Reaper's War

Chapter 5: Rogue For Good Reason

A/N: I have nothing to say on this one apart from enjoy the chapter!

Four months before Weiss awakens

How could someone get so bored that they'd resort to playing childish games with their pet Grimm? Well the answer was when a certain young Reaper had nothing else to do. Her father had gone out into the surrounding forests to scout out the area, just in case any Grimm found their way to the cabin. He'd given her the task of chopping firewood. She'd done that a little too quickly. He'd also given her the task of making their evening meal and now she was just waiting for the older Reaper to return so she could finish the food off.

After gathering the ingredients, preparing them and mostly cooking the dish, she realised her father hadn't set her any other tasks. The young faunus sat for a while, mulling over everything she'd been told a few months ago. It all made sense yet it didn't at the same time. She tried to read a book leaning against Barrett but soon found herself distracted by his thick, black and surprisingly soft fur. Then she thought of having a nap with the large Grimm but couldn't keep her thoughts from going back to her hospitalised partner. She eventually gave up and began to train only for Barrett to wander off into the woods.

The large bear Grimm had grunted at her until she got the message to follow. She did and to her surprise, her unlikely friend was in a playful mood but had the initiative not to do anything too close to the cabin, lest something get broken again like last time.

They first played tag, with Ruby not using her semblance. She was still too quick for the large Grimm to catch. Eventually they resorted to playing hide and seek in the surrounding forest, going deeper and deeper until the cabin was no longer in sight and the trees became unrecognisable to the both of them. Ruby had decided to tie a piece of her tattered cloak to one of Barrett's spikes so she could tell if it was him and not another Ursa Major. She didn't exactly want to put herself in that much danger.

They didn't actually notice they'd gone too far into the snowy forest. Not until it was too late. It was a mistake they'd never be able to amend.

It was Ruby's turn to hide from Barrett. She thought hiding behind some thick bushes would be a good place to hide from the friendly Grimm hunting her down. Oh how she was so wrong.
Said Grimm had snuck up behind her so silently, her lupine ears hadn't picked up any of Barrett's silent foot- er paw falls.

The young Reaper definitely never expected her Grimm friend to grab a hold of her and lick her face.
She squealed in surprise as she was easily picked up in the bear's arms. She squealed even more as he continued to shower her in salivary affection.

"Barrett...stop. Barrett, I'm... I'm telling you. S..stop." She said in between giggles.

The surprisingly overly affectionate Grimm decided he needed a rest and just flopped backwards with Ruby still in his gentle but strong grip.
Ruby laughed at the Grimm's antics and simply laid on top of him. What she didn't expect was for Barrett to roll over and lay on top of her. God he was heavy but thankfully he didn't put his whole weight down. The large Grimm seemed to think the strange girl's wiggling about was amusing and stood, before flopping right back down again.

"Uuugh Barrett." She groaned and whined at the same time. "Barrett...get...off...you big...baby."

The Grimm gave out a noise that sounded much like a snort, as if he was laughing at her. He huffed and grunted, talking to her in his own way.
To the young Reaper's shock and horror, the happy, chatty grunts turned into ones of great pain.

The bear Grimm abruptly stood and turned, Ruby following him up off the ground. Immediately, the young Reaper spotted what had hit her friend. An ice dust arrow.