Author Note: I'm back. Ended up taking that skip week, probably a good thing. This chapter gave me some visionary issues so I decided to think on it for a week. Hopefully it's better for it, though it is definitely shorter than the last few.

"I'm grateful that you found time to speak with me." Colonel Aurelian smiled as he shook Ozpin's hand, sparing a momentary glance for the others standing in the room. "Though I had hoped for a more private meeting."

"Qrow and Amber are trusted agents of mine." Ozpin withdrew his hand, gesturing for the Colonel to sit as he took his place back behind his desk. "And Glynda, as Deputy Headmistress, attends all meetings with me."

"It's not your staff that concerns me." His smile fell away, replaced with a neutral expression that Pyrrha couldn't read. "This is a Mistralian matter, I don't see why a Representative from Atlas would be in attendance."

"Atlas and Vale are close allies, if one were to offer aid to another country, it is expected the other do the same." Winter responded curtly. She didn't sound offended, though she clearly felt the need to defend her place in the meeting.

"General Ironwood will be joining us as well, though his duties call him away for the time being." Ozpin explained. "If there are any matters too sensitive to discuss, we can reconvene at a later date."

"That won't be necessary." The Colonel shook his head. "If there is help they can offer, I will take it, within reason."

"Of course." Ozpin nodded and, after waiting for Winter to do the same, asked the question she had been wanting an answer to for days now. "I'm told you are having troubles with the Branwen tribe?"

The Colonel's eyes shifted to Qrow for a moment, before returning to the Headmaster. "Yes, right now the tribe is the largest threat to Mistral's continued prosperity." Winter shifted in her seat beside Pyrrha, as good an indication that she wished to disagree. Were it not for the sensitive nature of her being in the meeting in the first place, Pyrrha expected she would have voiced her thoughts; as it was, she remained silent. "I've been tasked with eliminating that threat." Aurelian finished, looking to Ozpin.

"We've been looking into the Branwen tribe ourselves for some time." Ozpin nodded towards Qrow. "I'm sure you've noticed the relation."

"It is a fairly rare name." Colonel Aurelian eyed Qrow warily for a moment, but seemed pleased with whatever it was he saw. "I've done my research however, I know he has been a faithful Huntsman for years. Whatever his relation, it's of no concern; so long as we are in agreement on what must be done, I see no reason to open up old wounds. Whatever they may be."

"Well said." Ozpin smiled enigmatically, though Pyrrha was confident enough in her knowledge of his expressions to see that he hadn't been surprised by the man's words. "Our own efforts have revealed little information on their whereabouts however, so if it is information you seek, I am afraid we are of little use."

"My own sources have managed to track them down." The Colonel said, driving all in attendance to silence; Pyrrha sat on the edge of her seat and she couldn't help but notice how Winter and Qrow did the same. "The Tribe has moved south, well outside their usual hunting grounds, and they did so rather quietly. My men only found them due to an increase in reported disturbances."

"Attacks?" Winter tried to clarify.

"Public indecency, loitering, threats, bar fights," The Colonel explained. "Despite how they acted in the north, they've yet to attack a single village. The number of settlements being outright attacked has dropped considerably over the last few years."

"She's trying to not draw any attention." Qrow muttered loud enough for them to hear. "That's unlike her. It's also why I couldn't find anything, the Tribe never goes south of Mistral proper. It's too poor down there for them to care."

"We thought it was strange as well." The Colonel clearly wanted to ask more, but refrained on the premise of what he had said earlier. "When we widened our net to local crime however, we were able to trace their journey with relative ease."

"Do you have an exact location?" Winter asked.

The Colonel shook his head softly. "We've tried to keep our distance so as not to spook them, but we know the general area they have decided to set up in for now, and there aren't too many places you can hide a group that large."

"Then why haven't you been able to apprehend them yet?" Winter asked, clearly unimpressed with the way they had handled the situation, but her question lacked the accusing tone Pyrrha would have expected. Instead, it was more curious.

"Because I lack the manpower." The Colonel answered in kind, sounding frustrated not at her, but the situation in general. "Make no mistake, the Branwen Tribe are our largest exterior threat, but they are far from the only. My men are spread out across the entire continent trying to deal with the rise in negativity ever since the Council forced Atlas out."

Winter bristled under the comment. "That wasn't our-"

"I know." The Colonel cut her off with a smile. "Your General and I already discussed the issue at length and found ourselves… well, wont say in agreement, but we have an understanding. This isn't how any of us would have liked for things to go."

"That's why you need Beacon's help." Pyrrha whispered, sighing at the thought.

"The Branwen Tribe has managed to stick around for a reason. They're strong, cunning, and numerous." The Colonel nodded. "I'm not the first man to go after them. Removing them won't be easy, and I need all the help I can get." He held up his hand to stop Winter from speaking. "From a neutral party. While I would love to bring one of your battleships to bear on them, I'm afraid that just isn't possible."

Winter sighed, sagging back in her seat slightly. "I have always hated politics."

Aurelian laughed, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "As have I, Miss Schnee. Unfortunately, it's out of my hands."

"While I may not have any warships at my command," Ozpin smiled brightly. "I have Huntsmen who I'm sure would be willing to help." He turned towards them.

Pyrrha couldn't nod fast enough.

"How many can you provide?"

"On short notice not many, Qrow and Amber for certain." Ozpin turned back towards the Colonel. "And while you can not accept formal Atlesian help, Specialist Schnee is currently staying at Beacon and some of her men would no doubt be an asset."

"My men can be discreet." Winter paused. "Or at least as discreet as any Huntsmen can be."

"You suggest I let you men come in disguise?" He didn't sound against the idea, rather, he sounded intrigued.

"My men have earned some time off after everything that has happened with the White Fang. I hear Mistral is lovely this time of year."

The Colonel chuckled once more. "I can see why Ironwood keeps you around. I may be able to explain that away, but you'll need to remember who is in charge of this operation."

Winter nodded. "Of course sir, Atlas has no interest in interfering with foreign Kingdoms' affairs."

"I'll hold you to that, Specialist." The Colonel looked back to the Headmaster. "How soon can they depart?"

"Within the next day or two, there is another matter however." Ozpin looked down at his terminal and frowned. "General Ironwood wished to tell you about it in person, when it became clear there wouldn't be time he wished to do so over a secure channel. Sadly, it seems he has been occupied with something more important."

"The General is currently heading several military tribunals." Winter explained. "It is likely they took longer than expected."

Ozpin nodded. "At any rate, the Colonel here needs to know."

"The General expressly wished-"

"That I not be the one to tell him." Ozpin sighed, pulling his glasses away enough so that he could rub at his eyes. "It is better the news is broken to him now however, or we only risk a more disastrous incident further down the line. If you wish, you may tell him."

Winter's objection died on her tongue, her eyes widening slightly as surprise registered on her face. She heard Qrow snicker from her other side, and she had to fight the urge to do the same. A moment later the shock was gone, replaced instead by the stern visage most were used to.

"Very well." She nodded towards the Headmaster briefly before giving the Colonel her full attention. "The Branwen Tribe has something that we need, and unfortunately it is not something one can simply take. Tell me sir, have you ever heard the term Spring Maiden?"

The Colonel looked cautious, but there was no notable sign of recognition. "The term has come up during our investigation into Lionheart, but his notes gave no explanation as to what it was."

"Not what, who." Winter explained. "And that person may very well be our key to defeating the Grimm forever."

It was a fantastical tale, one that Pyrrha often wished with every fiber of her being was a lie; sadly it never was. Salem was real, the Grimm were organized, and their enemy was marching on the gate. The Colonel took it better than she ever had, no doubt testament to his years as a Huntsman, but even so the knowledge had shaken him.

He'd agreed to try a diplomatic approach with the Tribe, if only so they could scout out who the Maiden might be. He'd also voiced his doubt in working with the Tribe in any capacity, stating that they were too much of a threat to be left to their own devices. How they were supposed to deal with that, Pyrrha didn't know. She had been dismissed while he and Ozpin discussed the details, Qrow staying behind to offer his thoughts on his sister. Even Winter and Glynda had left with her, though the former had made it clear what she should do with her suddenly-found free time.

"You know, this is starting to become annoyingly common." Coco sighed, head held up on one arm as she laid on her bed; watching Pyrrha pack a bag of whatever she might need when in Mistral.

"She's got a point." Fox sent, laid face down on his own. Apparently, the Team had been called up to fight in Glynda's class that day and been given a harder time than usual. "This is what, your thirteenth trip to Mistral?"

Velvet slapped his shoulder limply, her face flush from the simple effort of moving. "Don't exaggerate."

"It is rather soon though." Yatsuhashi was by far the most composed, sitting with his back against his bed frame as he tried to meditate. "I trust this will be different than the last time you left for Mistral?"

Pyrrha froze; the dark alleys and storm flashing before her eyes, all while a mad man charged after her through the streets of a dying city. She'd had more than one nightmare about it, though thankfully that had been before moving in with Team CFVY. Shaking her head she resumed her task. "Hopefully not."

"Yeah, because Yatsu and I won't be there to bail you out this time."

Pyrrha rolled her eyes as she stuffed a few boxes of ammo into her bag. Most people kept them in their lockers, but with how sudden most of her missions tended to be, Pyrrha had grown used to keeping them close by. "I'm pretty sure Clover was the one who did that."

"It was Winter who threw the final blow though, right?" Coco asked, to which Pyrrha nodded. "Wasn't she beaten and tortured, how the hell did she do that?"

"Qrow had the worst of it by far." Mostly because he'd brought it on himself, not that he would ever admit it. Pyrrha had noticed though, and she was sure Winter had as well. He was good at figuring out how to annoy people and make them lose their temper, the fact that went beyond fighting wasn't a surprise; the fact he would do so in that situation for someone he supposedly hated? That had shocked them all.

"Hell of a woman." Coco smirked. "Don't suppose you coul-"

"She's already seeing someone." Pyrrha chuckled softly. "Besides, I don't think you're her type."

"What?" Coco held a hand to her chest in mock offense. "Too feminine?"

"Too young." Velvet mumbled. "Isn't she dating that Qrow guy?" Pyrrha nodded. "So she's into older guys, no surprise there."

"Hear that Coco, you need to try for someone closer to your own age." Fox's laughter died before it could begin, Coco having thrown her pillow directly into his face the moment it had lifted from his bed.

Pyrrha smiled fondly at their antics, taking a familiar comfort in the friendly environment. Even as she did, she continued to pack, and eventually Coco gave up on Fox, turning her attention back to her.

"You sure you'll be ok?"

Pyrrha paused, remembering the conversation she'd had with Coco before leaving for Mistral when she'd gone after Qrow and Winter. Thankfully, this mission wasn't anywhere near as dangerous, and she could help alleviate some of the girls' worries.

"I won't be going alone, or even with one or two Huntsmen, this is a military operation." Pyrrha smiled. "And we'll be fighting bandits, not psychotic Salem worshipers."

"That isn't a yes." Coco stated flatly.

"I'll be fine." Pyrrha said. "Really, this is no more dangerous than the warehouse with the White Fang."

"Do you mean the one with the giant robots? Or the one with the bomb you had to defuse?" Pyrrha blushed, coughing into her hand as she looked away. "Are they gonna give you another award for this one?"

"Ooh, another dat-agh!" Three more pillows slammed into Fox before he could finish.

Pyrrha ignored it all with the patience one could only gain from living with Nora. "I'll be fine."

"Then we can come, right?"

"No, Coco." Pyrrha sighed. "We've been over this."

"If it's not going to be dan-"

"It's not about that and you know it." Pyrrha smiled politely. "You guys have lessons to attend to anyways. I'm not tied down like that." Coco turned over, facing away from her as she began to grumble about double standards. "If everything goes to plan, we won't even have to fight."

"And then you'll get to figure out how to beat Salem?" Velvet asked quietly, though everyone in the room turned to look at Pyrrha.

"With the Spring Maiden we can open the Vault and get the Relic." Pyrrha couldn't hide her excitement, even if it was mixed with a bit of fear. From what Ozpin had said, Jinn would help them if she could, but that she was bound by rules. She still hadn't come up with the proper way to ask her question. "We'll get our answer, and then we can take the fight to Salem when we are ready."

"It'll take time." Coco said. "Maybe even a few years, by that point we'll be graduated and able to help."

"Only once you're ready but… I look forward to it." Pyrrha smiled. "In the meantime, there is something you can do to help me though." She had the girl's full attention.

Look after Team RWAN, what does she think I am, a babysitter? Coco groaned internally as she made her way through the halls of Beacon. She'd always heard it was difficult to watch people leave on missions, but until she'd met Pyrrha she'd never really understood that concept. Her father was a Huntsman, but he had always come back okay.

Pyrrha had not, in fact, Coco wasn't certain how exactly she kept coming back. The girl was hitting way out of her weight class in terms of who she was fighting. Talented championship fighter though she may have been, but Pyrrha was still only a student. Probably one of the best in the school, despite her younger age, but that just didn't compare to the professionals.

And Coco very much doubted Salem, Queen of the Grimm, employed people you could call average. The fact that Pyrrha continued to survive was a bit of a miracle, Coco just wished the girl would stop pushing her luck.

Now she was off again, and she had asked Team CFVY to look after her friends and see if they could help them make amends within their team. Despite her frustration, Coco knew how much this meant to Pyrrha. The fact she trusted them to fix it spoke highly of her opinion of Team CFVY. While they might have seen it as a bit of a distraction from Pyrrha's leaving once more, it was anything but.

For Pyrrha, this was serious, and Coco would treat it as such. It was for that reason that she was currently watching Team RWAN train in one of the sparring rings. Most of Team RWAN that was, the younger Nikos was nowhere to be seen. While that might not have been too unusual, the fact this team had issues made that a bad thing.

"Should I be worried about you watching my sister's team like that?" Coco didn't have to turn to see who it was, Yang's teasing voice giving her away before the mention of her sister.

"Oh you, just scouting out the competition." Coco said off-handedly, tuning to look at the blonde with a smirk on her face, even if she didn't really feel it. Where once she had been excited for the festival, now she was terrified. "Gotta watch out for that one, lotta power in one place."

"Ha!" Yang smiled brightly. "Yeah, Ruby did get pretty lucky huh, but they aren't the only thing you need to be worried about."

"Oh yeah, you think you've got a chance?"

"Is Amber going to fight with you?" Yang hesitated for a moment, sighing in relief when Coco shook her head. "Then yeah, I think we do."

Coco rolled her eyes, ringing back to the training session she had been watching. While it had looked like a spar at first, it didn't take long for the action to stop as the little Heiress corrected Arc's footing and gave him some tips. He was clearly untrained, even from so far away she could see that, but he was a surprisingly quick learner, and he was picking up the moves easily enough.

He said something, causing Ruby to laugh and the other girl to shake her head; despite her apparent displeasure, she smiled. It was a good sign for Team RWAN, even if it had taken them a bit longer than most they were starting to come together. True to Pyrrha's own words, Weiss was… well, nice wasn't the right word, but it was close enough for now. The problem was that it wasn't all of them training however.

"Any idea where Nikos is?"

Yang winced. "Yeah, I guess everything isn't quite perfect, huh?" She sighed. "But to answer your question, no, I don't know. Pyrrha spends a lot of time by herself, no one really knows where exactly she goes." Coco stood from the wall she had been leaning on, moving down one of the paths that lead back inside the building. "Where are you running off to?"

"Gym." Coco replied.

"In between lessons?" Yang tilted her head to the side. "Why not wait until later?"

"Because I need to find someone." And Coco didn't have to think hard on where said someone was going to be.

Author's Note: New chapter, hope you all enjoyed it. In other news, new RWBY stuff. Well, not just yet, but we have that new project announced that I am super curious about. Can't help but wonder what it is they'll be doing. Guess we'll just have to wait and see if its good or bad though.

Hopefully you enjoyed this week's chapter, and if not be sure to let me know why in the reviews. I always enjoy reading them.

Sincerely, SE