Pawprints (ch2)

2-DAY EARLY RELEASE FOR ALL MY PATRONS!!

Picking up right where chapter 1 left off, from Weiss' POV.

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

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														Chapter 2. The Escape

Weiss watched the Panther go, amazed and awestruck at the effortless and painless transformation; the simplicity of it seemed almost unreal. There was still a warmth lingering on her knuckles, and she was admittedly stunned by what had just happened.

That girl… she'd kissed her. Sort of.

What kind of Panther licked a Huntress' hand after she'd nearly killed her? Even if it was a display of gratitude, it was extremely hard to believe it'd just happened.

Skidding boots over rock alerted Weiss to her companion's arrival, and she quickly laid herself down on her side; if she appeared unconscious, she'd have an excuse not to have a cat's pelt in her hands by now.

"Weiss!" Footsteps rushed to her and Yang knelt down, turning her over onto her back and pulling her into her lap, pressing an ear to her chest instantly. There was a sigh of relief from the blonde, and she pulled away after a moment. "God, you really did a number on yourself, huh? I wish I could've stopped that monster, but I had my own to deal with…"

Weiss opened her eyes slowly, feigning more pain than she really felt and making her voice sound meek.

"Yang…"

"Shh, hey it's okay, princess. You did your best today. It's over now. Let's get you back to camp."

Yang laid her down briefly to gather the girl's machete that had spiraled away and slipped it into place at her belt. She then lifted Weiss easily, and the white-haired girl let her; she didn't think she'd do too well with walking anyway.

"How did we do?" Weiss asked. She wanted to sound interested in the success of their hunt, but honestly, she hoped their Kill Count was small.

Yang clicked her tongue. "We lost four of ours. But we killed three of theirs. I got my count up another number," she said proudly. "I'll tell you more back at camp. Just rest up."

Weiss closed her eyes and took the blonde's advice, but even in the darkness behind her eyelids, all she could see were two pools of deep gold.

. . .

Blake slowly paced away - even though she had increased regenerative abilities, she still felt pain throughout her body from the fall. A lingering sting ached in her left paw where Weiss had shot her; the memory of the girl was still vivid in her mind as she made her way to the rendezvous point.

Why am I so interested in this girl? She's a Huntress. She's devoted to killing people like me... But even still she couldn't take her mind off of the white-haired girl she had encountered today. I almost hope I do see her again, though on friendlier terms...

The rendezvous point was a small cave that was hidden behind an outcropping of large granite boulders. She melted back into her human form and another Panther wordlessly threw her a pair of pants. Adam approached her as she finished putting them on.

"We lost three today. Those damn Hunters-" he shouted, punching a rock and splitting his knuckles open. Blake just silently nodded, unsure of how to be feeling now. She should be angry and upset that their pack had lost three members, but still all she could think about was how Weiss had healed her and spared her life.

. . .

Yang took her back the campsite, bringing her to the medical tent and laying her down on one of the blankets on the ground. The blonde left her to be treated before heading back out into the forest to retrieve the Panther she had slain and to help with the burials of their fallen comrades.

Weiss was still as the healer woman unbuttoned her jacket to have better access at her bruised stomach and ribs. She was given various pills and supplements to help regenerate her aura and healing abilities, and antibiotics were drizzled onto her open wounds before they were cleaned and wrapped.

"It's a miracle you didn't snap your neck," the woman said. "There's evidence there should've been a lot of internal bleeding, but you must've lucked out, because it's not nearly as bad as it should be." She seemed a bit baffled by everything, but Weiss didn't speak up.

She knew why she hadn't died. Because that Panther girl - Blake - had healed her.

But why?

She was obviously a Human-born, so perhaps the human part of herself had taken pity on Weiss. But still, that didn't explain saving her when Weiss had been trying to kill her.

It only proved Weiss' beliefs that not all Panthers were murderous killers.

She knew one thing for certain, though; it was going to be a lot harder to shoot any of them from now on. Part of Weiss wanted to meet Blake again, but not so she could kill her.

She didn't quite know why, but she wanted to… talk to her…

She groaned internally.

God, what am I thinking…?

. . .

Everyone was quiet and somber in the camp. They had lost three of their own, and in a small pack like this everyone knew everyone. Blake sat in a darkened corner of the cave away from the other members of the pack, lost in her thoughts.

Adam had wrapped his knuckles with some clean bandages that had been provided before heading off with others to devise their next plan of action.

Blake just wanted to be alone. The turmoil of her thoughts was the only thing she could focus on. She was unsure of how to feel right now - the Hunters had made their lives hell for as long as she could remember, and now they'd killed three of their pack.

But even still, Blake didn't want to believe that they were all evil. That Weiss girl had spared her life, even healed her injured hand.

A voice called her from the entrance of the cave.

"Blake, come on. Adam is calling a meeting."

Blake just nodded, knowing that the person could see her even in the low-lit cave. Standing up, she walked out of the cave to the entrance where the remaining members of the pack were gathered, Adam standing in the center of them.

. . .

Weiss rested for a few hours alongside the other injured Hunters. Only when the sun was starting to set did Yang come back in, asking if she was up for the send-offs. The white-haired girl grunted as she pushed herself off, saying she would attend. Yang helped her to her feet and brought her outside.

Ozpin had sent a call back to the Headquarters for a team to come and take back the bodies of the deceased Hunters. In addition, they sent in a wave of new arrivals. Those who were severely injured were sent home, but Weiss was not among them. They tallied each successful Hunters' kills, including Yang's, and took back the Panthers' bodies as well, pulled by carts and horses.

In the end, when those who had gone had gone, and those who had arrived set up camp, they had thirty people. Ozpin and Glynda were angry about having lost so many, and they intended to hunt down the pack again in a few days. The new arrivals had reimbursed them with new rifles and ammunition as well.

They ate a quiet supper as the night crept in on them, and Weiss still couldn't forget Blake's eyes.

Every creaking twig sent her jolting, but they weren't being watched anymore.

We shouldn't be hunting them. Not that group. They're Human-born…

But she knew saying so would be useless now; the pack had killed some of their companions. It didn't matter that it was out of self-defense. Humans held grudges and the only way they would stop killing now would be when the last Panther in the responsible group was dead.

Weiss chewed slowly on the charred fish that had been caught in the stream earlier as she addressed Yang.

"When are we moving out again?"

Yang spit out a bone and stretched her arms up above her head.

"Day after tomorrow. Some of the cats are injured too, and enhanced healing abilities or not, it'll take them a few days to recover. Don't worry," she patted Weiss' shoulder. "We'll get 'em. For all those who died, and for people like my sister who were betrayed by them. We'll get 'em."

Weiss gave a weak smile, feigning agreement.

I don't want to, though…

. . .

Blake hovered at the edge of the group as Adam looked to a younger member of the pack, making sure that all of them were there for the meeting.

"We've lost three of our pack today, and they will be deeply missed. But we must continue to move to our original destination."

"What about the Hunters in the area? What if we encounter them again?" Blake called from her spot at the fringe. She had a sinking feeling about what Adam would say. He'd acted one way until now when it was other Panthers from other groups that had been killed, but now that it had been some of his own-

"Kill them. Every last one of them," he said coldly, not a hint of emotion in his voice as he dismissed Blake's question.

Blake felt a pit of fear form in her stomach as she silently slipped away, the others busy planning for what to do if they encountered the group of Hunters again. Walking back into the cave, Blake took up her spot in the darkened corner, the only light the gold of her eyes as she stared at the wall. Her thoughts were consumed by Weiss.

I'm afraid for her. I don't want her to get hurt… God what am I doing?

. . .

It was when they were lying in their tents that night trying to fall asleep when Weiss felt a pang of fear through her heart.

"So…" Yang cleared her throat, hands behind her head leisurely as she looked up at the underside of their tent. "Did you see that one Panther? I mean… god it was gorgeous. It looked like a younger one and it was slim, so I'm guessin' it was female, probably one that's never kitted before. I only saw her briefly, but damn that pelt'd be worth a ton. I hope I'm the one who gets her next time."

Weiss knew exactly which cat she was talking about.

She wanted to believe the flipping in her stomach was defensiveness for her prey; she'd vowed to take Blake's pelt herself.

But that was the bigger problem.

Blake. She knew her name. She'd spoken to her and healed her and been healed by her, and now…

…Now Weiss was scared for the Panther girl's life. Because Yang was after it, and when the blonde set her eyes on a target, she never let it slip. She felt Blake was more of a… companion than prey, and that was a deadly thought for a Huntress; if the cat didn't betray and kill her, the humans might.

"I didn't see it," Weiss lied.

"Oh-ho~ don't worry, you will, princess. When it's hangin' on my wall back home~"

Weiss turned onto her side away from Yang and closed her eyes.

. . .

Eventually, Blake was called out from the cave again. The meeting had concluded and they were bedding down for the night. Adam found her as she was finding a spot under a tree to sleep. He stood over her as she was laying against the tree trunk.

"Why do you care what happens to those Hunters, Blake?" There was a glint in his eyes, but his expression was unreadable.

"I don't want to kill," Blake mumbled. "It helps no one, and only brings more sadness and anger to both sides." She was careful not to reveal the other reason. She didn't want to see Weiss hurt. She barely knew the white-haired Huntress but something about her just fascinated Blake and made her want to keep the girl safe.

Adam growled.

"Well, if we stay passive they're gonna to kill us, so we're just gonna kill them first. Simple as that." He kicked up dirt as he turned and left, signaling he wouldn't carry the argument further.

Sighing, Blake turned over on her side. All she could think about was meeting Weiss again and talking to her.

I need to find a way to keep her safe… regardless of what Adam thinks.

The next day was more or less an uneventful one. It was mainly a day of recuperation; if there was anything good about a hunt, it was the day after if you'd survived, because they gave out quite the generous meal. The meat was given seasonings, and the new arrivals had brought a rare treat: milk.

After a morning of lugging new equipment into the tents around the campsite, Weiss and Yang were presently sitting on a fallen log together, having finished their meals, and now were downing the drink. Yang had gotten a melancholy expression, and Weiss had to ask.

"What is it?"

The blonde wiped her arm over her lips and cleared her throat.

"Nothin'. It's just… milk is Ruby's favorite, and just thinkin' about her is makin' me more and more eager to get back out there tomorrow and hunt," she growled before changing the subject. "How're ya holdin' up, princess?"

"Better," Weiss admitted. "It's just the aches and soreness now, but that'll be gone by tomorrow. I'll be able to join the hunt." But not so I can kill them…

"Great, great!" Yang cheered as she finished off her milk. "Then what say you to wipin' down the knives, reloading the guns, and hittin' the hay? We have first vigil tonight."

"Right…" She stood and followed Yang, crushing the empty plastic bottle in her hands before tossing it into one of the waste bags.

I'll find her again tomorrow no matter what.

. . .

The next day was one of activity and movement. Everyone in the pack had something to do. People were packing up the supplies they had, organizing for when they moved out, others were preparing food.

Blake was moving from task to task, helping wherever she could even though her mind wasn't on any of the things she did.

What if we run into the Hunters again? How will I keep that girl safe? Should I keep her safe? What if she tries to kill me again? What if Adam finds out...?

Blake's mind was a maelstrom of questions and unsure feelings.

Her ears twitched when she heard the sound of growling. Stopping the task she was working on, she silently walked over to the source of the sound. Her heart dropped when she saw what it was.

Adam and most of the other stronger Panthers were in animal form, and they were scuffling, training, practicing their ambushes and killing moves. They were preparing for a fight, and if they coordinated it could be a slaughter. The thought of that much killing made Blake sick to her stomach.

. . .

Weiss sat vigil for two hours with Yang as the sun was going down. They patrolled the campsite with eyes and ears alert, using the moonlight and flashlights to guide them when it got too dark. But the forest was still and quiet, as though plotting.

When their shift was over, they woke up the next two guards and headed to their tent, and Weiss thought it a miracle that she actually fell asleep at all with all the thoughts that had been buzzing in her mind. She hoped the pack of Panthers had gotten too far away by now to be tracked; after all, the Hunter's band needed to stay within a certain-mile radius of camp.

But when she was roused the next morning, she could hear the murmurs around camp, telling how the cats were nearby. Her heart sank as she put on her jacket and scarfed down some food.

Even though her pelt would be worth triple, I won't kill her. But… if anyone had to, I'd want it to be me…

She was conflicted, angry at herself that part of her wanted to feign illness and skip the hunt. But the other half knew that if she went along, she could distract Hunters that did try to shoot Blake, or direct their attention elsewhere.

She knew she shouldn't be choosing favorites - especially with Panthers - but she felt drawn to Blake after their first encounter.

God, I'm going to get at least one of us killed… or both...

A call of her name from Yang alerted her, and she pulled on her boots. Absentmindedly, she took a single-strap bag along with her, stuffing a few items from her side of the tent into it before stepping out into the cool morning air and heading to the weapons' tent.

. . .

They moved through the early morning forest like ghosts, only the smallest rustle of grass to mark that they were moving. Adam had brought more Panthers in the main group this time; only the bare minimum to carry their supplies were in the secondary group, and even then they were the young and elderly.

Blake brought up the rear of the pack. Nearly twenty other panthers spread out ahead of her to avoid them being too close together in case of another ambush. Adam was in the front of the pack - all of them were alert to the smallest noise or sign of the Hunters.

Please let them have moved off in search of us in the wrong direction. I don't want anymore bloodshed. I don't want to see that girl hurt.

Blake swung her head slowly left and right to observe the surroundings. She was intent on keeping Weiss out of harm's way, even if it meant distracting or stopping one of her pack members.

Why am I so determined to help this girl I barely know? Did she curse me or something?

Blake growled to herself, but no answer presented itself; something about the Huntress drew Blake to her. Weiss was... different somehow...

Her reverie was broken when a short whining sound resonated from a panther in the front, the signal that the Hunters were nearby.

. . .

They trudged through the woods as silently as the leaves underfoot would allow - cautious. Twenty-five of them were present now, including all of the new arrivals; they'd even brought along a new terrible weapon-

-grenades.

Of course it was risky to use them, as the humans could be caught in the crossfire as well. Grenades were to be used at the very start of the battle, to scatter the cats and likely maim several of them, send them into a panic and give the Hunters a great advantage.

But Weiss had a plan.

The Hunters came to the proper clearing and took cover, waiting.

Waiting.

Waiting…

There was movement up ahead, heavy sounds of paws that could be nothing but Panthers.

The signal was given.

Two grenades were thrown high into the air toward the crouching Panthers. It was more than Weiss had bargained for, but as the rifles started going off, she was sure to aim hers upward. Her bullet hit one of the grenades, causing it to explode uselessly in midair, and she cast her gaze around to seek the other, but to no avail.

I'm sorry I could only get ride of one…

She bit her lip hard as she aimed her rifle just as the cats leapt into view, her heart pounding as she sought out a certain pelt, praying Blake wasn't among them…

. . .

Blake's ears flicked at the sound of something being tossed through the air.

She couldn't get out a warning in time.

The explosion was deafening, especially to their sensitive ears. One grenade burst in midair, hit by a stray bullet, and thankfully no one was hurt from it. It gave the Panthers enough time to locate the second one. Only a single yowl went up as a piece of shrapnel hit a cat in the flank.

The others charged forward to where the Hunters were lying in wait, some of them going in from the left and right to surround them. Blake hung back as she had the last time, not wanting to see or be part of the bloodshed.

Gunshots started sounding as the Hunters spotted them, but by the lack of yowls and roars they weren't hitting many of them.

Then, the agonized screams went up; Blake's side was the first to take lives in this encounter.

Prowling the edge of the conflict, Blake looked for familiar white hair and blue eyes. She saw the girl she was looking for at the edge of the battle on the Hunters' side. They made eye contact and a silent message passed between them.

Let's get out of here.

. . .

Weiss froze for a moment when she met those familiar golden eyes. Relief flooded through her body when she noticed it really was Blake, and that the Panther was unharmed. There was a silent request in those eyes, and Weiss longed to abide.

But she hissed at the slight pain in her body from the previous fight's wounds. She fired with random precision as she tried to get to Blake, making sure only to hit rears or tails, as shots there would likely startle the cats and send them tearing away through the woods. She also fired shots in front of them to prevent them from advancing into a more dangerous area of the combat.

The Hunters around her would simply think she was having a bit of trouble - understandably, considering her state.

But evidently, the Panthers didn't know of her intentions.

A younger male was crouched beside her now, tail lashing as Weiss tried to ease back toward Blake. She met his eyes and quickly put down her rifle.

"Please, don't-"

But he lunged anyway, leaving her no choice. She picked up her gun again and tried to block him as she tumbled out of the way, but a paw slammed into her side, knocking her awkwardly onto her side. She scrambled to get up, but his weight was already upon her, paws slamming into her shoulders and jaws snapping at her face.

. . .

Blake dashed forward without a second thought as she saw a younger cat jump on Weiss, pinning her down and crushing the breath from her body. She rushed into him and knocked him off to one side.

He sprang to his feet and snarled at Blake. Her golden eyes narrowed dangerously as she growled back at him, warning him to leave. She made it seem like this was her kill and he wasn't to interfere.

A tense minute passed before he slowly slinked away, off to find another target.

Blake looked back as Weiss was getting up to her feet, collecting her fallen equipment. The battle raged on around them; the Hunters weren't prepared for such an organized attack from the Panthers and many of them had fallen, more losses than the animals had suffered. Blake met with Weiss' blue eyes as she turned sideways, offering her back in a clear message.

Get on.

She lowered her upper body so Weiss could easily climb on top of her if she chose to.

. . .

Maybe it was because of the aura they had shared a few days back, but Weiss felt she understood exactly what Blake was conveying to her. She watched as the young Panther that had attacked her dashed off, and knew if he survived; would he report to some other cat that Blake had defended a Hunter's life?

At this point, running was probably the best option for them both.

She was about to turn back to Blake and nod her consent when a familiar voice called out to her.

"Weiss!"

Yang trampled through the bushes just a few yards away, cursing as she tried to shake a bramble off of her pants. The second she saw the million-lien Panther just feet away from Weiss, the blonde raised her rifle.

"Weiss! Get out of the way! Move it before it jumps you!"

Weiss froze in place, facing Yang as she addressed Blake under her breath.

"Just take me. Even if it's with your mouth, just drag me away. I won't move, so she can't shoot you, but you've got to use me as a shield, and you can't do that if I'm on your back."

. . .

The blonde Huntress had her gun raised the minute she saw Blake crouched in what looked like a pouncing position. Blake's hackles raised and her fur began to bristle; if she absolutely had to she'd fight, even to the death.

Her enhanced hearing caught Weiss' faint whispered instructions. She didn't want to endanger Weiss, but it was the only way to get them both out of this situation alive. Carefully and quickly, she grabbed Weiss by the collar, holding her in her mouth like a cub.

It got a rise out of the blonde one.

"No! Put her down!" she yelled. The gun's barrel shifted to point down at the dirt instead.

Seizing the moment, Blake charged forward, keeping Weiss in front of her body as they ran past the Huntress before making a sharp turn. Blake ran as fast as she could while carrying the extra weight; even though Weiss wasn't that heavy, the way she was being carried made running difficult.

She heard the other Huntress screaming after them.

The sounds of battle and anguish died away behind them.

She must be crazy. She must be out of her mind. She must want to get killed, either by Weiss if she decided her pelt was worth more than her life, or by the blonde Huntress, or by her own pack. Maybe Weiss really had put her under a curse somehow and made her lose her senses entirely.

She should put her down. She should toss her into the river. She should kill her.

But she didn't.

Blake tightened her grip on the girl in her jaws and ran, and she didn't look back.

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A/N: Catnapped! Well now these two are just digging their own graves, huh? Sorry if it was a little rushed (it worked in RP form, but I edited and changed it around to make it somewhat more story-like).