A/N: Bit of a shorter chapter this time~

Do enjoy~

Reflections of the Soul

Chapter 4: To Hunt

Several days had passed since their fight against the Alpha Beowulf.

Most of it had been spent recovering from their injuries and fatigue. Aura helped most of it but didn't remove the lingering weakness, but aside from some first aid they were all okay and moving about the next morning, if a bit haphazardly. Taiyang had praised them for a job well done and indeed gifted them some extra pocket money, their training had continued both physically and spiritually, and overall life continued on.

The fight had been a learning experience for Ruby in particular. Though she'd faced Grimm on the same level as the Alpha before, it was her first time actually coming head-to-head with an Alpha Grimm before. She liked to think she'd handled it pretty well, and was even confident she could've beaten it solo, if with a lot more life-threatening injuries to show for it. However the main focus was on Garnet and Scarlet, their new Semblances, and how to integrate that into their weapons.

Which, incidentally, was what she was going over with them right now.

''So I was thinking maybe an axe?''

''Hm... I kinda like it, but it feels a bit bulky, y'know? I like going fast and being all nimble, like a ninja.''

''But fire isn't really stealthy...''

''Bleh~''

Ruby couldn't help but giggle at Scarlet's childish expression, tongue extended and eyes shut, emphasising the slash of red eyeliner she'd used that accentuated her more vulpine features. Garnet looked equally as amused; the three of them laid on their fronts in their pyjamas with a spread of papers, diagrams and blueprints in front of them, some more shoddily-made than others – but that was fine. They were just brainstorming, as they had been for the past two days.

One of the biggest problems about their trip to Summer's grave was that both her clone-sisters didn't have weapons, even basic ones. If they hoped to find any sort of clues as to the Grail's origins then they'd probably be encountering more Grimm in future. As such, getting weapons for both of them was top-priority, something that even Taiyang had acknowledged. Thankfully he was willing to fund their little weapon-smithing projects... provided they didn't go overboard.

So no dust super-reactors hidden in swords, unfortunately.

Nonetheless, Ruby felt like they were making good progress. One by one they ruled out designs and styles, working their way through an entire catalogue of weapon combinations by the hour with plenty of discussion littering it – the three practically forming their own debate club, giving reasons for or against certain weapons beyond simple preference and more based on how useful they'd be in working as a team. No point in having an ultra-big cannon if it couldn't be used around allies, after all – and both were adamant about accompanying her into battle whenever it may arise, so teamwork was not just something to think about, but an inevitability she'd be foolish to ignore.

''Hm... what about-''

Garnet was interrupted as their bedroom door opened and Yang strolled inside. ''Hello my dear sisters~ Any of you seen my hairbrush? Ya didn't use it, did you?''

Scarlet laughed sheepishly. ''I might've... sorry, Ruby's doesn't work on my hair. I think I left it on the bedside table.''

''Hrn... fine, I'll give ya a pass. This time.'' Yang crossed her arms, though a light grin remained on her lips. ''What'cha up to anyway? Still coming up with weapon ideas?''

''Yep.'' Ruby popped the 'p'. ''I think we're getting there. What 'bout you? About to go out?''

''Yeah. Me and the girls gonna hit the town before our inter-year mission in a couple days. Want me to grab you anything on my way back?''

''Um... nah, I think I'm good.'' Ruby smiled lightly. ''Have fun though!''

Yang laughed and uttered a quick thanks, snatching up her brush before hurrying back down to the bathroom. Ruby watched her go and her smile dimmed quickly, a nugget of jealousy worming around in her heart. Inter-year missions. The name was a familiar one ever since she'd gotten serious about becoming a Huntress. After four years at a junior hunting school like Signal, students had the option – but were not required – to take on a low-risk mission with a professional Hunter or two, in exchange for extra credits that would help when applying to a senior school like Beacon.

The missions weren't that dangerous and often took place just outside of Vale's walls or in one of the nearby settlements beyond them, focusing on small but important field skills like tracking Grimm, detecting what kinds of Grimm existed nearby by their footprints or damage done to the terrain, how to lay defences and traps; stuff that were only a tiny part of a Hunter's career, but could prove invaluable should the need for them arise. The more attractive part of the inter-year missions though was that those at Signal actually got the chance to go beyond the walls and potentially test their mettle against some Grimm – and while there was always the occasional tragedy, with one or more trained Huntsmen present along with being so close to Vale itself, it was rare enough that it was still a regular part of trainee life.

Of course, that was for those who graduated Signal. Not for second-years like her.

''Are you alright Ruby?'' A nudge from Garnet drew her gaze.

Immediately Ruby forced a smile. ''Yeah, 'course I am!''

Garnet gave her a faintly-amused, but ultimately gentle look. ''Ruby, myself and Scarlet were a part of you. We share your memories – and your sentiments.''

Ruby's cheeks flushed slightly at that and she mumbled something inaudible even to herself, before sighing. ''Just a bit jelly I guess. Yang gets to go on a cool mission while we're stuck here doing more Aura exercises.''

''It's a valid concern that Taiyang wants us to correct.'' Garnet pointed out.

''Still doesn't change the fact it sucks.'' Scarlet whined childishly, kicking her feet.

Garnet shot her an exasperated look that Ruby couldn't help but giggle at, looking between her two clone-sisters. ''I wonder if dad would let us go on our own mission too? I mean, we're pretty good, and the only reason Yang beats us in spars is 'cause she knows we're not good at hand-to-hand stuff. Grimm won't.''

Scarlet grinned at that. ''True, but you gotta hand it to her~''

Ruby almost reflexively groaned. ''Ugh, not you too! I don't need two sisters who make terrible puns!''

''Oho~!'' Came a slightly-muffled call from down the hall. ''Did someone say puns~?''

''U-Uh, no! No you didn't!''

Ruby would end up holding the door shut to keep the pun demon at bay, leaving Garnet to continue going over weapon designs whilst Scarlet cackled in the background.

X-x-X

The next day was a busy one.

With Signal currently out of session the forge there didn't see many visitors – mostly just students coming by to sharpen their weapons or to make modifications, as was allowed by the academy. Forging was also allowed but understandably less common; everyone who already attended a Huntsman academy would naturally have their own weapon and thus not need to make another.

As such, Ruby and her two new sisters had the entire place to themselves for the whole day. Bringing in all the materials they needed in the morning they set to work with a determination matched only when Ruby herself originally forged Crescent Rose, their skill with blacksmithing shining then and there as they meticulously heated, treated and cooled metal, infused Dust where needed or added in other materials to reinforce the metals, allowing them to better stand up to Grimm or cut through hide easier. The towering smokestack above the forge building chugged on for hours, the sun rising to its peak and descending to its lowest before finally, finally, the trio emerged from the forge's reinforced-steel doors.

''Haah~ My arms are killing me~''

Ruby's tired moan earned a pair of giggles from Scarlet and Garnet, the two sisters following behind her with amused smiles. Upon Garnet's waist was a sheathed straight sword, its steel-grey blade inlaid with a darker grey down the middle; a narrow channel down the core of the blade to allow the usage of Dust Crystals inserted via the pommel, enabling anything from her blade to ignite to it becoming electric, depending on the element involved. While it lacked any mecha-shift capability, its simplicity was something Ruby could still appreciate.

Scarlet on the other hand carried her weapon about and practically cuddled it to her bust. A black-bladed scimitar slightly longer than average, the mecha-shift within allowing it to transform into a bow that could launch Dust arrows; each one carrying a far more potent charge than regular Dust-infused bullets. With both of their weapon utilising Dust their pocket money would start running out fast, that she knew, but she'd been wanting to try make some weapons with Dust for ages now, and her enthusiasm was clearly present in both her sisters too.

''So! What'cha gonna call 'em?'' Ruby cheerfully inquired as they walked.

''Hm...'' Garnet tapped the hilt of her sword thoughtfully. ''Perhaps... Sever.''

''I was gonna call mine Lavish Rose, but it's a bit of a mouthful now that I think about it, so maybe just Lavish?'' Scarlet added her two cents in, fox tail swishing behind her merrily. ''Get it? Since I'll be lavishing the Grimm with arrows?''

Ruby smiled brightly. ''I like 'em!''

''So do I, squirts.''

The familiar voice made Ruby stumble, surprised but her bright smile unwaning as she laid eyes upon Qrow; the older man leaning up against a tree just a dozen feet away, blending in with the shadows seemingly out of habit. ''Uncle Qrow! Look! We finally got new weapons~!''

''I can see.'' Qrow smirked casually as he sauntered up to them, hands in his pockets. ''Listen, much as I'm sure you three would wanna chat my ears off, I got a little proposition for ya.''

Ruby blinked. ''A proposition...?''

''You two get a grip on your new weapons, and I'll take you out on a little scouting mission beyond the walls.''

The surprise and elation must've shown on her face, as Qrow soon chuckled. ''Yep, a real treat ain't it? Couldn't help but overhear you talkin' about how you were down because of Yang's mission and all, so thought I'd treat you. Provided you actually learn how to wield your new toys.''

''Three days.'' The declaration came not from Ruby, but Garnet as she stepped forwards. ''Give us three days. That is all we will need.''

''Bold words.'' Qrow smirked, but didn't look surprised. ''Best get to it then. And I want a little demonstration when you're done – like hell I'm whisking you three out into the wild if you can barely swing straight.''

A unified cheer came from the three Roses, and as one they ran back home – earnest in their newfound training.

X-x-X

Three days passed fast.

And on the fourth day, Ruby found herself giddily shifting in her seat on a Bullhead, soaring out past the walls of Vale and into the wilderness that laid beyond.

It was her first real taste of life beyond the walls, in all honesty. Though Patch was technically adjacent to Vale and more vulnerable to the Grimm it wasn't quite the same; it had a large retired-but-able Hunter population, it was within close proximity of Vale and thus had the direct support of it – even though she'd fought Grimm on the regular, the wildlands that surrounded Vale were so much more exotic, so much more fascinating.

She wasn't stupid, of course. With that exotic fascination came danger the likes she wasn't keen on being the focus of. Deathstalkers, Nevermore, all sorts of greater Grimm that she'd never come up against were present. Thus in the evenings after training she'd taken to refreshing her memory of all the local Grimm with her Scroll and textbooks, meticulously reading everything and anything she could get her hands on, in the off-chance it became necessary.

For the sake of herself and her sisters, she hoped not.

They'd left by morning and it was already nearing noon. Lush greenery blurred under the Bullhead as it flew, much of it culled to make spotting Grimm easier but with enough foliage here and there that natural wildlife could remain, making hunting for food possible. Past it all though she could see their destination; a small humble town by the name of Viridian, located further south than the location where Yang should be doing her own mission.

However it wasn't like she expected, nor was told about. When Qrow came to her and her sisters he informed them they'd be visiting Viridian due to a report of increased Grimm activity; they'd do some perimeter checks, cull some of the local Grimm and possibly help shore up some defences until some other Huntsmen teams were available to come take over. It'd take a couple days at most and on the whole it'd be an easy mission.

Except, that implied that Viridian would still be standing.

Instead as the Bullhead circled around Ruby could only stare in disbelief at the destruction below. What was once a wide-ringed palisade wall was now uneven chunks of wall with great gaps smashed through it; leftover chunks of log scattered about if not outright reduced to splinters from where great beasts charged through. Of the fifty or so houses within the village easily half were little more than rubble with sharp spikes of wood sticking out of crumbled stone, whilst the guard posts that surrounded the village were completely gone. Even from such a great height, Ruby could motionless bodies near the piles.

Dimly she heard Qrow curse, his tongue foul, but in that moment she didn't have the heart to chastise him. The Grimm had clearly attacked already – but how many people remained? From this high up it was hard to tell but she could see the occasional person shifting about, their tiny forms moving from one building to the next or hauling material towards the walls, presumably to try and rebuild them.

Rebuild, before more Grimm were drawn in by the negativity.

''Doesn't look good down there.'' The pilot's voice came over the intercom.

Qrow snatched the radio off of the wall, bringing it to his lips. ''Yeah no shit. Bring us down.''

''You sure?''

''Well we ain't gonna get anything done from up here are we?''

A sigh. ''Got a point. I'll land but keep the engines hot. You need to bail, you tell me and we'll be in the air ASAP.''

''Got it, thanks.'' And with that Qrow smacked the radio back into the mount, scowling. ''Alright, change of plans. We get down there, I'll go find the mayor and figure out what's going on. You three get on any rooftop you can and keep an eye out for Grimm – don't go running off on your own and don't play hero. You do that, people will die because I had to come look for you.''

His words were harsh, blunt, but none of the three Roses complained, simply grimacing and nodding.

Silence returned to the cabin once more as they descended, the whine of the engines turning into a dull roar as they flipped to a downwards positions, their descent slowed – and when they were within a dozen feet from the ground Qrow yanked the door open and simply jumped out. Unbuckling her belt Ruby hastily followed, hopping over the edge and watching the dirt ground rush to meet her – before she landed in a roll, bleeding off her momentum without so much as a scratch.

Behind her she heard Garnet and Scarlet land too, both scanning their surroundings warily. Ruby couldn't help but do the same, staring at the countless houses around them – countless homes that were little more than piles of wood and stone. Something about it just made her gut clench uncomfortably, uneasy with the sight. Why? She'd seen destroyed houses before and on TV, so why did buildings evoke such emotion?

Because people lived here. A small part of her mind whispered.

People who, judging by the dark stains stuck to the walls of some buildings, were no longer around.

Ruby swallowed the lump in her throat though and forcibly straightened up, pushing the negative thoughts from her mind. They'd only draw in the Grimm, she told herself, steeling her will. She could mourn the people she never met later. Now she had to focus on who she could save, and more importantly making sure nobody else died to the Grimm on her watch. With that thought in her mind she turned her gaze onto her sisters, jerking her thumb left then right. They took the hint and, although reluctantly, turned away and began making their way to the leftmost and rightmost points of the village, leaving her to take the southern tip so that they formed a vague triangular shape.

Qrow was already gone, leaving Ruby alone as she walked down what must've been the main street. The cobblestone that formed the road was ruined in many places; stones upturned from their rightful place if not crushed into several pieces, leaving it more dirt than stone. Houses lined the street and as she walked she noticed some people poke their heads out, relief on their faces, but they didn't venture past their doors. A trend she was quick to notice, however, was that many of them were Faunus.

Scratch that, most of them were Faunus.

It was a tiny detail, but one she couldn't help but be aware of; feeling a bit self-conscious as some of the civilians looked at her distrustfully, as if she was here with an ulterior motive. She tried not to let it bother her though and soon reached the edge of town, looking about briefly before finding one of the remaining houses – half of it gone but the other half still standing tall, the rubble providing a convenient route for her to climb up with.

''Mn... nn...'' Grunting she hauled herself up onto the tiled roof, wobbling only briefly before finding her footing and ascending up the slope; balancing herself against the remnants of a chimney.

She was high enough that she could look over the palisade wall. Past it laid a great open expanse of grass that stretched for miles upon miles, only a vague dirt track worn into the grass that led down the hill and into the distant – to another village, perhaps? Some forest was off to her right, nearer the western side of the village and thick enough to hide some Beowolves, but nothing like that of an Ursa.

The reminder of the Grimm drew her gaze to the destroyed wall, a frown coming to her face. What did this? Not Beowolves clearly; they didn't have the bulk to break through the wall, hence why it was used for outer villages like this. Creeps, maybe? They had the strength, but they were more cave-ish Grimm, not the sort you'd seen out in the open. The gaps were too small for Deathstalkers or the likes of Nevermore, but that still left dozens of possible suspects.

After a long minute Ruby just sighed, unholstering Crescent Rose and peering through the reticle on it – scanning the distance. Nothing, just grass and trees. At best she could see the occasional deer.

''H-Hello?''

The sudden voice startled Ruby so much she nearly slipped, yelping as she wobbled, but after a second she managed to get a hand on the chimney and steady herself – looking down. Near the base of it she found a young Faunus boy no older than twelve, his olive skin marred with dirt and a bandage wrapped around his forehead, pushing his short black hair up. A pair of deer antlers protruded from above them, one of them missing several of the protrusions, as if broken off. She almost winced at the thought.

''Y-Yeah? What is it little guy?'' Ruby called down to him.

The Faunus boy looked a little irritated at the 'little guy' comment, but apparently kept his tongue in check and answered. ''Are you here to help us?''

Ruby smiled then. ''Yup! Don't you worry, we'll help you guys out.''

''Then why didn't you guys come sooner?''

Her smile wilted slightly at that. ''U-Um, well, we didn't know things were this bad. We were told that the village had been having a problem, but not that it was this bad...''

The boy looked ready to say something else but was interrupted by another, older male voice. ''Cool it Jasper.''

Ruby leaned a little further into the chimney, peering down to the next house where a slightly older teen boy came from, probably around her age if not a year older and with the same features as the younger boy, albeit with larger antlers and his hair a shoulder-length brown, messy and rife with dirt. ''Um, hi?''

''Sup.'' He nodded up at her, expression casual and hands in the pockets of his torn cargo pants. ''Name's Jacith. You one of the Hunters helpin' us?''

''Yup. Well technically I'm not a Hunter yet, I'm still in training, but y'know.'' Ruby laughed sheepishly. ''Um, mind if I ask what happened here? Beyond the obvious that is.''

Jacith nodded, peering up at her past his antlers. ''Bunch'a Grimm with big skull heads came charging through the walls. The militia here went down pretty fast, me and Jasper hid in the basement of the inn with the others. A Huntsman staying there helped the guards and took down the Grimm too, but didn't make it.''

'Big skull heads? He must mean Creeps, but... why would Creeps be out here in the open?' Ruby pondered within the privacy of her mind. The Creep's main strength was that they had a powerful charging attack, but were weak from any angle other than the front – hence why they preferred enclosed spaces.

A village surrounded by fields was possibly the worst place for them to be. Though it wasn't unheard of Grimm of different locations to 'migrate', to use the term loosely, it was still pretty rare.

And never a good sign.

Ruby shook her head, banishing the worrisome thought.

''Have you guys called for help at all?'' Ruby inquired, idly scanning the horizon again.

''Can't. Radio tower got knocked down during the attack.'' Jacith thumbed over his shoulder, and from her spot atop the destroyed house she could spot what must've been a tower at some point. Now it was just a stack of rock with a bunch of workmen hurriedly erecting wooden scaffolding, presumably to repair it. ''Any more of you coming?''

''I don't think so.'' Ruby said awkwardly. ''But when word gets out there'll definitely be!''

''Feh, yeah right.'' Jasper grumbled under his breath but Ruby heard him easily. ''Nobody gonna come to this backwater town.''

''Jasp.'' Jacith scolded, whacking the younger boy over the head and earning a scowl from said boy, but at least succeeding in quelling his comments. ''Anything we can do to help?''

Ruby was about to decline and send them away – she was supposed to be guarding the border, not making small talk, but an idea hit her. ''Oh! Go look for my uncle – the old guy I came with – and tell him what you told me. Also tell him to have the pilot message Vale, that'll probably speed things up!''

''Got it.'' Jacith grunted, turning away. ''With me Jasp.''

''But-''

''With me. Ain't nobody know when the Grimm'll come back.''

The young boy complained under his breath but followed nonetheless, the two walking down the street and out of her sight.

Seeing that Ruby sighed, returning to her assigned task. Not a Grimm in sight.

'Yet... why do I have a bad feeling about this...?'

[END]

A/N: See you all in Chapter 5: Red Like Cherries~