Ugh...so I've been getting...complaints (I guess) about the way I write apparently it's "not the right way" so fine. I decided to try and write the "proper way" and it seems it takes far longer than I'm use to and really I don't want to write like that again...but sadly it seems I came out with more than I usually would so...I guess we'll see how long I can keep writing like this.
Chapter 2: A Turn for the Worst
A heavy thumping resonated in his head as he turned over groaning before he heard it again, a heavy pounding echoing in his head as he slowly opened his eyes seeing the sun shine through his window. The heavy thuds grabbed his attention as he frowned and struggled to sit up feeling a heavy weight on his chest, looking down he saw his blood stained armor still adorning his body, he remembered he was exhausted from the previous night that he didn't even bother to take off his armor. As he managed to climb out of bed he quickly ripped the armor off his body, the moment he was fully awake a terrible smell reached his nose and seeing as he was covered in blood he had a fairly certain idea of where it was coming from. The armor hit the floor with a loud crash completely drowning out the heavy thuds that still echoed through his home, growling softly he checked himself over to make sure it was only his armor covered in blood before finally heading down the stairs towards the door as it finally wore his patients down. He gripped the metal latch pulling it roughly as the door swung open, "Can't you wait a damn-" Summer stood at his door the white cloak either cleaned the night before or it was a completely different one he wasn't sure, "Summer...what's wrong." She gave a shaky sigh before looking up at him, her eyes were red and puffy meaning she had been crying, "It's over." Leaning against the door frame he sighed heavily, "I-I'm sorry I should have been there." She shook her head leaning against him as he wrapped his arms around her holding her close as she began to shake slightly while trying to fight back tears, he forgot about the funeral.
The two of them walked in silence as they made their way back to her house, he wasn't sure what to say after the events of yesterday he still felt there was a bit of awkwardness between them, now to add-on some guilt he felt like crap. "Summer I'm-" "It's alright a lot of people didn't make it but there was enough for a proper burial..." He frowned rubbing the back of his head, there really wasn't much to say now unless he planned to make it awkward again, biting his tongue he kept himself from saying anything. Dropping his hand he felt it smack against something at his side, looking down he noticed he still had the pouch attached to him as he snapped his fingers, "Summer where are Ruby and Yang?" Summer led Michael to where the two young girls were and found that they were playing with other children in the village though they were pretty easy to spot with their vastly different hair, calling them over they waved bye to the other kids as he kneeled down in front of them, "Now I know how you two were upset about not being able to go with your mom and I." Ruby looked down at the ground kicking her feet while Yang crossed her arms turning away from them with a loud, hmp, he couldn't help but laugh at that as he reached into his pouch, "Well to make up for it I found these for the both of you."
He watched as their curiosity peaked at the mention of gifts as he slowly moved his hands down to the pouch at his hip popping the clasp open as he slid his hand into it making sure to turn slightly to keep the gifts from view. He knew he was doing a decent job at getting to them when their whines of protest began to grow louder urging him to hurry up and show them, but it had quiet the opposite effect as he instead moved slower causing the two young girls to grow frustrated though a stifled laugh from behind him made him smirk slightly. "Alright alright relax, here." He held out the two stones he had found by the cave the previous night and just like then they still seemed to have that strange glow to then though in the presence of the sun they seemed to glow even brighter than before, it must have just been his eyes playing tricks on him before. Looking into the girls' faces they seemed to have been struck speechless as their eyes focused on the strange gems before them watching as the glow seemed to pulse in a strange rhythm before they seemed to come to their senses, Yang snatching the gem from his hands first turning it over and holding it up to the sky looking it over, "Wow...this is so cool!"
Ruby seemed to be the tentative as she reached out multiple times for the red stone only to pull her hand back and look over to her sister for reassurance before finally steeling herself and grasping the stone in her hand. She seemed to stiffen slightly almost as if she expected the stone to bite her but when it didn't she pulled it closer to her body turning it over in her fingers looking as it shined in the sun. Soon a smile spread across her face as she couldn't suppress a small giggle that escaped her lips as she surprised Michael by throwing her arms around his neck squeezing as hard as she could, "T-This is so cool thank you I'm going to go put it somewhere safe right now!" Michael chuckled softly glad that he could make the young girl smile like that, he opened his mouth to tell her to make sure it was somewhere secret but he was struck speechless when the young girl around his neck suddenly vanished. His eyes widened in shock as rose petals gently floated to the ground as he forced himself to close his mouth as Yang couldn't help but laugh at his surprise, slowly standing he turned to Summer who had her hand over her mouth shaking slightly trying to fight back the urge to laugh at his reaction, "What the hell was that?"
Summer shooed Yang off to go after her sister as Michael still tried to comprehend what he had just saw, he tried to speak a few times but the words died in his mouth when his eyes caught sight of the pile of rose petals on the ground though they seemed smaller every time he would glance at them. "I forgot you weren't...around much when that happened." He must have had a confused look on his face because Summer sighed softly a gentle smile on her lips as she motioned for him to follow, "You see after you...we split up Ruby had started to act strangely she wasn't her usual rambunctious self, she was more reserved more careful I will admit it was strange to see her so calm." Summer laughed softly seemingly remembering how she was, he had to admit he wished he could see Ruby act like though he would have probably said the same thing he couldn't see Ruby as anything but overactive and to say the least crazy. "During the fall festival last year though, she got so excited that well...she just vanished into a veil of rose petals. Huh...when we finally found her she was so distraught it took me forever to calm her down to at least tell me what was wrong, the poor thing was so scared I would think differently of her." He watched as Summer shake her head sighing softly, he wondered how bad it actually was to have her reacting in such a way even at just a mere memory, "Well, me and Yang eventually got her to calm down and tell us what was happening and well we found out she has this...this power I guess to vanish or move rather quickly were not to sure yet."
"She's seems to be very comfortable about it though now at least and that's good." He couldn't help but smirk when Summer looked at him quizzically, "Well I mean she would have to be comfortable with it enough to do it in front of me, so I am glad she is I would hate for the poor thing to break down over it." He glanced over at his shoulder watching as the last of the petals flutter in the breeze before seemingly fading away in a wisp of red smoke it was strange but for Michael he had witnessed much stranger still this...this was up there. He gently shrugged as he turned back forward walking next to Summer though it was once again in silence, he started to wonder if this was all it ever was going to be now between the two of them just bouts of either awkward silence or just maddening silence. He turned to Summer ready to speak when he noticed a shadow looming over them, he quickly turned his breath catching in his throat before he sighed softly releasing his held breath as he looked up to the large stone walls that protected the village. He started to ask her what they were doing here when the young man from last night, exited from a large house seemingly built into the wall, he seemed like he had just woke up seeing as he was still wiping the sleep from his eyes and his armor was still splattered with the Grimm's black blood.
"H-Hey you guys made it, I was wondering when you two were going to show up." Michael gave Jaune a confused look which only served to make him chuckle nervously as he rubbed the back of his head, "O-Oh right I need to tell you what's going on..." He jerked a thumb back towards the house he had excited from, "W-Well it's your guys turn to stand watch tonight, after that Grimm attack last night the villagers are pretty spooked and of course Ozpin put everyone on high alert so extra hands to stand watch tonight." Well he had expected as much after those three Grimm had made it through the gate the previous night it was only a matter of time before word reached Mayor Ozpin, though it didn't seem like him to order extra hands to stand watch he was usually calm and collected, hell the village could be burning around him and he would still sit there determined to make sure everyone was okay. So it seemed strange that he would order this it was almost as if he was actually shaken up, then again even a strong wall has its cracks, never before had Grimm been able to break the walls of Spera it only made sense that Ozpin was worried. "Anyway I don't know if you two planned on doing something but just be sure to be back here by sundown alright?" They both nodded in agreement as Jaune walked towards the village more than likely going to get food, it was rather late in the day.
Michael's ears twitched slightly as a low rumbling caught his attention, looking towards Summer he noticed her holding her stomach a small blush across her face as their eyes met, "I-I guess I'm a little hungry myself." He smirked a grin plastered on his face, as he opened his mouth to tease her another rumble albeit a bit louder than before reached his ears as he slowly closed his mouth his ears folding slightly as he blushed chuckling, "Y-Yeah I guess I am too." They both looked towards each other a blush staining both their cheeks, he started to speak only for her to turn away pulling her white hood over her head to cover her face, "C-Come on if we hurry Ren should still have some breakfast left over." Again he opened his mouth to speak only to fall silent as he nodded and followed along behind her, he didn't like this there seemed to be a lot of tension between them and he didn't like that it made things too awkward when they were alone together but then again he was much to used to that awkwardness. Sighing softly he kept his eyes on the ground as they walked but he could feel his head turning in her direction, nevertheless he forced himself not to look towards her that alone took a lot of willpower especially when he could see her white cloak out of the corner of his eyes. He was thankful when the smell of freshly cooked food reached his nose it was a welcome distraction from the woman next to him.
The building they walked up too had a large window cut from it but instead of it just being a gaping hole in the building it actually had a table attached to the window ledge with some chairs to sit on, he could see smoke billowing from the building as the smell of freshly cooked ham reached his nose. "Ren, how are things are you doing alright?" The young man turned to look at him his bright, rather dull magenta eyes made him look weary with a hidden pain behind them as he gave a slow nod before returning to the food. Michael frowned slightly as he took a seat watching the man work, he watched as his hands moved with practiced ease but this wasn't the same Ren he was used to seeing and he knew why that was, turning his head he cleared his throat trying to clear the air of the silence. Though the only thing that answered his plea was the sound of two plates being placed in front of him and the other in front of Summer, "Thank you Ren." "Thanks Ren." He merely nodded going back to cooking as Michael sighed, he hated seeing him look like this but there was nothing he could do after Ren had found out that she was gone he just refused to talk, refused to accept it that Nora was gone and he didn't blame him whenever Michael saw Ren like this he desperately wished that Nora would walk through those gates to bring the shine back to the mans eyes...sadly he knew such a thing was never meant to happen.
He shook his head as he started to eat, not wanting it to go to waste by having it cool in the slightly chilled air sweeping through the village he hadn't noticed it before with all the excitement from last night but the air was getting colder and already the sun seemed it was beginning to set. The days were getting shorter and the cold was beginning to increase meaning not only was winter maybe a few months away but that also meant that they would be having their Harvest Festival soon. The Harvest Festival was one of the other days in the year when they didn't have to worry about the Grimm, for one reason or another during this time the Grimm sightings were at an all time low giving the villagers ample time to just enjoy their day and when night came to enjoy their festival. There would be a large bonfire in the center of the village, Ren as well as a few other villagers would cook massive amounts of food and of course what everyone in the village enjoyed were the drinks that were served during this time though they sure didn't like them when the morning came around. Finishing off the last bites of food he sighed softly licking his lips as he pushed the plate away before standing and stretching, "Thanks again for the food Ren, still as good as ever." For a moment it seemed as the young man would speak as his mouth opened slightly but he stopped himself and only nodded softly, he sighed to himself as he turned to find Summer stretching as well he couldn't stop himself from looking over her taking in her slender yet toned body. He looked away as she turned towards him, "Come on we still have time before night falls."
He looked at her suspiciously, "Yeah...but where are we going?" She ignored him as she began to walk off causing him to sigh and catch up with her, she always found a way to get to him though he never really complained about it. He found himself staring at her again watching as she walked ahead of him, though her cloak was hiding her body from view he could imagine her long legs taking even strides, and the way her hips would sway with each step almost like she...he shook the though from his head cursing himself but he knew his feelings for her wouldn't disappear so easily it had been three years since they broke up and the feelings still lingered. "So where are you taking me?" Again she said nothing as he rolled his eyes, though when he saw the farm area come into view he grew even more confused he could see the wheat and barley swaying in the slight breeze as he followed her into the field watching as she ran her fingers over the grown wheat. He couldn't help but smile she looked so strange a white figure standing in a field of tan her cloak moving gently in the breeze before she suddenly turned around glancing up at him before looking away.
"Michael...I want to say I'm sorry about yesterday I shouldn't have told you that. Though I will admit that it was wrong what we were doing I shouldn't have gone so far as I did." There was a play of different emotions across Summers face as she spoke, it ranged from confused to upset to happy then back to upset. He didn't know what to tell her, after she had yelled at him the other day about what they done being a mistake this was certainly a confusing turn of events he didn't really know what to tell say to her this apology just sort of came out of no where she didn't hint at it, it was just so sudden, "U-Uhm i-its fine Summer you know I understand why it happened, but really it's fine you don't have to worry about it." He gave her a smile though it felt like it was forced because he didn't know exactly how to react to her apology it seemed strange to say but he just really didn't understand why she was seemed to make a big deal about it, though when she smiled at him he decided not to question it. "Thank you for understanding Michael I...I would hate to lose you over something like that." He smiled and nodded hoping it would hide just how confused he actually was now, what was she talking about it wasn't like they fought or anything this was just how she was he was used to it by now. First she would be intimate with him and then she would act cold to him the next time he tried to bring it up it was just something he had grown used to, so for her to apologize so suddenly it just confused him.
Despite the awkwardness of the situation the two found themselves talking about whatever they could think of, though Michael did question a lot about Ruby's unique...ability. Summer apologized when she couldn't tell him any more apart from the fact that she would vanish leaving behind rose petals, she couldn't even give him a solid answer as to whether she was vanishing or just moving really fast it was hard to say considering it would happen so suddenly. They talked until the sun began to set to which they began to make their way back towards the house they were at earlier in the morning, walking back through the village he was able to notice how it was absolutely empty despite how just a few hours ago it was absolutely crowded though he had to consider the fact that the villagers were probably terrified of another Grimm attack though it would be impossible for anything to get past the walls without the gate being open again. Still the eerie silence of the village put him on edge he knew for certain that there was no way a thing could get into the village, it was just the fact that it was so quiet it made his ears ring and made him uncomfortable. "So-" The sudden noise caused him to jump slightly as he looked over to Summer glaring at her, "Sorry...I-I was going to ask if you were up to doing the watch tonight. I mean last night you and that Grimm went at it pretty hard I'm wondering if you would be alright for tonight."
Michael sighed as he rolled his eyes, "I could say the same thing about you I saw the way you were fighting last night, you were moving really fast I'm surprised you even have any energy to move around after that." He had to admit though the way she moved when she fought was amazing, though he never got to see it too often when he was able to it was just a simply amazing spectacle. She would move across the field in fluid motions striking out with her scythe so quick that it was impossible to tell what had happened, of course when one Grimm fell as she moved on to the next it was quiet easy to tell just how deadly of a strike she had. He looked over towards her as she chuckled softly shaking her head, "You, you really do underestimate me don't you?" Again he merely rolled his eyes as they walked speaking of their excitement for the Harvest Festival wondering just how big it would be this time, because every year the Festival seemed to be bigger and bigger though he honestly didn't mind as long as there was food and drinks it could be called a get together and he would still enjoy himself. Of course when he said this Summer started to scold him telling him that she was going to make sure he didn't drink too much so it wouldn't end up like last year, he gave a heavy sigh and tried to explain that he had only partial damaged the mill but it seemed she wouldn't have it and was dead set on limiting his fun this year.
He wouldn't lie he pouted the rest of the way knowing that he wouldn't be able to fully enjoy himself now, although he had an idea maybe if he could urge Summer to drink more during the festival she would be able to stop him. He smirked, it was a perfect plan there was no way this couldn't work all he had to do was get her just a little drunk and he would be able to drink as much as he wanted though he was sure she would have a back up plan in case something like that happened nevertheless he had a plan. He stopped when they reached the house that Jaune had exited from that morning as he stretched groaning slightly as he looked over to Summer who was doing the same, "I'll take first watch." He must have surprised her because she looked at him so curiously, she opened her mouth to protest but he waved it off shaking his head, "Ah, don't worry about it I slept in too late today I'm sure you're still exhausted anyway I don't mind really because it means I get to sleep in the next day." He smirked before chuckling as he turned to walk towards his home to grab his things but stopped, "Summer...I-I really enjoyed spending the day with you so...thanks." He could feel his face heating up as he walked towards his home shaking his head slightly, Why did I say that?
Not but fifteen minuets later he found himself standing up on the large stone wall of Spera looking out over the dark field that extended beyond the walls, "Why did I do that?" Sighing softly Michael stepped up onto the edge of the wall feeling the breeze blowing stronger now that he was up higher it almost knocked him off-balance but he kept his place as his eyes looked around piercing into the darkness, his ears twitching ever so slightly trying to catch the slightest sound that was out-of-place. "Y-You know i-its not safe to be up there like that." Michael turned and looked down at the young woman who was looking up towards him although she seemed a bit nervous and it made him wonder if it was because of what he was doing or if she was just nervous in general. He shrugged to her and started to walk along the edge losing his balance every so often when a particular strong gust would kick up causing the woman to reach out for him intent on catching him if he fell. "Don't worry Velvet I'm fine I fight Grimm I doubt a little wind is going to hurt me." Her rabbit ears bounced with each step as her chocolate eyes darted between him and the edge he walked on as she bit her lip, "I-It's not the wind you have to worry about..." Again he shrugged walking alone the edge taking careful steps for her sake as his eyes stared into the darkness looking for anything out-of-place, sighing softly he jumped down from the edge landing next to Velvet.
"I-Is something wrong?" He looked over to Velvet who seemed to be eyeing him with concern, he merely shrugged as he turned to look back out into the field his eyes drifting from side to side before he sighed heavily. "I-I guess...I don't now I just have a lot on my mind." There was silence between the two for a while causing his ears to perk up slightly as he looked out into the woods, but as quickly as the sound had come it was gone figuring it must have been some poor animal he slumped back onto the wall, "Summer is very beautiful isn't she..." He looked back at the young Faunus quizzically before smiling slightly and turning back towards the woods sighing softly as he nodded, "Yeah...that she is." He smiled fondly thinking about her, Summer she was beautiful he couldn't deny that her dark raven hair contrasted beautiful against her pale skin. He shook his head he didn't need to get distracted during watch the consequences for something like that could be disastrous, once again though his ears perked up as a faint sound reached him but as his eyes scanned the forest he didn't catch sight of anything and like before the sound quickly faded away.
"What the hell..." He muttered, something was either out there or he was more tired than he realized and he was just hearing things now, climbing back onto the edge of the wall he placed his hands on the hilts of his sword staring out into the darkness. "Y-You know I feel bad for Summer especially after what happened losing-" He raised his hand to silence her, not wanting to hear anymore on that subject but also because the sound was back and it was more clear than before, "someone help!" Upon hearing that Michael began to walk along the edge of the wall his eyes scanning the large field for...anything any sign of where that sound had come from, and then he saw it at first it was just a subtle movement when he focused his eyes on it he noticed it was a person clad in black running from the forest. "Holy hell someone's out there." He wasn't really sure what to do in this situation usually he would have to report to the mayor about it, but with it being in the dead of night there was no way he was going to wake up the mayor now. "What are you going to do Michael?" He looked towards Velvet and then towards the running figure as he shook his head he wasn't sure what to do, as he opened his mouth to answer her a deep piercing howl echoed across the field as Michael's heart sank, "Grimm..."
From the tree line broke a small pack of wolf like Grimm running on all fours towards the figure, "Oh my god they're going to kill him..." "Michael what are we going to do?" His mind raced not sure what to do, he couldn't open the gate and risk the safety of everyone to get to this person but he couldn't just sit here and watch them die like this, no not like this not to the Grimm. "Please help!" Shit...From the pitch of the voice it was obvious to him that it was a woman, and once again it set his mind into turmoil not sure what the hell he should be doing, "Michael..." He looked towards Velvet and sighed heavily, "Dammit...open the gate I'm going to get her." "Michael you can't it's too-" "I'm not going to sit here and watch her die!" He drew his swords as he took a deep breath and jumped form the edge of the wall, as the ground rushed towards him he tucked his legs in causing himself to roll forward as he struggled to his feet before taking off in a mad dash. As he ran towards the woman, it was then he realized that he might have made a mistake, the small pack of Grimm from before seemed to have multiplied in the short time he had looked away from them. His heart began to race as a strange feeling washed over his body, it made his hair stand on end but at the same time felt like his arms were going numb, shaking his head he focused on what was ahead of him. "What the hell did I get myself into?"