Hey everyone! So, I've had a few people ask to continue this story. I'm kinda prepping this chapter in case y'all really do want me to keep it up. If not, then I'll just trash this and we'll leave this story as a one shot. Keep reviewing and keep commenting everyone!
Forged in pain, Tempered in Fire.
Jaune grunted in exertion as he lifted the weights higher and replaced them on the rack above his head. It had been a few days since Yang and Weiss had rejoined the group. Oscar was beginning to adapt to Ozpin's memories, Ruby was improving in her hand to hand, Ren had managed to almost double his endurance, Nora had made great strides in the control and precision in her movements, Yang had been steadily gaining confidence in her prosthetic, and Weiss was getting much quicker with her Glyphs.
And I still can't use my semblance.
Jaune sighed as he sat up. He was drenched in sweat and his body shook from his now daily exertions. He wasn't a child, he knew not to let himself whine about "being useless." He had talents, he was strong, he had great stamina, and his work on defense had paid off. Even Qrow was beginning to have to get creative to breach Jaune's shield work. Even still, his advances weren't enough. Salem had untold power, her Grimm came in all variations making them very adaptable, and her team was not to be underestimated according to Ozpin. But there was one other that Jaune knew he would eventually face. The one who killed Ozpin. The one who killed Pyrrha. The one killed Penny.
Cinder…
The growl reverberated through his mind. Jaune had made as much peace with what had happened as he could. He needed a clear mind for what would come. But his rage had not lessened. That… thing deserved death. And not the death of a soldier, or the death of a warrior, or even the death of a martyr.
She deserved to suffer. And she would. Jaune would see to it personally.
If I can even get close. Come on, there's got to be something. Anything. Let's break this down, think clearly.
Lie Ren- Martial Artist, dual wield auto-pistols affixed with sickle-like blades. Extremely lethal in close to mid-range combat. Low stamina, compensates with extreme precision and efficiency in combat.
Jaune shook himself and stood off the bench. I'm thinking about this wrong. The fighting style is important, but this is their souls we're talking about.
Okay, Lie Ren- Suffered the loss of his parents and entire village to the Nucklavee. Met Nora and instantly adapted to being her protector and comforter. Accepted me as a brother, fought to protect Beacon without question. Honor, Sacrifice, Peace of Mind, and a logical approach to everything.
But his semblance is to disguise emotional output. Effectively cloaking someone from the Grimm. How do they correlate? What's the link?
Jaune stared at the horizon, watching as the sun lazily fell behind the mountains. He was looking for answers to a question that humanity has asked for ages. No one has figured it out yet, no reason to think her could.
Yang sighed as she looked at him. He had been pushing himself too far again. And now he was letting himself get lost in thought.
He's gonna burn out. We talked, but I don't think I helped as much as it seemed.
She walked down the steps to the training yard. As she got closer, she could see his chest still heaving with his labored breath, and the sheen on his skin. He was still watching the sun and it didn't look like he had really noticed her. She gently lied her hand on his shoulder, moving to stand next to him. They both remained silent, though out of slightly different reasons.
I guess we really haven't talked about what happened after our pep talk, did we? She looked at his face, the muscles relaxing ever so slightly as whatever he was previously thinking about left him. Yang hadn't thought about it much at Beacon, Pyrrha had pretty much claimed her territory. Still though… He ain't half bad. And his aura…
As much as Jaune got bothered about his lack of control and experience with aura, there was something about it. Even during the days at Beacon. Whenever he let it touch someone else, it always seemed to calm them down. Maybe that's not right. It wasn't always calming as much… soothing. Like he knew we weren't doing great, but by just being there he could help.
"Hey."
She giggled under her breath. "Hey yourself." She felt a little tension leave his body as he relaxed against the railing with her.
"Sunset sure is nice tonight. Picture Perfect."
She smiled as she looked at the image. A gentle sunset over green hills, a crystal waterfall thundering away, and a zephyr moving through the trees. "Yeah, sure is." She turned back to look at him, moving a little closer than strictly necessary. "Hey… you okay?"
He blinked a few times, then scratched the back of his neck. There's the old goof. "Yeah, fine. Just a little tired. Why do you ask?"
Her smile fell a little and her hand returned to his shoulder. "You've been pushing pretty hard Jaune. I get that we need to improve, but be careful you don't run yourself into the ground."
Oh, I get it. Guess I should've seen that coming.
"N-no Yang. I'm good, I promise. I've just been trying to get myself up to par, ya know? I haven't forgotten." He hoped he hadn't misread, since the frown hadn't changed. Can't put my finger on it… but something about that frown bothers me. A lot.
That beautiful smile came back. "Good. I just wanted to make sure." Her metallic hand came up and poked his forehead. "Now, come on. I wanna see how our resident Ladies Man has been doing with his hand to hand."
Jaune's face gained a rare smirk. The past while had put some steel in his back. "Alright, you asked for it. But after…" He put his finger in the same place on her head, leaning in, closing the distance between their faces. "I wanna see how our resident Brawler can do with a blade." She smirked back and leaned even closer, their noses almost touching.
Coincidentally so were their lips, but that's beside the point.
"Deal, Arc."
Dear Monty. When did he get so good at hand to hand? And where did this flirty side come from? Forests added some spine to Vomit Boy… I like it.
Yang grinned in fierce determination. They had been sparring for almost twenty minutes straight. Her semblance was keeping her going, but she was beginning to feel the strain. But Jaune looked like he was still raring to go. Aside from a few lumps, he was surprisingly good at deflecting her blows, he seemed right as rain.
"Come on, Xiao-Long. That all you got for poor Vomit Boy?"
And the teasing! Why wasn't he this much fun before? This fire looks good on him… Hold up, slow down girl. Let's not jump the gap before there's a bridge.
She charged with a right hook, ready to pirouette and turn it into a spinning elbow.
Had he not dived forward, picking her up as he stood, and threw her to the side. Alright buddy. Let's kick this up a notch.
Turns out; Not their best idea. As both blonde's lay panting on the ground, covered in dust and sweat, they had much the same thought.
Maybe we went overboard.
"Hey, Yang?"
She shifted her head to look at him. He was tired, battered, probably sore, but he had a soft smile on his face.
"Thanks."
She smiled back and nodded. She couldn't help it. There it was. The little giddy feeling in her chest. Oh dear,
I've fallen for the goof.
Jaune stretched his sore body as he walked outside. It was close to midnight, but he couldn't sleep. Not because he was restless, or worried, or panicked, or any of the usual reasons. Tonight was probably the best mood he had been in since… well since this started.
So, he decided to take a walk at night. Just a quick stroll through the garden to take in the cool air before bed. As he made his way, Jaune was confronted by an absolute spectacle.
Yang Xiao-Long. In a silk robe over her shorts and tank top. Standing by a small stream. Bathed in moonlight.
Oh, Monty preserve me. I wasn't ready for this.
She was singing. It was so smooth, so pure, Jaune breathed as quietly as possible. It would be a sin of horrific proportions to interrupt this.
I can't even… It's so…
Jaune couldn't believe how it sounded. It wasn't regal like Weiss. It was more like a mother holding her child close and singing them to sleep. A pleasant warmth, arms holding you tight, gentle chords weaving through the air, just like-
Just like when she held me. When she helped me.
When she healed me.
Jaune couldn't bring his eyes to leave her. She looked like the Sun had come to Remnant, just so she could sing for the Moon. He felt a tear form in his eye, but he couldn't move. To do so would be to detract from what the angel before him was doing. As it fell, Jaune couldn't help it. He felt that… thing in his soul. That little tug. He let his aura manifest, and it peeled of his body, weaving itself through the air. It pulsed and spread in time with her song. When it reached her, she opened her eyes and turned to face him. But she never missed a beat.
Yang had felt him before his aura ever reached her. His soul had such a powerful… presence that she felt it almost immediately. As she turned to look at him, her heart almost stopped. He was just wearing drawstring pants and a sleeveless shirt. But coated in silver moon light, with his aura pulsating around him, singing with her. She couldn't stop herself from blushing.
She kept singing though, and allowed her own golden aura to manifest around her. It, too, spread through the air. Almost like it wanted to mingle with his. It shivered and hummed around his, as if the two auras were singing together. She smiled softly at Jaune. Thankfully…
He took the hint.
Jaune's voice was gently added to the song. He knew it, but from long ago. When his mother would sing him to sleep. He slowly stepped his way through the song as he moved closer to Yang. The closer he got to her, the more places their Aura's crossed and intermingled. The two didn't notice, aside from their movements beginning to sync perfectly together.
They finally reached each other as the song entered it's final verse. Jaune took Yang by her right hand, pulling her close to his chest, and began to sway to the music. They danced through the garden as it was illuminated by their souls. As the song reached to a close, they remained closely connected.
Yang's head was comfortably rested against Jaune's chest, her arms around his neck. Jaune gently wrapped her torso in his arms, feeling the crown of her head against his throat. As they held each other in the moonlight, Jaune came to a realization. A profound realization that would shake the foundations of Remnant.
Oh, boy. I've fallen for her.
Hey guys. So, I actually got a few messages and reviews before I finished this chapter, and people seem to want me to keep both stories running. I'll try my best, and I might be kinda infrequent with updates, but I promise you: If I choose to end one of my stories early or if something comes up and I won't be able to write, I will let you all know. Also just as a side note; I'm perfectly fine with adding to this story, and I'm glad you all like it. I am not putting a single tiny, miniscule, portion or any-other-word-you-want-to-use bit of drama in this story. I hate drama with a passion. I understand it happens, but I feel like these poor guys and gals have enough on their plate. Who am I to mess with them anymore, you know? Anyways, sorry for the long author's notes. Thanks everybody, and Happy Holidays!
