A/N: Hi, so this is going to be my first posted material after a very, very long time so there's a few things that I want to say before we get into what you're actually here for. The first thing i need to say is that I do not feel that I am a good writer, not in the slightest. This leads me into my second topic which is the purpose of me posting, I want to be a better writer, and the only way that's going to happen is by doing said action and then receiving feedback from people who know more than me. That being said I'm a little sad that this particular fic has to be my test subject because I really love RWBY and I feel like I probably won't do it justice in any sense of the word. So, with that being said, please enjoy what I have been able to create, and if you have any suggestions on how I can get better leave a review or send me a message, many thanks in advance.

Vale stretched out below me as we slowly floated ahead, just over the horizon I could make out a small tower stretching skyward. Despite the distance my mind still matched the shape to the tower at Beacon that I'd seen in the pictures at home. Beacon, as my father would tell me was an advanced school for young human and faunus from around the world to hone their skills to become Huntsman and Huntresses. The whole journey up to this point had been surreal, my experience with the outside world and it's workings were unfamiliar. Before coming to Vale I lived on a private estate with my father in Atlas and hadn't left the walls often due to my heritage. Living isolated from the majority of society I hadn't realized that there existed a huge prejudice against my race, the faunus. When my father died he'd left me with a letter telling me to fulfill my training by attending the local combat school before applying to Beacon. At the time I didn't understand why he wanted me to leave.

That's when I was thrust into the real world. At the time I was sixteen and completely unaware of the situation that awaited me. I spent the next two years in a combat school, and although I found myself exceeding in my studies it wasn't without its own challenges. It was in my first week that I found my naivety made me an easy target for others. Why was it that they held me in such contempt? I contemplated this for weeks until it all came to me, I realized I was different. Some treated me as an outcast due to my ears and tail. It still doesn't make any sense to me, how could these people condemn me for something so trivial? How could people hate me for something I was born with, something so far out of my control?

My situation became clear to me, I understood why my father wanted me to leave Atlas. Acceptance was something I would have to earn, and Beacon is where I would build it. The application I sent in had been accepted swiftly, my father's name held weight, and he'd taught me well during his time alive. With his passing he left me one final gift, a straight single-edged sword that I kept strapped to my back. Unlike the other weapons I carried with me his sword didn't fold or change, it was just a simple blade forged to perfection, and yet it meant so much more to me. Gripped the hilts of the weapons at my side I silently went through several attack patterns in my head, they were two ninjato ordered and maintained by me. Together with these tools I would become a Huntress and protect the world that tried to shut me and my race out.

My name is Azure Boreas, I am a faunus from Atlas. Today is my first step towards making a better life for myself and others like myself. The only thing stopping me now was the airship ride. I kept my eyes firmly glued to the horizon desperately wishing that Beacon would magically come closer.. With a sigh I released the hilt of my blades, I was on my way to Beacon and stressing out about it wouldn't help me get there any faster. With my tail bristling in annoyance I turned away from the window. With my choice of attire I kept my tail away from prying eyes, the large blue coat I wore felt light on my shoulders despite its size. It was something given to me by a friend who had a lot of free time back in Atlas. My symbol was woven into the back using dust, I didn't really use dust very often but I liked the way it reflected the light and how it would sometimes glow, overall it was super badass. The coat itself was made from a strong and yet flexible material that reached down past my calves while the inside had fur stitched into it, making it durable and comfortable.

Leaning against the window I closed my eyes hoping to catch the conversations of others, not that I was a eavesdropper by nature but maybe there would be something to pass the time.

The first thing to catch my attention was the sound of a news broadcast "The robbery was led by nefarious criminal Roman Torchwick, who continues to evade authorities. If you have any information on his whereabouts, please contact the Vale police department. Back to you Lisa."

There was a small break before another voice came on "Thank you Siril, in other news, this Saturday's faunus civil rights protest turned dark when members of the White Fang disrupted the ceremony. The once peaceful organization has now disrupted-" the broadcast was cut short, damn.

I opened my eyes in time to see a projection of a woman, her stern expression struck me as a no nonsense sort of attitude as she had her arms behind her back and looked straight ahead.

"Hello and welcome to beacon," several other people's attention shifted as they looked in the general direction of her voice "my name is Glynda Goodwitch. You're among a privileged few who've received the honor of being selected to attend this prestigious academy. Our world is experiencing an incredible time of peace, and as future huntsman and huntresses it is your duty to uphold it. You have demonstrated the courage needed for such a task, and now it is our turn to provide you with the knowledge and the training to protect our world." and with that she faded.

I could hear the gasps of awe coming from those whom hadn't been looking out the windows beforehand, and even though I had I glanced back to find that we were significantly closer than we had been previously. In my excitement I pushed myself up to the window trying desperately to get closer. The excitement was overwhelming, here I was, moments away from taking my first steps to fulfilling my dreams.

"Yes, yes ,yes, YES!" I chanted in my head.

I could feel the slow descent of the ship in my ears as it caused slight discomfort. Flicking them lightly I tried to dissipate the discomfort without any luck. Focusing back at the view I took it all in, Beacon sat on a cliff side that led straight down into a large body of water, rivers cascaded over the side making it almost seem like Beacon was on the edge of the world, truly it was the most beautiful thing i'd seen. There was a bright future waiting for me here and everyone else aboard if we were to only go out there and grasp it. Noting that the ship was close to being landed I watched curiously to see how it would be done. It maneuvered silently pulling around to make the side of the ship even with a platform that was slowly coming closer, apparently landing wasn't what was going to be happening here.

It was without question at this point that it must have taken some skill to maneuver the ship in such a way, as it was close enough that there wasn't a gap in between the ship and the pad, but not so close as to grind the paint off of the ship. A small ramp extended from the ship stretching out to the platform creating a walkway. Having seen enough I took a moment to make sure that everything was in order before making my way towards the door. Just as I reached the door a blonde boy pushed past roughly holding his mouth in a panic. The doors seemed to open at his will as he rushed out and being close behind I watched as he began vomiting violently into the trashcan. At first I'd thought he was being rude, however now that I understood the situation he held my sympathies. On my way past him I patted him on the back, motion sickness was a much more common problem than people let on.

My feet carried me down the platform quickly, I was barely able to contain myself. Beacon.... Here I was! I didn't care if anybody saw as I fist pumped, I was way too damn excited to be here! Other students walked past me as I looked around, I knew father would be so proud of me if he was here. My coat flapped idly in the wind making me shiver with anticipation, and with that I silently promised I was going to impress some people during my time here. With that in mind I made my way towards Beacon, hopefully I would have some sort of idea as I walked. Each step I took caused my boots to click against the stone walkway, making me just feel more elated to be here.

"-and she has a fire sword!" I heard somebody say.

Ahead of me was a small girl in a red battle skirt and hood was pointing at a passing student excitedly as a much larger blonde girl looked around in exasperation. It seemed like the girl was going to follow them when the other girl pulled her back by her hood.

"Easy there little sister," I didn't stay to listen to the rest of their conversation.

I couldn't help but smirk as I walked away, day one and there was already other impressive people I was impressed myself, that girl looked a lot younger than the rest of the first year students I'd seen on board, not only that but the taller blonde girl had referred to her as "sister" which means the two were related in some sense if not by blood. I'd have to keep my eye out for that one, not only had she basically taken apart that sword with her eyes she'd also gotten into Beacon at a much earlier age than those around me, again, impressive. Maybe i was just easily impressed, but then again I was being exposed to tons of new information. Caught up in my own thoughts I didn't notice the shadow being cast over me until I collided with something heavy, causing me to stumble backwards.

"Oh, excuse me," I looked up at the stranger apologetically to see a large man with an even larger gauntlet wrapped around his arm.

"No, it's quite alright," he spoke with a thick accent looking back down at the paper he held in his hand "If I hadn't stopped to write something down I wouldn't have been in the way."

I tilted my head slightly "What were you writing?"

He brushed aside his blonde hair looking back at me in surprise "Why, I was writing to my family back home!"

Suddenly he took notice of my ears and leaned in over me to inspect them "Are those dog ears?"

"Uhm, no," I was a little uncomfortable at the situation "They're actually fox ears," I gave them a little flick for emphasis.

A smile spread across his face "Ah yes, you must be one of those Faunus I've heard about!" his booming voice made me flatten my ears slightly at his intensity.

"Have you never seen a Faunus before?" I asked in confusion.

"Once," he scratched underneath his chin briefly "I was only a little boy when I'd last seen one."

I paused to consider this information before asking "Where did you come from?"

"I flew in from Atlas," he said in his jolly tone "I lived outside the Kingdom with my family, they sent me here to experience life inside the kingdoms."

I'd heard of settlements outside of the kingdoms, but they tended to go missing overnight.

"Well, welcome to Beacon, I also came from Atlas," I extended my arm for a handshake but instead he scooped me up in one arm and hugged me.

"Ah yes, already we have so much in common friend!" he squeezed me tightly, but not so much as to hurt me "What is your name?!"

He placed me down gently while i tried to process this new turn of events "Uhm, my name is Azure Boreas."

"Wonderful!" He shouted in joy "I am Heath Finn!"

"Well it's very nice to meet you Heath, I'm glad that I ran into somebody like you." I really meant it too.

Giving him a good look I noted he was tall, much taller than me and built like a brick wall. His arms were absolutely ripped as his sleeves barely contained the width of his arm. He wore a button down red flannel shirt and a pair of overalls. His sandy blonde hair was cut short, easily within and inch of his scalp His warm green eyes seemed to hold a glint that conveyed an endless abundance of warmth like that of a fire on a cold winter night. The large gauntlet that covered his left arm didn't convey that same feeling as it was the color of rolled steel and looked as hard as ice made from the finest dust. There were several lines etched into the material but I was unsure if it was a folding mechanic or merely a stylistic design.

"Likewise," he flashed a friendly smile prompting me to follow him as he began walking "It is always good to meet new people, especially in a place as strange as this."

"Oh?" was he just as new to this as me.

"Here," he said motioning to the large buildings in front of us "There are constructs so large that you can barely see the tops, flying machines everywhere, and the threat of grimm isn't palpable in the air."

I nodded knowing what he meant for the most part "It's a little overwhelming," I admitted.

We walked in silence for a little while enjoying the atmosphere. I watched the buildings come closer in the absence of conversation, contemplating what would be awaiting me.

"So what is it that you carry into battle?" Heath finally asked, his eyes eyeing my sheaths.

I drew my Ninjato from their sheath and handed them to him hilt first, the blades glinting slightly in the sun, the blades hinting at a dim red color. Heath grasped the hilt gingerly as he brought the blades to his eye as if appraising it. Without warning Heath struck my blades to his gauntlet, the blades ringing slightly. Most people would have been upset but due to the fact that I'd ordered the blade specially and I could already see that the blades were undamaged I held no such feeling. Again he brought the blades to his eyes, examining its length once more.

"Exceptional crafted!" He announced handing the blade back to me.

I nodded, sheathing them in the process "There's more to it than that," I said giving him the both in their sheath.

Heath ran his large fingers along the sheaths looking for the button that folded the weapons into something more. With a smile he clicked the button on the underside of the sheath, causing the blade and sheath to collapse in on itself while folding back. A barrel poked out from where the bottom of the sheath had been while two case ejectors appeared at the top. After a few more seconds of parts sifting to form two pistols that were of the same coloration as the sheath.

"I call them Midnight Rain, kind of a stupid name for them, but i couldn't think of anything else" I said as he smiled looking over the my creation.

He handed them back and I pressed the switch reverting them to their original form.

"What of the other one?" he motioned to the sword on my back.

I shook my head slowly "Sorry, that one isn't one that I'm willing to part with so easily, it belonged to my late father and it's very old, and as far as i know one of a kind."

Heath laughed "Very well, but might I ask what it is?"

"I don't know," and i really didn't, as far as i could tell there was nothing else like it "all I know is that my father called it Kusanagi and it isn't made like the rest of our weapons."

"And what do you mean by that?" he inquired quietly.

"I mean it doesn't change, what you see is what you get, and yet, despite it just being a sword it's different. The blade never dulls, hell, it was sharp enough to cut through some of the weaponry I have back home and nobody can seem to tell me what material was used to create it."

"Not even your father's colleagues?" the look on Heath's face told me he was fully invested in my blade.

"No, not even they know where it came from," I couldn't help grasping the hilt uneasily "it's like this sword just sort of appeared, like a living relic or something."

"You carry many interesting burdens," Heath noted.

I merely shrugged, it wasn't much of a burden but more so a gift from my father. We walked in silence for a few moments, the only thing breaking the silence being the birds and our footsteps on the stone walkway. I'd begun to consider what would await me after today when a thought occurred to me making me feel stupid for forgetting.

"What about you?" I asked looking over his gauntlet, "What does that do?"

He winked at me with a sly grin on his face "If you are lucky you may get to see it in action."

With that said we both entered the Auditorium that was now looming over us. A crowd had already gathered to await to hear what would happen next. Immediately I started looking at all the weapons that I could find on their users. Some were collapsed as to not make them overly large while others were proudly showing what they had. Nothing caught my interest as I continued to walk with Heath, I was truly grateful for meeting him, I thought I was going to have problems finding people to talk with, but here was Heath, somebody from outside of the kingdoms that held no contempt for me or my race. This was looking up to be a pretty good year, I only hoped that there were many to follow.

A/N: So, it's kind of a mess as you can see. I'm planning on uploading about once a month to give me time to improve between chapters, so hopefully that's going to happen. I also want to give a warning for future chapters, this does eventually become multi-perspective (I've been working on this for about a year and a half so I have nearly ten chapters just lying around) and frankly put I am not skilled enough to write in a way that makes it obvious who the story is taking place through, so if anyone can help me remedy that problem that would be excellent. Outside of that I think everyone is in agreeance that I am in a loving relationship with commas as I have no idea how to use anything else, so that is a particular spot I need some help on. Also, I just feel like general sentence structure is bad a lot of the time and that my ability to describe surroundings or people at the appropriate time as to not make it come off as clunky is just abysmal, so any pointers there would be fantastic. I'll be checking in a few times a week so if you have any advice it would be greatly appreciated. Much love, and thank you for your help in advance.