Juhani: A RWBY Story

Chapter Fifteen - The Coming Storm

After learning of Ozpin's origins, Ruby's group and Juhani followed the trail Maria had pointed out. They were all soon besieged by a terrible snowstorm. After a long search, they came across an abandoned farm.

Ruby: I don't get it. The empty towns I've passed through were all damaged or unfinished. But this place looks... fine.

Weiss: Maybe everyone left in a hurry. Before things took a turn?

Juhani walked to the door and placed her hand on it. As she used the Force, she could sense a faint darkness coming from the house. It was of pain and suffering. 

Juhani: I sense....a faint darkness. 

Qrow: Hmm. Stay on guard.

Qrow then kicks the door down. As he does so, everyone presses forward with their weapons drawn, readying themselves for a fight.

Maria: Close the door already! It's cold enough in here as it is.

As Maria enters the farm, Juhani uses the Force to move a dresser against the door. Weiss then goes upstairs to check for anyone inside.

Blake: I saw a chimney from the outside. Maybe we could get a fire going?

Juhani: Good idea, Blake. A fire would keep us warm from the storm. 

Suddenly, a high pitch scream is heard.

Ruby: Weiss!

Everyone then heads up stairs to see Weiss quivering in fear as she comes across two decaying bodies laying on a bed. Some time later, a fire is started in the fireplace. Weiss is still shaking from what she had witnessed. Qrow soon entered the room.

Qrow: It's the same in every house.

Yang: What?

Qrow: Bodies. Every bed in every home. It's like the whole estate just went to sleep and never woke up.

Upon hearing this, Juhani took a moment to mourn the loss of life here. Juhani had witnessed death many times in her life. Such things as well as her Jedi training taught her to value life. 

Weiss: Then we're not staying here, right?

Qrow: We don't have a choice. Storm outside's only getting worse. We'd freeze to death before we made it anywhere.

Maria: Well, might as well get comfortable.

Yang: Yeah, fat chance.

Ruby: Okay, then, let's do something. If this place wasn't abandoned it might still have supplies we could use.

Oscar: Hey, yeah. Maybe even a car.

Qrow: I'll do another sweep of the grounds. No one else goes anywhere alone.

Blake: Yang and I can search the other buildings for vehicles.

Yang: Fine, whatever gets me out of this house.

Juhani: I'll go with you. 

With that, Juhani joined Blake and Yang in search for a vehicle. Soon enough, they came across a shed. Inside were rows of shelves full of supplies on it and a tractor.

Blake: Something tells me that's not street legal. 

Juhani: A couple of speeders would be better, but I doubt we'll find any here or on this planet for that matter. 

Yang: What do you think happened here?

Blake: There's that well in the square. Maybe water contamination?

Yang: Yeah, maybe.

Yang soon sat down and placed her hands on her head. 

Blake: Hey, are you okay?

Yang: Yeah... I mean, no. But, I don't know. I'm just tired.

Blake: Yeah.

With that, the trio continued to explore the shed. Eventually, they found a flatbed trailer next to a window. Suddenly, Yang sees a vision of Adam Taurus and reels back in fear.

Blake: What is it?

Yang: I...I was just seeing things. I'm sorry. I still get flashes from that night. Do you think Adam's still out there?

Blake: I don't know. If he went back to the White Fang there would have been serious consequences. But, he never really liked people telling him what to do. Adam's strong, but his real power comes from control. He used to get in my head, make me feel small. But now I see he just wanted to pull me down to his size.

Blake could see that Yang was still traumatized by what had happened that night. As for Juhani, she could sense a great pain within Yang. It was a pain that she was all too familiar with. 

Blake: Hey, I'm not leaving. And if we ever see him again, I promise I'll be there. And I'll protect you.

Upon hearing this, Yang became defensive.

Yang: What?

Blake: What?

Yang: Forget it. Let's just head back.

Blake: What about....

Yang: We're fine. We can hook that flatbed up to Bumblebee in the morning. Should carry everyone. Mission accomplished.

Yang walked away to get her Bumblebee motorcycle while Blake looks down sadly. Juhani walks over to her adopted sister and places her hand on Blake's shoulders. 

Blake: It's...it's my fault. 

Juhani: I do not know what happened that night, but I can tell that it has caused great pain for both of you. 

Blake: You don't understand, Juhani. I abandoned her! She needed me and I abandoned her!

Juhani: It is never easy to deal with traumas of the past. Sometimes it feels as if it will consume you. I know the pain you both feel. But you must never give up, Blake. I overcame my pain and darkness because someone believed in me enough to pull me out and put me on the right path. Now I will fulfill that same role for both you and Yang, if you would let me. 

Blake couldn't help but tear up. Despite Juhani's words, she truly felt responsible for what had happened to Yang. Regardless, Blake hugged Juhani. After that, the group would rest in the farm while the snowstorm passes. What they didn't know was that an unforeseen darkness would soon move against them.