So, bit of good news is that I'm now on Chapter 10 of a planned 16 (17? 18? It keeps expanding). School starts today, I hope it goes well and for all you college readers I hope your first day and first week is good. Sorry if I seem a bit meh, been a hard 72 hours on my end. Anyway, enjoy the chapter, fav, review, whatevs and I'll see you next Monday for Chapter 6.

Chapter 5

"What do you mean you need medical help? Go to a hospital," Weiss said, not trying to hide the annoyance in her voice.

"I can't, the Guild is going to have them c-covered. As a huntress and a heiress, you have t-to have a medical area… right?" Aero asked desperately, clinching his shoulder wound with his injured left hand. Weiss stared at him then Sebastian, sighing to herself and opening the door more so the two of them could enter. They both thanked her profusely until she stared at them, making them stop.

"It's down that hall, second door on the right," she said, pointing to the right hallway. The two made their way to the door and opened it, revealing an operating table with the latest medical equipment.

"Wow, o-okay, now I'm curious as to why she has all this," Aero said, looking around the room as Sebastian entered the room and looked with him. The room was stark white like a hospital and had a table for patients, multiple cabinets along the walls and surgical equipment on a smaller table.

"Well, you figure if her and her team are coming back from a mission, maybe instead of the bullshit that are hospitals, why not just come here to get any stitching done. Come here," Sebastian said, motioning for Aero. The assassin came over and turned around, allowing Sebastian to cut his shirt off then helped his friend lay down on the plush, green table.

"You sure you know what you're doing?" Aero asked.

"Three years of medical training, I have a pretty good idea."

"Wait, when d-did you get all that?"

"Around the time you joined, now shut up," he said. He put latex gloves on and was about to begin when he looked at Aero's wounds and realized the amount of blood Aero was losing. Sebastian cursed to himself and stormed out of the room, looking for and finding Weiss in her spacious kitchen.

"Ms. Schnee, I know this a horrible inconvenience, but I need your help," Sebastian said, earning the steely gaze of the Huntress.

"For what?"

"Aero's bleeding out and I just need you to cover the wounds as I stitch him up," he responded, pleading to her with his eyes. She looked at him and nodded, following him back to the room. Aero was focusing on the ceiling, trying to not dwell on the pain as the two entered the room and Sebastian began to operate. Aero breathed in slowly, anticipating the pain and exhaled sharply as Sebastian doused his wounds with a healing solvent. He groaned in pain as Sebastian sewed Aero's left hand shut from the two deep gashes in it, one from an attacker and the other by Aero when he removed the tracker.

"Ms. Schnee, can you take that towel and cover his shoulder please?" Sebastian asked, pointing to a towel at the end of the table with a bloody glove. Weiss grabbed the towel and looked down at Aero, who looked at her with pained eyes that shot open as she applied pressure to his wound. Sebastian moved up and flashed a light into his friends gunshot wound, shaking his head and causing Aero to look with concern.

"What?"

"It's lodged in there."

"You're fucking kidding me."

"No, I'm not."

"Are you going to have to open his shoulder wound further?" Weiss asked, causing Aero to look at her.

"Don't give him any damn ideas."

"I'm just asking so I know if he needs more equipment," Weiss quipped back.

"I will a bit but I have the tools. You're gonna have to make sure he doesn't move as I go in, okay? Don't move Aero," Sebastian said, holding tweezers and pliers in his hands. Aero closed his eyes slowly, scared and shaking slightly, trying to breathe calmly. He gripped the side of the table and braced as Sebastian slowly opened his shoulder wound open further, blood gushing from it as Aero screamed in pain. He tried not to wrench as Sebastian grabbed the bullet and pulled it out slowly, eliciting further cries from his friend. He quickly sewed up the wound and applied disinfectant to it as Aero's breathing slowed, tears in his eyes from the pain.

"Are you okay?" Weiss asked, shocking Aero and Sebastian, who both looked at her in silence until Aero nodded slowly.

"Y-yeah," he responded quietly as Sebastian moved over to Weiss, asked her to move and finished off the last wound Aero had. He then had her help Aero sit up so he could wrap his ribcage for possible broken bones. Sebastian looked in a few cabinets and found a strong sedative for him to take.

"I'm n-not going t-to sleep Sebastian."

"One, I haven't heard you use my full name in a long while and two yes you are because your body needs it. Now take the damn pills," Sebastian retorted, forcing the pills into Aero's hand. He looked at them, his friend then threw them in his mouth, swallowing them and laying back on the table.

"It probably won't e-eve… whoa…" he said, the room spinning as his eyes got heavy, "h-how… stro…" and before Sebastian could reply his friend was out cold. Sebastian shook his head and took the bloodied gloves off, washing the equipment in a nearby sink and left, walking right to a waiting Weiss. The two stared at one another until Weiss motioned for Sebastian to follow her, which he did, the two returning to the foyer.

"What in the world is going on?" she asked in a low tone.

"To make a long story short, after Aero's encounter with you and your team, he was suspended for three months. Tonight was his first mission back and the Guild sent 25 recruits to kill him, which, as you can see, they failed. We believe that the Guild may come for you four now. He basically feels that all of this is his fault," Sebastian finished as Weiss nodded her head slowly.

"Is he going to be okay?"

"He'll recover, it'll just take a while, he's never had these kind of injuries before."

"How long will you two be here?" she asked, shocking Sebastian.

"We really couldn't stay that long Ms. Sc-"

"Weiss."

"Sorry, Weiss. We've already used up all your hospitality, but if you insist, at least a couple of days."

"What should my team and I do?"

"I say stick together as long as you can until we can figure it out. Oh, sorry, I'm Sebastian Damper," he said, extending his hand out, which was gently gripped by Weiss.

"How do you know Aero?" she asked, walking to a closet.

"We're practically brothers, I've known him for nine years and I've been his handler for the past seven. I make sure he's fully stocked and knows what he's walking into."

"Ah," she replied, getting a blanket and pillow and handing them to Sebastian, "Well, I called my team when you two went to the medical room and they will be here by morning. The couch is yours. Goodnight," she said, walking away before Sebastian could question her. He looked down the other hallway, followed it and found a moderate living room with a couch, a couple of chairs, a small entertainment area and a large TV. Sebastian set everything on the couch and laid down, worried about his friend as he drifted to sleep.

"Hey Weiss," Blake said, entering the manor with her husband hot on her heels. Each of the four members were wearing their combat uniforms and were on the steps leading to the second floor, the afternoon sun in the sky.

"Hello Blake," Weiss said with a smile as she hugged her teammate then Sun. Sun hadn't changed in the years after Beacon, having the same clothing but with colors that matched his wives: a black, open shirt with a purple collar, black jean shorts and red gauntlets. Scarlet stood next to Ruby and smiled at her, which she returned as they greeted their friends. Scarlet still sported the same haircut and colors but now wore a red shirt to go with the red coat draped over his left shoulder along with grey pants and brown boots.

"So, mind telling us what's going on and why we had to bring our crap?" Sun asked Weiss, who looked at her friends and sighed.

"Do you three remember that guy we met at the concert?"

"What was his name… Aero?" Yang asked.

"Yes… he came her last night."

"What?! Are you okay?!" Ruby asked, looking Weiss over until the heiress lightly shoved her.

"I'm fine you dolt. He came here heavily injured and asked to use my medical equipment… he said that the Guild he talked about had attacked him. He was really bad guys… I felt sorry for him, his friend had to pull a bullet fro-"

"Wait, friend?" Scarlet asked in a moderate tone, "Ruby only told me about that Aero guy."

"Yeah, apparently, his friend-"

"That would be me," they all heard, making them look down and to the left at Sebastian, who walked forward to the base of the stairs, "Hi. I'm Sebastian, I'm the friend and handler, I give him information for his missions and help him while he completes them."

"So you're a part of this Guild too?" Sun asked.

"Not just a part, I was born into it," he responded, earning curious looks from everyone, "Both my parents are, well were, assassins. They retired."

"Okay, so, you guys were attacked?" Scarlet asked.

"Sadly yes. Thankfully we've removed our trackers," he said, holding up his bandaged left hand, "but Aero got the brunt of it. I honestly don't know what his plan is."

"Is he okay?" Yang asked.

"Well, they weren't life threatening injuries, so-"

"I'm – oh fuck – I'm fine," they heard, looking at the source of the sound and spotting the assassin, leaning against the wall, holding an arm against his ribs. He wore a light blue shirt and the same black pants from last night. He shuffled over to them slowly, waving Sebastian's help off as he leaned on a banister for support.

"Sup?" he asked, earning a look of disbelief from Sebastian and everyone, Aero chuckling at his friend as he turned to the group, "Glad to see you four are doing well from our last meeting. Like I told you guys then, I'm sorry I had to fight you guys, I really didn't want to, I really respect all Hunters and Huntress's. Is your wrist okay?" he asked Ruby. The six had looked at him with apprehension however it changed when he asked Ruby about her health. She smiled and nodded her head, making Aero smile.

"Good. That is a really kickass weapon you have," he said, receiving a bigger smile from Ruby as he turned his gaze back to the group, "So, I'm sure Weiss and Sebastian have filled you guys in on everything. I'm going to do everything in my power to end the Guild or at least damage them severely so they won't mess with you guys. I got you involved in this and I'll be damned if I let anyone hurt you guys."

"Wait," Yang asked, all eyes turning to her as she looked at Aero, "you said end or damage them… what do you mean?"

"Either I end them or die doing it," Aero said quietly, earning a look of distress from Sebastian.

"And you're okay with this?" Weiss asked.

"I am, I got put in this position and I may have to pay the ultimate price. As an assassin, you expect to die at any time and you get used to it," Aero responded, "Now, I've had time to think. I believe it would be best if you guys stayed here for at least a few months, allow me to possibly knock off some of the top assassins and then you can come and go as you please."

"Sounds good to me," Sun said, everyone looking at him as he looked back, "What?! We could use some time off and we have at least six months' worth."

"Sun's right," Blake said, rubbing her husband's hand, "we could just use that. The Council wouldn't mind."

"True," Weiss said, "Where would you guys stay? How would you move around if you wanted to?"

"Uh…" was the response Aero gave as he looked down and thought until Sebastian's eyes lit up.

"Well, we could stay here," he said to Weiss, looking for an answer that she didn't give, "Okay, we'll think on that. Concerning his movements, if he removes the hair dye, slick it back, give him a suit and he could be your new bodyguard."

"I don't need a bodyguard."

"True, but how else would he be able to protect you or anyone else when you guys head into the city?" Sebastian said, everyone dwelling on his question.

"He has a good point Weiss. Besides, the assassins could try something when any of us go out. It would be good to have Aero as a bodyguard," Ruby said, turning to her teammate.

"Fine. And I should have a few extra rooms, you two can stay here. Anything else?"

"When can you guys start going after your Guild?" Scarlet asked.

"When he gets better, which will be in about two to three weeks. I'll stay in contact with Lila."

"Is she okay?" Aero asked, not trying to hide the sudden concern that ripped through his body.

"She is, just worried. But she'll keep us updated on anything happening on the inside and missions."

"Okay," Aero said with a sigh of relief, "Well, that's it then. Can't wait to get to know you guys better. But, for now, if you excuse me, I need rest," Aero said with a tired smile. Everyone nodded and went upstairs to put their clothing up, Sebastian left to get his and Aero's clothing and equipment. Aero sighed slowly, walked up the stairs but stopped at Weiss, turning to her and giving her a small smile.

"I can't thank you enough Weiss."

"It's nothing."

"Oh no it's not. You're letting two strangers into your home, you and your friends are now targets of a Guild and you let said strangers heal up and now room in your home. Sebastian and I owe you a whole lot."

"It's fine Aero."

"I personally owe you," he said, Weiss now looking at him, confused at what he said, "I'll admit, I was scared when Seb was operating on me. I really was and for you to help in so many different ways… I owe you and I want to thank you personally. I'll do my absolute best to protect you and your friends," Aero said with a smile that Weiss returned.

"Thank you Aero," she said as the assassin walked upstairs and claimed a small room that he realized was next to Weiss's, making him chuckle as he laid down on the mattress and closed his eyes, which shot back open by the door opening to Sebastian, Yang and Sun all holding his various weapons.

"Dude, how many weapons do you need?" Sun asked as they all walked in.

"Plenty to take down an organization of about 500," Aero said, Yang chuckling at his response as he directed him where to place everything. He thanked the two and watched them leave, hoping to get sleep but instead the door closed with Sebastian still in the room.

"Seb, I actually want to sleep-"

"What is this suicide mission bullshit?"

"Huh?"

"What you told them, how you'll do your best to damage the Guild."

"Sebastian, I'm just trying to stay realistic."

"Mate, you'll be okay," Sebastian said, patting Aero's back, "You're not gonna die. I'll be damned if I let my best friend and brother die on me," he finished, a smile coming across Aero's lips.

"Thanks Sebastian, I appreciate it."

"Anytime. Now, why the hell did you pick the room next to Weiss's?"

The woman had stark white hair like Weiss and had it done in a small bun with a large bang covering her right eye, much like Scarlet's. She wore a white coat that were slit from her shoulders to her elbows, had a tight collar that covered her neck and had one button buttoned at her midsection. She wore a blue undershirt that emphasized her chest and white plants with metal grey boots that ended in 5-inch heels. She also wore black gloves and had a white flimsy skirt underneath for fashion. Her cold demeanor was felt immediately as she turned to the two men who looked at her with confusion.

"Not an assassin," Sebastian said in a low tone to Aero, who nodded slowly as he approached her.

"Who are you?" she asked in a low, snobbish tone.

"I'm Aero Kalo, Weiss Schnee's bodyguard. You are?"

"I'm her sister Winter."