Kamen rider Reaper

by prototype3

Team RWBY has resumed their school lives after stopping a Grimm invasion. But, their peace was interrupted by the arrival of a new enemy. Kazuki Shinigami, a Faunus armed with a device that gives him access to spiritual heroes called 'Kamen riders', fights alongside them with Beacon and other Riders to defend Remnant and save the world while dealing with classes at the same time.

4. Chapter 4

Hey, guys, it's been a year. I know, I took too long because I was lazy and I didn't care about my work. But, now I decide to put more time into for all of you. Story making is what makes me happy and I intend to keep doing it. Just...don't mind the missing words in the texts or something like that because I know all of you are smart enough to complete the missing word. No lie. Absolute truth. For all of you listening, I hope you'll love this new chapter. I am continuing Reaper and all my other works when I have my motivations in sight. Thank you for listening and enjoy the show, err, story. Ugh, same thing...

---

The quiet, forest was gleaming with beauty outside of the base. A squadron of White Fang soldiers were patrolling the area to clear out any Grimm that may get close to the base.

One of soldiers were keeping their eyes peel for anything that seems...out of place.

It was quiet, too quiet...

Suddenly, an Ursa roar was heard. The soldiers look at the direction where that road is coming from and sees a large Ursa charging toward them. It ram into and send them flying all over the place.

One soldier was lucky to dodge and open fire on its back. The Ursa was unaffected by the bullets and slaps the soldier. The man hits a tree, breaking his back.

One soldier hops on its back and tried to strangle it. Then, the Ursa grabbed him by his face and threw him into a tree. He was okay, but the Ursa scrambles over to the down soldier and raise its claw up in the air to end him.

The soldier covered his face to not look and see what happens next. Just when it was about to brought its claw down, a sound of fleshing cutting was heard.

This sound made the soldier curious. He removed his arms from his eyes and sees the Ursa in a catatonic state. That's when it dropped both its arm down and fell to the side.

The soldier couldn't believe that happened. That's when an armored hand extends in his face. He looks up to see the Elite White Fang soldier, Reaper giving him support.

"You okay?" he asked. The soldier grabbed his hand and Reaper pulls him up.

All the soldiers from before gather up while one carry the broken back one on his shoulder.

"Thank you for the assist, sir!" the soldier saluted to him. Reaper looks around,"Are there more of you?"

The soldier shook his head,"No, sir. We're all here and unaccounted for."

"I think you mean accounted for, sir," a soldier said behind him.

The soldier snapped it him,"Shut up."

"Good, then return to base," Reaper ordered and venture into the forest,"I'll finish the sweep."

"But, sir-"

"That's an order, go," Reaper said coldly while he enters the forest. The soldier like back at his men and told them,"Ok, Saddle up and move out!"

While the soldiers were on the move, two soldiers were conversing in something.

Soldier A said,"Hey, do you notice Reaper has been acting strange recently?"

"What do you mean?" Soldier B responded.

"Well, he's been going out on more missions than usual," Soldier A telling his fellow companion of what he saw,"Torchwicke was insulting him and even threw stuff at him, but he didn't even care the slightest. This all started after that mission he failed to complete."

"Probably because he completed each mission with ease," Soldier B assumed,"That loss may have a huge toll on him. I've seen it in Elites. They always feel that way because of that."

"I...don't think that's the reason," Soldier A said,"I'm curious about asking him, really. What do you think, Blueberry?"

"I don't know, do what you want," Soldier B before he sighed,"And, for the love of God, do I still have to call myself Blueberry?"

"Well, I'm still going to call you Blueberry," another soldier appeared next to him.

Blueberry didn't care he appeared of nowhere when he said,"Shut up, Raisin!"

But, that mission failure wasn't the real reason that Reaper begun feeling this way. It was because of...

---

A face of Ruby's smile came up in Reaper's thoughts. The Faunus shook his head to get that image out of his head and continued walking.

Through a field of dead bodies of Grimm.

Looks like he already swept he area clean before he came here. That Ursa just happen to escape his wrath. The real reason for going out here was...

Reaper stopped at the edge of a cliff to watch something at the far part of the valley. Down there, he sees a small village. He got curious and jumps off the cliff to explore this region.

---

(Invoke plays)

Surechigai isogu tabi ni butsuke ai chigire au!

Tagai no hane no itami kanjite iru

Sabishisa ni yogoreta ude de daita

Sore igai no nanika wo shiranai kara

Tsunagaru shunkan mezameru eien machikogareru

Hayasugiru toki no mabataki ni sarasarete

Hitori de wa todokanai

Negai nante kiesou na kotoba ja

Karamiau netsu no tsutaetai shinjitsu wo

Dare kara mamoreba ii?

Kimi ga itsuka hoshigatta omoi ga

Soko ni aru nara!

---

Kazuki hasn't been feeling well ever since that mission. He wanted to do more missions to just forget all about that. But, that girl he met just happened to open a door in his soul.

Deep down, he really wanted to go to the academy with her. And the way he yelled at the people who was trying to make pick he right decision, Kazuki never felt this much regret before.

He completed a countless of number of mission today and was all fresh out. So, he was just lying lazily on his bed.

But, he still can't shake this un-bearing feeling of being caged inside this base. Kazuki sat up at the edge of his bed and looks at the newly replace mirror on his table.

He looked himself in the mirror and asked himself what he wants to do. Kazuki stared at his own eyes to find the answer he was looking for and his eyes widen when he found out what he wanted to do.

---

Torchwicke was opening a pack of new cigars he just 'bought' off a smoker and was about to light one until the door knocks. His moment by himself made him groan and he marches over to the door and opens it.

"What?!" Torchwicke yelled and notice it was Kazuki. He calms down and went back to his seat,"Oh, it's you."

Kazuki comes inside and rubs the back of his head,"So...this is your office? It's cool."

"Yeah...it is," Torchwicke has been getting this kindness treatment from Kazuki since he failed that mission,"What do you want? I'm fresh out of the jobs for you, so get lost, will ya?"

"Caged in here?" Kazuki said and made Torchwicke look at just blow smoke from his mouth,"What do you want?"

Kazuki hates to ask him about, but he needs it desperately. "Can I..."

"Yeah, go on," Torchwicke was getting impatient.

"...go for a walk?" Kazuki finished.

Torchwicke stood in frozen silence. Before his stomach cramped and his room was filled with his laughter. Kazuki blushed uncontrollably out of embarrassment.

"That's what you want?!" Torchwicke wipes the tears from his eyes,"Yeah, sure, whatever! You can walk around the weapon bay and..."

"No, I mean like..." Kazuki took a pause before continuing,"Outside. Out of the base."

"You want...to leave...the base?" Torchwicke pieces together what he's trying to say. This made him grin,"Love to say it, but you're not allowed to leave. White Fang rules."

Kazuki tried to convince him,"But, you're not a White Fang member. Why do you care?"

"Just to put you in your place, you runt," Torchwicke said.

"Man, come on, why not? Rules are meant to be bend anyways," Kazuki complained.

"Look, kid, I like to let you go right now and not worry about you, but..." Torchwicke leaned back on his chair,"A high commanding officer is coming in today to check every members and deems which one to recruit for an operation. I've taken the liberty of suggesting you. No, thanks are necessary."

Kazuki groaned,"So? He's not here now, right?"

Torchwicke growled angrily,"He isn't, but he will be!"

"Come on, I'll be back before you know it! Please can I leave the base! Pleasepleasepleaseplease..." Kazuki was begging constantly and it was getting on Torchwicke's nerves.

The said man clenched his teeth so hard and banged his fists on the table,"SHUT YOUR TRAP! FINE! TAKE A F**KING WALK! I DON'T CARE! JUST SHUT UP! SHUT UP!"

Kazuki drops the act and sticks a tongue at him,"Thanks, butthole."

"Wait, what! Hey, don't you-" Torchwicke couldn't finish because Kazuki already opened the door.

"See ya! Whoo-hoo!" Kazuki yelled out loud excitingly,"FREEDOM! GET THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY, NEO! NOBODY LOVES YOU!"

Torchwicke just sat back on his chair,"Oh, god, the officer is gonna kill me."

---

So, now you know the story behind this.

Reaper found it beautiful that the plant life here look so alive. The sound of the trees and the cool air around him. It felt great.

His movement stopped in front of a large tree.

Not just a large tree, it was long as a building. Reaper loved the nature here, it just what makes him feel good and forget all the doubts and fears he has.

A bird flew down from the tree and landed on top of Reaper's shoulder. It looked at him funny and chirped.

He chuckled under his mask and pets the bird with a finger,"Well, aren't you the brave one? Standing up against me?"

The bird chirped a few times before flying off his shoulder and back onto the tree. It was then, that the bird sang along with the others in a harmonic tune.

Reaper smiles and continues on with his journey. He slides down a large root and walks on into the endless green forest.

He walked until Reaper emerges from behind a wall of bushes. There at that point, he saw the village from the cliff. Kids were running around, playing with each other. Merchants coming in and out exchanging items that was brought from different places of Remnant.

Reaper wanted to check it out, but not before noticing he is still wearing his armor. The White Fang insignia on his chest area was still there. He covered it before looking at the village.

He thought it might be a bad idea going in that village. Reaper looked at the Model in his wrist and thought it wasn't the end of the world if he disengage the armor.

He merely shrug and twist the Model on his wrist,"What's the worry? Seems like a harmless village."

Reaper took it off and his armor disappeared like the wind. Now as Kazuki, he smiles and heads over to the village.

---

There he sees countless huts, markets, water mills and various other buildings. It looked so peaceful and a lot of Faunus and humans were getting along with each other.

This was his kind of village. Wish he could live here. Kazuki couldn't help, but smile brightly at of all of this. He gone by to a nearby merchandise shop and browse through the antiques.

"Whoa, what's this?" Kazuki lifts up an odd necklace.

The merchant laughed at his happy attitude,"There, my boy, is called the Dragon's heart. It is said to be made from an ancient Grimm dragon's scales, this necklace possesses great properties! I'll sell it to you with a high price of 1,000,000!"

"1,000,000?" Kazuki sweat dropped at the ridiculous amount of money. He checked his pocket and they were empty. "Hehe, looks like I'm not going to be buying it any soon. Well, see ya."

"Have a nice day, good sir," the merchant said to the departing Faunus.

It felt like a new experience to Kazuki. He explored only the bad part of the world, now he's exploring the good part of it. This is where he truly feels like a normal person, err, Faunus.

He was smiling at everything he was seeing. A few kids ran around him and Kazuki still smile. He continued walking and seeing things he has never seen before something shaded him.

That moment Kazuki stopped and awe at the sight of a giant, towering tree before him. Never in his life has seen a tree that big. Other than the one he seen before.

It was so high up that you could see the land. Kazuki wanted to climb up the tree and that's what he did. He was now jumping up branch by branch 'till he made it to the top.

He picked a random branch that was at the top and stands at the end of it. Kazuki was taken back by the vast, landscape of the valley. He could spot a lot of different things that were all a part of nature.

All of this was making Kazuki's heart warm. He smiled graciously and bents down. This wasn't something he was going to miss for the world.

He thrust his fists in the air and let out an echoing scream to the quiet valley,"WHOO-HOO!"

His voice echoed throughout and the animals of the valley all reacted in a end of a world manner. Kazuki couldn't help, but laugh quietly and fall backward. He landed on his back on the soft leaves and took a slow, deep breath and relax.

A moment like this was too much for Kazuki to hold in. He never felt fresh air this...fresh and the surrounding sound of the world. If only he hasn't join the White Fang, he would've come here.

But, a thought of Ruby crossed in his mind. Her face and her sadness written all over it made Kazuki's eyes turn hollow. His expression turned cold as winter.

It was over. Kazuki has to move on and bury it behind him. Like he always does. Ruby, however, still came up in his head. Kazuki shook his head,"No...it's too late to turn back. It really is..."

He closed his eyes to look into the darkness and rest his mind. His every surrounding and sound felt like air to him. Silent and...empty.

"So, this is where you have been."

Kazuki's eyes open in reaction to the voice. He recognize that voice. He looks up and in his upside vision, he sees...

"P-Professor Ozpin! Whoa!" Kazuki almost gasp, but he accidently slips through the branches and landed on his back. Kazuki groans painfully as he rolled over on his stomach.

Jumping down from the branches, Professor Ozpin landed on the ground with ease. He approaches the down Rider and ask,"Are you okay?"

A groan was his only response. And, Professor Ozpin took a sip of his coffee. Kazuki got up while rubbing his back,"You...w-what are you doing here?"

"Hehe," Professor Ozpin chuckles slightly,"Just because I am a Headmaster, does not mean I'm always a Headmaster. After all, I use to climb trees at your age, too."

Kazuki laughs sadly,"Hahaha, that's cool."

The Headmaster notice Kazuki was looking down,"Kazuki, how have you been?"

He shrugged,"I guess I'm...good."

After a moment of silent, Kazuki sighed and said to the Headmaster,"Look, I want to say I'm sorry for how I acted towards you before."

"It's natural," Professor Ozpin said only.

"It is?" Kazuki asked.

"Yes, teenagers at your age usually react violently," Professor Ozpin smiled as he walks around him,"I know this because I use to act like that."

Kazuki wasn't surprise now after hearing this. Because all humans beings can act almost the same sometimes. Now, Kazuki asked him,"So, what do you want?"

Professor Ozpin sip his coffee before saying,"Kazuki, you should know that I'm aware of your activity with the White Fang."

This cause him to sigh,"Did Koji and the others told you that?"

A nod was given to Kazuki.

"It's to be expected," Kazuki said sitting on top of a nearby log,"Guess they are really hate me. I mean, I did told them off. So, you came here to arrest me or something?"

"No, I'm not here to arrest you," Professor Ozpin shook his head,"And as for Koji and the others...they are actually worried about you."

That made Kazuki look at him,"What?"

"It's true, those Riders cared about you," the headmaster said sitting next to him,"Even...Ruby."

Kazuki remembers Ruby and how that still made him depressed. But, hearing Ruby cared about him made him feel sad. He hurt her because he only cared about himself.

He buried his face in his hands,"Ruby...why? Why does she still care about me? I said goodbye and abandoned her! Why can't she just forget about me?! She's better off without me! I don't understand!"

The Headmaster gave a sad expression. He told Kazuki to let him know,"You should know this about Ruby. She cares about her friends more than anything in the world and would do anything to help them. To put this simple, she hasn't said goodbye to you. Meaning you are still her friend."

"No, she can't befriend me," Kazuki said flashing back when he first met her,"I should have never met her. If only I hadn't notice her, I wouldn't have hurt her or be feeling like this! It was a mistake!"

Ozpin's hand was place on Kazuki's shoulder. This shift his attention to the Headmaster who was smiling. The Headmaster said,"Come with me."

He got up to walk somewhere. Kazuki got up as well and follow Professor Ozpin. They left the village and ventures into the forest.

It has been three hours and Kazuki was getting impatient.

"Professor Ozpin, where are we going?" Kazuki asked.

Only a smile was on the Headmaster,"We're here."

There was an opening leading outside of the forest. It was glowing bright and Kazuki had to cover his eyes to avoid getting blind. Soon as he exit the forest and light dims, a gasp came out of his mouth.

Standing on a rocky cliff and in front of him was a beautiful sunset. It was unlike anything that Kazuki has seen or even read before. The sun shines blood red as it slowly rotates downward.

Kazuki wanted to cry, but couldn't because it wasn't like him to do that. Professor Ozpin goes by his side and sips his coffee. He looks at the sun while saying,"Kazuki, do you like being in the White Fang?"

A shake of Kazuki's head was his response and he said,"No."

"Then, why do you fight for their cause?" Professor Ozpin asked another question.

Kazuki looks down over the cliff at the bottom,"I don't. It's because...I have no home to go back to."

Professor Ozpin was feeling worried,"Where are you parents?"

Kazuki sighs,"My mom died by a Grimm attack when I was 12. My dad? I don't where he is. Probably got killed by the Grimm as well."

"I'm sorry that has happened to you," the Headmaster said.

"You don't have to be," Kazuki said folding his arms and looking away,"I mean...I don't feel sad because I can't remember them very well. Their faces and what they were like. I felt like they have never existed in this world."

"And, you consider the White Fang to be your home?" Professor Ozpin asked.

Kazuki just remain silent about that.

---

Meanwhile at the academy...

In the empty dorm room, Koji was lying on his head boringly. He jus had class today, but he was like himself today. He made new friends and wanted to share some good quips with them, but...something was bothering him more.

"I DON'T HAVE ANY FRIENDS!"

Koji never felt this much sadness in Kazuki as he thought. But, it made him angry that Kazuki just pushed Ruby away only for his own wellbeing. He just wanted to punch him...but, wanted to comfort him. He sighed at the thoughts and turns on his side.

He sits up in his bed and the door knocks. He responded,"Come in."

The door opens and reveals Ren. Koji sees him and puts on his easygoing personality. He grins funnily and waves to him,"Yo, whassup, Renny?"

Ren raised an eyebrow,"Just doing fine."

"Hehe, listen if it's about that time when Dwayne tried on your clothes, please it wasn't my idea," Koji laughed nervously.

Ren shook his head,"That's not it. Koji, have you been feeling okay?"

Koji thought he was crazy and smirks,"What are you talking about? Of course, I'm okay! Just tired from Goodwitch's painass classes. Man, that woman knows how to manhandle her students."

"That's not what I see right now," Ren said as he folds his arms,"Koji, tell me, what's really going on?"

Koji wanted to go on pretending, but found it to be no use. Ren is his friend and he has to talk about his problems.

"Koji, if there is anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask," Ren said looked worry,"You have friends."

A sigh came from Koji and he decided to talk about it,"All right, I'll spill."

Ren grab a nearby chair and sat in it,"Proceed."

"Ok, it goes like this," Koji rubbing his eyes,"Before I passed the initiation, I met another taker. At first, he look like a normal looking Faunus until he show me how fought. And, I'll be honest, I was shock. He killed an army of Beowulf that were ready to claw us until he comes in and exterminated them."

"He did?" Ren sounded surprise.

"Yeah! You couldn't believe what happen next,"'Koji continues smiling about that awesome memory,"The Beowulves were running scare and Kazuki came back cover in their blood. And, from what I heard from Dwayne, he killed three Darkstalker without breaking a sweat. Leaving one to rot without its limbs or stinger."

Ren find it hard to believe that a single boy can defeat three Darkstalkers.

"Things were going well...until my brother Koyo fell from the cliff and scrape his leg badly," Koji said,"And, you couldn't believe what Kazuki did next."

Ren moves his head forward to hear this part. Koji told the part,"He went down there and fought off the hordes of Boarbatusks coming towards him. One manage cripple him and left him crawling, but he still kept fighting. Until, he couldn't anymore."

"That's when things got real tough," Koji said,"He tried to commit suicide."

Ren's eyes widen in shock,"What?!"

Koji nodded in agreement with that expression,"Yeah, I was shock, too, when Dwayne told me about it. He saw Kazuki trying to stab himself in the neck with a knife, but Dwayne manage to stop him before he could try. I...didn't know he would actually do it. And, here comes the big blow."

"Kazuki was okay after the initiation, but he failed to meet the goal because he broke the Relic he had," Koji said before sighing again,"When that happened, he just stormed out of the infirmary. When he was packing his things, he just told Ruby that they were done being friends and left her in tears. That bastard has done the most stupidest and irresponsible thing a FAUNUS COULD HAVE EVER DONE!"

Koji panted after yelling really hard,"Huff...huff...s-sorry."

"It's ok," Ren said,"And, that explains why Ruby hasn't been her cheerful self often."

"Yeah..." Koji felt useless.

Ren got up and said,"Well, I'm gonna go head into town to pick up some ammo for my weapon. Wanna come? My team and RWBY are headed there now."

Koji would love that and smiles brightly,"Sure, let me call my team and we'll head out."

---

For the next few minutes, Kazuki and Professor Ozpin were sitting down on the cliff, telling about their lives. Kazuki's one was about how he first obtain his Model.

"This man just...approached me in my doorsteps," Kazuki said looking down at the bottom,"He was ill and my family took him in. Few days later, he fought off a pack of Beowulves that was in our backyard. Needless to say, it was awesome. I asked him to teach me how to fight like that. To my surprise, he accepted quickly just like that. It was tough training to be honest. So, after three months, I can fight like him. But, then...he just disappeared. Leaving behind this for me."

Kazuki looks at the Model that is in his hand,"This...thing. I didn't know what is is or why he gave it to me. All I knew, it gave me power. Power so unimaginable and a lot of secrets I don't know still. And, I still don't know why he was willing to train me."

"Is that all you remembered?" Professor Ozpin asked.

Kazuki merely shrugged,"Yeah, besides my parent's deaths."

Professor Ozpin drank his coffee, only to find out he has already drank all of it. He place the empty mug to the side and place his hands on the ground.

The Faunus looks at the sun,"But, I do remember this. I was poor. I had no one to go to anymore after I lost them. I was alone, hungry. and cold. I lived in a town where a lot of bad things happen. Rape, murders and drugs...I had to live through that Hell until I came across Roman Torchwick."

"What did you do?" the Headmaster asked.

Kazuki blinks his eyes as he looks down,"It happened like this. I fought off his gang members and Torchwick took interest my power. Took me in as his henchman. We went on raids and robberies. That was all until we were approach by someone else. I wasn't there when that person talked to him, but Torchwick said that we would be making a lot of money. By joining the White Fang. There my old name was erased and I was given a codename by Reaper. Afterwards, I was given a home. Well, if you call that cage with a dirty toilet a room. Hehe."

Professor Ozpin wondered,"Kazuki, how old were you when you join the White Fang?"

Kazuki took a moment of silent to himself before answering,"I was thirteen."

"Were you scared?" the Headmaster asked.

"Scared? I was terrified," Kazuki admitted,"These were all these mean looking guys and girls. They thought I was too young to be a member, but when I show them what I can do, they took me in. During that time, a bunch of instructors trained me to use different weapons. But, I mostly master on ones that were easy to use."

Kazuki threw his Model up in the air and caught it,"And, I discover a lot of new abilities in this Model. But, I feel like I haven't got the full grasp of its potential."

Professor Ozpin can still sense trace of sadness lingering Kazuki's Aura. He looked up at the sky and watching the stars appear. And, then he spoke again,"Kazuki, are you sure you want to continue the path you are walking in now?"

"Eh? What do you mean?" Kazuki looks at him confusingly.

Professor Ozpin sighed quietly as he closed his eyes,"A path is not something you just walk down to. It is a decision that will decide your future, fate and destiny. And, once you have taken it, there is no turning back."

That was hard for Kazuki to answer to him. He never put thought about his future. And, Professor Ozpin's voice turned grave when he talked.

"Kazuki, I lived and chose a path that I wanted to go down, even preparing myself for the consequences to come," Professor Ozpin said before looking at Kazuki,"But, you...you let someone else choose your path and followed it without any thought. Do you ever thought of that?"

In fact, Kazuki has never thought of it did not matter to him. He just went with it because he thinks it did not alter to him. But, when Professor Ozpin told him about it, it made Kazuki think in his head.

What path should I choose, then?

After saying what he wanted to, Professor Ozpin looks at the sun that is now beginning to set. The sky begin to dim into night. The shattered moon appears in the sky and shines brightly into the quiet valley.

Now, Kazuki and Professor Ozpin were now in darkness. A sigh was heard from Professor Ozpin. He now stood up and told Kazuki,"Well, it is about time I depart. You have a good night, Kazuki."

The Headmaster leaves Kazuki, but not before saying,"Oh, and Kazuki."

Kazuki turns his head to him.

"There is a festival going on tomorrow," the headmaster smiles even though Kazuki couldn't see him,"The reason why I was here was to make sure the preparation were on its way. If you're wondering why, it's because I once lived in this town."

"Y-you use to?" Kazuki didn't expect that.

A nod was his response,"That's right."

With that, Professor Ozpin took his leave,"If you want, you can come. If you have the time."

That left Kazuki asking himself whether he should go or not. When he was going to ask about it, he notice the headmaster was already gone. Kazuki was surprise how fast a walker that Ozpin was.

Kazuki just stood there thinking until he remembered something. He freaks out,"Oh, shit. I forgot the Recruitment. Damn it!"

He quickly ran as fast as he could back to the base. Unbeknownst to him, Professor Ozpin was still here, behind a tree and was watching Kazuki leaving.

He merely rubbed his chin.

---

The door slams open into office and Reaper, who just transformed before he got here, panted as he got in,"I'm...here...here I am..."

Torchwick inhaled smoke and blew it out with a disgust look,"Congratulation, rat, the officer chew me out for not keeping one particular candidate in one place. Now, they cut my payment to twenty five percent. TWENTY FIVE PERCENT!"

Reaper scoffs at him while he folds his arm with his attention shifted elsewhere,"You're blaming this all on me? Real smooth, boss."

Torchwick growled as he threw a nearby telephone and it shatter into pieces on Reaper's head. This made Reaper look at him with a cold look. He approached Torchwick and close up, he stared into his eyes.

Reaper points a finger at his face and warned him,"If you ever do that again, you better use something else than an old telephone."

He turns and leaves the office,"I'm hitting the sack."

His attitude was really getting to Torchwick. If only Reaper wasn't in an armor that could protect him from a tank shell, he would've taught him a lesson. No one talks to him like shit.

While he was thinking of ways to kill Reaper, his Scroll rang. Torchwick raise it up and answers it,"What?"

...

"For real?"

...

"How much are we talking?"

...

"(WHISTLES!) Whoa, I am in! What am I suppose to do?"

...

"You want me to kill that 'rat'?"

...

"Why do you want this 'rat' to die, anyways? On second thought, don't answer that. It'll be my pleasure. I'll do it in the morning. Have a good night."

...

The phone call ended and Torchwick grins as he lights up a cigar,"Oh, things has just got real interesting. Hehehe..."

While Torchwick was smoking to his celebration, someone was standing got outside of the base. Turns out it was Professor Ozpin with a tablet in his hand that intercepted the message.

Professor Ozpin looks gravely at his tablet and hoped that Kazuki would be smart with his instinct about tomorrow.

---

Kazuki was in his bed still wide awake and thinking about tomorrow. But, he was thinking more about what Ozpin said before. What was he path that he wanted to choose? That wasn't something he wanted to think about, but when the Headmaster mention it, Kazuki could only stress about it.

He wished his parents was here. Kazuki may not recognize them very well, but he assumes that they were good people. But, his mother was dead and his father was missing.

Kazuki has no one now.

He turns on his side and pulls up the Model and looked at it. Kazuki saw the crystal shimmer and it made him sigh. But, tomorrow festival...sounded interesting to him.

He thought about it.

---

Morning has started and for the new job of Torchwick. Torchwick and Neo were at Kazuki's door and the bowler hat wearing man was picking the lock.

Neo tilts her head to indicate what they are doing here. Torchwick noticed her and smiles brightly,"It's a dream come true, Neo! Finally we can get rid of that rat for once and for all!"

This sent Neo's world crashing. Kazuki was going to be executed. Despite Kazuki's prejudice and bad attitude toward her, he was awfully kind at times when she was down. Her eyes turned hollow white to display her concern.

The lock was open and Torchwick grins,"Bingo!"

Torchwick opens the door slowly and they both walk inside quietly. They see Kazuki covered in his blanket to make it look like he was in a cocoon.

This was the moment that the criminal was waiting for his whole life and he was going to enjoy every minute of it. Torchwick extends a hand at Neo,"Neo, hand me your knife."

Neo didn't give it to him.

He looks at his henchman and ordered her,"Neo, give it!"

That was still a no.

"I said give it to me! Come on!" growled Torchwick.

Reluctantly, Neo slowly pulls the blade from her parasol and hands it to him. Torchwick grinned like a maniac as he took careful aim for the neck. Neo could only close her eyes to avoid looking.

With the aim in set, Torchwick struck Kazuki in the neck. Hearing the light sound of her knife driving itself into the blanket made Neo cringed.

Torchwick continued smiling until he notice that there was no response. That's when he notice something about the body. He grabs the blanket and threw it away, revealing a rolled up blanket in Kazuki's place.

His eyes widen in shock before he clenched his teeth. Torchwick yelled angrily as threw the knife into the bed,"DAMN IT ALL! WHY DIDN'T I DO THIS LAST NIGHT?! GODDAMN IT!"

Good thing, Kazuki would always leave behind a stunt double to take the blow for him. Seeing the rolled up blanket made Neo sighed in relief. Even though her sigh isn't heard.

Her love was still alive and out there somewhere.

---

He decided. He decided to come to the festival today. Kazuki had his hand in his pocket while walking. Without knowing that there was a target painted on the back of his head.

Kazuki was just humming peacefully to kill the time. That was until the familiar Professor Ozpin appears from behind a tree and in his presence.

He smiles and waved,"You came after all?"

"It'd be rude not to," Kazuki smiles back before following Ozpin back to the village.

---

Music was playing in the air and the crowd were wild. Kids were enerjetic than before as they run around, having fun. Stands were set up in rows to display different games and prizes.

"Whoa..." Kazuki could drop his mouth to see how exciting the festival looked. Professor Ozpin couldn't help, but smile. Despite being an Elite, he was still a teenager. He wanted to have fun like everyone else.

Kazuki and Professor Ozpin walked while Kazuki was smiling openly. There was so many things he could try out, things he never tried before. He stopped at one particular stand which had chocolate balls covered in sprinkles and were fresh from the oven.

He sniffs at the sweet closely and his eyes open widely,"Uwah! That smells amazing! What is this?"

"You don't know what a chocolate ball is?" this was a surprise to Professor Ozpin.

Kazuki looks at him,"Does it taste good as it smells?"

To give him the answer, the Headmaster kindly bought one for him. Kazuki smells it once more and take a slow bite on its warmth, soft surface. He chewed and his eyes glittered brightly to show it was delicious.

The flavor was unlike anything Kazuki has had before. The chocolate melted in his mouth and spread out the everlasting taste. He swallows down before devouring it completely.

Kazuki swallows up and sighs in relaxation,"Whewy! That was the best! Wow, I can't believe you guys get to eat delicious stuffs like this! This is nothing compare to the food I eat back at the base."

"What do you eat?" Professor Ozpin asked.

"Termites, larvae and worms," Kazuki said and making the Headmaster's eyes widen in disgust.

"I...see," the headmaster felt sorry for his misery.

Kazuki threw his stick into a nearby trash an and runs into the festival. Professor Ozpin saw that and shouts at him,"Kazuki, wait!"

"Come on! I haven't had this much fun since I first got my powers!" Kazuki laughed happily.

Seeing this new, happy side of Kazuki made Professor Ozpin happy. Kazuki wasn't all depressing. He was still a normal boy.

The whole day went by with Kazuki hanging out with the Headmaster. He was testing out new foods that he has never heard or seen before, he played games and aced at them, and he and Ozpin shared some funny stories throughout their lives.

It was all a good time for Kazuki. He never felt this happy in his life. Those missions he goes on were nothing compare to the fun he is having now.

Before they knew it, it became dark.

---

The lanterns lit up and the festival was more lively as ever. Kazuki and Ozpin were laughing after one of them has shot one of the prizes and the aids off ball ricochet and knocked the game keeper out in the first blow in the head. Let's be honest, it was Kazuki.

They sat near a bench and were still laughing. It took them a moment to finally calm down and relax after the long day.

Kazuki raise his cotton candy up and rip a piece for Professor Ozpin,"Want some?"

Professor Ozpin shook his head politely,"No, thank you."

Shrugging, Kazuki threw the piece in his mouth, then stuff the sweet in his mouth. After gobbling it, he crushed the paper cone and threw it away. He burps,"Hehe, excuse me."

"Hm, no need," Professor Ozpin said before he burped as well,"...excuse me."

This sparked another wave of laughter. 2 minutes was all it takes for them to stop. Kazuki sighs as he stretched his arms in the air,"Whew, man, what a day..."

Professor Ozpin chuckles at him,"Indeed it was. I was surprise you have eaten more than 6 hamburgers."

"Well, they tasted good," Kazuki admits.

"Hamburgers really are the best thing the world has to offer," Professor Ozpin said.

Kazuki nodded in agreement and looks at the stars that are now appearing the sky. This scenery reminded Kazuki about yesterday and immediately, he felt depressed again.

He drops his head downwards because it ruined his fun. Ozpin notice his behavior has change and realizes that this was familiar. He decided to cheer him up with something he picked up on the way.

The Headmaster reach down to the ground and brought up a jar of red liquid. He unscrews the cap and hands it to Kazuki,"Here, drink this. It will get the iron off your chest."

Kazuki looks at it and took it willingly. He looks at the moon and drank it. But, the taste was so strong, so tangy and so spicy that he choked and spit it out. He coughed out loudly,"O-oh, God, what is that?"

"Red Sap extracted from the trees of the Forever Falls," Professor Ozpin laughed quietly,"Quite strong if you mix with lemon and spicy with the pepper."

Kazuki coughed a little more before saying,"Is it suppose to taste like that?"

"Hmhmhm," Professor Ozpin chuckles again.

Kazuki looked confused,"What? Was it suppose to be a rhetorical question?"

Professor Ozpin smiled,"That's something for you to figure out."

"Oh, r-right, gotcha..." he nervously said.

Suddenly, there was loud cheer behind them. Their attentions turn to the people who gathering around a bonfire. They appear to be dancing traditionally in celebration of the festival. Professor Ozpin thought he could get Kazuki to bring out his happy side more.

(Hyphen Staccato plays)

There was an odd singer that was singing words that Kazuki never heard before. He looks at Ozpin and asked him,"Professor Ozpin, what's with the words he's saying? It sound all gibberish like."

Professor Ozpin chuckled lightly,"Kazuki, what you are listening is a song sang in a dead language."

"Dead language?" Kazuki wondered.

The Headmaster nods at him,"Yes, the language you are hearing now is Japanese. In the old archives, Japanese is derived from an old country called Japan. But, Japan and Japanese were consider only a myth. People say that the language is just made up by a child."

"And, you believe them?" Kazuki tilts his head.

"Let's just say I believe in subjects that interest me," Professor Ozpin smirked.

They were watching the dance of the people until Professor Ozpin looks at him,"Go on."

"Eh? What do you mean?" Kazuki is confused.

"Join the dance," the Headmaster said averting his eyes to the dancing.

Kazuki felt shy,"Oh, um, I'm not good at dancing and..."

"Don't be good, be yourself," Professor Ozpin said.

"No, seriously, I'm not really-whoa!" Kazuki got his arm pulled by a random person.

The random person said to him,"Oh, don't be like that, boy! Dance to your heart's content."

Kazuki was being dragged over to the dance while calling out to the Headmaster,"W-wait! Professor!"

He was pushed into the middle of the dance. Instead of dancing, Kazuki just stood there, doing nothing. This cause the whole dance to stop and look at him awkwardly.

Kazuki could feel his heart pounding his chest cavity. His shyness and nervousness was getting to him. His only weakness...dancing. He never knew how to dance and last time he did, it ended horribly.

This was not boding him very well. Kazuki just wanted die here. But, it wasn't going to stop the stares so he had to do it. Hopefully, he wouldn't mess up too badly.

Kazuki performed fluid body motion and drunk like movements. Seeing such bizarre actions made the people awe in surprise. The Faunus notice everyone were beginning to dance the same he was.

He must not really notice that he was actually dancing. This gave him the confidence he need to smile and perform break dancing moves. The crowd went wild to see a great performer he was.

Kazuki could hardly believe it himself. He danced happily and his heart felt like he was in peace. The singer jumps in and sang along with while dancing with Kazuki.

Without thought and choice, Kazuki sang along with the singer. The crowd sings, too and dance in a surrounding circle around Kazuki and the singer.

He finally did it. Professor Ozpin manage to bring out the true Kazuki. Not the one who was always depressed, always fighting because he had to, but the one who is still a normal Faunus.

The night go on with singing and dancing to the fire until it was finally time for the festival to end. The people of the village had a great time with Kazuki and the kids were hugging him goodbye before going away.

(Song ends)

---

Kazuki was patting a boy before he left and next up was a little girl. He smiles and pats her on the head. Her response was a kiss on the cheek and she went back to her mother. A blush appeared on his face, but he smiled as he touched the spot where he was kissed.

But, sadness could only stir up because he could see how much love that kid was getting from her parents. Kazuki breathes in and breathes out sadly. However, he wasn't going to let that down. He puts on a smile and turns to leave with Ozpin.

Going back into the forest, Kazuki had his hands behind his head while walking. Professor Ozpin walked patiently and calm with Kazuki.

"Man, that was fun, really!" Kazuki grinned.

The Headmaster smiles that he was happy,"Your welcome."

"Well, it's about time I headed home," Kazuki said looking at him,"Thanks for letting me come."

When Kazuki turns around and was just about to leave, Professor Ozpin stops him,"Wait."

He turns to the Headmaster,"Hm, what?"

Professor Ozpin took a moment of silence before speaking,"Kazuki, do you really consider that place your only home?"

Kazuki thought about it and answers honestly,"It's pretty much the only place I have left. Why?"

He wish to not shock Kazuki, but it was for his own sake. His courage was strong and Professor Ozpin said,"I am sorry for telling you this...but, that base is not your home. At least, not anymore."

Kazuki was confused,"What? What are you talking about?"

"Kazuki, you're been targeted," Professor Ozpin explained,"Your own home has turn on you and now, they want you to disappear."

The shock was too real. Kazuki gasped out loud to hear the horrible truth. He can't believe it and refuses to.

Kazuki shook his head to him on disbelief,"Y-you're lying. You have to be. H-how can you even prove it?"

To prove it, Ozpin took out his Tablet and played the audio file on it.

"Why do you want this 'rat' to die, anyways? On second thought, don't answer that. It'll be pleasure. I'll do it in the morning. Have a good night."

This message just destroyed what little hope Kazuki had left. The Headmaster was right, they wanted to make him disappear. His home...was gone forever.

Refusing to believe it at first, but gave in, Kazuki fell on his knees and looks down at the ground. He trembled uncontrollably, but not due to sadness.

His anger was rising to surface. Kazuki clenched his teeth before screaming out of anger. He raise his fist and begin punching the ground,"Damn it! Damn it! My home! The only home I have left is gone! Now! Now!"

When he was going to hit again, he stopped and tears fell and splashed on the ground. Kazuki placed his hands down,"...now I have nowhere to go..."

The sadness in knowing the truth made Professor Ozpin pitied the boy. He had a home once, but now it was replaced by a cage. A cage he considered it as his only refuge and now, it wanted him gone.

That's why Professor Ozpin was going to make things right for him. Deciding to make him feel better, he knelt down and passionately hugged the heart broken boy.

This was a surprise to Kazuki because he didn't expect the Headmaster to comfort him. This warmth and the way he hugged him was almost like...

"Ruby..." Kazuki's thought displayed Ruby. How she smiled, hugged him, and showed him compassion. Her smile just cross in his mind and remembered that she had friends that cared about her.

His tear could be held back and he allows them to flood from his eye sockets and he broke down crying silently.

For the first time in his life, his eyes were open to the truth.

Kazuki finally realize he still had a place he can call a home. The place where Ruby, Koji and the others are. Professor Ozpin smiled,"You aren't alone, Kazuki. I am willing to give you a place."

"But," Kazuki breaks the hug,"I failed the initiation and-"

"I'll make...a special exception for you," he smirks,"Despite failing, you still did show amazing skills and talent. I might make some transcriptions and enroll you into the second year. Would you like-"

"Absolutely!" Kazuki answered quickly.

That was quick response and no convincing was required. Professor Ozpin was proud of Kazuki for making the right decision and choosing the path he chooses to follow. They both stand up and the Headmaster said,"Then, we must go now. Before the White Fang realizes you're gone."

"Realize who's gone?" a familiar voice spoke.

Kazuki almost shriek by the sudden sound of the voice and turns around to find Torchwick and Neo coming out of the bushes.

"Torchwick!" Kazuki gasped,"Wait a minute, how did you guys find me?"

Torchwick raise a finger to give an explanation until he realizes he doesn't. He turns to Neo and asked her,"Neo, how exactly did we know he was here?"

Neo pulls down a map of the land and shrugs at him because she does not have an answer, too. Torchwick merely said,"Huh. Well, anyway, nice work, ra-I mean, kid! You got the Headmaster of Beacon, right here! I'll do you favor, go back to the base and we'll get rid of him for you, capiche?"

Kazuki folded his arms,"So, you can kill me afterwards? No, thanks, shithead."

Torchwick laughed a little before dropping the nice guy act. He sighed as he rubbed his forehead,"Oh, you're good, rat. You're good. Because once I mount that filthy head of yours on my wall, I'll be swimming moolah. So, do me a favor for me now and just die."

Kazuki scoffs and smirks at him,"Yeah, you in what army."

His prompt his former boss to raise his hand in the air and flick his fingers. This ordered the troops within behind the trees to come out.

"I just had to ask..." Kazuki sighed in his head.

The sound of familiar chain saw sword and that creepy chuckle was heard nearby. Kazuki and Ozpin turn to the Lieutenant of the White Fang revving his weapon and preparing to cut one of them into pieces. "Well, a traitor caught red-handed."

Seeing him made Kazuki groan,"Seriously? You were inside a train that made a bone-crushing impact with a wall and you're still alive?"

The Lieutenant only answered in the form of revving his weapon and the soldiers gathering around.

Kazuki and Professor Ozpin stands back to back surrounded by the approaching soldiers. Kazuki pulled out his Model and was about to put it on until the top of cane snatch it out of his hand.

He looks at it slither away and back to Torchwick's cane. Torchwick grinned as he held up the stolen Model,"There, now you won't be a problem without this little thing here."

"Torchwick..." Kazuki growled angrily.

The soldiers war cried as they all dash all at once toward the duo. Kazuki and Ozpin eyed at each other and nod in response. They ran forward and begun fighting them off by themselves.

Kazuki swipe kick a soldier and flip kick on on his stomach and knocked him out crazy. Then, he grabbed an arm holding a red sword and kicked the soldier away. The sword falls in Kazuki's hand and he cuts two gun barrels in two soldiers' hands.

Professor Ozpin stands calmly as three soldiers circles around him. A soldier took the first shot and swung his sword down at Ozpin. This made the Headmaster to sidestep merely and knocking the soldier out with a strike at the back of the neck.

Two soldiers behind him charges to sneak attack. This made Ozpin to swiftly spin around and whack both of them into a tree and on top of each other.

With that, he wipes the dust off his shoulders and fixed his collar.

Back with Kazuki, he wrap his tail behind a trooper's neck and threw him away. He raise his sword up and blocked another sword swing. Kazuki kicked the man in the chest and hits the sword out of his hand.

He reach up and grabs the sword and complete his dual style stance. Kazuki place both sword on top of each other like scissors toward the trooper's neck.

"Yield," Kazuki said coldly. The soldier nodded and stands down.

Now, he heard a chainsaw roar behind and Kazuki kicks the soldier out of the way and rolls away from a chainsaw sword from cutting him in half. He grunted as he got up.

The Lieutenant laughed as he stalk towards him,"Kid, you are about to taste the loving blade of my weapon. Any last words?"

This was Kazuki's apparent last words,"Dude, shut the hell up."

Then, he moves in to fight the Lieutenant.

A soldier was thrown back into a group of three and they all tumbled over. Professor Ozpin spun his cane before thrusting it into a female soldier's stomach and whacking it on top of the head of another soldier.

Kazuki combined both sword as a scissor again to catch the moving blades of the Lieutenant's sword. He was being pushed back by the sheer force of the Faunus before he push it off and flipping backwards to avoid the swing.

Torchwick lights a cigar and a soldier fell at his feet. He looks down and exhales smoke,"Ok, this doesn't seem to bode well."

Kazuki jumps over the Lieutenant and ducks from a swing. Then, he slash at his chest and made the Lieutenant stumble back. Kazuki grins smugly,"What's the matter, big guy? Can't handle beating a kid at his own game?"

"I am going to cut that smart tongue of yours off!" the Lieutenant growled before attacking again.

A smirk was on Kazuki while he attacks, too.

Ozpin swing his cane upward and smack the gun out of a soldier's hand. This made the Faunus to growl and throw a punch. But, that result in Ozpin thrusting the cane in his neck. While he was choking and gasping for air, Ozpin hits him between the leg.

The soldier gave out a short cry before the Headmaster hits him in the head. Dazed for a second, the Faunus fell on his back, unconscious.

The Lieutenant moves backward after being kicked in the face. Kazuki dashed and surprise the Faunus with a barrage of slashes to the chest before elbowing him in the stomach.

Hitting the ground and getting up afterwards, the Lieutenant realize he was losing badly. If he doesn't change the tide, then he would be the saying the last words. He looked around to find ways to catch him off hard until he saw Professor Ozpin occupied by soldiers that are coming at him.

Grinning under his mask, the Lieutenant rev his weapon and dash toward the Headmaster to get him from behind. Kazuki saw what he was doing and yells at the Headmaster,"Professor Ozpin, behind you!"

Hearing the warning, the Headmaster turns around to see the Lieutenant already swing his sword down. "Say goodbye, Headmaster!"

"NO!"

Just when it was about to hit him, Kazuki appeared and use both his sword to stop the attack. However, the chains were faster than before and they cut through the blades of the swords in Kazuki's hand.

Left with no weapon or defense, Kazuki was...

'SPLURTCH!'

"Ugh! Ergh..." Kazuki felt a considerable amount of blood seeping from his chest.

What has happen was that the Lieutenant strike Kazuki's chest, injuring him fatally. Kazuki coughed blood from his mouth.

"Damn it, he got me!" Kazuki clenched his teeth which was covered in his own blood.

He fell on his knees, dropping both broken swords and falling over on the ground.

Unbelievably to Professor Ozpin and Neo, who made a gasp of horror gesture, Kazuki was dead.

Neo clenched her teeth and closed her eyes to stop looking. Torchwick grinned fiendishly before yelling out loud,"WHOO-HOO! HE'S DEAD! HE'S DEAD! THAT RAT IS FINALLY DEAD! TAKE THAT, RAT! YOU DESERVED IT!"

"K-Kazuki..." Professor Ozpin displayed horror at the body of Kazuki, who now has a pool of blood around him. He just made Kazuki change for the better and now, he died protecting him.

Neo moves away from Torchwick before leaving this sad scene. On the way, small tears could be seen exiting her eyes.

A foot was stomped on Kazuki's head by the Lieutenant. The monster laughed uncontrollably for victory,"Hahahahaha! Traitorous vermin! You have lost! Even though, you can't hear me, I rein victorious! Victorious!"

Professor Ozpin's eyes turn hollow to display the cold expression he had on. He swings his cane and looked at the Lieutenant dead in the eyes,"You sicken me. You took a life of a young child. You are no Faunus, you are a monster."

"We are all monsters in our rights," the Lieutenant said getting ready to fight the Headmaster next.

While they were about to be lock in combat, Kazuki's eyes were still open. Hollow and expressionless, he stared off into space.

---

Fluttering, his eyes opens into the darkness. Kazuki blink once before doing it twice. He got up and look where he was right now. He felt his chest and the cut mark was gone.

"Hello?! Anyone!" Kazuki yelled.

The darkness only echoed his yell. Kazuki begin walking, but feels like he was moving and the same time, he wasn't.

Kazuki stops and look at himself,"Am I dead? Is this what death is like...?"

He fell on his bottom and gripped his head. Kazuki lost hope because he failed to stay alive. He said this out of despair,"Damn it, damn it, this can't be happening to me. It just can't..."

When he was about to lose it, he heard a voice behind him saying,"Hey, Kazuki, what's up?"

"Huh?" Kazuki opens his eyes in response to that voice.

That voice sounded familiar. Kazuki turns around and to his surprise, it was Koji. Behind him were Ed, Dwayne, Trowa, Katie and Koyo.

"Koji..." Kazuki said standing up.

Koji gave him a smile,"What are you doing moping around? That's not going to help Ozpin."

"But, I'm dead," Kazuki said,"I can't do anything about that."

"Come on, you're seriously giving up after death?" Dwayne scoffs at him.

Kazuki turns to him in question,"Eh?"

"Kitty cat, your such a pussy! No pun intended," Ed grinned because it was really intended.

"Truly, you impress me before, but now you're just sad," Katie blew smoke from her mouth,"Quit being like that, will ya?!"

Trowa nodded,"That is correct. Kazuki, you are a special boy and all that talent would go to waste. Don't give up!"

"I don't like you, jerk face," Koyo said, making Kazuki reacted with anger,"But, Koji wouldn't like it if you died right here and now."

All this words, this motivations, where are all of this coming from? Koji heads in front of Kazuki and said to him,"Don't be scared. You need to face your fears right here and now and continue forward to the light. I know you can do it."

After that, Koji beginning moving faraway from him.

Kazuki reach out to him,"Koji!"

The rest of Koji's friend begin moving away and Kazuki yelled at them,"Hey! Where are you all going! Hey!"

He was alone again. Kazuki doesn't what Koji meant. Face his fears? But, he doesn't know what he's afraid of. He feels as though he was going to be stuck like this forever and drop his head forward in despair.

"Are you scared?"

Kazuki turns around to this new voice he is hearing now and to his surprise, he sees a Faunus dressed in a standard White Fang uniform. He looked familiar because of the cat ears and tail.

He approached the boy and asked him,"W-who are you?"

The boy looks down as if he looked ashamed,"I'm...I'm the old you."

"The old me?" Kazuki looks at him.

The boy nodded,"Yes, the one that use to be weak, alone, scared and always make bad decision. I guess you hate me, don't you? You want me to die and replace me with the you now, right?"

"What-no! I-" but, Kazuki realize what he was doing. He was denying the fact of himself because he was afraid of being weak and alone. That was his fear he was talking to.

Seeing how sad the boy looked, Kazuki place a hand on his shoulder and said comfortably,"Hey, don't go blaming yourself. I make bad decisions, too. In fact a lot, so we're not so different. I don't hate you, not anymore. I'm sorry, I drove you away like I did with Ruby. But, I won't this time."

The boy looked up at him,"But, I done a lot of stupid things and ruined your life. How could you forgive me so easily?"

"That's easy. Because we're the same person. Look I know you...I made a lot of mistakes that really screw me up in the future, but the mistakes got me to where I am. Meeting new people, seeing new things, and improving my world wide view on everything," Kazuki says,"And, realizing the mistake I made in the past and truly ruining my life. You see it wasn't just your fault, it's ours. A decision was place in front of us and we just let it get decided for us. That was the mistake."

That didn't made the old Kazuki feel any better.

Kazuki can see that the last statement he made felt a little hurtful. Then, he got an idea and smiled at him,"You know what, how about we start doing this? From now on, you and I are gonna make decisions for ourselves and no one can take that from us."

He extended a hand toward his old self. There was a reaction with what he did because above behind him, 5 silhouette figures appears, one in the middle of the five is the familiar Reaper.

Kazuki said,"So, what do you say? Uh, slash-me? Partners?"

The boy never expect his new self to accept him and bring him along to be apart of his new life. He smile and 7 more silhouette appears above from, too,"Really?"

He nodded,"Yeah. Well, would you?"

He smiled with hope and took off the mask that hid his fears to reveal his smile and tears falling from his eyes out of happiness,"I would like that."

They both grab each other's hands, revealing their Models before grasping upwards. Then, both their Models' crystals glowed in unison to indicate that they have bonded.

The silhouette Reaper unsheathes his left sword and point it upwards. The 11 other silhouettes thrust their fists in the air to welcome the newly bonded Soul Host.

Both the new and old Kazuki spun around into the dark void that is now dying away and becoming engulf in light as both of them become one.

---

Back to reality, Professor Ozpin jumps from a swing before roundhouse kicking the Lieutenant in the head. The Faunus growled angrily and was about to attack with full force.

Torchwick was getting bored,"Oh, my god! Would you hurry up kill him already?!"

He didn't notice, but Kazuki's Model's in his hand beginning glowing, the crystal part particularly. Torchwick looks down, only to be blinded by the bright light,"What the hell?! Argh!"

It burned with a fiery fury and Torchwick dropped it. The Model flew up and flies to its host. When the Lieutenant was going to swing his weapon, the Model hits the blade.

To the Lieutenant's surprise, the blade was melted off with a loud sizzling sound. Professor Ozpin watched where the Model was going and saw it heading to Kazuki.

The Model found the Gauntlet on Kazuki's arm before spinning. It spin over to his arm and stopped before connecting itself on the spot and doing the counterclockwise turn. And, in addition to this, the Model was swallowed by a white light.

The light dies and reveal the Model to sport a white and black color scheme to match Reaper's white and black armor. "SOUL HOST BONDING SEQUENCE COMPLETE. ALL TRANSFORMATIONS HAS NOW BEEN UNLOCKED."

Then, the crystal lights up and projected a blue hologram of Reaper.

There was a 2 second delay before the hologram disappears and Kazuki's body was covered in a brief flash of blue light. The light almost blinded the people around for a few seconds. After that, shock rose in the air.

On the ground, Reaper is seen groaning painfully before slowly getting up from the pool of his blood.

He opens his eyes slowly before doing it quickly to realize he was alive. Reaper grasp for air before coughing. He panted rapidly,"Whoa! I'm alive? I'm alive! Ugh! Why does my mouth taste like I ate Death for dinner? Oh, probably because I was dead."

A miracle has happened. The Model has revived Kazuki from the dead.

"You have to be shitting me," Torchwick looked horrified,"You're dead! He killed you, rat!"

"Well, news flash, Torchwick," Reaper said standing up and pointing a finger at him,"I cheated death! And, my name isn't 'rat'! My name is Kazuki Shinigami and I'm..."

Reaper stood tall and looks victorious,"Kamen rider Reaper!"

Torchwick almost bend his own came in anger before noticing most of soldier getting back up. He grab one by the collar and order him,"Get out there and kill that rat!"

He threw him toward Reaper and the soldier punch him in the chest. However, that resulted in a swollen fist and loud scream of pain. Reaper smirk behind his mask before kneeing him in the stomach and sending him packing.

Two soldiers raise their guns and open fire. The bullets were bouncing off Reaper's armor. Reaper ran and unsheathes both his sword. In a flash, he cuts both their guns apart.

He skids to a halt before spinning around and dashing at the two unarmed soldier. They both were thrown out of the forest and are seen flying elsewhere. One of them were doing the Welheim scream.

Reaper sighed refreshingly,"Ah, it's good to be back."

A soldier was trying to get the drop on him from behind. However, Reaper backhand punch in the face and knocked him out. He turns to the rest of soldiers who were here and now trembling in fear. Reaper decided to have a little fun with them with this.

"Boo."

The reaction was a whole series of screams, running, jumping, rolling and fleeing the battlefield. Reaper scoffs,"Tch, cowards."

"Ok, who's next?" Reaper hadn't notice the Lieutenant charging behind. He heard his running and turns around, only to be punched in the mask and being flown back a few feet away. He grunted as he hits the ground.

That blow wasn't painful, but it was definitely irritating. Reaper groaned as he rubbed his head,"Ugh, that was embarrassing."

The Lieutenant laughs at him,"Feeble fool! No matter how strong you are, you cannot match up to me."

"Buddy, don't tempt me to prove you wrong," Reaper got ready to fight until his Model 'beeps' two times and flashes two time in unison with the 'beeps',"Huh?"

He looks down to see a small black square shape surface reflecting button on the left side of the crystal. Curious, Reaper press on it and the crystal glowed the same color again and projected the hologram of Reaper.

Then, the hologram of Reaper became static before it changed color to lighter blue and it displayed a new hologram.

The hologram is a blue Rider with an Artic wolf style. The rider has the mouth of a wolf that is armored, two ears protruding from its snow pattern fur coat it is wearing. A blue matching mask with two connecting slits on it. When standing, it looks more like a werewolf. Its feet has four toes like a wolf and the claws were sharp and cover in black armor.

"Whoa, who's this guy?" Reaper looked closely at it,"I never seen him before."

He doesn't understand what this meant. But, it's maybe something that could help him with this battle.

"Judging by the circumstances, this guy must be good," Reaper said. He raise his right hand in the air before slamming his palm on top of the hologram and the crystal. This start off a brief flash of blue light that nearly blinded the Lieutenant, Torchwick, Ozpin and the soldiers still around.

The light dies down and low growl can be heard. Cold air exits from the mouth of a wolf. Reaper was know longer here, it was someone else.

The new Rider that Kazuki has become, growled loudly before howling,"Winter Wolf! ARH-WOOOOOOOOO!"

The crowd were left quiet and confused. But, mostly confused of what just happened.

The Rider that calls himself Winter Wolf stops his howling. He rubs the back of his head and said to himself,"Great, now I'm calling out names like a certain brown hair dude and his magical watch thing."

"What kind of trick is this?!" the Lieutenant yelled.

Winter Wolf shrugged,"Hey, I just transform for the first time in...this. Don't ask me questions."

"Whatever it is, I'm still taking you down!" he shouted before running toward. Winter Wolf got into fighting stance,"Bring it, big guy."

When the Lieutenant threw the first punch, Winter Wolf punched afterwards. But, suddenly, his punch went past through the Lieutenant.

Surprise at what just happen, the Lieutenant trips and tumbles over. This action left Winter Wolf confused as he turns around and said,"What? What just happened?"

"Kazuki, look!" Professor Ozpin pointed at Winter Wolf.

Not understanding what he was pointing at, the Rider soon found out. His whole body has turn transparent blue. This made Winter Wolf test something. He heads to a nearby tree and touched, only for his hand to faze through it.

"I have...intangibility," he awed before grinning,"This is...the coolest thing ever!"

The Lieutenant was getting real pissed off by the fact he was getting ignored. He gets up and clenched both his fists,"Insolent fool! Prepare to meet your end!"

This only made the Rider sigh at him,"You...really don't get the grasp of the situation, don't you? Do me a solid and beat it. You're not gonna win."

"The White Fang gives me the strength to fight and prevail!" he growled,"I will follow the White Fang until death! Hurraaaagggh!"

The intangibility around Winter Wolf cancel out and he prepares for the attack against his former Lieutenant. Getting close enough, the White Fang Lieutenant thrust his hands forward toward him.

In response, the Rider grapples with him by the hands. They both growled at how much strength the other opponent has.

Winter Wolf growled at him,"Give up! It doesn't have to be this way."

"Grr! Give me a reason!" he clenched his teeth behind his mask as he begin pushing him back.

"I'll give you good one!" Winter Wolf was done holding back. He begin crushing his hands and the Faunus responded with a loud cry of pain. He was too strong for him to beat. The Lieutenant slowly fell on his knee from the might of Winter Wolf.

Winter Wolf wasn't holding back his power any longer. He was showing how ruthless he was towards him.

Then, the Faunus felt cold on his hands. He realizes ice begin forming on his wrist and spreading through his arms. "Wait! What are you doing?!"

"Putting you in submission..." Winter Wolf growled from the stress at squeezing the Faunus' hands. The ice reached his chest and to his lower body.

"Stop! Stop! This isn't funny!" the Lieutenant begged.

He had enough of his begging and told him this,"Killing innocent lives, blowing up trains, and destroying villages! Those weren't funny either!"

"Y-you do all those things, too! Arrgghhh!" the ice beginning spreading on his back, too. Winter Wolf was almost done freezing him,"Yeah, well, guess what, I've changed."

"No...no!" the ice begin coming onto his face,"Nonononononoooooooooo-"

It was over. The Lieutenant was encased in ice and frozen in a stasis-like state.

Winter Wolf remove his hands from him,"Oh, one last thing. Chill out."

"Kazuki!" Professor Ozpin called out his name as he ran toward him. A smile came onto Winter Wolf,"Professor Ozpin, hey."

"You're alive," the Headmaster was surprised.

"Seems so," the Rider shrugged,"And, I got a sweet new armor. Come with a few new features, clothes and-wait, is that my mouth and is that my voice?"

Winter Wolf gripped his wolf mouth and begin pulling it to make sure it was real. Then, he look at his tail which is no longer a cat tail, but a blue wolf tail with a white tip at the end,"And, is that my tail?!"

When he was about to point out another oddity on himself, he heard a shout saying,"Get them!"

Their attentions were shift towards the soldiers charging at them all at once. Winter Wolf got in front of Ozpin,"Stand back!"

"What are you going to?" Ozpin wondered.

"Something that just popped in my head," said the Rider.

They were closing in on them like a pack of Rapier Wasp. Winter Wolf smirk with confidence in his attack he was going to do. First he took a deep breath and lean backwards a bit.

And, next thing that happened was mind blown and ear splitting. Literally.

The soldier had it coming because Winter Wolf thrust his mouth forward and unleashed a devastating howl towards them.

"AR-WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

The force and impact of the howl sent the men flying out to the forest and everything around them.

Trees were flying, rocks were shattering, and dirt being flown up into the air. Professor Ozpin covered his ears from the deafening howl. It took almost a moment for Winter Wolf's howl to become less loud and more quiet. And soon, he finally stops and calms down.

All that howling really took the air out of Winter Wolf's lungs. Professor Ozpin approach from him behind and place a hand on his shoulder,"Are you okay?"

Winter Wolf nodded while he was panting,"Yeah...whew...I just...need a minute..."

"Please warn if you're going to do that again," Ozpin said sticking a finger in his deaf ear

The whole ground in front of them was tranformed into a gaping trench that goes on for miles. While they were distracted by the land, Torchwick took this opportunity to escape. He turn around and was about to leave until he heard Winter Wolf saying,"Hey, freeze!"

That job that Torchwick was given was not worth any of this. Winter Wolf pointed a finger in gun style. Torchwick cramped his stomach seeing what he was doing and laughs at him,"Pfft! Hahaha! What are you gonna do? Shoot me with your imaginary gun?"

"Not gonna warn you again," Winter Wolf said.

The criminal scoffs before turning around,"Yeah, yeah, whatever! Well, that's all folks! The Roman Torchwick is leaving the scene! Goodbye!"

Just about he was going to walk, a beam of ice hits him in the back and cover his body in ice. Torchwick was going to speak until the ice reached his head and his hat falls off along with his cane.

Now, Torchwick has join the human Popsicle club. Winter Wolf approach near him and said,"I said freeze, didn't I?"

With that, he blow the cold air from his finger tip and the job was over.

"I didn't know you could do that," Professor Ozpin said.

"Me either," Winter Wolf agreed.

Then, his Model begin flashing red and beeping at a high pace and a high pitch sound. In a brief flash of blue light, Winter Wolf's stature and size has reduce and now Kazuki was himself again.

Kazuki was a bit dazed at first, but shook his head to get his bearing straight. The wings and sickles on the Model moves back into standby mode.

"Wow, that...definitely felt weird," Kazuki said rubbing his head before smiling excitedly,"But, that was freaking awesome!"

Professor Ozpin chuckles,"It appears you have finally unlocked your Model's full potential. Congratulations, Kazuki."

"No, I should be thanking you," Kazuki smiles,"If you hadn't made me see the errors of my ways, I would have never accepted myself."

A smile came on Ozpin as he shuffles Kazuki on the head, to the young latter's surprise. "You display great courage and self sacrifice. I admire that. Those are true qualities of a Hunter. Now, how about we call the police and make up a cover up story?"

Kazuki loved that idea,"Yeah, let's do it! What do you think, Torchwick? Willing to take the fall for me, good buddy?"

"SON OF A BITCH!" Torchwick muffled.

Roman Torchwick was going to jail. Again.

He grins at the situation he has taken advantage of until his eyes caught a familiar Neopolitan hair in the trees. Behind the trees, Neo peeks and looks at Kazuki. She must have come back after hearing the ruffling that Reaper has done. Kazuki realizes that this could be his only chance to nab Neo right here now, so he doesn't have to worry about it. "Hey, Ozpi-"

But, Kazuki notice something about her. She was using her usual smile nor display any kind of psychotic expression. She was just...happy. Tears were clearly seen in her eyes, which means something. Neo thought Kazuki was gone, so she cried for him.

Kazuki felt touched that she actually cared about him. Ozpin notice he froze,"Kazuki, what were your trying to say?"

He saw that Neo now looked sad. Kazuki felt sorry for her. Sure, she teased him a lot and made fun of him in many ways, but she didn't do anything wrong to him. He decided what to do about it.

Kazuki turns away and looks at Ozpin,"It's nothing. Sorry about that."

The headmaster was suspicious at first, but decides not to pry into it. He pulls out his Scroll and contacted Atlas,"This is Professor Ozpin..."

Deciding to give her a second chance, Kazuki turns to her again and see that she was smiling. He smiles back and waves because this is where they will say goodbye. Probably forever. Neo could only smile more before putting a hand on her mouth and blowing a kiss to him. Kazuki blushed at the gesture.

Neo now closed her eyes as she sinks back into the darkness of the the forest, disappearing from sight.

Kazuki could only smile for her and how his life is going to turn out now.

---

Afterwards...

Atlesian Knights were carrying the still frozen White Fang Lieutenant and Roman Torchwick aboard a Dropshop. Kazuki and Professor Ozpin were watching the whole thing going by until a voice called them out,"Ozpin, I never expect you to be here."

Both of them turn to a man walking towards them. He wore white overcoat over his gray undercoat with a red tie and a white glove on his right hand. He has black hair with some areas of it gray and silver.

"James..." Ozpin said calmly.

James had on a stern look as he stopped in front of them. He looked at Ozpin and now at Kazuki. The Faunus doesn't realize he still had blood over his clothes. This surprises and shock the general at how blood he looks and Kazuki was completely oblivious about it.

"Who is this Faunus?" James demanded to know.

Kazuki pull his jacket sleeve down over his Model to hide it. He hope Professor Ozpin has a story to make the general of Atlas believe him.

Professor Ozpin had a moment of silence before looking at Kazuki,"This is Kazuki. The Faunus that captured Torchwick and expose the White Fang's base."

"Huh?" Kazuki was shock to hear him say that.

"What?" James could hardly believe that one Faunus was capable of performing such heroic feats.

Professor Ozpin nodded,"It is true. He has perform a noble and dangerous task on his own. Something that no Faunus has ever done or wanted to."

At first, James looked suspicious of the story he is hearing. Kazuki felt he wouldn't believe him. But, to his surprise, the general smirks and place a hand on Kazuki's shoulder,"It is unexpected that someone of your caliber was able to take down the most devious criminal in Remnant. Thank you."

"Um, y-yeah! That's right!" Kazuki sweatdrops and smiles nervously. He mentally sighs,"Whew! Dodge a bullet on that one."

James smiles, but turns serious as he looks at Professor Ozpin,"Ozpin, this got me questioning you. Why are you here in the first place?"

Professor Ozpin smiled and answers honestly,"To attend the festival in this village. This use to be my home."

James gave him a smile,"Of course. Anyways, clever idea using Ice Dust to trap them both."

"I did?" Kazuki doesn't remember doing that until Professor Ozpin gave him a glance,"Oh, I mean, yeah! That's just me using my head. Hehehe..."

James smiles,"Our medic should take a look at that cut wound. It's a miracle that you are still standing after that."

Kazuki waves a hand in declination,"That's fine. My Aura healed me and I'm back on my feet."

"Of course," James said,"Well, I have to get going. The White Fang base has a lot of intelligence that will exploit the plans and bases hidden in Remnant. You have my thanks and gratitude, Kazuki. Now, excuse me."

With that, the general of Atlas leaves to board a Dropshop and takes off. Kazuki folds his arms and asked Professor Ozpin,"Does he always have to bring a lot of unnecessary firepower?"

"That is just James," Professor Opzin said,"Now, about your enrollment, I'll have it done by tomorrow."

Kazuki looks at him,"Cool...so, how are we getting back to Vale? And, what about my stuff back at the base? And, about...me?"

"Why don't you find the answers in that?" Professor Ozpin pointed at the Model.

Kazuki looks at it and smirks before pressing the black button again and engaging the hologram display. He use his finger to swipe and change the selection. He swipes through a few selections that were new to him until he found one that caught his interest.

---

The sun rises over the horizon. Then, something fast swoosh by and kicks off a lot of dirt. Professor Ozpin was sitting on top of carriage while drinking coffee bought on the way while he was signing Kazuki's forms.

The one pulling the carriage was none other than Kazuki who was now a different Kamen Rider. The dust were making hard to see what the Kamen rider he has become, but it was obviously that he was running at high speed, probably faster than an average rocket car.

"Kazuki, would you mind slowing down?" Professor Ozpin asked.,"The dust is making it hard for to write your forms."

A sigh came from Kazuki and he spoke in a different voice,"Sure, if that's what you want."

The journey back to Vale has taken a day before they have finally arrived back...

---

Next day during the afternoon, Koji and Ruby were heading to the elevator. Koji pressed the button and the door opens. They go inside and Ruby press the top floor button that leads to Professor Ozpin's office.

Their Headmaster had just call them up to his office about something important. Something that might make their lives a little bit better.

"Hey, Ruby, how you've been?" Koji looks at her.

Ruby said lowly,"I'm cool..."

"Don't seem cool to me," Koji said.

"I guess...I haven't forgotten about Kazuki," Ruby said,"I can't stop shaking the feeling that I have done something wrong."

"It wasn't you," Koji said,"That jerk did something wrong to you. I want to punch him...but, I want to help him out. He's probably been through a lot and we never knew about it."

Ruby nodded,"Yeah."

The elevator stops and the doors open. They exited the elevator and approached the chair that is facing from behind. Professor Ozpin was watching the sky outside while telling both of them,"Take a seat."

Both of them took the seat presented to them. It became silent around them until Professor Ozpin broke it up by saying,"How have you been?"

"Oh, we're...good," Koji said.

"Really?" Professor Ozpin said.

Koji nodded to him,"Yeah, we are."

"Hm..." the Headmaster closed his eyes.

Ruby feels like there was someone watching them. She looks around and it seems like there was no one here. Koji can feel someone is here, but can't sense where that guy is.

The Headmaster turns his chair around to face them. He place his elbows on the table and hold his hand together over his face while saying,"Koji, Ruby, you guys have been doing well in Beacon. You've worked hard, completed missions more than anyone and show great deal of courage."

"Why, thank you, Professor Ozpin," Koji smiles and saluted his head downward.

"But, are you prepare to take on this task that I'm about to give you?" Professor Ozpin said, his voice now becoming cold and grim.

This tone of voice got both Ruby and Koji chilling. They were waiting for the task that being told by Professor Ozpin that they haven't notice a familiar Faunus peeking over on top of the gears in the ceiling.

"This task require your emotions and mind to be right," Professor Ozpin said,"Are you ready to hear it?"

Koji and Ruby looked determine and confident about it. Ruby talked first,"Of course. What is it? We're ready."

Professor Ozpin paused for a moment before saying,"...are you willing enough to forgive 'him'?"

He pointed his finger at the space between them to point at something. That was Kazuki's cue to hop off the gear and landed on his feet with a loud 'thump!'

The noise turn the two's attention behind and they were utterly shock. Both their mouths drop as they gasped loudly.

Kazuki rubs the back of his head nervously,"H-hey, Koji...Ruby..."

Koji stands up slowly from his chair and so did Ruby. Kazuki can see the expression on their faces turn stern. He sighed,"Guys, I know what I did was wrong...no, not wrong, stupid. Look, I've been...alone, ok? It's ridiculous, I know. I've been alone for so long that I had to seal it all up in me, didn't want to feel or look weak. I didn't want to be a person who relies only on the people around him. I realize now that I can't hold it in. It'll just make me suffer more and more. Koji, Ruby, I'm sorry. I'm very, very sorry. I don't expect you guys to forgive and if you want me to get out of your life, I'll understand. I don't blame you."

They were unresponsive to him and Kazuki thought they still would not forgive him. He closed his eyes and use his mouth to cover his clenching teeth. He turns his back and walks toward the elevator,"I'll just...go."

But, he did not take on footstep when he heard the chairs turning loudly. He turns to see what was that about and suddenly, he felt arms wrapped around him.

This came to a shock to Kazuki because it was Koji and Ruby. They were hugging him as if they missed him.

"Kazuki, damn it, I didn't expect a guy like you to come back after the shits he has said," Koji sniffed as tears falls out of his eyes.

Kazuki felt awkward with Koji crying,"Koji...are you crying?"

"Kazuki..." Ruby buried her face in his chest,"You came back! You actually came back!"

"I did..." Kazuki said quietly before buying down on his lips to hold back his crying, but gives in and cries with them. He hugs them back tightly and all of them fell on their knees.

"Ruby...I'm sorry. I really am...I left you behind like your mother," Kazuki apologized sadly,"I was scared, I admit it and-"

Ruby interrupted him,"It's okay, you don't have to tell me...you're back and that's all that matters...thank you..."

It was happy ending for all of them like in a fairy tale and Profesor Ozpin smiles at them. What more surprises are coming to them in the future? And what danger lies for the students of Beacon?

All that question can come later because this moment is too heart warming. After a moment of hugging, they break away and wipe away the tears in their eyes.

Koji smiles happily at Kazuki,"Hey, why don't we find your friends and show them your back?"

His friends? Was he talking about Dwayne? Ed? Katie? Trowa? Koyo? Kazuki felt scare about it because he remembered all the disheartening words he has said before, but all that fear was swept aside because he chose not to be scared right now.

Kazuki smiles back with confidence,"Yeah, let's go, Ruby."

Ruby nodded and smiles, too,"Yeah..."

They all boarded the elevators and heads down to the lower floor, so Kazuki can finally start over with his new friends.

---

Math class ended with Yang and Dwayne chatting on the way back to their dorms.

"I'm telling you, Yang!" Dwayne grinned,"I'm the guy with the most charms here. Ed and Trowa...mmmmm, pretty low."

Yang laughs,"You are an ass!"

They both laughed together as good buddies until someone stood in their way. Looking up, they see a familiar Faunus in front of them.

Kazuki.

"Hey, Dwayne, what's up?" Kazuki smiles at him.

Dwayne stood there like a statue until he dropped his book bag and ran towards him,"You shit!"

He attempts to tackle him, but he accidentally tripped and face plants on the ground. Kazuki blinks blankly,"Huh. Wasn't expecting that."

Dwayne groaned as he gripped Kazuki's shirt and pulled him up to his level. He grunted,"You bastard, why did you come back here? You said you don't have friends!"

Kazuki remained quiet about that sentence because he was staring at something.

"Have nothing to say?! Have nothing to apologize for?! What?!" Dwayne yelled.

"Dwayne..." Kazuki said.

"Nope! If that's the apology! I won't hear it!" Dwayne turns around and covers his ears,"Lalalalalaaaaa!"

"Dwayne..." Kazuki was looking impatient.

"Still, not listening!" Dwayne was being immature.

Kazuki had enough and yells at him,"Dwayne!"

Dwayne turns to him,"WHAT?!"

"Your fly's down," Kazuki responded blankly.

This answer cause Dwayne to flinch and found out he really has his fly down. He panicked and quickly zips it up with red face,"Ah! You blockhead, Why didn't you tell me?!

"Tell you?!" Kazuki was pissed at him now,"You're the idiot who didn't look at the fly on his pants!"

"Oh, yeah! I should've look down at my pants! That's very normal!" Dwayne said in a mocking voice.

Kazuki face palms,"Honestly, I shouldn't have ruin the moment with your fly."

This sparked silence in the air. Kazuki and Dwayne were staring at each seriously in the eyes...

...

...

...

Their face cracks up into a smile and they all laugh like good buddies. Kazuki had tears coming from his eyes while Dwayne was running his dripping nose.

"You should've seen the look in your eyes right now!" Dwayne laughed as he points at Kazuki's eyes.

Kazuki responded by pointing at Dwayne's nose,"My look? What about your nose?! You're dripping like a waterfall."

"Uh-hmm!" the clear throats of a certain pissed girl.

That terrifying Aura made Kazuki slowly turn at Yang whose hair is now floating and eyes glowing red. Yang approached Kazuki slowly with Ember Celica cocked,"What the hell are you doing back here?"

Dwayne was about to defend Kazuki until the latter signal him to let him handle this. Kazuki walked towards her and they both stop at the same time. Yang glared Kazuki with intents of breaking his face,"You have some nerves showing your face back here. But, that's okay. I can finally break that stupid face of yours as payback."

Kazuki sighs before closing his eyes and leaving his face wide open. Yang notice he was doing something weird,"What are you doing? Is this some kind of joke?"

"No jokes here," Kazuki said,"I deserve it for hurting your little sister. So, go ahead. Hit me or whatever. I'll take it."

"And, yet your stupid ass is back here," Yang said,"Why?"

The answer was given to her,"Because she's my friend. And, friends don't abandon each other. I realize that."

Yang just wanted to punch him face which was hinted by her teeth clenched and her fist raised. But, she notice that Kazuki was being serious here. He really did wanted to come back and be friends with her again. She saw the guilt and regret in his expression that was torturing him to no end.

She threw her fist back and launched it toward Kazuki in the face. He got ready for it hit him, but all he felt was the wind blowing in his face. He opens his eyes to see the fist inches away from him.

The blonde hair girl disengage her gauntlets and grabs Kazuki by the collar and pulls him into her face,"Listen well and listen carefully. If I ever see you hurting my little sister again or abandoning her again, my fist colliding with your face would be the last thing that the choirs would be singing at your wedding. Capiche?"

"Totally..." Kazuki nodded.

With that, she lets go and leaves them. "I'm bailing, see ya."

But, Kazuki called out her name,"Hey, Yang?"

Yang turns to him and rudely said,"Yeah, what?"

Then, she sees Kazuki was smiling instead of trembling in fear as if it supported him. "Thank you for giving me a chance and I hope we can be friends, too. If you want to."

Seeing him smile like that made Yang blush and steam up while causing her cowlick on top of her head to stand straight up in response. Yang turns away and said to him,'W-whatever! Don't forget what I said! Stupid dummy!"

"Eh?" Kazuki sweat drop at this new side of Yang.

The blonde brawler simply scoffs at him before leaving in a hustle.

Kazuki rubs the back of his head,"Man, what did I do now?"

Dwayne grins at him,"Kazuki, I think Yang likes you."

"L-like me?!" Kazuki blushed madly,"Don't be ridiculous!"

"Come on, I totally see it in her eyes!" Dwayne said,"But, you have no chance with her. She's a real boy killer."

This made Kazuki raise an eyebrow,"Riiiiiight, anyways, I better meet up with the others. Can't wait for them to kick my ass."

"Wait, meet up?" Dwayne asked,"As in meeting up here? In Beacon?"

A sigh came out of the Faunus as he turns his head to him,"Yeah, since I'll be attending here for now on."

"Attending here? As in this school? But, what about the White Fang?" Dwayne asked.

Kazuki shrugs with a scoff,"Meh, Renegade for life."

This spark Dwayne with tears of hopes in his eyes before he pull out his Scroll and texting his friends. Kazuki saw what he was doing and asked him,"Hey, what are you up to?"

"KITTY CAT!"

Oh, no.

Kazuki recognize that voice and hope it wasn't...

He was suddenly lift up in the air in a big hug by the lovable oaf. Ed was hugging Kazuki so passionately that he begin crushing him,"Kitty Cat! Kitty Cat! I missed you!"

Kazuki coughed as he smiled,"Yeah...missed you, too, big guy...ergh, think you can let go?"

Ed drops Kazuki on his feet and he was hugged again by Trowa. Kazuki freaks out,"Whoa! Ok, Trowa, you don't have to hug me."

Trowa lets go and smiles at him,"Oh, Kazuki, I am so proud of you! You realize the errors of your ways and chosen the right path. And for that, I give you my eternal trust."

"Uh, thanks, man..." Kazuki was creeped out again by Trowa's questionable intentions.

"Oi, Kazuki!" Katie's voice shouted. Kazuki turns his head and was met with two feet in the face. He tumbled into the ground while Katie grabbed both his legs, lift them up and wide and begin stomping his groin,"Take this! Take that! And that! You stupid piece of shit!"

Kazuki was repeatedly saying,"Owowowowowowowowowowowowowowowow!"

Dwayne raise a hand up to stop Katie,"Katie, what are you-"

"Hey, let me in at it!" Koyo shouted excitedly as he ran past Dwayne. Now, Katie was sitting on top of Kazuki beginning back his leg painfully while Koyo was pulling on the cat ears. Trowa, Ed, and Dwayne sweat drop at what they were seeing. Katie missed him, but he wanted to kick his ass. Koyo...just wanted to kick his ass.

"Jesus! I give! I give!" Kazuki beginning banging his fist on the ground for mercy. Katie feels like he had punishment enough and lets go of his leg. Koyo, however, was still pulling on his ears until Ed grab the back of his collar and pulls him off Kazuki.

Koyo squirms while whining,"Come on! Let me at him more! He deserves it for disrespecting my brother! Ill rip his ears off and eat them for breakfast and shit them all over his face!"

Kazuki got up while massaging his ears,"Well, I missed you, too, brat."

Katie went by Kazuki's side as he stands up and raise a fist at him. Kazuki close his eyes for the punch until she said,"Don't leave me hanging."

He realizes she has no intentions of hurting him now and looks at her fist. Slowly at first, Kazuki moves his fist and pumps it with her's. She smiles at him,"Welcome back, you shit."

Kazuki returns that kindness with a smile, too,"Yeah, smoke breath. I'm back."

It was a happy moment between all of them. Koji and Ruby joins in with Kazuki after he ran out to find his friend and all shared it together. Ed was hugging Kazuki around the neck from behind while Dwayne was shuffling his hair to show much of a friend he is to him now. He was laughing along with friends who were watching him laugh and smile like a normal person. Something that Kazuki hasn't done for a long time.

---

Professor Ozpin was watching the whole thing from his tower with a smile. But, soon, his expression change to a sorrowful one. He may have made Kazuki turn to a new leaf and experience new things he hasn't done before and have fun on the way, but...it's not something that he will have forever. The elevator door opens and reveal Glynda heading over to the professor's desk and asking him,"Professor Ozpin, I do not mean to be rude, but why did you let that boy attend this academy? Once is enough, but twice is overdoing it."

The Headmaster looks up before sighing,"I'm selfish, Glynda. we all are."

The witch didn't understand what he meant,"Excuse me?"

"Kazuki...Kazuki is strong willed and brave," Professor Ozpin said turning around and looking at her,"Right now, Remnant isn't prepare for the coming storm. A Guardian is needed to protect this kingdom."

Glynda knows that,"I know. She is the one, Ozpin. Pyr-"

Professor Ozpin interrupts her by saying,"She is, I know. A warrior fated for victory is the perfect Guardian to defend us. But, she has come a long way before she even attended here. Surrounded by media, distant away from many, being...alone for a long time. She made so many bonds that could last a lifetime and that was what brought he out of despair. And, what we are doing right now is destroying the life she has long for."

"Ozpin, what are you talking about? She is the only who can do this, for us, for Remnant," Glynda said,"Don't you see that?"

Professor Ozpin took a seat in his chair and sigh,"I do see. But, not everything is the right decision or a good one."

"Then what are you suggesting?" Glynda asked.

"Not suggesting, Glynda," Professor Ozpin revolving his chair toward the window,"Thinking. I have heard these tales about how mighty these Riders are in their world, Zesteria."

Glynda looks at him as if he was crazy,"Ozpin, do you honestly believe a bunch of kids that appear at our school rambling nonsense about a world parallel to ours? And, what about that Kazuki? From what I heard from them, he is a White Fang member. He is a criminal."

"I understand what you mean," Ozpin said turning again to face her,"But, Kazuki has changed. Putting him in jail is too much. He has carried too many burdens and sins in his life. He is guilty of what he has become in the past and wants to change that. To be a better person. And, for that, he might be willing to accept this new responsibility."

Glynda doesn't understand,"The responsibility of what?"

Professor Ozpin looked her grimly,"The responsibility of protecting this world alongside the new Fall Maiden and also, becoming a new legend. But, he won't just become a legend. He would become..."

Kazuki walks side by side with his comrades toward a new future while their laughters were inaudible. He laughs as he looks forward while thinking of his bright future ahead of him.

(Then, it turned black)

"...our only hope."

---

(Just Live More by Gaim No Kaze plays)

(A silhouette of Kazuki (whose body is gray and his white hair is only seen) is seen with his Model activated and projecting a blue light. Behind him a silhouette of Reaper whose left side is white and right is black.)

`Ima' to iu! Kaze wa! Ani o tsutaeru tame!

[Omae no moto ni fuku! TSUYOKU! TSUYOKU! Blowin' up!]

Ashita ga! Yume ga! Mada mienakute mo!

[Soko genkai seiippai! Ikite iru to ierunara!]

Utsumuku na yo! [kao agero!]

Doko madede mo! [Mageru koto naku!]

Shinjita michi o yuke! JUST LIVE MORE!

DON'T SAY "NO"! JUST LIVE MORE!

(Episode 4: Ride toward a new future)

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I'm gonna say this and I'm gonna say it this one time: I'M NEVER DOING ANYTHING F**KING PREVIEW AGAIN. Please consider the past ones non-canon and pretend that they never existed. With that out of the way, I'm going to remind all of you that the endings in the next chapters will have varying songs like how RWBY using different musics for their credit. As for the certain magical watch based Model, I'm not gonna say it. You can put it on the review page to answer the reference. If you do, I'll give you a digital cookie. While I'm working on new stories and chapters, I'm gonna try to drift away from my KR writings to pursue on different franchises, but I'll still work on it. With the update out of the way, I bid you farewell. Ta-ta!