Hello, everyone, it's been a while and I'm sorry about that. Part of the reason was that this chapter took so long was because it was little hard to write as it underwent two rewrites, and I'd even planned on where to end the chapter but had no clue on how to get there. So I scrapped that idea and decided to just put in what would most likely be the next chapter since putting in this one would make it too long. Another reason, was just pure laziness, no need for further explanation. The third and quite possibly the main was rewriting the summary. I got a review a while back telling me that the summary was way too basic and that it told you little to nothing about the story. And since I absolutely suck at writing summaries that took me a while. Seriously I had this chapter finished and sitting in my doc manager for a few days while I continued to come up with a better summary. Let me know if you guys like the new summary or if still needs work. Anyway, I'm done taking up your time on to the new chapter.
"-une? Jaune?!" Jaune jolted slightly he when he'd been pulled back to reality. During the ride home Jaune had been too focused on what to do with Yang. With her spending an entire weekend at his place she was bound to be unruly, well at least more than usual, and he knew his sisters would just make the situation worse.
"I'm sorry what?" he asked wiping his tired eyes.
"I said we're here," said Cinder. "Come on let's go." He nodded in response and got out the car.
"Whoa," Yang said in amazement. She stood in Jaune's front yard staring at the large two-story manor that he called home. "You live in that?!"
"Of course he does Yang," said Ruby in a bored tone as if the whole town knew of Jaune's wealth. "Don't tell me you didn't know that Jaune was rich?" Yang looked away from her sister and sheepishly scratched her head. Ruby put a hand on her hip, "Really?"
"Well, Ruby, Jaune along with the rest of the Arcs, don't like talking about their financial success. So it's not much of a surprise that Yang doesn't know that Jaune's rich. In fact, I'm willing to bet that the majority of Vale doesn't know about the Arc's are technically aristocrats," Cinder explained as she walked past the two. "Anyway, let's go in before one of Jaune's sisters see us." Ruby froze for a moment before grabbing Yang's hand rushing towards the door.
"Yang we gotta move, if Jaune's sisters see you now we'll never hear the end of it!"
"Ruby slow down!" Yang cried as she struggled to keep up with the speedy young girl that was currently dragging Yang with all her might. Ruby ignored her sister and kept running until she reached the door where she frantically waited for Jaune and Cinder.
"Yang, when we get in there can you please behave? You don't have to be all buddy-buddy with him but could you at least pretend like you don't wanna break his nose."
Yang rolled her eyes and sighed, "Fine, I'll behave but if he says or does anything to me, or if something happens to you, I'm breaking his legs, Ruby."
"No!" Ruby shouted before covering up her mouth and glancing at the door. No noises came from the other side causing to her let out a sigh of relief. "No," she said in a much quieter tone. "Yang you can't start a fight with Jaune."
"Why not? Are you afraid of what I'll do to him?" Yang joked.
"No," Ruby scoffed, "Jaune could take you if he wanted to." That actually hurt a little. Yang knew Jaune was strong due to him seemingly having a perfect fight record at the school, but to think Ruby had little faith Yang's ability to handle herself against him was a little disheartening. "But that's not the problem," Ruby continued. "The problem is his sisters if they see you picking a fight with him. They'll go into," Ruby paused as the color drained from her face. "Protection mode," she whispered, "and with Cinder here, who knows what she might do."
"I think you're overreacting Ruby."
"Trust me, she is not overreacting," said Cinder surprising the sisters. She then stepped forward into Yang's personal space glaring fiercely at the blond brawler. Yang tried to back away but Cinder continued to follow her until her back pressed against a wall. "Listen, Xiao Long, I don't care if you're Ruby's sister or not, if you do anything to Jaune I will bring all of hell crashing down on you, understand?" Yang was starting to reconsider her statement about Ruby overreacting. Like Jaune, Cinder also had a reputation at the school. However, unlike Jaune who had a more physical and personal approach with those who tried picking fights with him, Cinder was more, mysterious.
Now no one could ever prove this but, every time someone had crossed her or her group and Jaune had yet to put them in their place they'd always mysteriously go missing. Not forever mind you, just for three or four days, long enough for news about their disappearance to circulate and for people to start asking questions. Afterward, they would mysteriously show up again. Some would show up with a few bruises, others might reappear in the hospital, and some with no, physical scarring although but would return a twitchy and mumbling mess before moving somewhere far away soon after. However, one common factor was that whenever these people reappeared they'd always make it their mission to avoid the trio at any cost. Now everyone had their suspicions firmly placed on Cinder, but since no one could ever prove that she had a hand in it so no said anything. Although even if they could prove her connection to it they'd probably disappear as well long before they say anything.
"Cinder wait!" Ruby exclaimed as she grabbed hold of her waist futilely trying to pull Cinder away from her sister. "Yang won't do anything stupid, right Yang?" Yang furiously nodded her head, but Cinder kept her glare focused on the blond. Just then Cinder jolted slightly when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Cin," Jaune said softly. "Chill out." Cinder glanced back at him silently asking if he was serious. Jaune marginally narrowed his eyes at her giving her his answer. Cinder looked back at Yang with one final glare before reluctantly stepping away from her. Jaune cast a glance at Yang before unlocking the door and leading them all inside. "My room's upstairs you guys head there while I make us something to eat."
"Jaune may I speak with you for a moment?" asked a womanly voice.
"Shit," Jaune silently mouthed when he heard his mother's voice. He turned around and sheepishly smiled at her. "Hey mom," he began but was cut off by his mother.
"Yang," Rayna called causing the young girl to go stiff as a board. "I'd like to speak with you as well. Oh, and Ruby," she called turning to the young girl with a smile.
"Y-yes ma'am?" Ruby replied nervously.
"In the kitchen, there's a jar of cookies with your name on it," Rayna explained before leaving the main entranceway. Ruby rushed into the kitchen while Jaune sighed and motioned for Yang to follow him.
"Um, are we in trouble?" Yang whispered when she caught up to Jaune.
"I don't think so," he whispered back, "but just try to stay calm." Upon entering the living room the teens found Rayna sitting in an armchair. The teens sat on the sectional couch opposite of her, sitting a few paces away from each other.
"Yang," his mother began, "from what Tai has told me you and Jaune don't get along very well, and in order to fix that he's sent you to stay the weekend at our house. So, in order for you to understand each other, you and Jaune will be together at all times, where one goes the other follows. Am I understood."
Yang fidgetted in her seat a little while glancing at Jaune. Jaune glanced back before nodding at his mother, "Right, we understand and we'll try to get along. Isn't that right Yang?"
"Um," Yang took one final glance at Jaune who turned away from her. She hung her head in frustration and sighed before giving her answer. "Y-yeah I understand Mrs. Arc, Jaune and I will try to get along during the weekend."
Rayna clapped her hands together and smile, "Excellent," she said excitedly. She then stood from her chair and walked over to them, "By the end of the weekend I'm sure the two of you will be good friends, isn't that right Jaune?" Jaune laughed and fidgetted nervously under her gaze. The look she was giving him clearly said that he and Yang would be friends by Monday or else.
"Yeah, sure thing mom," he said nervously.
"Great," she replied. "Well, I'll leave you kids alone now," and with that, his mother left the room. Jaune ran a hand through his hair and said in relief. He then stood from his seat and began to walk out of the room.
"Where are you going?" Yang asked as she began to stand up as well.
"The kitchen," he answered. "I know Ruby's gonna want another batch of cookies and Cin's probably hungry as well." Jaune stopped and turned back to look at Yang, "What about you? Are you hungry, would you," he paused, "like me to make something for you as well?" Yang's stomach growled at his offer of food. "I'll take that as a yes." When they walked into the kitchen Jaune pointed at a nearby stool for her to sit on, while he began to grab the ingredients to make another batch of cookies.
Yang silently watched Jaune mix ingredients for a few minutes while she squirmed awkwardly in the chair. She tried to make conversation but didn't really know what to say and it was starting to aggravate her. Yang was not at all like this. She was a talkative fun loving extroverted girl who was kind and friendly to almost everyone. Not some scaredy cat who couldn't start just one simple conversation. "Say something," she told herself. "Say anything. Just fucking say something!" Jaune jolted slightly and looked back at with confusion on his face. Perhaps that last part actually came from her mouth and not her mind.
"What, do you want to me say?" he asked slowly as he was still recovering from her little outburst and was unsure of what to do next.
"Uh, um, well anything I guess," she suggested. "Look, I'm tired of sitting here in awkward silence."
"Oh, well, uh is there anything in particular that you'd like to eat?"
"N-no not really."
"I see," he said with a nod and before turning back around. "This is good," she told herself. "We're talking that's, some progress made, just need to tread carefully to avoid unnecessary conflict." Yang gulped at the memory of Cinder's threat. "So, your mom, she's uh. She's kind of scary right?"
"Y-yeah she, can be," Jaune replied as he began to prep another dish, what it was Yang had no clue. Another awkward silence washed over them causing Yang to deflate a little.
"Well, that was a bust. Trying something else, like Ruby? No, too hot of a topic right now. What do I say?" "H-hey, um y-you and Cinder how long has that been going on?"
"Oh, we've been friends for about, eight years now," Jaune answered without so much as a glance at her.
"Oh, you two are just friends?"
"Yeah. Wait did you think that we were dating?" Jaune turned back at her with a raised eyebrow and a pink tint on his cheeks. Yang shrugged. "Why?"
"I always saw you guys together and I knew that Ruby didn't have a boyfriend so I just kinda thought," Yang paused, "you know."
"Well we're not, Cin and I don't look at each other that way."
"Ugh," Cinder groaned as she doubled over clutching her stomach in pain. There was a sudden pain in her abdomen and it felt like someone had just run her through with a sword. However, just before the pain started she could've sworn she saw a woman with red hair, green eyes, and armor resembling old spartan armies. "Did I just get stabbed by the embodiment of the friend zone?" she wondered. "I should kill that bitch. I've heard that blessed flaming arrows work well on non-corporeal beings. I'll have Emerald acquire some for me."
"She and I have been friends for too long." Although that didn't mean that he didn't take a few glances at certain body parts of hers every now and again, though he did always regret it afterward. "Damn you hormones." "We're comfortable with our current relationship."
It happened again! Cinder was just starting to recover from her earlier non-corporeal stabbing when that red-headed bitch appeared stabbing her a second time. "Mark my words bitch! Your death will be more painful than the birth of my future child!"
"I see," Yang replied. Jaune turned back around as if signaling the end of the conversation. "Not good," Yang thought as she desperately tried to think of a new topic to keep the awkward silence at bay. Meanwhile, Jaune stepped towards the refrigerator, opened it up and cursed softly before dragging a hand down his face. This caught Yang's attention, "What's wrong?"
"We're out of cheesecake," he sighed. "Dammit Jasmine," he cursed softly. "Now I have to make another."
"Why's this such a big deal?" Yang wondered.
"Because Cin's gonna be pissed if she finds out that there's none left." He cast a glance at Yang and saw the gesture she made. She still wasn't understanding why this was a problem. "You've how Ruby get's where there aren't any cookies around right?" Yang nodded. That girl could cause a nuclear meltdown if no one would give her cookies. "Cinder's the same when it comes to cheesecake except she's more violent." Yang gave a soft "oh" as a reply. "Yeah," Jaune said as he pulled out the things he needed for a cheesecake along with a few other things.
"Geez getting upset over things like cheesecakes and cookies, are you guys sure you're goths? Because you don't really act like it."
Jaune chuckled, "What, you think we just sit dark corners, smoke and complain all day, or that we worship monsters and demons and like to call upon the dead?" Yang shrugged. "Those are stereotypes. Yeah, goths that do those things exist but they're far and few in between and the ones that complain all day tend to bitch about the little things, while the others are usually weekend occultist. Hell, even gothic fashion is a little bit of a stereotype. Unlike most cliques, goths don't really have rules on what to do or how to act other than the obvious acceptance of the darker side of life." Jaune paused for a moment and let out a soft sigh. "Well, you can't go through life wholeheartedly believing it's nothing but sunshine and rainbows or act like a spoiled brat, nor can you take everything you see or hear at face value. But other than those three I guess there are no real rules so basically anyone can be a goth."
"That's it?" she wondered. "You don't need to wear all black or have a bunch of piercings or tattoos?"
"Yeah, I mean pastel goths exist, goths that wear bright colors," he quickly added when he saw that Yang had no clue what pastel goths were. "As for piercings and tattoos, you can get them if you'd like but you don't have to. Like I said there are no real rules to being a goth we all kinda do what we want."
"Wow, I never saw it that way."
"Most people don't," Jaune finished with a small smile then went back to preparing their food leading to a comfortable silence between the two. However, it couldn't last. As much as Yang wanted to avoid what was sure to be a heated argument about her sister, she knew they'd have to talk about it eventually.
Steeling her nerves Yang spoke, "Hey, Jaune?" Jaune hummed in response. "Why are you friends with Ruby?" Jaune stopped moving. A lump formed in Yang's throat as her heartbeat slowly increased she couldn't help but feel as she just stepped on a landmine.
"Why do you try to push me away from her?" he retorted calmly.
"Because you're dangerous," she replied her voice raising slightly.
"There's more to it than that," he told her as he continued his earlier movements. "I know you care about her and I won't fault you for that, and yes I do agree with you. I am dangerous, but I'm not a danger to Ruby. I would never harm her."
"Maybe not intentionally, but you're actions have consequences. How many fights have you been in? How times have you sent some prick to the hospital? And how many times has one them come back for revenge? It's only a matter of time before one of them tries to use my sister just to try and hurt you." Yang felt her anger rise when she heard him chuckle.
"You think I don't know that?" Jaune turned around flashing her a soft smile. "Hell," he scoffed, "I could say same about you. I've seen your fights. I've seen the murderous glares you get after winning a match. Who's to say one of your opponents won't snap from losing try to use Ruby to get to you?"
"That doesn't matter because I'm her sister! I'd beat the shit out of any cunt who tried to mess with her!"
"And Ruby is my best friend!" he growled. "You don't think I'd try to protect her as well?!" Yang looked somewhat surprised by his sudden outburst but didn't seem to back down. Jaune let out a deep a breath before continuing. "Look I get it, you want to help your sister as all elder siblings should but that what you're doing isn't helping."
"Excuse me?" Yang said as she slowly stood up from her seat. "What the fuck did you just say?" She stepped towards him fury burning in her eyes. "What the fuck gives you the right to say I'm not helping?! Who the fuck do you think you are to say that I'm not helping my little sister?!"
"I have the right to say that because I've been where Ruby was. I know what it's like to be the shy little introvert who has trouble making friends, especially when they're outshined by their extroverted older sister." Jaune heard her whisper an "oh" under breath as she flicked her eyes away from him, but he continued on. "I also know what it's like when your extroverted sibling uses their friends to try to become your friends even though you just want to make friends of your own." Now Yang's head hung in shame as she remained silent. "I know what it's like to be forced into making friends simply because your sister believes that ripping a turtle's shell off it's back is the only way for it to be less afraid of the world." Yang winced. Was she really that bad? Had she been a detriment to Ruby instead of helping her like she initially thought?
No, that can't be true, Jaune had to be lying, right? What he said, and the way he said it made sound is he'd truly been in that situation before. "Am I," Yang spoke softly, "a bad sister?" she asked with her voice quivering at the end.
"No," he sighed. "Your heart's in the right place and I can see that you're genuinely trying to help." Yang sighed in relief hearing that she wasn't a failure of a sister was comforting, even if it came from the mouth of a boy she couldn't stand. "However," Jaune spoke when he heard her sigh, "the way you're going about helping Ruby is all wrong. You can't just force Ruby to be comfortable with meeting new people, you have to let her get used to it on her own and, she has. Now she can't just walk up to someone and start an engaging conversation but she has improved, and the way she's improved is by not being forced to talk to someone she doesn't know."
"So, what you're saying is that I'm not a bad sister but my efforts in trying to get come out of her shell are doing more harm than good," she stated earning a nod from Jaune. "Then is there a way I can actually help Ruby?"
"Well, the first thing you should do is talk to her and apologize, you can do that tomorrow. Another thing you can do is, to stop trying to push me away from her," he suggested causing Yang to narrow her eyes at him. "Hear me out first. As you already know Ruby doesn't like it when we argue, and those arguments cause her to cling to me more than usual. If you ease up on trying to push me away and instead carefully encourage her to make new friends, she might end up spending less and less time around me. Now that doesn't mean our friendship will automatically end or that she'll forget about me, but you'll no longer have to worry about Ruby spending all her time around someone as dangerous as me."
To say that Yang was surprised would be a little of an understatement. Hearing a seemingly well thought out plan on how she could not only pull Ruby out of her protective bubble but, also on how she could pull her away from Jaune was a little shocking. However, what really amazed her was the fact that it all came from him, the person that she'd come to hate after four years of knowing him. Well maybe "hate" was a little strong but she'd definitely disliked him, although now he did seem to be a bit more tolerable. "Well," Yang sighed, "I guess I've got no other choice but to trust you and hope you know what you're doing." Yang stepped towards Jaune and extended her hand. "So, temporary uh, allies?" she suggested.
"Sure," he said with a soft smile. Yang smiled back as they shook hands.
"Jaune, what the hell are you doing?!" a voice called out. It was Cinder, she stood at the kitchen entryway hands on her hips and in nothing but a black hoodie with small white cartoonish bones sprinkled over the sleeves and chest. It was one of Jaune's hoodies. "What the hell is taking you so long? Ruby and I are starving and unless you'd like to be my chair again for the next few hours, I'd suggest you get back to work." Jaune blushed heavily at her threat.
"Uh, sorry I was busy burying the hatchet with Yang," he explained while scratching the back of his head. Cinder sighed softly and relaxed slightly before folding her arms under her chest.
"Well, I guess that's all well and good but hurry up," she demanded. She sent a glare at Yang before turning around and leaving swaying her hips with every step. Yang starred at her and then looked back Jaune in disbelief.
"Don't mind her," he sighed, "she's just hungry."
"Okay~ but does she have to be so bitchy about it?" He shot her a glare momentarily silencing her before returning to his earlier task. A few moments later Yang spoke once more, "Wait what did she mean by being her 'chair' again?"
Yay food's here," Ruby cheered when Jaune and Yang entered the room both carrying plates filled with food. One filled with cookies and another filled with soft pretzels and mini pigs in a blanket.
"About fucking time," Cinder griped causing Yang to glare at her for swearing around her little sister.
"Sorry about that it took a little longer than expected," said Jaune as he placed the plate of cookies on his desk. As Ruby began scarfing them down Jaune couldn't help but notice her attire. She wore a black hoodie with an orange interior that looked to be a few sizes too big along with white and red pajama pants. However what caught his attention was the hoodie she was wearing. On the front of the hoodie was a small bunny head. "Is that, my Pumpkin Pete's hoodie?"
"Hmm?" Ruby hummed with a mouth full of cookies before looking down. She swallowed and answered and with a, "Yep," before grabbing a few more cookies and going over to his couch and sitting next to Cinder.
"Okay," he mouthed silently. "So," he said as he grabbed a cookie, "What are we doing first?"
"Video games," Ruby cheered before turning on the game console. Cinder and Yang shrugged their shoulders and picked up a controller. After a few hours of gaming, and humiliation of Jaune being Cinder's chair once more, the group was winding down for the night. Ruby had passed out on the couch with Yang right next her struggling to fight off sleep. Jaune laid on his bed staring up at the ceiling with Cinder cuddled up next to him holding on to his arm.
"Something wrong?" she asked, "You've been staring at the ceiling for a few minutes now. Is there something on your mind?"
"Uh, nothing too serious just thinking about how tomorrow might go," he explained while twisting his body towards her. "While I doubt it'll happen, Yang might try to convince Ruby that our friendship is nothing but trouble."
"I thought you two already got past your differences?"
"I hope we did." Jaune sighed as he looked away from her. There was a flash of worry and anger in his eyes before he turned away from her. Cinder scowled and climbed over him to the other side of the bed forcing him to look at her once more.
"What else?" she whispered angrily.
"There is nothing else," he replied as he tried turning away from her again. She climbed on top of him once again and straddled his waist while pinning down his arms.
"Do not lie to me," she growled. "You're worried about something other than just Yang and Ruby."
Jaune sighed deeply as he realized that there was no escaping this. He could just try to push her off but that would only anger her even more. "It's my dad, he's coming home soon."
Cinder's scowl faded and was replaced with a blank look. "Oh. When does he get back?"
"In a few days I believe, and before you ask, no. I do not want you taking care of him, it'll just lead to even more problems."
"Are you sure? I can be very persuasive."
"I don't doubt that but no, I don't want them mixing together, who's know what might happen if they did."
"Who said anything about me using that? I was thinking about having a private one on one chat with daddy dearest."
"Cinder," Jaune warned.
"Don't 'Cinder' me," she growled. "Every time he comes here he drags you off to the base and you always come back in covered in blood and bruises, not to mention looking like you haven't slept in days and I'm sick of it."
"I am too," he replied glaring up at her, "but I need to be the one handle it." She looked deep into his eyes, trying hard not to get lost in them, she saw a strong resolve for him to be the one to take care of his problems all on his own, not wanting any help from others.
It was a bad habit of his. Cinder hung her head in disbelief and groaned in frustration, "You can be so unbearable irritating at times, you know that?"
A soft smile graced his features, "I know. Thanks, Cin."
"Don't thank me yet," she replied while climbing off him. She laid at his side once more, she was closer this time and wrapped both arms his torso and burying her face into his chest. "Because if something happens-"
"He won't go that far," he said trying to calm her down.
Cinder gently cupped his cheek, "If something happens," she repeated emphasizing every word. "He's gone. Understand?"
He took a hold of her hand causing her to blush slightly and looked deeply into her eyes. Neither one of them said a word and as the minutes past the blush on Cinder's face grew deeper and deeper as she found it hard to keep herself from simply admiring his ocean blue eyes instead of trying to read his emotions or thoughts. Slowly he let go of her hand and closed his eyes. "Oh fuck. Oh fuck. Oh fuck. Is this it?" she wondered excitedly. "Has he finally gotten a clue? Has my patience finally paid off? Is he finally going to fucking kiss me?!"
"Goodnight Cin," Jaune whispered as he turned now lying on his back and began to drift off into sleep.
"What?" Cinder wondered as she cocked head to the right. "What?!" her mind screeched. Her body shook with anger, "Did he just cock block me?!" To say she was angry was an understatement, she was absolutely furious. "How dare he seduce me by complete fucking accident! How dare he get my hopes up for the kiss I've longed for, for who knows how fucking long! How dare you throw it all away like a wet paper towel." Cinder breathed deeply as she continued to glare orbs of hellfire at him after a few more breaths her anger subsided and was replaced with a lust for vengeance. "It seems punishment is in order. Tomorrow I'm going to make sure your eyes never leave me. If you thought that today's teasing torture just wait until the morning."
Hey, guys, I hope you all enjoyed the new chapter and will leave a review. It doesn't have to be nice or super positive I'm just looking for reviews that critique my writing and can help make it better. Also before anyone says anything, yes I know that the ending to this chapter is similar to the ending of one of the chapters in Coeur Al'Aran's Stress Relief. The memory of that chapter came to me as I was writing this but I decided to still go with this ending just to start the next chapter with a few laughs. Trust me it's gonna be a bit different than what Coeur wrote for Stress Relief.