ahsoei: Never mentioned Horatio being from Kuroyuri…just that his father died there. There are a few illustrations of Horatio and Roland on AzaryaS' DeviantArt account. A Piece depicting Olivia is currently in the works.

Lelouch of Zero: Poor Horatio, he wants to help everyone he cares about, his inability to choose one evil over another tears him in all directions. Thank you again! :D

And with that…ONTO THE SHOW!

Roland jabbed forward, firing Ember Celica. This time he rotated to fire three chambers at alternating intervals around the gauntlet, it was much harder than Yang made it look. He succeeded as the three rounds blasted forward; decimating the boulder he had dragged into the field near the house. He liked to think he had improved somewhat since Yang had shared the secrets to mastering the right half of her weapon she could no longer use. With a final huff of breath he leaned forward to relax, the gauntlet retracting into the gold bracelet.

"Good show," the familiar sound of the blonde huntress' voice drew his attention and a smile. She made her way over, still wearing the Atlesian prosthetic. More and more she had been treating it as her actual arm, he was pretty sure she only took it off for bed now. "Care for a third round?"

"Please," he raised his hands in a feeble gesture followed by a chuckle. "Between you, Pyrrha and your dad I think I've had enough for one day."

Yang nodded mercifully, remembering the savage beatings he had taken, Roland was no offensive fighter. His tactics expecting there to be a shield protecting him as he fought was evident in his style. He was full of openings that she took FULL advantage of. They both got practice and training; Yang even started improving her holding techniques. It was entertaining to have Roland immobilized beneath her and her father's restrained parental instincts each time she did it.

Speaking of openings in his style…

"You said you wanted to show me something?" Yang asked as he picked himself up, a wide grin on his face as she reminded him.

"Pyrrha wanted to hold off…but I can't wait!"

Wide-eyed and excited, he led her around to the shed, making sure she kept her eyes closed as he guided her inside, squeezing her hands as he did so and bringing a smile to the young girl's face.

"Aaaaand…open!"

Yang complied, eyes squinting to adjust to the darkness of where she and Ruby had both perfected their weapons of choice. A medium-sized round shield sat on the bench still partially under construction but it was obvious the hard part had been done. She recognized a few of the features immediately; it was Roland's no doubt.

"There wasn't enough material to rebuild the missing half," he explained as she looked it over. "So Pyrrha felt that shearing it down into a new shape would work, I had some designs for improvement and she knew EXACTLY how to implement them. I'll be adding an outer section with leftover metal to give it greater surface area. The half-moon opening is to allow me to take pot shots while still…"

Yang was barely listening, realizing that he had redone the paint job across the face of his aegis. Before, the emblem had been a cross painted within flanking laurel wreaths. Now however a radiant, though admittedly mediocrely painted, sun was resting within them.

"Why did you change your family crest?" Yang asked, shocked that he would make alterations to something so important. Roland looked confused before realizing her meaning.

"Oh, nonono, the cross was never my family sigil; it's the laurel wreaths that are important."

The young huntress shrugged her shoulders, not understanding.

"The laurels represent our resolve, our strength to protect what we cherish most." He started to glance away awkwardly as he explained the next part. "What is inside the laurels are what we fight for, the cross was my dad's before he married mom. This…is mine."

"A sun?" Yang could not hide her smile, shaking her head at what kind of man he was. "You already have me you know," she fell back on her comfort zone of jokes. "You don't have to work so hard."

"Hey, if it makes you feel better that was my second choice. I wanted an extravagant gold dragon…but I have no talent for painting."

That was all Horatio…

"Is that a dust generator?" Yang noticed his smile drop at that last remark and worked to change the subject. She recognized a small device half exposed being installed within.

"That…I have been working on," he admitted embarrassed. "I had a plan but it's been problematic. No matter what I do I can't get it working."

"Dust can be pretty unstable, that is why I settled on using ammo in mine rather than full crystals."

"I suppose, I just had this great idea for…"

As he spoke, Roland slapped the surface of the shield hard mostly out of frustration. Unbeknownst to him he had left a small shard of dust in the compartment when last working on it and had forgotten to remove it before leaving. His impact set off the device and detonated the fragment, nothing bigger than a small firework display, but enough to cause an unexpected boom resounding throughout the shed.

"Geez, sorry I…"

To his horror and pounding guilt, Yang's hand had started to shake and eyes widen with a jump back, the sound clearly enough to set off an attack. Roland berated himself over and over internally.

I'm a moron! I was too relaxed! I forgot to watch out for that sort of thing! Pyrrha and Tai are inside; I don't want her that terrified for even a second longer!

Without hesitation, praying he was making the right decision, Roland rushed forward and wrapped her in a secure yet relaxed embrace so she did not feel trapped. In that moment, even though she knew it was him, her instincts all demanded solitude, she raised her new metal fist towards him.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he repeated every calming phrase he could think of. "It's just me, Roland. I am here for you; you are at Patch with me, Tai, Pyrrha…"

Yang's fist was about to strike his face, until she suddenly felt a soft sensation. In a bid to calm her down, without thinking he had started stroking her hair, the very same that she would have considered killing if anyone else even touched a single strand. As he continued speaking gently to her, he ran his hands up and down her gold mane still tied into a haphazard ponytail. The touch was so familiar…

Just like the day he helped me with my hair to get out of that room, how many people have I allowed to touch it? I could count them on one hand…and how many guys…

The thoughts seemed to allow her breath to slow, pulse to calm and her vision to clear. All previous instinct to drive him away passed, only leaving a moment of peace. Instead, she unfolded her fist, wrapping it around Roland in a tight embrace refusing to let him go…she couldn't let him go, lest he see the tears rolling down her face if she backed away.

"Maybe," he started with a soft chuckle. "We could get another spar in before dinner."

"I'd like that," was her only reply. Despite their words, neither moved from that spot until the risk of Tai barging in to alert them to the food being ready entered their minds.

Menagerie…

Esmerelda leapt from rooftop to rooftop in pursuit of Yuma, he had a considerable lead but she didn't care. She had to reach him, talk to him; surely he would listen to reason..

Why would he ever join the White Fang? He despised the way his father acted, what could possibly have…?

A line caught Esmerelda's leg as she was deep in thought, growing taut in an instant and snapping back. The young huntress was slammed into the ground though was able to drop into a stance on all fours to cushion the impact.

"Who is out…?"

Esmerelda bent backwards as her only reply was a knife hurtling towards her face; the blade passed by so close she felt the wind from it. Watching the weapon, she realized it was attached to another line similar to the one still wrapped around her ankle. That one tugged again, threatening to yank her off her feet. With a quick motion, she drew her naginata, severing the cable and allowing her to parry the knife on its return trip.

"Pity, hoped you'd just be a good girl and let it end fast."

Esmerelda finally caught sight of her assailant, it was a woman with dark grey hair though was clearly rather young, barely older than Ezzy at most. She had a smaller build and was arrayed in the same black attire Yuma had been wearing albeit sleeveless and unzipped just enough to show a bit of cleavage.

Is this really the time to show off?

Esmerelda followed the strands back into the woman's hands where they disappeared within. At first she appeared to be wearing gloves, but upon closer inspection she realized the grey was her hands skin tone with similarly colored veins spreading up her arm, her faunus trait obvious.

A spider…

Esmerelda extended her weapon to a polearm length, generating a pair of clones around her. She could take no chances if she were to pursue Yuma. The spider-girl whipped the knife around her body over and over, bending it around her neck, arms, legs and shoulders, allowing it to twirl in hard to follow, unpredictable paths. She was using her dagger and webbing into a variation of a rope-dart, incredibly hard to master but deadly if successful.

The blade lashed out, forcing Esmerelda to duck as a clone parried it. Impossibly, the rope bent to block her path, somehow wrapping several times around her weapon. Esmerelda pulled back, her clones flying forward yet the woman jumped and twirled between them expertly. Once past them, she twisted to deliver an aerial spin-kick into Esmerelda's head. The force sent her flying to the side and into a wall, the naginata ripped from her hands to clatter to the ground.

She's good!

Spinning her legs, Esmerelda kicked the knife away at the hilt as it flew towards her simultaneously using the momentum to return her to her feet. Her live weapon was down across the field, but she still had the aura clones and created a third for good measure.

"Get out of my way, Yuma…"

"Is with us now, with me and if you want to get to him, you'll have to get through me first."

"Deal," Esmerelda gritted her teeth, a bit of teenage frustration slipping past her military-honed restraint.

She strafed to the side, gripping a glowing purple weapon while advancing, one replica over her shoulder flying forward as the previous had. The mysterious attacker released her web rope, attempting to parry it but Esmerelda's will caused it to recover faster than before. In response, the rope seized the weapon, dragging it to the ground as she spun to lash out.

Esmerelda was in melee range now, slicing clean through the web and causing her clone along with the knife to fall to the ground, but it did not last. A fresh string lashed out from the spider's other hand, retrieving the knife and spinning to wrap around her head. The auburn-haired huntress barely brought a weapon in time to block the knife from slicing her face. It took every ounce of discipline she had mastered to remain focused on the fight while also directing her clones.

"Why…are you doing this?" Esmerelda grunted as the two remained locked in combat, she couldn't get an angle to use her third clone without a risk to hitting herself this close.

"Because Yuma is home with us, you won't be poisoning his mind again like you did as a child."

"*I* poisoned…" Esmerelda's anger reached a boiling point.

The unused naginata faded away, merging with the one in her hand. The previous density matching her own blade started to bend and grow malleable, even the one wrapped within her webs grew limp and freed itself from her grip.

"What?" The girl known as Trifa gasped before Esmerelda elbowed her in the gut, high-kicking to catch her in the chin. After recovering she looked up with shock and awe.

The young huntress in-training had converted her own aura clones into identical copies of her knife and webbing rope. It took far greater concentration due to the unfamiliar weapon design, but her naginata was too predictable, too easy to match against such an exotic weapon. Her face was twisted in a smug grin, one of the few times such a look graced the face of one trained with Atlesian discipline. She released the glowing knife-copy which was dodged aptly, but she had prepared for it. The blade few past, wrapping around her discarded physical polearm. With a flick of her wrist she returned it to her hands now armed with her own blade and copies of Trifa's rope-dart ready to fight.

The spider-faunus renewed her assault, whipping and twirling her rope-knife far more proficiently than before, twisting and bending impossibly to perform attack after attack. Esmerelda was not as skilled with the new instrument, but at her two clones to Trifa's one, she could keep it tied up and busy as she danced in closer. A rope clone wrapped alongside hers like coiling snakes, preventing her from using it in defense. Stepping close, Esmerelda spun, cracking Trifa in the gut as hard as she could with the shaft of her weapon. With a cry, Trifa flew into the nearby shed, cracking the old wood beams as she went through it, her grey-white aura sputtering from the strain.

"Now, you are going to tell me everyt…"

In a flash, Trifa had a line of webbing leading up to the roof, pulling herself up and away. Esmerelda groaned in frustration as she jumped after her, Yuma was long gone and no way to follow, but at least she could pursue her. Between the spider-girl's fast movements and webbing allowing lines between the roofs she was quite fast.

The city isn't that big, as long as I can keep her in range I can estimate where she might be heading. The White Fang ARE active here, the General will be…

"Help, somebody!"

The voice cut through the air, causing the huntress to pause. She would have stopped to help anyone truly in need of aid; however the identity of the voice was unmistakable.

"Blake?"

Following the cry, Esmerelda found her faunus classmate kneeling atop a further roof, hands pressed securely over a bleeding wound in Sun's chest. He had lost consciousness though his features were warped in pain.

"Not again, not again, please hold one."

"What happened?" She asked as she landed gracefully, unwrapping the shawl from around her waist to bind the injury.

"Ezzy! We…I saw a White Fang member. We fought her and Sun…he got hit! We have to get him somewhere safe."

"I faced one too; will your parents' house be safe? They have guard details don't they?"

Blake nodded quickly as she and Esmerelda wrapped one of Sun's muscular around her neck. Blake did the same as they pulled him to his feet.

"It isn't too far from here, let's go. Be careful and hold him steady…just like that."

Forest in Anima…

Olivia collapsed to the ground in exhaustion, the remainder of Team RNJR behind her. They had been running for hours since pursuing Cinder's knight yet had made seemingly no headway against him. No matter how hard they pushed themselves he always stayed ahead somehow. It finally came to the point they had to rest, however briefly.

"Just a…few minutes," even Nora was tired. "Has he deviated at all?"

Olivia shook her head; pointing forward in the direction they were headed. It was almost as if their quarry was not truly trying to throw off pursuit, but was simply moving as fast as possible.

"Is there anything in that direction?" She asked, checking Jackal once more to ensure she would be completely ready once the fight started…if they could catch up. Jaune pulled out their map, trying to judge their direction and location. He was burning up in his armor keeping such a pace, wiping the sweat from his brow.

"The next village is a few days out, the only thing before then in that direction are ruins. The name is scratched out; I guess it was destroyed a while back."

Nora's ears perked up, with their travel through the area she hadn't thought about where they were exactly, though an uneasy suspicion creeped into her mind exacerbated by Ren's terrified expression. The two had been together ever since…

"What is the name of the ruins?" She asked quietly.

"Kuroyuri."

Ren noticeably tensed, the pink Valkyrie knew him too well. He wanted to voice his desire to avoid them at all costs, that she must surely be incorrect…but with Ruby's safety on the line he swallowed his fears and uncertainties.

You dummy, of course I don't want to go back either…

Years Ago…

A young girl ran through the streets of Kuroyuri, a loaf of bread in-hand. She had been ecstatic to have seen so much food thrown out and was quick to seize it, but she'd been too careless, a pair of boys no older than eight had spotted her and were giving chase. Normally she was much faster, better at staying hidden as she had the days since coming across the village, but she was so hungry, so tired. She rounded a corner hoping to lose them.

A third boy was waiting for her while the other two chased, she saw him too late as he reached out to grab the bread in her hands. The girl ducked but lost her footing from the woozy feeling of hunger that blurred her vision and tumbled to the hard ground. The delay gave enough time for the other two to catch up and surround her.

"Hey, where'd you get that bread?" One shouted mockingly as the rest followed his lead.

"I didn't see you pay for it, thief!"

"Ew look it's all moldy!"

As the bullies continued berating her, she spotted a fourth boy in the distance. He had short black hair with a tuft of pink wearing a green robe and white pants looking much more proper than the ones before her. She did not recognize him from any who had accosted her in the past, he looked absolutely terrified as if he'd come across the scene by accident. It looked like he didn't know what to do and was frozen in place as a result of his indecision.

"Did she get it from the trash?"

"Let me see!" One of them reached out towards her only source of food. Snapping back to the children before her, in desperation the street urchin lashed out, chomping down hard on his outstretched fingers.

"OW! She bit me!" He cried out in pain and surprise. In retaliation he shoved her hard, throwing the starving orphan to the ground and sending the bread sliding away.

She didn't care about the kids; she had come to expect it from them around town. Their parents raised them to believe they were superior to the rest of the kingdom, of course they would assume the same of those around them. She did, however care about her next meal, with utter desperation she scrambled after the bread, her heart turning to ice as she realized it had slid next to the heavy boot of an adult.

Looking up, she spotted a tall man wearing a heavy royal blue trench coat with round armored pauldrons on both shoulders and a breastplate under the coat. His pants were dark and thick leading down to steel-toed combat boots. He had lighter brown hair just starting to grey and piercing blue eyes. Across his back was slung an impressive elaborate sword longer than she was tall, his eyes looked gentle yet confused…until they rounded on the hoodlums. He was carrying a white bag filled with various goods and foods as if he'd just come from the market square.

"What is going on here?" He demanded in a commanding voice.

"Just cleaning up the trash," the first boy remarked to the accompaniment of the others. "Having a bit of fun."

The man kneeled down, looking between the girl panting in terror at his sight and the mold-covered bread to the side. He smiled reassuringly as he reached into the bag, producing a fresh loaf baked into the shape of a cat. Tenderly, he broke off a piece and offered it to the girl. She looked at it suspiciously, reaching out ever so slowly…finally snatching it and devouring the chunk in seconds.

"You three should be ashamed!" He turned to the others. "This girl has not had the same blessings as you; it is cruelty befitting a Grimm to wish worse upon her."

"Hey, don't lecture us!" The leader stomped his foot. "My dad pays your salary; if you don't get out of here I'll…"

"You'll tell your father all about how you three were generating enough negative emotions in this girl to draw in a pack of creepers from the surrounding forest?" He snapped, causing the three to pale. "I thought there was an increase in activity this week; shall I report to your parents my professional assertion of what is causing it?"

The three boys scrambled at the threat, turning down a nearby alleyway and beating a hasty retreat. They were gone in a matter of seconds, giving the huntsman time to return to the girl still frozen in fear.

"I am sorry about that," he apologized. "Do you have a home or anyone you know in town?" After letting her frantic breathing subside at his kind words, the girl shook her head slowly. "Where are you from?"

She gave no answer.

"That bread is no good, you can make yourself sick. How about we make a deal instead?"

The girl raised an eyebrow.

"I'll give you this entire loaf," he motioned towards the one he still had in his bag. "But in exchange we find a nice place for you to live in town. There are kind people here, I am sure…"

"What are you doing here?"

Her savior turned as another adult approached. This one looked much sterner with grey-streaked black hair with a matching goatee. His attire was that of a sleeveless green vest over a white long shirt and black pants. He had a hand on the shoulder of the boy she saw from before who had his head lowered in shame at his inability to do anything.

"Li! Just setting a few of the other youngsters straight." He approached the archer and embraced him in a hug between comrades. "I am afraid the situation is a bit more complicated," he motioned towards the young orange-haired girl.

"Who is she?"

"She won't talk," the huntsman sighed as he lowered his voice. "Might be a survivor of an outlying village, the Grimm have been more active to our neighbors. I hate to ask but…"

"I will need to speak with An," the older man interrupted, guessing his purpose. "I am certain she will not object. Can you watch her for the night? We have enough troubles from normal Grimm packs to not worry about our own citizens adding to them."

"Thank you, of course if I can convince her to trust me," the tall huntsman waved to the boy at Li's feet who kept his head down nearly on the verge of tears. "Tell An I said hello."

As Li took his son and left, the huntsman in charge of Kuroyuri's defenses returned his attention to the girl, thankful that she hadn't taken the opportunity to run.

"Is that alright?" He asked kindly. "You can get a good meal, rest and tomorrow we see about finding a home for you." She looked nervous but after several moments nodded as he placed the full loaf in her hand, stressing her to take the bites slow and steadily. "Do you have a name?" He finally asked as he took her hand and they started towards his house across town.

"N-Nora."

"It is a pleasure to meet you Nora, my name is Hattori. I have a little boy about your age. When my family moves here I am sure he would love to meet you."

Mistral Farm…

It is imperative we leave as soon as possible. I am sorry but we have no choice in this.

Oscar continued milking the cows for the morning chores, having resolved that he was unwell and to ignore the voice. Despite this Ozpin's assertions, he refused to engage with him in conversation hoping to outlast the voice. He continued on his daily routine as the assertions continued.

You didn't see it in a book, how could you remember the smell and taste of the coffee if you had? We can help so many people out there; I need to get in contact with my associates.

Oscar remained resolute as he collected eggs; they had no further trouble with any snatchers. Both he and the voice in his head theorized the lone Grimm must have been one that strayed from the pack before it moved on. Most of the time, the instincts of smaller Grimm kept them away from large settlements. It had likely grown bold out of necessity though they worried it may have been stealing eggs to lure out prey one at a time.

Many people could be hurt and are at risk while we stay here, we must head to Haven at once.

Ozpin was getting desperate; Oscar could hear it in his voice. He had started out assuring him all the good he could do and to get him off the farm for something more. When that hadn't worked he moved on to a greater mission and convincing him what he saw in their memories was real and not a dream. Now it almost seemed like he was trying to guilt him. Oscar wasn't having any of it; he would stand his ground even if…

I have many enemies, if they find out I am here no one on this farm will be safe.

Oscar had been cleaning the barn out, bucket of water and rag in hand. At those words, however he dropped both. Falling to his knees he gripped his head in frustration, tears welling in his eyes.

"I don't want to…"

Neither do I.

"But…my aunt…"

Will be much safer with us as far from here as possible, of that you have my word. Sometimes…we have to give up the things we love most for the greater good. If nothing else please believe me that I know that pain most of all.

No matter how much Oscar wanted to argue, he just couldn't. Something deep inside just told him he wasn't lying. Was it his own intuitions, or the foreign invader's? He had to admit to himself, he had dreamed of being whisked away from the farm to far off adventure. But now that the opportunity was literally in front of him…he just couldn't do it.

Why not? Most unsettlingly, the voice was ever aware of his conflict, part of their bond as he had said.

"I'm scared."

That is understandable, anyone would be. It does not make you any less up to the task than others whom have been in your place. I will admit there have been more…fitting bonds, but there also have been far worse.

"Then how do you know I can even help?"

Truthfully? I do not, but rarely does anyone know such things starting out. I have strived to protect this world and change it for the best…but I will not lie in that I have made more mistakes than any man, woman and child on this planet. Like you, all I can hope to do is move forward…and hope the future is better.

Kuroyuri, Years Ago…

Nora jolted up in her bed uncertain if it had been due to hearing something or merely her nerves. Glancing around, it took her a moment to remember where she was. She was laying on a small bed meant for a child, the huntsman leading the city's defense, Hattori Soplar, had given her permission to use it. After a meal and preparing a bath for her, she had been exhausted. Apparently the room was meant for his own son who had yet to relocate to Kuroyuri with his wife.

The bed was covered in sheets the same color blue as most of the huntsman's attire. The walls were half painted and appeared to be depicting snow, fallen leaves and green fields; clearly he hadn't prioritized finishing the room yet. In the middle was a table with a lamp of a design she had never seen before. Nora became fascinated with the device, there was a light source inside that when turned on threw shapes onto the walls. Timidly, she clicked the switch on.

The light shined through the silhouettes as it started to spin. Nora looked up in wonder as each one showed what looked like a step of dancing with the shattered moon overhead. Each step had the moon in a different phase, making it easier to memorize the particular shape below. A man and woman embraced as they went through the steps of the complicated dance, the young orphan could not help but smile a she imagined herself doing the same.

Making her way into the kitchen it became evident Nora was alone; Hattori must have left for one reason or another. His half-eaten meal was growing cold on the table; a small display was set up with five extinguished candles sitting upon it.

The smile on her lips died quickly as a blood-curdling scream cut through the air, the same noise that had roused her from sleep. Memories of her hometown flooded back, she had prayed this new one would be safer…she was wrong. With hesitant, terrified steps she peeked out the front door.

The stinging smell of something burning reached her nose first, forcing her to cover it with her hand. A great black plume was rising from the other side of town; unbeknownst to her it was the main gate. The richer inhabitants had spared no expense on the defense, automated turrets and dust cannons meant to keep out entire hordes of Beowolves. Yet, despite their preparedness, the sounds of cannon and gunfire had long since gone silent.

People were fleeing from the smoke, clearly knowing more than she did. She blamed herself for growing so accustomed to the comfortable bed, the soft sense of peace that let her drift into such a deep sleep. Had the Grimm followed her? That fear would haunt her for years to come.

"Li! Look out!"

She heard his voice, the huntsman who had taken her in, not far ahead from the sounds of it. As her heart lifted with hope it was quickly dashed. The wall between her and the next street exploded as a body came flying through, it was Hattori. He was battered, bleeding badly and his left arm was clearly broken. The mighty sword on his back was held in his last good hand and he spat blood as he rose to his feet. He did not spot her hiding beneath the nearby porch.

"What is going on Hattori?" Li asked as he looked over his friend's injuries. "Your aura…"

"I don't know!" His normally confident and stoic friend shouted in pained frustration. "This…this has never happened before, I can't reconstitute it!"

A sickening shriek from the entrance cut through the air, causing the two warriors to look onward in terror. Li Ren drew an arrow and fired into the smoke, clearly believing it was a useless gesture as something large and black moved within it.

"Get An and Lie," Hattori shouted. "I'll slow it down!"

"It will kill you!"

"Just get your family, Nora, whoever else you can and RUN!" Hattori gripped the sword in his hand that looked almost too heavy to wield now. Groaning in pain he ran towards the dark shape…the last Nora ever saw of him was disappearing into the smoke obscuring the monstrous silhouette and a crackling boom from the weapon in his hand. None knew that his final thoughts were an apology to his wife and son; he had tried so hard to find a place for them to live safely…

The terrified girl couldn't move, even as the horrific Grimm killed everyone nearby and moved on. Not even as the hordes moved in its wake, she just huddled there clutching her arms. She refused to move…right up till the moment a familiar green-robed young boy found her. He held her close, hiding their emotions with his newly awakened semblance…and the unbreakable bond between them had been forged.

Present…

Nora squeezed Ren's hand tight, both of them recalling the horrors of that night. Not everyone the young girl had met had perished; he had survived and been by her side all this time. It took every ounce of energy in her body not to throw herself into a hug right then and there, they had no time.

"Okay, enough rest," Jaune called out to the still tired pursuers. "Olivia, lead the way…we have to keep moving and find Ruby at all costs."

Mistral Farm…

"Do you think the coast is clear?"

How would I know? The voice asked almost patronizingly. We are bonded, I can literally see no more than you can.

Oscar shrugged admitting the ridiculousness of the question, slinging the satchel over his back he peeked outside the door. As expected, the field was empty, he'd prepared his supplies for the trip but food would be noticed missing almost immediately. In order to make it out unseen he'd have to grab what he could and head out once his aunt went to sleep.

The young boy snuck onto the porch, creeping into the house being sure to avoid each of the notoriously noisy and creaky boards. Once he was inside he could pick what food he needed having carefully decided how much could go missing but not cause an issue for her and the other farmhands. He'd never live it down if he caused even more trouble. He'd even spent the previous night writing a heartfelt farewell note asking her to forgive him and that she didn't have to worry. He ended with true thanks for how she had watched over him since his parents died and he would always be grateful.

I can leave it on the table; it's the first place she goes every morning. She'll be sure to…

A sudden light source caused the farmhand's joints to lock up. He froze as if the illumination had some power over him, yet it was not the newfound radiance that caused him to pause, but the absolutely livid older woman sitting at the dinner table. His Aunt Melanie was in a dull green robe, arms crossed over her chest with fingers tapping aggravatingly, her look bored into his eyes at having caught him in the act.

"Going somewhere?" She asked quick and harshly.

"I…"

Calm down son, that is a look of concern, not anger.

"You aren't very subtle," she explained without any provocation. "Did you think food was the ONLY thing I monitored? How often do you do your own laundry? And then not bothering to put the clothes away, a map of the region, then there was emptying out your little rainy day fund…

She knew about that?

"I," she sighed, finally standing to her full height. "I just want to know that you aren't doing what I think you're doing."

Oscar turned his head away; he could never lie to her.

"Why?" She asked almost begging. "Aren't you happy here? Haven't I, Hanz and the others worked to keep you safe, to…?"

"It's not that!" Oscar interrupted immediately before she came to the wrong conclusion. "I just, I have to go. I want to be a huntsman," he told the truth to an extent. "I can do so much out there that I can't here."

"So you'll go out there," she was almost on him. "Fight the things that took…"

Oscar reached out instinctively, hugging his aunt tightly, causing her to freeze at the sudden action.

"I know you just want to protect me," he started much to Ozpin's pride. "But if I just stay here, I'll just be hiding. No matter how scary it can be out there…I want to try."

"I won't allow it," she answered quickly as they parted, stomping her foot defiantly. "So help me I'll tie you down in that barn!"

Oscar let out the hints of a smile, he knew she was grasping out of concern, but he couldn't back down now.

"I'm 14 auntie, I'd get out…maybe not today or tomorrow, but eventually you'd have to let me out. Maybe next time you went to the fair…"

Oscar stopped as soon as he saw the tears in her eyes; it took all the resolve backed by the voice in his head to stand his ground. It wasn't just to see the world and help others; it was to keep her safe. At the very least he owed her that much.

"Thanks auntie," he leaned in to plant a kiss on her cheek. "I'll write whenever I can, maybe meet a knight or two I can send your way."

"Well," she sniffed back the tears. "You can't very well go unprepared can you?"

She reached under the table, pulling out a backpack. Based on the shape it was filled to bursting with supplies, food and bottled water. There was enough to last him at least several days in case he had difficulty making it to the nearby town. Oscar could only look slack jawed at the provisions his aunt had made in advance.

What a remarkable woman.

You can say that again.

His Aunt Melanie leaned forward, giving him one last squeeze stronger than before. For a moment Oscar feared she would follow through on her threat to hold him there by force. Only a moment though as he reciprocated the hug not even caring that the voice in his head was surely watching.

I'll…give you two some privacy, take all the time you need. At those words he departed and for the first time in many long days, Oscar was alone with his thoughts.

What am I getting myself into?

Salem's Domain…

Cinder stumbled into her room, she had been training with Salem for hours and the exertion had taken its toll. The young Maiden couldn't even summon the fire in her eye any longer and each step was more grueling than the last. Emerald, ever loyal to a fault, had tried to help her but she refused. Despite that, the green-haired illusionist hung near Cinder, just waiting for a moment she might be needed. Despite her most scathing look, she remained close, risking whatever punishment might follow.

"Please Cinder," Emerald stressed. "This won't help to do this to yourself. Just let me…"

"Silence," Cinder quickly signed with her right hand, the left still obscured beneath the red sleeve. Emerald swiftly complied.

"Hor…Ember asked us to look after you," she admitted. His request had been quite clear before his departure. "You did command us to listen to him after you right?"

Cinder shot another annoyed glance, Emerald looked down yet continued to stand there. After recruiting her, Cinder had treated her as a tool, she was useful and her talents were instrumental in the fall of Beacon. Ever since meeting…him, Cinder could not help but see that same devotion, that same drive to help despite no reason in return that she could understand.

She's just like him…just like….

Months ago…

"This next step is a bit tricky, be careful not…" Horatio tried to warn Cinder who scoffed at his warning silently. Despite her assurance, he was still hovering near her, a hand around her waist while holding her right in case of any stumble or slip.

It had been several days since Cinder was able to stand again. Slowly but surely they had been expanding her range that she could move on her own. Finally, it extended beyond the castle walls, allowing the two to walk about the grounds. As Salem had promised, the Grimm gave them a wide berth, however the freedom did not extend to Mercury or Emerald, the latter especially looked on sadly as she was forced to remain within the confines of the Keep.

They had mostly walked in silence save for Horatio's occasional worries or positive reinforcement of her progress. They had not heard back from Salem or Merlot of this replacement they were working on and that worried him. What form of prosthetic could take so long to implement? Cinder made signs with her right hand demanding him to calm down.

At least Emerald knew that sign language she taught us, she is amazing…I can see why Cinder recruited her. Now if Cinder just doesn't notice for a few more minutes…

Horatio only subtly guided her movements but it was enough to keep her from noticing in her state of focus. After Salem had granted them permission to leave the keep, he had made his own rounds, picking out the perfect place with flat surface for her to walk. That wasn't the only thing he was looking for…

Cinder looked up as they rounded the corner, not far ahead was a pavilion made out of the strange crystals that dotted the landscape. What was it doing there? Had Salem used it once upon a time? When he came across it originally, everything had a thick layer of dust…it had not been cleaned in some time. Horatio took up that task himself, making the crystals sparkle anytime it was Emerald or Mercury's turn to watch over their Maiden. They glimmered off the moon high in the sky; several benches had been prepared leading their eyes to what he had set up in advance…a lone easel.

Cinder immediately tugged in the opposite direction, Horatio held firm but relaxed his grip in case she truly was against it. She glared menacingly into his eyes as her lone hand repeated the same word over and over again.

"No."

"Please," Horatio begged, pulling out the best smile he could muster after so long in a place of darkness. "I want to, just like when we met remember?" He knew she did, her reaction at the team portrait assured him of that. "Just because you lost…so much," his eyes instinctively fell to her left eye and nonexistent arm. "Doesn't mean you should let it eat away at you, you're still so much more than that I…"

He hesitated as Cinder looked up expectantly awaiting his next words that never came as his courage failed.

"I…please, just give me one chance. If you don't like it, you can set it aflame…I swear."

Cinder's resistance noticeably abated, after several moments she replied with a single head nod and raised finger to stress this was his one chance. She looked down at her attire, a long red dress that obscured far more of her than the old one he had seen her in by the cliffs. This was especially prevalent in the long sleeves, the left of which hung limply at her side while the right nearly blocked her entire arm down to the hand. She had worn long dark stockings hiding her legs and scars upon them from the world. She refused to show any skin below the neck, he had not seen her tattoo since the fall.

"It's too bad to don't show it anymore," he started softly, speaking his mind. "The tattoo was beautiful." Cinder glanced over to him, signing in such a way that made him blush like they were back at Beacon.

"Trying to get me to show more skin?" She actually allowed a smug mischievous grin to break through her solemn expression. He hadn't seen that look in a long time.

Cinder took a seat, sitting up straight and proper as she placed her hand over her lap to await his attention. It did not take long before the smile was on his face again, pencil in hand he started immediately. The two remained like that, him working as she modeled. Unlike the previous year, he had no classes and she no duties. Neither had anywhere they needed to or would rather be. He had brought food that lay in a nearby basket so they could take short breaks and continue as much as they could. The time of day never seemed to change, despite all that, deep down he just didn't want the moment to end. The young man would talk about everything he could such as the lessons with Emerald and how she had cared for Cinder with him, or sparring with Mercury to blow off some steam and keep in shape. The silver-haired assassin was still quite sore over the initial loss at Beacon and was eager for a rematch.

"Aaanddd…this could be a good stopping point," Horatio alerted her as he laid down the last of his utensils. He had no idea how many hours they had been painting but his hand was cramping and even Cinder looked to be wobbling somewhat. "We can come back tomorrow and finish, perhaps…"

Cinder stood as soon as he had given her approval to move, with careful steps she walked around to view the canvas. As always, the details were immaculate despite being uncolored, the lack of which drew attention to her face as before. He seemed to have used a curve in his style that made her features more rounded, nonetheless it was like staring at herself and she took in all she saw, her missing arm, her eye, the barely visible scarring behind her styled hair. It was clear he had drawn her scars in a softer manner, somehow making their presence and her missing left arm appear as natural as any other part of her body. And then there was her smile.

The Fall Maiden was wearing a content smile, like a normal girl posing for a family picture. As Horatio had done before, he had not drawn the flat, composed expression Cinder had chosen, but instead what he saw in her as her happiest. If one was to look at it, they would guess that she had healed, come to terms with what happened and her future plans…

That I've become complacent…

Cinder turned to Horatio, eye narrowing towards him. Just like in the bedroom, she wrapped an arm around and pulled him close. Without warning she locked his lips around hers in a kiss as they had on the dance floor of Beacon. It was unexpected, but not unwanted and he reciprocated gladly. They were so consumed by each other, that neither felt a gentle breeze blow past and for the first time in ages, autumn, however briefly, visited that dark realm of destruction.

Finally, they parted and only then did Horatio spot the stern expression on Cinder's face, one not so different from the first time he had seen her true face beneath the coliseum of the Vytal Festival. He realized too late his error.

Cinder snapped a finger, in an instant the half-finished portrait caught fire and started to burn. Her smile was the first to go, the orange flames spreading outward until the entire easel started to crumble. The crystals nearby were not flammable and would contain the conflagration, but the result of many hours of work was gone. His mouth dropped open in shock though not a word came out as Cinder started to sign.

"Not me. Not weak."

"That wasn't what I intended," he started as she turned to leave on her own. He didn't know what to say to fix this. "Let me try again, I…"

"Stay away."

Horatio's heart plummeted, praying he had misread her sign, yet she repeated it. Even when he tried to help her walk again, she shirked away. He had no way of knowing the turmoil inside Cinder, as the young man who loved her was torn between her and his past life…so was she. The pain and frustration at being seen as anything other than the strongest, the best, even by him, fought inside her and in that moment…she wanted solitude.

Cinder left him standing there at the pavilion, making her way to the room under her own power to rest. Only later did she surmise that is when Salem must have taken him. Indeed she was correct, for not long after she had left did a dark shape approach the lamenting young man from behind demanding his presence elsewhere and none could refuse such a request…

Present Day….

Everything can be gone in a moment…I shouldn't have walked away. He was mine, he IS mine.

The worry on her face was obvious, yet Emerald had no idea what thoughts plagued her mind ever since her knight had been bidden to depart with Tyrian. What if he chose his friends, what if he never came back to Salem's Keep now that he was free to roam? Had she any energy left in her body, the door frame she was currently leaning against would be kindling.

"Come," she finally motioned for Emerald to follow. With energy renewed in her eyes she followed, ready to assist at a moment's notice. "You can tell me of all that transpired while I slept."

Time can be snatched at any time…I must ensure to never waste a single moment…not even a second!

Anima…

Why did you do it?

I didn't mean to…

Does fighting mean so much you couldn't help yourself?

Just Grimm! I never wanted to kill anyone! I…I even stopped using live rounds!

Except just now.

I had to protect Uncle Qrow! I couldn't just let him fight alone!

And you think that need to protect others will never come back? If you really believe that you are dreaming…and you should probably wake up.

Ruby groaned quietly as the world opened up before her, an intense source of light forcing her to squint. She was sleeping beside a low-burning smokeless fire warming her. In addition to the crackling flames, a wide red cloak was laid out over her like a blanket. Only upon trying to get up did she realize it was impossible, she was bound at the hands and feet, she could do little more than roll though even that seemed an impossible task.

She was so tired, her brow was drenched in sweat from fever and her shoulder burned. Her huntress attire was ripped though bandages had been wrapped around her wound and further down to protect her modesty.

Whe-where am I? The last thing I remember is…

"Good Morning Ms. Rose," the voice drew her attention as a looming black shape obscured the light outside. It was none other than the mysterious knight; half of his helmet had been destroyed though the revealed portion had been covered by the same bandages used to bind her. His cape was gone, clearly being used as the blanket currently covering her body. Naught could be seen save for a red eye staring back at her. "I am overjoyed that you have pulled through the night."

Sorry for the delays, splitting between all the characters makes each chapter FAR more detailed than the past lol. Our heroes each confront one another's demons, until next time Read and Review…but most of all Enjoy! :D