The air around her was cold, and she felt goosebumps crawling through her skin and she shivered, holding herself closer together.

Atlas.

'You see, you never can truly be free,' sneered the harsh, cold voice that always haunted her nightmares. Never showing his face; he barely showed it enough to her in reality after all, but his mere aura struck fear into her heart every day - Jacques Schnee.

'S-shut up! I will be! I'm not alone...not anymore," Weiss yelled into the dark void, fists clenched in anger as her huntress instincts had her prepared for battle.

"You silly, ignorant girl," the voice echoed around her, making her jump as she swung out, looking for a physical object to fight against, "You're coming back to me, as I always knew you would. And when you're here, you'll leave again. They'll leave you in the dust, and you'll be back to the sniveling, pitiful girl you've always been...all alone."

"Shut up!" Weiss nearly screamed, jolting up out of her nightmare. Sweat poured down her neck as she looked around, searching for her father before letting out the breathe she didn't know she was holding.

Next to her, Ruby stirred, having wrapped her arms around Weiss' waist in the middle of the night subconsciously. "Mmmm...come back to bed Weiss…" she mumbled, causing Weiss to flush at the cute tone.

She laid back down, closing her eyes, and allowing herself to be selfish for once, snuggling closer into the crook of Ruby's neck. Her life may be cold...but at least with Ruby she always felt warm.

"What up Yangarang?" the familiar goofy voice of Sun echoed through the halls as Yang rolled her eyes, smiling as she turned to give the monkey faunus a fist bump.

"How many times have I told you not to call me that?" she laughed, punching him in the arm playfully. "What do you want, monkey boy?"

Sun grinned. "Come on, I can't just stop by and say hi to my favorite sparring buddy?"

"I'm your only sparring buddy."

"Not true! I've dragged Neptune out at least three times!"

Laughter filled the air as the two blondes grinned, and Yang felt some of the tension she had felt since her talk with Weiss begin to fade away. Sun was someone she had dearly missed, having been one of her main workout buddies back in Beacon Academy. They had bonded quickly, and especially had both talked late in the night whenever they were concerned about...Blake.

The thought of her partner made Yang frown. There were still so many emotions swirling around her, and even the thought of her cause sadness to surge through her.

"How's she doing?" she suddenly blurted out, cursing quietly about how fast she was to turn the conversation over to her partner.

Sun smiled. "You really should ask her yourself," he grinned, pointing to the other room with his tail, arms behind his head. "She's not injured but...well, a lot has happened, and I think you best hear each other out."

Yang sighed. "You sounds like Weiss."

Sun gasped, placing his hand over his mouth in false offense. "You doth compare me to the ice queenest day? How dare you!"

Yang shoved him, making him fall off the couch they were both sitting on. "You're so dumb!" she laughed.

Sun grinned. "I like to say it's my best quality!"

Yang rolled her eyes, leaning back. "I really missed you Sun. You're right but...I still need some time. Can we just talk...instead,"

Sun shrugged. "Whatever floats your boat Blondie. Let me tell you about how I stowed away on this ship!"

And as the minutes passed, no one noticed the black shadow looming over the room in the distance, quietly slipping away.