So, change of plans: that idea I've had I'm gonna use for a spec script, which is pretty cool. Better idea: me and a fellow writer are going to collab on a new story that you guys are going to love! Hope you guys enjoy this chapter and I'll see you next week! Please review, fav, all that good stuff!

Chapter 9

Sebastian shuffled into the living room and collapsed on the couch, a look of anger, disgust and agitation on his face as he found the remote and turned on the local news, making sure the volume stayed low. It had been a week since everyone had split up and Sebastian was feeling like he got the worst of the split.

"Fucking shoot me," he said to himself, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. He wore checkered red and black pants with a white t-shirt for pajamas, getting up from the nice tan couch and walking into the adjoining kitchen. The kitchen was nice, with a new stove, refrigerator, cabinets and dishwasher with cream colored walls, the appliances and cabinets all being darker then the walls. Sebastian walked across the top of the tiles slowly, reaching the refrigerator and grabbing some ingredients to make a nice breakfast for the three of them, even though he thought Blake and Sun didn't deserve it. He began to cook and heard a low yawn behind him, turning to see Blake in the same robe she had worn at Beacon, her cat ears low, matching her eyes as she moved over to Sebastian.

"Morning Sebastian," she said, Sebastian having to lean over because of how low she said it.

"Good morning Blake, sleep well?"

"I did."

"I bet," Sebastian said under his breath.

"Ready to keep training?" she asked as she sat down at the glass and metal dinner table.

"Can't wait, I'm starting to get the hang of it. I do need to go see a weapon smith however, I need to order a few things."

"Oh?"

"For Aero," Sebastian said, looking over the eggs and bacon that was cooking. He heard a loud sound and turned to see Sun in the doorway, walking over to Blake and kissing her on top of her head then over to Sebastian.

"Sup dude."

"Nothing much Sun."

"Sleep well last night?"

"Just peachy," Sebastian said with a fake smile, finishing what he was cooking and getting plates down for himself and the two Hunters. He plated the food and handed it to them, each enjoying the food in silence as they casually talked about small things. The apartment was located in the heart of the kingdom of Vacuo and was in a modern apartment complex, being on the first floor and having a lot of room for them to practice and put their various items. It had two bedrooms, one bath, the kitchen, dining room and living room along with a another small room that they used for training along with floor space to train.

"You heard from Lila or Aero?" Blake asked, more perked up and awake as she ate.

"Kinda. They're enjoying their times with everyone, so at least they're having fun."

"You're not?" Sun asked.

"Of course I am and hell you guys are training me to use swords, which I have to admit is really badass."

"Oh that's good."

"Of course… see, I understand this is your apartment, I completely get that. You guys are married and haven't had that much private time. You guys can do whatever you want, I have no problem whatsoever with whatever you guys do. But I will say this: the wall between our rooms is pretty thin, I hope you realize that," Sebastian said, getting up as Blake choked on her food while Sun spat his out. Sebastian shook his head at the two of them, who looked down at the food, their faces reflecting embarrassment as he walked to his room, a smirk on his face.

"Oh you gotta be fucking with me," Lila said, looking around the living room and sighing to herself. Yang, Ruby and Scarlet owned a small abode that was eight blocks away from their father's house on Patch, similar homes lining the road in a typical community with the forest surrounding them. It was a brick house that on the inside had different painted walls, ranging from light brown and orange to red and grey. Lila had stepped from her room in a light green robe, her hair in a short ponytail and was witnessing what a late night party was for the three. Ruby was laying on top of Scarlet, her head resting on his chest, the two laying on the couch. Below them Yang was sprawled on the floor and was lightly snoring. Lila looked at the three in disbelief but with a smile, noting how for the first week everything had actually been fine and she had grown closer to the three of them.

"Guys?" she asked, nudging Yang's head with her foot, causing the Huntress to roll over and mumble something.

"Guys," she said louder, this time Ruby moving ever so slightly and Scarlet wrapping an arm around her.

"Guys!" she yelled, causing all Ruby and Scarlet to shoot up while Yang rolled back over and opened her eyes a little.

"Oh… morning Lil…" was all Ruby could say before closing her eyes again. Lila sighed and smacked Ruby's foot, waking the Huntress up fully.

"Ow! The hell?"

"The hell? Why are you asking me that? What the hell happened last night? I was knocked out at 11."

"I know. We decided to stay up until… what time is it?"

"It's 10 in the morning."

"We decided to stay up until 5 for some gaming and movies."

"Oh jeez."

"We do this every Friday," Scarlet said, sitting up slowly as Lila nudged Yang again, who sat up and looked Lila up and down with groggy eyes.

"Oh, morning-"

"Yes, good morning Yang, glad you could join us."

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed," Yang said, Ruby and Scarlet chuckling as Lila rolled her eyes.

"Look, I'm sorry, after a week I got used to us getting up and training and-"

"And we understand Lila. But you were so chilled at Weiss's, why are you reverting back?" Scarlet asked.

"Honestly, I think because I thought of that week as a vacation and Saunin's attack was a wake-up call. I don't want to see you guys, Aero or Sebastian hurt."

"They and we won't be," Yang said with a smile, getting up and stretching, "Because we are going to kick their asses and you won't let that happen period. Relax Lila," Yang said, rubbing Lila's back.

"Let's just take today as an easy day. Besides, if I remember correctly, someone spoke up about saying how cool Huntress weapons are."

"And?"

"And it just so happens Signal Academy is in session, which means only one person can help us," Yang said with a grin, Ruby's eyes getting bigger as Lila and Scarlet looked at the two of them.

"Who?"

"Uncle Qrow!" Ruby exclaimed, jumping off her boyfriend's body in the process. Soon enough the four of them had gotten dressed and were out the door, Lila excited to ditch her old weapons and acquire a new one.

"So, then I said 'Come on Bobby, they ain't doing shit!' and next thing you know I'm literally thrown out the door for the second time that day," Aero said, Weiss smiling and shaking her head at him.

"Wow, you made him that mad huh?"

"Well when he wants to talk crap about my team when his had a shitty defense and didn't make it to the playoffs the previous five years, yeah, I'm gonna make him that mad," Aero said, finishing his sugary morning meal. For the two of them, being in Mistral had been calming and exciting, especially for Aero since he had never been to the kingdom for a vacation, only for missions. Over the whole week the two had gotten to know each other a lot better after the incident about Aero's past and had spent a lot more time together, greatly enjoying each other's company, with both noting to themselves that living together felt natural somehow.

"So, what are the plans today? Any meetings or anything special?"

"I need to get come some casual clothes, the Hunter Council is having a gathering for all the Hunters in a few days."

"Don't you have enough clothes?"

"Oh shut it," Weiss said, waving him off as she got up and put her dishes in the sink. The apartment Weiss owned was large and spacious, resting at the top of a 12-story apartment complex that was mainly inhabited by the upper class. Her apartment had its own pool, training room, three bedrooms each with their own bathrooms, a large spacious living room, kitchen and dining room. Each room was painted in shades of white and blue, matching the Schnee aesthetic while also having the latest technology.

Aero walked to his room and peeked across the living room to Weiss's, watching her as she looked out the window and sighed to herself. He smiled to himself, his eyes lingering as Weiss turned around and spotted him staring. Aero waved while putting on a goofy smile, making the heiress giggle as she closed her door. Aero had realized that he had slowly developed feelings for Weiss but was doing his best not to show it, afraid to put her in a bad situation if something were to happen to him. He himself quickly got dressed in slacks, a white undershirt and matching jacket and waited for Weiss, who came out in her alternate, black and white uniform.

"Nice job trying to cover up your staring," Weiss said, Aero turning red.

"Ah whatever," he said, the two walking out to an elevator and heading to the first floor, where a limo waited for them.

"Hopefully no attacks this time," Aero said, his arms crossed over his chest as he peered out the window. Mistral had the old look of Vale in its neighborhoods and the modern look of the kingdom of Atlas with its centers and high-rise buildings.

"I hope so," Weiss said, looking with him and enjoying the view. They got out at a large mall and shopped around for a few hours, Aero quickly becoming her bag boy. They were almost done when they walked inside a men's clothing store.

"Okay, last I checked, you don't wear this kind of stuff," Aero said, both of his arms carrying three bags each.

"True, but you could use a new wardrobe."

"Weiss, I don't-"

"Aero, get some damn shirts and pants," Weiss said with a cold stare that somewhat scared Aero, who nodded quickly, setting the bags near her and looking around. He came back to her, his arms carrying three jeans and four shirts, which Weiss looked at with disgust.

"What?"

"Why black?"

"Why not?"

"Almost everything you wear is black."

"I literally grew up on it."

"At least Lila throws in some greens!"

"Because she's a girl that likes some accents!"

"Oh so now only a girl can like colors!"

"I didn't- fuck it I'm going to lose this fight, I'll go look around some more," Aero said, throwing his hands in the air, flinging the clothing everywhere and infuriating Weiss. Aero returned minutes later with shirts that had accents of white, silver, black and blue on them.

"Better?"

"Much," Weiss said, holding her hand out to take the shirts as Aero picked up the bags, only to put them back down when his Scroll rang.

"Aero… sup Seb?... really?... okay, sounds good… Shopping right now, you said Vale right?... Yes, shopping… Yes I'm carrying her things… shut the hell up, I'll be there tomorrow asshole… bye."

"Sebastian?"

"He has a mission for Lila and I."

"At least you got new clothes."

"At least I got to spend time with you," Aero said with a smile that Weiss copied as she paid for everything, the two returning to the apartment in no time. It was there Aero quickly went to his room, put his new clothing away and changed into combat uniform. Since the attack, Aero had it outfitted with pieces of armor and had changed the shirt: instead of being all black, it was black on top but faded to dark blue near the bottom. It also now sported a hood along with a built in mask that hid his lips and nose.

"You'll be gone for a day I take it?" Weiss asked from the couch.

"That I will be, so no wild parties," Aero said as he slid his hidden blades in slots on top of his forearms he had on the shirt and locked them in place.

"Be careful," Weiss said as he approached the door, causing Aero to stop and walk back to her.

"I will be, I promise," Aero said, lightly gripping her hand and squeezing it. She squeezed back and watched him leave, leaving her alone to her thoughts, which were now complicated and confusing.

"Check this shit out!" Lila said, holding a rifle in her arms. Aero looked at her with a big grin that she matched as she twirled it around effortlessly.

"When did you get good with that?"

"Ruby, Yang and their Uncle Qrow."

"Kickass. May I?" Aero asked, holding his hand out, Lila gladly obliging. Aero turned the rifle over in his hand, noting the intricate dark green and yellow paint job on it, aiming down the iron sights and noting the guns weight.

"Nice and light, fits you."

"As does this," Lila said, hitting a button near where the magazine went in. The stock collapsed in her hand, the barrel rotated and splayed out, forming a blade. Aero looked in sheer amazement as the rifle had formed into a sword in her hand.

"Holy fuck you have a Hunter weapon."

"I have a motherfucking Hunter weapon!" she exclaimed as the two high-fived. Lila's Scroll went off at that moment, which she pulled out to a smiling Sebastian.

"Hey guys."

"Sup Seb?" Aero asked over Lila's shoulder as she rested the blade on a magnet that was on the middle of her back thanks to a new harness she wore that also housed her pistols and throwing knives.

"Nothing much. Simple mission: take down that hotel that the Guild uses as a front. Got it?"

"Take out the occupants?"

"You can if you want, I've double checked the people there and every person is a member of the Guild. I just sent both of you schematics of the building. Best of luck," Sebastian said, the video cutting out and being replaced with a 3D model of the building.

"That's two blocks away. Doesn't it have a boiler room?"

"Yeah why?" Aero asked as he looked at the model on his own Scroll.

"You provide the distraction I'll blow it up?"

"Causing a massive fire… I like it. Tell Seb that we're gonna need him to re-route fire trucks to let the place burn."

"Sounds good," Lila said, putting the call in as Aero ran in front of her. He dashed across the rooftops, jumped down to the street and crashed through the front doors of the building, shocking the three inside the lobby.

"Room for one? Man I've always wanted to say that," he said as they looked at him with anger while he strolled to the front desk.

"You guys really aren't assassins are you?" he asked and was met with a punch from the female worker while the male lunged over the counter and tackled. Aero pushed him off and threw a knife at the woman as she made a call, the knife piercing her heart as she dropped the phone. Aero returned his attention to the male and stabbed him with a hidden blade before another jumped on Aero's back, banging on his chest. Aero threw him off and stared down his opponent, who looked behind Aero and grinned. Aero looked confused until he turned around and saw eleven fully geared assassins in the lobby.

"Well fuck. Lila!" he said into his head set as the eleven charged ahead with an assortment of weapons. Aero avoided all of them as his partner kicked the front doors down, aimed with her new rifle and opened fire, hitting three in their backs and shooting the man who had attacked Aero squarely in the head. Aero turned with his pistols in hand and shot a couple more until they were knocked from his hands, forcing Aero to draw his sword and wade into four as two charged at Lila. Aero held one overhead strike until one kicked his leg out, the attacker's sword cleaving into Aero's hand as he fell to the ground. Meanwhile Lila expertly parried a blow, stabbed the second in the chest, turned around, grabbed the woman's arm and turned it so her own blade pierced her throat. Lila quickly reformed her rifle and downed two more, allowing Aero to get up while nursing his hand. The last two rushed Lila, who easily ducked a blow, formed her sword and stabbed one in the back of the head than cut diagonally across the others chest than back.

"Damn this thing is badass," she said, looking over her weapon before running to Aero, who was wincing at his new wound. She looked down and saw that the blade had cleaved a quarter of an inch into the palm of his hand.

"Shit this hurts… why do I get all the injuries?" he asked as they walked from the lobby and across the street.

"No clue. You going to be okay?"

"I'll stitch it up later," he said as they walked away, "Wait, the furnace."

"Oh, right," she said, pulling out a detonator, "That furnace?" and with those remarks Lila pushed the button, sending an explosion through the basement of the building, which collapsed moments later from the structural damage.

"You did that on purpose."

"Damn straight I did. Let's get you to a hospital."

The next evening Aero was in front of the door to Weiss's apartment, his hand in a proper bandage. He couldn't arrive sooner because of his injury, which would take a week to heal, and because of horrible weather that was still pounding Mistral. Aero could hear the rain pouring on the roof as he made his way into the darkened apartment.

"Weiss, I'm back," he said, looking around and noting that her door was open. He drew a pistol in his left hand, aimed it at the door and walked towards it, slowly opening it and turning into the room only to see the sleeping heiress. He smiled, quietly closed her door and walked back to his room, setting his equipment down and changing. He slipped into his bed and closed his eyes, beginning to drift to sleep until a scream rang out. He rolled out of his bed, grabbed his pistol and ran to Weiss's room, bashing the door open with his shoulder and aiming his pistol around the room. He looked around, noting Weiss sitting up, her hand on her chest that was moving up and down heavily. He moved over to her, aiming his pistol at the doorway and looked at her.

"You okay? What happened?"

"N-nothing, just a bad nightmare… the Guild had come here and had attacked," she said, closing her eyes and laying back on her bed.

"Nothing else?" Aero said, rubbing her arm with his good hand while the other held the pistol.

"No," she said, rolling over and noticing his bandaged hand, "What happened?"

"Guy cut me good on my hand, I'm alright," Aero said, patting her arm as he flipped the safety back on his pistol and slipped it into a pocket on his pajama bottoms.

"I'm sorry Aero."

"Ah don't be," he said, walking out of the room and coming back with a chair.

"What in the world?"

"I'll set it up next to the door and I'll just sleep like this tonight."

"There is no way-"

"Weiss, it'll ease your mind, it's okay," Aero said with a smile as he sat down on it and laid his head back against the wall, "Besides, I've had to sleep in way worse conditions."

He closed his eyes, Weiss still eyeing him until she rolled over and closed her eyes again. Soon enough she was asleep again, something Aero noted with his enhanced hearing. Knowing she had fallen back asleep, Aero allowed himself to drift off, getting some much needed rest.

"I rarely apologize but I see that I need to. I was wrong about you. Here I was thinking you were only helping her for the money and name but I saw how you acted with her Aero. You have feelings for her," she said with a grin. Aero couldn't help but chuckle as he turned to her.

"That obvious huh?"

"No, but women can tell about these things. I will say this much, you better treat her right. What you did to Neptune I wanted to do for a long while. I better not have to do it to you."

"You won't."