Disclaimer: RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth.

A bird flies over the City of Mantle. Underneath it runs several huntresses, though today they hunt not a beast, but a man.

Not much of a man, but still.

The leader of the group had not expected the company. When she learned her father was at large, she had prepared to search for him alone. She had not asked for assistance, considering this her problem to solve, but she hadn't had to. Hearing of the situation, her team, more her family than who she was pursuing, blood be dammed, had volunteered. She had insisted they didn't have to, and they insisted they would anyway.

Some of their parents and friends had volunteered as well, but had been convinced to stay behind. Weiss argued them doing so would allow the mission to go ahead without endangering those under their protection, and thus with a clear mind and clean conscience.

Her team hadn't been the least expected assistance. Her brother, long hostile, had contacted her with news. He claimed to know where their father could be found. Weiss hoped that her trust in him would be rewarded.

Jacques Schnee was unhappy. He was cold, wet, hungry, and there were Grim everywhere. He'd called Whitley, who'd been happy tell his father about a safe place to hide, and that he'd be there soon with food and fresh clothes. At least one turned out right he thinks, waiting in a hollowed out building. His son walks through one of several doors.

"Whitley, at last, do you have those supplies" he barked.

"Yes Father" the boy replied meekly.

"Good, get a fire going" the man added, now focused on getting into something warmer. Then a door burst open.

"Jacques Schnee, you are under arrest" came a voice he knew all too well.

His instincts had him running to another door, only to find a faunus glaring daggers at him. Trying another left him staring at the sharp end of a scythe. There was also a little girl. The third time proved no luckier, revealing an unfriendly blond ruffian. As he turned for another exit, he noticed the four had surrounded them. No, surrounded him.

"How" he snarled. It hit when he saw Whitley's smiling face. His oldest child had left him, the middle had turned against him, and now the youngest had betrayed him.

"We can do this the easy way, or the hard way" said a stern-faced Weiss. The faunus looked like she'd enjoy doing it the hard way.

"Associating with such riff-raff, I'm disappointed in you Weiss" the father sneered down his nose at his daughter. Said daughter responded by slapping him in the face.

"Insult them again and I'll leave you at the mercy of people who'll do much worse than arrest you. Now, easy way, or hard way? I won't ask again". Weiss's gave Jacques a piercing stare to accompany the cold anger in her voice.

Jacques glared back for a long moment, then raised his hands.

Once Jacques had been restrained, Weiss contacted Winter. Despite being on different sides, she was sure her sister would want Jacques back in custody enough not to make her regret this. With the message sent, she turned to her brother.

"Thank you" she smiled, acutely aware of how strange it felt to be so friendly with him.

Whitley, looking just as unfamiliar with the situation, nodded.

"Is Mum safe" Weiss asked.

"She said she'd make her own way down, that she knew plenty of people".

"Why didn't you go with her"?

Whitley looked around awkwardly for a second.

"Things were…better, with him gone. Mum wasn't…as bad. When I got his message, I didn't want him coming back. I thought I could make sure he didn't". The next thing he knew, his sister was giving him the tightest hug he could remember. "I'm so proud of you" he heard in his ear. "What did Mum say" Weiss added, pulling back.

"She didn't agree, but…I did it anyway. She's…probably not happy with me" he sighed.

"It'll be ok, I promise. Right now, we should be getting back. But first, let's get some of those clothes on you".

As the five of them start their journey, Yang turns to Whitley, "Nice acting back there".

"Thank you" he replies stiffly.

"I know it's hard, going against your parents, that took guts" Yang adds, trying to lift his mood. Her eyes glance at a small bird on a lamp post up ahead. Weiss's face darkness as she nods in agreement.

Whitley's scroll buzzed, a message from his Mum.

Whitley, are you safe? Have you heard from Weiss?

I'm almost in Mantle, I'll let you know when I've found somewhere to stop for the day.

Mum

The Schnees smile, with Whitley passing on Weiss's request that Willow join them at the headquarters of the Happy Huntresses. Weiss knew their presence would cause problems, but she wanted the rest of her family with her, being at odds with Winter was bad enough. Willow messaged her agreement, and Weiss walked the rest of the way with a spring in her step. Right now, the cold and the Grim didn't matter.

It's not everyday a squad on a routine patrol gets personal orders from Winter Schnee. She'd told them an escaped prisoner had been spotted at the accompanying coordinates. The squad was to investigate, and if possible, apprehend the fugitive. The target's details were; Jacques Schnee, arrested on suspicion of electoral fraud, not a physical threat. How badly you'd have to treat your kid for them to take a personal hand in locking you up went unsaid.

They didn't have to search far. Right at the coordinates, Jacques Schnee was waiting for them. He was tied to a lamp post, shivering, and complaining. They found his restraints tied by a bow, with a note attached.

To Winter

One Jacques Schnee, as promised.

White