The bright and lavish bedroom was silent, save for the labored breathing of a solitary girl sitting at her desk facing the wall. A small, pale figure with snow white hair hanging down to her mid back sat in seclusion, her face held in her hands to catch the scarlet drops falling from her lip as well as the tears that flowed from her eyes. The pain wasn't that bad, she was strong, she could handle the pain… despite how many times she said that over and over in her head, she just couldn't stop crying.

She forced her sobs to be silent as her body convulsed with each stifled cry. Her mouth was stained with the acrid, harsh taste of blood the oozed from her lacerated cheek and her tender, stinging gash on her lip. Her body trembled as adrenaline wore off and fear and hopelessness set in. Slowly and shakily she pulled her blood stained and tear soaked hands from her face, wrapping her arms around herself in a tight, reassuring self hug that did very little to ease the tightness that threatened to strangle her heart until it stopped beating in her her chest.

Why is it always me… not Whitley, not Winter before she joined the military… just me. With a quivering breath she forced her body to relax, letting her arms fall to her sides as she turned her gaze upward to the window. Her eyes reflected the pale light of the shattered moon and the twinkling stars above, the celestial bodies were so distant from her small and fleeting life and her problems and her suffering were inconsequential to the vastness of the universe. It was a comforting thought, a realization that she was a small part of something immense that would go on for an eternity longer than her irrelevant troubles.

Gingerly she licked the gash on her lip, her saliva stinging the open wound, nearly making her recoil from the soft touch. Her lip was swollen and tender, she could only imagine how bad it looked. With a long and heavy sigh she withdrew her tongue and forced herself up, her body still shaking though she tried to fight it. Pushing aside her wooden chair the young heiress walked across the cold hardwood floors that drew the warmth from the soles of her bare feet. Her bedroom was fit for a queen, expensive, high quality furnishings, blankets and fixtures made it seem like the most opulent suite but to her, it was little more than a luxurious prison, more and more every day it felt like it was really the case.

She froze, pausing only steps from a large antique mirror, its long oval surface braced into an ornate wooden frame with intricate carvings etched into the perimeter. Her legs felt as though they had been turned to lead, gripped by fear and pointlessness of her vain whim. Why should she look? What would it do for her other than make it all the more real? Feeling it was one thing, seeing it, seeing the swelling and the blood, marring her beautiful face, was another. Even so she could feel a cold fire burning in her stomach, something so deep and profound she wasn't even sure there was a name for what was growing in her, consuming her and pushing her forward… but it was enough.

The young woman took that pain and that rage and compelled herself to take those last couple steps until she stood in front of the mirror. She was indeed beautiful, her long white hair and delicate porcelain skin making her look much like an expensive doll and her frilled white nightgown flowed down to her knees. She looked perfect… except for the swollen and bleeding gash on the right side of her lip. It's going to scar isn't it?

"It looks really bad…" She murmured to herself, slowly bringing her fingers up to her wound, her gentle touch stinging it as she traced the length of the gash, blood staining her fingers as she did so. Suddenly, out of nowhere, that slow burning fire in her belly flared as though it had be doused with fire Dust, a powerful rage burning away her depression and her pain against which she gritted her teeth. Her breaths became rapid and shallow as she felt herself being carried away by her anger, the heat searing through every vein as balled her fist, pressing it against the cold glass surface of the mirror, obscuring the spot where it reflected her wound.

"I can't do this." She growled soft, letting her hand slide down, taking one last long look at her beaten face, the bruises and bleeding corrupting her perfect complexion. With a rage filled, bitter huff she turned away from the mirror, walking with purpose toward the large wooden door in front of her bedroom, her eyes burned with conviction and strength as she marched up to the threshold and grabbed the iron knob. Her eyes gently closed and with a few deep, long breaths she forced back her rage, turning the fire to ice and her anger to a cold numb that she used to weather the storms in her life. I won't let him break me.

With one final, calming breath, her eyes fluttered open and she turned the doorknob. The antique door creaked as she pulled it open and the soft orange light from the hallway washed over her. This wasn't her real home back in Atlas, more like a vacation home in Vale used more for business than vacations. She used to like coming here when she was little… But that was a very, very long time ago.

"Miss Schnee, your father insisted that you not leave your room for the night." A tall man with black, slicked back hair wearing standard issue sun glasses and suit stood by her door with a nearly identical man at the other side, both with devices in one of their ears.

"I'm simply going for a walk in the courtyard, it's a beautiful night and I don't want to spend it confined to my room." Weiss kept her tone even and authoritative, she knew her father had all the power but she also knew how to get her way despite that.

"We're sorry but your father's orders were clear, you're not to leave your room." He looked to his coworker before looking back at the shorter girl clad in white.

"What if I had you accompany me? Surely that would satisfy both my father's wishes and my own." Stern, cold, strong and confident, it sickened her to be employing her father's tactics but there was no doubt that it was effective when he used them.

"Regretfully, Miss Schnee, we have our orders. Please return to your room for the remainder of the night." Like a good little stooge for her father he didn't deviate from the orders he was given as he gestured with his hand to the open door leading back into the heiress' room.

"Very well…" She sighed softly, knowing that her father's methods weren't going to get her anywhere when the person she was using them on was just having her father speak through them. They were rightfully far more afraid of him than of her. Okay, new plan.

"Well may I at least go to the bathroom and wash my face?" Her eyes became dull and her expression forlorn as she carefully touched her bleeding lip with the pad of her finger.

"I suppose that wouldn't be a problem." He looked wearily at his partner who merely shrugged indifferently.

"Thank you." Weiss tried to smile but the sharp and intense pain that shot through her like a jolt from her busted lip forced her expression back to neutrality. With a subtle jerk of his head he ushered them down the hall, one guard taking the lead while the other took up the rear with Weiss in the middle.

This is how it was for her, her father would lock her away in her room, keeping her out of sight until the signs of his true nature wore off or until he could find a plausible way to explain them to the public. She was a prisoner in her own home by her own family, she had everything she wanted… except her freedom. From the day that Winter left to join the military I've been groomed to take up the mantle of our name, my path has always been set out for me. Here I am, nineteen years old and- and I've never made a real decision for myself.

"Alright, don't take long, your father wants you to stay in your room the rest of the night." The guard repeated as they came to a stop in front of the bathroom door.

"Yes yes, I heard you the first three times." She waved him off as she walked opened the bathroom door. Taking a deep breath to steel herself, she opened the door and stepped into the bathroom and closed the door behind her. Now it's time to do something that I want, consequences be damned.

Click

She locked the door and immediately she could hear the banging begin. Her heart was racing both with fear which she expected and also, something she never saw coming, a hot sensation that sent energy coursing through her veins; pure thrill. Even through the pain she couldn't help but smile as she rushed over to the window, bypassing the sinks, not thinking for a moment about her lip as she shakily fumbled with the lock.

"Miss Schnee! Open this door immediately or we will be forced to break it down!" The guards banging grew louder and louder, Weiss knew that she didn't have long and once they called in backup to secure the grounds of their estate she would have a hard time escaping.

"Come on come on!" Weiss growled under her frantic breath as she struggled to pull the old window up. Finally she jerked it up with all the strength she could muster and it finally budged, slamming into place as the cool night breeze blew into the bathroom. With a sense of triumph in her heart as grinned uncontrollably before jumping out the window!

Weiss paused as she stared up at the great, unending night sky, the twinkling lights in the darkness seemingly shined even brighter than they did from her window. The gentle wind wrapped around her thin frame, her gown fluttering in the swirling spring breeze. She could feel the soft grass and earth beneath her bare feet and between her toes, a sensation that sent pleasant shivers down her spine and compelled her to smile even more brightly.

"Weiss Schnee has is attempting to run away! Secure the grounds and ensure her safety!" Weiss overheard the guard as they were still trying to break through the bathroom door. Her heart began to pound faster than ever as she looked around the courtyard, her senses on high alert and her blood filled with adrenaline.

Her eyes narrowed an instant before she broke into a full sprint towards the fence, running as fast as her legs could carry her. In her mind, a fond memory replayed, one of her and her older sister playing around the grounds of this estate when they were younger, and remembering the way they had always slipped out. It had been so long she couldn't be sure it was still there, but all she could do was run and pray.

In the distance behind her she could hear the bathroom door finally give to the guards assault and she could practically feel the tension, the moment she was spotted she knew it would be over, she was wearing nothing but a nightgown, no shoes or anything, she couldn't hope to outrun the strong, capable men her father employed. Her throat was tight and her pulse pounded in her chest, blood rushing through her ears, stifling her hearing, her vision seemed to tunnel as she caught sight of exactly what she was looking for! A beautiful old tree right by the metal gate that surrounded the estate's perimeter! Winter would climb up it when she wanted to get away from the rest of the family.

"She's over here!" A man bellowed, his deep voice carrying all the way across the property, everyone knew where she was, but she could tell that the man that saw her was far enough away. Come on! Faster! Please I'm almost there, just a little faster!

She closed her eyes, running as fast as she could, her lungs burning and her legs straining under the sudden and dramatic demand she put on them. Behind her she could hear a whistle and the should of footsteps growing closer and closer. Terror gripped her heart, spiking her adrenaline and giving her just the boost she needed to push her body to its limit!

Weiss' eyes shot open and she jumped, clinging onto the trunk of the tree, the rough bark scraping her delicate skin, but she didn't care, her fear and exhilaration numbed her to the pain. Gritting her teeth she scrambled up the tree, desperately grabbing for the thin branches. It was ideal for escaping as the trees limbs were too thin to hold up a full grown man, but someone of Weiss' size could easily make their way up. So she did, crawling up as fast as she could, tearing up her skin on her feet, knees and forearms as she climbed high enough to stand over the tall fence. She stopped for just a moment, catching her breath and looking frantically from the men below her failing to climb the tree after her to the sizable drop she faced on the other side.

No turning back now! She gulped down her fear and braced herself and then…

Thud!

She jumped, her legs giving out with the impact send her crumpling to the hard ground outside the fence. Her head was spinning and her body was sore all over, she could hear the frantic calls and demands by the men on the other side of the gate and she knew it wouldn't be long before they caught up with her. She felt drained but she forced herself to stand, drawing from reserves of strength she didn't even know she possessed as she shakily got to her feet.

Run! With that word screaming in her mind Weiss bolted, running as fast her legs could carry her, running straight for the City of Vale not far from the mansion she was kept prisoner in. She ran, and ran, and didn't stop, she knew her feet were probably bleeding, they definitely hurt, but still she didn't stop. Her heart felt like it would give out as she ran through the night, down the streets, weaving through the sparse traffic with her eyes blurred with tears.

Still… even with all the fear, exhilaration, excitement and adrenaline, she had her limits. She wasn't sure if she was being followed, she wasn't even sure where she had ended up, but eventually, she came to a panting stop. The young heiress' legs felt like cement, shaking and barely able to support her, her lungs burned like fire and her throat was dry, each labored cough sending a sharp pain through her windpipe.

"Okay… that… maybe wasn't… the best idea." She muttered to herself between deep and rapid breaths, feeling more drained than she had ever felt in her entire life. She was drenched with sweat, the cool night air doing seemingly nothing to cool down her burning body as she leaned against a graffiti riddled concrete wall for both support and the hope that its cool surface would provide some relief.

"I wonder where I am anyway?" Weiss thought to herself as her better judgement slowly came back to her. Her entire body was quivering with exhaustion and the pain that was put aside by her mad dash for temporary freedom was all flooding back to her. Even so, as she turned her gaze to the night sky, looking up at the glimmering stars, she felt something immense, something grand and massive, like an entire ocean was washing over her. For the first time in so long, she felt at peace… she felt free. No guards, no security, no paparazzi, no family… just me.

"I guess it doesn't matter." She smiled to herself, closing her eyes and taking in the feeling so great she couldn't even begin to feel every nuance of it as she let it fill her chest and wash over her mind.

"Actually, it does matter." A cold and calm voice startled Weiss from her basking in her newfound freedom. Her heart skipped a beat and her eyes shot open, looking towards the source of the voice. A tall man in a long black coat with a sword sheathed at his side stood in the middle of the narrow alley, the moon at his back casting him in a beautiful but menacing shadow.

"W-who are you!?" Weiss demanded, forcing herself from the wall as she slowly stepped back away from the man.

"You'd better not talk to the boss like that again bitch!" Another man hissed from behind but before Weiss could spin around to face him, she felt her arms grabbed by two sets of very strong hands before one of them pulled away to grab her by her hair, forcing her to look up as the man in the coat stepped forward. As he approached, her fear turned to pure and chilling horror; he was wearing a Grimm mask… he was with the White Fang.

"S-stay away!" Weiss barked, her cool blue eyes burned with defiance and bravado despite her overwhelming fear.

"So, you know who we are then, good, that makes things simple." The man who was apparently their leader was now only one step away from her, looking down at the white haired heiress with a neutral, unreadable expression. "My name is Adam, it's a pleasure to meet you, Weiss Schnee."

"D-did you say Adam? As in… Adam Taurus?" Weiss felt her blood run cold as her eyes drifted down to his sword. The ruthless, bloodthirsty general of the White Fang, a zealot and murderer who has been at war with her family since she was a child.

"Yes, I'm exactly who you're afraid I am." A smirk formed from his lips as he squatted down, bringing himself to eye level with the young woman.

"I'm not afraid of you." Weiss growled, her gaze unfaltering as she looked him in eyes, right at his mask, the mask of a monster. "Whatever it is you want I won't let you- Gah!"

"Watch your mouth human scum!" The Fang roared as he kicked the back of her knee, knocking her to the pavement but still holding her head up by her long white hair bunched up in his fist.

"Now now, there's no need for that, it seems our guest has been beaten up enough." Adam smiled as he held up his hand, the heiress flinching at the mere movement. However, her fear began to shift to curiosity as he removed one of his black gloves. His pale skin almost glowed in the silver light of the shattered moon as he tenderly cupped his hand over the young woman's cheek, his thumb gently brushing over the bloody gash on her lip

"How did this happen? I can see you have scrapes all over you but this is different. Did you get this when you escaped or are the rumors true?" Adam's hand was cool against her hot cheek and his touch on her wound was surprisingly gentle, even as he pulled his hand back she felt the softness of his palm against her sweat dampened skin.

"W-what rumors? How did you know I ran away?" Weiss glared at him, trying to keep her composure in the face of what she felt could only be certain death. For a long moment, Adam stared at her, his eyes focused on hers behind his mask. He could see an icy cold fire behind those gentle blues, she was a fighter, he had seen enough combat, killed enough men to know that she was strong, maybe not physically, but she had more courage than many who faced his blade.

"We have our ways, that was quite an impressive escape, one little girl evading the entirety of the SDC personal guard and running all the way to the slums of Vale. That certainly made our job easier." His smiled darkened as he put his glove back on his hand.

"What job?!" She demanded, her fear, confusion and anger all competing for priority in her heart and mind.

"You know better than most that the SDC and the White Fang have been at each other's throats for years now. Taking a key target would turn the battle in our favor… or at least, that was the plan." Adam's grin softened into a more amiable smile, one so convincing Weiss couldn't really tell if it was sincere or not.

"What's your plan now then? What are you going to do with me?" Something wasn't right, she couldn't understand why they hadn't killed her on the spot, that's what their reputation was, they were monsters, murderers, terrorists and fiends.

"Well, that all depends on how you answer my next question." He squatted down in front of her again, placing his gloved hand under her chin, lifting her head up slightly. Even through all of this, the fire in her eyes never waned. "Tell me… how did you get hurt?"

"T-that's none of your business!" Weiss gritted her teeth, holding her gaze on him, entirely unsure of what to feel, but the reminder of what had happened to her only hours before had spiked her rage, fanning the flames of anger in her heart.

"Was it your father?" Adam watched her expression carefully, so many things happened in so little time. Weiss' eyes grew wide, her eyebrows raised and her mouth opened ever so slightly, then, in the next instant, her gaze burned with a rage filled fury and her jaw muscles bulged at the side of her face… and then, her expression cooled with sadness and defeat, her gaze shifting, looking anywhere but the the mask hidden eyes that she could feel looking not at her, but into her.

"So, it's true, the Schnee cruelty doesn't just end with the Faunus or their competition." Adam let his hand down, releasing her chin, his smile gone and his expression subdued but… angry. Weiss couldn't be sure but for just the shortest of moments, she felt that he was angry… For my sake?

"My father does not define me or my name!" The fire in her eyes returned as she shouted in indignation, her, despise and hatred clear on her lips and in her voice.

"Is that so?" Adam was taken aback by the outburst, the sheer hate and deep seated bitterness that had sprung forth from her tongue. He could feel the long repressed malice and contempt in her heart towards the man that raised her.

"My father is a monster… I know that better than anyone." She muttered bitterly, venom dripping from every word as she looked to the ground. It was an admission that had come out so easily, a sentiment she had long since buried, forcing it back. It was never something she could say to anyone she, if it ever got back to her father, she knew her life would become hell. It's not like it matters now, I'm going to die. At least I can finally feel free to say it.

"Let her go and wait for me back at the base." Adam said in a commanding tone as he stood up, looking at his masked henchmen.

"Are you sure? What if-"

"Go. Now." His dark, warning tone left no room for argument. He could sense their fear as they respectfully bowed their heads, dropping the girl to the ground before walking away.

"Get up." Adam's voice became softer but still authoritative as he looked down at the small, bleeding and bruised young woman on the dirty ground.

"What are you going to do to-" She was brought to an abrupt stop as she raised her head, completely stunned to see the monster she had heard so many horror stories about… extending his hand out to her. Weiss looked wearily at his hand for a long moment before forcing her body to move on impulse, taking his hand in hers and hoisting herself shakily up. "Th-thank you."

"Do you smoke?" His tone was casual and friendly, Weiss would have found it unsettling if she knew what to make of the strange faunus at all.

"I never have before." She blinked in confusion as he leaned against the concrete wall, rummaging around in his coat pocket before pulling out a pack of cigarettes.

"I've been trying to quit, or at least, that's what I keep saying. I don't get much time to myself and I don't want anyone else knowing." A halfhearted laugh escaped his lips as he put a cigarette in his mouth, digging around in his pocket once more for his lighter. Finally, after a minute of searching all his pockets he pulled the lighter from his back pants pocket, flicking it open and letting a warm orange flame burn the tobacco, sending the shreds of addictive plants into a smolder as he inhaled the fragrant smoke. "Want one?"

"Sure…" Weiss said vacantly, only vaguely aware of what she was agreeing to as she walked up to him, her confusion at an all time high as she leaned against the wall beside him, her fear all but gone, leaving her with nothing but… curiosity.

"Here." Adam pulled out another cigarette from the small box, handing it to the heiress. Weiss eyed it cautiously before taking it between her fingers and, after a brief moment of hesitation, putting it in her mouth. Taking another drag off his adam exhaled a cloud of white smoke as he flicked the lighter in front of Weiss' mouth. "Take a deep breath."

The cut on her mouth stung as she gripped the cigarette with her lips. A bright, warm flame sparked to life in front of her, the pleasant heat radiating over her skin as she followed adam's instruction and took a deep breath. Warm, fragrant smoke flowed into her mouth from the filter, stinging her throat on its way down to her lungs. Immediately she fell into a coughing fit, pulling the cigarette from her lips as she choked, gasping for breath as her body violently rejected the smoke!

"That *Cough* was terrible! Why did you let me *Cough* do that!?" Weiss choked out her words between bouts of coughing.

"Heh-heh, that happened to me my first time smoking too. You get used to it." Weiss couldn't be sure as she struggled to breath but it almost sounded like Adam was genuinely amused.

"I don't think I'll be trying that again thanks." She sighed, finally feeling like she could breath again.

"That's what I said when I first tried it." He chuckled again, taking another drag off his nearly burned out cigarette.

"You're… nothing at all like I've heard." Weiss took what she felt was a daring step forward as she looked curiously up at him.

"Oh? You've ascertained that from the mere five minutes we've been here?" Adam laughed once again, but this time it seemed almost wistful and sad.

"Well, I'm still alive." She stated it so simply, but the fact was that not even ten minutes ago she was preparing for what she felt was her inevitable death.

"What makes you think you'll be walking away from this?" Adam's voice turned cold and dark, the small glowing ember dying at the end of his cigarette as the smoke rose up, catching the light of the moon in the soft white cloud.

"Just a feeling." Weiss shrugged. He was right, she had no idea why she felt so comfortable or safe. Maybe I just don't care what happens to me anymore. I know what I have to go back to.

"A feeling huh?" He laughed, dropping his dying cigarette to the ground before snuffing out the ember with the heel of his boot. It was too dark for Weiss to see much but she could have sworn he was smiling as he reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a pad of paper and a pen. Practically blind in the dark Weiss strained her eyes to see what he was writing but all she could do was listen to the soft sound of his pen scrawling across the paper. Finally, he stopped and tore off the top piece, extending it out to the girl.

"What's this?" Weiss asked bemused as she took the paper, straining her eyes to read anything at all.

"That's right, you humans have inferior night vision. It's an address, if you're ever tired of being the princess in the castle, come by. I'll be waiting, Snowflake." Adam turned around without another word, leaving Weiss to stare in awe at the gesture, having no idea what to make of it. A trap? Probably, but something in her heart told her that it wasn't. With a soft sigh and an inexplicable smile Weiss gave one last look to Adam before turning around and walking away from the alley where so much had happened in so little time.

"Are you sure about this boss?" A large man in a Grimm masked asked his leader, standing at the opposite end of the alley from where Weiss had already left.

"Are you questioning my judgement? The good of the White Fang and the faunus is always my priority." Adam's voice and expression were cold and commanding. "However, an associate of mine has taught me that it's not always about overpowering your enemy, but rather taking away what power they have."

"And speaking of that witch, where is she?" The obvious disdain in his voice was noted, but they were under her thumb and they all knew it.

"Cinder is pursuing some girl with Silver eyes that she encountered earlier today. Apparently she thinks she's a potential asset." Adam shrugged.

"Is that what inspired this move with the Schnee?" He asked his boss, his large arms folded over his chest.

"Yes, the girl may prove useful. I could tell she hates her father as much as we do, we can exploit that." Adam stuffed his hands into his pockets and began walking down the alley with his underling by his side. However, he couldn't help but steal one last glance behind him to where the girl with with fiery blue eyes had left them. She's just a means to an end.