AN: I don't know why this chapter turned out more comedic then i ever intended for this story, but i guess you can call it the calm before the storm.

See everyone next Monday!.

Honestly, Jaune should've known that roughing it probably wouldn't be all sunshine and rainbows. More like mosquitos, which he still believes are extremely miniature Grimm despite no one taking him seriously, and weather wants to kill him alive.

Only two weeks has past and Jaune was already beginning to regret this whole 'walk to Haven' business. Or at least postpone it for a couple of weeks…

Seriously, why did they decide to start in the damn winter? Why not do the reasonable thing and do it in spring or something? This blasted plate across his shoulder isn't doing any good either. Jaune thought it would be the very lifeline to protect him from the horrible weather, but nope! It now is a freezing cold hunk of steel strapped to his chest.

Overall, Jaune was not having a good time.

Looking over to his friend Ruby and seeing that she was in a similar boat warmed his cold, very cold, gods above why does he still have a giant iron plate stuck to his chest for, cold heart. To say Ruby was shivering was an understatement. She looked like she was going to kneel over. If not for their aura, they probably suffer from hypothermia by now. Jaune taking a glance at their scrolls, narrowed his at seeing that everyone else aura was at around ninety, and his at ninety-five. Seeing as they already been walking for around four hours now, seems like freezing to death is going to be a multi week process and he's just whining like a baby.

Jaune glanced at Ren and Nora at the front of their pack. They had made no comment about how cold they are, or if they were tired, or if Ren could please fed them something other then vegetable soup.

Man. He really does whine a lot huh.

"Hey Ren, what the status of the nearest village?" Jaune asked, causing the Mistralian to look back at him.

"Well, we made some good progress this week, we should be at the final town before we have to Climb those mountains." Ren smiled. Unbuckling the map at his hip to make sure their route was correct, before looking back at the rest of them. "Make sure to look out for signs for the town of Chilly."

Because of course it was called Chilly…

Despite the very ironic naming, Jaune was glad by the amount of progress they have made. The hike from the city of Vale has basically been a game of "Try not to die from Grimm and the cold." Thankfully the further they got out, the less Grimm appeared. Honestly, it was kind of weird that they haven't seen a single Grimm in nearly a week, but hey, less work for them!

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An Ursa who lived his short existence of doing nothing but causing terror for humanity met its bloody end from his Harbinger. Qrow stretched his back, and looked at what he could assume was enough Grimm dust to fill enough pothole in Vale. Somehow more Grimm just keep coming and coming.

Damn kids…Manage to attract stragglers. Four kids on a save the world mission? Yeah, he could see what Grimm would be invested in any negativity that was building up there.

Also, there's the minx that's been following them for a while… Girl thought she was sly, but he's been tailing far longer then he has. Should he do something about it?

Nah, they got this. Qrow thought as he cut down another beowolf. Even if I'm doing all the work…

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One thing Jaune didn't know about Nora was just how good of a hunter she is. Surprisingly he thought the ever so quiet Ren would be the one to hunt and set out traps.

Then Jaune learns that Nora's way of hunting doesn't involve snares or bows and arrows, but a big stick and a whole lot of Aura to her palms, and suddenly they now have a deer for dinner.

Nora scares him. She genuinely scares him. But hey, she also provides the food, so he says praise Nora.

Just keep that stick away from him.

"Hey Jaune-Jaune?" Nora suddenly asks, balancing the deer on her shoulder which Jaune was doing his very best to not look at.

"Hm? What is it?"

"What do you think of this whole… Haven thing?"

Jaune tilted his head at Nora question. He thought he had made his stance clear earlier. They must do this. There wasn't a debate about it. When he vocalizes that to Nora, she just continued to stare at him with those sky-blue eyes of hers.

"Well, don't get me wrong, I'm sticking with ya guys thick and through, but don't Cha think we might be rushing into things?"

No. They weren't. How she couldn't see that he didn't know. "No. I don't. I think we're doing perfectly fine." Jaune growled, his voice a bit angrier then he meant to get.

They walk in silence for the rest of the trip. As Jaune could see their camp up ahead, he felt himself become a bit calmer. He had no idea what came over him back there.

"Hey fearless leader?" Nora voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Yeah?"

"You know we love ya, right?"

Jaune chuckled and place a hand on Nora shoulder. Which wasn't smart since it was currently supporting a deer. But Jaune just ignored that for as long as he could, probably the rest of his life if he could manage it.
"Yeah, I know." He said.

Nora just gave him her standard Nora grin, and walked happily to Ren, who was very pleased with the acquired meat. They can probably make it last till tomorrow if they we're careful. Ren began to immediately work for their dinner, and well, with nothing else to do, Jaune walked up to Ruby,

"Hey craterface." He joked, which caused Ruby to snort.

"Hey yourself" She smiled and looked over at Ren quietly skinning and prepping their meal. "How did Nora mange that?"

"You don't what to know." Jaune said, already seeing the flashbacks in his mind.

Ruby narrowed her eyes. "I kind of want to now…"

"Trust me." Jaune sighed as he plops himself right by Ruby. "So, what you are thinking about."

Ruby looked towards the sky in a wistful glance. "Home… Mainly Yang and Dad."

"Not your uncle?" Jaune smiled.

"Nah, he's too cool to worry about."

The sudden caw from a nearby crow made them jump a bit, they stared at each other before getting lost in a series of giggles.

"You know, we've only been here for a couple of weeks… but it's kinda fun, you, being like, actual huntsman and stuff."

"I'm pretty sure being huntsman doesn't mean… actual hunting men."

"Shut up! Your ruining my vision!" Ruby grinned. Jaune laughed in response, rubbing his shoulder mockingly.

Yeah. This whole hike from Vale to Anima wasn't exactly his cup of tea. But with these guys? He doesn't see how anything could go wrong.

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Neo Politan was not what you would call a hiking gal. See her entire outfit for instance. It was not fit for the cold and traversing through hills and forest.

Yet she didn't care. She ignored the chills she could feel on her bones. She ignored the branches poking at her neck or how her feet were killing her.

No one of these things matter. She had a single simple goal.

But the gods above. Why did no one told her how boring it was…

She should have packed some material to keep her entertain, hell she will even take reading a book if it just mean she didn't have to keep watching these idiots going on their merry adventure.

She wants to kill them.

Not just little Red. But also, blonde fool, the not female one, and the really loud one.

Thinking about stabbing them all with Hush, watching the blood slowly drain from their face.

That keeps her sanity in check.

Neo watch patiently from a yard away. The yellow fool was talking to little red, while the not female one was messing with some animal. They seem to be done for the day.

At least that means she can get some rest.

Walking away from her little project didn't worry her. She knew that they'd be right where she left them. They're like ants in that way, she can always count on them to do the same thing each day.

Neo skipped her little clearing she found. She didn't exactly have a sleeping bag or a tent, but hey, a girl can make do with just… the ground.

Maybe she can steal one of their sleeping bags. Pin that for later-

Neo stopped suddenly. her eyes narrowed. Suddenly unsheathing Hush, Neo found herself in a defensive position. She tried to tune her ears to the sounds she thought she heard earlier, maybe she was just going slightly insane.

Neo eyes focused on her right side. Seeing the bush rustle as she pointed hush at whatever was back there. Ready for whatever dared get in her way.

The offender was two pairs of red eyes and a giant maw. Rows of teeth lined up like a shark as it lumbered its way towards Neo. A beowolf. Perhaps the most common type of Grimm. Neo relaxed a bit, still dangerous, but c'mon, who hasn't dealt with a beowolf at least once?

The beast rushed for Neo with incredible accuracy and speed, unfortunate for the puppy that Neo was just a bit smarter then that. Dodgin to her right, and stabbing hush right at the Grimm eye. The creature didn't seem to mind the temporary loss of its eye, and it started to swipe at Neo with its giant claws.

Neo dodged those sharp claws with ease, using Hush she stabbed the Wolf in the neck and pinned it right into the tree. It slowly begins to disappear. No more did it exist.

Neo grabbed Hush and put it back into her trusty umbrella.

Grimm. So annoying. Neo was great at humans fights; she excels at the humans' fights.

Creatures who ignore all pain, and attack with the sole purpose of killing her? Not as fun, excels not as much. But even a kid can kill a single beowolf.

A loud growl made her on edge. Glancing around where she stood, she saw it. Another beowolf.

Annoying, but again nothing she couldn't-

The hairs on the back of her neck raise as she nearly had her head stomped by a giant paw. The giant Ursa managed to get behind her without her noticing.

Okay… This might be bad.

The Ursa roared and started it assault, not caring for the beowolf who began to attack her on the other side. Neo dodged the ursa and kicked the beowolf in the face, using hush to cut the creatures slowly but surely.

Death to a thousand paper cuts. That is how she fought. She slowly but surely drained the aura of her opponents and made sure they suffered as much as possible.

It is a shame that Grimm are no fun losers who can't feel pain.

Neo suddenly turned behind her and saw another beowolf begin to make its way towards Neo.

This… This suck. Oh, bow how much this suck. Where the hell did all these Grimm come from?

Suddenly it clicked.

Negativity draws Grimm, and well. Theres was nothing more negative then wanting to kill someone.

As the creatures of Grimm began to circle around the girl, neo let out a grimaced and prepared hush in a defense position.

This suck.

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Jaune didn't notice anything wrong for the longest of time. Sure, he heard the roars of Grimm, but also everyone heard Grimm noises when they weren't in a town. It is just the sacrifice you must make between traveling. Just pray they never notice you and try to make it to safety.

It was Ren who perked up and seemed a bit off kilted. Jaune just glanced at him but didn't really take much note of it. Personally, enjoying the meal, nothing ruins an appetite worse than Grimm.

However, Ren seemed a bit on edge, constantly looking towards the forest every time a noise was heard. Hell, sometimes Jaune didn't even hear anything, and Ren managed to catch something.

"Renny, what's up?" Nora finally asked, placing a hand on her totally not crush's shoulder.

Ren didn't respond, just staring at the forest, slowly eating his meal. The man said nothing, but everyone was on edge.

Then everything happens in an instant as Ren suddenly jumps up and grabbed stormflower. "Someone is in trouble." Was all he said before rushing into the forest. The other three just stared at each other and followed their comrade into the forest.

Ten Grimm in ten minutes. A Grimm a minute she's managed to kill.

Honestly, she should be proud!

Too bad she was nearly about to die to really care, but at least she can take that to her grave.

Neo didn't know where this herd of Grimm came from as it continued to circle around her. Maybe they followed her from Vale? Maybe some stragglers from those that attack Beacon? It doesn't matter. She was probably going to die, and she doesn't even get to kill little red.

What a bitch…

Well… It is not the worst news possible. She could at least see Roman now.

"Hyah!" The most annoying force in the world to Neo exploded in her ears as she saw the Grimm near the back of the pack suddenly exploded into powder as a flash of red began to cut them down.

Please no… Please anything but this…

"Jaune, get the Ursas!"

"You got it!" The blonde fool agreed, taking the bearish creatures as Little Red start to cut the wolfs down.

In just a few short minutes. The Grimm all fell. The not female one and little wolf took the wolfs while the loud one and the blonde fool took the Ursas.

The not female one walked up to her and offer his hand. "You, okay? I saw you manage to take some Grimm by yourself, you a huntress?"

The blonde fool rushed up to his friend and gave him a grin before he turned to look at her, and his eyes widen in realization.

uh oh.

"Wait a minute!" The blonde fool screeched. "I remember you; you were the girl in vale?"

"Whatcha mean?" the loud one asked as they also made their way towards their little meet and greet.

"You remember that girl I meet while we shop?" The fool asked, which the loud one responded with a nod. "Well, this is the girl."

"Huh…you have a crush on Jaune-Jaune?"

That it. She dies first.

"Hey guys!" Little Red finally decided to join them. "I just check the area and I didn't see anymore… You!" Ruby shrieked as she finally noticed Neo.

Great, being found out was not exactly what Neo wanted to happen right now. She eyed little red before glancing down at hush. Ah fuck it, let see if she manages to get lucky.

With a swing of hush, Neo leaped at Ruby.

Jaune and the rest of his friends were restless. Honestly, he was shocked that how easily they were able to disarm and subdue Neo. Well, it took nearly twenty minutes, and he was pretty sure he was going to feel all the brushes from how much she hit him with her umbrella/sword thingy but that was beside the point!

Jaune looked back at the past hour and rubbed his head in contemplation. Ren and the rest of them manage to dismantle a small herd of Beowolfs and Ursa and manage to actually save a life. He was genuinely very proud of them for doing so.

However, that person turned out to be a girl named Neo, or as he remembered her being the lady in the alley way with very sad eyes.

Ruby had explained to them everything. How Neo and Roman torchwick, which that hat she wore makes a bit more sense now, took control of one of the atlas ships during the fall and attacked beacon. And how Ruby managed to fight them off 2v1.

And how Roman torchwick died in the process. In the maw of a Griffon.

Ruby claimed it was an accident, which he can believe, seeing as she never showed the ability to control Grimm before, but still, they were in a very tense, very messed situation.
Looking over at his friends he could see that they were in a very deep conversation, huddled together by the fire, discussing what they should do next. Was it only Neo that found them? From what Ruby told them, Neo was working with Torchwick who she believes was also in cahoots with Cinder.

The prospect of Cinder finding them this early in their journey terrified them. This wasn't how she wanted to meet her, even if she was injured like Ruby believes she is, she could probably wipe the floor with them still.

Troubling. Everything is so troubling.

Jaune looked over to Neo and saw that she was glaring at them all hatefully. Pure venom however was reserved specifically for Ruby. Why? Ruby just told them that she battled Neo and Roman, and that Roman died to a Grimm. Did Neo blame Ruby for that? That was absurd! Ruby couldn't control what Grimm do and kill.

Don't you blame Cinder for Pyrrha? His brain countered.

Shut up me, that's different. And it was. Cinder killed Pyrrha herself, she shot that arrow and turned her to dust. Ruby saw it all happen in her eyes.

Jaune turned to Ruby and stared wistfully at her. It just clicked in his brain that she had to see that, see someone she considered a friend turn to ash. He should talk to her…

Later He promised himself. He wasn't so sure if he was ready to get into the Pyrrha territory with his team yet. Maybe that's him being a hypocritical coward, but so be it. He was already a coward, what's one more derogatory adjective to add to it.

But that leaves Neo. What are they going to do with her?

Let her go and she will probably just regain her strength and kill all of them.

Drop her off in a village and that village probably dies as well.

They are already way too far from the main kingdom of Vale, and Jaune suspects they don't have the huntsman to watch over her with the whole kingdom in disarray.

There're only two options left. Either keep her with them or kill her.

Jaune doesn't think he could do the latter… Yet anyways…

He can kill Cinder; he can do that guaranteed without a shadow of a doubt. But kill someone else, that's a massive gray area for him.

But she did try to kill him. She personally tried to tear out his through with the sharp point of her Umbrella weapon.

Seriously why does everyone have a cooler weapon then me? Jaune whined in his mind but shook his head to focus.

If they decide to kill Neo, he doesn't think anyone would consider it the wrong decision.

But still, he can't do it, and he knows that his team wouldn't either.

Looking over at his team and inspecting them one by one, he saw how they probably came to the same conclusion. Ren was stuck in his standard stoicism, but there's was a worried glint to his eyes. He constantly switched from Ruby and Nora, entranced with the conversation.

Nora wasn't her bubbly self anymore. Now she was a quiet shell as she stared down to the ground at thought. She was clearly worried about the situation they were in and couldn't find it in herself for her standard quips and hijinks.

Looking at Ruby nearly broke Jaune. It was clear she came to the same conclusion he did and was trying desperately not to choose that option. Ruby was the type of person to not kill, even if it was the smarter and safer decision to do.

Get up and be a leader, Jackass. His brain said, and Jaune couldn't disagree. Ozpin made him a leader for a reason. To this day he never understood why and perhaps never would. But he's the leader of Team JNPR.

Time to make the decisions.

Walking over to his friends, they all looked up to him. He decided to open with a small, barely confident smile and turned to Ren.

"Hey, do we still have our dinner?"

Ren looked at him, surprised and his eyes narrowing a bit, but slowly nodded. He tilted his head on the discarded plates the team was eating when they heard when the Grimm attacked Neo. "It's probably cold by now, but perfectly edible, why?"

"Well, I got a plan." Jaune said to all three of them.

Silence rang between the three before Nora spoke up. "Well… Is it a good plan?"

Absolutely not, and I'm probably going to get us all killed. "Don't worry, you can trust me." Jaune reassured Nora, before grabbing a plate of food. He stopped suddenly when Ruby grabbed the sleeve of his hoodie. Jaune looked at Ruby, while she looked at him back. He could see the hidden message in her eyes.

Don't die on me.

Jaune just chuckled smile for Ruby, and after a moment, she let go.

Welp. He's officially doing this. No point in delaying it anymore.

Jaune made his way to where Neo was sitting. He took a quick inspection of the rope they tied her with and saw that there wasn't any disturbance. Jaune could very well die here if he wasn't careful.

"Hey." He said as he knelt by Neo. She stared at him distrustfully. Her lips nearly tied into a snarl.

What in the gods has he given himself into?

"I figured you were hungry, so I gotten you some food." And despite being on the road, it was actually good food as well. Who knew venison wasn't that bad? Ren also managed to get some vegetables for cheap during their last stop.

Neo just stared at him like he was dumb animal. Jaune just tilted his hand in confusion but understood when Neo titled her head towards her hands. That was still tied up from rope. Which means she couldn't use them.

Man, today wasn't his day…

"Ahaha… Well…I would remove the rope, but you would probably just kill me immediately, huh?"

Some would find that question offensive, however Neo just smiled as if he complimented her. Jeez, she really is making this difficult huh?

Jaune sighed and stared up at the sky for a moment. Thinking of anything he can say to make this idea work. But Neo was just… The worst. She had no compassion for what's right, she only cared about herself, and whatever her goal is-

That's it! He found his opening.

"What are you after?" Jaune asked randomly. Neo's eyes seem to widen in curiosity. However, it narrowed back to her earlier untrusting glare. With a single smirk Neo activated her semblance.

It was scary how Accurate she looked like Ruby. With a flash of pink, the once Mitch match girl transformed into his best friend.

"You're after Ruby… I figured… But why?" Jaune needed to know for sure. Surely it couldn't be-

But it was. Neo used Ruby silver eyes to show pure hatred, before the black hair turned orange, a familiar red striped hat covered Roman Torchwick bangs as he continued to stare at Jaune.

Jaune let out a sigh and stared at the ground, thinking about the situation he found himself in. Honestly? They're kind of in the same boat, both grieving. Is that why he wanted to do this? Would she do the same for him?

Absolutely not, and that's why I have too. Jaune looked back up, his gaze much softer. "You missed him, huh?"

Torchwick eyes widen in shock. The emerald irises turned pink and brown. Torchwick was no more, and Neo was back. Gone was her confident and dismissive demeanor towards him. Now it was just replaced with something Jaune was all too familiar with.

The endless pain that grief brought.

"So, that's why you want to kill Ruby, huh? Because you think she killed him?"

Neo eyes quickly changed from sadness to fury. His eyes once again fixed with venom. To her, ruby did kill Roman, there wasn't any debate on it.

Jaune disagreed heavily. "Despite what you think, Ruby didn't kill him."

Jaune didn't know that Neo could get even angrier, but shocker! She did. He was surprised that she didn't try to bite his throat out or something of that caliber.

Alright, try a new angle…

"You know Cinder, right?" Jaune asked.

The anger turned into slight confusion. And with a flash of pink, Neo was transformed into the person he hated the most.

It took all his willpower to not draw his sword and cut Cinder down. He grimaced when he stared at Cinder's amber eyes looking coyly at him.

It's not her idiot. He managed to calm himself down. Exhaling a breath, he didn't know he was holding; he felt a bit more confident as he faced Neo.

"Ruby told me a little about your fight, how you and Roman took one of the Atlas ships. Cinder put you up to that, right?"

Neo simply nodded, gone was Cinder and she was back with her true self. Her brown and pink eyes switching constantly, they stared at Jaune in confusion.

"Then it's simple to me, Cinder was the reason Roman is dead. Honestly? Cinder was probably going to kill you guys anyways after she was done with Beacon." This wasn't some mastermind manipulation or some play to Make Neo believe him. After everything Cinder had done, the chaos she caused. Yeah, Roman and Neo probably weren't on her highest priority list.

Neo just narrowed her eyes for Jaune. And for a moment she just continued to stare at Jaune. Neo looked down at the ground, but she nodded in confirmation. She understood him. She believed him.

"Listen… I'm not expecting you to forgive Ruby immediately. I think you know she didn't kill him, but well… The heart isn't always smart." He growled and gazed at the ground, tears nearly forming in his eyes.

"But I can promise you one thing. Help us Find her. She is the one that took something from both of us, she is the one that is making us hurt like this…"

Jaune felt himself getting on a roll. His bottled anger slowly but surely building. Neo just stared at him. It was clear she was thinking about what he said.

"Help me kill Cinder fall… and I promise you will feel better." Jaune finished, his blue eyes turned cold. He knew this was stupid trusting her, but he knew that something like this? She wanted. Because it is what he wants.

Both Pyrrha and that Roman guy we're killed by Cinder. It makes sense for both of them to work together to get revenge.

Neo didn't meet his gaze for a while. Clearly mulling over the facts in her mind. Jaune was worried that he would fail. Those anxieties and worries slip away as Neo stared right at Jaune and gave him a slow but affirming nod.

Jaune smiled, he got up and walked behind Neo, and slowly undid the knots that Ren placed onto her. "Welcome to the team."

Neo flexed her freed hands, stretching them all around. Jaune was a bit frightful as Neo grabbed the plastic fork and knife. If anyone could kill someone with those, it would probably be here. But instead, Neo began to dig into the food.

Jaune exhaled and smiled. Sitting by Neo as she eats. It seems that they made a pretty comfortable arrangement.

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The moment Neo began to eat, Ren and Nora began to settle down a bit, they're anxieties as they watch Jaune talked to Neo slowly melt away.

Not Ruby. Ruby felt more anxious than ever, she didn't hear what they said to each other, but she saw how Neo transformed into her, then to Roman and Finally ending at Cinder. A pool of dread formed in her stomach.
Neo being freed like this terrified her. Not because of the prospect of her dying, she knows that no matter what she has her friends and her trusty crescent rose.

But whatever Neo is going to drag Jaune into. She watched with worried eyes as Jaune and Neo began to discuss something. Something only important to them.

Oh Jaune… What did you get yourself into?

Finally, I'm starting to get to the meat and the potatoes of this fic hehe

Also, you may disagree with how Neo lost to a giant herd to Grimm, but everything about her fighting style and weapon screams "Good at human fights, not so much against monsters." Still, by her skill alone she was able to do good :D

See everyone next Monday at 2pm, leave a review if you feel like it, let me know your thoughts!