Chapter 35: Routine

Getting back into one's old routine was easier than Serena had thought. She did everything like she used to before; train in the morning, eat breakfast, hunt or meet the other Grimm, eat something, train some more and then eat dinner and go to bed. But only now did she realize how boring that routine actually was. There was no action except for meeting Ajax or Loki and she had no one to talk to, save the Grimm. And when making dinner, it was more often that she made too much and actually served two plates instead of one.

Only now did she realize how lonely she had been.

Trotting through the forest, she met Ajax and Loki, both accompanying her for a while, sensing that something was wrong. Her link with them had gotten stronger and she could read their feelings more easily. She was touched to know that they cared about her that much.

It was three days after Adam had left that Ruby chose to visit again. Serena had just been out hunting and was now preparing her dinner when Ajax lifted his head from where he was lying at the entrance and gave a low growl before standing up and running off. Before she even had the chance to ask what was wrong, she heard a surprised shriek followed by laughter and soon after Ruby appeared in her home, face wet from Ajax licking it. Said animal was walking behind her, looking pretty happy that the silver-eyed girl had decided to visit them again.

"Hey Serena," Ruby greeted, wiping her face to get the saliva off it.

"Hey Ruby. It's been some while since you last visited." She hadn't meant it to sound offensive but the look that she received from the younger female told her that she had taken it the wrong way.

"I'm so sorry, it's just been so busy the past week that I haven't had the time. I'm really sorry."

"Woah, easy there. I didn't mean it like that, I just noticed that you haven't been here the past week. So what happened that made you so busy?" Serena inquired, arching an eyebrow.

"It's Torchwick."

This caught her attention and she immediately put away the knife that she was still holding, walking over to the little sitting area by the fire and gestured for Ruby to take a seat. The other girl complied and she handed her a cup of tea before continuing their conversation.

"What about him?"

"He broke out of jail," Ruby said somberly, sipping her tea while staring into the fire.

"What?"

"It was Penny, an android whom I know well, that helped him. Apparently there was a virus in her system which made her help him get out. Luckily, we detected it soon enough and could stop it before it expanded and befell other androids. It would have been a disaster if it had actually gotten to the Atlesian Knight-200s."

"Knight-200?" the older girl asked for she did not know what they were.

"They're combat androids designed by Atlas and posted on the border to protect it. They were here in the city for the Vytal Festival, that is, until it was postponed because of Torchwick. Now there are only some left to secure the city and catch him, but I don't think that they'll be able to. If Torchwick doesn't want to be found then he won't be. But I have this feeling as if we won't be seeing him again, like he has given up. I don't know…"

"I'm sorry, Ruby. I know how much you were looking forward to that festival."

"It's okay, it's only been postponed, so I'll have my chance to show them what I can do," Ruby said with a smirk, eyes sparkling with newfound courage and enthusiasm. "What about you; what have you been doing?"

"Oh, uh, not much. Just the usual you know," Serena tried to avoid answering the question. She knew that Ruby would not be happy if she heard that she had been harboring a criminal and hadn't even told her when she had visited the first week he'd been there. Sorry Ruby, but it's best if you don't know.

The other girl noticed that she had been stuttering a little and raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly, arms resting on her knees and chin on her folded hands. "Oh really?" she asked.

"Yeah, why?"

"I don't know but you seem a little different, if not off. Are you alright?" Serena could hear the genuine concern in Ruby's voice and instantly felt bad for having lied to her.

"No, no, I'm okay, just a bit tired. I couldn't really sleep tonight so…" That wasn't a lie. She hadn't been able to sleep well in the past days, ever since Adam had left. She always felt alone and vulnerable and even if Ajax was with her the feeling did not go away. It was only then that she noticed just how much she actually missed the Faunus.

"If you say so," Ruby said, deciding to let the other female be for now. She could get her answers another time. "Hey, how about you come visit Beacon some time? I'm sure you'll love it and my team really wants to meet you, and I'm sure Professor Ozpin would also be interested in talking to you."

"I don't know Ruby. I don't think that I should," Serena relied uncertainly.

"Oh don't worry. Since the rumors about the 'Grimm Tamer' have been spreading so wildly that even the students from the other kingdoms know about you, I don't think that there will be any problem. People know that you're not a threat and some even say that you're a hero. Just think about it, okay?"

"Okay, I'll think about it."

Serena was surprised that the rumors had already spread so far. Maybe, if people really did not see her as a threat and were ready to accept her, she could really go out into town. It would be a welcomed change and she really wanted to see Beacon and meet the rest of Ruby's team. The silver-eyed girl had told her so much about them that she already liked the other three females and it sounded like the school was really great.

"Great! I'll have to go now, but I'll come back at the end of the week, maybe on Saturday or so, okay?"

"Sure, I'm looking forward to it," the black-haired girl replied before both stood up. Going to the exit, they both hugged each other, saying their farewells before Ruby was off, Ajax following her. Serena let out a sigh, running a hand trough her short hair and went back to preparing her dinner. Eating in silence, she thought about what Beacon was like before going to bed.

A/N: I do not own RWBY or its characters. I do, however, own my OC Serena and any other OCs that appear in this story.

So, yeah, also not much to say here. I hope you liked this one, though I know that it was nothing exciting. Anyway, the really exciting part will be coming soon so don't give up reading please! And review if you want to!