Chapter 15: From Better to Worse

I'm creeping through the house, trying not to be detected. My target is now in sight. I clutch the cup of ice tighter in my hand, making sure that the cubes don't rattle while I walk. Tiptoeing as best as I could, I reach the couch with no problems at all. In front of me, Qrow sits quietly, sipping on yet another juice box. I swear I have no idea where he even gets these things. I bite my lip and move the cup closer to the back of the collar of his shirt. "Don't even think about it."

"Damnit! I thought I had you this time!" I sag in defeat. Every fucking time I try this, he somehow knows I'm there! "How did you know this time?"

He laughs softly. "Well, this time, I saw your reflection in the tv. You should really pay more attention to your surroundings, Ray."

I huff and jump over the couch to sit beside him. "It's totally unfair. Why do my pranks never work?"

He pats my head, earning a glare. He laughs nervously as he pulls his hand away slowly, like I'll bite him if he moves too fast. "Well, sis, it's like this: you never put enough thought into it. A good prank is planned meticulously or hastily, without a second thought. I've had pranks that would take an entire year to develop, like that one where Tai wound up tied upside down in his boxers in the main courtyard." He sighs in reminiscence. "Anyway, you never think about it. You just want the end result, but a prank is more than that. It's the entire phase. You have the planning, then the follow through, then the results. You have to make each moment be as satisfying as the last." He rests his head back on the couch and closes his eyes. "That way, the end will be so much sweeter."

I narrow my eyes at him and cock my eyebrow. "You really scare me sometimes." I look down at the cup of ice that is slowly melting. "Where did you even learn this?"

He opens one eye to stare at me. "From one of the prank masters himself, Taiyang, of course. He taught me everything he learned, and I surpassed even his amazing tutelage."

I roll my eyes. "Right. Well, I guess I'll see ya, then. Thanks for the lesson. I'll be sure to use it against you." I stand up slowly, already formulating my plan in my head. Maybe I'll get Summer in on it. It'll be that much sweeter.

I've been waiting by the fire for hours. I haven't seen Summer or Taiyang all day. We were supposed to trade patrols at noon, but it's been too long. I bite my lip and pull out my com. "Sum, you there?" Static was my only answer. "Tai?" Nothing again. I panic. I know it's not a good idea to panic. It never is, but right now, I'm worried sick. A few hours delay, I can excuse, but this is getting ridiculous. I bite my lip before standing and grabbing my sword. "Qrow! Get down here!"

I hear him bounding down the stairs. "What?"

I put my hands on my hips. "Don't you think it's a little strange that our partners haven't come back yet?"

He scratches his head. "Did you try calling them?"

I rake a hand down my face. "I wouldn't be panicking if I hadn't tried calling them first. It's radio silence on their end." I start pacing with my arms folded over my chest.

He pulls out his own com to try for himself. "Tai, Summer, you're late." Nothing but static greets him. "Tai? Summer? Answer me! Ray is worried sick."

I snort. "Like you're not."

"Hey, I'm just trying ot get a response." He puts the com up to his mouth again. "If you don't answer me in the next five seconds, we're coming out there to search for you." He starts to count down after releasing the button. "One. Two. Three. Four. Five." He presses the button again. "Time's up. We're coming after you." He turns to me. "Let's go."

I nod. "What could have happened?"

He hums in thought. "It's best not to dwell on it. People tend to jump to the worst conclusion first, and I'd rather not have to think about it until we're absolutely sure." He opens the door to a gusting wind and a veritable blizzard. "Well, isn't this just fine and dandy." He grabs his weapon from beside the door before throwing himself out into the storm.

I grab him and pull him back. "Wait! I can 'port us to the emergency rendezvous. It'll be quicker, and we can do a thorough sweep."

He narrows his eyes at me. "Can you do it in this storm?"

I sigh and nod. "The location doesn't change, even if it's surroundings do." He nods, and I take his arm before pulling my sword out and swipe it through the air. A swirling, black and red portal opens where the doorway is, and I heeve us through it. We land in the middle of the storm, surrounded by the swirling snow that's being beaten around by harsh winds. "Where should we start?"

Qrow cups his ear. "What!?"

I sigh and move closer. "Where should we start!?" There's no possible way for us to track which way we go, and the only way to get back to the house safely would be to teleport at this rate. I can barely see my own hand in front of my face. Ugh!

"Go that way!" He points toward where the hills would be. "It's our best bet if they go for cover!"

I nod but realize that he can't see me. "Yeah!" We trudge through the snow, having to lift our feet at least a foot off the ground just to wade through the snow that had accumulated throughout the night and day. It's exhausting, but I'd do anything to keep my team safe. I just hope that they made it to shelter in time.

A/N: Mmm, conflict... Well, more disaster, natural disaster, but yh. Sorry to leave it on a cliffhanger, actually I might not be, but I'm sorry that you have to stop there. I had to end the chapter because of class starting. I'm posting what I have, and I'll get the rest out as soon as possible. Just hang in there.

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