letter, I don't know when it will reach you, I'm kinda lost in the woods right now as I'm writing this but don't worry, I'll be okay. I actually kind of like it… it's peaceful out here but hard. It's only been five days but I feel different, like it's changing me for the better. Still, there's something I have to do and I don't like it… I don't want to but I'm alone with no food and I'm starving. I wish you were here Yang, I don't want to do this. I'm going to but it doesn't feel right.

Sorry, that's enough about me, I'm writing this right now to keep my mind off of that until my… prey shows up. I bet you all will have your own stories next time we see each other, I'm sorry I can't be there as your leader to help you through whatever hardships might come up, but I know you Yang, you're the strongest person I've ever known and you'll be okay.

I know what happened was a lot to take in, everything we learned about our family, ourselves and each other… it wasn't easy on me and I know it wasn't easy on you. Still, no matter what, Vampire, Slayer, Human, Faunus, it doesn't matter to me, it doesn't matter that Qrow is my father and that we're technically cousins. No matter what Yang, you will always be my sister and I love you.

Raven loves you too you know. She's a nice person, she's actually my mentor here, you and her have a lot in common, neither of you can keep your rooms clean. She can be strict and tough and a little cold but she's funny and caring and loyal to our clan. I really admire her. She didn't want to leave you, I want you to know that. Sealing away your Vampire nature wasn't something she wanted but the rules of our clan gave her no choice, someday I think you'll understand because I believe that you'll be who you were meant to be and you can come home to us.

Being a Vampire is great… I love it. I love drinking blood, it feels unlike anything I can really describe, it's like you and the person you're feeding from become one for a little bit, it's warm and it tastes like life itself, I actually haven't eaten in weeks but I didn't even feel hungry or miss it until about two or three days without blood! Our clan is really nice, I'm at home there and I- I consider them family.

There's so much more I want to tell you but I want to save some of it for when we meet again. Blake, Sun, you take care of her okay? You both know she has a knack for getting into trouble and jumping into things without thinking.

I love you and miss you all.

Sincerely; Ruby Rose."

A bittersweet and wistful smile pulled at her lips, memories of fond times with her honorary sister played in her mind, from their childhood to their battles as a team in Beacon. She had faith that Yang would break the seal on her nature and then she would come live with her clan where she belonged… and I know that would make Raven happy too.

With a gentle warmth in her heart she flipped the page, giving her a blank paper to write her next letter on.

"Dear Taiyang;

Hey Dad… I'm not really sure what to say. We haven't talked much since I left for Beacon and I know I didn't say anything when my Vampire half awakened and I left to join Raven's clan. I'm sorry but it all happened so suddenly and I was scared and confused and I was drinking blood and it was kinda crazy.

I hope Qrow explained what happened before you get this letter but just in case he doesn't…

Dad; I know Qrow is my real father. I know Yang is actually my cousin. I know Mom and Qrow weren't human. I know my Silver Eyes mean that I'm part Slayer… and I'm also a Vampire.

Yeah, it was a lot to take in for me and Yang too. Still, I want you to know that I'm happy here, with Raven, in the Rubrum Clan. Things are right and I feel like I'm part of a big happy family, it's nice, we work, play, feed and live together. We rely on each other and we protect each other and family is the most important thing to us. It hasn't been long since I've been here but I really do feel like I'm part of the family, I belong there, it's my home.

I'm doing okay Dad. I miss you and I love you. Take care of Yang.

Forever your daughter; Ruby Rose."

She could feel her lip quivering. So many feelings that she had pushed to the side, that had been buried by the happiness of her newfound family were now bubbling to the surface and her eyes grew haze with tears that she wiped away with her sweat soaked fist. It hurt, it hurt knowing how she left everyone but it didn't hurt anywhere near as bad as knowing… That I'm happier here… with my clan.

With a trembling, pain laden breath she flipped the page, and put her pen down on the pristine sheet of paper.

"Dear Weiss;

Weiss… I miss you. I have a lot to say but that's the first thing I want you to read. I miss you so much that it hurts. My partner for years, my best friend, my rival and my greatest support and so much more, I miss you.

I'm doing good, I'm doing really good here. I'm happy, my clan is nice. I was scared at first, I didn't know what to expect and when I first arrived, my whole world was turned upside down after the news Qrow gave me after my Vampire half awoke. I was lost and confused but now I'm not confused anymore… and I'm the furthest from lost I've ever felt.

Well, maybe not right now, I'm kinda lost in a physical sense, I'm writing to you from a tree in the middle of the woods heh-heh. I've been out here for five days but the weather has been nice and they gave me a knife and I kinda just took this pad of paper with me. I'm not supposed to come back until I find my Familiar, I don't know what it will be but Raven kept teasing me about how cool it was. I hope I find it soon, I miss my bed and my home and my clan.

You know what? Now that I think about it, your blood is the first blood I tasted from another person! I know I kinda went overboard when I fed from you, I'm sorry about that, but I'm getting control of my thirst here. Still, it was an experience I'll never forget. I don't think I told you but your blood was really good, I can taste a lot in blood now, just from a little drop, but with the amount I drank from your vein, it's like you became part of me. I could taste everything from your health to your emotions. It made me really happy that me feeding from you felt so good for you too! Okay, I should stop talking about that now, it's making my fangs ache!

Being a Vampire is weird but it's great. It's like every person whose blood I drink becomes a part of me while I'm feeding from them. Also, knowing what I am, that I'm part Slayer and Vampire, it makes me feel whole in a strange way. It was a scary change going from thinking I was human to sprouting fangs, getting crimson in my silver eyes, thirsting for blood and then learning that I'm some weird hybrid, but now I think it was for the best. I'm happier for knowing.

Oh! My clan is great too! Like I said, I was scared at first but they're all super nice! There's Raven, she's my mentor, aunt and Yang's mom! Anyway, she's a bit strict and she makes me do all her chores because she sucks at them but she's super strong and funny and actually caring and really nice once you get to know her! Then there's Alan… I really like him. Alan is an Acolyte, a human or in his case, a faunus that lives with the clan and gives blood to us Vampires. He's always down on himself and doesn't have the best self esteem but he's so sweet his blood kinda reminds me of yours. He's funny too but I wish he would be less hard on himself. Still, I think it's cute how he always goes on about his little sister Crystal. Oh yeah! Crystal Skye! She's a fox faunus starting at Beacon, in fact, she should have already had her entrance ceremony I think! There's also Calister, he's the patriarch of our clan, he's kinda scary but he's sweet too, he's kinda like a big teddy bear though I wouldn't call him that to his face. There's Iris Blank, she's the Vampire in charge of the Acolytes, she's quiet but Alan says she's cool… whatever that means. There's a bunch of us living in a little village in the forest and it's a good life.

I guess I should say the things I really need to say now huh?

I don't know how long this letter will take to get to you. We only have a handful of Vampires that are allowed to leave the village to go into the kingdoms and they do so only a couple times a month. Still, I need you to know something and it won't be easy to hear…

Weiss, I asked Qrow to give you back one of the earrings you gave me. If he did what I asked, you should have it. I want you to take good care of it because… I don't know when I'll be coming back. I don't know if I'll be coming back. I've found a home and even though it's only been a short time, I know they see me as part of their family and I see them as my family. The way things work in my clan are different than anything I've ever known but in my heart, I can't help but feel like this is where I belong.

I'm sorry…

Your friend, partner and leader… Ruby Rose

I love you."

Her hand was trembling as the pen made that final stroke, dragging across the paper before falling weakly from her fingers while her tears dripped down, splashing against the white, mingling with the black ink, distorting her letters as they soaked in but there was nothing she could do to stem the flow of tears that poured from her shimmering eyes. Images of her partner flashed in her mind, the sound of her voice, the smell of her hair, the softness of her skin… and the cool, gentle and protective taste of her blood. All of it competed with memories just as sweet; waking up next to Raven in the mornings, cleaning their room, talking with her mentor before going out to feed, usually on Alan, the taste of his blood almost as blissful to her as Weiss' and then going about her day, lending her strength to her village, all of them working as a family for the good of all of them with love in their hearts.

I'm sorry… I'm so sorry… I don't want to leave. I don't-

Crack...

Her heart skipped a beat and her breathing ceased instantly. Her quaking hand moved up, wiping the tears away that blurred her eyes as she looked towards the subtle, quiet sound of the snapping twig. Her senses seemed to go into overdrive and her adrenaline began to pick up, her pupils shrinking as she slowly and carefully picked up her bow and arrow.

Through the brush and low hanging leaves Ruby could see the slightest hints of movement and hear light steps against the soft earth. Her breathing was subdued and hushed as she ever so carefully and quietly gripped the length of her bow and slowly brought the notch of the arrow to her shoestring, her body seemed to become as still as stone and her gaze fixed and focused down the shaft of her arrow towards the motions below, her fingers squeezing around the end as she pulled it slightly back, giving the lace tension, pulling back on the point of the arrow out in front with the mid shaft resting against the bow.

In a clearing down below, directly in her line of sight she could see a little black nose pop out from behind a tree, sniffing at the air before stepping more and more into view. The late day sun had turned to orange as it began to set and the fiery light set the light brown pelt of the majestic animal ablaze as it stepped into a space between the trees, its ears twitching atop its head and her big brown eyes blinking as it looked timidly around, never seeming to notice the predator that stalked it from the tree above only a short arrow's flight away.

Ruby's jaw clenched and her heart ached as she watched the beautiful animal walk cautiously into the middle of the clearing, the doe's white tail swaying ever so slightly while it prodded the ground with its hoof before craning its neck towards the dirty to nibble at a small patch of grass, its ears erect and attuned to danger while it fed. She watched as the doe daintily nibbled on blades of grass, its breaths pushing and pulling the swaying green that grew from the forest floor while its chest rose and fell.

She's beautiful… what am I doing? I- I don't want to hurt her, I don't want to but… The pain in her stomach and the weakness in her body was quickly quashing her resolve, her arm pulling back on the arrow, slowly but surely bending the wood of the bow as she aimed on instinct for the killing blow as she had done to so many Grimm with her rifle. I'm so hungry. Damn it, I don't want do this! Just run! Run away please!

As loud and as desperately as she screamed in her head, her thoughts could not reach the unsuspecting animal, the breeze and the ambient sounds of nature concealing the subtle bending of her bow until the arrow was fully drawn back, ready to fire. Her arm burned with pain and exhaustion and her trembling hand threatened her aim as she pointed the arrow towards its chest, closing one eye, leaving the other to focus perfectly on her target.

Run…

Inhale.

Please... I don't want to hurt you.

Exhale.

I- I'm so sorry!

She pulled back just a millimeter further, her bow creaked and the deer's head shot up, Ruby's teeth were bared showing her fangs as she clenched her jaw and for one brief instant, crimson and silver met terrified brown.

Release!

After only a fraction of a second of hesitation she shut her eyes tight and let her arrow fly, the bow snapping into form projecting the arrow outwards with all its force. The projectile soared through the air at the same moment that the deer began to run and through tightly squinted eyes Ruby saw her arrow land in the animal's side… towards its hind legs.

No! No! I- I didn't mean… Her eyes were wide open just in time to catch a blur of brown and the frantic running of the deer as it bolted recklessly deeper into the woods, leaving Ruby sitting in the tree, her bow falling limply from her hand towards the ground as she shook in horror and heartbreak, seeing the drops of crimson on the grass below. Her fangs ached almost as much as her stomach, the bright red making her natural Vampiric thirst flare up, her mind turning for just a moment towards thoughts of drinking from Alan and Weiss, the way their veins just seemed to dilate at her bite just to give her more of their blood.

I can't take it back now… I have to find her and make sure that it wasn't for nothing. Once more her eyes were clouded with tears as she unwrapped the red hoodie from her waist, tying one sleeve very securely to the branch giving it a firm test tug after the knot was tied. She could feel the shock of what she had done ebbing as she forced back every memory with her immediate goals; Get out of this tree, get my bow, follow her. Get out of this tree, get my bow, follow her.

Her clouded and shimmering eyes held a solemn determination as she grabbed the other sleeve tight with both hands, giving one last lingering look at the still cooling blood that had fallen from the wound she inflicted on the unsuspecting animal. With a vigorous shake of her head Ruby took a deep breath… and jumped. The knot held, snapping her to a stop, dangling above the ground clear of any other branches, her hoodie giving her an extra few feet, hoping it would be enough to spare her from injury. Her arms were rapidly failing, the break she enjoyed in the tree wasn't nearly enough to recover her strength when combined with the effects of ever worsening starvation. As quickly as she could, with her arms shaking and ready to give out at any moment, she crawled down to the very end of the sleeve, giving one last look down to the forest floor before closing her eyes.

Thud!

For the second time she felt the air forced from her lungs as she landed hard and painfully on her back, her weak legs giving out the moment they hit the ground, barely serving to take any of the damage before her body toppled. With deep gasps Ruby struggled to catch her breath, her heart pounding in her chest and her body aching all over as she stared up up at the tree above where her hoodie swayed from from fall.

Ouch… With a whining groan Ruby painfully forced herself up. She was tired, starving, in pain, blood thirsty, exhausted, mildly dehydrated and beyond ready to pass out, but still, an ember of that inferno she felt while she climbed the tree still burned in her soul, powering her despite her failing body. Her muscles quivered and cried out painfully in protest to her as she stood, but an indomitable will to survive burned through all of it, her heart beating not with blood but with flames as she got to her feet and staggered forward, grabbing her bow from the ground with an expression of unstoppable, primal ferocity. I will not die. I will not die out here!

Sweat soaked and covered in dirt and blood from her climb and fall Ruby walked weakly towards the clearing with her bow in hand. The space between the trees where she had shot the deer was cut through by a long grassy trail frequented by all manner of animals, but still, with her arrow gone there was only one other creature in the entire world that mattered to her. She felt sick and nauseous as she stood over the droplets of blood that had dried to the grass, but terrifyingly, she also felt a sense of pleasure, accomplishment and pride. She was a predator now, there was no turning back from that and even though her heart ached for what she knew she would have to do, she felt as though the world faded away when she had her focus on her prey.

With a now stoic face she turned away from the patch of bloodstained grass, looking towards the direction that her prey had run off to, seeing the branches snapped in its mad and ultimately fruitless dash for its life. As Ruby began to walk, following patiently behind it, she snapped the branches along the way, giving very clear markers to her path so she could retrieve her hoodie.

The sounds of the forest had changed, the birds chirping was different, more hard and frantic as she walked down the path crumpled twigs and kicked up dirt. She could see its hard and labored footsteps imprinted into the soft ground and every so often she would find more of its dazzlingly beautiful vital fluid that painted the green with its vibrant crimson. The sound of animals scurrying through the brush and leaves had ceased from the moment she fell from her tree, she could imagine the fear the other animals had, a predator they had likely never seen now stalked their woods and it was sweet little Ruby Rose.

She felt the wind shift, by a stroke of serendipity it began blowing towards her putting her upwind of her bleeding prey. Vampires had a similar sense of smell to humans… except when it came to blood. Animal blood was apparently no different, though it smelled harsher and unappealing, not particularly bad but nothing she would want to drink, her instincts told her as much regardless. The flowing air felt cool to her overheated, over exerted body despite the heat she found oppressive earlier thanks to the quickly setting sun.

With her free hand she wiped her brow clear of sweat that clung to her skin and weighed down her clothes. Her breaths were more relaxed and natural, no longer needing to hide her presence from her prey though she did what she could to keep her footsteps light against her weakened legs. She could be sure how long she was walking for but the deer hadn't gotten far by the ever growing scent of its blood, she was surprised that her nose could tell both the amount and distance of the spilled blood, it was something she hadn't noticed before since she always drank straight from the tap.

Suddenly, a helpless and panicked thrashing ripped her attention from her nose to her eyes, her pace slowing hesitantly as she drew closer and closer, pushing aside large flat leaves of fern with her bow while she crouched down, coming into another small clearing. The warm light of the setting sun streamed in from above as the dense canopy parted, allowing a rare and spacious unobstructed view of the endless sky painted shades of orange, pink and blue. Crickets began to chirp as daylight grew to a close and the birds singing came to a soft and steady end.

However, all of the beauty around her was lost on Ruby as she stared down at the thrashing, helpless creature, its eyes wide as it stared at her in terror from the ground, laying on its side as it drew rapid and labored breaths, each one giving her arrow a slight rise and fall while its hind leg twitched only centimeters below where her arrow rested in its body. For a long and numb moment, Ruby just stared into its eyes, seeing the fear in them, the desire to live undeniable in those big browns that were almost pleading with her for mercy.

I did this… because I hesitated, because I was weak, I like her suffer longer than she needed to. This is my fault. She felt something inside her, something strangely calm and at peace as she walked up to the frightened animal, drawing her knife from her side while it feebly tried to struggle away, its legs kicking and its whole body shaking with shock and fear as Ruby stood over it. Her eyes were soft and filled with compassion as she knelt down in the dirt beside it, feeling her heart change in that moment, shedding a weakness and naivete she had held onto her entire life as she brought her knife up, covering the animal's eyes with her free hand.

I'm sorry.

A hot fire crackled in the dark, bathing the small clearing in its hot orange glow as it consumed the wood Ruby had gather and set ablaze. Hot embers sparked up, reflecting her mirror like silver eyes and making her the crimson in them glow a deep red as she stared into the flames. In her hand she held her arrow suspended over the burning wood, cooking a cut of her kill's muscle that she had cut from its body. She didn't know how to skin it properly but she was far too hungry to care and the smell of the cooking flesh made her mouth water and her stomach growl in anticipation.

She couldn't rest yet and she knew that, no matter how much sleep pulled at her consciousness, enticing her into the sweet embrace, no matter how heavy her eyelids got, she knew she couldn't just let the animal she killed go to waste, taking its left meant at least she owed that much. Still, as her head looked up to the night sky, her back resting comfortably against her hoodie that rested between her and the tree behind her and with the fire's warmth washing over her, staving off the cool night air, she couldn't help be feel the urge to give in and just let her eyes flutter closed.

But I can't. She rapidly shook her head, staying awake and keeping her arm up, suspending her food over the fire by sheer force of will alone. Never in her life had she felt so exhausted, never in her life had she felt so tired, so hungry and so beaten up, her skin was littered with bruises and scraped and her hands and feet were painfully blistered. Even so… I don't think I've ever felt quite this satisfied in my life either.

Raven said I was supposed to find my Familiar out here but I feel like I'm find things that I didn't even know I was looking for. This place is changing me… and it's changing me fast. I wonder if Weiss or Yang or Blake or anyone back in Vale would recognize me after this? I wonder if I'll be able to recognize myself… A soft sigh left her lips as she gazed at the twinkling stars. The night sky was beautiful with swaths of stars splashed across the expansive darkness like pinpricks that bled out pure light to give solace to those in the dark. She had taken to making up constellations as she stargazed, memorizing the patterns in the stars while entertaining herself.

Well, either way, I need to eat and sleep. I'll finish this then go to-

A sudden and horrified gasp left her throat as every muscle in her body tensed, her skin tingling with goosebumps and electricity surging through her nerves as she stared in terror at the sight before her.

There it was, staring down at her just on the other side of her fire, its steady inhale and exhale barely audible but its big gray eyes shined in the light of the flames and there was no mistake that it was looking right at her. A giant wolf, larger than any she had ever seen with fur as black as night and eyes like cold steel, its body crouched down ever so slightly as though debating on whether or not to lunge through the fire to eat the girl before her or not.

Her quaking hand pulled back her food from the fire, steam and smoke rising off the muscle as she stared back at it, her other hand reaching towards the knife that rested on the ground beside her. I-it's too big… I can't fight it off with just this knife, not in the state I'm in. So… this is what it's like to be helpless prey. It's overwhelming, the difference between us, the positions we're in, it could take this life so easily from me and I wouldn't be able to do a thing to it… just like the deer I killed.

Even so… even so I don't want to die. Just like the deer, I'll fight to live, however it ends for me… I won't just lay down and die. Pulling her lips back she bared her razor sharp fangs, glaring defiantly and ferociously into the wolf's eyes as she raised her knife up between them.

Raven, Weiss, Yang, Blake… I'm sorry. She took a long, deep breath, making peace with whatever was about to happen before pouring her strength into her exhausted legs, ready to give the predator a fight for its meal. However… before she could begin to get to her feet, the wolf's posture seemed to relax, its head raising up and its shoulders dropping into a more casual pose, even its eyes seemed to soften before it began walking away. Ruby held the knife in one hand and her cooked deer in the other but her eyes followed the wolf curiously until she saw the dim outline of the deer's carcass illuminated by the fire only meters away from her having been too exhausted to move its body.

So, you just wanted an easy meal huh? Lazy pup, that's my kill. She couldn't help but giggle at calling a wolf the size of a modest horse a pup. Still, she watched it bite into the deer's upper front leg where she had cut her meal from, where the skin had already been pulled away, biting at the exposed muscle, tearing its flesh away with its teeth, giving vigorous shakes of its head while it clamped down with its powerful jaws.

Oh well, I don't mind sharing since he'll probably be too full to eat me afterwards. With a smirk Ruby relaxed, crossing her legs beneath her before placing the knife into her lap. She took a long, deep inhale through her nose, smelling the well cooked meat as she licked her lips and so, as the wolf gorged itself on the body of the the deer that remained, Ruby bit into her share. It tasted better than anything she had ever eaten short of blood, it didn't have any spices or salt but as she bit down, slicing through the tough, hot, juicy muscle she felt it pulling her back from the brink of starvation and a pleased and content smile pulled at her lips, showing her fangs once more in a bright and happy grin.

Hmm… I wonder. Ruby looked back to the wolf who was happily eating his fill on her kill while she chewed her venison, swallowing it down before going for another bite, this time taking a sizable chunk of the slab of meat, slicing it off with her fangs before spitting it out into her palm.

"Hey…" At the soft sound of her voice the wolf looked to her, its muzzled and teeth stained with blood just like her hands. Under its gaze she didn't feel the intense fear she felt before, instead, she felt a strange connection to it, an understanding with the powerful predator something deeper than she could explain.

"Here." With a smile she threw the chunk of meat over to him, her weak arm barely making it halfway between them. Still, it got his attention, the wolf leaving the carcass as he sniffed at the ground for the flame cooked piece of its muscle. She watched in delight as the wolf found it, hungrily lapping it up, chewing on it only for a moment before swallowing it down and licking its lips.

'I think he liked it.' Another elated giggle hummed from her throat as she took another bite of her food, seeing the wolf still staring at her, its head tilted slightly while it continued to lick its lips. You want more? You have a whole deer over there! Fine, but just one more!

Giving a slightly irritated growl Ruby bit off another piece of her venison, this time intentionally smaller, spitting it back into her palm and throwing it towards him. The wolf snapped up at the air, gracefully missing the food, biting at nothing while the meat pelted its face before falling to the ground. His ears flicked at the a snort of laughter from Ruby and a huffed breath escaped its nose as it unceremoniously lapped the food from the ground before turning away with an exaggerated flick of his tail.

Ruby watched him, still eating her own now half finished meal, as he made his way back to the deer's body, grabbing it by its neck, his teeth sinking into the long gash Ruby had made to its jugular before effortlessly lifting the deadweight up in its jaws, the body limp in its jaws. She couldn't be sure why, maybe it was loneliness, but she felt a deep pang of sadness as the wolf looked back at her… before darting away into the darkness with her kill.

He's gone… With a sigh Ruby unfolded her legs, curling herself up into a warm little ball as she took another bit, staring dully into the fire. At least the deer won't go to waste.