(A/N)

Hello! Sorry about the delay on this chapter. I had it done a few days ago, but I waited to publish it for some good news! There is a new picture up on my DeviantArt from the wonderful Cherryinthesun. I highly recommend to give her gallery a peak, especially if you like bumblby! So feel free to search for DarthGlaurung on DeviantArt to take a look at the new picture. Otherwise, enjoy the new chapter and I shall try to have the next one out sooner.

Darth

Chapter Thirteen

The next day was a complete mess.

Ashe sat by herself outside and under a tree with a small lunch. A half-eaten sandwich with a bottle of water. A migraine was scrambling around in her mind like a caffeinated hamster. Ashe could not help but hunch forward with clenched eyes. Letting the shade blot out the sun and protect her sensitive eyes.

Morning classes were torture.

There was no way she could have possibly dealt with any interactions, so once her attendance was taken, Ashe bolted under the desk in hiding.

Crawled right under and snoozed throughout the lectures.

God-forbid if Nora catches her later. Already she can hear girly screams of Jaune from the cafeteria. No doubt, Nora is turning the place inside-out in her hunt. More than likely, Ren will reign her in shortly with pancakes as bait before lunch is over.

She can not recall much about last night.

Ashe remembers talking to Ruby, but the memories are hazy. A fog. Did she even sleep last night? Ashe does not have a clue, but she will worry about that later. For now, she will force herself to eat a little bit and drink more water. Gritting her teeth, Ashe forces down the sandwich.

A soft crunch of grass signals someone's arrival.

Cracking an eye open, Ashe is met with a familiar figure of Pyrrha. Said teen looks down toward her with a neutral expression and a mixture of worry. "Afternoon, are you alright? You are not looking so well, you are pale. Should I take you to the infirmary?"

Closing her eye once more, Ashe takes a sip of her water before leaning back against the trunk of the tree. That would probably be for the best. Perhaps she can get some head relief medication. "That might be the best course of action. I have a really bad migraine."

"Here, let me lend you a hand." With an extended hand, Ashe takes it and allows Pyrrha to hoist her up carefully. Collecting her belongings, Pyrrha begins to escort Ashe toward the infirmary.

Ashe massages her temples, "How did you find me anyways?" Glancing out the corner of her eye, Pyrrha raises a hand after looking around for prying eyes. A soft chime of Ashe's bell makes her look down; a black aura surrounds her bell. "That's going to be annoying."

Pyrrha smirks and lowers her hand back down, "True, but don't worry. It is not as simple as it looks. So long as you are not moving, I can search around for it with my semblance." Her smirk slowly turns down into a frown, "I figured something was wrong when I could sense it under the desk during classes. Then again, it makes sense now if you're saying you have a migraine. Nora is going ballistic searching for you."

Ashe watches Pyrrha reach out and open the infirmary door, "Yea, last thing I need is for Nora to be screaming in my ear and forcefully dragging me around." Pyrrha chuckles awkwardly before a familiar voice calls out toward them.

"Oh joy, it's you again. What's wrong with you now?"

With a scowl upon her face, Ashe has one eye closed and the other cracked open toward Professor Peach. "Migraine."

Peach shifts her gaze toward Pyrrha who shrugs with an awkward chuckle. "Fine, lay her down on one of the beds. I'll get some medication." Peach stands with a hand in her trench coat pocket and fiddles around a cabinet.

Ashe quickly finds herself upon the bed with Pyrrha beside her. Peach hands Ashe some medical pills that she quick swallows before a plastic cup of water is offered. "These are slow acting, but more powerful. You may also get drowsy, so you'll have to miss my class next. Lucky me."

Professor Peach walks away to lazily grab a briefcase and tosses it over her shoulder, "Class will be starting soon, Ms. Nikos, if you will come with me. I will tell you what you'll need to copy down for Ms. Souris."

"Of course." Turning toward Ashe, Pyrrha gives her a soft nod. "I shall see you later. Get some rest." Receiving a nod in return, Pyrrha follows Professor Peach with a click of the door.

Finding herself alone, Ashe leans back onto the bed. Being mindful of her skirt, Ashe wiggles to a comfortable position. A hand wags in the air at the long sleeves before tugging down at the skirt. She will never get used to wearing one. With heavy eyes, Ashe finds herself dozing off into a nap. Peach must have lied; those pills were fast acting.

The next second, her eyes are opening once more to find herself back in the infirmary. With a stretch and yawn, Ashe looks at her scroll for the time. Finding an hour before last class is over, she groggily hops off the bed with her migraine considerably relieved. Only a dull throb behind the back of her eye.

She forgoes changing into her combat attire, there's not much time anyway.

Entering the arena stands, she finds all of team RWBY and JNPR together in the combat attire. Blake is the first to notice her approaching, "Hey Ashe, how are you feeling? Pyrrha told us about your migraine."

"Mm, better. It still hurts, but not nearly as bad."

"Why didn't you tell me?!" Nora bulldozes by Blake and slams Ashe into a smothering hug. "Nurse Nora would have taken good care of you!"

Ashe groans at the sudden smothering, Ren approaches and grabs onto the back of Nora's collar and pries her off forcefully. "Nora, down. What did I tell you? Yelling and smothering, may make it worse."

Nora pouts before sticking her tongue out and playfully tapping at her own head, "Ah, sorry Ren. I forgot."

"Ms. Souris, I am pleased to see you join us, even if it is so late." Professor Goodwitch approaches with the large scroll in hand. "I assume you won't be joining us for the rest of the day?"

Ashe shakers her head lightly, "Mm, considering there is less than an hour left, I figured there would be no point. My head still hurts a bit anyways." A sudden weight is upon her arm, Nora grabs hold of it in an arm hug. For someone so loud, she can be quite sneaky.

"Very well then. Tomorrow I'll have you partake in an extra bout to make up for today. Also, Professor Ozpin was looking for you earlier." With her piece said, Glynda turns toward Jaune, "Mr. Arc, you will be fighting next, so make sure you are ready." Without waiting for a retort, she turns and walks back to the stage.

Jaune groans and hunches over, "Aw, man. I don't wanna fight. I haven't won a single fight yet."

Pyrrha gives Jaune a soft pat on the back, "There, there, you haven't fought everyone yet. So, I'm sure there's still a good chance you can win some."

"Yea, okay, like who?" Jaune perks up with an annoyed expression and points toward Pyrrha, Ashe, Yang and Cardin in order. "You, Ashe, Yang, and Cardin? Unless a miracle happens, I highly see myself coming out on top."

"Woah there, cowboy." Jaune suddenly has an arm thrown over his shoulder before a hand smothers onto his head. "I am always on top. Even if I wasn't, I like my partners…stronger and not as dorky. And to at least have some fashion scene."

Jaune groans and breaks free after a moment of struggle. "Totally not what I meant, and you know it…What do you mean have some fashion sense? I have plenty of fashion sense."

Yang rolls her eyes with her hands cocked upon her hips and gives him a glance over. "Oh please, my dog has more fashion sense than you do."

"Ow, that hurts."

"I say it with love, lover boy."

"Mr. Arc and Ms. Xiao-Long, please come down to the stage."

Jaune turns pale as Yang grins manically with an arm going around Jaune's shoulders once more. "Well~ Whadda know? Looks like we get to spend some more time together. Let's go, lover boy. Put on a good show for your Snow Angel."

Ashe watches Yang drag Jaune down onto the stage. Her nose twitches in amusement, the pummeling should be entertaining, but…Glancing along the spectator stands, she finds Ruby using Weiss as a shield from her. Weiss turns toward Ashe with glacier eyes and a neutral expression. With a soft shrug, she turns back to watch the match.

Seems she noticed what Ruby is doing as well and doesn't have an idea. Oh well, she will figure it out later. Goodwitch said Ozpin was looking for her anyways. There's no point in staying here any longer. She bids her farewells and forces herself out of Nora's grip before retreating toward the elevator.

Entering Ozpin's office, Ashe finds him behind his desk and taking a nap. With a roll of her eyes, she strides toward the coffee maker and pours a quick mug for him. With an annoyance, Ashe slams his fresh mug onto his desk with a loud thud. Startling Ozpin awake to crack open an eye. "Ah! Ms. Souris, I didn't hear you come in."

Ashe tilts her head to the side with a deadpan expression, "So I noticed, you looked comfortable taking a nap, but I know how you always want your drinks. I figured it would be rude of me to let you sleep comfortably when a fresh batch is readily available."

Ozpin takes his beverage and arches a brow toward her, "You know, I am starting to wonder, if you'll be worse than Goodwitch at this point. Maybe I should reconsider this."

With a shrug, "Who else would keep quiet about that secret stash of muffins? Speaking of Professor Goodwitch, she said you were looking for me earlier."

"Oh, yes. There was something I wanted your opinion on." Motioning toward her chair, she pulls it up beside him as he lays a folder upon his desk for her to look at. Flipping it open, she finds the academic records and spar reports for Professor Goodwitch's class. With a crunch of her brow, she turns toward Ozpin, "What's this?"

Ozpin leans back into his chair, "Those, are the records for the freshman students for the first week of Professor Goodwitch's sparring class. I would like your opinion on how they should be ranked."

What?

Is he mad? She's a student of the same class. There could be disputes about her being biased. Not only that…she's a student! Why would he ask a student to rank other students? "Am I even allowed to be looking at these? Aren't these supposed to be confidential?"

Ozpin grins softly out the corner of his lips, "You have the clearance now, so no worry there. Besides, it is just your opinion. I will be having the final say."

"Yea, but you're lazy and would probably just randomly jumble them into a rank with Pyrrha in first."

"You know, Glynda was never this snarky."

"Pity."

With a sigh, Ozpin waves her off, "Just arrange them in your opinion." Ozpin opens his secret draw and pulls out a familiar hot pink box of fresh muffins. He then picks one and munches quietly.

Ashe flicks her eyes toward him with a soft hum, and then goes back to working and re-arranging the records. "You know, I'll never understand why you don't have a couch in here. Put a coffee table in front of it, and you would be in lazy heaven."

She continues to work in silence, receiving no responses. Almost done with her work, she curiously flicks her gaze toward Ozpin with his lack of an answer. There, she finds him with a serious expression on his face. He suddenly lurches forward and opens a hologram console upon his desk. His mouth opening in a mumbled whisper, "Why have I never thought of that…"

With a sigh, she tosses a comment over her shoulder, "Just…have a list of the couches you want on my desk. I'll run it by Professor Goodwitch to find the most aesthetic one. Here, I finished."

Tearing his gaze away from his screen, Ozpin glances over the records for a moment. "Pyrrha's first of course. Hoh~, I assumed you would rank yourself higher. I know you have not technically sparred yet, but wouldn't you be a tad bit higher?"

Ashe shrugs, "Well, they are ranked by the environment." Ozpin smirks, "It is just a small ring with nothing on it, limited space, and you have to abide by rules. The arena does not play to my specialty, and I am fighting with a handicap as well."

Ozpin quirks a brow, "Handic—" Realization dawns upon him, brown eyes flicking up toward her hat.

Her own hand raises and gives it a teasing flick on the trim. "Exactly. I must be mindful of how I move. It limits my abilities and reactions."

With a nod, he lets that subject drop, "I see, so then what if the terrain and rules changed? What about a grassy plain with no holds bar?" He watches her shuffle them around again. Once more, Pyrrha on top with Ashe near the top. "Urban setting?" Slight shuffling, this time Pyrrha and Ashe share the top spot. "Oh, can't make a decision for first?"

Ashe shakes her head, "No, it would all come down to luck. If I catch her by surprise and land a successful attack to cripple her a bit, maybe I'll win. If not, I'll lose. It can't be a small hit either, so I suppose I would be second behind her."

"Logical and makes sense." Ozpin peers down from his spectacles with a slight twinkle and a crook of his lips. "What about a forest or jungle?" He takes a soft sip from his mug.

Her out-stretched hand pauses for a moment, a slight shadow covers of her eyes with a neutral expression. Silently, she moves the rankings in order before sliding it over for him to peer at. Ozpin hums quietly behind his mug, "So, you're top ranked over Pyrrha in this setting?"

"Mm."

"Wonderful." She perks and gazes toward Ozpin in curiosity. "Lately, we have been having an issue with some of our security around the city and school. And as you know, we are mostly surrounded with mountains and forests."

"What issues?" Questioned Ashe.

With a shrug, Ozpin tilts his head to the side, "That's the thing, we are not quite sure at this point. Right now, it is just a flicker of the computer systems. Nothing to serious, but lately they need to be reprogrammed manually. Generally, I would leave this to Professor Port or Oobleck, but with the new school semester starting, they are quite busy."

"Mm, so you want me to be going out there just to reset them. Have there been any Grimm activity around with the system's bugging?" The more information she could get, the better. Ashe would rather not go blind, but there would be another issue. "Also, I do not know how to reset them, even if I do reach their consoles."

Ozpin waves her off casually, "For now, there are no Grimm sightings. The systems are technically still working, but they are sporadic. Until we find out why, we will need to keep vigilant. For the first few trips, Professor Port will accompany you and show you how to reconfigure the system. They are simple and won't take but a few minutes. If Grimm do happen to become an issue later, I'll let you choose a student to accompany you. It would make for some great experience in an easy and safe environment."

"Sounds simple enough, just let me know when." Doesn't sound like much of a hard job in the least. Plus, there are quite a bit of positives. Ashe would be able to leave campus more often and stretch her legs, no doubt this will increase her pay a bit, but most importantly, she will be able to skip classes if she's lucky.

Good enough for her.

"Now then, that is all for today. There is a small pile that needs to be filed upon your desk, and if you were not aware, we will have a field trip within roughly two months' time. I'll have Professor Goodwitch start handing off the paperwork you will need to file and possibly fill out. Might as well get an early start on it while we can." Ozpin reaches out and takes the file neatly back into his grasp.

"Mm." Standing to her feet, she walks around his desk and back to her own smaller table near the coffee maker. Ashe already snatched his mug and refilled it before she took her seat. He has the annoying habit of asking after you take a seat. Never while you're still moving about.

Silence fills the room, Ashe slowly filing the papers she needs while Ozpin continues his hunt for a couch. She never should have mentioned it. Before long the elevator chimes after she loses track of time. Perking up, Professor Goodwitch steps out of the elevator with her usual scroll in arm. She turns towards Ashe and offers a professional nod out of curtesy.

It doesn't take long for Ashe to finish the rest of her paperwork as the two adults talked about their business. It was the usual report from Glynda about the day's activities. Mostly the reports from Huntsman out in the field and the occasional upper classmen. Ashe excuses herself earlier than usual and returns to her dorm.

There she runs into a peculiar sight. Both Pyrrha and Weiss are standing around near her door and casually chatting. For once, Pyrrha doesn't look like she is trying to run away. In approach, her bell chimes softly, causing both girls to perk up and turn in her direction. "Hey."

Pyrrha nods with a warm smile, "Hello again, how are you feeling?"

"Mm, I am feeling much better. The pain is mostly gone now, I didn't even really notice it disappearing." And she didn't, it must have faded away during her conversation with Ozpin. Strange how it works like that. "So, what brings you on by?"

Bringing her hands from around her back, Pyrrha hands Ashe a small notebook. "I just came on by to drop this off. These are the notes I took during Professor Peach's class, there will be a quiz over it tomorrow, so make sure you look it over."

Ashe takes it in hand and opens it to give it a quick glance over the subject of interest. Her face falls with a frown. Looking up with a lack of amusement, she finds Pyrrha looking down at her with a twinkle in the eye. "Really?"

"Yes, it is about migraines."

A hand rubs onto her temples, "She has a horrible sense of humor."

"I like her. I also think people should take her class much more seriously. Especially when they are ones constantly getting injured or visiting the infirmary."

Ashe turns toward Weiss, only to find those piercing light blue orbs staring through her. She could only turn her gaze else where with an awkward chuckle. Pyrrha coughs into her fist, sounding more like a restrained chuckle. "I shall be on my way. Jaune got a good thrashing from Yang and could use some cheering up. Have a good night."

Ashe nods her head, "Night."

"Have a good night, Pyrrha." With her own nod and slight bow, Pyrrha disappears down the hall to her own dorm. Weiss remains staring toward Pyrrha's path in an eerie calm.

With a blink, Ashe shuffles footing, "So, uh—"

Weiss whirls around with a whip of her hair, "Lets go inside, we need to talk." With a flicker or light blue eyes, Weiss remembers her semblance of manners. "Please."

Ashe stares toward Weiss, huffing as those glaciers remain unmoving. Opening the door with reluctance, Ashe paces in the direction of her desk. The door clicks behind her with a familiar clack of heels. Setting down Pyrrha's notes, she takes a seat and straightens out the annoying skirt.

Weiss continues by and takes a seat upon Ashe's bed. "How are you feeling? Is your migraine feeling better?"

"Mm, it is much better now. I don't really feel anything anymore."

"That's…good. I'm glad to hear that." Weiss glances down into her lap before turning back toward Ashe, "Look, I'm just going to say it. I know you have your secrets, and you do not want to talk about them. I understand that. But you're going to have to give me something. I need to know I can trust you. How do you expect me or anyone, to fully trust you with so many secrets? I mean, you went out to try and kill someone. How do we know you won't try to kill us for something?"

Talk about being brunt and ramming into the heart of the problem. Weiss has been like that with every interaction. Ashe both likes it and hates it. She likes how Weiss does not beat around the bush about what she wants to talk about. She likes how Weiss says what she likes and does not like. Sure, it can be off putting and prudish, but it simplifies everything.

She hates how it makes Weiss always want to stick her nose into things it shouldn't be digging into. "Fine, I'll answer one of your questions, within reason. So, make it count."

Weiss flickers her light blue eyes around in deep though. Weighing her options. Obviously, any direct question will more than likely be ignored or denied. So, directly asking about her past and history about her Fairy name are out. But there are ways the ask in a more round about manner.

Straightening her poise, she nods once. "Where did you learn to fight?"

With a twitch of her nose, Ashe blinks once with a nibble of her inner cheek. "Mm…I was a…disciple of sorts to someone, and they taught me what they know. From morning till night, it was nothing but training."

"Really? Like what?" Questioned Weiss.

Ashe shrugs one shoulder and turns toward her desk. "Everything really. He believed that I should be well-balanced and ready for anything. He taught me how to use my daggers, unarmed combat, physical training, and he also taught me survival skills. I could go on a tangent about everything he taught me, from Grimm to terrain, but those are the main ones."

Interlocking her fingers, Weiss leans forward a tad, curiously toward Ashe. "What was your training like? I mean, mine was mostly just self-studying and an instructor here and there."

Ashe's arms raise and rub onto her triceps, as if rubbing away at a sudden chill. "It was…difficult. From day one, he did not hold back. Rather, he could not. I was young and small. Prey, he was a detriment, but that wouldn't always be the case." A heartless chuckle escapes, "People would say, his methods were cruel." She looks down at her hands. "But they were effective."

"How did he train you, exactly?"

Raising her head, Ashe flickers her honey colored eyes toward Weiss with half-lidded eyes. "Sorry, but I rather not talk about it anymore."

Weiss's lips pucker and thin into a line. That's a shame, she was hoping to get much more out of her. "Very well." Standing to her feet, Weiss straightens her skirt before pacing toward the door. Not even a few steps, and a voice calls out toward her.

"Weiss?" Faltering in steps, she tilts her head toward the call. Her light blue eyes widen in shock as her lips part slightly in a sharp breath. There, she finds Ashe rubbing onto the top of her head in embarrassment with a slight red hue. The top hat discarded toward the corner of the desk. "Would you mind…helping me study a bit? I'm kinda falling behind."

She did not respond. Those glacier colored eyes stared onto the top of her head. Never straying from those cute and fuzzy mouse ears upon her head. Weiss knows how secretive and defensive Ashe is about her ears. Not once has she ever lowered her guard around her since the Emerald Forest.

Yet, here she is.

"Weiss?"

Breaking out of her trance, Weiss stares into Ashe's cautious and shy gaze. With a huff, she strides forward toward the desk and stands at her side. Perhaps, she is not yet ready to talk about her past, but Ashe still wants to offer an olive branch.

Will it sate her curiosity and wariness? Of course not.

But it's a start, and though it may not be believable to most. Weiss can be patient when it benefits her. "Very well, I shall lend you my aid." Placing a hand on the table, Weiss leans over Ashe's shoulder with her side tail cascading down between them. "Although, most of this is reviewing what we learned back in the Academies before we get into the new subjects. So, this should not be very difficult for you."

A mumble of incoherent words drum into her ears. "Pardon, I didn't quite catch that." Once more, a whisper crawls through her ears. "Seriously, you're going to have to speak up."

Ashe whirls toward Weiss with a grit of her teeth. Her face a bright red in embarrassment with a loud chime of her bell, "I've never gone to school or an academy!"

Weiss reels back as if she was struck. A shocked and disbelief expression over her facial features. Say, what? How? "Then how did you get into Beacon? A requirement is to have attended one of the Academies before being eligible for enrollment. You won't be considered otherwise. Like, at all."

With a shrug, Ashe raises a hand and rubs onto the back of her mouse ear. "I was an exception, apparently."

With a turn, Weiss leans back against the desk with her arms crossed over her small bust. "No. That's not an exception. Ruby is an exception. She went to Signal and was bumped up, but you leaped over completely. How did you even get through the screening? Rather, who appro—" Her eyes widen at her own conclusion. Weiss quickly turns toward Ashe with a comprehending gaze, "Ozpin."

"Mm." Ashe turns her gaze toward Weiss, she really is one smart cookie. Her deductive reasoning is good.

"Why would he do that?" Questioned Weiss.

"I ask myself that almost every day so far." Answered Ashe, a small crooked grin upon her unsure lips. "I'll let you know if I find an answer."

With a huff, Weiss turns and slightly leans down. Her left propping up against the desk, as her right slips and rests onto the backrest of Ashe's chair. Snow colored hair between them in a curtain. Piercing light blue glance over the deer mouse faunus.

Enigma.

That's how Weiss could describe her in one word. One minute you believe you start to get a grasp of her, and next you know, a wrecking ball shatters that image. But…she does not despise that.

Weiss loves mysteries.

Searching for clues and going on a discovery. Believing to have found an answer to the problem, only to find something more to the puzzle. No matter how complicated the brain teaser, Weiss is not one to back down from a challenge. She lives for the joy and high from solving a well-earned riddle and puzzle. "Interesting…"

Ashe swivels her head toward Weiss, a few inches apart. "Hm?"

Light blue flicker toward those curious honey orbs, "You're interesting is all." Weiss's glossed lips grin up at the tilt of Ashe's head. "I like interesting."

Those mesmerizing orbs of ice captivate Ashe for a moment. Tearing away in embarrassment, she drums onto the desk in a soft tap. "A-ah. Thanks. So, about studying?"

"Hmph, of course. You should feel honored that I would be happy to help you." There it was. Her usual narcissism. Ashe couldn't help the roll of her eyes at the comment and before long, the two lose themselves into the studies.

She does not know how much time passes, but before long, Ashe is alone within her dorm. In her pajamas for the night, plopping and then crawling into bed, she snuggles up into the covers. Not a moment later and Ashe finds herself asleep. Her eyes slowly open once more.

The void is there to greet her like an old friend.

A scowl digs onto her face, glancing around into the endless dark. Goosebumps crawl upon her arms in a ghastly chill. Ashe finds nothing of note and slowly turns toward the rear. She only manages a half turn, shock and surprise rams through her body with a parting of her mouth in a hitch of breath.

There was a large gorge sundering through the mindscape, a black trench.

Swirling and mist filled miasma bleeds from the wound, crawling and staining upon the floor. Ashe falters back in step. When? When did this happen? Gritting her teeth, Ashe rushes forward and kneels at the edge to peer down into its depths. No, the when is not important.

She needs to repair this, before—

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

Ashe whirls to her feet in anger at the sudden voice. There, she finds her intruder. An adolescent version of herself, clad in a black uniform with a familiar mask and crimson claws through it. Her ash colored hair cut into a bob with waves. The figure steps toward the edge in childish curiosity, "You really fucked up this time, didn't you?"

"Shut up!" Ashe's hand swipes through the air in anger. "Why are you here?"

The figure grins and peers over her shoulder toward Ashe, "I live here."

"You don't belong here."

"Neither do you."

"You're wrong!" Ashe thunders forward and thrusts out an arm to clench onto the midnight fabric of her adolescent self. Pulling her upward, the figure does not fight, yet continues that sickening grin. "I belong here, I exist."

"No, we don't."

"Shut up! Shut up!" With a furious shout, Ashe swirls and throws the smaller figure out and down into the dark depths of the abyss. That large and mocking smirk never straying from her descent. "What the hell do you know?!"

"I know everything you know. You are me, and I am you." Ashe rounds toward the figure behind her, finding her younger self there once more. Her hand raises and strokes the back of her fingers against her own cheek. "You cannot contain me forever. I can feel you weakening. You just need some more pushing."

Clenching her fists, they quake in unbridled fury and defiance. Ashe grits her teeth before spitting out a retort, "So long as I remain in control, you will not roam free."

"Heh…" Shadows descend upon the void, covering all within its frigid depths. The now black silhouette brings her hand forward toward her lips. Thumb jabbing out toward her teeth for a bite. The corners of her lips twisting up sadistically in a grin. "Who says I haven't already?"

An unseen force slams into Ashe like a freight train. A widening of her eyes into panic as she is thrown off the edge and into the trench. Tendrils of shadows wrap around her limbs in a vice, the silhouette waving down from the edge with a grin. Panic seeps through her being, darkness clouding over her vision.

Her eyes snap open once more, sucking in a gulp of breath in a soft wheeze. Ashe's head swims, a hand raises and clenches onto her hair. A breeze threatens to shove her over from a rough gust. Spreading out her legs against the soft and wet mud, Ashe catches her balance.

Wait.

Ashe's eyes constrict in concentration and vigilantly takes in her surroundings. After-glow of the shattered moon illuminating the dark forest with silhouettes. The rustling of leaves from above croak with waning branches amongst the trees.

The Emerald Forest.

How did she get here? Fabric gently pats against her body. Looking down, she finds herself still in pajamas. No shoes or socks, weapons are missing, and the wind caressing her exposed mouse ears upon her head. But the most important feature? A slender hand raises and pats at her empty neck.

Her bell is missing.

A clack rings out from her teeth gritting and grinding against one another in rage. Ashe's fist quakes in unbridled and rising fury. She knows better than to mess with the bell. A whisper of a cackle rings through her head. Her brows furrow in rage, her head raises up toward the shattered moon. The moon's shattered pieces reflecting within her pools of honey.

A deep howl, pierces into the night.

Crimson eyes pierce through the veil of shadows, a pack of howls roar in follow at the first. However, her gaze never strays from the shattered moon above. Her heart thumps within her chest, fingers twitching and flexing into claws, the fur upon her mouse ears frazzled in disarray.

They had their unspoken rule. The bell is off-limits. Ashe knows, she would never endanger the bell, and most likely it is still within her room. But that's not the point. The fact that she left it unattended and using it as some sick joke for her amusement. It has been one thing after another. Torchwick, Beacon, the Nightmares, and now she's making her presence known once more.

She's pissed.

The ground thunders in a stampede from the charging Beowolves. With her hands hanging at her side, Ashe slowly tilts her head back toward the hungry Grimm. Her expression was an emotionless mask, yet her eyes were bare to all. Their glow in the night from fury and rage. Ashe's gaze bears down upon the pack. Finally, an outlet to let out her pent-up emotions and anxiety. It has been so long since she has gone on a hunt. But there was only one problem…

"Not enough…"

The first of the Beowolves bear down upon her small frame. Sadly, for them, this is not the same Ashe from the exam. There are no cameras for her to be wary of, she is alone in the dead of night with no chance of someone interrupting, nor does she have the hat or bell to handicap her. Ashe may not have her daggers or bow…

But she has her claws.

Quick as a viper, she wraps her right hand around the wrist of the beast and tugs herself forward. The momentum propelling herself toward the foe, her left rises without mercy and slams into the Grimm's elbow joint. A sickening pop of the joint and a whimper from the Grimm does not slow her advance. Her left then grabs onto the shattered joint and twists downward as her right pulls.

Once more, the shoulder pops in a sickening crunch. Ashe whirls forward with the momentum and slams the beast down, yet she keeps a vice grip upon its wrist. Ashe stands beside the Grimm as it whimpers in pain. With her barefoot, she slams into its back.

Looking down with an emotionless mask, Ashe viciously pulls on the shattered limb without a shred of mercy. Twisting and cracking it as the Grimm howls in blood curling pain. The pack grinds to a stop at the sound of the whimpering howl. A large smirk is upon their prey's lips. A tear and pop resonate throughout the Emerald Forest.

A dull smack begins to thud, the beowolf being beaten and tortured with a missing appending. A soft giggle quietly emits from each smack. Growing louder and stronger.

The pack of Grimm could only watch in silence. She could kill their brother when ever she wanted, but she's just tormenting it. The Beowolf couldn't comprehend what it was witnessing. Never has a human brutally tormented its brethren. Death was always quick and efficient. Only fellow Grimm would torment other Grimm before consuming them for strength.

However, it was the lowest of the low on the totem pole. Its intelligence was not that high. But it was better than the normal Beowolf. Perhaps in time, the Grimm could have evolved into an Alpha, and corralled its own pack.

If it was given a chance.

Finally, their fallen brother fades. Black miasma fading into the dark night from it's fallen corpse. The small figure giggles quietly, slowly standing tall with a slight tilt backwards. Tilting its head back, the figure stares toward the pack.

"Sate my hunger."

A small hand stretched toward its eyes. The beast stared into glowing flames of honey in that maniacal laughter. For the first time in its existence, a flicker of fear shivers down the Grimm's spine. They came for game. An easy prey for a hunt. To feed.

But it was wrong.

They came upon a predator.

A wet and sickening crunch shatters from its throat. The beast collapses onto his knees before slamming into its chest. Crimson eyes dim slowly, watching the back of the small figure stalking toward its brethren. Though it meets it's demise this night…The Grimm is oddly…

Satisfied…

Because this human was different from the others.

The Beowolf begins to dissolve into particles, its last sight was the brutal torment of the Grimm. Yes…This one is different from the others. The last thought of the Grimm forever more…

She was just like them.

Within the dorm, Blake jolts awake with a sheen of sweat upon her skin. A deep and rapid pace of breathing sounding out through the quiet room. Her bow perks up on alert, she suddenly turns toward the window. Throwing off her covers, Blake rapidly approaches the glass and throws it open with a loud thud.

Yang sputters awake in shock, her head smacking against the ceiling. Spitting out a curse, she turns toward the source of her interruption. "Wha? Blake? What time is it?"

"Shh!"

With a scowl of annoyance, Yang throws off her blanket and hops down onto the floor. "Don't 'Shh' me, you're the one that woke me u—"

Blake whirls toward Yang in a slight panic, "Quiet! Can you not hear it?"

"Hear what?" Weiss approaches with a soft yawn and rubbing of the eye. What is it now? Lately, there has always been something interrupting her beauty sleep. From Ruby's sleep talking to Yang's random sputters of punches and kicks in her sleep.

Turning back outside, Blake's hands grip onto the window seal. "It's hard to describe but…I can hear the Grimm…Beowolves."

Yang leans an elbow on the window seal with a yawn, "Yea, so what? Emerald Forest is close, and its loaded with Grimm. Though the school defenses handle them before they get too close."

"No, that's not it. I know that. It's different this time…" Another slam of windows being thrown open from above and at an angle forces the three girls to turn upward.

Velvet appears from the window with her bunny ears perked and twitching like a sensitive radar. She was wearing a standard two-piece pajama set with chibi bunnies eating carrots as a design. "…Coco..."

Coco appears next to Velvet and casually tosses an arm over her shoulders. A loose shirt hangs over one shoulder with a black, sports bralette peeking through. Coco's hair was messy, yet it made her look stylish, as if she was a member of a rock band. "I'm here, do you hear something?"

"Mm…Beowolves…they are afraid…howls of pain. It is difficult to explain, but it is similar to before." Stated Velvet with uncertainty.

Weiss blinks in curiosity, "Before? Do you mean something like this has happened before?"

Velvet's eyes flicker down before surveying out toward the forest. Coco leans forward, her arm still around Velvet. "Well, well, if it isn't her Royal Highness. What are you doing up so late? Waiting for Doll to come whisk you away?"

A scowl forms on Weiss's lips with only the barest of blushes, yet the night makes it invisible. "No, Blake says she hears something out in the forest, and it seems Velvet does as well. What's going on?"

Coco rolls her eyes and leans further against Velvet, "Pity, I bet if I sent her a message, Doll would come racing to meet you at the balcony in this starry night. Would be some real Romeo and Juliet romance going on."

Weiss grits her teeth at the teasing, "Just answer the question!"

Coco cocks her other hand upon her hip, "You didn't say please."

A snicker at her side causes Weiss to whirl toward Yang, a look of pleased amusement is smothered all over her face, "I like this girl. I think we are gonna get along great once we become acquainted."

A stomp roars from the angered heiress, "You shut up!" Yang shrugs her shoulders with a grin, whirling back to Coco, "And you, just answer the question! Please."

With a sigh, a slender hand ruffles through her hair, "If I must. It's nothing serious, so don't get your panties in a bunch." Weiss baulks out a sputter, Yang snorts out a laughter, "Something like this happened during a mission of ours. To make it short, a Grimm went around devouring the smaller ones, and ended up evolving."

"Wait, so Grimm consume other Grimm in order to evolve? So then why are there not more evolved Grimm running around?" Questioned Weiss.

Coco removes her arm from around Velvet and leans against the window seal with her arms crossed under her bust. "Of course, they do, and for the second part, it is only speculation. There is no concrete proof as to why there are not more. The most accepted theory, is that most Grimm are not intelligent enough to know this, and only a few learn of this and then actually survive long enough to evolve while consuming other Grimm."

Weiss crosses her arms over her pajamas with a thoughtful gaze over her light blue eyes, "That…makes sense. Acceptable."

"Right? Now then, let's all get some sleep, my pretties." Coco watches as team RWBY disappears into their dorm to chat among themselves. "C'mon Vel, let's get some rest. Ozpin will most likely send us out on a hunt to find out the source of the commotion tomorrow." Turning away, she attempts to pull Velvet back into their dorm, but the girl does not budge. Perking a brow, Coco notices Velvet's bunny ears are still erect and twitching, as if she is searching for something. "Vel?"

"There…was something else."

"Oh? You know, it's not good to keep secrets, naughty girl. What's up?"

Velvet remains silent for a moment, her bunny ears rotating like satellites. Half turning toward Coco, she glances back toward her with uncertainty, "I…thought I heard something else…But I'm not sure. It was extremely faint and drowned out by the howls…"

"Just spit it out, what else did you hear?"

"Laughter…" Velvet flutters her eyes, unsure of what even she just said. "I…thought I heard someone laughing. But, I'm not sure. Maybe I was just hearing things…"

A hand firmly clasps onto Velvet's shoulder, "Velvet." The bunny faunus turns toward Coco, she hardly ever calls her by Velvet. It's always a nickname, unless it is something serious when Coco talks to her. "If you think you heard something else, then don't second guess yourself. I trust you and your abilities. I rather you tell me something you may have heard and be mistaken. Over you not telling me, being correct, and causing unnecessary problems that could have easily been avoided if you had spoken up."

"Okay…I understand." Velvet nods once as her bunny ears curl downward. Stepping forward slowly, she suddenly yelps in surprise. A hand firmly pats at her rear in a teasing smack.

"Good, now get to bed. If I'm right, we have a busy day tomorrow. Might even be fun."

Velvet brushes a bright red and pouts her bottom lip, "Coco, I've told you to stop doing that. It's embarrassing!"

"Right, you've told me." Coco walks passed Velvet toward her own bed before looking over her own shoulder and winking flirtatiously, "I just don't listen." The red deepens upon Velvet's cheeks as she quickly climbs into bed and buries herself under the quilts. Only her bunny ears being exposed from the warmth.

Turning toward her other two members of team CFVY, Coco finds Yatsuhashi sleeping like a dead log. She snorts in amusement, he was a heavy sleeper, she will need to fill him in tomorrow morning. Tilting her head, she finds the other member staring up toward the ceiling. His white eyes unflinching. "Did you catch all that, Foxy?" All she gets in response is a nod before he shuts his eyes to sleep.

Coco rolls her head in exhaustion before climbing into bed, mumbling out to herself, "Man, being team leader can be such a pain. Wonder what the other team leaders think about their positions thus far." More than likely, the responsible ones found it to be a pain as well. The not so responsible ones…

Well…

Ruby was currently rubbing onto her temples. Weiss was walking next to her and griping out her ear. "Why didn't you join us if you were awake the entire time? You could have easily joined in the conversation with our seniors and pretend you were at least listening and keeping pace. How does that make me look? Granted, she already annoys the hell out of me."

"Okay, yea, I get it. My bad, sorry to make you lose face because I didn't feel like getting out of bed." Grumbled Ruby, "Why are you following me again?"

With an upturned nose, Weiss casually responds, "Because I felt like it." Weiss could see Ruby pout off toward the side. Ruby was going for a nighttime snack and to restock on cookies. On the other hand, Weiss has a different goal in mind.

Coming up to a split in the hallways, Weiss comes to a stop and turns toward the other direction. "I am going to take a small detour. I'll meet you back in the dorm." Ruby watches Weiss stroll down the dark corridor. Her mouth parts as if to speak, but only silence remains. Running a hand through her hair, Ruby continues her path toward the kitchen.

Flicking on the lights, Ruby casually strides into the small kitchenette with purpose. The over-sized chef hat gets a small pat from Ruby in her passing by on the counter. Opening the fridge, she pulls out her gallon of milk before finding her rose colored mug. What can she say? She loves the color red. It's her theme, and she's sticking to it.

With the big box of cookies in hand, she passes by the counter once more. Ruby does not even bat an eye at the empty counter. Plopping down and cookie in hand, her eyes flutter in glee. "Aw yeah~" Dipping it in the cool milk, she takes a giant bite in glee.

"You're up late."

A large chunk of cookie lodges into the back of her throat. Ruby grips at her neck as the other slams down onto the counter. Prepared for such a reaction, a hand smacks onto Ruby's back firmly as it dislodges. Hasn't this happened before?

Déjà vu~

"You should really learn to chew your food properly."

Ruby whirls around with tears in her eyes. A half-eaten cookie in hand and jabbed out like a weapon, "I've told you to stop doing that!"

Ashe snorts in amusement, her hand raising up to fluff the over-sized chef hat upon her head. "It's not my fault you have no awareness."

Turning back toward the table, Ruby pouts and dips the cookie into her milk, "Well excuse me, but as you can see, I have milk and cookies before me. They require my undivided attention, and to even think of spreading my awareness away from such deliciousness…Blasphemous!" Taking an angry bite, her cheeks puff like an adorable chipmunk.

Like a shadow, a hand reaches toward the box of cookies and steals one before Ruby could comprehend it. Ashe breaks it in half and dips it into Ruby's milk. Said girl hunches over her box of cookies and greedily moves it away from Ashe with a scowl. "These are mine, get your own."

Ruby munches away on her cookies with a suspicious glare. Before long, she shimmies a happy dance with every munch. "So—" Que her choking once more, "Why are you up so late?"

"Blake heard some noises from the forest and woke us all up. My stomach was making the rumblies that only cookies could satisfy." Ruby waves a cookie in the air offhandedly with a sheepish chuckle, "So, here I am. Alone, in the kitchen, eating cookies in the middle of the night…Alone."

"I see."

Ruby glares, finding another whole cookie back in Ashe's hands. Grabbing the box, she vigorously shoves it far away from Ashe. "Why are 'you' up so late?"

With a shrug, Ashe takes a bit from the stolen cookie, "Couldn't sleep. I was also hungry."

"Ah, did you have enough?" Questioned Ruby.

A small grin forms on Ashe's lips, "For now."

A pregnant pause fills into the room in an awkward silence. Quickly taking a swing of her milk, Ruby turns toward Ashe, "Ashe—" She's not there. Soft munching comes from the opposite end. Whirling back to the other end, Ruby grabs her cookie box and tugs it back away. "About what you told me before…"

Ashe softly blinks toward Ruby, "Hm?"

"Why was there an army after you in the first place?"

Stiff as a board, Ashe looks down at the counter with widened eyes. Her breath hitched and frozen. Without a thought, she accidently crushes the cookie into pieces within her fingers. "What…are you talking about?" Ruby couldn't be referring to that incident so long ago. She never told her about it, and there's nothing in the reports to indicate it was her in the first place.

Ruby tilts her head with a cookie resting upon her lips, "The night we came back. I went to go talk to you and…you started to act weird, like freaky weird, no offense, and you told me about how you won against an army."

No.

No, no, why would she tell that to Ruby? She does not trust Ruby. The girl is young and very talkative. She's terrible at keeping secrets and has a difficult time telling a lie. Ashe raises a hand and rubs onto her temple. Her brow scrunches in thought, what happened that night? It is fuzzy and clouded.

Jumbled like a messy jigsaw puzzle. The pieces are there, she just needs to re-arrange them.

'Heh-heh~'

Ashe's hand clenches into a shaking fist, teeth gritting together in a harsh grind. Her eyes narrow at the mocking snicker within her mind, 'It was you. What have you done?!'

'It's just so boooring in here. This should make things more interesting~ I'll be watchin'~'

With constricting eyes, Ashe shouts into her mind in rage. 'She's not a game for us to be toying with!' A whisper of a laughter rings through her mind.

"Um, Ashe, are you alright?" Snarling toward Ruby, the small Faunus misdirects her rage toward the innocent girl. Honey colored eyes ablaze. Ruby leans back with her hands held up in surrender. "See! That's what I was talking about. It's like you become a different person."

Clenching her eyes, Ashe's teeth grit firmly, forcing her breath to squeeze between the white pearls. With deep breathing, Ashe dispels some of her fury. "How many?"

Ruby blinks at the question, "Uh, what?"

"How many people have you told?"

"No one, just me."

Good, that's good. She can work with this, salvage this to the best of her abilities. Not like she can just off her. Too many people would notice, and she would be the prime suspect. Besides, she likes the girl anyways. She has done her no wrong, and she has delicious cookies. "Keep it that way, please. Do not let anyone know what was told that night."

With a suspicious gaze, Ruby tilts her head to the side with a neutral expression, "O~kay…Sure, but there's one thing I want to know. Is it true?"

Puckering her lips, Ashe barely nods once, "Mm."

Ruby leans forward with her brow bunched in the middle. "So, you're strong, right?"

Arching her brow, Ashe glances toward Ruby out the corner of her eyes, "Mm, I suppose so, yes. Granted, all the cards were in my hand at the time."

Taking the cookie in hand, Ruby munches it like a chipmunk in deep thought. Conversing within her own mind. Ashe perks as Ruby nods to herself before turning back. "Alright, I'll keep your secret if you do something for me. Cookie for cookie, so to speak."

Not like she did not see this coming, it's only natural Ruby would want something in return. Hopefully, it is not something problematic or troublesome. "Alright, what do you want in return?"

Ruby fully turns toward Ashe with a serious expression. Which was sort of cute. Considering she had a bit of a milk mustache on her upper lip. "Train me."

"Eh?"

"Train me."

A rising hand absentmindedly straightens the chef hat out of habit. "You want me to…train you?" That is something she was totally not expecting. Of all the things she could have asked her for. Just to train her. Why? They are at an academy. "Why me? There are professors for that."

Silver eyes stare back at her, lit ablaze with determination and resolve, "Because you actually took the time to tell me what to improve on, and told me my flaws without holding back. At first, I was excited about it, but then later…It stung, to have been picked apart like that. It made me feel like all the training I've done till now was being called useless."

Ashe remains silent, her gut telling her Ruby isn't done speaking, "But…when we sparred in Professor Goodwitch's class, I tried out your advice for the first time against an actual person. And, I did well. Like, it felt much smoother, and I was in control of the fight the entire time."

Ruby's silver eyes glow brighter with a brilliant light. Instinctively causing Ashe to perk up and stare, "My goal, my dream, is to become a hero. Someone strong enough to protect everyone. My dad, my sister, my friends, and everyone else. That's why, I want you to train me. So, I can become that hero."

A small twitch of the corner of her lips into a smile is Ashe's response. So, that's why Ozpin made her the leader of team RWBY. This is why he chose her over Weiss. The determination, her unyielding sense of justice, and her innocence. With a fond smile, Ashe rests her cheek within her palm as the elbow rests upon the table. "When you put it like that…I have no choice but to accept."

Ruby beams a bright smile and pumps her arms in a gutsy pose. "Yes! I am gonna become so bad ass!" Ashe couldn't help the tiny snicker at Ruby's response. Her younger age really showing at times like this and reminding her that she is still two years younger than the rest. Ashe couldn't help but inwardly frown in envy at the innocence of Ruby.

It must be nice.

"Weiss is gonna be so jealous she didn't come with me~" Ruby grabs down between her legs onto the chair and sways her body side to side.

Ashe arches a brow in amusement, "Mm? Where did she go?"

Ruby leans toward Ashe with a soft smile, "Oh, I think she went to your room. She went down that hallway at least."

The younger teen jumps in shock at the sound of Ashe's palms slamming onto the table. Her chair shrieking back from Ashe jumping to her feet with widened eyes. "She what? When?"

Blinking away the shock, Ruby shrugs her shoulders with an uncertain frown, "Um…like…before I even came into the kitchenette, so that was quite a whi—" A blob of white smacks into her face with a thud, a gust of wind fluttering through the room with a whoosh. The chef hat plops into her lap, finding herself alone once more. "Um…well that happened." Looking down, Ruby notices a small patch of mud on the tile.

Ashe races through the empty and dark hallways, the devil nipping onto her burning heels. A glisten of sweat shines upon her soft skin, a worried frown marring upon her lips. 'Please, don't do be doing what I think she is.' She knows exactly how curious Weiss is, and how investigative she is. Ashe never worried when she was left alone in her room before. There was nothing for her to find.

This time though…

She left it in her room.

A hand grips onto the corner of the intersection, and sling shots her around the edge without a drop-in speed. It does not take her long to reach the door, from a distance she can tell it's cracked open. Ashe barrels through the door with a heavy breath. A small light from the lamp upon her desk illuminates the room in a soft glow.

She does not need to search for a second. Upon her messy bed, she finds Weiss sitting upon the edge. Her soft and white hair radiates softly from the light. A shine from Weiss's side, draws her gaze to her silver bell. Nestled within the quilts safely.

Ashe's breath hitches with a widening of her eyes at what else she finds. There, upon Weiss's slender thighs is her top hat. Upturned with the inside exposed to view. A neutral expression is upon Weiss's face. Hands held up with her left holding a few papers and the right holding up a few photographs. Slowly, Weiss turns her head toward Ashe.

Light blue eyes shimmering within the glow.

"I have…so many questions."