Hello and welcome to my first fic, I'll try to keep the author notes as short as I can. So this chapter is going to be a bit slow, I have to build up my Oc hope you'll understand. I promise that the nest chapter will be more action packed. Seeing as how this is my first time attempting to wright a story of any kind I sincerely hope you will leave a review. Let me know of any errors you find or just leaving your thoughts or opinions on the story. Thanks and enjoy.
"I'm gonna…get you!" His arm swinging in a downward arc, causing a large splash as the boy pinned his catch down against the river bed. After firmly securing his grip on the fish the boy wrenched the fish from the watery depths, tossing into the air.
The fish soared eloquently though the air before crashing not so gracefully onto the rocky shoreline, where it suffered the same fate as the rest of its fishy brethren who had all been pulled from their breathable habitat in a similar manor. After struggling for a short time seven fish in total lie dead on the banks, a grim day for fish everywhere.
"Told you so." He gloated smugly at the corpses of his catch while he gathered the fish together by stringing them though the gills. Standing up strait with his dinner in hand he inhaled deeply all the different scents around him. It was a beautiful day almost at its end, Geist walked back down the river banks with the sun setting on his back.
Only an hour or two before dark, I guess lost track of time…. Again. He had been gone longer than was expected, but what kind of canine Faunus would he be if he didn't enjoy playing in the river.
The young Faunus wonder how many fish if any Axel had caught, while he followed his shadow back down river in the direction of camp where his companion sat in waiting.
Companion was too far distant a term for Geist and Axle as they were far closer than that, they were family. A concept that Geist was starting to understand, being in a family that is. Axel was a great man and retired Hunter for the kingdom of Vale. Axel was the closest person to a father the young Faunus had ever known, already having plenty of experience after raising two children of his own before taking in young Geist.
Their names were Colter age eight and Alice age twelve they were his beloved older siblings.
Colter was his big brother and best friend, a position that Colter had worked hard to achieve. Geist was a problem child after first coming to live with them, quite, untrusting, only showed up around the house during the times of the day to eat or sleep. No real surprise being abused and abandoned was bound to leave a child with trust issues. With sheer determination he slowly but surely worked his way in to the distrusting Faunus's heart.
Geist recalled with a smirk the memory of that final act that shattered the defensive blockade around his distrusting heart.
-Flashback start-
It was around noon one cloudy day and some local village children were picking on him in the woods just on the outskirts the village, shouting insults like mutt or stray dog. Names he had been called hundreds of times before, of course Geist had not started the altercation nor was he doing anything to deescalate the situation. He retorted with insults of his own attempting to stoke their anger, wanting to hurry past the talking and on to the inevitable fight that always followed. Geist didn't care that he was out numbered five to one, this was simply the quickest way he knew to resolve conflicts of this kind.
Piss them off. Make them fight. Sure he would lose but they would grow tired of beating on him in a few minutes time then be on their way, that being said he was not one to go down without a fight. He had only one goal. Make certain that at least one or more of the bullies woke the following day and regretted picking that fight. After insulting the largest bully's mother as well as her chastity the first punch was thrown, sending small Geist to the ground dazed and with a bloody nose. The young Faunus barely had time to spit before hearing a loud battle cry sounding from somewhere behind him, the cry grew louder just before flying past the still down and disoriented boy.
An unruly head of Chesnutt brown hair with deep brown eyes full of rage descended onto the large bully knocking him to the ground before delivering a series of heavy fisted blow.
"Stay….away….from…..my…brother!" The chestnut hair boy yelled each word accented with blow to the bully's face. After the shock of the sudden new combatant wore off the other boys were quick to retaliate, kicking Colter in his face sending him down to the ground next where his younger brother still sat visibly confused at the arrival of aid.
Colter was quick to get back to his feet wiping the blood from his freshly split lip on his sleeve. As the rest of bullies struggled to help the largest of their ranks back to a standing position, Colter held his hand out to his brother.
"Come on Geist, on your feet! We can win this!"
"Why are you here?" The younger brother asked as he took the hand offered to him and was pulled to his feet.
"Do you really need to ask?" Colter replied with confusion in his voice, as the bullies surrounded the brothers.
"If I knew the answer I wouldn't have asked the question." He quipped sarcastically.
"Come on Geist, you have lived with us for over a month now and you haven't figured this out yet?"
"Figured what out!? Why are you here!?" he growled becalming aggravated at his brother for answering his questions with a question.
His brother turn and met his gaze, brown eyes met the cyan colored eyes of Geist. A very serious gaze held for a moment between the brothers.
"Because we're family, because we're bothers." Colter spoke with honesty as if it was the most obvious answer in the world.
Geist stood in shock. "I…I don't understand."
"We will finish this talk later; I don't think these guys are going wait on us." The brown haired brother spoke nodding towards the bullies, who now had them completely surrounded.
Geist turn to face the opposite direction from his brother glaring daggers at the two bullies who moved in to flank behind them.
"Besides…" Colter spoke catching his brother's attention once more "I have always wanted to fight outnumbered, back to back with someone I conceder my brother."
At those words Geist felt something it was hard to explain, like a wellspring of confidence erupted with in him. It was an amazing feeling that someone had your back.
We can…. No we WILL win this fight. Geist thought as the brawl begin.
An hour later…
The two boys lie side by side in the grassy field which they had fought...and lost in.
"Hey." the Faunus spoke.
"What's up?"
"Why did you come to my aid?" He asked softly.
"Let me ask you something Geist, what does the word family mean to you?" He asked as he rolled his head to the side to look at his bother.
"It's just a word to me." He responded turning his head to stare into his brothers eyes.
"It's different for me; to me family means I'll always have your back… even if you pick a fight with the whole world, even if you are in the wrong I will be there to defend you." Colter finished speaking as he tried to stand up, failing at the task as he ended up face first back on ground. "Man they really did a number on me; don't think I can walk right now." His words muffled by the grass as he spoke from his face down prone position.
Geist grunted as he heaved his body from the cool grassy ground, managing up to his own feet unsteadily. "Come on brother, let's go home." he spoke as he offered his hand with a smile to the still downed older brother.
The chestnut haired boy rolled over onto his back as to accept the hand offered to him. "How are you even able to stand after that beating?" he asked as he placed an arm around his brother's shoulder to remedy his own unsteadiness.
"I'm a Faunus, I'm built sturdier than you. What do we tell Axel?" He asked as the brothers begin the long limp home.
"Hmmmm" his bother ponder aloud. "I know what we'll tell dear old dad!" He offered with a grin. "Let's just tell him that we had a brotherly bonding experience!"
The two brothers stop in their tracks to share a long stare, before they burst in to a fit of laughter then continued the slow hobble home.
I can't remember the last time I laughed like that. Geist thought with a smile. I wasn't even sure I knew how to any more.
(Flash back end)
Geist paused and turned towards the river, looking through the shallow waters near banks edge at the tadpoles and minnows that swam about. Too small and quick to catch but still fun to watch he loved it here, the village, his family it was all a far leap better than his life before he had met Axel.
Surviving… that was the only aspect of life the young Faunus knew before his new life with his adopted family. Stealing often ended with being beaten, but a few scrapes and burses compared to hunger pains… well worth the tradeoff in his opinion. But that life is over now he thought with a smile.
Geist shifted his gaze away from the fish and instead focused on the reflection on the surface of the water, his refection. Short messy gun metal gray hair and bright cyan eyes reflected back.
This was Geist a young Canine Faunas with a short but difficult six years on lived on the plaint of Remnant, granted the first five years or what he could remember of them were far more rough than this last year he had lived with his family. He was just a normal six year old Faunus boy, two arms, two eyes, two ears, and a fluffy tail about eighteen inches in length the same color as his hair.
"Crap, I have got to stay more focused!" he spoke aloud to himself. Finally realizing the he had become distracted once again, he broke in to a light jog back down the river bank.
A short distance from camp Geist's keen sense of smell detected an odor in the air, one that brought a smirk to his lips. Blood, fish… and salt Axel did catch some fish. He thought silently. That's great if he is still cleaning them he should be distracted, this could be my best shot.
Geist snuck into the woods that ran parallel to the camp sight, after stalking slowly and as quietly as possible he finally reached the edge of camp. He stopped just behind a large oak tree on the outskirts of camp site; he then peeked around the tree in search of his target. Target located, Axel with back turned, crouched down on the opposite side of the camp ground apparently still cleaning and salting his own catch.
Before beginning his stealthy approach the young boy dropped the fish he had been carrying at the base of the tree, they would only slow him down right now and would return for them after, after his fun was done of course.
He stepped out around the tree and began the long, slow, quite approach. The would-be assassin slowly closed the distance to his target; he got within eight feet of the man before his blunder. Stepping down on a dead leaf with a tinny crunch, the target stopped his work and looked up away from what he held in his hand.
Geist's cover was blown and he knew it, with a hasty decision he chose to abandon the stealthy approach instead defaulting onto speed as he broke in to a full on sprint at the man.
Still crouched with his back turned to the Faunus the target didn't move.
There is no way he can dodge this I'm too close to him now. Thought the overconfident canine as he cocked back his fist preparing to strike the back of the older man's head as soon as he was within distance, at least that was how it was supposed to happen.
It happened quick way too quickly for the Faunus's brain to comprehend, his world turned upside down as he landed on his back in front of the retired Hunter he had just tried to assault.
"Nice try, a few more months of practice and you might be able to actually land a punch on me." A gruff voice taunted as he stood up strait and smiled at his boy.
This is Axel the man who had adopted the young canine Faunus. Standing around six feet tall with shoulder length blonde hair which he kept tied up in a short pony tail, or wolf tail as the older man preferred it to be called with deep brown eyes just like the ones his biological son posseted. The man was built like a Hunter muscular but not overly so a mix between strength and speed.
"Here take my hand, I'll help you up." Axel spoke as he offered to help his adopted son.
"Thank y- whoa!" Yelled the boy in surprise as Axel pulled him up off the ground with much more strength than necessary.
Geist landed on his feet barely able to maintain his balance after doing so, shooting a playful glare back at his father. The older man rolled his eyes and laughed in response.
"Alright that's enough fooling around lets pack up and head home. It will be dark soon so we'll clean the rest of the fish tonight at home, sound good?"
"Sure thing just let me grab my fish." Geist ran back over to the tree where he had left his catch. He brought the fish back over next to where Axel was waiting, after wrapping his catch up in a towel and placing the bundle in a draw string bag. "Let's go dad!"
The father and son walked side by side on the forest trail that lead back to their home, chatting of the week's past events.
"So… anymore bullies troubling you?" Axel asked as he walked along with Geist.
The boy sighed before he spoke. "No dad like I have told you a thousand times before, no one has bothered me since the time when Colter came to my rescue in that fight."
"Hard to believe that was almost a year ago, I was so proud of Colter that day."
"Yeah, you're the only parent I know that would praise a child for getting beaten up in a fight." Geist's words dripped with sarcasm.
"He didn't get praised for the fight, smart ass. He was rewarded because he did what was right, standing against those stronger than himself for his family and for his brother. That day Colter did the Gainsboro family name proud." Axel placed his hand atop his Faunus son's head and ruffled his hair, his son was helplessly unable to fend off the affectionate assault. He continued to speak "Remember Geist you are a Gainsboro now as well and I know you will make me proud son. I believe in you, never forget that."
That's right I'm not just Geist anymore, I have a new name now one given to me by my family. I am Geist Gainsboro now. A blush creeping onto the young boys face, he faced away from his father to hide that fact.
"Y-you know I hate it when you rub my head!" the boy huffed.
"Nice try pup, but you can't trick me not anymore I know you like the attention. You see Alice was kind enough to clue me in on your little secret." The older man grinning ear to ear as he spoke.
"She promised not to tell anybody!" He whined as he turn back to face his father, a blush raging across his face like wild fires.
"Relax we were all going to find out eventually, you don't hide it very well. Even now it's a dead giveaway." The man stated while pointing to the appendage jutting out of the young Faunus's backside.
Even now his tail betrayed its master's words, wagging back and forth incessantly conveying his true emotions whether he wanted to or not.
"How long has it been doing that!?" Geist face palming as he asked.
"It was pretty calm until I started rubbing your head, which got it waging a little bit. It really got moving after I mentioned your sister." Axel offered with a smug grin causing his son to sputter and look away still blushing fiercely.
Geist projected his anger at his traitorous appendage attempting to grab it as to halt its wagging, only to miss every time. It was if his tail had a mind of its own twitching every which way to avoid being grabbed by the embarrassed Faunus. The Faunus in question then did something that he would never live down for as long as he lived.
He spun in circles chasing his own tail. "You are a part of me, you will obey me!" he barked at the fluffy trader, only for the tail to continue to defy him at every turn.
Axel laughed like never before, tears pooling in the corners of his eyes. "Stop… I can't…I can't take any more!" Barely able to speak between breaths, he slapped his knee as attempted to regain his composure.
Geist finally realizing the spectacle he had just performed stop and crouch down burying his face in his hands, wishing for a quick death to end this embarrassment.
"Please don't tell anyone, especially not Alice!" He begged the older man.
"Relax son, you will never hear me repeat what happened here. That is until you bring a girl over to house."
Geist could see it now, the words carved in to his gravestone. Here lies Geist Gainsboro cause of dead, embarrassment overload. He will be missed.
A reaction as good as that just from mentioning his eldest sibling, it was not difficult to see how found Geist was of his older sister, even if he would never admit it….to anyone….especially her...ever.
Alice Gainsboro, his doting older sister whom he loved most in the entire world, this was not always the case though. He had despised her at first. She was loving, self-confident, suborn, patient, and not afraid to stand up for herself or what she believed in.
She was everything Geist was not, and he hated her for it. That however did not last long as Alice refused to let it.
Alice had a more… immediate method of forcing her new little brother to open up to her, which had consisted of trapping him in one of her ironclad hugs and fawning over him until her desired results were achieved.
Little guy didn't make it a week before she could read him like an open book, mostly thanks to his tail.
Personality was only one facet of what made her so great in Geist's eyes, beautiful long wavy dirty blonde hair, gorgeous fare skin, a cute face, and tall to boot. These all however paled in comparison to her most redeeming quality, her eyes.
Alice's eye were like nothing Geist had never seen anything like them before in his life, they were unique to her and her alone at least that's what Geist had thought.
Her eyes were silver; absolutely stunning.
When she was happy which most of the time she was, her eyes were like a reflection of the summer sun casting warm rays across anyone who met her gaze. When she was mad though that was when her eyes looked the most amazing, like the cold glint of a blade in the moonlight. Alice gave a whole new meaning to the term glaring daggers.
After Geist had managed to calm himself down he decided that some playful vengeance against the older man was called for. He did so by steering the conversation to a subject he knew would be a depressing for his old man.
"So… is Alice ready for her first year at Signal Academy? Her classes start next week right?" Asked the young boy as he watched his father practically deflate before sighing sadly.
"Yea she does." Axel replied in a melancholy tone.
"You worried about her?" Geist asked.
"Of course I am! I'm her dad worrying comes with the territory, but I know she can handle herself. She's stubborn… just like her mother." He spoke as he looked off in to this distance with a longing gaze.
"What was she like, your wife I mean? I asked Alice and Colter, but they just change the subject or tell me to ask you."
Axel gathered his thought in preparation as they begin to hike up the last steep hill in between them and their village after this it was a short easy downhill walk into the valley that their village was located in.
"Well I guess for starters her name was….no her name is Amber Gainsboro. Huntress, mother, love of my life, and she loves her children more than they will ever know."
"What happened to her?" Geist asked with the innocent curiosity of youth.
"Well if you believe the official report released by Beacon then she is presumed to be K.I.A, but I know that's a load of bull. She's alive I can feel it."
"Do you miss her?"
"Every day… sometimes I'm amazed how well I managed without her, and other days I know I could do better if she were still here by my side. Maybe if she was here she could convenes that thick headed daughter of her's not to follow in her footsteps, convince her to pick an easier life to live… a safer life. As for the reason your sibling avoid the topic, it because they don't know much more about her that you do, she left for a mission just after Colter was born and Alice was only four at the time. She has never been back here since."
"How do you know she is still alive?"
Axel ponder on this for a moment before replying "Well… let's just say that Amber had a special power that she can passed on, but only after she has died and only to another girl. If I know my wife, and I do she would have wanted Alice to have that power. Seeing as Alice is the same as she's ever been I choose to believe she is still alive somewhere out there… fighting."
They were almost at the top of the hill when Axel changes the subject before he could be asked anymore questions. "So your teacher tells me that you have an interest in music."
"It's nothing major I just think-" Geist was interrupted when he heard the sounds of the bags his father had been carrying land on the ground with a thud.
They had both reached the top of the hill when Geist turned back to face his father. Axels stood on the hill top glaring between the trees, as all the muscles in his body began to tense up. Geist followed Axel's gaze, which was when he saw it.
Smoke
Large black pillars of smoke that bellowed high in the sky, it was rising from the direction of the village.
Geist flinched from at the loud metallic rasp of Axel drawing his two-handed long sword from the sheath he always kept strapped to his back.
The village, their home, it was under attack.
Thanks for reading, like I said before the next chapter will really take off…..I hope. The plain is to have two more chapters to set the story foundation, then time skip to the first day at beacon. The pairing will be a mystery, but I suppose that I can toss you guys and gals a bone. The romantic interest will be ONE of the main four, not a harem. Until next time over and out.