FINDING HOME

Prologue

"You wanted to see me Ozpin?" the beautiful buxom blonde asks. "Yes Glynda, I did. Please come in." She enters his office with no hesitation. She trusted this man beyond a shadow of a doubt. "Come here. I would like to show you something." She stands by him at the window. He points to the front gate. She follows his finger to the gate. "Do you see the girl who just walked in. She nods. "Her name is Taiyana Timbre, she's a new student here. She just transferred from Haven academy. I would like you to watch out for her. Trust will not come easy to her. She's been a prisoner of the White Fang for two years. Team RWBY inadvertently freed her when they assaulted their base on the docks." He concluded.

"Yes sir, but why me?" Glynda asks. "Like you she lost her partner, well, actually her whole team. She may be able to relate to you better. I think it will help you are a woman, when I first met her she was almost feral and growled at me every time I came near her. I had to speak to her through a glass window most of the time. She is very talented as a huntress, so I offered her a scholarship. You may want to get down there, it would seem that team CRDL has set their sights on her." He turned to see his door bang against the wall as Glynda ran out. He smiled. "Stage set." He remarked to the room. If all goes well, I will not only have a gifted huntress but a very happy administrator. As long as she doesn't find out..." his smile dropped.

Chapter 1: The Beginning

When Ozpin spoke with me about Beacon, I was terrified. I knew the school was big and full of people. I gulped, so many people. But I had nowhere else to go. I had no home, no family and there was no way in hell I was going back to Haven academy. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, and reminded myself to breathe, one breath and one step at a time. I got chills, my ears twitched beneath my hat, and I felt bile rise as I heard the approaching footsteps. I turned to the approaching male, I was stuck between wanting to growl in warning and run away. But I promised Ozpin, I would try. "Hey beautiful. The names Cardin Winchester and this here is my school. Would you like a tour. I definitely wouldn't mind having you on my arm." He tries to say voice suavely. His voice grates on my nerves. The urge to vomit gets stronger and the instinct to growl at him and inform him in a very not nice way, that I wanted nothing to do with him nor any other part of his body. I take a deep breath.

My crystal blue eyes stare him down in what I hope is a semi hostile look. He is right in front of me now, crowding me his pheromones making me cringe and gag on the inside. "No thank you. I memorized the map, I am most confident I can find my own way." I say to him and attempt to walk away. He grabs my arm as his friends surround me. "Let go. Now." I said and I knew there was a threatening town in my voice. He does, and lifts his hands. "My bad I just wasn't finished talking to you. If not a tour how about a date?" he says confidently as if he's God's gift or something. "No." I say to him without any doubts. His friends close in on me. I grit my teeth, now I am irritated. "I will give you one warning and only one warning, remove yourselves from my path, or I will remove you. Leave me be. I have no interest in you nor any other men." They refuse to move; I feel my aura flare. Then like a balm to my ears and my mind a voice raises above the din of sound. "Mr. Winchester!" I see him pale.

My heart races as I hear the footsteps of the owner of that sweet voice approach us. "I believe Ms. Timbre asked you to move and leave her be. I suggest you do so, unless you want another detention and your parents called." She says. "No ma'am professor Goodwitch. Let's go guys. He mouths to me. "We aren't finished yet." I raise my eyebrow as if to say 'bring it'. Him and his buddies skulk off. She speaks again, gentler and I feel myself calm more. "I must apologize for Mr. Winchester's appalling behavior Ms. Timbre. I am Professor Glynda Goodwitch." She holds her hand out tentatively I shake it. My tail twitches on my waist and I resist the urge to purr in happiness. "Welcome to Beacon Academy your home for the next couple of years." Our hands release and I have to fight to not show my disappointment at the lack of contact.

"Well, Ms. Timbre, let's get you settled in, then we'll walk around a bit to familiarize yourself with the campus, then Professor Ozpin would like to speak with you." My ears twitch again. Contact with the opposite sex, and sometimes even the same sex still made me uncomfortable. "It is purely by choice Ms. Timbre but if you'd like to, you don't have to wear the hat to cover your ears. Your hat twitched and your tail keeps hitting the back of my thighs." She says. I flush in embarrassment and grab my tail and fasten it back around my waist.

"My apologies professor, it sometimes has a mind of its own." I apologize sincerely. "It's all right. Here at beacon, we do our best to make our Faunus students comfortable. We in general do not allow bullying, but unless it's reported or we see it there isn't much we can do." I nod. "At Haven they don't do anything about it regardless. But that was two years ago. Maybe they've changed." I reply. "Beacon is hosting the Vytal festival, so we'll know soon enough." She says. I twitch and yet shrink at the same time. She places her hand on my shoulder. "It isn't till towards the close to the end of this semester. We are behind you, we won't force you, but we do encourage you to try and set your differences aside. Tournament entry is not mandatory. So just breathe easier, if you can." I nod. "I will try Professor Goodwitch." She pets my shoulder in a comforting manner. "That's all we ask of you." She replies.

We enter Professor Ozpin's office. I remove my hat and he rises to greet and shake my hand. "Good morning Ms. Timbre." I am still slightly uncomfortable with being touched, but it is a little easier with Ozpin. He gestures to a seat in front of his desk. "Please have a seat." I sit down at the edge of the seat. Sometimes having a tail is a pain. "Thank you sir." He hands me my class schedule, locker assignment, a guide lines book that he goes over the most important things to remember. You know the usual, no drugs, no alcohol, no illegal paraphernalia, etc., etc. No bullying or harming other students. Be back on campus by curfew. The usual song and dance. "Unfortunately, your room isn't ready just yet, so you'll have to stay in the guest wing for tonight. We are still setting it up the way you and the doctors suggested. I believe it's lunch time. Glynda, if you would escort Ms. Timbre to the cafeteria. She nods. I shake his hand again and leave his office. "Thank you again sir, for allowing me this opportunity to graduate and get my huntress license." I said.

"Is there somewhere I can donate this hat? I won't be needing it anymore." She smiles gently and reassuring, that smile not only eased my anxiety but also made my heart catch fire. "Why me? First day at Beacon and I'm smitten." I think to myself. The campus seemed almost deserted now, from the bustling hub it was this morning. I took a deep breath. "Maybe, I can find my home here." I said quietly, forgetting my mouth watering tantalizing escort. "Beacon is home to many people, sometimes I think the school is more my home then my actual house in Vale. Maybe that is because I always feel like I'm here." she says. "Maybe. I guess I'll find out soon enough then." I reply. We are outside by the fountain, but I begin to feel anxious again. The corridors began to fill with students, I feel like panicking. "Breathe, Ms. Timbre, breathe through it. Take your time, I am in no hurry." Glynda's voice soothing the beast inside of me trying to rear its ugly head. Step by step we head towards the cafeteria.

The raucous noise coming from the courtyard hurts my sensitive ears. I stop again and breath slowly and wait for my ears to adjust. Chaos breaks out around us. "What is going on?" the rush of people towards us. I grab her and bring her into the shelter of my body, my aura stretching around us in a small force field. Towards the end of the rush, my senses are still on alert and in protect mode. "Thank you, but you can let go now." She says, I release her. "Apologies." I follow her to the site of the chaos, food is all over the window. She throws the door open. With a growl she waves her riding crop my eyes are amazed as I see her put right everything that was amiss. "Children, please do not play with your food." She says, I hear a belch and see a person falling through the roof and then a table. I cringe a bit. Ozpin approaches her and puts his hand on her shoulder. I feel a spike of jealousy. "Let it go." He says to her she sighs. "They are supposed to be the defenders of the world." He squeezes her shoulder. "And they will be, but right now they're still children. So why not let them play the part." He begins to walk away. "After all, it isn't a role they'll have forever." She looks at the eight students shakes her head, but smiles slightly.

We go to the kitchen to get food, and we eat a quiet meal together. I feel happy and at peace. Then, she escorts me to my room for the night. I showered and got ready for bed, it took me some time to fall asleep, but when I finally did the nightmares began. Luckily I jerked awake before any damage could be done. I knew I could not go back to sleep. Quietly, I got up and dressed, snuck out of my room. Outside of the building I looked around. I loved having night vision. I explored a little bit but found myself on the clock tower. I stood a moment and just took in the view, willing the nightmares of memory in captivity away. "First night here and already breaking rules." I turned and saw Ozpin standing there. "My apologies sir. I couldn't sleep, nightmares." I told him. "Understandable. Come with me please." I nod and follow him.

We stop in front of some sliding doors. "This is the combat simulation room. We restrict the use of the room to all students unless a teacher is with them." He pulls out his scroll and types a few things and my scroll beeps. I open it up to a message from him. "Ms. Timbre I have given you an access code the will not restrict entry, but it does notify the other professors you are here. Likewise, I sent them all emails to inform them you are allowed to be in here. Any professor can check in on you via there scrolls. I trust you not to abuse the privilege." I read. "Thank you sir, but why?" I ask him. You passed all your tests, you are technically a senior here. This is your last semester. The sim room will help you get back into shape. Plus, I don't want you to destroy my school in a haze from your nightmare. The doctors said physical activity and the use of your violin usually helps you sleep without nightmares. I see your potential as a gifted huntress. I would like to do all I can to help you achieve that status." He explains. "Thank you again sir." I reply. "You are welcome. Please be careful though." He said. I nod and he walks away. I use my scroll to open the doors.

I spend an hour just familiarizing myself with the controls and settings, it was more like a warm up for me. Once warmed up and all, I set it for the middle setting. It isn't hard really, but it was a challenge. My music is loud in my ears, but I sense a presence. I dodge the attack thrown at me and look around. Glynda Goodwitch stands in the doorway. I pull out my ear plugs. "Good. I have your attention now." She says. "Professor Goodwitch the headmaster said I could be here. He sent emails…" she raises her hand. "I am aware of that, but it is almost time for breakfast. You've been in here for nearly five hours. This is usually why a professor goes with the students. Time has a way with getting away from you during simulation exercises. In the future set an alarm on your scroll. I'm afraid you have no time for sleep now. Breakfast is at seven. Your first class is at nine. I believe you have Professor Port. Let's go. Get yourself cleaned up, I'll meet you outside of the cafeteria and take you to his class." She says. "Professor Goodwitch, are you going to escort me to all my classes?" I ask nervously. "Goodness no. I do have my own classes to teach. If I remember correctly, you and Blake Belladonna have your first two classes together. I would advise you ask her to show you to the next class." She says. I gulp.

After returning to my room, showering and getting my uniform on, I headed to the cafeteria. Breakfast was a quiet affair, most students far too tired to be loud. My ears appreciated it, as did my nerves. True to her word Professor Goodwitch met me outside the cafeteria, with my school books and a notebook. She handed them to me and escorted me to my class. She briefly introduced me to the other professor. Port was actually a slightly portly man and apparently long winded. I was looking at the empty classroom, my tail twitching nervously as my anxiety started to bear down on me. "Ms. Timbre, your tail is misbehaving again." She tells me. I look and see my tail is stroking the back of her thigh. I blush in embarrassment and wrap it around my waist again. "I'm sorry." I said. "Nervous, I guess." She nods and says. "Very well. You may have to find a better way to keep your tail in check. Not everyone is as understanding as me." She leaves the room and my tail starts twitching faster now. I close my eyes and inhale deeply and exhale slowly until I have calmed down. I remove the belt from my pants and thread my tail through the loops, hoping it would work to control the twitches. Port shows me to my seat.

Moments later the rest of the class files in. In the desk in front of me and below my seat sat 4 of the girls from the food war yesterday. "Very well. Today we have a transfer student from Haven. She will be completing her last semester here, before she takes the test to get her license. Ms. Timbre please stand up." I gulp and stand. "Class welcome Taiyana Timbre." They all say hello and I was glad I had already readied myself for their voices. "After this class I believe she has Applications of Dust. If one of you would kindly help her get there today that would be most appreciated." I sat back down. A young girl wearing a red cape, maybe 15 stares at me. "You have pretty eyes and hair. I like your ears and tail too. Can I pet them?" she asks. "Ruby!" a girl with white hair hisses. She looks at me sheepishly. "Sorry." She says. I'm drawn to her and can't help but smile. "Tell you what, go ahead with the ears. The tail not right now after class." She beams a smile at me. I lean over and let her scratch my ears. They flick back and forth. She giggles. I lean back it was time for class. A girl with black hair and a bow glares at me. I can smell she is Faunus too, cat I believe. When class ends hours later it feels like I unwind my tail and let her pet it for a couple. "Rubes, we gotta jet." A blonde and buxom girl says. I peg her to be almost 17 or 17. "Thanks Taiyana for indulging my baby sister's whims. I'm Yang by the way. The girl with white hair is Weiss and the girl with black hair is Blake." She says dragging her sister behind her. "I have to go too. See you later Blake. Nice meeting you Taiyana." Weiss says. "Thank you Ms. Belladonna for taking her to her class." Port says. She nods at him and I follow her out. I can sense her wave of disapproval. She glares further at me. "Yes, Ms. Belladonna, you have something you would like to say." I prompt. "How would the other Faunus feel if they knew you let people pet you like you were their pet?" she asks. "I imagine some wouldn't care, though others like yourself may disapprove and feel like I debased myself just now." Her eyes widen. I point to my noise. "How do the other Faunus feel about you hiding yourself and living a lie. You know what I say to that." She shakes her head. "Fuck them. In their eyes I'm shit anyways. That's what happens when you are a half-breed like me." I said. She looks shocked. "Now which way to the classroom?" I ask. She keeps silent and again follow behind her to our class. I was not looking forward to this class with her now.

It was now lunch time. I decided against going. I had enough of other people for the day. I headed to the clock tower again and just sat. I sigh deeply. "Maybe I wasn't ready to be around so many people again. Two more classes then I can hide in my room." I thought. After lunch was History of Remnant, with Dr. Ooblek. then it was Combat and Tactics with oh how my heart soared just reading her name Glynda Goodwitch. I was almost too excited to contain myself. Ooblek's class was not overly exciting, but you still had to pay close attention. He just moves and speaks so fast. I didn't see anyone else trying to take notes. I guess they had come to the conclusion I did just now a while ago. We were going to just have to read it again in our spare time.

Jaune Arc took me to my next class, flirting up a storm. He seemed nice, but still I have never been attracted to men. "Jaune. You seem really nice. But I am not interested in men. But I wouldn't mind a male friend." I tell him nicely. I hold out my hand to shake his. He smiles. "I can do that." He shakes my hand and we enter the classroom first. My feast upon the Professor leaning down to fix her riding crop. I feel a painful pull on my tail, I growl and snap towards my attacker. I startle him. Of course the ass hat from yesterday. "Ms. Timbre. You have detention with me today. It is in the handbook that aggressive or violent behavior will not be tolerated." My ears lay back on my head in apology. "Take your seats." She says. "Wonderful detention on my first day of classes." My eyes are drawn to her read end. "Maybe it won't be so bad." I feel someone staring at me. The professor us not pleased. "Or maybe it will suck terribly. Stupid ass hat Cardin Winchester." I grumble to myself. "Alright class, time for a demonstration on what we just talked about today.

"Ms. Timbre if you will join me up here. Let's see if you were actually paying attention." She calls me out. I simply just remove my blazer and shirt. I send for my locker and grab my weapons out and place the baldric around my hips and tighten the buckles. "Ready." Cardin raises his hand. "I would be happy to serve as her opponent." He says. I repress the snarl. "I'm sure you wouldn't, but I would never put any student needlessly in harm's way." She says. "Wouldn't dream of it." He said. "I wasn't talking about her Mr. Winchester." She faces me and her crop jumps to her hand. "Ah, telekinesis. How fun. I do so love a good challenge." I pull out my sword hit the release switch and now I have two swords in my hand. We nod, I boost my aura and as she attempts to use her semblance to disarm me. She was not successful. Then she starts waving the crop throwing things at me. I either block or dodge. A quick check of my levels. I'm good to press my own attack. I bend wind around me, the world slows. A heartbeat then two then I move. I launch towards her and stop inches from her as the bell rings. I release my aura and stand at ease. "That's enough for today class. Remember, read chapters 11-14 in your textbooks and short essay on how you would incorporate what you have learned in combat. Ms. Timbre return to your seat, detention begins now. Pull out your textbook and begin reading it from chapter 1. I leave my blazer and shirt off and just in my tank top and pants do as she says.

Once we are completely alone she sits down next to me. "What was all that about. Cardin's not the nicest of people granted. But why did you almost attack him?" she asks. "He pulled my tail. It was a knee jerk reaction and it brought up some very bad memories." I said. She looks at me confused and intrigued. "How much of my captivity did Professor Ozpin share with you?" I ask. "Not much. But your reactions to him being so near when he first met you, speaks volumes." She said. I nod when I first awoke from the drug they gave me, I was locked in a grimy, dark and dingy room. I broke the chains with my Earth enhanced strength and hit the bull Faunus guard, I ran for the door. He grabbed my tail, yanked it hard and I fell. He was on me in a second more drugs were injected into me. Then he tore through my maidenhood in one thrust. When I woke again there were more of them. Each one took me as rough as they could. Then they left me there bleeding from both sides and their seeds covering me. A woman came in, I begged her for help. She pulled up my tail roughly and threw scalding water on me. She too injected me with the drug did as she pleased and then, with help from the bull faunus chained me from the ceiling my feet dangling inches off the ground." I explained. Her hand covered her mouth. "I am sorry. I reacted the way I did, but it is still a work in progress." I told her and went back to reading the text book.

It was maybe an hour before she spoke again. "I am sorry for what those faunus did to you." She said. "It wasn't just faunus. There were humans too. They were just as bad if not worse at times. The faunus mainly just forced themselves on me. The humans did that and worse." I took off my pants and tank top. I stood before her in just my bra and underwear. The true myriad of scars crisscrossing my body showed plainly. I removed the concealing dust with a wave of my hand over both arms. I showed both sides of my hands and arms, very pronounced scars of blades show. "They kept my aura blocked from me with another serum. These scars will never heal." I showed her the underside of my tail. A deep long scar from a very deep cut ran the whole length. "They split my tail almost all the way through. For fun. They laughed the whole time as another violated me a police baton. The humans accuse us of being animals. Look at me professor and tell me who the real animals are." I get up and put my clothes back on quickly, she is sitting there in mute shock. Without even asking I walk out of her class and to my room. Again I refused to go to the cafeteria to eat.