Those Of A Lifetime

Chapter 15: The Weight Of A Mission

She knew what she had to do…after just sitting in the same spot for two days now starring blankly at the wall before her. Her eyes were red and tired, her hair was askew. She missed a day of work and would not be going in later tonight as well.

I'm sorry Ruby, but if you just listened, none of this would have had to happen… if you would have just kept your distance away from Weiss…

Melanie and Militia kept to themselves and dared not to ask Neo of anything of why she didn't show up for work. Instead they both just went on their way, a few hours earlier than they had to yet again. Both of them weren't going to complain about it to Neo, especially what they knew Neo’s history…

“So Neo,” Roman began breaking Neo’s train of thoughts.

“Huh?” she asked in surprise.

“Are you kidding me? It's like I'm talking to a wall over here!”

“Sorry Roman… I was was just thinking…”

“About what you plan to do? I hope you have made up your mind…” Roman half smiled, but it didn't match his eyes.

“I have.” Neo smiled in confirmation.

“Good! Now take back this umbrella of yours. It's been a while since I've seen you in action. Not only on combat, but also… you've missed the last few days of work… time to put your bones into good use, don't you think?”

Neo took her umbrella out of Roman’s hands. It has been a while since I've used this… there wasn't really a need for it ever since I was taken in by Junior, but Roman trained me for some time with this in case something were to happen… but can I really do this again?

“Roman,” Neo said quietly still looking down at her umbrella.

“What is it, Neo?” he asked with an hand on her shoulder.

“Do you think I still have the capabilities to do this?”

“Of course you do. Once you find your purpose, once you find the drive… it will come back to you…”

“It's that easy, huh?” Neo asked weary of not being able to fulfill her deeds.

“You have an obstacle, right?”

“Yes.”

“Get rid of them. That's all I'm going to say.”

Neo nodded in silence. Simple as that, huh?

Roman threw his arms up in the air as he proceeded to leave the room. “C’mon now, we've got lots to do today now that you've made up your mind. Let's get there now and commence our exploits before they arrive…”

Neo stood up and slowly followed suit keeping her eyes to the ground. Roman stopped abruptly feeling Neo’s discomfort. He turned around and starred at her for a few minutes. Bending over so that now he is leveled with Neo’s height. He raised both his brows and in a calm and soothing manner he said, “Remember how you felt when she left you. Never forget it. Let that be what drives you to achieving your goal. Just watch, the moment when you see her face again—”

“It's really not Ruby, it's Weiss that needs to be… taken cared of…”

“Oh! Even better! Let's get rid of that little heiress and take over the Schnee Dust Company!” Roman began laughing like a mad man. “You see Neo, we, the White Fang aren't very fond of the Schnees. Haven't been for years, all the while you were working in the café, I have been tearing their family apart slowly. But there was a reason as to why I taught you how to fight.” he grinned. “And that begins today… now lets get a move on! Go get cleaned up and prepared! We're lucky that forest is heavily infested with grimm! This will work out perfectly! Ahaha! Oh, I'm getting so excited!” Roman cheered while stepping outside of her room with a wicked smirk across his face.