I would like to apologies for the late post and thank everyone that is still reading. I originally wanted to give you guys a bigger chapter with a confrontation, but with my lack of confidence in written them I rewrote a lot of the chapter over again never being satisfied. So instead of having you guys wait I deiced to post the first part of the chapter here and post the other by the end of the week. Sorry again. Enjoy

Chapter 2

Metal shifting and grunting echoed in the barracks as the soldiers started to equip their armor and weapons. Jaune finding it difficult to latch his leg armor together looked up to see Ren taking his green robe off.

Holding in a chuckle as he remembered the first time he saw him change. As they both entered the city guard they were roomed together. At first he thought Ren was a girl so at night when they went to changed Jaune flustered tried to stop Ren and leave. Only to be stopped by a disgruntled Ren proving he was a guy.

It didn't help that after they were transferred to the Outer Guard half the soldiers thought the same till they saw him enter the male barracks.

Looking down Ren got annoyed seeing Jaune's face. But smirked noticing Jaune's armor. "Still having trouble knowing which piece goes on your arm and which goes on your leg, where would you be without me or your sisters." Handing Jaune the correct piece.

"You ask for help one time, and you hold it over my head." Jaune replied regretting telling Ren how his sister helped when they were training him.

After a quick laugh both returned gearing up. Ren tightening chainmail around his body, with a darker green combat robe over it. Making sure, the knifes inside his sleeves were ready he moved to his twin blades at his hips. Each blade had a hook design used to trap weapons and limbs with a sharp edge on the outside.

Jaune wore a black hooded shirt with dark grey armor around his body. His left arm supported a full arm gauntlet with his shield. His right has less armored but allowed his sword arm to be more flexible and lighter. Reaching for his chest Jaune adjusted the stone under his cloths, till he felt the stone start to pulse again.

Turning to Ren, Jaune was about to say something but paused. Looking at Cardin and his gang getting ready he noticed Dove had a most of his arm wrapped, while Russel had part of his shin wrapped as well. Jaune was about to think of it was just another injury but froze as he saw a black vein like mark creep past the wrapping.

Whipping his head down, Jaune looked at his shield adjusting the position. Seeing the reflection in it he started to sweat as both Dove and Russel glared in his direction only to return to their gear a moment later.

Ren with his back to Cardin and the others noticed the tense exchange, after Jaune finished his last piece they both left to wait outside.

Outside Jaune and Ren headed to quite area to discuss what happened, when a tap on both their shoulders spun them around to see who it was.

"What are you guys doing?" Was heard as Alice popped her head between the two startled soldiers.

Alice with stated to laugh seeing her friends flinch as she greeted them. She had brown skin with black hair that covered one of her orange eyes. She wore similar armor to Jaune if not smaller and darker. But instead of a shield and gauntlet she used a two handed sword. After seeing the look on their faces stopped laughing and looked concerned.

"You guys okay? It looks like you saw Cardin on the toilet again." She joked trying to shake them from their tense expressions.

Taking a deep breath Jaune paused before answering. While Ren kept an eye on the barracks. "Ren and I noticed something strange going on with Dove and Russel. While the others don't look off, we goanna try to see what going on. Until we get back from the mission stay on guard with them."

With a nod Alice agreed…

After a few moments the rest of the Squad lined up as Cardin stepped in front of them. Covered in his grey armor with his mace hooked to his side he walk back and forth in front of his squad.

"Listen up! As you know we are moving through neutral land to retake a mine that might have Grimm located in it. With forty soldiers it should be a standard job, but…" Cardin turned to Jaune and Ren with a shitty grin. "After considering the threat I have deiced to have Jaune, Ren, and Alice. Move on a head to scout our path and to clear any minor Grimm."

Jaune cursed under his breath as the trio move through the forest. Jaune had his hood up to cover is blonde hair from sticking out, Ren moved in the trees and cover Jaune and Alice as they moved on the ground.

While it might seem like a punishment, out of all the other soldiers none were suited for the job better then these three. While not as agile as the other two Jaune had a monstrous reserve on stamina that allowed him to keep up. Ren was skilled with close and range fighting with a keen eye allowed him to spot trouble from the trees. Alice was gifted with a talent for stealth, while she used to surprise her friends from time to time. Allowed her to get in close to her target and take them out quick and quietly.

As the trio moved ahead they noticed fewer and fewer Grimm in the area. Ren and Alice had to help Jaune with the occasional Ursa and lone Beowolve. But for the most part it was abnormally quite in the forest. But each had a feeling of being watch and once in a while checked to only see shadows.

Jaune as he moved through the forest felt the stone pulse more and more. Strange but after a few steps the pulse felt welcomed and gave him courage and strength. Surprising Alice and Ren as he beheaded two Ursa without pause.

With the mine in site they circled the area around and returned to the others to report their findings. "Its weird normally there would be at least a larger pack of Grimm in the area. It also had a strange presence in the surrounding woods." Ren reported.

Cardin turned to his advisers who happen to be his small gang, discussing what to do next. Jaune looked ahead to the deserted mine, signs of a struggle between the miners and Grimm could be seen. Claw marks against the stone walls and door that was now smashed open. It was easy to see what became of the miners inside.

"To think our leaders left them alone out here." Jaune said to himself.

"Well we can't have soldiers everywhere anymore." Jaune turned to see Ren walking towards him. "After the war started more soldiers were called to the cities to protect them."

Jaune had to agree, more and more cities reported attacks from not only Grimm but raids too. "Although after the Fang entered the other cities and raids slowed to defend themselves from the new attacks. In a way I'm thankful to the fang." Jaune said looking down to his sword. "I never like fighting against other people."

"Who does?" Ren Added shrugging his shoulders.

In the tree above Ren Jaune thought he saw something. Looking at Ren he shifted his eyes to the tree. Taking the hint Ren quickly threw a Knife into the dense tree top. Both readied their weapons to face what ever fell from the knife. Jaune could feel his heart beat as he focused trying to make out what was hiding in the shadows. He half expected the stone to pulse like it did before but instead it was silent.

Movement in the tree drew his attention back as a object fell. With Ren's knife in-beaded in its chest a small Nevermore fell.

Relaxing Ren and Jaune moved to inspect the Grimm. A snapping twig brought out their weapons and only to be pointed at Alice.

"Sorry to scare you guys but you need to come back!"

I will post the next part by the end of the week. Sorry for the wait I will make this up to you all in the next chapter. Some action and some people will make an appearance cough "Rpwby" Cough So look forward to Sunday Thanks for reading and please review and comment.