As per usual most of the sex is cut from this version for the full story come find us on Ao3 under the name Kryheart_Ardy.

The Cost Of Freedom, The Deceit In Lies.

James took another look at the vast crowd of forest penning him in on every side. It was a rare day that he visited Patch, he could probably count on one hand how many times he had been here before and still have fingers left over. Patch was pretty self sustaining and the Grimm levels were low enough that some people thrived and had their families here. While the gentle greenery wasn't something he was use to. Being from a colder continent and living mostly in the cities he could see the appeal here.

He had forgone the use of his airship, he wasn't ready for people to start asking questions about why General Ironwood was making a visit to the small island of Patch. Nor did he want people to know about Ruby yet, it was something he intended on discussing with her at a later date. For now he was content in this slower paced courtship he, Ruby and Ozpin had going on. Although Rumlous was still an enigma to him, something didn't sit right with the younger man's behaviour and the way his eyes leered over Ruby struck something in him, what he didn't know yet.

After getting off the ferry James drove the loaned car towards Ruby's home, she had given him instructions on how to find her house over the scroll last night. It didn't take long, roads were scase and it seemed pretty straightforward. He caught sight of the tall blooming sunflowers outside one house and slowed his vehicle to a crawl before cutting the engine off. Just as James was getting out of the car he had a thought, was he supposed to bring flowers? Wasn't that something people did when dating or courting? It was too late to turn back now as James cursed his brain for forgetting the important details and knocked on the door.

The sound of feet slapping on wood floor was soon followed by a muffled "Coming!" James almost chuckled at the breathless response, his mind imagining Ruby running towards him, her arms outstretched towards him. James thought of her tumbling into his arms with a smile brighter than the sunflowers gracing the garden around the house and smoothed his features. They were not at the stage where Ruby would be so comfortable for that sweet a picture but as she opened the door for a gentle smile across her face and her eyes just that bit more sparkling he knew he couldn't wait for that day to come.

"James, hi." Ruby realised she was holding the door still and stepped back. "Come in, I was just tidying, would you like some tea?"

"That sounds nice." James followed his petit soulmate through to the kitchen and sat at the square wooden table. "How have you been?"

"Oh I'm good, just relaxing. I finished some pieces the other day and they have been sold. I am hoping that with the extra attention from the Gala last week I'll have more offers and requests rolling in soon."

James listened to the kettle as it hissed on the stove. Ruby picked it up pouring tea into two pale yellow cups. The aroma of orange blossoms drifted through the room.

Ruby brought the cups over with a small dish of oatmeal biscuits and sat opposite James. She breathed in the tea for a moment and took a small sip. "So did you have any plans for what you wanted to do today?"

"Well I was hoping that perhaps you would show me some of your work, or at least how you make it. I must admit is amazing, the things you've made. When I was at the Gala, I did see a number of your works, though I didn't buy anything for myself at the time I wish I had."

"Oh. Thats lovely, I would be happy to show you my workshop." Ruby took another look at James' hands, the fleshed one with coated white and the larger metal one and had a thought. "I have an even better idea, how about you help me make something! You have big hands, should be easy to do."

The General took a look at his hand, the robotic one and his face lost the sweet smile that had been there moments ago. It returned slightly strained a second later but Ruby saw the quick change in expression and regretted her choice of words.

"You don't have to, I was just thinking it might be nice for you to have something you've made, if you are uncomfortable with that idea we can do something else." Though honestly she was a little disappointed. Ruby over the last few days had tried multiple times to come up with ways she and her soulmates could bond. She had been taking Qrow's words to heart and promised she would try. She thought that by making something with her it would help them grow closer but from the look of James' face she felt that perhaps that had not been the case.

Ironwood turned his cup thinking, the sweet scent of tea was oddly comforting. He was more of a coffee drinker but had come to appreciate the soothing scent and gentler beverages, mostly through Oz who hardly touched coffee and even less alcohol. He stared at the artificial arm, it held the tiny cup with delicate finses, he was always careful about the strength in that side of him. It was too easy to break things. Weapons, cutlery, even people, especially people.

James took another look at his mate and inwardly sighed, it wasn't Ruby's fault and he had never had to explain his disinterest in finer more delicate labors. He plastered a smile back on his face and took a long drink. "Ruby I would love to try and make something with you."

Tucking a lock of hair behind her ear Ruby met his smile and carried their cups to the sink. "Cool, we can head over now if you want."

So James walked with Ruby behind the house where he could see two different sized building on either side of the fence. When they went to the smaller shed he watched as Ruby pulled out several small pouches of cloth. When they reached the larger shed he asked. "Ruby, why do you keep supplies in a different area and what are these?"

"Oh this is dust, mostly fire Dust." She said lifting the larger pouch then the smaller ones. "Then a mixture of different Dusts, I use it to help blend my colours and it makes my work hmmm 'unique'."

"What do you mean?"

"Now that would be telling secrets James. Maybe I'll tell you one day, for now call it my secret ingredient. Most craftsmen don't use Dust, in fact I have never known anyone else using it the way I do. It can be too volatile and dangerous but that's another reason why I keep it far away from the rest of my supplies." Ruby opened the door to her workshop and headed straight towards the furnace at the far side of the room. "Have a look around while I get this up and running, it will take a few minutes."

James took his time, working slowly around the room. Shelves and tables took up the entire back wall, most of them had paints of every kind and colour. Brushes were kept in clean jars and pallets stacked beside them. The wall closest to the door had piles of blank canvases and bags of sand. The furnace and its equipment took up the rest of the room and while the room was bright from the ceiling lights, the windows were closed tightly. Probably to keep any stray animals out.

It didn't seem to take long, before he knew it James was holding a long pipe in one hand while molten sand and chemicals burned brightly on the end. Ruby had thought the best thing to do was make something simple so he was attempting a glass ball which would be used as a paperweight. "It would take far too long to make something really detailed and for your first time something simple would be best." She had said. Noe as Ruby helped him blow through the pipe he watched the air expand in the center. "Keep rolling the pipe, it will lose its shape otherwise." So he blew through the pipe, rolled it and blew again until it was a generous size.

Ruby took some Dust from one of her satchels and sprinkled it over the glass. As James rolled it again he saw the blue Dust change colour and expand with the glass before Ruby instructed him to lower the pipe into the a bucket of water by his feet.

Glass blowing was hot work, James felt nearly roasted alive and was glad he had chosen to remove his jacket and tie before commencing, how did Ruby do this all the time? He watched her as she shut off the furnace and moved the extra Dust away from the heated equipment. His muscles strained a small bit but it was nothing compared to some of the training he did. Where did Ruby get the strength to do this kind of work?

His silver eyed mate came to his side offering him a bottle of water, he could see the sweat dripping over her brow, the way it trailed down her face and neck. James took a long pull from the water, his eyes never leaving the sweat drop that descended over her collar bone. It teased him, shivering before slipping lower over the curve of her beast and out of view.

Ruby heard James groan softly and met his hungry gaze. His eyes ate up her sweat ridden body and she instantly felt the pull of desire that churned in her belly. She wet her lips, lingering over her dried skin before biting her lower lip. James's eyes latched on to the moment as moved closer to her, towering over her much smaller frame. "James."

He didn't even respond, swooping down to capture her lips with his, pulling her into a deep winding kiss that left her breathless and needy for more. His tongue swiped over hers, dancing to a tune she could only follow. The thud of the water bottle hitting the floor went unnoticed as James scooped Ruby into his arms, lifting her off the ground so he could reach more of her. His hardened trousers rubbing against her soft belly, Ruby gasped loudly into his mouth, letting him swallow her moans. James hands cupped her denim clad bottom, his fingers kneading over the covered flesh.

Ruby wound her arms over his head and shoulder, holding onto James as she kissed him, her legs naturally circling his waist to steady her body around him. When she felt his raging arousal under her bottom she purred again.

Together they made their way to one of the tables, James swiping a hands over the contents, knocking several jars away in his haste. As he lowered his mate onto the wooden table Ruby began slipping buttons off his shirt, her nimble fingers making quick work of his shirt and then they lowered unbuckling his trousers.

James frowned when he felt her hands carass over his chest, meeting cool metal with her flesh. He pulled back slightly, watching the way she panted, her face and chest flushed a bright red. "Ruby, I'm. . ."

The silver eyed raised one hand to stroke over his face while her other traced over the metal side of his chest. "You're beautiful James, this." She curled her hand over the metal. "Is just as beautiful as the rest of you. Never be ashamed of it, I'm not. This is a badge of courage and desire to live. I want you James, all of you."

Through those heavy lidded eyes he could see the truth in her words and it spurred him on more, his hands ripping at her grey blouse, the material floating to the ground in shreds. Her jeans were more difficult but he removed them as she kissed, nipped and licked at his exposed chest, arms and neck. Every touch burned him more and more, made him want her more. Desperation had him knocking her head with his, gaining entry to her mouth while he removed her last barriers between them.

Later Ruby and James returned to the house for a much needed shower. Then retired to her bedroom, the sheets were slung low on James's waist and Ruby rested on his flesh half. Idly she traced over the scarring that ran down his middle. "James," She asked deciding to voice something that had been bothering her. "Why are you so against sleeping with Oz? You know him better than me and yet your fine jumping straight to it with me."

James sighed. "I'm not really into men Ruby and Oz is very… complicated. In ways you simply aren't."

Ruby moved straddling him, she found she rather liked the metal of his body. She couldn't help but think Qrow would become hopelessly randy if he got to touch it. "How so?"

"Well for a start. Ozpin is male, beyond my lack of interest for that gender. I am the General of Atlas and Headmaster, can you imagine what it would do to my reputation if word got out at home that one of my soulmates was male?" James ran a hand through his hair. "Atlas is not Vale in that respect."

Ruby tapped his chest. "You know I recall a study going into the sexual preferences of soulmates. It basically came to the conclusion that some physical attraction had to be present. That the genders involved were always of some interest to the soulmates. You're lying aren't you? You do like men, it's just because of your position that you deny it."

James felt her bond upon his chest warm, damn he didn't know that a soulmate could feel something like that so easily. "I'm not lying, I just… Look I don't know. Maybe had I been raised in Vale or Vacuo it would be different, but I am Atlisian and I must met the expectations that come with that."

"That's very sad, please tell me you've told Ozpin that is what you are worried about." Ruby said, silence was the first response she got. "Seriously James? You haven't told him that's why you stay away?"

"And give him false hope? No, that would be cruel." James reached out and traced over her hip, she had very lovely hips.

"Why?"

James sighed. "Look Ruby Ozpin is… let's just say I'm surprised he's still around."

"Explain James." Ruby glared at him.

"Ozpin is depressed Ruby. The kind of depression that I don't think any of us can mend, I don't even know where it stems from. I'm a little amazed he hasn't tried putting a bullet in his brain. Or maybe he has and I just don't know about it. The point is, getting attached to someone that might be gone the next day doesn't strike me as a wise thing to do. I've never been able to love him like he wants to be loved. I can't help him. That's why I stay away, I try not to give him any hope because I fear that I would take it away one day and that would break him." James reached up to her cupping her head. "I do care about him, but I fear I would only make him worse."

Ruby sat in stunned silence, she hadn't picked up on that at the Gala or on their date. Worry made her heart pound, what could she do? Was there even anything that could be done? The desire to talk to Qrow welled up in her heart, she bit her lip but he wasn't here and wouldn't be till after James left. "I… I don't know what to say."

"That's been my state ever since I figured it out. I just don't know how to act around him." James said.

"We're his soulmates though, we should be able to help." Ruby sat down upon him. Her mind turned back to her father when her mother died, which lead back to Qrow. A smile flitted upon her lips.

"What are you thinking?" James asked.

"When my mom died, dad just kinda shut down. Qrow helped him though, Qrow brought him back to us. Maybe he'll have an idea of how to help Ozpin too!" Ruby beamed at the idea.

"Are you sure? Qrow doesn't strike me as the type." James said, surprised at how at the mention of the red eyed man she all but glowed.

"You just don't know him very well. Qrow's actually really good at this kind of thing. He's very experienced at reading people's emotions, he may play the part of drunkard but that's mostly so people relax and don't take him so seriously." Ruby smiled glancing away her insides warming at the thought of how he liked to read her.

James felt her squirm and knew a aroused squirm when he felt it. "Just what is your relationship with Qrow Branwen? You seem very close to him, yet you both swear you are not family."

Ruby blushed and said. "Well what other options are there for us to be?"

James looked her up and down, seeing the blush start to creep down her chest. "My Gods, you're lovers!"

The petite woman nodded biting her lip. "We were lovers. A few years ago I asked him to be my mentor in sex." She giggled. "Where did you think I learned?" Her features softened as she spoke hugging herself. "We didn't intend to fall in love, that just happened over time. When you and the others came along. It was actually Qrow that convinced me to try and get to know you all. I do love Qrow and he loves me. I don't know where I'd be without him."

Ruby shook her head trying to clear many images of passionate nights. "But that's not the point. Qrow is actually very well trained and read in many different mental conditions. I think part of why is because of my dad, but the rest is just him." Ruby looked for a comparison. "He's like the Master of a BDSM dungeon, he's learned about almost everything so he can make sure those around him are safe and if something goes wrong he can help. He's REALLY good at reading people, especially where sex and relationships are concerned. Mental stuff too, I think he'd be perfect to help Oz."

James had to lay there stunned for a moment. He could never imagine Qrow really loving someone and why would Qrow encourage Ruby to try with him if he loved her. "I don't understand, if he loved you wouldn't he try to keep you."

Ruby smiled. "That's the beauty of it, how I know he loves me with all his heart. In most cases you'd be right, but he puts me before his wishes. He doesn't have a soulmate mark, he's never had the opportunity that I've been given with you three. He wants me happy, to not waste what has been given to me, just because he loves me too. He knows that soulbonds can reach a level that normal couples never can and wants me to have that."

"I just can't see him being so selfless." James was trying to wrap his mind around it, his fingers dug into her hips as he thought about Qrow having her first… for years.

"As I said, I don't think you've ever seen beyond the tip of the very large iceberg that is my Qrow." Ruby squirmed feeling his grip tighten. "You aren't angry are you? I know Atlas does things very differently."

James took a deep breath and forced himself to relax his grip. "No I am not. I'll admit it's irksome but you have that freedom over your life. I have no right to be angry about what happened before I came into it." He ground his teeth forcing the words out. "And I suppose I have to thank him for stepping back with such grace."

Ruby giggled and said. "You really should, he'd appreciate the gesture on your part. Now, how about I show you some of the things he taught me. Would that make you happy?"

As she started pressing long kisses to his neck her hands roaming over his chest, James moaned. "I suppose so, might as well make use of your knowledge."

Roman looked up at the manor as he drove down the lane. It really was very impressive, though he could see most of the windows were dark and it had the air of being to large for just one man. He parked in the small lot and walked up to the stairs, a heavy knock upon the door announced his arrival.

Penny opened the door and looked him up and down. "Can I help you? Ozpin is not expecting guests."

"Just tell him Romulus came to visit." Roman crossed his arms and waited as Penny shut the door. A few minutes later it opened only this time it was Ozpin.

"Hello, I wasn't expecting you." He stepped back letting Roman into the house.

"Forgot to get your numbers before I headed out of the Gala." Roman said as they walked deeper into the place. He could see just the decorations were worth a small fortune but Oz didn't even seem to notice them.

"You did vanish, you didn't get to meet Ruby's… friend." Ozpin opened holly doors into his library. "I was just about to have some tea, would you like any?"

"No thank you and I'm sorry to have missed an friend of hers. Anyone I may know?" Roman sat down on the leather sofa and stretched, it was a nice sofa.

"Qrow Branwen. They say they are only friends but I am not so sure." Ozpin sat in the corner drawing his legs up and wrappings his arms around him. Qrow was definitely someone he wasn't sure he trusted completely. Something about what he and Ruby had said about each other struck him as off. "James told me a bit about him, he seems to be a very colourful character."

Roman paled, Qrow of all the people it would have to be HIM. That red eyed hunter of just about everything that went bump in the night, including 'him'. Qrow had worked with Vale's police force and they had nearly caught him a few times. "I've heard of him, big deal in the world of Huntsmen." He'd barely made it out by the skin of his teeth and with much help from Neo, bless her thieving little black heart.

"So I've found." Ozpin said looking at Roman out of the corner of his eye. "What of you? What do you do for a living?"

Roman shrugged. "Mostly freelance detective work. PI stuff, I was at the Gala for a friend who couldn't make it."

"I see, must be interesting work."

"Not really, lots of leg work and screen time. What about you? I read you backed down from CEO of your company, what do you spend your days doing?" Roman stretched out his arms over the back of the sofa, he traced a finger over Oz's arm.

"Inventing mostly. When I feel up to it, or reading. I'm rather dull to be honest." Ozpin bit his lip as Roman touched him, he slowly lowered his legs to the floor.

"I don't think so." Roman moved a little closer turning to face him while he skimmed a hand up Oz's inner thigh. "I read about you, what could be found. You are an amazing man."

Ozpin sucked in a breath as Roman closed closer, cupping his groin and rubbing gently as he continued to speak. "And I think it's a shame your here all alone, with no one to keep you company." Roman leaned up and kissed Ozpin's neck. This is going well, I knew it was going to be easy but I didn't think it would be this easy. He undid Oz's belt with ease and pushed his trousers open. "When was the last time someone touched you? Told you how good you look?" He wrapped his hand around Oz's length and started to gently stroke.

Oz moaned and grabbed Roman by the back of the head taking his lips in a kiss. At Roman's surprise he nipped the smaller man's lip and dove his tongue forward when Roman parted his lips in surprise. He slid a hand over Roman's shirt pulling the buttons open. "Too long." Ozpin said, rocking his hips up into Roman's touch. He could feel the bond around his wrist warming.

Penny walked into the room tea tray in hand and scowled. She knew her father was lonely but he usually was a bit slower to engage in physical affection. She coughed loudly and Ozpin ripped himself from Roman's touch grabbing a pillow to hide his crotch. "Penny! Do you mind? I was rather busy."

Penny walked over and set the tea on the table. "May I speak privately with you father?"

Roman pulled away rather glad he had the forethought to dye the hair upon his torso as well. "Bathroom?"

"Down the hall second door on the right." Oz said, fixing his clothes under the pillow.

"Right." Roman departed.

Penny spoke up as soon as the door closed. "Father are you sure it's a good idea letting yourself get so… attached to him? So quickly? You don't know anything about him."

Ozpin stood and walked away from her. "He is my soulmate."

"Father, you know that's not enough. I've been here a long time watching you go through partners. You've been 'in love' before and it's never ended well. You don't even love him, you can't yet! Yet you're letting him get all forward and handsy with you!" Penny almost chased Oz across the room. "I know you have been lonely and … depressed. But that's no excuse to throw away common sense."

Ozpin looked over and narrowed his eyes as the small girl. "What would you know about human emotions?"

Penny stepped away shocked at his tone, she would have cried if she had been capable. "Fine. But you won't be able to say I didn't warn you." She turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, her hands fisted at her sides in agitation.

A minute later Roman returned and found Oz staring into the low burning fire. "You're done with your little talk?'

Ozpin looked away from the fire, the randomness of the flames had drawn him in. His eyes adjusted to the change in light and noticed that Romuls didn't hold the same brightness in his vision as Ruby did, or even as James did. Maybe Penny was right, maybe he was letting this progress to swiftly. "Yes… shall I show you around the manor? The grounds are lovely this time of day."

Private tour, oh yes please that will make this so much easier later on. Roman smiled. "Sure, I'd like that."

Roman smoked a cigar in his flat as Neo entered holding up their dinner. He could practically see the question she couldn't voice. "It went fine, I even got him to show me around the place. Though I get the feeling he didn't show me everything, not even a whisper of a workplace or a laptop that would be easy to lift though. I get the feeling that he doesn't trust me enough."

Neo put their dinner down and made a vulgar gesture.

Roman sighed. "No I didn't sleep with him, though not for lack of trying. It was going great till this girl I think manages the house came in and requested a 'private talk'. After that he barely responded to physical touch. I'll try again later, maybe offer to take him out somewhere away from the girl." He took a long drag of his cigar. "And oh get this. Ruby, she's best friends with Qrow fucking Branwen."

Neo visablly paled.

"Yeah, that was me. I guess she's off the list. Damn I wanted to fuck that pretty little ass, but if Qrow's in town and fond of her. I best stay as far away as I can." Roman smirked. "At least Oz is easy."

Tyrian walked home, his boots echoed on the lonely street, loud in comparison to the empty silence around him. All around him lay homes abandoned and forgotten. The few people that occupied the run down houses shied away from the presence of others, keeping their children inside and out of danger. There were never the sounds of laughter, no happy children running amok, no elderly sat on their porches, nothing. Only tears, only fear, and only madness.

As the Scorpion moved closer to his home a man came into his field of view, his head down, hands at his sides. As he came closer Tyrian noticed the shallow eyes twitched nervously. A pickpocket, he could smell the stench of drugs and cheap whiskey, the slight tremble of the man's hands betrayed him and his motives. As he came within reaching distance Tyrian let out a low growl and the human halted in his tracks. The smell of fear grew and the man nearly pissed himself shocked into stillness while the Faunus turned at the corner and out of sight.

Tyrian wanted to laugh but instead all that came out was a sneer, his usual energy faltering in the steaming sun. He didn't like being out at this time of day, it exhausted him, even his beloved tail was slacking behind him almost trailing on the cracked pavement. It wasn't the heat so much as the light, the summer sun was trying to bathe the world in a yellow glow and it was too bright for his sensitive eyes, if he had sunglasses he would have worn them. No this was a punishment for him, to walk in this painful light without aid was his penance. He would let the blistering rays burn his eyes and in doing so be forgiven for his crimes. The ones he committed against his soulmate. She would forgive him and when she did he would take Ruby into his arms and love her with everything in his heart. The corner of his lips tilted up when he imagined her soft silvery eyes running wet with salty tears that he would lick up before biting down on the full red lips. Tyrian felt his tail shiver as he recounted all of his fantasies, this time he promised himself, this time he wouldn't break her. She will be free from her soulmates and be with him again and again and again and again and again and again. His mouth salivated with a thirst, a thirst for her, for his love.

His home came into view, the house stood alone, grey and crumbling from the inside. Its gardens overgrown with weeds and thorn bushes. No flower could bloom here suffocated by the long grass and nettles. He had tried, for his soulmate to make her flowers grow, but they had all withered in his hands. Now there was only one flower he worked for, wanting it to bloom with everything in his being and she would, that he promised himself.

As he went inside a whimper could be heard from the spare room and Tyrian grinned, dropping the last two bags on the couch as he went to the locked door. Taking out a single key from his brown overcoat he opened the heavy wood door and watched his test subject cower behind a cage of thick iron bars. A pair of brown rabbit ears lowered, pressed against her head in submission or maybe it was just fear.

"Please let me out." She whispered coarsely, her voice grated on his nerves like fingernails on a chalkboard but he kept his face devoid of emotion and lost himself in thought. Its defiantly big enough, strong enough and I couldn't hear anything until coming in the front door . The sight of the yellow stain on the metal floor annoyed him, he couldn't have Ruby live here if his test subjects were going to piss all over the floor. The faunus girl gripped the metal bars of the cage, she was as close to height and build as Ruby was, which was why he used her in testing it out. She still couldn't stand up straight but instead of hunching over she simply leaned onto her knees and tried pleading again to the crazed Faunus. "Please let me go, let me leave, I want to go home please mister."

Tyrian's yellow eyes snapped to her and for a moment she thought they flashed a deep purple, but when she blinked they remained yellow even as his lips turned up in amusement. "Okay." He shrugged his shoulder and lifted his hands dramatically. "But only if you answer me one question."

Velvet was shaking in relief, if she could get out, she'd run as fast as she could, then go to the police, someone had to stop him. The things he had made her do . . . they utterly terrified her. Even now her back ached and her sore legs quivered with fear. "Yes, yes anything." She would do anything to get out of here. Her eyes were wet with tears and her lips cracked from dehydration. If she didn't get help soon it wouldn't matter if he let her go or not.

Tyrian only smiled and reached around his neck for a small key, his other hand rested inside his coat pocket. Taking great pains and slowness he unlocked the cage door and slowly opened it, Velvet shifted onto her knees ready to make a break for it she had to believe she would be fast enough to get away but the moment his question came she felt herself still, trembling with fear. "Was the cage comfortable?" He asked in a low voice, devoid of any emotion.

The bunny Faunus leapt forward panicked by the Tyrian's question and when she grabbed the cage door to stand her eyes met purple and pain erupted in her chest. Velvet looked down seeing the white slip she'd been wearing now coated with red, the knife in her chest held in place by her jailer. He smiled as he twisted the knife listening to Velvets painful wailing before it was pulled back and her blood puddled over the floor. Her eyes turned up again to meet the scorpions purple ones. "Thank you so much for all your help." Velvet slumped forwards onto the ground and darkness overtook her.

Tyrian pulled out a trash bag, ripping it neatly with his tail before wrapping it around Velvets prone form. He dragged the body through his house and out the back door where a line of trees separated his home from the forest and his destination, the sound of rushing water ahead was what he walked towards. The cliff wasn't overly steep but the river at the bottom would take her body out to sea, thats if the Grimm didn't sniff it out and destroy it first. At least he would never have to look at it again.

As he unwrapped Velvets body, and leaned down to her long floppy ear he whispered into it softly. "Thank you for testing out all of my toys. Ruby will be pleased to know everything works as it should." Without another thought Tyrian lifted the body by her ear and threw it to the side, watching how her limp form fell the ten or so feet and disappear under the rushing water. Tyrian watched the body succumb to the current dragging it down and turned on his heel. He needed to clean the whole room now before he could bring Ruby. No way was he having her think that their home would smell as bad as the disgusting Faunus had made it.

The river flowed endlessly carrying its burden down stream, the head of a Faunus bobbed up and down with the current. It hit rocks and patches of ground before the white slip as tattered and ripped as it was caught on a downed log holding her there while the water rushed over head. The water trapped around her dyed a pale red with blood that flowed from her wounds.

The sound of something horrific emerged from the trees as Beowolves were drawn to the scent of blood. Catching sight of easy prey they advanced with teeth bared and dripping with anticipation. As one padded closer a sudden chorus of voices broke the quiet prowling monsters. "OH NO YOU DON'T!" The Huntsman extended his blade into a scythe, cleaving heads left and right, his dark hair flopping over his red eyes. More bodies broke through the treeline as a Faunus with a monkey tail, a man with dark skin and a giant cleaved sword tackled more of the Grimm. Two more men drawing appeared, offering cover fire to the others.

In moments they had the Grimm numbers depleted and one of the men, the Faunus caught sight of a fellow being almost submerged under the current and shouted. "There's somebody trapped! Quick, get help!" Sun jumped into the water, diving under Velvets body to pull her free from her log and with the help of his team mates got her out of the water.

Qrow quickly removed his cape, upon seeing the bleeding Faunus he balled it up, pressing it down on her wound while the members of team SSSN, a team he had been asked to supervise rushed to get help.

Velvet, in her heavy unmoving body felt the stirring of warmth press down on her chest. The pain was excruciating but she opened her eyes the slightest sliver. Her doe brown eyes met Qrows garnet ones and for the first time in days she felt things might finally be okay, she might be safe again. Her mouth tried to open to tell her saviors what had happened to her but when she lifted her head slightly the man with red eyes stopped her.

"Don't move, your badly injured, we are getting you help now." Qrow watched the darkness start to take the younger woman. The way she kept trying to move suggested she was trying to tell him something, perhaps the person who hurt her. "Can you tell me who did this to you. Who hurt you?"

Velvet moved her lips trying to make words when all she wanted was to sleep. She didn't know the Scorpion's name, her strength failing her. Trying again she got out one word, "Ru-by" before darkness stole her away.