Chapter Twenty-two

To say Weiss was annoyed, would be an understatement of the century. Here she was, following some stranger for only god knows why. Yes, its for Ashe, but she has a short fuse. Neither is she the patient type as well. "Will you just tell me where we are going already?" Weiss brushes a cobweb off from her head in disgust.

Weiss glares around her surroundings while cautiously stepping further into the abandoned subway system. They have been walking for what feels like hours, occasionally turning into hallways connecting the tunnels. Silence is all she gets from Elder Smoke as he continues to lead her on. "I can't tell who's worse, you or Ashe. She at least has the courtesy to respond when spoken to." Weiss quickly slaps away at her thigh, feeling an invisible crawl upon her skin.

She's going to need another bath tonight.

Smoke hobbles along, using the dim and old lights for vision. "Has she ever told you that you don't know when to shut up?"

"Excuse me?" Weiss rapidly approached Smoke with a scowl, "She would never speak to me like that."

"You don't know her at all."

Fury boiled within her, "What do you know? I know plenty about her, she's told me quite a bit about herself."

Smoke pauses for a moment to peer in her direction, causing a discomforting shuffle from his creepy eyes. He chuckles and turns back around, "You can't lie to me, pup. An open book, you are."

Weiss takes a moment to collect herself and tighten her gaze, "I do not lie. Ashe has told me plenty. She's told me about her separation from her mother, how hard her training was, and what she's been doing for the past for years." The heiress comes to a standstill within the dusty tunnels. Smoke pauses to once more look back with a knowing expression. Her mind processes what she spoke, and something begins to click.

When has Ashe ever truly talked about…herself. Her own thoughts and feelings. Thinking about it more, even when they are alone, Ashe is always restraining herself. Like she has a lid upon herself and constantly thinking twice before she speaks.

Guarded.

"Keh-he, it seems you realized it. You're not as stupid as I thought." Smoke walks away quietly with a hobble. "You have never even met the real Ashe."

Her lips moved before she could control them, "You mean her other personality?" Weiss feels a sudden chill through her bones when a beady and black eye with a cloud of white stares from under his hood.

"What has she told you?"

Her fingers bury into her biceps, but she does not flinch away. "Only that she has another personality. Is that what you mean by the real Ashe?" Smoke offers no response and continues on the journey, further angering Weiss. "Don't walk away from me. I deserve some answers."

"Shut up and follow me. Better to see, than tell. You wouldn't understand otherwise. Not much further by the looks of it."

That was when Weiss took in her surroundings. The tunnels were still dusty, cracked, and old, but something was off. She glides her pale fingers against a cut within the wall only for a loose pebble to crumble. Fresh rock and uncovered by dust lie under, but that wasn't what caught her attention. The pebble landed near a splotch of red and with her recent study with Professor Peach. Weiss knew exactly what it was.

Blood.

Why is there blood? Fairly fresh as well, the center has a few moist droplets. Does this mean Ashe is injured? How badly hurt is she? Did she bring some first aid supplies? No, she was in a rush and didn't bother. Weiss wasn't able to dwell further when Smoke beckoned her to a metal door.

"The trail stops here; Ashe is on the other side."

About time, "What are we waiting for then?" Before she could force her way through the door, a ghastly hand bars her path. "What?"

"I will not repeat myself, listen well." He ignored her glare. "The Ashe you know, the Ashe through this door, are different. Say nothing. Do nothing. Stay close or you may die…Or not, either way works in my favor, hak-hak!"

"I appreciate your advice, but I can handle myself, thank you." The stress wasn't without spite.

Elder sighed at the immaturity, "You do not seem to understand the weight of my words, pup. Do you have any idea, where we are?"

Curious eyes roam for a moment. Weiss notices more claw marks upon the walls and ceiling of the subway tunnel. "Just an abandoned subway system, what's so special about it?"

"And you call yourself a Schnee when you do not even know this place." He took pleasure when she swelled up with her feathers ruffled. "Many years ago, Vale attempted an expansion for a new city. It was to be called Mountain Glenn. Whoever oversaw the project it was a complete idiot. They prioritized infrastructure over defensive measures to prevent Grimm from overwhelming the project before completion."

"Which means, it was overrun before being completed."

Elder lets out a hollow laughter, "That's where you are wrong, pup. It was 'completed' and had a large population already occupying the city."

Confusion flickers through Weiss, scrunching up in thought. "Wait…That doesn't make sense. You spoke as if it was overrun by Grimm." He nods with a half smirk, confirming what happened. "Then…all those people…"

"Correct, most of them were killed." Disgust crawled up Weiss's spine. "This was a subway system that connected the city to Vale. The survivors fled and sealed the main entrance. They established an underground settlement, which was good in theory."

Weiss was afraid to ask, "What happened?"

"Hmph, those fools were arrogant and did not learn. Yes, they sealed the main entrance, but there was another. This part of the subway system was in development for a Dust cavern that was discovered, and of course the Schnee's couldn't wait to get their greedy hands upon it."

Fingers curled into fists with a grinding of the teeth.

Elder shrugs his shoulders, "Something went wrong, of course. Disaster struck and exploded a new opening to the outside world. Grimm poured in and slaughtered them all. Vale made the correct decision and sealed their entrance. Damning the settlement to their massacre."

Shock tore through her before turning into questionable anger. "That's inhumane! Why would they just let so many people die? Who?"

"That's up for debate, but the choice was the correct one. Either damn them or Vale follows behind and gets swarmed. The lives of few, do not outweigh the lives of many."

Weiss stomped forward, "But that's wrong! Something could have been done. People can not just condemn others to such a brutal end." Because what's to stop it from happening again.

"Perhaps, but your opinion is irrelevant. It is now a part of history. What is important, is that the source of the Grimm was never closed, and they were flooded with mindless beasts."

"That doesn't make sense, we have yet to come across any Grimm. Either you're lying or…" Weiss feels her heart drop into her stomach. Elder nods once before turning to the metal door. However, he was not the one to open it.

Weiss stormed passed him in a rush and forced herself through with a groan of the rusted door. Upon the other side, a familiar metallic taste filters through her senses. It was a large room that was in ruins. Moon light was pouring through a hole to the outside world with foliage overtaking the room. When her eyes adjust, she takes in wreckage. Claws and slashes dominated the ruined stoned and metal, but what caught her eye the most, was the splotches of blood. It was everywhere in droplets. From the floor, to the walls, upon the ceiling, and even on overturned debris.

She feels a sudden chill racing through her spine upon stepping further into the room. Weiss was cautious from the shadows consuming the room. Still, Smoke said she was in here. She peered and swallowed her breath, "Ashe?"

A bony hand pulls on her luscious hair, forcing her into an awkward back bend, a clawed hand swipes overhead with a wet drop of red splashing upon her cheek. "Wha—"

Once more, she's pulled back by her ponytail and Elder slides before her, "Fool, I warned you. Say nothing, do nothing." He ignores her scowl and keeps a sharp eye out while speaking to the shadows. "Reign it in, Pup."

Weiss did not notice the small figure clawing from the side. It was only when Smoke grabbed the outstretched hand and threw it over against a cracked wall, did she notice. "What was—" The look he gave her reminded her of the warning.

The shadows were shimmering as if something was moving from within.

"This has gone on long enough, Pup. You know better than to let your emotions run rampart." A shadow descends from above. Easily stepping aside, the figure lashes out in vicious kicks and claw swipes from a single arm. Elder slithers between in attack, "Slow, very slow." He counters with a vicious combo, a palm to the chest, a fist to the face, and another to the stomach. It propelled the figure into the shadows, crushing an aged, wooden chair.

Weiss frowns when the figure slowly gets up and spits upon the ground before scurrying off into the shadows like an animal. 'Is that…Ashe?'

"Beat me, you cannot." Smoke hobbles slowly into the center of the room. He knows he has her undivided attention now. He's the biggest threat to her survival. "You are injured and on the verge of breaking. Cease your foolishness, do not let it consume you."

An animalistic roar bellows out from the shadow's depths. Once more the beast lunges for Smoke in desperation. Even Weiss could hear the figures growls and grunts. It swarmed the hooded figure like a wild animal. Clawing and lunging, even going so far as to bite and rip. Elder grunted quietly in disappointment, "Ferocity, without concept, makes you nothing more than a wild beast. I'll put you down like one."

And he did.

Weiss cringed at the snap of the neck. Smoke palmed the beast upon the chin, snapping the head back with an ugly crack. He showed no mercy with a brutal uppercut to the solar plex and ruthlessly raining blows upon the figure. Each hit made Weiss herself wince from the savagery. Finally, he grabs ahold of the neck and lobs the body toward Weiss. The body crashes upon the cement and rolls toward her before stopping at the feet.

Weiss choked upon her breath at the sight. She knew who the figure was, but Weiss did not expect to see her like this. Weiss did not expect to see Ashe so heavily injured like this. Her twin tails were gone, leaving only messy and dirty hair with red flakes caked into it. Her face was heavily brushed and covered in scratches with dried blood. Ashe's clothes didn't fair much better either, littered in rips and tears with red. That wasn't what caught Weiss's attention the most. It was the eyes.

They were a bright and bloody crimson.

Dropping down onto her knees, Weiss lifted her up slowly and carefully to cradle. "Ashe! What—Oh my god, where do I start?"

Slowly, the one good arm that Ashe had raised in trembles. The crimson eyes were dulling and hazing over with each passing moment. Finally reaching Weiss's cheek, it softly attempts to claw, but only ends in a caress. The pupils slowly return to some abnormality, "Star…dust…" Her voice was so hoarse and raw. Weiss never had a chance to respond, because the hand drops when Ashe passes out.

Weiss quickly catches the falling hand, "Ashe? Ashe!"

"Stop that useless drabble and help her."

If looks could kill, Smoke would have combusted into flames before dying. "What did you do?!" What happened to her? I want answers, now!"

Smoke casually approaches and gives Ashe a onceover before gazing toward the opening to the outside world. "Two choices. You put that first aid to use and help her, or you sit here and dribble on like an idiot before the Grimm are no long afraid and swarm us. I should not have to tell you which is the smarter choice."

Weiss was seething, but she knew he was correct. "I will get my answers. Do not think you will be able to hide from me after this." Elder Smoke cackles and takes a few paces to keep watch, giving her ample room to work.

And work she did. Sadly, all she could bring was what fit in her combat skirt pockets. Which was not much at all. A small bottle of antiseptic, band-aids, and a roll of bandages was all she had. Elder Smoke at least had the courtesy not to rush her and gave her peace. Probably because it did not take long at all. There was nothing else for her to do. Ashe needs to be taken to a hospital or the Academy at the very least for Peach to handle. "I've done all I can. We should go."

"Good." Once more approaching, he gives a nod of approval. "It's time to go. They are beginning to amass for an assault. You will need to carry her; I'll kill whatever approaches us."

Weiss found that to her liking, she does not trust Ashe in his hands. Even if she has to carry her the whole way back. She won't give Ashe to him. Shuffling Ashe upon her back, the girl was extremely light at the least, because Weiss was not the strongest person around.

Retracing their steps was uneventful for Weiss. For most of the trip, Smoke would disappear, and Weiss would hear Grimm cries echoing through the subway tunnels. Her anger hardly subsidized, a constant reminder was upon her back for answers. What felt like hours, they finally approach the exit and into the city. Elder Smoke made sure to close the exits so no Grimm could make their way inside the walls.

Setting Ashe upon the ground, Weiss gave her a check over. She places a hand upon the burning forehead, "We need to get her to a hospital. Her condition is getting worse by the minute."

"No, do not take her to the hospital. They will find her and kill her."

Weiss roars up and stalks toward Smoke, "Who?! Why are people after her in the first place? I'm getting fed up with these secrets. I want answers. Now."

The two stared at one another for a moment, "If you want answers, you'll need them from her." He smirks at the sight of Weiss's fury. Glacial eyes promising death with flakes of frost appearing upon her clenched fists. "I'll only answer a few questions. Consider them payment."

"Fine. That's an acceptable deal. Now, if you will excuse me for a moment, I need to make a phone call. We are not going to the hospital, so I need to find us a ride back to Beacon." Pulling out her scroll, she steps away to get a small amount of privacy but keeps in range of Ashe.

Taking a seat on a nearby bench, Smoke looks down at Ashe with a sigh. "Pup…" His voice was low, "It's getting worse…isn't it?" His body hunches over with an ache of the bones, age showing even more than before. "I may not be able to help you…But…" Reaching into a loose sleeve, he pulls out a dagger and admires the edge. "Vengeance..." The sound of heels hides away his dagger before Weiss approaches.

Weiss did not waste any time in getting what she wanted. Cocking her hip and crossing her arms, she begins her questions. "Who's after her?"

"Her former comrades, the Primal Fang."

That's a name she files away. There's no need for her to waste a question on asking who they are. She can interrogate Ashe on that. "Why are they after her?"

"All I can say is, Ashe turned her back on the tribe and committed an atrocious act. I do not know the details; you'll need to ask her." That was a lie of course, he knew everything, but she didn't need to know that. Though by the stare, she suspected as much. "One more question."

Taking a deep breath, she calms herself. He is being extremely short and curt with his answers. Not sure why she expected anything else. He did not give her much to go on, but at least she has a name to go on. There's just one more thing that she is most curious about. "I still do not know why Ashe was all the way out here, and I want to know. Why was she so aggressive and most importantly, why were her eyes red?"

Elder Smoke was silent for a long while. Weiss never took her gaze away, making sure he did not try to flee from her question. Ever so slowly, he stands while reaching into his sleeve. Weiss tenses as he approaches Ashe and slowly hunches over, placing her top hat and daggers beside her resting figure. Smoke begins to walk away into the shadows and comes to a stop before Weiss could yell at him. "Not all captives are locked in cells…Some…become lab rats."

"What are you—Wait!" He disappears into the shadows without hesitation, leaving Weiss alone in the night with Ashe. Her mind was in a buzz of riddles and confusion. He really gave her the short end of the stick. For each question, all he did was give her vague riddles with even more questions. Nothing is making any sense, but for now, it's the least of her worries.

With a heavy heart, she approaches Ashe and drops onto her knees, pulling the faunus to rest upon her lap. Ashe was burning up and hot to touch. Her skin was turning into a pinkish hue from the fever with heavy panting. The amount of injuries she had only made the matter worse. Weiss was disappointed in her lack of preparedness. She should have known better and brought more supplies, because she could do much more for her. But in her haste, she only brought the bare minimum.

Peach is going to yell her ear off.

Weiss rests her cold hand upon Ashe's forehead, smirking when the faunus slowly evens out from the cool touch. Perhaps having a cold touch has its uses after all. "I really need to keep a better eye on you and not let you out of my sight." There she stayed, using her cool hands to help keep the burning fever in check.

It wasn't much longer till the sound of their ride echoed through the empty streets. The engine roared as it grew closer before a motorcycle screeched along the curb with an empty passenger cart. A familiar golden figure leaps and races toward them, "Weiss!"

She couldn't help the sigh of relief from escaping the lips when Yang approached. Though, she looked like she just rolled out of bed and haphazardly threw on her clothes. Her hair was wilder and messier than usual. "You got here quick."

Yang grunted, "Obviously. You called me in the middle of the night, saying it was an emergency, and you needed my help. Of course, I am going to rush over here, what did you expect?"

Weiss nods in relief, "You are right, my apologies." She turned her gaze downward with a faint smile, "I found her."

Following her gaze, Yang crouches down upon her toes. "You did, good work, Princess. I don't know what happened, but she looks really bad. We need to get her to the hospital or something."

The Heiress shook her head, "No hospitals, we need to get back to Beacon."

Yang stared for a moment before accepting it without rebuttal. "Alright, if you say so. Let me help."

Weiss sags in relief at the gesture, letting Yang take Ashe from her lap to carry. "Thank you, I really appre—" It was then that she remembers the problem. The top hat sits upon the ground with her blades.

Lifting her up bridal style, Yang looks her over and blinks at finally noticing the mouse ears upon Ashe's head. Her head tilts slowly, "Huh…She's a faunus…You know, I really should have seen that coming. She's always wearing her top hat and loves her cheese."

"You…aren't upset or anything?"

Yang gives her a quizzical expression, "What? No? Why would I? It just explains a few things. How long have you known?"

Weiss sighs and stands while patting herself down. "Since the entrance exam. Promise not to say anything. Ashe does not want anyone to know."

"Yea, sure, I can do that. I'm good with secrets, Ruby on the other hand…Yeesh."

The heiress approached from the side after Yang reached her motorcycle's passenger cart. "Yang, I'm being serious."

"Relax Princess, I won't tell anyone. Has anyone ever told you that you're a worry wart?" The glare was all the answer she needed, "Moving on…The cart has one seat, but there should be enough room for her to be on your lap. And no, there's no other way." Weiss's mouth clicked shut, "We can sit here and argue and waste time, or we can be grown-ups and get moving."

Weiss wastes no time and takes her seat before finding Ashe placed within her lap. Yang helped strap them in securely and made sure to avoid stress upon the arm. Pleased with herself, they begin their journey back to Beacon Academy. Yang is an experienced driver; she avoids making sharp turns or jostling to aggravate any more injuries for Ashe.

The Heiress sat quietly in the seat, letting the scenery pass her by and keep Ashe close at hand. While her thoughts were abuzz with new information and questions, she tried not to think about it too much. The fatigue of the night was beginning to wear upon her for being inactive. She quelled the instinct to yawn upon arriving at the Academy.

That would be unbecoming of a Lady such as herself.

She tried to protest, but Yang literally and figuratively shoved her aside and carried Ashe herself. "I got her, I'm stronger than I look, Princess."

With a pout, Weiss followed behind closely. The corridors were empty and dark. It made their journey undisturbed and Weiss instructed Yang to take Ashe to infirmary. Weiss opens the door and enters beforehand, prepping a bed to be used.

Collecting a few supplies, she also grabs a first-aid book, just to be safe. Looking the faunus over, Weiss reaches up and begins to straighten up her hair to adjust it out of the way. It was then she begins to properly administer the basic techniques that she knows.

It was only after a couple of minutes and cleaning the grim and dried blood, did Weiss realize Yang was lingering at the foot of the bed. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

"I always know what I'm doing."

Yang rolls her eyes before glancing over Ashe in concern, "Is she going to be okay?"

Is she going to be okay? Weiss is not sure how to respond. Her knowledge is limited, but she seems to be okay for the most part. Rather, she's not okay, but doesn't seem to be dying. That's always a plus. "I think so." Weiss dabs a wet cloth upon Ashe's burning forehead. Her fever came back with a vengeance. "Professor Peach needs to look her over."

"Yea…that makes sense."

The bags under Weiss's eyes begin to grow heavy, but there's something that's been bugging her. "Are you…not going to ask what happened?"

Yang stretches overhead, "What? Would you actually tell me what happened?"

Thinking it over, Weiss shakes her head, "No…Probably not. I don't even really know myself."

"Then there's no point in me asking." Weiss frowns at the exaggerated yawn from Yang. "I know I don't need any, but my beauty sleep was interrupted and there's still time to catch a nap before class. I'll let the others know you'll be late or missing." Yang marches toward the door with fingers interlocked behind her head.

"Hey…Yang." The golden boxer peers over a shoulder. Weiss is looking her direction with hands neatly folded in her lap. "Thank you."

With a bashful scratch upon the back of her head, Yang shuffles around before waving her hand dismissively. "Yea, anytime and remember to wipe your cheek." The door closes behind her.

Weiss raises her fingers to the cheek and draw back with a few flakes of blood. She recalls when a splotch of red splattered against her cheek. Lingering on the red, she sighs to herself before tightening into a fist. "When you wake up, we are having a long conversation. Even if I have to tie you down. First…" Rising to her feet and pulling out her scroll, "I need to make a call…She's totally going to snap my ear off."

She was right. The amount of insults and curses thrown her way was absurd. She probably should have asked Yang to make the call instead of her. Sadly, that's all in the past now. Forgoing a shower, Weiss remains sitting at the bedside, waiting. Eyes growing heavy, she dips into a light nap.

The door slams open, roughly half an hour later. Jolting Weiss awake in shock to find Professor Peach storming into the infirmary. "Why is it always you two?!" Peach looked to be a mess. Partially in her pajamas and white lab coat thrown over with her hair loose and a fritz.

Weiss couldn't help but grimace at the look. She herself would probably be just as pissed at being woken up in the middle of the night. "I'm sor—"

"Silence!" Weiss quickly does as told when Peach is at the footrest, least she suffers her sleep-deprived wrath. "Give me her diagnosis."

She just told her to be silent and now she wants her to speak? Instead of retorting, Weiss gives into her demands, glossing over what her limited knowledge was able to notice. Mainly focusing on what visible injuries were present. When Peach stared at her, she couldn't help but fidget before snapping back. "What?"

Peach sneered, "That was horrible and didn't provide me with anything. I'll have to beat the knowledge into your head later. Now be a good girl and get out of my way." Peach doesn't even wait, bulldozing her way forcing Weiss out of the way. Something caught Peach's eye immediately, "This bruise on her chin is recent and fresh, what happened?"

Weiss took a moment to recollect, "She took a blow to the chin, snapped her head back, and then-"

"What?!" The ferocity of the shout made Weiss freeze. "Why did you not tell me that immediately? She could be concussed or worse!" Peach rampaged around the bedding, dismantling it from the wall to roll across the room to machinery on the other end. "I'm surrounded by amateurs."

Weiss could only watch in stunned silence while Peach worked and strapped wires to the comatose Faunus's head. The sight alone made her second guess everything she's done so far. Professor Peach was correct, she should have mentioned that when she first came in. But in her own arrogance, she didn't think.

It left her pride wounded.

A styrofoam cup is held before her, steam rising from the warm, coffee beverage in a lightly tanned hand. Weiss turns to find Miyako staring down at her with an awkward smile. "I…wouldn't take what she said to heart. She's yells at everyone. Even other professionals."

Narrowing her eyes, Weiss turns her nose away. "I'm fine, thanks."

Miyako sets the drink on the tabletop. "I'm not exactly, in your good books, am I?"

"Gee, I wonder why?"

Hiding behind her own cup, Miyako sighs before taking a sip. "I know, I messed up, badly. In my defense, I had my hands full." Staring down into the hot beverage, Miyako shakes her head before putting her beverage on the tabletop. "But it's no excuse, I'm well aware of that fact."

Weiss whirled in anger, "Of course its not! You were to be her chaperone and guard her! All I know is that you two were separated and she was involved in the fuel depot explosion. You come back alive and well, and Ashe is gone for over a week. None of you even told me a thing, and I'm just supposed to be forgiving about it? Excuse me, but no."

"No…" Tightening her expression, Miyako glides a hand through her hair. "No, you're right. We didn't exactly take your feelings into consideration. At the very least, I should have been the one to tell you, but I didn't. That's on me."

"Obviously. Not even my teammates would screw up that badly."

Miyako had to bite her tongue before she bit back. "Look. All I want to say is, I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

The Ice Queen stared at her long and hard. "I am not the one you should be apologizing to. That belongs to Ashe. If she forgives you…I'll tolerate you, but if she doesn't…"

The barista takes the discarded drink and once more offers it to Weiss in an olive branch. "I understand, in the meantime, drink up. You'll need the energy, because Peach will be a screaming banshee once she's done."

Hesitating for a moment, Weiss accepts the drink, "Why?"

This time, Miyako smirks behind her cup, "You'll see."

That did not sit well with Weiss, but she had nothing more to say on the matter. Perfectly content to watch Peach work and taking mental notes on her procedures. This way she will have something to study for future references. Even with her coffee, it was difficult to stay awake. Staying up well through the night is not something she's used too. She was always in bed by a proper time, scheduled. By the time she finished her caffeine, she was not prepared for the storm that rolled in her direction.

Professor Peach's expression was cold and the death grip on her shoulder was painful. "Excuse me, we need to talk. Now."

"Can't we talk here?" The fingers bore further into her shoulder in a wince of pain.

Peach's expression was strained and holding herself back. "No, because I'll disturb the patient when I yell at you for being an idiot. Move it."

"Wha—"

Weiss never had a chance to protest. Miyako smirked knowingly behind her cup, feeling vindicated at knowing what's to come. Peach dragged Weiss from the chair and into the hallway. The petite girl is slammed into the wall before having the collar of her bolero in Peach's grasp. "What the hell were you thinking?!"

Her hands raise up to struggle against the grasp, Peach's hold was surprisingly strong. "What are you even talking about? Let me go!"

"Hell no! I am furious beyond belief! Do you have any idea how fool-hearty and just plain stupid you are? Why did you not tell anyone where you were going or what you were doing? What if something happened to you? No one would know till we find your corpse!"

Is she…trying to lecture her on filling them in and keeping them informed? Something snapped within Weiss in defiance, "Don't you dare try to lecture me, you'd be nothing more than a hypocrite!" Weiss didn't relent when Peach's eyes grew cold. "None of you told me what happened that night and kept me in the dark. I was forced to draw my own conclusions and then I had to constantly be questioned and reminded by my friends if I knew where Ashe. Do you know how humiliating and frustrating it was for me to have no answers?"

"That does not mean you go off on your own and do something reckless! It is not some whimsical fairy tale out there with knights in shining armor. People go missing all the time and no one even bats an eye. Even Huntsmen."

Weiss breaks the hold upon her collar, "You think I don't know that? That I am just some damsel who doesn't know about the outside world? I am not so ignorant that I would not weigh the pros and cons." She jams a finger into Peach's chest, "Don't you dare criticize me. I got results. I found Ashe, and I brought her back. Not you. Not Miyako. Me."

Silence presses through for a moment, Peach studying her features calmly, "That brings the question, how did you know where to find her?"

The Heiress shuffles to put more breathing space between them. "I didn't, but someone else did."

"Someo—Who?"

Weiss straightens her collar and clothing, "I'm not entirely sure, but I think he was her mentor. Apparently, he is very well acquainted with her and knew where she was."

"And you followed him? Just like that?"

"It's not like I had a choice! What else did I have to go on? Sitting around did nothing, so I acted. Like I said, I brought her back and everything's fine. What's the big deal?"

Peach sighed in frustration, "It is too early to deal with this shit. Go take a shower and rest, skip classes today, I don't care." Weiss motioned to interject, "She's stable, don't make this difficult. Ashe will have a concussion when she wakes up, but I see no lasting damage. A stiff neck to be sure, fever is back, and her arm is still damaged, but time will mend those."

"Then let me stay and help." Weiss made for the door before a hand firmly held her back.

"No, you are more than likely to get in the way right now." Peach snorts at the glacial gaze, "Look, you are not dumb. You have not slept well lately, and you haven't been eating properly. Ashe won't wake up for a day at the minimum. I doubt seeing you disheveled will be a good impression."

Weiss stared in defiance before trying to force her way back inside. Professor Peach easily fends her off with little effort. With a huff and stomp, Weiss grumbles under breath and storms down the hall. She didn't get far before she heard Peach call out her name. Looking over her shoulder, she finds Peach awkwardly rubbing onto the back of her neck.

"Good job. You found her and brought her back. That deserves praise, so good work." With a nod, Peach disappears into the infirmary with a lock of the door. Not wishing to be disturbed so early in the morning.

She stood there for a moment, taking in what she heard. It is not often that Weiss is praised for anything. At least genuine praise. While she does enjoy the lavished praise to get into her good books, which swells her pride furthermore, genuine praise is rare. Father only complimented her in hollow words when she does something to further his interests. Winter is very rare, and always followed by heavy critic. There was her butler, Klein, but there was always that invisible wall of employee to employer.

Even if he helped raise her from childhood. There's always that whisper of, he's just doing his job.

With that in mind, there was a light step back to her dorm room. Ruby was out cold and snoring. Finding Yang still awake and listening to music wasn't too much of a surprise. But what was a surprise, however, was finding Blake reading. "Good morning, you're up early."

Blake rolled onto her side, "Yea, someone doesn't exactly know the meaning of silence in the middle of the night."

"I said I was sorry." Yang rolls up into a sitting position, "I was in a rush and I didn't mean to wake you up from your, 'precious' beauty sleep."

A teasing grin works upon Blake's lips, "It's alright, I'm not upset. Just think you could use some more of it yourself." She narrowly avoids the pillow thrown at her face.

"Will you two keep it down?" Weiss storms over to her side of the dorm to relax on the bed. "I rather not find out if Ruby is the cranky type when she's woken up early."

Yang grimaces, "She's very cranky. You have no idea how much she gripes and pouts at being woken up early."

"I have an idea." Weiss grabs a fresh pair of clothes for a shower, "And I rather not prove it correct, thank you."

Yang stretches after Weiss disappears into the bathroom, only to have Blake call out to her, "So, are you going to fill me in or what? Its not often that you storm out in the middle of the night."

"Nothing too exciting, honestly. Just had to go pick up Weiss and Ashe." Blake perks up and stares at her in eagerness. "Oh…Right…I forgot to tell you that. Weiss found Ashe, surprise."

"You couldn't have told me that sooner?"

Yang yields herself to Blake, "My bad, I didn't mean to keep it, but it slipped my mind. I'm still trying to unwind here and being woken up in the middle of the night sucks."

Blake motioned to sit at the edge of her bed, "Well, how is she?"

"I dunno." Yang shrugged, "I mean, I'm not exactly a doctor or anything. She was roughed up bad and unconscious, but I don't think there was anything life threatening. We'd probably have to ask Princess for that."

Without a word, Blake stands to begin dressing for the date into her school uniform. Already hearing everything that she wanted, even if there was no real information about her well-being. By the time Yang finished dressing, Weiss appeared from the bathroom in her school uniform. "Uh, are you going to attend classes today? I figured you'd take the day off."

Weiss snorts pompously, "Of course not. I'm not a child. I will still attend lectures and represent the Schnee name proudly. However, I will need coffee. Lots of coffee." Before she could leave the room, Yang calls out where she is going. "If I am going to pull this off, I need a big thermos for my coffee. Also, allow me to apologize in advance if I am more…snappy…today."

Yang scoffs and waves her away. It is time for the studious students to be out and about. The sun has mostly risen in a dark blue hue. Better to have as little interaction with nobodies today. Weiss has a feeling her nervous will be on a short fuse today, but in her rush to the cafeteria, she was surprised to bump into a familiar face. "Good morning, Pyrrha."

"Oh, Good morning, Weiss. It's a surprise to see you up so early." Already the red head was bright and perky. Must be a common thing for her to wake up at this time.

Weiss politely agrees, "Yes, I suppose it is quite rare for me to be up and about at this time of morning, but today was an exception."

Pyrrha wore a morning smile, and Weiss stared at it. She knew a political smile from a mile away. After all, she's had to use it every day of her life back at home. The top student began using it when word of Ashe's disappearance came forward. Though Pyrrha never asked directly, she always lingered when Nora approached and demanded any new information that she may have heard. Why does everyone assume she knows everything?

She does, but still.

"Oh? May I inquire about it? For conversation sake."

Finding a thermos, Weiss quickly gets to work filling it up, before using her semblance to chill it for a quick drink to refill. "Of course, I finally received word on Ashe's whereabout, so I went to recover her. She's in the infirmary now."

A clatter of silverware makes Weiss gaze over toward Pyrrha. Only to find her staring with a neutral expression, "You found her? That's…good." A bright and beautiful smile shone upon her lips in relief and her shoulders relaxed. Like there was some weight upon her. "Wonderful even. You said she's in the infirmary? How is she?"

Weiss indulges herself in a bigger breakfast than usual for the energy, but she makes note to work off the extra calories later. "She's stable. Professor Peach is with her, but I was told she's going to be unconscious for a day at least. Maybe longer."

Pyrrha frowns in a downward gaze, "I see. Perhaps I will visit her later then. I doubt Professor Peach wants people to disturb her."

A thought comes to Weiss and she heavily frowns before turning to Pyrrha with a serious expression. "Do not tell Nora. Not till later. We both know how she will react and what kind of rampage she will go on."

With a grimace, the warrioress nods, "That would be, most wise. Perhaps at the end of the day would be best."

"That would be too soon." Pyrrha sheepishly chuckles to herself. With her thermos in hand and large breakfast, Weiss is ready to tackle the rest of the day without any sleep. Though her mind was constantly wondering to a suspicious thought that's been bothering her.

Why did Elder just up and leave?

After separating from Weiss, Smoke had one destination in mind. Slithering through the shadows, he finds himself deep within the woods. The trees were bright and colorful as if autumn was already here, but it was still far off. His stealth was to be commended, with all the leaves and twigs upon the forest floor, he didn't make a sound.

Smoke came to a sudden stop and looked up into the trees, "I know you're there, still too young to think you can hide from me."

A low purr of a chuckle echoes between the trees as a shadow lounges upon a thick branch with a bushy tail swinging below lazily. "Who says I didn't want you to find me?"

"Hak-hak, get to my age and you learn to see through these things."

The shadow motions the hands to rest beneath her chin as pillows. "Of course, but I won't be some empty husk like you at that age. Time has not been kind to you."

Elder chuckles to himself, "Time is kind to no one, it will creep up on you without your notice. Though you will do well to remember, that I am still stronger than you. Even in my withered, old age."

The shadow licks at the back of a hand with a glint of metal claws, "For now, but not for long."

Leaning against the trunk, Elder rests against the wood. "Well? What of the fool? Can't believe he let his guard down, imbecile."

"Hah~ It will take more than that to kill Ploom. It's not the first time Ashe ran him through, and I doubt it will be the last."

"Hmph, make sure that blind idiot doesn't go and get himself killed. Always was the wild cannon, that one." A soft purr acknowledges him, "Well? Are you going to ask?"

A leg shifts off the branch, "Must I? We both know you are going to tell me regardless, so just spit it out."

Elder barks out a cackle with a shake of his head, "Such a rude and impatient child. You should learn to be more honest, hm?"

The swaying foot and tail come to a halt, "Shut up, old fool, and just tell me."

"Hm, she's alive, that's to be sure."

The tail and leg once more resume swaying slowly, "That's good, would be a shame if she died."

"Indeed, but she is not in the most favorable conditions."

The shadow falters for only a moment, "Better than dead. What of her…condition?"

Elder frowns with a sigh, "Getting worse, it is. I had to put her down myself this time."

The shadow slowly rises her head, a mane of hair cascading down her back. "I see. What of your hunt?"

A dangerous glint shines under Elder's hood, "I'm getting closer. It's just a matter of time before I find my prey. I will find them."

Wood snaps from above as bark lightly pelts down from above, claws digging into the wood from a vicious grip. "I don't think, I need to remind you, do I?"

"No." As the sun peeks through the canopies, a vicious snarl is upon his lips with unbridled fury within his eyes. "My Prey's death will be painful, agonizing, and without mercy. They will suffer all of our rage for tormenting one of our own. This, I swear."

Slowly shifting, the shadow crouches upon the thick branch. The sun illuminated a shade of electric blue eyes with a sweltering fire behind them. Fangs pronounced in a growl of wrath.

"Make them bleed."

(A/N)

Sorry for the delay on this one. Life has been really hectic lately and there has not been much time for me to write lately. Hopefully I'll be able to have more free time soon. I do have some new art pieces up on my DA, so check them out if you haven't already. I'll do my best to have the next chapter out at a better time frame. Leave a comment or review about what you think so far. :D

Darth