As Rinko moved from shadow to shadow through the dense forest, his steps silent and precise, he checked each marked location where he suspected the bandits might have set up camp. After hours of careful searching, he finally found a small camp nestled within the trees—not as large as he had anticipated, but it was active.
Raising his binoculars, he counted around fifteen bandits scattered around, some patrolling while others sat by a fire. He took note of their positions when suddenly, the sharp snap of a twig behind him made him whirl around. Acting on pure instinct, he threw a kunai toward the sound—only for it to come inches from hitting—
Blake.
Rinko's eyes widened, surprise and irritation flickering across his face. A moment later, Yang appeared, stumbling through the brush and knocking into a twig herself.
"Oof—" she muttered, regaining her balance with an apologetic grin.
Rinko froze, caught off guard by the sight of them both. Then, from behind Yang, he noticed Weiss quietly stepping forward, her expression a mix of determination and worry, with Ruby waving energetically in the background.
"Blake? Yang?" he whispered, incredulous, his voice barely above a hiss. "What are you all doing here?"
Blake adjusted her own set of binoculars, her expression steady. "We could ask you the same thing," she murmured, glancing briefly toward the bandit camp in the distance. "But I think we know the answer."
"Seriously," Yang chimed in, rolling her eyes as she dusted off her knees. "Did you really think you could sneak off without us noticing? You're all dressed up like you're about to take on a small army."
Rinko sighed, rubbing his temple, clearly frustrated but not surprised. "I didn't want to involve any of you. This mission is... personal."
"If it's father, then it's my business too." Another voice came from behind Yang, It was Weiss as she emerged from the bushes.
"Hi, Rinko!" Ruby waved her hand right beside Weiss.
Rinko's gaze softened at her words, though he kept his tone measured. "Weiss..."
"He's my father too, although not a good one, but still." Weiss crossed her arms.
Ruby, unable to contain her enthusiasm, cut in. "When Weiss saw you all geared up below the dorm window, she found it very suspicious so she told us that she'll be following you. And if she was going, well... of course, we're all coming along!"
Rinko let out a resigned sigh, glancing between them all. "You do realize this isn't some school assignment. These bandits are dangerous."
"Even more reason you shouldn't go alone," Blake replied firmly.
Rinko knew better than to argue with them once they'd set their minds on something. His exasperation eased, replaced by a quiet gratitude he wouldn't admit to them.
"All right," he conceded. "But if we do this, we do it my way. No unnecessary risks. Understood?"
The girls exchanged a quick, determined nod, their faces set with resolve.
With a final sigh, Rinko turned back toward the bandit camp, a reluctant smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Let's move when most of them are asleep."
Camp
Two bandit guards stood at the entrance of the camp, leaning lazily against the logs that formed a rough circle around the perimeter. As they scanned the shadows beyond the firelight, one guard attempted to break the silence with a strange question.
"You ever eaten cow nuts?" the left guard asked, a sly grin on his face.
The right guard grimaced, his shoulders jerking in revulsion from disgust. "The fuck—what kind of conversation starter is that? No, I haven't, Klenn. And I don't want to."
Klenn, the left guard, shrugged. "Just asking! They're actually delicious!—"
"Shut it. I don't want to hear about any kind of nuts," the right guard growled, rolling his eyes.
"I'm just saying, They're packed with protein, y'know."
The right guard shuddered in disbelief. "Probably all that jizz—forget it, I can't believe I'm standing here talking about cow nuts with you!"
Klenn smirked, about to retort, when he suddenly gasped as a strong arm clamped around his neck, cutting off his voice. Rinko Schnee had slipped from the shadows, swiftly wrapping his arm around the guard's throat. The right guard, just beginning to turn in alarm, found himself in a similar predicament as Yang came up behind him, putting him in a headlock.
"Shh," Yang whispered through gritted teeth, her muscles flexing as the guard struggled in her grip. "Just go to sleep already!"
After a few tense moments, both guards finally slumped unconscious, and Rinko and Yang carefully dragged them to a dark corner out of sight.
The rest of Team RWBY crouched close by, pressed against the camp's perimeter wall. Blake's sharp eyes scanned for movement, while Weiss stood ready beside her, keeping her breathing steady. Rinko knelt next to them, taking a quiet moment to catch his breath.
"Nice work," Blake murmured, giving Rinko an approving nod. "If the rest are as clueless as these two, this'll be a breeze."
Yang chuckled, wiping her hands. "Let's just hope there aren't any more... cow-nuts enthusiasts in there."
Ruby tilted her head, frowning in genuine confusion. "Yang... what are cow-nuts?"
Yang shook her head, patting her sister's shoulder. "Trust me, Ruby, some things are better left a mystery."
"Focus, everyone," Rinko cut in, his voice quiet but firm. "This is just the beginning."
They shared a determined look, giving one final nod before slipping into the camp. Shadows among shadows, moved fluidly, blending into the darkness like seasoned hunters.
Rinko led the way, his gaze sharp as he approached the heart of the camp. Just ahead, he spotted two more guards, deep in conversation.
"—I'm telling you, if we're still out here by next week, I'm going back to Vale," one of them was saying, waving his hand in irritation. "These night shifts are killing me."
His partner grunted in agreement, shifting his weapon from one hand to the other. "Wouldn't blame you. Half of us aren't even getting paid. Not for the long hours, we're pulling out here."
Rinko motioned to the others to stay low and silent, then gestured for Yang to circle around to the right while Blake moved to the left. Weiss and Ruby took up a position just behind him, ready for backup.
Blake slipped around the left, a silent shadow in the night, while Yang went right, her steps soundless. As they closed in, the guards remained oblivious, still wrapped up in their grumbling.
Rinko took a deep breath, counted down silently, then gave the signal. In one swift motion, they moved as one unit, incapacitating both guards with quick, precise strikes.
The guards crumpled to the ground, and Team RWBY quickly dragged them into the cover of nearby bushes. With the perimeter secure, they pressed deeper into the camp, each member ready for whatever lay ahead.
With the guards incapacitated and hidden in the shadows, Team RWBY and Rinko pressed further into the camp. They scanned the area cautiously, noting that only four guards had been posted, and most of the remaining bandits seemed to be asleep in their tents.
Yang glanced around with a grin. "So... what's the plan now? With no guards left, maybe we should, you know, loot the place a little?" she joked, her smile mischievous.
Ruby gave her an aghast look. "Yang, stealing is bad!"
"Oh, Ruby, honestly..." Weiss said, patting Ruby's shoulder. "Yang's kidding. We're not thieves. After this, we'll report it all to the proper authorities."
Ruby nodded, relieved. "Oh, okay. Good!"
Rinko took a moment to scan the tents and then addressed the group. "There are still sleeping bandits inside. We'll need to be careful and quiet. Here's the plan: Ruby and Yang, take that tent. Blake and Weiss, you'll handle the one over there. I'll take the largest tent."
He reached into a nearby crate and pulled out several lengths of rope, tossing two to each of them. "Tie them up securely. If anyone's awake, knock them out quietly."
They nodded in understanding, each moving to their assigned tent with stealth and precision. Rinko crept toward the largest tent and slipped inside, careful to avoid any noise. Inside, rows of bunk beds were filled with snoring bandits. He scanned the room and noticed two beds empty—likely the ones used by the guards outside.
But something felt off.
A slight rustling from the corner caught his attention. A bandit stepped out of the shadows, sword raised, and swung down at him with a growl.
"RAGH!"
In a flash, Rinko sidestepped, catching the bandit's wrist mid-swing and driving a fist into his throat with a solid impact.
BAM.
The bandit choked, gasping for air as he staggered. Rinko quickly clamped a hand over his mouth and glanced around; the other bandits stirred but thankfully didn't wake, turning over with muffled groans. Letting out a breath of relief, Rinko leaned close to the bandit, his kunai pressed to the man's throat.
"Keep quiet if you want to see the morning," he whispered.
A few minutes later, Team RWBY and Rinko had successfully subdued and tied up every bandit in the camp, thanks in large part to Blake's expertise with knots. The captured bandits were now gathered in the middle of the camp, some still asleep, while others looked around in nervous silence, their eyes flicking anxiously between their captors.
Ruby, Yang, Weiss, and Blake sat nearby, casually perched on some crates, keeping watch. Rinko stepped forward, casting a steely glance over the bound group.
"Who's the leader here?" he demanded.
Several pairs of eyes flicked to the man Rinko had ambushed in the tent. One of the bandits pointed to him. "He's the one in charge!" he admitted in a shaky voice.
Rinko approached the leader, gripping his chin and lifting his face to meet his eyes. His tone was low and dark, each word laced with a quiet fury. "Tell me—where are you holding Jacques Schnee?"
The leader swallowed hard, beads of sweat forming on his brow as he averted his gaze. His bravado quickly crumbled as he met Rinko's intense stare, and he squirmed under the weight of it.
Rinko's gaze softened for a moment as he noticed Ruby watching, her face marked with concern. She bit her lip, clearly feeling a bit sympathetic for the trembling bandit leader. Her expression tugged at him, and he released a sigh, loosening his grip slightly.
"Please," Rinko said quietly, his tone less harsh but still firm. "Just tell us what we need to know. Where is he?"
The bandit leader stammered, fear widening his eyes. "H-he's at the main camp! Please, don't kill us—"
Rinko kept his expression neutral, but a glint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes. He pulled out a map of Vale, unfolding it before the captive. "Show me where that main camp is," he commanded.
The leader swallowed, pointing with a shaking hand. "Behind the mountains... our main camp is stationed there, hidden in a valley."
Without missing a beat, Rinko pulled out a red marker and cut the ropes binding the bandit's hands. "Mark the exact spot."
The bandit fumbled for a moment before drawing a small red 'X' where the main camp was located. As he finished, Rinko nodded and, without warning, roundhouse-kicked the bandit, sending him sprawling unconscious.
Team RWBY collectively blinked, taking a small step back, uneasy at the quick and brutal display. It was clear that Rinko's instincts as a shinobi ran deep, manifesting in his efficient, unflinching approach to handling enemies.
Ruby looked up at him, hesitant. "Was... was that really necessary?"
Rinko gave her a measured look, his expression softening slightly as he considered her question. "Yes. If he were left awake, he'd try to escape or free the others. By knocking him out, we ensure they're all here when the authorities arrive." He paused, glancing down at her with a small nod. "It may seem harsh, but it's necessary to keep everyone safe."
Ruby nodded slowly, though her face betrayed a hint of sadness. "I... I understand." She slumped a little, absorbing his words.
Yang stepped forward, slinging an arm around her sister's shoulders. "Hey, chin up, Ruby! Mission complete! We got what we needed and didn't have to fight a whole camp. Not bad, right?"
Blake chimed in, her voice low but reassuring. "And we're doing this to protect people, Ruby. Sometimes it just takes a different approach."
As they made their way outside the camp, Weiss paused, reaching out to touch Rinko's shoulder, stopping him mid-step. She looked at him with a firm expression, a mixture of concern and determination in her eyes.
"I know the look of that face, you're planning something. This isn't over, isn't it? You're going to the camp." Weiss concluded while meeting Rinko's gaze.
Rinko didn't answer immediately, his gaze turned, and lingering on the map he'd folded away. Finally, he gave a small nod. "Now's the best time to act. But I know we have classes tomorrow. I don't expect you to come with me." He looked at Weiss and the others, a hint of warmth in his otherwise steely expression. "It's risky, and I can't blame you if you need to get back to Beacon."
But Weiss stepped forward, her eyes resolute. "Then I'm coming with you." Her voice was steady, unyielding.
Rinko raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Weiss..."
"Oh, please," Yang cut in with a dismissive wave, "What are you even saying? Of course we're going with you! Weiss looks like she's not backing down, and if she's in, so are we." She folded her hands behind her head, her usual smirk on her face. "We're a team, right?"
Blake nodded, her quiet confidence evident. "Besides, since we've come this far, we might as well see this through together. Just like back at Mountain Glenn."
Ruby grinned, pumping a fist into the air. "Yeah! No way we're letting you face those bandits alone!"
Rinko let out a long sigh, looking at each of them, their faces filled with determination. He couldn't help the small smile tugging at his lips. These weren't just students—they were his allies. His friends.
"Seriously?" he asked, pretending to sound exasperated, though the glint in his eyes betrayed his amusement.
The four of them nodded in unison, their faces lit with enthusiasm and resolve. Rinko shook his head, chuckling. "Fine. It's your choice. Just... be prepared for anything."
As they began to move again, Weiss gave him a sideways glance, a mischievous smile creeping onto her face. "Did you really think I'd let my sweet brother march off to face a camp full of bandits alone?"
Rinko smirked, meeting her teasing tone with a grin of his own. "Oh, please. I can handle myself."
"Oh, we know," Yang said, elbowing Rinko lightly. "But a good teammate knows when to lean on his team, right?"
Rinko—in a strange, unofficial way—is a part of Team RWBY now.
They walked in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the moonlight casting long shadows across the trees around them. Blake looked ahead, scanning the path. "What's the plan, Rinko?"
He glanced back at her, appreciative of the trust they'd placed in him. "We move in quietly. We tie up any bandits we find and avoid detection until we reach their leader. Once we're there, we get what we need and get out. Simple."
Blake's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Understood."
"Team RWBY and Rinko," Ruby said with a grin. "Back in action!"
"Once we're at the main camp, stay close to each other. Don't take unnecessary risks." Rinko said as he looked at his map, navigating through the dense forest.
They nodded, their expressions focused and ready. This was more than a regular mission—it was a rescue mission, and the stakes were higher than they'd ever been.
Weiss gave Rinko a small nod, her voice a quiet but fierce promise. "We'll get father back. Together."
Rinko met her gaze, nodding back. "Together."
They moved forward in silence, blending seamlessly into the shadows as they prepared for the challenge ahead, each step bringing them closer to their goal—and strengthening the bond that tied them together.
[End]