AN: Not my intellectual property.


After a quick breakfast and Red taking measurements for Harry's armor, Harry made his way to Beacon. Classes wouldn't start for another thirty minutes. Once again Harry sat on the windowsill to the girl's room. He heard the girls organizing their room and talking about bunk beds.

Weiss was frustrated that she was outvoted. After the girls could bunk the beds, laughter rang out. Weiss grit her teeth. That irritating faunus was back.

"I voted for bunk beds. Snow princess there doesn't get a say."

The girls watched the mended curtain be pushed aside and the green eyed catboy jumped into the room.

"Good morning ladies. I must say, you make the uniforms look good."

Yang fired back, "I can make anything look good."

Harry chuckled and turned to the fuming girl. "So Miss Schnee, have you decided yet? If you want, I'll bring in some straw and blankets for you to bed down on. I'm not a monster."

Weiss erupted. "Listen you annoying faunus, it was an accident. You will not take my bed and I will not apologize. You are acting just like the scum of the White Fang! Expecting things to be given to you just because you're different."

Harry narrowed his eyes. "First off, I'm not like them. If I was, I would kidnap you and demand ransom money by sending one of your fingers to your father. Once I got it, I would drop you off outside of an Ursa den without a weapon." This caused the girls to pale. "They asked me to join and I turned them down. That would be why you still have all of your fingers and are still at the school. Second, what part of 'you burned down my home' was misunderstood? Or is it because I have cat features, that obviously means I must be less important and not have actual feelings? Granted it wasn't much, but I built it and it was mine. Even a human would want some sort of payment for that. How is that acting different? Should I thank you for gracing my abode with fire and ask you to do it again? Quite frankly you're the one acting all high and mighty." The tirade had shut the white haired girl up.

Harry took a moment to breathe. "Very well. I will be back after dinner for your answer Schnee. You'd better have a convincing one."

Harry's tone changed as he addressed the other three. "Professor Port is your fist class today. The man may seem to be full of himself with his stories; but he is very gifted with hunting Grimm. He is an Elite Hunter after all. He has surprising depth, even if his jokes are horrible. Make sure to pay attention for his hidden messages. Class is at nine." With this he jumped out the window.

Weiss looked at her clock. "We have class in five minutes." The quartet as well as Team JNPR all took off headed for the classroom. In his cat form, Harry watched as the two teams sprinted to class. Port usually started with a story about never giving up, no matter the odds. The man also had a few caged Grimm that he had collected. They were all low level, so any of the competent first years could handle them.


Harry found Ozpin a few moments later and listened in on the conversation.

Glynda spoke up once the teams had passed. "Is it wise to meet with Cheshire alone?"

Ozpin nodded. "I don't foresee any problems. Even if he wanted to attack me, I can defend myself Glynda. For three years I have wanted a chance to talk with the young man who had single-handedly dropped the Grimm population in the Emerald Forest by easily ten percent. You have to admit, that the faunus in the past three years of classes all have better weapons. No one will say anything, but I think that he is selling what he gathers to the faunus, allowing them to forge better quality weapons. The note he gave me said that he wouldn't touch the Relics for this year's initiation. He didn't. I also spoke with Qrow. There is a young faunus at Signal who is very gifted and is on a scholarship. He only came up with the first year's tuition at the last minute. From Cheshire's note, pawning the relics helped the young man and another woman. It stands to reason that he was unaware of their usage."

"But sir, can you trust him?"

"Glynda, I would venture a guess that he was also unaware that I wanted to speak with him and was only trying to catch him as he came and left. The fact I couldn't is proof enough that Cheshire is a gifted candidate."

"Can't I at least be there?"

Ozpin shook his head. "Given your past, Cheshire stated last night that he doesn't wish to anger you further."

Glenda nodded. She had practically taken a pound of flesh out of Team MPLE. "But the year has already started, where would you put him?"

Ozpin took a long sip of tea. "I was thinking of an apprenticeship. If he is skilled enough to sneak past me, take on entire teams and win, and be undiscovered for three years, I think he warrants it. Besides, look how well Qrow did with Miss Rose. That wasn't even a formal apprenticeship."

"Who would want him as an apprentice?"

Ozpin raised an eyebrow. "Myself for starters. Professor Port also has extended an offer, should I speak with him. Before you say anything Glynda, between our responsibilities and time demands to our positions and the Academy, the two of us should be able to appropriately manage teaching an apprentice without increasing your workload." Ozpin smiled slightly at Glynda's protest being resolved. "Peter said that to not nurture the boy's talent would be a criminal waste of aptitude. I happen to agree." Oz mused internally that with his discussions with Qrow, with the possible actions of the enemy, their side would benefit from another heavy hitter. The spying abilities of the teen alone would be useful. Ozpin also held a brief worry that the opposition had already been in contact with Cheshire.

Glynda frowned. "We know very little about him. Why give him access to the school?"

Ozpin raised an eyebrow "What makes you think he doesn't have that already? He has been hunting in the Emerald Forest for three years. To get from the forest to Vale, the fastest route is through the campus. After the first few weeks, all video of Grimm being harvested is outside of school hours. Qrow said that his faunus students used techniques that, while rudimentary, were the basis of more powerful things taught here at Beacon and other similar schools. These students then taught this to others. I think Mr. Cheshire has been paying more attention in class than many of our students. I think it would also be a fair estimate that he taught the faunus of Vale as well. I would also venture a guess that if something interested him, he even accessed the Professor's private libraries as well as the advanced section. From the aid he gave to teams RWBY and JNPR, he has a very powerful Semblance and great control. It isn't one I've seen before. I would venture a guess that he learned how to use it all on his own. That would take constant work and effort. Fighting Grimm on a daily basis would do just that."

Harry's eyes widened marginally. He hadn't noticed that part of his behavior.

Glynda was about to voice a complaint when Ozpin held up a hand. "I intend to thank him for his efforts against the Grimm in the forest and offer him an apprenticeship, no strings attached. He doesn't even have to tell me his real name. If he doesn't take it, then I am content to allow him to continue hunting in the Emerald Forest." Ozpin mused, "I wonder why he hasn't really ventured into Forever Fall or Mountain Glenn? There are some truly nasty Gimm there."

Harry shook his head. He had thought about it, but the constantly falling leaves just made him too easy to track. And the wasps were a nuisance. As for Mountain Glenn, he'd never given it any thought. Fighting in an urban setting would be new to him.

Glynda huffed. "I just want you to be careful."

Ozpin nodded. "I will. Now I have to go, I am running late already."

Harry followed the professor. He situated himself behind Ozpin and shifted back. "Not a good first impression Headmaster. But it's the first day of school. You likely were busy." The teen's sudden appearance was one the startled the Huntsman. Harry sat down. "Can I ask why the Headmaster of Beacon Academy wants to speak with me?"

Ozpin sat opposite the young man with his hands in plain view.

"In all truth, I wanted to thank you. Because of your actions alone, the amount of Grimm in the Emerald Forest has declined. By current estimates it is around ten percent. On another note, given what little film we have of you fighting the Grimm, two professors at Beacon have offered you an apprenticeship. They also have agreed to collaborate on your training should you decide to be apprentice to both."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "What would an apprenticeship entail?"

Ozpin blinked. Cheshire hadn't even asked who. "Daily specialty training, advanced studies, sparring with two Elite Hunstmen. You would likely have to help grade papers or help with other duties to allow this activity. You would also have private quarters and a unique status here at Beacon."

Harry leaned forward. "Would I still be free to have my daily Grimm hunting sessions?"

Ozpin nodded. "I don't see how that would be a problem."

Harry leaned back. He had hit a ceiling in learning on his own. Red kept insisting that he needed to learn a weapon. Harry had heard plenty of stories that up against large numbers of Grimm, a weapon would benefit him immensely.

Ozpin saw the young man give it serious thought. He settled back as well.

Harry finally spoke up, "As you can likely guess, I depend solely on my Aura, Semblance, and physical prowess to fight. I've never used any weapons or armor. Would the professors be willing to start from the beginner level on that front?"

Ozpin chuckled. "Given how well developed your Aura and Semblance usage may be, I don't foresee that as a problem."

Harry nodded and stood. "No time like the present. By the way, I accept your offer. As long as the second one isn't Ooblek, I'll consider it. I don't like the smell of coffee. Let's go talk to the other Professor. My money is on Port."

Ozpin blinked. "How did you know?"

Harry smirked. "After three years of me constantly avoiding your vigils, I bet you are dying to wonder how I managed to do that." Harry pointed to the cat ears. "These things aren't just for show you know."

Ozpin took another sip from his cup. "Indeed." On his face was a wry smile.

As the pair chatted, Ozpin asked a question that was on his mind. "I doubt Cheshire is your real name. Would you prefer to be called something else?"

Harry shook his head. "Before I came here I went by another name, but that was practically another world. Cheshire will do. Maybe one day I'll tell you that name and how I got past you."

Ozpin nodded. Something in the boy's eyes hinted at a loss. It was best to leave it alone for now.

When the doors at the back of Professor Port's classroom opened, Peter stopped his lecture. "Professor Ozpin?! What brings the Headmaster to my class?"

This caused the class to perk up and look attentive.

Ozpin stood in the doorway. "The young man who you offered an apprenticeship has accepted. I have brought him with me."

Port's loud cry of "Huzzah!" caused quite a few people to blink. An apprenticeship with an established Elite Huntsman was rare, and usually was a mark of rare talent. Quite a few people were speculating about who it was.

All eyes were watching Ozpin as he stepped to the side, revealing the figure they had all been warned about the previous day.

Weiss blurted out, "You!"

Harry pointed to himself. "Me! I thought we went over this already princess."

Argent spoke up, "Cheshire, you're becoming Professor Port's apprentice?"

Harry nodded.

Ozpin continued, "Since Mr. Cheshire will be apprenticing under Professor Port and another Professor here at Beacon, you will see him around campus. Considering he will be ranked higher than students in their final year, I would not antagonize him. He is also going to be given certain disciplinary leeway with students. If he can substantiate someone's actions as being worthy of detention to Professor Port or any other Professor, make no mistake, they will be given one. He will of course have to back up his accusations."

Cardon spoke up, obviously miffed. "Why does an animal like him get the opportunity?"

Port spoke rather bluntly. "Mr. Winchester, detention tonight. While discrimination unfortunately happens, if I see it, you will be reminded that here at Beacon we value skill, not one someone looks like." His tone was such that caused quite a few people to look at the professor in a new light. Beneath his bravado was unforgiving steel. "That young man has killed more Grimm in the past three years than all of the students in Beacon combined. That is hardly a small feat. And he has done it all on his own without weapons or armor. I just spoke of the qualities of a Huntsman. He has them in spades." At the class' shocked looks, the man's mustache curved into a smile. "Perhaps a demonstration would be in order."

Ozpin nodded. "Cheshire, would you mind?"

Harry shook his head. A large crate was at the front of the class. Harry walked in front of it. "Boarbatusk?"

Port nodded as he took down his blunderbuss.

Harry turned to the class. "As most of you know, a Boarbatusk is considered to be a low-level Grimm. They can be easily defeated if you can expose their underbelly. However, they rarely are alone. A pack will run at least five, oftentimes up to much higher numbers. The largest I have ever seen is twenty. Packs that size can be difficult without proper planning and teamwork. They are also very intelligent. Their most powerful attack is a spin dash. When an entire pack attacks in that manner, it can carve a path through a forest. The armor on their back and sides is extremely resilient to most Dust and Aura techniques, however a hard enough blow can break through it. Last time I did that I sprained my wrist, so I wouldn't recommend it unless your semblance is enhanced strength."

Port and Ozpin weren't the only ones with raised eyebrows at that remark.

Harry continued, "Most Hunters try to isolate a single one as they engage it. If that can't be done, tactics depend on how many you are facing, what the terrain is, and the strengths and weaknesses of you and your teammates. I wouldn't recommend my way of fighting a Boarbatusk to anyone in this room. As you see, I am different than most faunus. I use that to my advantage. As a team, learn each other's skills so that you can rely on your teammates in a battle." Peter watched as his students, many who were previously bored, now paid close attention and a few wrote down notes. He inwardly mused how long it would be before Cheshire was a professor here at Beacon.

Harry looked at Professor Port. "Quick and clean or educational?"

This brought the man back to the present. The mustached man deliberated for a moment before saying, "Educational."

Harry nodded. Most of the students saw thick claws extend from his fingers. All of the faunus students were rather excited. Here was a unique faunus who was offered a dual apprenticeship and they were about to see how well he could fight.

As the door clanged down, the four eyes glowed balefully at Harry. Harry tensed and dodged the attack. The next sprint had Harry grab the large tusks and toss the Grimm off to the side. This caused a few people to mutter if enhanced strength was Cheshire's Semblance. The golden bust of Professor Port fell and hit the Grimm on its head, adding to its rage.

When the Grimm began a spin dash, Harry dropped to the floor and angled his body, creating a ramp. This launched the Grimm into the air.

The Boarbatusk was still spinning in midair. Harry timed his attack, jumped into the air, and stuck his clawed hand into the center of the whirling mass. Moments later, the Boarbatusk fell to the ground. Its stomach was ripped clean open.

Harry stood and wiped off his hand. As he took in the shocked looks of everyone in the room, Harry explained. "By properly coating my body with Aura; the attack, while normally damaging, had no effect. I also reinforced my arm and claws with Aura, allowing me to handle the force from the spin. As I said, I wouldn't recommend that option to anyone in this room. It took me months of work fighting Grimm every day to develop that technique. Any questions?"

A girl with rabbit ears raised her hand.

Harry nodded, "Yes?"

"Did you have to kill it so viciously? Isn't a clean kill better?"

Harry tilted his head. "Anytime a Grimm dies, it is usually after a battle with the end result being death or injury to it or you. I would rather have Grimm guts on my arm, than mine on its tusks. Also, unlike all other life on Remnant, Grimm have no souls, so I don't feel bad about fighting them like that. Make no mistake; even a low-level Grimm will kill you if it gets the chance. Don't give it to them."

Ozpin clapped. He had never seen anything like that. Cheshire certainly had a way of making an impression. "Well said."

Port looked very happy. "That is all the time we have for today. Make sure to read the sections that have been assigned."

As the students filed out, most talking about the end of the lesson, Harry hit the smoking Grimm with the rendering spell. Ozpin and Port were intrigued to see it up close. Ozpin gestured with his cane to a puddle of black ichor. "What is that?"

Harry shrugged, "Best I can figure, it's the toxins that are normally in the muscles that cause the body to disintegrate after death. That is what has to be removed in order to make the meat edible. If you want the meat, you can have it. It makes amazing bacon. It is what normal bacon wants to be when it grows up. The rest of it you can have as well. It was yours anyway."

Ozpin grinned. He had had a roast once from Boarbatusk. But bacon? That was new. Then again, the uncooked meat actually looked like meat. Normally the process to remove the toxins was long, and it showed. But Cheshire accomplished it in seconds.

Port enthusiastically accepted. He rubbed his belly thinking about all of the rare foods he could try because of his new apprentice. He could finally have an Ursa steak. If the bacon from a Boarbatusk was that good… Port grinned. Everything was better with bacon. That meant everything would be amazing with Boarbatusk bacon.

Port clapped Harry on his shoulder. "My student, this will be the beginning of a long and beautiful friendship. It is time for lunch. Why don't you join the other students in the cafeteria?" Port pulled out some Lien. "On me of course."

Ozpin pointed to half of the rapidly cooling meat. "This half is mine. I'll send one of the cooks to collect it."

Port nodded. "I will stand guard." He would have his bacon.


The news that Cheshire was now an apprentice to two professors spread around the school like wildfire. Regardless of that fact, it was still shocking to see him enter the cafeteria with the Headmaster.

Ozpin informed the cooking staff that Cheshire was to have the same meal privileges as the staff. That meant his meals were free and he could have them delivered to his quarters. Ozpin winked at Harry, "Keep the Lien. You'll need it when you decide on a weapon."

Harry got his lunch and Agent waved him over. "Two apprenticships?! You are so lucky." He then whispered, "Dad is going to flip!"

A barrel-chested and stocky faunus wearing a red shirt with a yellow pair of bear ears sitting across from Argent was astonished. "You weren't lying. You really actually know Cheshire."

Argent nodded.

Harry smiled. "Argent, why don't you introduce me?"

Argent gestured to the faunus. "Well my team all agreed to sit together today. This big guy with a debilitating sweet tooth is Winston."

The boy smiled. "We've met."

A girl sat next to Winston. She promptly put her head on her forearms and Harry was sure he heard snoring.

"This narcoleptic girl is Aurora."

A murmur was heard in between snores. "Not narcoleptic. Sleepy."

Harry dodged a projectile. It turned out to be a pink haired girl. "Ohmygosh! It'sreallytheCheshire! Argentsaidheknewyou. Ididn'tknowifhewaslying. Itwassocoolhowyoubeatthepiggy. Couldyouteachushowtodothat?! CanItouchyourears? ArgieandWinniewon'tletme. Ithinkthey'dbesoft. Doyoulikefish?"

Harry blinked. "Breathe. How did you say all of without stopping?"

Argent laughed, "We think that her Semblance is not needing to breathe as she speaks. This is Ysabella. She's tenth of eighteen kids."

Harry raised his eyebrows. "That is a lot of kids. Your mother must have been so busy looking after you that she would be beside herself."

The pink haired girl pouted. "Life at the Shoe household was always busy. I kind of have the habit of talking fast because you had to at home."

Winston spoke up. "We all went to Signal together. We got lucky enough to be on the same team."

Harry chuckled as he ate his sandwich.

Winston leaned in close. "Why didn't you use a weapon against the Boarbatusk?"

Harry shrugged. "Haven't had the chance to learn to use one. Aura manipulation and battle tactics, yes, but hand to hand, not so much. I developed a style against Grimm, but haven't had a chance to practice against an opponent."

Aurora woke up at that. "You can fight like that without formal training?"

Harry shrugged and nodded.

The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of an angry heiress. "What were you doing interrupting class?! We were in the middle of a lesson and you had to show off."

Harry looked over his shoulder. "Argent, Winston, Aurora, Ysabella. This flat-chested walking lack of tact is Weiss Schnee. Heiress to the Schnee Dust Company. Part of Team RWBY, and arsonist extraordinaire."

All of Team AWAY's eyes narrowed slightly at the girl's name. They had heard the rumors about the family and didn't approve.

Ysabella spoke up. "Arsonist?"

Harry nodded. "She burned down the little house I had built for myself in the Emerald Forest." He turned to the furious white haired girl. "First off, I didn't interrupt class. Professor Ozpin did. Second, Professor Port asked me to take it out. Not once did I offer to be the in-class demonstration. Once again you aren't actually thinking before you speak. Is this a new habit or have you always been this disagreeable?"

The rest of Team RWBY had followed Weiss over to the table. Ruby was doing her best to convince Weiss to let the matter drop and at least apologize.

Blake came up to Harry. "I'm sorry she's acting like that. I get the feeling she is used to getting her way."

Harry stood within Blake's personal space. "Don't worry. I won't judge you or your team on the manners of one disagreeable individual."

A light blush was on Blake's cheeks. "Thanks."

Harry grinned. "Besides, Ozpin said I could choose a room. I told him that since princess owed me a place to sleep, she would get a bundle of blankets on some hay in the corner. He did say I deserved my own bed."

Weiss stormed out of the lunchroom. Ruby went after her to try to calm her down.

Yang turned to look at Harry. "Are you really going to force her to do that? Won't sleeping in the same room with four girls be uncomfortable?"

Given the blonde girl's rather brash responses, Harry decided to toss one right back at her. "Quite frankly Yang, I would say that most of the males here would be jealous of my position of being surrounded by such examples of feminine beauty. Are you volunteering to make my stay in your room more…comfortable?" At the purple eyed girl's sudden blush, Harry shook his head. "Ozpin said that I'll be getting private quarters. But that doesn't mean I'm going to stop antagonizing Weiss. She was rather rude about the whole thing and not once has she apologized or offered something to repay what she did. Once that happens, I will try to be nicer to her. It's called common courtesy." Internally Harry mused that Weiss was acting a lot like Malfoy. Both seemed to bank on their family name and weren't used to not getting what they wanted.

Yang took a moment and rallied. "That's sad to hear Cheshire. I'm sure Blake wouldn't have minded you being in our room."

The black haired girl's eyes widened marginally but she said nothing.

Argent had never really seen a flirty side of Harry and was amused. He decided to join in the verbal spar. His voice was innocent, but his intentions anything but. "Cheshire, you know mom keeps bugging you to find a nice girl and settle down. Should I tell her about the girls of Team RWBY? I'm sure she would like to meet them if that is the case."

This caused Blake, Yang, and Harry to all sputter and Team AWAY to all laugh. Harry frowned at Argent. "This means war. And for the record, if you tell Noir anything I will make you pay."

A despondent Ruby came back into the lunch room and Blake and Yang left and sat next to the cape wearing girl. Something had happened.

Harry cast a spell to freeze Argent's drink and when he went to take a sip, a flood of slush came out of the mug.

Harry had finished his meal. As Argent sputtered and tried to clean himself off, Harry merely shook his head. "Argent do you remember the last time you tried to play tricks on me?"

The faunus shuddered. "Yes."

Harry began the disillusion. "That was me going easy."

All that was left was a smile and green eyes hanging in the air before they too disappeared.

Ysabella looked at the spot the faunus disappeared from for a long second. Her squeal was pitched high enough that Argent and Winston winced. Blake grit her teeth as well. "That was awesome! Could he teach me that?"


After lunch, Harry shifted into the Beacon Stray and made his way to the office of Professor Port. He reverted a few minutes before knocking.

Port was busy wiping his mouth as he finished his lunch. "Cheshire. We are going to head to the staff training fields. You are going to be sparring against us so we can find a weapon that will work with your style. No Dust or Aura techniques, just hand to hand."

Harry winced. "Yes sir."

Port shook his head. "When it is just the two of us, call me Peter. With your impressive record, I view you as much a student as a comrade."

When they arrived at the field, Ozpin, Goodwich, and Oobleck were all standing on the observation spots as well as there was another man leaning against a tree. His face was hidden by shadows. A rather large box was next to him and parts of weapons were sticking out of the box. Hilts, shields, and a gun barrel or twenty were all visible. A large weapon was on the man's back as well.

Harry walked to the middle of the field. Port removed his jacket and settled into a boxing stance. "Whenever you are ready Cheshire. And no claws please."

Harry grinned and bounced lightly on his feet. What followed was an interesting fight. Port obviously was experienced, but he still got some hits landed on him by his younger, less predictable, opponent. A few of them caused the man to grunt and be pushed back slightly. When Port landed a hit, which was frequently, the black haired faunus went sprawling in the dirt. He was quickly back up for more. Harry would use his speed and agility to dodge the majority of the blows from the portly professor. He even used his tail to cause Port to flinch so he could land a hit on the man.

After about fifteen minutes, Ozin called a halt. "Cheshire. Do you have non-lethal Aura techniques?"

Harry nodded.

Ozpin spoke. "You may use them."

Port tensed and jumped out of the way of a bevy of blasts that were headed his way. He cursed his refined palate and love of good food when his girth was hit by a white blast that locked all of his limbs in place.

Port looked up at Harry. Moments later he was freed. "Good show." Harry helped the man back up.

Port and the four observers all spoke for a few minutes.

Port wiped down his brow and put his coat back on.

Ozpin leaned on his cane. "Your speed and strength are impressive but your hand-to-hand combat is lacking. I would venture a guess that you rely on your invisibility to avoid being hit. That doesn't mean you can't take a hit. You are durable."

Harry nodded and cast a spell to remove bruising.

Oobleck spoke next. "When you used your Aura techniques, Peter was capable of dodging them. If you were up against a faster opponent, they could wear you out. Luckily, since you aren't too tall, you can also use your size to an advantage in dodging attacks."

Glynda spoke next. "Your Aura manipulation is phenomenal. You don't use glyphs or Dust spells, your Semblance is very versatile. I doubt we could teach you much in that regard, just better usage against human opponents. Your techniques all seem to travel in a straight line. There are ways to change their path that you should learn. You might want to consider some armor for when an opponent has more power than just their fists."

After taking a drink from a flask, the man under the tree tossed a thick rod with a ball on the end at Ozpin, tossed an electronic scroll to Goodwitch, then turned and left.

Port finished. "We all agree that you need a weapon to slow down enemies, possibly capturing them." He hit a button on the rod and a sharp blade unfolded and a weight fell to the ground attached by a chain. "Our mystery guest was Qrow, a teacher from Signal Academy. He is a friend of ours. This is a training weapon that he suggested for your style. Quite frankly, we all agree that it has the most potential, however, it can be very difficult to learn to wield. This training weapon is to let you get used to the idea. You will eventually design and forge your own. You will wear this at all times to get used to the weight." Port hit a button and the ball and the blade retracted. "Now to teach you the basics."

With this, Oobleck, Goodwitch and Ozpin all left the teen to his training.

Port was standing on a rooftop patio watching the sun set as he thought about his day. Cheshire had left the field bruised, but smiling. Footsteps announced the arrival of the Schnee heiress who was in his class.

Ozpin was walking the hallway in thought. With the scroll and training weapon, Cheshire would be busy. Glynda was right. His forte was Aura manipulation and projection. The Headmaster had never seen anything like it. They all could be different applications of his Semblance. It was possible. He was unlike anyone Ozpin had ever seen. But he didn't use Dust spells. Ozpin grinned. That was his answer. If Cheshire combined Dust with his attacks, he would be extremely formidable. Couple that with his fighting prowess against Grimm, all Ozpin had to do was convince Cheshire to compete in a few tournaments to publicly showcase what he could do; it might put a halt to the enemy's plans.

Ozpin was stopped by Ruby. The girl seemed distraught.


After Port had directed Harry to his quarters, Harry apparated to just outside Red's house. When Noir answered the door, she immediately brought her surrogate son into the home. "Harry?! What happened?!"

Red heard his wife's tone and came running. Harry was beaten and bruised.

Harry grinned. "Weapons training. Ozpin and Port both offered me an apprenticeship."

Red's mouth dropped open. "How?"

Harry shrugged and then winced. He used some spells and also directed his Aura to heal the damage. "Apparently getting past him to hunt in the Emerald Forest for three years was enough proof of my skills. They also had footage of some of my hunts. Ozpin had asked the Initiates to tell me that he wanted to speak to me."

Both of the adults were in shock. After a moment, Red grinned. "Then I really need to work on your armor."

Harry nodded. "They recommended that I get some and start wearing it. Professor Port can hit really hard." His hand massaged where he was sure he had a cracked rib.

Noir left and came back with a bag of ice. She pointed to the device on Harry's belt. "Is that a new weapon?"

Harry shook his head. "Just a training one. Qrow, from Signal picked it out. It will apparently take a lot of effort to get working right, but I actually really like it. I still have to forge my own. I'm going to be talking to someone who is enamored with weapons. I already have a few ideas, but I want to know if they are feasible."

Red chuckled. "With how many Grimm you have taken down, you'll be able to make a very nice one. I've kept some of the nicest specimens in reserve for when you decided to forge a weapon. It's not like we have a shortage."

When Harry apparated back to the school; he knocked on the door to Team RWBY's rooms.

Yang answered. "Ouch. What happened to you Cheshire?"

Harry shrugged. "Professor Port. It isn't anything a good night's sleep won't fix."

Ruby was astonished. She had thought that the rotund man was all hot air, but to see the results on someone that was elusive even for Ozpin was humbling.

Harry turned to the team leader. "Your sister said as we were getting the Relics that you know quite a bit about weaponry?"

Ruby nodded. "Yes."

Harry pulled out his gift and tossed it to Ruby. "A teacher from Signal named Qrow suggested that for me. I must admit it works well."

Ruby's eyebrows rose as she saw the rather unique weapon. "Uncle Qrow was here?! Why didn't he say hi?"

Yang looked at her sister. "We were probably in class."

Harry nodded. "I will be forging my own when I'm a little more proficient. Since it has a scythe, I was wondering if I could bounce a few ideas off of you. I must admit yours is rather impressive."

Ruby blinked and smiled. She loved talking weapons with people.

After he retrieved his training weapon, Harry looked at Blake who was lying on her bed reading a book, although she was currently looking at their visitor. "Good evening Miss Belladonna. I apologize for tearing you away from your books."

Blake buried her nose back in the book. "You're forgiven." She did, however, continue to occasionally glance at their visitor.

Harry looked at Weiss' bed. "Where is the princess?"

Ruby withdrew on herself and Yang crossed her arms. Harry's eyes were drawn to the fact that it emphasized her bust. He quickly diverted his eyes. "Weiss thinks she should be the team leader."

Harry quirked an eyebrow. "Well, she's not. You don't always get what you want."

Blake looked up from her book once again. "Cheshire? Is there a reason you look so different from other faunus?"

Harry looked at Blake for a long time. "Yes there is. But quite frankly, I'm the only one who knows why. Not even Argent's family knows the reason why. It is a rather personal question." When Harry saw the bow twitch, his eyes narrowed. Harry became a little suspicious. After a moment of silence, Harry spoke again. "I'm sure you understand that there are some secrets that you would rather not share either." He looked pointedly at the bow. "Ladies, I wish you all a good night. I will have to speak with Miss Schnee some other time."

Harry dove out the window before anyone could say anything.

Blake's eyes widened as Cheshire left.

Harry knocked on the window to Team AWAY. It appeared that a small war was underway. At the sound of the knock things froze. Ysabella pointed to the window and Winston opened it. Harry waved. "Argent. Red and Noir say hi. They are also glad your friends are on your team."

Winston gestured to the fort made from mattresses. "Do you want to join us?"

Harry smirked and shook his head. "Don't you all have homework to do?"

The four combatants froze.

Winston summed it up, "Oh bother."

When Harry finally lay down, he had to smile. The past two days had been full of changes. He couldn't wait to see what was coming tomorrow.