Sorry for my bad English.
It almost made a year since I uploaded this. I'm a little disappointed in how the Volume 9. Mostly was okay but there were some turns I was not a fan of it. I guess at some point, every story gets its ups and downs. But RWBY have been on the down and the middle for a long time right now. At this point, I just want to see how the story will end and probably never want to watch it ever again.
But the end of the series must be near than we expected from how RT has been handling the series so far. I still can find a valid reason for them to take the series out of Youtube or even leave exclusive to Crunchyroll for a year.
But that just my thoughts. To the fic.
Vale
Just because the invasion was stopped, it did not mean the job was already done as Glynda walked to one of the members of team DARK.
-Mr. Woods. -Glynda called Kiron. -Check for any civilian who needs medical assistance. -Kiron didn't say anything, just went to his path to comply with his teacher's orders.
Sally, who saw everything, approached Rarus.
-Why did Ms. Goodwitch ask Kiron to look for wounded civilians? -She asked.
-He didn't tell you? He has some first-aid knowledge. -Rarus answered.
-You! -Ruby shouted and suddenly, appeared in front of the brunette. -Why are you here?! I didn't ask for your help so don't you-woah, are you alright? -Ruby's blander stopped as she notices Sally's expression.
The brunette's face was lacking her cheerfulness and she seemed like was worried about something.
-I-I'm fine. It just... the whole thing caught me by surprise. -Sally answered.
Normally, Ruby would brag about how she was there first and how sure she was about slaying more Grimms than her. But even she knew there was time to not bother someone with those trivialities.
-Are you sure? -Rarus asked. -Normally you would run after Kiron.
-I'm fine, really. Just need some time alone. -Sally said and walked away.
Unicorn cared little about the aftermath. The Grimms were either killed or wiped away so there was little for her to care about. So while her teammates were doing whatever the hell they were doing, she retreated to a secluded area and put on her headphones.
This is until he notices the sullen look on her team leader's face.
-Did you notice? -Koro asked.
-Yes. -Was all Unicorn said, not even looking at Koro.
-Go after her, I'll bring Ryan. -Koro said and vanished.
Putting her headphones back to her pack, she followed her team leader.
Not far from where Sally was, Ryan was standing and staring into nothingness when he notices a brunette with a beret and a purse walking towards him.
-Green shirt with a bolt of lightning, bandages covering the face, an old western poncho. -She said and pulled down her sunglasses for a moment to look Ryan from up to down. -Ryan Forest, I presume?
-Do you know me? -Ryan asked.
-No personally. -The girl said and start to gently poke Ryan, confusing him even more. -My name's Coco, I'm the leader of team CVFY. I worked with your older brother once.
So this is how she knows him. He remembers his brother mentioning he needed to work alongside teams from other academies. Something about showing the rivalry is just friendly and the kingdoms are willing to work together.
-Can I ask what are you doing? -Ryan asked as Coco walked around him.
-Just giving a look at the Vacuo's supposed strongest fighter. -The answer made Ryan's eye widen in surprise. -You don't look like big of a deal but the looks can deceive.
-Where did you hear that?! -Ryan whispered to the brunette.
-Something I heard while on a mission on Vacuo. -Coco answered and finally was done with her inspection. -Some people around there wants your head, you know?
-And I would prefer to not let this go around the academy if you don't mind.
-Do you think someone did not hear about you? -Coco asked with a raised eyebrow. -People talk a lot. Sure there are some people in the academy who knows about you but just don't know what you look like.
-Okay, that's it. I'm gonna shave my hair. -Ryan said immediately.
-I would recommend to you not. -Koro suddenly spoke and appeared between his partner and Coco. -That hair doesn't seem that will grow back if all of it is gone.
-You don't need to be rude about it, you know? -Ryan whimpered, he was very conscious about the growing problem with his hair.
-Forget about that for now, let's go. -Koro said.
-To where?
-See our team leader.
-Sally? -Ryan asks.
-Friend of yours? -Coco asked.
-He's my partner. It was nice meeting you, I gotta go. -Ryan said and went with his partner to find his leader.
Coco just stared at him for a couple of seconds before she went back to her team.
With all said and done, Sally would offer some assistance to Kiron and try to get closer to him. But she was not in the mood.
After she met with the Hellhound, all those negative feelings went back to her full force. She knew she still has problems dealing with canines and was planning to seek help after some time, but she never thought she would have to deal with a Hellhound so early in her training.
Hellhounds are rare to find and only students from the third year are allowed to go to missions where they could appear. So she blamed only herself for allowing something like that to happen.
-I should have sought help a long time ago. -She whispered.
-Seek help for what? -A voice asked.
Sally was so distracted by the thought of her fear that she was not focusing enough to use her semblance. So she was surprised to see Koro and her teammates approach her.
-Sally, something happened? -Ryan asked.
-I... I have some fear of... dogs. -Sally confessed.
-You have cynophobia? -Ryan asked.
-Cynophobia? -Koro asked.
-It is what is called the extreme fear of dogs. -Ryan explained.
-It is not like I fear every dog... okay, maybe I do. -Sally said.
-I don't get it. -Koro began. -You can deal with Beowulves and Ursas but not dogs?
-Beowulves are different and are more humanoid, so I can handle them. -Sally explained. -If walks in four and have fangs, it scares me a bit.
-A bit? -Koro asked loudly. -You were like were standing in the cold of Atlas while wearing a bathing suit.
-Koro, calm down. -Ryan spoke.
-No, he's right. -Sally said. -I find it strange as well but I just can't help it.
-And why are you afraid of dogs? -Ryan asked.
Sally took a deep sigh before starting to explain, eyes looking down.
-When I was a little girl, I walked away from my parents' house and ended on the nearest forest. After a while, I heard the groan of what I thought to be an animal but ended up being a Grimm.
-A Hellhound. -Unicorn said, earning a nod from her brunette leader.
Then she reached to one of her legs and unzipped her boot, revealing a bite scar decorating her ankle.
-I tried to run but it caught me by the leg with his teeth. All I can remember was that pain in my leg as I cried for my parents. -As she explained, she put her boot back and continued her story. -My father was able to break his fang and it let go of my leg. Right after that, my father chased after the Hellhound while my mother took me in her arms. Then I proceed to cry in her chest, screaming about how scared I was.
-I see. -Ryan commented. -I suppose a situation like this can let a mark on someone.
-You would know. -Koro commented.
-What do you mean? -Sally asked.
-He's afraid of fire. -Unicorn answered.
-Did you guys need to say that!? -Ryan asked.
-It is pretty obvious from just looking at you, Ryan. -Unicorn answered again.
Sally was a bit surprised by the news but suspected how her gunslinger teammate reacted during the breakfast. How it seemed like Ryan was preparing to fight a war when about to turn on the oven. Still, she couldn't help but feel bad for her teammate as she heard him whimpering on the ground.
-Anyway. -Koro began. -You better go look for a solution for this. I can't have my team leader, the one who suppose to be giving ME orders, trembling like in the winter.
-Don't worry. After today, I plan to seek help with this.
-No alone, I hope. -Unicorn spoke.
-What do you mean? -Ryan asked.
-I want you to help her.
-Unicorn, I doubt my screaming will be of any help.
-I want you to help her by going with her. Her with her dog phobia, and you with the fire.
-Can we not discuss this before making any decision?! -Ryan loudly asked.
-I would like to have someone I know by my side. -Sally commented.
-It is decided then. -Koro said.
-Who decides that?! -Ryan asked, making his partner groan before grabbing Sally by her shoulders.
-Will you really say no to this face? -Koro made the question while gesturing to Sally's face.
Naturally, Ryan look to his team leader's face, how her eyes seemed to be watering and her expression begging for his help. He felt like swallowed something cold and groaned while shaking his head before surrendering.
-Okay! Okay! -He said and murmured. -I'll go with her.
Then his face got red like a tomato feeling the brunette leader wrap him in a hug.
-Oh Ryan! Thank you so much! -Sally happily exclaimed.
-Well, now that this problem is solved, let's fill our stomachs. -Koro said and began to walk away.
-Didn't you have like, four trays of breakfast this morning? -Ryan asked, following his partner.
Unicorn was about to follow them when notices her leader still sitting on the bench. Sally notices her partner staring at her as Unicorn gestures with her head if she will be coming.
-I will stay here a bit longer. -Sally answered.
Unicorn shrugged and walked away.
Once again alone, Sally smiles seeing the team she had in the academy. They may not be the top teams like RWBY and JNPR but she has a lot of fun with them. And now, they just show she can count on them with any problem rises and she will be there for them if they ever need it.
Her smile drops once again upon remembering her reasons for them to offer help. That Hellhound was not the same from her childhood, she knew that. But wondered if the dog Grimm was still around or if a huntsman already deal with him.
-Did he is still alive? -Sally asked herself but hoped someone could give her the answer.
Outside of the city, standing on a hill far from the city of Vale, the very dog Grimm she was referring to was watching the place that just got invaded but already have repealed the invading forces. It licked his chops, more specifically the place where a fang was missing.
End of the chapter.
Some trauma and drama to the story because I only saw Dragon Ball make a story without those and succeed. More will come next time.
That's all folks, see you next time!