Hunting or Bust: The Journey Continues

Dust 10: The Easiest Job Ever

((((((((Hunting))))))))

"Yang!"

"Whoa!" Yang stumbled back as the pink-haired girl barreled into her with a hug. She chuckled and hugged her back, "Geez Sakura, I don't remember you being a hugger." The medic let out a small giggle as she pulled back and wiped her eyes. It was only then that Yang noticed that her arms had gotten a lot more defined since she had visited Beacon, "Have you been working out?"

"Yeah, you could say that." Sakura looked down at her biceps and flexed them for her friend to see. Yang wrapped a hand around it and whistled at the impressive gain, "I thought it would be a good idea to take up combat classes to make sure that if any situation arose where I'd be in the middle of danger, I could handle myself. Lady Tsunade suggested it and I figured it was a good idea. What do you think?"

"Wow! You're gonna be fighting with the best of us soon enough!" Yang flexed her arms in return with a cocky smirk, "Just don't be heartbroken if you can't match up to my prowess." The blonde Huntress then looked at her prosthetic and gave a cheeky laugh, "Well you might have a handicap on muscle mass, but don't count me out just yet."

"I never would." Sakura laughed, "I'm so glad to see you again, Yang."

"You too, Sakura." Yang smiled, "Thanks for helping us back at Beacon."

The young medic looked like she was on the brink of tears before she smiled and nodded. She and Yang started sharing some stories of what had happened since leaving Beacon.

Oscar heard them talk and was surprised at the unexpected connection they had. His look of confusion must have been noticed since Ren and Nora quickly spoke up at his side, "Sakura was with Ms. Tsunade when they visited Beacon at the end of our first year. They were there during the fall. And Yang rushed around Beacon helping civilians and non-combatants stuck during the attack; Sakura included."

"And since she was there, she was able to help a bunch of injured people that got hurt during the attack." Nora smiled softly, "If it wasn't for her then Kiba, Naruto's dad, Blake, and Yang might have been in way worse shape when they were getting transported."

"Wow." Oscar quietly mumbled, looking around at all his comrades across the Skyggen lobby, "There's so much shared history between all of you."

"They've been through quite many fights and missions, training and learning and growing together."

'Am I…should I be here?'

"The only way to grow is to keep pushing yourself and do your best. If you don't think you're ready for this mission, just say the word and they'll all understand. Although, speaking as someone who is in here with your thoughts, your last-minute jitters aren't doing much to quell your excitement."

Oscar faintly blushed but tried to ignore Ozpin's teasing words. He was right though, and Oscar wanted to be out there with everyone on the next mission. All their discussions ended as they spotted Tsunade and Qrow emerge from the back room after hashing out the plan. The older woman looked across the room, "You all ready for your job today?"

"You bet!" Ruby cheerfully announced, "Thanks for trusting us with such a big mission, ma'am!"

She chuckled, "I appreciate the enthusiasm, Ruby, but this isn't that big a mission. Pretty standard really." Tsunade held up her pad and they gathered around to see the small map being projected with markers on it, "A maintenance team is going out to check on one of the CCT relay points nearby. A biweekly check-up to make sure everything is in order with the equipment. Along with the relay point are helpful boosters that strengthen and increase the signal of the tower nearby. With these, the villages and settlements immediately outside of Mistral have a better level of communication."

She slid the display over to show an automatic node being checked on by people, "The main work is done at the relay tower, but these nodes need to be updated with any new software the maintenance team has cooked up. Thankfully it can be simple and automatic as long as they have someone there to help them." Tsunade stuffed the Scroll under her armpit and looked at the young volunteers, "Now before things took a turn this was pretty much the easy job everyone pined for. It's still easy, but for safety purposes, we look for a large numbered group to go out and handle this. And thankfully it looks like you kids have got numbers to spare."

"So it'll make this easy." Qrow piped in while swirling his flask, "We've got nine people here, so we'll split into three teams of three. One stays at the main relay tower, and the other two update the nodes. Nice, quick, and we get home in time for dinner."

"Another feast!" Nora exclaimed excitedly with a pump of her arms. When she looked around at the surprised looks she was getting, the short bruiser deflated, "What? Too soon after the last one?" She pouted and plopped back in her seat, "That sucks."

"So all that leaves is the details; whose on which team and who takes what job." Qrow looked around, "I guess we settle this the old-fashioned way."

"Drawing lots and rock, paper, scissors?"

"You know me so well, Firecracker."

((((((((Hunting))))))))

"I guess we'll see you losers later!" Yang announced with a cocky smirk while standing by the relay tower, "I'd wish you guys luck, but it's pretty clear you losers lack any!"

"Ooooohhhhhh!" Ruby popped up behind her sister with a cheeky smile, "We beat you guys bad!" Ruby hid behind Yang's back and giggled to her partner, "Weiss, get in on this!"

The former heiress shook her head, "I'd rather not."

The other two teams of Qrow, Nora, and Ren and Naruto, Jaune, and Oscar frowned at the trio's mocking antics before separating. The team of Ruby, Weiss, and Yang would hold down the fort with the maintenance crew at the relay tower as the other teams made their way to the booster nodes.

"Keep your Scrolls open on Comms while we're out!" Qrow yelled back for all of them to hear as Nora and Ren cleared the way ahead of him, "Anything comes up, let us know!"

Oscar looked around the forest, flanked by Jaune and Naruto as they walked along to their destination, "W-Wow, I can't believe I'm helping on a mission." He looked up at the older boys, "I know I'm just here to fill out the numbers, but if you guys need me to do anything just let me know."

"We know, Oscar." Naruto patted his young friend's shoulder with a big grin, "I'm glad you finally get to come out with us! We might get to show you the ropes of a real Huntsmen mission! Not just the safety ones Qrow took us out on in the city."

"Yeah, but we should still be careful." Jaune said between taking looks at their path and the map on his Scroll, "Oscar, if at any point something happens and you feel overwhelmed, make sure to get behind Naruto and I. We'll handle it."

"You don't need to worry, Jaune. I promise Oscar can handle himself."

"Still, better safe than sorry."

Oscar felt a warm, fluttery feeling at the concern and trust being shown to him. The belief that he could handle himself, but the assurance that he'd be watched over in case things didn't look well.

"It's similar to the approach we took when sending first-years out on their approved missions. The students are expected to handle the brunt of the mission themselves, with the guides only stepping in to assist when truly required. This is a big step forward, Oscar. If you need my assistance, just let me know."

Oscar took a deep breath and nodded as he started psyching himself up. He looked up between Jaune and Naruto before he caught a look of the Faunus' ears laid flat in his hair, "Naruto?"

"Hm?" Naruto quickly snapped back and looked down at him with a smile, "What's up, Oscar?"

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine!" He immediately answered before turning his attention back to the forest and trees, "Why do you ask?"

"I-I don't know. You look a little-"

"Hey, we can't be dragging our feet!" Naruto said cheerfully as he rushed ahead of the group, "C'mon! Last one to the booster's a rotten egg!"

Jaune quickly picked up the pace, "H-Hey, Naruto! Do you even know where you're going?!"

Oscar frowned before he picked up the pace. And he was left a bit concerned as he remembered how tightly Naruto's hand had gripped the hilt of his machete.

((((((((Hunting))))))))

Ren checked his Scroll for reference as they walked along, "I think we should be getting close to it now. After that, we'll need to start uploading the updated software from the maintenance team."

"Yeah, I don't usually bother with all the updates and new stuff that comes out on my Scroll. Takes too much time and always gives me a headache." Qrow groused, "So how about one of you two take up the job?"

"Oh! Oh! Pick me!" Nora eagerly waved her hand, "I'll do it! I'll handle the update!" She struck a pose and tried to look mysterious and seductive, "I can be one of those cool hacker beauties from the movies everyone always drool over!" Pulling out her Scroll, she immediately started fiddling with it, "Just you watch!"

Qrow and Ren froze, sharing a quick nervous look before the older Huntsman coughed, "Uh, you know what? As the lead on this mission, I'm making an executive call. Ren, why don't you handle the update."

"Good call." Ren sagely nodded as Nora pouted and slumped over in disappointment. He quickly tried to cheer her up, "Don't worry, Nora. How about you show us what you can do in the other aspect of the job? We haven't run into any yet, but when a Grimm-"

"WRAAAHHHH-"

A Beowolf leaped out of the bushes and immediately ran headfirst into Magnhild. With a yell, Nora swung through and sent the crumbled body of the monster flying through a tree and into the forest. She sighed and slammed her hammer down at her side, "Good call, Ren! That is a lot more fun than me just staring at a screen!"

"Glad I could help."

Qrow shook his head before speaking into his Scroll, "Okay kids, just ran into our first Grimm. Keep an eye out and stay safe."

("Can do!")

("Try to keep up, Uncle Qrow!")

Qrow scoffed, pocketing his Scroll as he heard more Grimm around them. He smirked, walking ahead of Ren and by Nora's side as he drew Harbinger at his side, "Telling me to keep up? Please."

((((((((Hunting))))))))

The machete crossed a deep gash into the chest of the Beowolf before Naruto slammed his knee into it. As the mighty beast toppled over in pain, Naruto's Aura coiled and wrapped around its body, "Jaune!" He pulled and yanked the Grimm off the ground before tossing it through the air, "Heads up!"

"HA!" The young Huntsman swung up and slashed the airborne Grimm coming his way, reducing it to smoke before it could hit the ground. Letting out a quick breath of relief, he ran over to Naruto's side so they could put up a front between the approaching Grimm and the booster, "A little more warning would be nice!"

"Ah, you're fine!" Naruto responded with a thrilled smirk as his Semblance spread over his arms, "Ready to show these things whose boss?"

"Might as well." Jaune gripped his shield and spared a look at Naruto's growing Aura, "What did you and Ruby end up calling that anyway?"

"Free Reign."

"Ah, I like that."

As the two blonds yelled and charged into the Grimm, Oscar watched them easily fend them off as he started working on the update.

((((((((Hunting))))))))

"Nevermore. 3 o'clock. Half a click."

"I see it."

"Can you make that-"

Ruby fired and they watched as the little black speck in the distance suddenly plummeted down. Weiss' eyes widened in shock as Yang whistled, "Nice~."

"Thank you!" Ruby puffed up her chest with pride and Crescent Rose reverted to its standby mode, "I've gotten a whole lot stronger since Beacon!"

"Well, I'm not exactly gonna sharpshoot anything out of the sky with my punches." Yang sarcastically joked while raising her fists and gauntlets into view, "I mean we see any Grimm come close by and I'll smush them with a punch," Yang grinned and ruffled Ruby's hair, "But we'll leave the longshots to you, baby sis."

"Yang, stop it!" Ruby bemoaned while swatting away her sister's hand. Despite her feigned indignation, she couldn't help but be happy that she was with her sister again. Ruby smiled and turned to Weiss, "What about you, Weiss? Do you think you could shoot some projectiles up there?"

"I could, but I doubt they'd reach as far as a rifle." Weiss quickly stated, "I'll probably be of more use if Grimm approaches the tower from the ground or mid-air."

"Oh yeah?" Yang slyly smirked, "What about if you summon your big friend?" Weiss pouted and Ruby tilted her head, "Ruby, you have got to see this big knight Weiss summons to fight with her! It's awesome!"

Ruby gasped, "Weiss, you can summon things now?!" The former heiress blushed at her partner's bright, expectant expression, "Why didn't you tell me?!"

She looked aside embarrassed as she curled some hair on her finger, "I-I just started doing it. And I need more practice-"

"Weiss! That's great! I know how hard you were practicing with that back in Beacon!" The young leader grinned with joy, "I'm so happy for you!"

Weiss' face burned with mortification but she couldn't hide the smile she had at all this flattery. And from the chuckles and looks she was getting from her teammates, it was clear they realized it as well.

"Huntresses!" They looked back at a member of the maintenance crew up in the relay tower. He waved down at them, "Things are going well up here! Are your friends alright uploading the updates?"

Ruby checked her Scroll, "Naruto? Uncle Qrow? How're things on your end?"

("Yeah, Ren says things are going smoothly.")

("Oscar says all good on this side!")

"No problems!"

"That's great! We should be done within the hour then! Just keep an eye out and we'll update-"

"Sir!" Someone further up the tower called down in a distressed voice, "I think something's wrong!"

"What? What's wrong? It's all standard protocol-"

"Yes, but we're getting some weird readings!"

"There's something wrong with the grid for the tower!"

"Well stabilize it! We can't leave a power problem alone on the relay-"

Suddenly and violently, lights and surges along the relay tower burst. The maintenance crew cried out in fright as everything overloaded and burst into sparks. Ruby and Yang quickly guarded themselves and Weiss raised a Glyph over their heads to protect them. After the initial surprise passed the crew immediately went to work barking orders and trying to fix everything.

Ruby grabbed her Scroll, "Guys, something weird happened here! The tower just short-circuited or something! Sparks were flying and-"

("Ru- -an't hea- -hat happ-")

("-ell- -re yo-")

"Guys!"

((((((((Hunting))))))))

"Hey!" Qrow urgently screamed into his Scroll as the signal started cutting in and out. Nora and Ren looked at him in confusion and worry as he clicked his teeth, "The signal's breaking! Communication is failing! Keep to your positions and wait for word back! The crew will get it back up in time! Until then-"

((((((((Hunting))))))))

("Hold you- -sitions-")

"Qrow?! Ruby?! Anyone?!" Naruto yelled back, "Guys we're breaking up! What-"

The signal died out, and all that was left was a single tone loud enough to deafen them. Naruto looked down at his Scroll in shock before seeing the same confused looks on Jaune and Oscar's faces.

The sound of the tone started to get drowned out with the Grimm approaching, sensing their fear and worry. Naruto and Jaune quickly bunched up, standing in front of Oscar as they kept their flanks guarded.

All the while Naruto swallowed the lump in his throat and tried to ignore the deafening sound of the tone.

((((((((Hunting))))))))

"Dammit!" Qrow cursed, immediately trying to call the others again as the signal struggled to connect through. When all he got was the tone he growled and nearly threw his Scroll in frustration, "What happened?!"

"Did you hear that bang? It came from the direction of the tower." Nora said, holding her hammer as she looked between Qrow and Ren, "If we can't talk to them, does that mean something happened to the tower? Were they-"

"The signal didn't cut out abruptly," Ren deduced before they could get any more worried about what happened, "It struggled and broke before cutting out. And we didn't hear an explosion or see any smoke in the direction of the tower, so it wasn't attacked." The black-haired fighter rationalized, "I guess that there was a complication at the relay tower that the crew needs to fix. It happens. I heard about it all the time when they tried setting up communications around Oniyuri and Kuroyuri."

"So, what do we do?" Nora asked, "Do you think they'll be okay?"

"I'm going back." Qrow quickly turned, "Hold things down here. I gotta check on Ruby and Yang."

"But what about-"

"I'll swing by and check on the others too! But I gotta make sure-"

"GRAOW!"

They suddenly heard a growl and raised their weapons. A lone Beowolf rushed out of the dark and towards them-

Before Ren slammed his hands on the ground and spread his Tranquility through all of them. The colors of their body faded into dull grey and the charging Grimm suddenly slowed to a halt. Qrow and Nora stood at the ready as the wolf Grimm sniffed at the air and curiously looked at them as if they had vanished before its eyes.

Qrow shoved his blade into the monster's head and killed it instantly. As it fell over, Ren reined his Semblance back in as their colors returned. They turned back to look at him as he shook his head, "We need to focus on our mission objectives."

"Kid-"

"I know you're worried," Ren tensely cut him off, "I'm worried too. But if we lose focus then these boosters might be endangered and people won't be able to make calls for help. Ruby, Weiss, and Yang are in the most fortified spot right now. And even if Jaune, Naruto, and Oscar are exposed like us, they have Ozpin on their side to help them. I know our first instinct is to run over and help them…but we're Huntsmen and Huntresses. We have a job to do." He nodded, "We need to have faith that they'll be okay even when we're not there."

…

Qrow looked like he wanted to argue the point, but for the life of him, he couldn't find a good enough counterpoint. Instead, he wrestled between respecting the fact this was a job and trusting them to handle themselves or telling Ren to stuff it and fly off to check on everyone. As Qrow considered his options, he started walking around and pulled out his flask.

Nora slowly walked over to Ren as he let out a long sigh. She understood Ren's point but couldn't help the part of her that wanted to make sure everyone was safe. And even though he said it she could tell he felt the same.

She reached down and gently took his hand, squeezing it as they stood together and waited for the comms to come back. And when she felt Ren squeeze back, she felt a little bit better knowing she wasn't alone in feeling worried.

((((((((Hunting))))))))

"Hello! Hello! Come in! Can anyone hear me?!"

"Still nothing?"

"No!" Naruto yelled in frustration as he started circling the booster they protected, "What the hell happened?! One second everything was fine and now this!"

"Ozpin says it could be a mechanical issue with the relay tower." Oscar quickly informed, "Not uncommon…but still unusual."

"Alright, then there isn't much we need to worry about." Jaune shrugged, "We'll stay here until the power comes back on and we can finish the job. I'm sure the others are okay-"

"Can we be sure?" Jaune and Oscar looked over as Naruto kept frantically walking around while trying to connect to everyone with his Scroll again, "I mean how do we know they'll be okay? Ozpin just said it's not usual. So should we go and check on them?"

"They're more than capable of-"

"Yeah, I know they're strong! Of course, they're strong! But what if this is something else?!" Naruto retried and scowled as the same dreadful tone returned, "What if something bad is happening and they need our help but we don't know?! Do we ditch our position or leave them by themselves?!" He glared down at the blank Scroll screen and nearly crushed it in his grasp, "What the hell was the point of staying in contact with our Scrolls if they're just gonna crap out-"

"Naruto!"

He caught his breath and looked up in a panic at Jaune and Oscar. His friends were looking at him in concern with how stressed he sounded while refusing to stop moving. Their worried looks made Naruto stop in place as his pointed ears suddenly sagged and flattened into his hair. He looked down sadly, "I-I'm sorry."

"It's okay." Jaune gently said, "You're worried. There's nothing wrong with being worried."

"Yeah, but I shouldn't be so freaked out. I," Naruto pocketed his Scroll before looking around at the woods, "I know better than anyone just what can happen inside the forest when you aren't expecting it. I thought…" He scratched his head and mumbled, "I thought I had gotten past it by now."

"Naruto, it's alright." Oscar said while looking up at his older friend, "We're here with you. You aren't by yourself in the forest anymore." Jaune nodded at his side, "The Scrolls will come back online, we'll finish the job, and then we'll head home. And we'll be done today."

"Right. Yeah, right." Naruto nodded quietly, taking slow and deliberate breaths as his fingers tapped against the hilt of his blade. Jaune and Oscar shared looks before watching their friend slowly walk around. As he caught his breath he muttered, "I'm gonna have a big bowl of ramen when I get home - I swear."

The sound of something rustling in the bushes followed by guttural growls drew their attention. Naruto and Jaune stood at the ready and drew their weapons as they saw Grimm emerge to face them. Jaune raised his shield, "We got this, right?"

"Yeah." Naruto nodded, "I was worried but these Grimm are nothing to be-"

He suddenly stood straight up as his ears shot up on his head. Naruto blinked and looked around in surprise as his ears twitched sporadically.

"Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"I heard something."

"There are Grimm coming!" Oscar called out, "We have to be ready-"

"No! No, it was something else!" Naruto urgently said, "It wasn't Grimm! It sounded weird! Different! I-I think someone's here!"

"What?"

"Someone's here!" Naruto stepped forward, breaking formation and getting closer to the Grimm as he looked past them, "Someone's watching us!"

"Naruto, no one's here!"

"There! There it was again!" The whiskered blond said frantically as he gritted his teeth, "Stop hiding!"

Oscar gulped, "Naruto! Please calm down!"

"I know you're there! Come out!"

"Grrrrrr!"

"Naruto!"

"Did you do this?!"

"Naruto, the Grimm-"

"GRRAAOOOWWW-"

"SHUT UP!"

With a roar and dash forward, Naruto cleaved through the head of the first Grimm in his way. With Free Reign over his arms and legs, he rushed forward and plowed through the Grimm in his path as he charged in the direction of the noise.

"Naruto!" Jaune called out as his friend rushed away into the trees, "NARUTO!"

"W-What do we do?!" Oscar asked in fright as he saw his friend rush into the Grimm and kill any that got in his way, "We need to follow him-"

"We need to stay here. And you need to draw your weapon."

Oscar bit the inside of his cheek as he grabbed his cane and extended it as Jaune slowly backed up to the booster. Naruto might have charged through most of the Grimm and killed them…

But as some stragglers started to stalk forward and growl at them, the two realized they were still in for a fight.

((((((((Hunting))))))))

Ruby dug the toe of her boot into the dirt, "Do you think they're okay?"

"I'm sure they're fine." Weiss assured her partner and leader, "I mean they have each other to work with. You said Jaune has gotten a lot stronger since his days in Beacon. And Naruto has always been scrappy and refused to give up. Oscar might still be learning but he has Ozpin to help him in a pinch."

Yang nodded, "Yeah! Plus Qrow is Qrow! Ren could probably kill a Grimm before it even realized it was dead! And we've seen Nora reduce an Ursa to a pancake before!" She reassured her little sister, smiling and wrapping her arm around Ruby's shoulders with a firm squeeze, "Don't worry about them. They'll be fine."

"Yeah," Ruby nodded meekly before a smile formed on her face. She nodded again with a lot more certainty, "You're right. All we need to do right now is make sure the tower works and things come back up on all sides." Her confidence returned in spades as she turned to call back up the tower, "Hey! Is everything alright up there?!"

"Yeah, we're fine! We're getting things back on track! I'm sorry for the holdup – we've never had one of those happen outside of an electrical surge! We'll be back up soon and you can contact the rest of your friends!"

"Thank you!" Ruby drew out her weapon, "We'll keep an eye out for Grimm so don't worry about anything else!" The crew nodded and went back to work as the girls turned to the entrance and kept a vigilant eye out for any Grimm that might approach them. Ruby took a breath, "You know, it's kinda crazy to think this is only on our second real mission out in the wild."

Weiss and Yang looked at her curiously before the blonde's eyes widened and she palmed her face, "Haha! You're right! Not since Mt. Glenn!"

Weiss sagged with exhaustion, "Ugh, Mt. Glenn. Don't remind me." She rubbed her temple irritably, "I had no idea missions could be so stressful and tedious until we went out there cleaning out the Grimm in the streets. Not at all helped by all those questions Oobleck kept dropping on us!"

"What we wanted to do as Huntresses?" Yang shook her head with a chuckle, "I ran into Oobleck and Port after Beacon. They stopped by the house to talk with Dad a few times. Man, the stories those two old guys could tell!"

"At least Zwei was with us back then!"

"Yes, the one highlight of that entire mission."

"And he helped us find you when you tumbled headfirst into White Fang territory!"

"E-Ehehe." Ruby nervously chuckled while scratching her cheek. She smiled warmly at the fond memories she was sharing before she looked between Weiss and Yang, "Do you think if the whole Dirty Dozen was here together, we could handle this mission even easier?"

Weiss sighed, "Oh lord," She pinched the bridge of her nose, "Why are you bringing up that godawful nickname now of all times?"

"What? I liked it!"

Yang shrugged, "It wasn't that original, but it sure suits us pretty well. There were a dozen of us, and we got into a whole mess of trouble all the time!"

"Don't remind me." Weiss covered her face and groaned into her palms, "I wanted to be the most upstanding and exemplary student that ever walked the halls of that hallowed establishment! Instead, I got into crazy trouble week after week, dragged into fights we had no right being involved in, and getting punished like some kind of – of ne'er-do-well delinquent with no sense of preservation!"

Ruby and Yang shared a confused look, "Ne'er-do-what?"

"No idea."

"Ugh," The young Schnee groaned before she smiled and faintly giggled, "I never thought I'd be back here with all of you again, but now that I am, the idea of us all reuniting…doesn't seem like an impossible dream anymore."

Ruby grinned in agreement, jumping in and hugging her partner from the side, "The Dirty Dozen will rise again, and Team RWBY will be there at the center of it!"

"Or not."

Ruby and Weiss looked over at Yang after her quick retort, "What?"

"I just mean we should be careful." Yang carelessly said, looking aside after quickly blurting out her piece, "Don't get our hopes up too high or anything." She slipped her hands into her pockets and walked forward, "We might just have to make do with what we've got."

They looked at Yang's back as her shoulders and figure remained tense. Ruby stepped towards her sister, "Yang, what are you-"

"Just that some people made their choice. Some of us wanted to return and others didn't. And that's the end of it." Yang said curtly while shrugging her shoulders, "We don't need to hold out for people who won't come back."

"Yang-"

The approaching sound of monsters howling drew their attention. Yang drew out her hands and extended her gauntlets, "Get ready."

((((((((Hunting))))))))

"H-He ran?" Oscar mumbled in disbelief as he nervously gripped his cane, "Why would he run off?!"

"I don't know!" Jaune knocked back a Beowolf's claws and slashed at its throat immediately after. He turned and swung his sword, slicing through another set of claws at the knuckles that aimed for his head. As the monsters hissed and whined but continued to surround them, Jaune tried to see if there was any sight of Naruto returning, "But he has to come back!"

"W-Well what do we do until then?!"

"Stand your ground." Ozpin calmly said within his mind, "We can't lose our nerves now. I'm sure Naruto will return, and everything will-"

"GRAOW!"

A Beowolf roared and slipped past Jaune, taking a slash to its body in stride as it rushed towards Oscar instead. Jaune turned to chase after it, "Oscar, look-"

Long Memory jutted out and slammed under the Beowolf's jaw to snap its head back. Oscar immediately pulled back and landed a flurry of fierce, precise, and devastating blows along its body before finishing it with a satisfying strike to the side of the head.

As the Grimm toppled over, Oscar landed in a ready pose with a hand at his back and his cane leveled in a fencing position. He turned to Jaune and nodded, "We need to continue holding the line, Mr. Arc. Are you ready?"

It took a moment for Jaune to realize he was talking to Ozpin instead of Oscar. And when he did his expression tightened and pinched a bit silently. Still, the young blond nodded and raised Crocea Mors in preparation to fight as Ozpin prepared to charge into the front.

All the while they both waited and hoped their comrade would return.

((((((((Hunting))))))))

It was something!

This was something!

It had to be an attack! It had to be a plan! Someone was trying to break them up again!

Someone had been watching them!

"HAAA!" Naruto cleaved through the head of an Ursa in a single swing as he slammed a Beowolf to the ground with Free Reign. A Boarbatusk came wheeling at him from the side as he quickly jumped over it while pushing off its back to vault. He extended the Aura of his fingers around the pig-like monster and spiked it aside into the trees as he kept chasing after whoever it was that had been watching them.

If this was a plan then he was going to stop it!

He wasn't going to let anything hurt him and his friends again! If someone was planning to attack them, they would stop them! And once things were safe, the communications would open up and everything would-

The deafening tone of the Scroll changed for a ring only for a moment, but it was enough to make Naruto stop and look down in shock. He pulled it out and stared at the signal trying to connect before it returned to the lost tone.

"H-Hey," A tentative smile spread across his face. He turned to Jaune and Oscar, "Hey, the signal almost connected! The tower-"

He turned back and realized he was speaking to no one. His eyes widened in shock and disbelief as he looked around.

Where were Jaune and Oscar? Weren't they following him? Didn't they notice the sound? Weren't they-

"Oh shit," His eyes widened, "The booster!"

With Free Reign over his legs, he bolted back the way he came to reach his friends before something happened.

((((((((Hunting))))))))

"Yang! Yang, why did you say that?"

"What are you talking about? It's obvious!" Yang punctuated her sentences by walking through the entrance and punching at any approaching Grimm, "Why should we have to wait and hold our breath for people who aren't coming back? Better to accept it and move on!" She grunted and fired a few more wild shots, "Hell, healthier even!"

"Yang, you don't mean-"

"Yes, Ruby! Yes, I do!" Yang immediately rounded on her little sister, her eyes narrowed with bitterness, "Sometimes people leave! Sometimes they don't come back! And sometimes we just accept that and - and move on! Because why wouldn't we move on?!" She threw out her arms, "It's the right thing to do! The healthy thing! You don't wait for people to-"

"Say her name."

Yang froze and went silent at the sudden interjection. Ruby looked back as Weiss stepped forward with her eyes focused on Yang, "You could at least say her name. You keep talking that broadly and we'll never know who you're referring to. But if you're so sure she's gone from our lives, you shouldn't be bothered to say her name." Weiss saw Yang's fists clenched at her side as she talked, "I don't think I've heard you say her-"

"BLAKE! IT'S BLAKE! BLAKE'S NOT COMING BACK!" Yang roared, eyes shifting red with anger as she turned on the former heiress instantly, "HAPPY?! ARE YOU SATISFIED I SAID IT?!" Her hair started glowing as she got up in Weiss' face, "WE DON'T NEED TO KEEP WAITING FOR BLAKE TO COME BACK BECAUSE SHE NEVER WILL!"

Even though there was a slight flinch in Weiss' eye when Yang rounded on her, she stood her ground and faced her temperamental teammate directly. With Weiss' icy glare aimed at her, Yang's fiery rage seemed to falter for a moment. And her eyes shifted over to see Ruby's hurt and worried expression at her rage.

Yang bit her lip and hissed before twisting around. She didn't want to keep staring at them and feeling guilty when she knew she was right. This wasn't a swell of unmitigated anger like Taiyang had warned her - this was deserved and justified!

Blake had run off and abandoned them! She left the team! H-How was that alright?! How could they just be fine with that?! Why would they look at her like she was-

"KAAAAAAWWWWW!"

Yang's eyes snapped open furiously, red and raging for a chance to hit something as she heard the call of a Nevermore. The brash blonde rushed further out of the entrance and slid to a stop with a manic roar. She started punching upwards, firing blast after blast at the Nevermore circling over their heads. The first few shots strayed and barely singed its feathers before she landed a shot on its critical mass. A flurry of her shots riddled its body and she watched it careen out of the sky and crash into the trees.

Yang swung her arms down and with a deep breath she nodded with satisfaction-

"WRAAA-"

A sniper shot hit the Beowolf lunging at her side and Weiss' quick jab with Myrtenaster sent it falling to the ground dead. Yang looked down at it in shock, not even noticing its approach while she was busy handling the Nevermore. As she caught her breath, Weiss snapped at her, "Yang, calm down and back up! You can't be out here right now!"

"D-Don't tell me to calm-"

"Yang! Get back to the tower!" Ruby quickly ordered as she came to Weiss' side while the sound of Grimm grew louder around them, "Lay a suppressing fire and don't come out here again!"

The young fighter was startled by the authority in her younger sister's voice, and the fact she had been so focused on attacking the Nevermore she didn't notice the other Grimm. With a shuddering breath, Yang quelled any argument growing in her throat and retreated to hold the line through the front entrance.

As Weiss and Ruby handled any approaching Grimm and Yang fired at any stragglers she saw, she also tried to catch her breath and calm herself down from her sudden rise. Her lips thinned and she let out a small sniffle before firing into the forest.

((((((((Hunting))))))))

"Ha! Ha! Ha!" Jaune panted desperately for air after carving his way through a pack of Grimm in a matter of seconds. The blond knight raised his shield and stood on guard even as he caught his breath. Two more Grimm slowly stalked their way toward him and he prepared to attack-

A speedy little blur jumped over his head and rapidly jabbed at the heads of the two Beolwolves approaching him. As Ozpin landed behind them, Jaune took the chance to swing and rend through their chests while they were distracted. They faded away and Jaune used his sword to keep himself propped up while catching his breath.

"Are you okay?" Ozpin asked while looking his way, "If you need to fall back-"

"I'll be fine. Just need a second." Jaune assured him while looking over Oscar's body, "Make sure not to break anything while you're fighting."

"Heh, don't worry. Oscar is also making sure I don't get too carried away." Ozpin said with a light laugh before he heard movement in the woods. He turned and walked towards it in case he needed to strike while Jaune slowly picked himself up-

"GAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

Ozpin immediately retreated, flipping backward and jumping away as something large and fierce rushed out of the shadows to attack him. Jaune quickly stood up and guarded himself as a Grimm slipped between him and Ozpin to separate them. It stood on all fours and growled while facing the freckled boy's body.

It was a large Grimm that seemed almost sickeningly disproportioned and twisted. There were patches of fur and armor over its arms and chest, yet there were also parts of it that seemed to naturally peel away to reveal raw muscle and sinew. It almost looked like it could be a Beowolf, save for its mangled head and the horrendous growl it let out.

"W-What is that?!"

"A Grendel." Ozpin whispered to the boy in his head, "They usually stick to swampy regions, but all the anxiety from the communications going offline must have drawn it here. Frankly," Ozpin straightened his form and raised his cane, "I'd wish we had more training under our belt before having to face one of these. So-"

"GRLAOW!"

The Grendel lurched forward and started swinging at him. Ozpin jumped and weaved around the arms it swung around like whips. The ground was ripped up and stones in its way were crushed to rubble. All the while Ozpin landed quick jabs that couldn't do much damage with Oscar's weak muscles.

Jaune clicked his teeth and sheathed his sword before his sheath extended into a long sword. With a growl, Jaune charged at the Grendel's exposed back and slashed at its legs.

"GAAAH!" It reeled back and roared in pain before turning on Jaune, "WRRYAAAHHH!"

"Mr. Arc!"

Jaune raised his sword before the Grendel's clawed hand could pierce him. It was strong enough to lift him off his feet and pin him to the tree as the manic monster snarled and huffed. It opened its mouth and roared in Jaune's face in preparation to kill him-

Only for a machete to fly in and embed itself between its shoulder and neck.

The Grendel pulled back and cried in pain before a yellow and orange blur rushed in from the side and tackled the monster away from Jaune. He and Ozpin watched as Naruto pushed the Grendel back and immediately ducked under its wild swing before uppercutting it. And as it stumbled back he followed through with several blows to its tense, coiled body.

Ozpin rushed in from the side as well and knocked its arms aside with several precise jabs. Naruto turned and jumped back as Jaune rushed by him and slashed the abomination's hand off. As it reeled back and screamed, Naruto reached up and tore out his machete before slashing across the Grimm's chest.

The Grendel was overwhelmed by the trio as with each strike and cut and blow it suffered, another one of them would step in to follow through. The mighty monster's body staggered back and looked like it would fall apart at any moment.

"JAUNE!" The blond knight turned and saw Naruto offer his hand. Without hesitation, he took it as Naruto's Free Reign extended over it. With a roar, Naruto spun and pulled Jaune off his feet, extended his Aura, and whipped the tall blond around before spiking him directly at the Grendel's chest.

Jaune slammed into the monster and buried his long sword into its chest until it toppled over with him on top of it. The Grendel went slack and lay dead on the ground with particles already coming off it. Jaune stomped on its chest and drew Crocea Mors out before nearly stumbling off and jumping to the ground.

With the monster slain, the trio took a breath of relief. Naruto slowly walked over and sheathed his machete as Ozpin joined them holding his cane. There was a tense silence between them, and Naruto's face twisted in shame as he realized what he'd done in the heat of the moment.

Thankfully the tone of the Scroll calling broke the silence. Ozpin immediately retrieved his and answered, "Yes?"

("Aha! It connected! Oscar, is that you?")

"This is Ozpin at the moment, but I hear you. It's good to hear from you, Ms. Rose."

("Oh, hi Professor!")

("Oz, how are things going on your side?")

He spared a look to the two blonds, "We had some complications but we sorted it." Ozpin turned and looked at the booster as it powered back up again, "I'm assuming we'll be able to continue our mission goal now?"

("Yeah. The crew said the update might have cut off so we'll have to start over. But at least the surge issue was fixed so we can contact each other again.")

"Then I suppose we should get back to work." Ozpin nodded, "We'll get back to it on our side. Reach out if anything else occurs on your end, alright?"

("Got it.")

("Can do!")

((((((((Hunting))))))))

Ruby sighed in relief and closed her Scroll, "Sounds like they're okay."

"Well, that's a relief." Weiss nodded as she looked around, "And with the communications up again I think people will stop freaking out. So this should be the easy part of our job from here on." The young Schnee slipped her rapier along her belt before looking back towards the towers and the walls surrounding it, "I guess that just leaves…"

Ruby nodded, holstering Crescent Rose as they walked back towards the tower. As they approached they were waved down by the maintenance crew and promised that things would be back on track. They thanked them and finally found their third member sitting up against the wall while staring at her hands hanging between her knees. She noticed their approach and looked up at their worried expressions.

She shook her head, "Any way we can just skip this conversation and pretend it didn't happen?"

Ruby walked over and sat down by her side, gently leaning into her shoulder. Weiss daintily rested on her knees by her other side, letting the blonde know they weren't going to forget, but they didn't want to push either.

They sat in partial silence, save for the sound of the crew calling orders out to each other and Yang's boot tapping on the ground. She groaned, "I'm – I'm not wrong to feel angry like this, right? Like do neither of you feel this way? Are you not upset with her?"

Ruby and Weiss looked over her shoulder to share a look before Ruby nodded, "I am. I'm upset with her too."

"Then why do you want to see her again?"

"Yang," Weiss gently touched the blonde's arm, "Why don't you want to see her again?"

"Because she ran when we were still here! She ran when we needed her!" Yang's voice came out a little cracked as she hung her head, "Didn't she need us too?"

Ruby watched her sister sadly as the pit in her stomach and chest churned. She took Yang's hand and squeezed it, "Do you know the last time I saw Blake, she was holding your hand as tightly as possible." She thought back to the terrible night Beacon fell and she saw her teammate and sister beaten and injured on the ground, "She just kept squeezing your hand and saying sorry. She didn't hear us. She didn't talk to us. She just looked at you and wept. Saying she was to blame and that he would destroy everything to get to her."

"She kept muttering the name Adam. Her old partner." Weiss noticed the way Yang's shoulder tensed and her prosthetic hand shuddered as Ruby kept a firm grip on her real one. The young Schnee gently held her shoulder, "After seeing you get hurt like this and everything at Beacon, I kind of understand her fear."

Yang kept as calm as she could as she spared Weiss a look, "What do you mean? Do you mean it's my fault for losing?"

"Not at all." Weiss quickly assured her, "But for her whole time at Beacon, we made Blake see that she was okay. That she was safe. That all the terrible things she was constantly worried about happening wouldn't while she was with us. And then they did. And she thought it was all her fault."

"Why though?" Yang breathlessly asked, "Did she think I would blame her for what happened?"

"You didn't have to. She blamed herself."

Weiss and Yang looked over at Ruby. The young leader's eyes were downcast as she dragged her knees in and hugged them to her chest, "She probably just kept thinking to herself about what she didn't do. Wasn't fast enough. Strong enough. Didn't act in time to help. Blake always thought that everything that happened because of the White Fang was her fault…this just added fuel to that fire."

Yang sniffled and reached over to wrap her arms around her little sister. As Ruby nestled her head into Yang's side, the tired blonde shook her head, "E-Even if this is all true, we don't know if she's going to come back. She left and-"

"I left too. Ruby did as well, didn't she?"

"But you didn't want to go! A-And I know why Ruby left – she even asked me to come with her!" Ruby lifted her head and looked up at Yang with teary eyes, "But Blake didn't explain anything or give us a reason! She just left! A-And sometimes people just leave! Raven left us because she was too scared to stand up in this fight! M-Mom left and never came back!" She heard Ruby's breath hitch at the mention of their mother and squeezed her tightly, "Sometimes people leave…and they don't come back."

…

"I think Blake will come back." Weiss suddenly said, drying her eyes quickly as her team looked at her, "I know she will. And when she does I'll have some very choice words and complaints to give her. And after that, I'll just be happy to know we're reunited again."

"I'm gonna hug her." Ruby whispered with a soft smile, "It'll be a rough hug. She'll complain about it immediately! Heh, but I'll still be hugging her. Just glad to know she's finally back."

A small scoff slipped out from Yang's lips at their total belief that Blake would one day return. With their firm belief, it almost seemed like it was possible. Something…something Yang couldn't quite find in herself to believe as well.

So if the day came when Blake did come back…

Well, she'd have to wait and see.

((((((((Hunting))))))))

Ozpin nodded as the update proceeded along steadily now that the power was back. He nodded and walked over to where Naruto and Jaune were seated on some rocks to catch their breath, "Well, gentlemen, I think the job will progress easily from here on. We should be past the worst of it."

Naruto nodded, even as his eyes focused on the ground and his ears rested dejectedly in his hair. He forlornly lifted his head, "Thanks, Professor. That's a relief to hear." He anxiously laced his fingers together before looking between Ozpin and Jaune, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I ran off like that."

"It's alright." Jaune smiled, "I'm just glad you made it back when you did."

"B-But I shouldn't have left in the first place. I-I just-"

Ozpin stepped forward, "If you don't mind me asking; what happened that elicited such a strong reaction out of you?"

"I heard something in the forest. I-I swear someone was watching us." Naruto's eyes clenched shut as he ran a hand through his hair, "I heard it and I felt like I was being watched – different to how it feels when Grimm spots and stalks you. I knew there was someone there and I-I thought they might have had a hand in the trouble. And I thought I could catch them." Naruto sighed, "I swear it was real."

"Even before that, you were quite uneasy." Ozpin noted, "Oscar noticed your clenched hands and how you kept looking to the trees like you were ready to pounce."

"Because I had to be. I always have to be on alert. On guard. You never know what tree they'll come out of or where is safe and sound. You just don't."

Ozpin and Jaune looked at the whiskered blond sadly as he muttered, "I thought I was past it. It wasn't so bad when I was traveling with Oscar and I've been in Mistral for a few weeks now. I didn't think I'd still feel this…exposed out here." He bit his lips and looked aside, eyes trailing over the forest and trees, "I know where I am and that I'm not far from the city or civilization. But still…walking through the forest like this…I-I swear it's like something's crawling over my skin."

"You were alone by yourself for a very long time," Jaune said with sympathy for his friend's pain, "It makes sense that it wouldn't just go away so easily. But the part that worried me was that when you ran off, most of the Grimm chased after you. I…I thought you were going to be surrounded."

"The Grimm do usually go for the strongest surge of emotions near them, and the rise of fear because of the surge didn't help. But still…you have particularly strong emotions, Mr. Uzumaki. You could draw a few Grimm out when you were traveling with Oscar. If you can do something like that, I suggest you be very careful about what you're feeling in the heat of the moment." Ozpin walked over and gently patted his shoulder, "We are here to help you if you ever need it."

A small laugh slipped out of his mouth, "Yeah," A lopsided smile appeared on Naruto's face as he looked between them, "Funny thing is I swore you two were behind me while I was chasing after that sound."

"Pfft, we couldn't keep up." Jaune scoffed, "You might've given Ruby a run for her money."

"Hehe, yeah. Kinda stupid on my part." Naruto laughed, shaking his head as he looked down.

…

"Just – I thought you would catch up."

Jaune and Ozpin watched Naruto stare at the ground aimlessly, "Sasuke always caught up, noticing what I was doing and immediately getting in step to have my back. And Kiba would curse me out, calling me an idiot and saying I should have explained it better before running off. And after Tenten played meditator she'd berate me and say they were there to help, so I better not forget that."

Jaune and Ozpin nodded, recognizing the melancholic tone Naruto's words carried as his ears slowly lowered in his hair.

After a moment Naruto clicked his tongue and looked up, "We've been doing easy work in the city for a while now so I kinda forgot; I don't remember what it's like being on a team."

He'd been by himself for so long. Being with his friends again was a wonderful relief…but it wasn't the same as it'd been back in Beacon.

"And more than anything, I want my team back. I want to be better…I want to do better."

Jaune scooted over the stone to sit by Naruto as he patted his back, "Hey, Tenten will be back with your dad any day now. And Weiss said that Sasuke and Kiba were following behind her from Atlas." He smiled, "Just a little bit longer and I bet we'll see Team NKTS all together again." A faint, hesitant smile came to Naruto's face as Jaune shrugged, "And if you need some pointers from a better Huntsman and leader, let me know and I'll share some with you."

Naruto scoffed, "Excuse you?"

"I mean I've been doing a pretty good job." Jaune confidently said with a sly chuckle, "Ask Nora and Ren and they'll tell you I'm an awesome leader."

"Do you need to be in the room when I ask them? Because they might just be sparing your feelings."

"Oh yeah?" Jaune grinned as Naruto laughed at his expense, "You gonna laugh at me even when you just went running off into the Grimm like a madman?"

"Okay, okay, I'll take your word for it." Naruto managed to get out through his laugh as he stood up, "You two catch your breath. I'm gonna keep the perimeter and call the others to make sure everything's okay. Staying in touch will calm me down."

As he walked away, Ozpin stepped up by Jaune's side as they watched him leave, "Will he be okay?"

"He is resilient, wants to be better, and fights for something he can believe in." Ozpin assured him, "It will take time, but time and the company of others help mend the worst wounds we may gain. You can believe me on that."

"Yeah. I guess you more than anyone know how time can affect others."

"That I do." Ozpin nodded before looking at Jaune, "I noticed your expression was rather firm while you were talking with me during the fighting." Jaune continued to look ahead and not face him, "Will we be alright working together from now on?"

Jaune took a deep breath, "Yeah. You guide and teach us how to fight better. You give us advice and guidance on what it is we're fighting. I trust you to look after us when we need it most."

Ozpin sagely nodded and stepped aside. With a quick focus, there was a change as Oscar came back into control. He touched his body, feeling how tired it was from all the fighting, and sighed in relief. He turned back to Jaune-

"But I'll never forgive you."

He froze as Jaune kept glaring ahead, "I can't. Even if you've been fighting for our sake and helped us and did all that good…you got Pyrrha killed. You brought her into this and she died because she had to fight this fight. And I know you didn't make her go up that tower…but I'll never forgive you for it anyway. I'm sorry…but I can't."

Oscar watched as Jaune stood up and made his way over to the booster. The former farmhand lowered his head and stared down at Long Memory.

"I…believe that was directed at me."

"But it'll be me one day, right? Others will say that to me…right?"

…

"Yes. Yes, I suppose they will."

Oscar looked up between Jaune and Naruto before sighing, "Some easy job this turned out to be."

((((((((Hunting))))))))

Done

I got a few messages and reviews worried that I had made Naruto get over what happened to him so easily. I'm glad they pointed it out because I wanted that to be noticed and brought up for this chapter.

Our kids are reunited and safe and happy…but they are not over what has happened to them.

Touched on some things for everyone. Qrow on his overprotectiveness. Ren's cold focus. Nora's need to know Ren doesn't have to hide those emotions. Ruby, Weiss, and Yang talking about the kitty girl shaped hole in their life. And of course Jaune has beef with Ozpin while Naruto is hearing hints in the woods.

Fun stuff. Always fun to write people have breakdowns and emotional crises.

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Thank You and Bye