28

A Grimm Situation

As the inhuman screeching reached a crescendo Ruby could feel her blood freezing over, a chill passing through her entire body. She could see a similar fear reflected in the pure blue eyes of her friend. Immediately she went to the window but with the darkness the only thing she could make out was the occasional flicker of a shadow,

"Ruby." Jaune's voice cracked a little and she turned around to find him staring at the disintegrating remains of the grimm they had just killed. Ruby's breath hitched as she saw what he was seeing. The smoking corpse was indeed disappearing but what had caught both of their attention was what had remained.

A human body.

Beyond the severing wound it had taken from Ruby the only other wounds they could see were a pair of puncture wounds on it's wrist. Jaune walked over and draped his sleeping bag over the body though the damage was done. The young woman could feel her hands shaking violently.

I killed someone?

"Ruby. Ruby!" She looked up as Jaune grabbed her shoulders and gave her a hard shake, "Get yourself together, they were already dead."

"You don't know that!" She didn't know what she was saying anymore. Should couldn't tear her eyes away from the still form underneath his sleeping bag.

"It doesn't matter!" He gave her another good shake and forced her to look him in her eyes, "Look, Ruby, if the rest of the village met the same fate as this person then most likely the things coming after us is the rest of the villagers. That's way too many for us to handle. We need to leave and I need you to keep it together."

She drew in breaths rapidly but didn't answer. When she closed her eyes the visage of the gaunt, dessicated villager remained. Suddenly she felt something cool against her forehead and something else came to rest around her shoulders.

"It's okay Ruby. You're gonna be okay. I'm gonna get you back to Yang."

Ruby looked up into his deep blue eyes and held their gaze. Through the fear she felt a small sliver of comfort transferring through the small smile he gave her. For a moment she rested her head against his chest, gathering her courage and trying to steal just a tiny bit of his. She knew it now, why her sister fell for him. It had been so obvious that she hadn't been able to see it. The reason why she, too, had fallen for him, even though she knew it would just cause them all pain. It was more than just his kindness or the way he was easy to talk too, though those were pluses. No the real reason was the fact that he didn't give up. It was his drive to better himself even though he was so far behind everyone else. He'd even caught up before they'd realized.

The fingers of both hands curled around the top of his breastplate and she prayed for his courage to find her. Slowly her hands stopped shaking and she took a deep breath, still aware of the howling in the night.

"Sorry Yang." She mumbled to her sister as she stood on her tiptoes, pulling him down the rest of the way until their lips met. It was a brief affair and she found herself missing it almost as soon as it ended but she looked up at him with a smile and a wink, "For good luck."

Jaune's mind whirled as Ruby ducked away to check the window again, he could still feel the tingling touch of her lips on his.

Yang's going to kill me.

The howling coming from outside, infinitely closer than before, brought his mind slamming back into reality. He could figure things out later, right now they had to survive whatever it was that was coming for them. Stepping up behind his friend he peered out the window. Red eyes could be seen in the distance, some on the roofs but most down in the streets. All of the creatures hung back away from the house but one thing was for certain, they were surrounded.

"Why are they just standing there?" Ruby asked.

"Not sure but I'm not liking our chances getting through those streets." Ruby hummed in agreement to his observation.

"I have an idea." She continued when he gave her a nod, "If we get onto the roof through the wsecond story we might be able to traverse from rooftop to rooftop."

"Ruby I don't think I can make some of those jumps." The space between some buildings was a good fifteen feet.

"Trust me Jaune. I can get us over those. It's better than taking our chances on-"

They were interrupted by a new sound that echoed out across the village, a deep, throaty roar that couldn't have been made by human vocal chords. All movement outside stopped for a moment before, as one, all the shadows moved and the red glowing eyes charged in closer. More of those creature became visible, all of them were skeletal with inky black skin and various bone protrusions across the surface. Something caught his eye on the rooftop, a large shuffling form disappeared from view as quickly as he'd seen it. It looked far bigger than one of the villager-grimm.

A window shattered as one of the humanoid Grimm tried to force itself through, gouging it's sides on the sharp remainders of glass. The thing hissed and spit, it's glaring red eyes trained on him. The front door banged rapidly, rattling in the frame as it shook, the hinges bulging outwards as multiple Grimm piled at the entrance with all their might.

Ruby tugged on his arm and he tore his gaze and focused in on his companion's back as they rushed up the stairs. Vaguely his mind noted the sound of splintering wood as the front door broke, letting in the horde of creatures into the house. Jaune took a moment to close the door at the base of the stairs in an attempt to keep the Grimm at bay for even few seconds longer.

He bounded up the stairs two at a time, following the billowing red cloak as she rushed into a room. The floor was coated in dried blood, furniture overturned and torn to shreds. The bed in the room was nothing but a pile of springs and stuffing. This was where the dead one downstairs had come from, Jaune guessed. The window of the room was smashed out, glass littering the floor.

Ruby's boots crunched glass underfoot and she stood on the window sill, "We'll get onto the rooftops from here. We can hopefully make it to the wall." Her cloak disappeared into the night and a crashed was heard behind him as he mounted the broken window. He could feel the sharp edges digging into his palm, his aura pushing back, as he turned around and saw the figures rushing up the stairs. His boots touched down onto the shingles of the roof and he drew his blade to face the coming horde. As they tried to force themselves through after him.

With a lunge he shoved the tip through the eye socket of the lead creature and wrenched it free, tearing it's cranium apart and causing it to slump down lifelessly in the middle of the window, blocking the portal. The rest of the group behind it struggled to get through together and Jaune figured he'd bought yet another few seconds.

The blond took a deep breath as he caught sight of Ruby on the next building that was only a short jump. He pushed off at a sprint and took the jump, his heart thumping in his chest as he caught a glimpse of the churning mass of Grimm on the street directly below him. His boots slammed down on the shingles, nearly slipping, as he pumped his legs after Ruby who was just ahead of him. She paused momentarily to cut down another of the Grimm the had been on the rooftops.

Jaune brought his shield up and bodily slammed it into another figure that was trying to latch onto her from behind, sending it into the horde below. The edge of the building rapidly approaching, Jaune saw the expanse open up before them. It wasn't a jump that he could make. Before he could say anything, however, Ruby turned and stuck out her left hand. Instantly he understood so he sheathed Crocea Mors in it's shield and reach out with his right hand, clasping hers tightly.

He felt the tight pulling sensation of her semblance activating on them both, or rather of her pulling him into it. The world blurred together and a second later they touched down on the next roof, his knee impacting the hard tiles as he struggled out of the disorientating sensation. A flash of red and he almost panicked but for a silvery slash the bisected the creature that had tried to pounce on him. Wasting no breath he leapt to his feet with a nod to her.

They continued roof to roof for a few minutes dealing with the handful of Grimm that attacked them on the roof and others that attempted to climb up after them. They skidded to a halt at the town square. Jaune looked around, there was a main street next to them and the distance across was the farthest they would have had to jump yet and Ruby looked exhausted, a sheen of sweat across her forehead as she took in air but tried not to breathe too heavily.

Jaune slowly realized they'd backed themselves into a corner, the only way to another roof was back the way they came but already he could see the creatures scrambling across the tops of the buildings they had taken to get her. His eyes met hers and she let out a small smile at him.

"I can make it, Ja-"

Ruby was interrupted as a large shadow crashed into her,m tearing her from the rooftop. The two figures rolled into the town square and Jaune screamed her name as he leapt down from the roof, sinking his blade into the skeletal Grimm he landed on. Tearing his sword free he ran towards his friend who was struggling to keep out of reach of the large Grimm attacking her. He severed a hand at the wrist as it clamped down on his ankle, breaking free and rushing towards his friend.

"Ruby you okay?" He ran to a stop between her and the large Grimm, his shield up and his eyes steady on it. It wasn't a species he'd seen before. It stood watching them, a good distance away. It had large pointed ears sticking straight up and a bat-like snout covered in the signature Grimm bone plates. It's forearms trailed to the ground and were thick with rippling muscle while it's back legs were thinner. Some kind of thin material stretched between it's forearms and body.

It struck him that he could hear the sound of his own breathing and he looked around. Edging into the town square were the hundreds of Gimm-villagers silently watching. Ruby had noticed too, regarding the horde that formed a ring around them but didn't approach beyond a certain distance.

The large Grimm cocked it's head to one side as if considering them and Jaune felt his blood run cold, a bad feeling pooling in the bottom of his stomach.

"Ruby… I think it's an intelligent Grimm."

"I'm afraid so." They shared a brief meeting of eyes as she walked up to stand besides him. They noticed it move as it reared up and let out an inhuman bellow.

The world exploded into action.

At once the horde broke like a damn, converging on them, while the large, bat-like Grimm followed in after the smaller ones. In a flash Jaune whirled around to guard Ruby's back and cut down the closest of the horde but it wasn't enough, it wouldn't be. The pressed in like a wall made of snarling mouths and grabbing hands. His heart leapt to his throat as he felt something wrap about his waist but a quick look down showed it was Ruby's arm.

Again he felt the familiar sensation of her semblance and he poured his into her in a panic, boosting it to the limit. The world fell away in a blur and before he knew it they were on top of a building on the other side of the square. The speed was too great, however, and they slammed into the roof, rolling a few feet before sliding to a stop. Several heavy thumps sounded as several more of the bat-like Grimm landed next to them. Both held a scarlet gaze that suggest a higher intelligence than most Grimm and the pair that had landed advanced cautiously.

Each one paired off and rushed at Ruby and Jaune individually. Jaune's Grimm barreled in with a double hammer fist that smashed a hole in the roof, raining tiles into the room below. He ducked the swipe with a yelp, the strike brushing by his hair. It also gave him a good look at the long, vicious claws extending from the monster's digits.

Jaune's upwards thrust into the creature's chest was stopped short by the other clawed hand as it gripped his sword. He could almost see it's victorious smirk but he didn't let go of Crocea Mors, instead he brought his shield up and drove it's edge into it's snout causing it to reel back, having it's massive, clawed hand in front of it to ward off a follow up. It glared at him in rage before charging in again.

The lunge he took on his shield, not blocking it but deflecting it away from his body. With his other hand he thrust forward with Crocea Mors, aiming for it's eye. He missed, his tip scoring across the bone plate, leaving a deep gouge but not deep enough to do any damage. Jaune's eyes went wide as his heart skipped a beat. The creature's hand closed in around his sword hand, claws digging into his aura. The shield came about and he intended to slam in into the arm holding him only to have that stop too, the other hand gripping the edge of his shield. The large creature tackled him, pinning the shield to his chest with all it's weight and slamming his sword hand to the tiles of the roof.

Jaune struggled to draw a breath as he stared the creature in the eyes. It's may opened showing enormous fangs as it did so. He felt his aura dip as the beast's head came down on his shoulder, the fangs threatening to pierce into the area between his neck and shoulder.

"Ruby!" he shouted, looking frantically for her red cape.

"Jaune hang on, I'll be there in a second!" The red cape flitted back and forth trying to get around the other Grimm. He felt the pressure increase on his shoulder.

"Ruby! I need you to do something for me." Silver eyes met blue for a brief second, "I need you to get out of here. I.. I don't think I'm gonna get out of here."

There was the sound of a few discharged dust rounds, "Don't you dare Jaune! We're gonna get out of here. I'm gonna get you back to yang!"

"Ruby go! Now!"

"No!" she screamed back at him.

That was when he felt his aura give out and the fangs sank into his flesh causing a white hot burning pain in his shoulder that started spreading. He wanted to scream but could draw enough breath and instead let out a strangled gurgle.

"Jaune? Jaune I'm coming!"

He couldn't tell her to stay away as the Grimm dug it's fangs in deeper. The fire in his shoulder grew each time the creature moved. Jaune could feel his warm blood seeping down his shoulder to pool around his back.

"Jaune!" Suddenly there was a brief flash of light, bright and white light that blotted out everything, causing his vision to swirl with dark spots. Jaune gasped as the Grimm tore it's fangs free of his shoulder, now doubt doing even more damage in the process. He rolled over but couldn't get any strength into his arms to get up, instead he collapsed back onto his stomach. As his vision swam he spotted the two Grimm rubbing their massive hands over their faces and backing off warily.

Ruby was next to him in an instant, lifting him up and supporting him. He could feel his blood running down his arm and dripping to the shingles below them. The Grimm started snarling and pacing, splitting up to flank the two of them. His friend gripped his arm tighter around her shoulder. A third figure landed directly in front of them but this one was one they recognized.

"Uncle Qrow!"

"Sorry I'm late kids." His massive sword was out and he glanced back, pale red eyes taking in their state, "Thanks for the lightshow squirt. Might not've found you, otherwise."

"Jaune's injured! I… I don't think he's doing good."

"It'll be okay Ruby." He turned back to the Grimm. There was a howl and the horde that had been unusually still during their fight leapt into action once again. The small Grimm scrambling up the sides of the build and the first of the bat-like Grimm from before soar into the air above them, it's large leathery wings bearing it on the night sky.

A swirling red and black portal opened up to their right and Qrow looked back at the two of them, "Get through kids! We need to leave, now!"

Neither of them needed any more prodding as they headed towards Raven's portal. The warmth was what hit them first and then the light. The warmth didn't last, however, as it drained from his body with his blood.

Jaune noticed a shock of blonde hair as Yang swept up to him, concern and shock evident on her face. She had to fight Nora to be the first one there though they both back off when Ren told them he needed space. His friend came over with several towels he'd pulled from somewhere and was trying to staunch the bleeding. The sound of the portal stopped and Qrow stepped into his vision, his face close. He couldn't really hear what they were saying anymore, his vision dimming.

As his eyes closed he barely felt being laid down on the floor.

A/N: An action packed chapter for you and some new Grimm. Hope you all found it interesting.