A/N: Chapter 61 of REKT. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or teams of RWBY, they belong to Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum. What I do own are the characters and teams of my OCs: REKT, GTSY, KACE and DAZE. I also claim Ingrid, Teo, Reina's parents and aunt as well.

Special thanks to the reviewers and to the readers who Fav/Alert this story, I really appreciate it.


Chapter 61: Journey to Haven

Along the dirt paths...

"So then I said, 'Did you hear that, Ren?! Jaune screamed really loudly like a girl when he tripped over a pebble in the road!' Hooo boy, you should have seen the look on his face! Besides, the pebble was extremely small! To anyone watching, they'd assume the boy just tripped on thin air!" Nora was crackling up as she recounted her story, holding her sides before she could double over.

"I wasn't looking where I was going that time, sheesh!" The blond boy replied from where he was walking ahead of the group, rubbing his neck sheepishly in embarrassment. "At least that time, Pyrr-" He stopped himself, eyes widened at what he was about to say...or rather a name that was about to slip from between his lips. Even Nora and Ren gaped at him with sadness in their own eyes. Clamming up immediately, he continued plodding onward with his head down.

"...it still hurts him...doesn't it?" Ruby asked softly, already knowing the answer deep down. Throughout their entire journey on the road, they have been avoiding saying Pyrrha's name. Or talking about the event at Beacon because it was a large fresh wound. "And...you two are hurt too...right?"

"Ruby, what happened back there is already in our past." Ren replied after exchanging a brief look with Nora. Some nights both of them would dream about what had happened and one would wake up in cold sweat, leading to the other to comfort. "Unfortunately, it's one that'll keep haunting us...Jaune in particular. He was Pyrrha's partner after all, and spent the most time with her; I wouldn't lie but one could say there was blossoming love between them, Nora and I both have seen that closeness."

"Only to be torn away...just like that." Nora's softer voice spoke up, the ginger-haired huntress not looking as excited as she was moments ago. She then turned her attention to the youngest member of the team. "You...you didn't see that part did you?"

"...I didn't, I was too late...By the time I got to the top, Cinder was about ready to let an arrow fly. A-A-And there was the Grimm dragon...and another creature..."

"That was Reina...wasn't it?"

"...I believe so. I-I don't quite remember what happened after letting out a flash of silver." Ruby sighed dejectedly, not feeling so optimistic about the tip so far. When she woke up in her bed back home in Patch, she was confused until Qrow stepped in to check up on her. He recapped the events to her, leading up to bringing her back home. "Uncle Qrow told me a couple of things, about the tower being down and how everyone split after the fight."

We've all disassembled in some way, shape or form. Nora thought to herself, keeping her mouth shut because she didn't want to voice her own disturbance and fragile self. She wanted to be strong, and act as the team's pillar backbone. We've all lost a part of ourselves as well...we aren't like we used to be back in our first year at Beacon.

"What Uncle Qrow didn't mention...was the significance of my silver eyes. Why they're considered special or what powers they possess... I feel like if I had known what's so great about them, then I could've saved those I care about. Pyrrha...and Penny..." The younger huntress mumbled, curling her hands into tiny fists by her side. "When my friends need me the most...why is it that I feel like I can't do anything right? What if more of my friends, not to mention my teammates, have to sacrifice themselves and I can't do anything to stop it?"

"Ruby...you need to breathe. You're beginning to hyperventilate." She felt hands wrap themselves around her own and she gazed up to see Ren smiling at her. "You're feeling horrible because you're placing too much on your shoulders. You're the youngest one here, fifteen years old, and yet the burden you carry is more than any of us could ever imagine."

"...I wish I wasn't the one bestowed such a gift...nor was I handed my silver eyes..." She shook her head and added, "Why give me something if I have little to no idea how to utilize to its full potential?!"

"Listen, we have no control over what we receive or what we are born with at the start. Sometimes we may even hate what we're given to the point that jealousy of what others have start to corrupt our thoughts. But always remember that the gifts you have are what makes you unique." His grip tightened briefly, giving her a sense of camaraderie and friendship. "You don't have to tackle it all on your own. It may seem like everything isn't going your way, but I believe that there's always a way out."

"Thanks, Ren." Ruby smiles a bit in response, feeling a little bit better. Even though a man of a few words, Ren makes his words count and bestow upon his friends a little bit of wisdom. "I think I'll...I'll be okay for now."

"If you ever need for someone to lend an ear, don't hesitate to come to me."

"Make that two sets of ears!" Nora butted in, looking between her two friends with a hard stare. "And perhaps...Jaune would also let you vent if you let him. We're all here for you."

"Hey guys! What's the hold up?" The three of them turned to see Jaune looking over his shoulder at them in a confused manner. He had put so much distance between them without realizing it that he almost looked like a tiny speck. "Is there something I need to know? Is anybody hurt or what?"

"Don't forget. We're on this journey together, let's take advantage of that." Ren murmurs to Ruby before plodding along the dirt road towards Jaune. Nora herself grins and followed suit, saddling up to Ren and fell into step with him. The younger huntress, although she forces a sympathetic smile on her face as a fake facade, she still couldn't feel as though everything was her fault.

Had she been a little faster, she could've teamed up with Pyrrha and I against Cinder. Had she been a little faster, she would've bypassed Mercury and at least hoped to stop Pyrrha from massacring Penny. There were so many possibilities and what-ifs that swirled around her mind, tormenting her for not being able to do all she could.

"You okay?" Jaune's voice shocked her out of her thoughts and she couldn't help but jump. The blond had shortened the distance between them so much so that he was just an arms length away. He quickly back-peddled and said, "Whoa, sorry, didn't know you'd react like that. Thoughts on your mind you wanna tell me?"

"N-No, I was just...um...daydreaming. Yeah, daydreaming!" She squeaked, grasping tightly around the straps of her backpack and continued to walk forward. "Let's keep going! We've got a long, long way to go before we reach Haven..."


Meanwhile on a cliff...

Qrow watches the small group from a distance very carefully, his weapon Harbinger leaning casually against his shoulder. He made quick work traveling wise from Patch to where Ruby was, catching up to the band of four kids while decapitating wondering Grimm creatures to pass the time. Rummaging around the inside of his coat with a hand, he pulls out his beloved flask and took a swing of alcohol.

"Caw!"

"Hmmmm..." Pausing mid drink he turns his head to see a bird perched on a branch, gazing specifically at him with its beady red eyes. Finishing his sip, he swallowed before addressing the familiar animal, "Well now...it's not every day you come to keep this old man company."

"Caw caw...Squawk!"

"Yeah yeah, I get it. No need for ruffled feathers over babysitting kiddos."

"Caaaaaaaaw! Caw!"

"Hmmm? Who knows...Ozpin never said anything either. Even I have no idea where he's gone off to this time around. That geezer has left us in the dark...but I'm sure it won't be long before he comes back." He shrugs, prompting the animal to fly from the branch to land on his shoulders. He arched an eyebrow as the talons dug themselves into his flesh, piercing through the clothing material as though it were paper. "Ouch. How many times do I have to tell you to watch the claws? I still have scars from last time..."

"Squawk!"

"I'm not a crybaby. I thought we established not using each other as foot stands. After all...you're claws are a bit larger than mine."

"Caw..."

"Okay yeah I accept your snide apology, but that was that one time and you just happened to be underneath when that accident happened. Besides, all you had to do is wash it out, no big shit." Qrow nearly smirked before wincing when the bird nearly jabbed his eye out with the beak. "Oi. I need my sight, thank you very much."

"Squawk."

"Well, duh. How else am I supposed to see those cute miniskirts in high definition?" Qrow questions, and begins to chuckle loudly clearly amused of himself. "Really now? It's the finer things in life that need to be inspected very closely."

"Squawk! Squawk!"

"Hey, watch the nasty language. I'm no more of a feather brain idiot than you are." He got to his feet, slipping his bottle back into the coat pocket. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have some important business to attend to. You're more than welcome to continue watching, but if there's nothing else then you can leave."

The bird gently nibbles its chest feathers before extending the wings. Giving one last squawk of indignation the avian took to the air and flew away. Qrow silently watched it go, combing his fingers through the dark locks and lettings out a long sigh. No one ever said a life of a huntsman was a sweet one.

Detecting the faint voices of the huntresses and huntsmen, he took a deep breath, extended a leg and dropped off the ledge. A small avian bird soon took the sky, flapping its wings with ease against the cool air current.


Somewhere secluded...

The group made great progress and covered as much ground as they possibly could. They encountered a few grimms and got some training practices in, keeping their skills at least polished. However, once they noticed that their path coincides with many creatures on their way to Beacon, they opted to find a divergent path so that they would not waste their Dust ammo; not every single one of them brought enough ammunition for a yearly trip.

While the JNR cleared the area and set up camp and scavenged for some wild food, Ruby decided to take a leisurely walk on her own around the perimeter. A part of her wanted to go back and help, but the nagging part of her forced her to break away. The first mention of Pyrrha's name brought back so many painful memories for her, but most arguably Jaune; he was the late Spartan's teammate, leader, and love partner. Nora and Ren can be seen getting a little closer than ever, something Ruby kinda grasp at.

Twiddling her fingers together, the young girl stumbles across a small spring where a fresh source of water could be utilized to their advantage. Picking a place where she wouldn't get splashed by the water, she sat down and took the time to appreciate the tranquility and somewhat piece. From the soft splashes of the water against the land to the soft chirping of insects, Ruby felt in-sync with Nature. At that point she was at peace, all her worries subtly subdued, but then a frown appeared on her face.

No, I don't deserve such peace and tranquility like this...not at the expense of Pyrrha's life...not at the expense of Penny's life...not even at the expense of leaving my other friends behind...She gripped her arms tightly, nearly digging her nails into her own skin. Warm tears congregated before spilling down her face, exposing her vulnerability. Even while leaving a note behind for Dad, I didn't have time to say a proper goodbye in person...I didn't...I didn't even stay for Yang...

You have silver eyes.

"Wh-What does that even mean...? What's the point of having such a trait if I don't understand it?" She mumbled out loud to no one as she remembered the words Ozpin told her the first time they met, burying her face in her own arms and curling her body into a ball. "I don't understand...at all..."

"Ruby?" A softer voice reached her ears and she peeked out of the corner of her eyes to see Jaune standing to the side. The boy most likely went to find her since she was taking too long; Nora and Ren capable enough to watch over the camp in his absence, they weren't warriors for nothing.

"S-S-Sorry...that you have to see me this way..." Ruby hastily wipes away her tears, but soon she gave up and allowed them to flow freely down her cheeks. She's held her emotions back for so long, that when the dams broke there was no stopping them. "Makes me seem vulnerable and weak...doesn't it?"

"No...I never thought about it that way. I've had my own breaking down moments on the rooftops at night anyway, so I can't judge others. It's okay to let your emotions out once in awhile, don't ever think of it as a sign of weakness. Keeping all those negative emotions bottled up inside will only weigh you down, it's not healthy." Jaune sits down not too far away, folding his hands over his lap. "Do you...ever thought that perhaps you weren't cut out to be as a leader?"

"...yeah, I've had that thought floating around...when I was trying to get Weiss to accept me..." She replies, sitting back down in her original place. Out of all their interactions during their years in Beacon, this upcoming conversation is perhaps the hardest one to talk through. "There were a couple of other thoughts I rather not get into..."

"I know exactly what you mean...I too, could have done better as a team leader.." He curled his hands into tight fists, shaking trembling in anger from where they were placed above his knees. "I should have done a lot better."

"I'm sure you did your hardest..." She offers a vote of confidence, but the boy merely shook his head in disagreement.

"Even my hardest couldn't save Pyrrha in the end...In fact I feel as though I didn't even try..." He sighed, putting his face in his hands. "...it just shows how much I still have to learn...how much I suck."

"Jaune..."

"Like seriously, I'm perhaps the worst person with the worst possible grades!" Standing up abruptly, he angrily kicks a stone and watches it roll pathetically along the ground. "Honestly...I should have died instead of her. If only I had acted right – not like a damn bumbling idiot – I could have saved her by preventing her from going up that tower!"

"Everything happened so fast...a-and it's all a split second decision..."

"I know, but don't make me change my mind." He turns to her and says with a confident tone, "Ruby, can you honestly tell me that you wished Pyrrha was here instead of me?" He watches as she glanced down on the ground as if it were the most important thing. And he got mildly angry, raising his voice to scream at her. "You look me straight in the eyes! Look at me! Look at me and tell me you never once had a thought where Pyrrha should be here instead of me! Tell me that you wished she was here in my stead!"

"N-N-No I would never..."

"JAUNE ARC!" Before Ruby could say anything else to fend for herself, Nora's voice sent shivers down both their spines. They turned around to see the said huntress standing there, her eyes filled with hurt and anger rolled in one. "How could you say such horrible things? When Ruby's defenseless and hurt – perhaps more so than us – you thought it was a good idea to spout words like that?! Get a grip!"

"Nora..." Jaune's shoulders deflated and he made an attempt to leave. "I'll...I'll go back to camp and cool my head..."

"Oh no you don't, sit back down, I'm not done saying what I should have said while we're traveling together; Ren can wait because he at least knew this kind of shit would happen, and I have complete faith in him." Nora's stance was absolutely terrifying, both of her friends knew just how powerful her thunder thighs can wallop; and if her performance back in the Vytal tournament wasn't a warning of how strong she can be, then those who cross her path were in for a painful experience.

"Nora, I can explain–"

"I'm sure you could Jaune, but I don't know if I could forgive you for saying what you just said. What if Pyrrha were here to hear you say that shit?" Nora lessened her demeanor, knowing that if she continued to be angry that it would attract the Grimm and that would defeat the entire purpose of taking the alternative route. "Have you thought how Pyrrha's death has affected all of us? I know you spent more time with her and you obviously had a love spot for her, but for the love that is all good and holy, Ren and I are hurting too."

"I...I didn't even think how my actions would affect those that are still beside me..." The blond murmured, his eyes lowered to show that he was wrong. He had been blinded by his anger, sadness, and grief for the loss of probably his greatest friend, that he was quick to lash out at someone who didn't deserve it. "I'm sorry Nora...I'm so sorry for my insensitive words..."

"That's okay Jaune, I understand how frustrated you are...the expectations and responsibilities of a leader are nothing to sneeze at. But, it's also our fault as your teammates for not giving you the time to talk about things. So, I'm sorry for yelling at you." Nora told him gently, making sure he knew that she was proud of his progress in coming to terms with his feelings. "A teammate's death affects everyone...and we'll be there for you Jaune if you decide to put your trust in us. Ren and I promise that we'll give you as much support as needed; he also wants to talk to you as well when we go back."

"...yeah...you're right, Nora." Jaune took a deep breath before turning to face Ruby and apologize. "I'm sorry to you as well...Ruby, you didn't deserve the words that came out of my mouth. I...I just wanted to get some of the pressure off my chest, and you happened to be there."

"I was in the wrong as well." Ruby replied and gave him a soft smile. "I didn't take into account your feelings, all of your feelings. I thought I was the only one who was hurting, when in actuality, everyone around me are hurting as well."

"...I guess that makes two of us. I'll try to do better to improve instead of pushing all my problems onto others." Jaune held out his hand, asking, "Truce? I would really appreciate it if you came to either one of us or all of us...if you were having complications. I'll do the same thing."

"Truce." Ruby replies and shook his hand. "I'll try to not leave anyone in the dark, no more secrets."

"Now c'mon you two, Ren probably finished making us dinner. And I for one am starving!" Nora slung both arms around her friends with a large grin on her face, guiding them back to camp. "But this doesn't mean our conversation is over, I bet this will come up again because it's on the forefront of our minds. Until we've come to terms with what happened and learn to forgive ourselves, we'll never move forward. So I promise, we'll get through this situation together or die trying."