F3: Welcome to chapter 22 of my RWBY story. We left off with everyone simply relaxing and taking the time to rest as Weiss prepares for a date with Adam while enemy forces draw closer. RWBY is property of Rooster Teeth. With that said Let' Get Started.
Volume 5-22: In Touch With Your Feelings.
Off the shore of a fishing village Summer was currently leading their group toward their goal which according to her would take at least two days to cross and with any luck hopefully a lot less to get through the cavern. She made sure to keep an eye on the sun above them so that they could squeeze out every step they could take each day and made sure their troops had enough time to rest before the next morning.
She looked back at the amount of people that were walking all of them were holding shields and spears but all had a look of confidence in their eyes to prevent the attack and to break the boundries between humans and faunus. She looked back to where Blake was as she was talking with her mother and father more than likely devicing up a plan once they arrive. Rieka was busy talking to her own guards to come up with a strategy. All the while she saw Iona with this look of intensity in her eyes and with every step she took like she was a woman on a mission.
Summer walked over to Iona and stopped her a moment while everyone else walked on.
"Hey. Everything alright?" She asked.
"Yeah. I'm fine. Why you ask?" Iona questioned back.
"Probably because you have this look like you're about to murder someone. Plus not to mention your stride with each step." Summer stated.
Iona only sighed "I just want to get to Haven as fast as possible. So yeah I maybe walking a little faster than normal." Iona said.
Summer stared at her "That's not all is it. I may not by a grimm but even I can tell that you're still holding onto some negative thoughts in your head. That's something we don't need right now unless you want to attract grimm." She said firmly.
"Um incase you didn't know their's more of us here so if any grimm does decide to attack we can handle it." Iona added.
"That's not the point. The last thing we want is to attract any grimm to us before we even get to Haven. All I'm asking is for you to get your head clear okay." Summer said before looking up at the darkening sky.
"It's getting late. At this pace we should reach the cavern by noon tomorrow. Tell everyone to start making camp so that they can rest." Summer said before heading back up to the front.
Iona only grunted at this before going to tell everyone that they'll be setting up camp soon though she also has plans to train her maiden powers as well for the upcoming fight that's ahead.
They made it to a small clearing which would be big enough for them to use as a temporary camp site. Everyone started pitching in on setting up along with making small camp fires around the area for everyone. Just to make sure no grimm got in Iona made a small wall around the camp so that they'll be well protected within the camp. Meals were distributed throughout the camp so that they could all keep their stomachs full and happy.
Iona and company overlooked the area to make sure everything was in place. Killa, Sun, and Blake went to do patrols around the camp to make sure no grimm got near them so that everyone could sleep peacefully tonight while everyone else stayed to watch over their large group.
"Everyone's gotten their share of meals for tonight. Though we're going to be cutting it rather short if we are to stop again." Kali mentioned.
"Once we've reached the caverns it'll be a straight shot to Haven Academy. Trust me once we've arrive on the other side of the cavern we'll make camp which'll give us time to strategize for a counter attack." Summer replied.
"Yes but the question is what will the enemy be planning and will everything go smoothly?" Ghira questioned this.
"To be honest. Nothing ever survives first contact which is why we'll make more than one plan incase the first one does fail. Rieka and I will come up with the backup plan incase things go south." Summer added in which Rieka nodded.
Minutes later the patrol group had returned from their patrols but noticed Killa was riding on top of one of them with two more flanking her.
"So? Anything that we need to worry about?" Rieka asked.
"Nah not really plus we got some backup of our own thanks to Killa." Sun mentioned.
Summer looked at the grimm Killa was riding and noticed a distintive difference than how she usually sees them but couldn't put her finger on it.
"What did you do exactly?" Summer asked.
"Well since I'm a faunus and grimm hybrid I essentially control grimm. That's not all but I can unlock their soul to make them feel like their alive instead of being souless beings." Killa answered as the Syber grimm licked her palm before getting off her.
"You can do that?" Summer questioned.
"Yeah... guess it's a perk after she turned me into this." Killa spat before giving her Syber pack an order.
"Keep a lookout for us. Come to me if you spot anything." Killa ordered and just like that her pack separated into to different parts of the encampment.
"That's... very impressive." Summer replied.
"Thanks. They'll warn me if we have any company coming so we'll be safe. Now I'm going to go get some sleep." Killa said before giving her parents a hug goodnight and then went to find a place to sleep for the night.
Sun let out a huge yawn "Well... I think I'm going to go get some shut eye myself. See you all in the morning." Sun stated as he too went to find a place to sleep.
"We should as well my dear. We still have a long day ahead of us tomorrow." Ghira said to Kali as the two parents went to their tent to rest for the night.
"I'll keep up patrols. Make sure we have no surprises for tonight." Reika stated as she went to join her guards.
Everyone else dispersed leaving Summer to her thoughts. Even though she doesn't show it she was quite worried about when they arrive at Haven if they'll have time to come up with a strategy or if it'll work. She didn't want to screw this plan up like she did the last time many years ago with what happened to Qrow. This plan had to work or Haven would be destroyed and she wasn't going to let that happen.
She did one last look about the camp but noticed that Iona wasn't among them.
"Now where did she go?" She asked herself.
That's when she heard grunting just outside the encampment as she went to find the source of it. Outside the encampment she saw Iona with her weapons drawn in their sword mode as she was going through her paces.
Iona mentally memorises her motions like clockwork. She lunged foward stabbing her invisible enemy with her right the swung with her left in an overhanging arch and then slashed with her right again. She repeated this motion several time but each time was faster than the previous one. She attack one more time before finally taking a breath.
"Going through the paces of your training." Summer said getting Ionas attention.
"Yeah. Have to stay sharp if were going up against the White Fang." Iona stated.
"Good. Cause that's not all you'll be training. You still haven't fully mastered your maiden powers yet. So we're going to fix that right now." Summer added as Iona was ready for whatever training Summer was going to give her.
=SPIR=
Meanwhile their was still time for till Adam had to meet up with Weiss for their outing though he couldn't help but have second thoughts. All his life he never really been on a real date before with anyone because of his duties when he was in the Fang and even if he did the last girl he dated... ended with Blake running away from him.
Looking back now he really couldn't blame Blake for running like she did. He became a monster that was just out for blood against humans. Now he really doesn't want to screw this up but he really doesn't know how to make it better. He ran his hand through his hair unsure of what to do.
"You look down." A females voice said next to him. He looked to see that it was that sniper girl... May Zedong was her name.
"How can you tell?" He asked.
"You got this brooding look on your face but also like your trying to hard at something." May said as she sat down next to him.
"Care to chat about it." She added.
He doesn't know if it'll be any help but right now he was willing to try anything at this point.
"Well... tonight me and Weiss are heading into town for dinner. Though I'm not sure how to go about it. She made sound like a date." Adam replied.
"Oh... is it bothering you that much?" May asked.
"It's just. The last time I ever got close to anyone... I drove her away because of my actions. But for some strange reason I can feel comfortable around Weiss." Adam replied.
"Let me guess. You've never had a real date with a girl haven't you?" May asked.
"No I have not." Adam answered. This made May smile a bit almost like she knew what she needed to do as she patted him on his shoulder.
"Alright then Adam my man. I'm going to help you out. I've had a few dates myself here and there so I should know what I'm talking about. Get ready for a quick lesson buddy about how to properly treat a girl on a date." May stated.
"Not sure how you can help me out?" Adam asked.
"Trust me. You'll thank me later. Now let's get started." May said as she started a quick lesson as all Adam could do was listen.
Meanwhile Weiss was getting help from Akane on what she should wear for tonight. She made it very clear that she didn't want to wear any dresses. Thankfully Akane has something just in mind for her to wear.
"Here try this out." Akane said giving Weiss a shirt and pants;. It was a sleeveless navy blue tank top along with a pair of black casual pants along with a white belt.
"Try them on." Akane replied as Weiss went into a changing room. She was rather skeptical about the outfit but she didn't want any dresses to wear so she had to make due with what she had. After a few minutes of changing into her new outift she stepped out and looks at herself in the mirror getting a better view of herself.
The shirt emphasized her good arm but it made her prosthetic stand out more which while it wasn't bad she thought it would kill the outfit. It also gave her tail some room to move around.
"Here. One more thing." Akane said handing her a white colored jacket that covered her prosthetic down the wrist.
"This is nice. Though I just hope that I don't... do anything wrong." Weiss replied looking at her prosthetic hand.
Akane placed her hands on Weiss's metal hand and brought it up to her face.
"Hey... you'll be fine. I'm pretty sure that your not the only one that is nervous. So just take things one step at a time and you'll be okay." Akane replied.
Weiss let out a breath to calm herself which helped her some before giving her a curt nod.
"Okay... I think I'm ready." Weiss replied.
"Alright. Good luck tonight." Akane said as she left Weiss to herself as all she had to do now was to wait in her dorm room for tonight.
=SPIR=
An hour later Adam was walking toward the dorms. He decided to leave his weapon with Ruby as she assured him that she would take great of it. Arriving at the dorms he immediately went toward the room that he left Weiss at and though he was nervous he wanted to see this through.
He approached the door he knew Weiss was behind and gave himself a look over making sure nothing was out of place before knocking on the door. The door opened revealing Weiss behind it. He stopped a moment as he got a good look at how Weiss looked.
"So... what do you think?" Weiss asked with a slight blush on her face.
Adam didn't say anything at first until he finally found the words to say "You look great. Better even." He complimented.
The compliment made Weiss smile her tail swaying by the comment.
"Shall we?" He asked holding his arm toward her. She nodded and hooked her left arm around his as the two walked out for their date tonight as they left the academy grounds and heading straight into town. Meanwhile hiding in the bush Yang peaked her head out watching the couple leave.
"Okay they're leaving. Shouldn't be too hard to follow." Yang said to herself.
"So what are we waiting for?" May suddenly asked next to her which surprised her.
"Let's go." May added as she carefully snuck out of the academy following Weiss and Adam with Yang right behind her.
Thirty minutes later the couple arrived at a small resteraunt that Weiss managed to point out. It was more like a bar & grill kind of place but it looked rather friendly which was a plus. The two entered the resteraunt and was greeted by a waiter.
"Good evening. Is it the two of you?" The waiter asked.
"Yes. Could we get a table please?" Adam asked. The waiter nodded at this and grabbed two menus before guiding them to a table for the two of them.
Placing the menus down on the table the waiter left telling them a server will be their to help them. Weiss went to sit down but Adam pulled the chair out for her just to be nice.
"Oh... thank you." Weiss thanked as Adam sat down across from her.
The two sat in an awkward silence almost wanting the other to say something that would make their date any less than a awkward.
"So...?" Adam started not sure what to say.
Weiss fiddled around with her hands not sure what else to say but then remembered something from eariler.
"Well me and Star had a talk ealier today and well you can't believe what I've discovered." Weiss stated.
"Really? Like what?" He asked.
"Apparently we are half-sisters. Different mothers and the same bastard father." Weiss said growling at the end of it.
"Honestly I'm not that surprised. The two of you could easily look like siblings. Did you two talk a bit more after you've found out?" He asked.
"We did for a bit. I told her about her eventually meeting with mother and Whitely. I'm sure she can't wait to actually meet them. Who knows maybe when everything is settle here in Mistral we can take her to Sumire. I'm sure she would love to mee them." Weiss added.
"I have no doubt about that. I didn't get to talk with her much but she sounds like an easy going kind of person." Adam replied.
"Well then maybe you two can talk when we get back to Haven." Weiss said.
Though a thought crosses Weiss's mind as she looked at him for a moment.
"Say Adam... did you ever have any siblings?" Weiss asked.
Adam paused a moment almost trying to think of an answer as he spoke.
"No. Father told me I was an only child. He told me that mother had a complication giving birth to me and it nearly killed her. They both agreed that they couldn't risk having another child so they only had me. Though it made them happy knowing that I was all they needed." Adam replied before looking right a Weiss.
"Honestly they would've loved you if you got the chance to see them." Adam added.
"Why would you think that?" Weiss asked.
"Because of how you approach things differently than other people. You want to get to the person first and not judge them based on appearance alone. Plus a persons believes can make a huge difference in how a person sees someone else. That is something to hold on to no matter what others say." Adam replied.
"Yeah. Though its rather hard to standby and watch my father ruin the very thing my grandfather build." Weiss added.
"You mean the company?" He asked.
"Its not just the company. Jacque is tarnishing my grandfathers name and running it through the mud. Worse, it's all for him just to line his pockets with lein." Weiss replied. Just then Adam took his hand and placed them on hers making her blush slightly.
"Hey... you're a strong woman. I'm sure that one day his time will come." Adam replied.
Meanwhile outside the resteraunt in an alley Yang and May were watching the two of them inside, more like May was using her prosthetic eye and was spying on them.
"So what do you see?" Yang asked.
"Well... nothing was happening. They started talking for a bit, I think something frustrated Weiss. Wait... now their touching hands." May answered which surprised Yang.
"Well looks like they're hitting it off rather well." Yang replied.
"Why are we doing this again?" May questioned.
"First, she's my partner. Secondly, don't you want to know how it's going. And thirdly, you were following me." Yang replied.
"Yeah good point. Plus you are about as subtle as a goliath." May replied.
"Good poi- hey!" Yang shouted but May shushed her quickly.
"Keep it down unless you want to be spotted." May replied as they continue to observe
"Okay now it looks like they're ordering." She added looking back inside.
Inside the resteraunt the two had finished ordering what they've wanted and were now making small talk.
"So wait let me get this straight. You, Ruby, and Blake roasted marshmellows and used Yangs semblance as a fire source. How does that even work?" Adam asked.
"Their are many things I've learned the Yang likes and one of those things happens to be her hair. You poke at it long enough and it bursts into flames. She's kinda a walking fire source." Weiss replied which made him chuckle at that.
"Though I bet she didn't like it after realizing what you three were doing." Adam said.
"On no she did not. Not in the slightest." Weiss added making the both of them laugh.
"You all had quite the adventures at the academy." Adam replied.
"Yeah. We had some good times their. Made some friends. Learn about each other and much more but it didn't start out that way at first." Weiss started.
"Oh. How so?" Adam questioned.
"Well when we first started at the academy we were put into teams. My first impressions of everyone was rather... subpar so to speak." She began as she started to recall a few things from back at the academy.
"First was Yang. I thought she was just some sterotyped ditz who didn't know what to do but punch things. But turns out I was way off my mark on her. She's actually quite smart when it comes to certain things she just doesn't like to show how smart she is." Weiss replied.
"Then their's Ruby. To me she looked like a kid that was stuck in some fantasy world about being a hero of some kind. And yet... all she wants is to to make this world a little bit better than it was everyday." She added.
"And what about Blake?" Adam asked.
Weiss paused a moment thinking about her cat faunus teammate "Well... she was always had this mysterious aura around her. Like she was so closed off from everyone. Then again I wouldn't exactly blame her for that. But after some time... she's opened up little by little. I'm glad to have her as a teammate. I just hope she's okay wherever she is." Weiss replied.
"Blake has always been an enigma but I guess I can see where your coming from." Adam stated.
Just then the waiter came back with their food placing it right in front of them.
"Enjoy your dinner." The waiter said before walking away as they smelled the food that was in front of them making both of their mouths water.
"Now this smells delicious." Weiss replied as they both began eating their food.
Outside the resteraunt Yang and May were still watching them very carefully incase they spot anything strange.
"So nothing yet?" Yang whispered.
"Nope. Oh wait a minute. Looks like Weiss has gotten up and is heading toward the bathroom." May answered.
"Cool. Looks like their date is going well." Yang replied with a grin.
However May spotted through her prosthetic eye that a rather tall woman was heading toward Adams table.
"Uh oh. Trouble coming." May replied.
"Now what?" Yang asked.
"Let's just say this might not end well." May said as she continued to watch them.
Insid the resteraunt Adam watched Weiss step away to the bathroom a moment to relieve herself as he waited for her to come back. Adam was rather enjoying himself and having dinner with Weiss was helping him greatly. As he continued eating he heard footsteps coming in his directions.
"Well hello their hot stuff~." A womans voice said as he turned and noticed a red haired woman standing their in a black dress that barely went to her knees while expressing her figure along with showing enough cleavage that her chest looked like it was spilling out of her dress.
"Now what's a nice looking guy like you doing here by yourself?" She asked sweetly almost too sweetly.
"Actually I'm with my date thank you. Could you please leave." He said but that didn't seem to bother her as she sat down across from him.
"You sure your date didn't just dich you? Cause I don't see this date of yours anywhere." She said trying to play dumb.
"She went to freshen up now can you please leave." He said again trying to get this... woman to leave.
However she got up from her chair and was now standing next to him rubbing his shoulders.
"Oh come now. A strong, handsome, burly man such as yourself should only have the best of company. Why don't we dich this place and go somewhere so we can have some real fun? Doesn't that sound nice." The woman said trying to seduce him but his patients was wearing thin.
"I think you should take his advice and leave ma'am." Weiss's voice was heard as she walked back to her table standing across from the woman. The woman stared at her and then she laughed at her.
"Don't tell me this is your date? She's probably not even eighteen yet." The woman laughed as Weiss eye twitched in annoyance as did her tail.
"Actually I am for both of your statements. Now politely remove yourself from my boyfriend or your going to get more than a beating." Weiss growled.
However it didn't seem to affect the woman much "Aw the little kitten hissed at me. I'm so scared." She mocked before looking over Weiss before noticing the metal hand which gave her an evil idea.
"Why would anyone ever go out with someone like you? You're just damaged goods." The woman jabbed. Somehow those words seemed to have stung as Weiss flinched away from that.
"Now why don't you be a good little kitten and stay put. We're going to be leaving." She said trying to drag Adam away but he suddenly grabbed hold of the womans wrist and shrugged her off before staring at her intensely.
"Do not. Insult. My. Girlfriend." He growled glaring right at her scaring the woman as she backed away.
"F-Fine. See if I care! You can have your damaged girlfriend!" The woman shouted before leaving the resteraunt entirely.
"Well now that she left we can..." Adam started looking toward Weiss but he noticed that she had this hurtful look on her face grasping her prosthetic arm.
"Hey Weiss... you okay?" He asked.
"Can we... just pay and go back to the academy." Weiss said her voice low.
He decided to pay for their dinner as they began to leave the resteraunt. May and Yang saw and quickly began heading back toward the academy so they weren't spotted.
=SPIR=
The two of them made it back to the academy but it was a rather silent walk back as Weiss stayed by Adams side the entire time. Though he couldn't help but wonder what's bothering her. They noticed that everyone was more than likely asleep at this time as they arrive at the room Weiss was bunking for the night.
"I had a great time tonight." Adam replied though Weiss didn't say anything yet.
He rubbed the back of his trying to see how to keep going in the conversation but Weiss beat him to it as she turned to face him.
"Adam... am I really just damaged goods?" She asked which surprised him.
"What? No. Why would you ever think that?" He questioned.
She gripped her metal wrist almost nervously as she spoke again.
"I mean with everything I've been through all my life. My father hates for my believes, I've got scars on my back because of him, my real arm is gone... and... and..." Weiss voice sounded shaky as if trying not to cry in front of him but tears were threating to come out.
Seeing this he placed his hands on her shoulders which made her flinch slightly before looking up at him.
"You're not damaged Weiss. That woman doesn't know what she was talking so don't take her words seriously. I've seen for myself that while you have your flaws you take them in stride without fail. You got a good head on your shoulders that you know you're not damaged goods. In fact you're way better than you were before." He said before pulling her into an embrace.
"If you need to tell someone your problems let me know or your teammates. They'll help you too." Adam said before letting go.
"Thanks... I needed that." Weiss replied.
"Anytime. Now it's best we get some sleep for tomorrow. Still got time before the White Fang get here." Adam replied as he went to walk back to his room but not before glancing back at Weiss.
"Sweet dreams Weiss." He said with a wave before walking to his room.
Weiss entered her room as she went to the bed that was provided and began to drift off to sleep.
Meanwhile in Lionhearts office he was talking to someone on his scroll about their plan.
"So you're saying that Raven is the Spring Maiden?" Lionheart asked.
"That's correct. However we know she's not going to simply open it willingly and there is the matter of the artifact as well to open the passage way to the vault. None the less we have a plan." Coco stated.
"Oh and what plan would that imply?" He asked again.
"Yang Xiao Long. She is Ravens offspring. Capture her and she'll have to do what we say if she wants her daughter to stay alive. Even if it means giving up the relic. Then once that is done we'll simply kill them both." Coco said happily.
"And the artifact? Do we know what it is?" Lionheart said.
"My queen said it's some kind of compass. This compass will allow you to find anything that you want just by thinking of what you want. Find it." Coco stated.
"I believe that fox faunus here has it on her. I could simply take it from her with her even knowing." Lionheart stated.
"Good. Be sure that you do. Once we have the relic you'll be handsomely rewarded for your efforts Lionheart. Not to mention leading the White Fang ever closer to their own goal. Make sure it is done." Coco replied.
"As you wish." Lionheart stated as the connection went dead as he now had a goal to look forward to and he was most certainly going to see it through to the end no matter what it takes.
F3: That ends chapter 22. Adam and Weiss have a moment and now things are intensifying as the villians prepare themselves. How will our heros fair? Don't forget to comment and please make sure to follow and/or favorite this story. With that said this is Fireuser3 and I'm Out.