This chapter will be less about fighting and more about character building! yay fun... maybe some fighting anyway.

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Thoughts

Shukaku

Speech


Chapter Seven: Calm Before The Storm

"You need to work on your punches"

I know

"I mean you seriously-"

I know already!

"You punched a hole through the wall without trying to! Imagine what that could do to a person! The possibilities are limitless!"

We were definitely going different directions with our train of thought there

"Huh? What were you thinking then?"

Gaara sighed shaking his head at the beasts one track mind. Returning to his book he continued to read the last few pages of the textbook on Remnant's Huntsman history.

"Why not you've trusted me with much more important stuff, like you told us that Blake is secretly a F-" Jaune protested as Pyrrha covered his mouth with her hand.

"Fun loving person! Whom we all admire and respect" she finished for him. Jaune earned a death glare from Blake.

"Right... that... Ladies, enjoy your battle" Jaune bowed as he left.

"Sup losers?" Sun asked approaching them with an unknown friend.

"Hey, Sun" Ruby greeted, Gaara nodded his head acknowledging his presence.

"Ruby, Yang, Blake, Gaara, Ice-Queen" he greeted accordingly.

"Why does everyone keep calling me that!?" Weiss asked.

"It's your sunny disposition" Gaara chuckled not looking up from his book.

"I never got the chance to introduce you to my old friend" he explained gesturing to the blue haired man next to him.

"Aren't libraries for reading?" he asked.

"Thank you!" Ren and Gaara agreed.

"Pancakes!" Nora yelled waking up from their voices.

"Don't be a nerd-"

"Gegege... Intellectual, thank you... I'm Neptune" he introduced.

"Where are you from?" Weiss asked curiously.

"Haven, I don't believe I got your name Snow-Angel"

"I'm Weiss" she answered with a light blush.

"Oh come on!" Jaune groaned having used that same line previously.

"Didn't take you for the board playing type" Sun pointed out to Blake.

"Actually I think I'm done playing" she announced as she got up to leave. Yang and Ruby gave him a sympathetic look.

"Women" Nora shrugged.

She's still thinking about the other night

"She's right to be worried"

Yeah, hopefully we can assuage her concerns soon


Entering the dorm room with the rest of the team Blake decided to leave as they entered.

"Stop" Weiss demanded "Lately you've quiet, antisocial and moody"

"Uh... have you met Blake?" Yang asked.

"Which I get is kind of your thing, but you've been doing it more than usual. Quite frankly it's unacceptable, you made a promise to me and all of us that you would let us know if something was wrong" Weiss finished before jumping from her place onto the side of a chair "So, Blake Belladonna, what is wrong?" she asked balancing herself on the chair pointing directly at her. Noticing the awkwardness she quickly placed the chair back.

"I just... I don't understand how everyone can be so calm" Blake answered.

"You're still thinking about Torchwick?" Ruby asked.

"Torchwick, The White Fang, all of it! Something big is happening and nobody is doing anything about it!"

"Ozpin told us not to worry, between the police and the huntsman. I'm sure they can handle it" Yang reassured.

"Well I'm not! They don't know The White Fang like I do" Gaara sat silently as they debated between them.

"You planning on convincing them to stay out of it?"

I was thinking about it

"And?"

I think Blake is right

"We're not ready!" Weiss insisted.

"We may never be ready! Our enemies aren't just going to wait around for graduation, they're out there planning their next move and none of us know what it is but it's coming, whether we're ready... or not" Blake finished.

"Gaara?" Yang asked looking towards him.

"Hmm?"

"You've been unusually quiet, what're you thinking?" she asked concerned.

"I think Blake is right, graduating isn't going to be our golden seal to fight monsters and crooks like Torchwick, we can still fight back before they become a bigger problem than they already are"

"All in favor of being the youngest huntresses and huntsman to bring down a corrupt organization conspiring against the kingdom of Vale... say I"

"Yes! I love it when your feisty" Yang agreed pointing to Blake.

"Well... I suppose it could be fun" Weiss relented.

"None of you said I" Ruby pouted.

"Alright then... we're in this together" Blake smiled.

"Let's hatch a plan!" Ruby cheered.

"If we're going to-" Gaara began but was interrupted by Ruby gasping "I left my board game in the library!"

"We're doomed" Weiss sighed shaking her head.

"I'll be right back!" she yelled running into the hallway.

"We're so doomed aren't we?" Weiss asked.

Gaara's ears perked up when he heard Ruby's voice in the hallway. Looking out the door he saw a raven haired girl look right at him and smile menacingly as she passed by with a green haired girl with dark skin and a white man with gray hair.

"Did you feel that?"

Yeah, I don't like it

"Welcome to Beacon!" Ruby called after them.

"Who were they?" he asked.

"Exchange students here for the festival, they're from Haven"

"Hmm... anything feel off about them to you?"

"No... why?" Gaara shook his head "No reason"


"I thought that class would never end" Blake sighed as she finished getting dressed.

"Today's the day! The investigation begins!" Ruby cheered excitedly jumping off her bed.

"I'm glad to see we're taking things so seriously" Weiss sighed.

"Hey, we've got a plan. That's moderately serious"

"Right... everyone remember their roles?" Ruby asked.

"Are you ladies done trussing your hair?" Gaara asked waiting patiently outside the door.

"You can come back in now!" Ruby yelled.

"You and me will be checking Schnee records to see for inconsistencies and other robberies. Seeing as I'm a part of the family, it shouldn't be a problem"

"The White Fang has regular faction meetings to hand out orders and recruit new members, if I can get in, I can hopefully find out what they're planning"

"I have an old friend on the shady side of town who seems to know some of everything going on in Vale, getting information out of him shouldn't be too hard" Yang finished.

"And I'm trying to find any information I can about Torchwick from the people he's robbed" Gaara said.

"Right, then let's do this!" Ruby cheered.

"Yeah!" Sun yelled hanging outside the window by his tail.

No one else noticed he was there?

"Guess not, they just jumped out of their skin at the sight of him" Shukaku roared with laughter.

"We're so doomed" Gaara sighed.

"Guess Neptune can go with Yang since Sun is going with Blake" Ruby concluded.

"Or you could go with her since your her sister and Neptune could come with me" Weiss suggested. Ruby looked confused for a second before waving her head "Nah" she laughed pulling Weiss along with her out the door, much to her protest.


Gaara entered the store Ruby helped while Torchwick was robbing it "Hello?" he called as he entered.

"In the back" came an older voice. Gaara sat patiently at the front counter. The owner came out and approached "What can I get for you today?"

"Actually I have a few questions about the robbery that took place here a few days ago"

"Oh... I apologize but I can't-"

"It's for a school project I'm doing"

"Oh, well then I suppose I can make an exception"

"Thank you, who was it who robbed this place?"

"That guy from the news Roman Torchtick or Torchwish?"

"Torchwick"

"Yeah that guy, him and some men came in here and stole all of my dust. Didn't even take any cash"

"Did they say anything? Where they were going or why they needed it?"

"No... the girl in the red hood beat the snot out of them though"

"Hmm. Thank you anyway"

"Your welcome, such nice children these days. You remind me of a girl I ran into just the other day, she was asking about a bookstore up the street. Green hair and dark skin on that one, never seen anyone like that around have you"

"Actually I have... which store was it that she asked about?" The owner walked him outside and pointed. Gaara thanked him and walked over to the store.

"Green hair and dark skin? She was with that girl that almost gave me chills"

"I plan on finding out why she came here" he found the door was locked when he tried the handle. Using his sand he placed a key into the lock and shaped it into the right fit unlocking the door. entering he found several book shelves knocked over. Suddenly he was hit with an intense scent of blood. Following the smell he found the owner dead behind the counter.

"Dear god"

"He's a Faunus... why would she kill a Faunus? What'd he do to her?"

"I don't know... but I plan on finding out" Gaara dialed the police station to report the murder before leaving "Shouldn't stick around-" his phone rang as he exited.

"Everyone! If you can hear me we need backup-" Blake yelled into the phone.

"Help!" Sun yelled.

Gaara sighed. Making a platform of sand to stand on he began flying off in their direction. Arriving to cars being thrown about by the giant robot, groaning he grabbed the cars with sand arms and carefully set them down as he weaved in between them. Neptune and Sun were thrown off the freeway as he caught another car.

"You're sand isn't fast enough to catch them all" Shukaku warned. Gaara scoffed, his gourd and armor broke apart into larger arms of sand catching multiple in a net formation. Jumping off the side of the freeway he used the sand from the platform he created to catch Neptune and Sun before they reached the ground. This is gonna hurt he braced himself as he crashed into the concrete.

"Ow" Struggling to pick himself up he watched as the robot jumped from the freeway down and began fighting his team. Limping his way over his wounds began to heal allowing him to pick up the pace. Gaara arrived as the robot they were fighting got torn apart by a powerful punch by Yang. Torchwick rolled out of the wreckage dusting himself off.

"Just had this thing cleaned"

"Aw, did they break your new toy?" Gaara mocked from above him. Yang fired another shell from her gauntlets at him only for it to be blocked by a girl in a pink dress with an umbrella and two different colored eyes, one brown and another a pale pink matching her hair.

"Neo if you will" Roman said with a slight bow. Neo bowed to them, but didn't move any further. Gaara landed next to Ruby with confusion written in his expression "An illusion?" he breathed out as Yang punched Neo breaking her and Roman into glass.

"Looks like he's got a new henchman" Yang sighed.

"So I missed the fight with the giant robot... never getting over that" Gaara shook his head.

"You and me both kid" Shukaku wined as he wiped away a fake tear.

"Where the hell were you?" Weiss asked annoyed "We could've used your help back there!"

"Oh I'm sorry, Princess, I was a little busy. Making sure the cars getting thrown all over the place weren't falling off the bridge or crashing into other vehicles and getting killed" he snapped back.

"Oh... uh"

"I'll see you back at Beacon" he turned walking back towards a platform materializing from his sand taking him back in the direction of the school.

"He seemed... upset" Yang pointed out.

"Thanks for the update genius" Blake laughed out.


"He forfeited! How could he do that in the middle of a match!" Shukaku yelled furiously.

First off it wasn't even a match with me and secondly it's pretty obvious he was testing Pyrrha's abilities

Exiting out of the class with the team he noticed the green haired girl from the other day. Gaara made sure to keep an eye on her and everyone she talks to still not trusting her. She smiled at him with the same menacing smile the other girl gave him before. This just made him even more on edge.

"Gaara!" yelled Ruby "What's taking you so long?"

"Sorry" he sighed rubbing the back of his head as he approached "Where's Blake?"

"she doesn't want to go to the dance this weekend, we're trying to change her mind"

"Don't worry about that... I'll talk to Blake-"

"Not before practice you wont!" Yang yelled out charging him with her gauntlets ready. Gaara turned blocking her punch without any effort and flipping her over, Yang landed on her feet and fired her gauntlets behind her throwing her forward at him. Gaara ducked under the swing and of her arm while laying his leg under her feet knocking her onto her side "Nice, you're getting faster" Yang laughed rolling onto her back.

"Only because your insistent on trying to take my head off" Gaara sighed extending his hand to her.

"How else are you going to learn?" Yang asked confused accepting his offer.

"Do you mind skipping practice for today? I've got something else to do" Gaara asked though didn't wait around for an answer as he turned to leave.

"What's up with him?"

"I don't know... ugh, now we have two teammates who won't talk to us" Ruby sighed.

"Well I'm going to go make sure Blake knows that she's coming to the dance this weekend" Yang winked at Ruby.

"What? how?"

"My little secret" she said with the wag of her finger as she walked away.


"Alright, I get it. I'll go to the dance" Blake laughed exiting the room with Yang.

"Blake" Gaara greeted from around the corner "a word?"

Blake looked nervously at him like she always did "Uh, I guess so... I need to go catch up on some sleep though-"

"This will only take a minute" he assured as he exited the building. Looking to Yang for assurance, she shrugged and walked off. Following him outside she found him sitting on the edge of the balcony railing.

"What is it you wanted to talk about?"

"Would you consider us to be friends?" he asked without turning his head.

"Yes" she answered without hesitating "Of course we are, how could you even ask that?"

"Because of the very thing I would like to talk to you about... Why do you get so nervous when I'm around?" he turned his head with an almost sad look in his eyes.

Blake gasped in surprise not expecting the question "Honestly... I don't really know. Since day one I have gotten this feeling from you that your dangerous or something. I tried making that go away by checking your aura but..." she dropped off the last of her sentence.

"You saw him then didn't you?"

"Who?"

"That dark black pit that sits at my very core" he answered. Blake's eyes shot open.

"How did-"

"Because it's something I've had my whole life. I haven't told anyone here in Remnant about it though... Honestly I hoped I'd never have to"

"What do you mean? I'm not sure I understand"

"It's the only secret I have kept from Yang and Ruby... I imagine for the same reason you hid that you were, what you are" he answered low enough for no one but her to hear.

"You wanted people to see you for who you were and not what you are?" Gaara nodded his head.

"Back where I'm from there are powerful beings called Tailed Beasts there are nine of them from one tail to nine. They are masses of raw chakra taken sentient form"

"Chakra? That thing you have instead of aura?"

"Yes... My father sealed the one tailed beast inside me before I was even born turning me into a jinchūriki or beast host. I can call upon his power at any time and he's the reason I don't sleep. Unlike other tailed beasts he is so fixated on death and misery of others that he would force his way to controlling me and setting himself free to destroy everyone I care for"

"Wow... that's..."

"I know it's a lot to take in, it certainly was for me. My whole life he has whispered in my ear telling me to do terrible things or laughing about what goes on around me. He just generally loves to torture me"

"That's the dark thing at the center of your chakra then?"

"Something like that... I haven't told anyone this because back home people were scared of me just because they knew who I was and what I carried. Shukaku... the beast used to force me to kill people without me know what I was doing when I was still very young... people blamed me for it but I never wanted to hurt anyone. My uncle was the only one who ever treated me like a real person... even after I had killed his sister by being born"

"You can't blame yourself for that"

"I know, but I still did it. My father and siblings hated me for it. But he never did, he always treated me like I was important to him... then he tried to kill me"

"What?"

"My father ordered him to kill me... he didn't even hesitate to take the job... he just-"

"You don't have to say anymore" Blake placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you... I didn't think it would be so hard to talk about after so long"

"That's not something you just get over, Gaara" she assured "But with us around you won't have to" he smiled at her pulling her into a short hug.

"Thank you"

"Anytime, I imagine your going to tell Ruby about this?"

"Soon... I just need to find the right time"

"She wont see you any differently you know... If anyone could accept you with that thing inside you it's her"


"Yay! Blake is going to the dance!" Ruby yelled excitedly as they all exited the lunchroom.

"Yes, yes, we get it. Don't make such a big deal out of it" Blake waved off.

"Now we can all go as friends!" Nora yelled punching Blake in the shoulder harder than she intended.

"Gaara!" a large group of girls yelled coming up to him quickly, they pushed each other out of the way. Human and Faunus alike "Will you go to the dance with me?"

"No stupid he's going to the dance with me! Right?" another asked hopefully.

"You're both wrong, he's going with me-"

"Look ladies I really don't think I'm going with anyone" he answered awkwardly backing up a few steps not used to such popularity.

"What?! But you have to go with someone, you like the hottest guy in school!"

"I wouldn't go that far" he back up again as they closed the gap once again "I'm planning on asking someone already so could we just-"

"Is it me?"

"No you dolt, he would've asked you already if you were!"

"Save me" Gaara mouthed to the group. Rolling her eyes Nora smirked picking him up with one hand "Sorry ladies but I'm taking him for some sparing practice!" she yelled quickly running off in a random direction.

Yang laughed "Can you have ever imagined he'd get that popular-" she stopped noticing Ruby had disappeared "Where'd Ruby go?"

"Back towards the dorms" Ren answered pointing.

"Dorms? We still have half a day of school left. I'm going to go get her" Weiss groaned walking towards the room.

"I don't think you should be the one to get her" Pyrrha suggested.

"Why not?"

"She looked upset and that means she'd need... a gentler touch"

"I am gentle!" she yelled back but paused afterwards "You're probably right someone else should go get her"

"Don't worry, I will go see what's up" Yang laughed as she passed by them.

"Nora" Gaara said as she returned with him still above her head.

"Yes, Gaara?"

"Could you put me down now?"

"Yes" she answered without moving a muscle. He sighed "Nora"

"oh right"

Yang arrived at the dorm room to find Ruby face down in her bed "Hey kiddo, whatcha doin?"

"Nothing" she answered without moving.

"You know you're going to miss class if you don't get up. What's bothering you?"

"Nothing, nothing is bothering me" she turned to her with a fake smile "See?"

"Ruby" she said in a motherly tone.

"Fine, I'm sorry I ran back here I will go to class"

"Is this about the dance?" she asked with a knowing look.

"Who cares about the dance"

"You do, which is why I find it strange that your moping about instead of being excited about it"

"I know" she sighed dropping out of her bed. Yang sat down onto Blake's bed and patted it for her to sit down.

"What is it that's bothering you?"

Ruby was silent for a few minutes trying to find the words she needed. With a deep sigh she answered "Gaara"

"What about him-wait... do you like him?" she asked with a big smile on her face. Ruby turned a deeper shade of red than her hair "Ha! Nora owes me twenty bucks!" Yang yelled loudly.

"You and Nora bet on this?"

"She bet he was gonna be the first one to tell us he liked you"

"Fat chance of that happening, why would he like a girl like me when he's got so many other girls interested"

"Cause your awesome! Everybody knows he likes you, and everyone thinks they know that you like him, now it's just official"

"He hasn't told you that he likes me right?"

"You know Gaara he's not exactly very open about himself to other people. Everything he tells people is just on the surface for the most part"

"Yeah... do you think I should ask him to the dance?"

"I think it wouldn't hurt for you to try. Worst thing he does is say no, you and I both know Gaara isn't going to treat you any differently for liking him" Ruby thought for a minute a bright smile coming to her face "You're right, I'll do it!" she yelled standing up.

"Do what?" Gaara asked hanging upside down outside the window by the tree branch "Gah!" Ruby and Yang both yelled in surprise "Gaara where did you come from?" Ruby asked still trying to slow down her hate rate.

"I was coming to see if you were alright, you left in sort of a hurry"

"Yeah, I just needed to talk to Yang about something"

"Great, I have something important to ask you about though" he announced dropping into the room.

"What is it?"

Gaara looked at Yang, gesturing for her to leave "Oh, right... I'll just go back to class, see you later!" she called quickly leaving shutting the door behind her and listening at the door.

"Ruby... You and I have known each other for a long time and through that time I have come to realize that I don't just think of you as a friend... I think of you like family" Ruby's face dropped momentarily thinking he was telling her he thought of her as a sister like Yang.

"I have also realized that I care about you more than I have ever cared about anyone... Ruby Rose, would you like to accompany me to the dance Sunday night?"

Ruby was shocked, she was speechless, her mouth hung open as she struggled to find her words "Y-you want to go to the d-dance with me?" she stuttered out. Gaara simply nodded awaiting her answer.

"But I don't know how to dance"

"Me neither... we could always learn together"

Ruby smiled brightly "I'd love that" they began to lean towards each other instinctively closing the distance between them.

"EEEEEEEEEEE!" came from the other end of the door, making them stop. Gaara opened the door to have Yang, Blake, Weiss, Nora, and Jaune fall into the room with Pyrrha and Ren shaking their heads at them.

"Way to ruin the moment" Gaara chuckled.

"Ruby! We need to pick out a dress for you!" Weiss yelled standing up.

"I'm helping!" Nora cheered getting up from the floor.


Yang stood at the entrance podium waiting for the next group to enter "Oh you look so beautiful!" Yang yelled with excitement as Ruby and Gaara entered together.

"Can anyone explain to me how Weiss fight's in these death stilts?" Ruby asked as she struggled to walk straight.

"I hate formal wear" Gaara agreed.

"But you look rather dashing in it" Yang laughed "Just one thing" she licked her fingers and started to fix his hair, Gaara greatly protested, Ruby laughing all the while.

"Don't you people look spiffy" Sun called over as he and Blake approached.

"Shoot me" Gaara answered still fighting off Yang.

"Come on you know you love it" she argued "Just be thankful Qrow isn't here, he'd cut your leg off for even looking at Ruby in that dress"

"You and I both know he'd never get close enough to try" Ruby waved off. She pulled him away towards the punch bowl. They both got a glass and they continued to talk amongst themselves as their friends danced around them.

"I see you're hiding by the punch bowl too" Jaune noted as he approached them slyly with a glass in hand. Gaara nodded.

"Yup" Ruby answered popping the p on the end.

"To the socially awkward" he toasted. Ruby giggled as Gaara shook his head with a small laugh clinking their glasses together.

"Your little rose does look quite appetizing in that dress"

And here I was thinking you had decided to actually stop torturing me, wishful thinking I guess

"Hold my punch" Jaune said handing it to Ruby as he walked off towards Neptune. Ruby drank his punch without a second thought. Gaara laughed "Why don't you and I go embarrass ourselves in front of everyone?" he asked offering his hand towards her.

"Sounds delightful" she curtsied back to him as they walked out onto the dancefloor. They struggled to dance for a few minutes before getting the rhythm right.

"You know... I'm really glad you showed up at my moms grave" Ruby said before realizing how that sounded.

"I'd say I am too but that's probably not the part I'm happy about" he chuckled out.

"I know that sounded weird"

"No it's perfect, everything about tonight has been just perfect" he smiled pulling her closer to him.

"Trying to get some action are we?" she giggled.

"I guess we'll see" he countered as they leaned in, embracing each other in a passionate kiss. After a few minutes they separated for breath "I think we all needed this"

"I do too, and I think that we can handle anything we get thrown at us" she agreed with a smile.

"I don't think I was prepared for that" he covered his mouth to stifle a laugh as Ruby turned to see Jaune sauntering over to Pyrrha in a pink dress. Gaara then noticed Mercury and his friend whom he found out her name was Emerald.

"What're they doing here?" Shukaku asked as Ruby said she was going to get some fresh air.

"Ok, I'll be waiting" I have no idea but if they're here, then they must be planning something

Gaara continued to watch them for a few minutes without so much as a peep from either off them.

"One of the party guests is leaving" Emerald whispered.

"Who?" came back through static.

Who is she talking to?

"Ironwood"

"Looks like the general has had enough partying for one night" Mercury added.

"Should we intervene?"

They're planning something

"No we're done here" came the response.

"It's already happening"

Gaara's phone went off with a message from Ruby "Cross Continental Transit Tower, now!" without hesitating he moved for the door as quickly as possible without being noticed.


Gaara came crashing through the top floor window after hearing gunfire. Using his sand he blocked the arrows flying toward Ruby. The girl in the catsuit got a worried expression on her face at the sight of him. She ran for the window, Gaara slammed into her with his shoulder having removed his gourd to increase his speed. Knocking her to the ground Ruby used Crescent Rose to throw the gourd back to him. Effortlessly catching it, he covered the windows in sand to block her escape.

"Who are you? Tell me your name and I promise I wont kill you" he offered hoping to gain information from her. Without saying a word she formed two swords of glass and charged him, with his sand he formed blades at the sides of his hands using them to block her attack. Once their weapons clashed his sand broke around hers trapping her inside it, continually feeding more sand around her she was trapped in a small cocoon of sand barely large enough for one person just as Ironwood stepped out of the elevator. Gaara felt a familiar presence causing him to waste no more time.

"Sand Burial!" he spoke crushing her just enough to incapacitate. Clearing the sand out of the way he found her to be gone "She got away" he seethed.

"What the hell is going on up here?" Ironwood demanded in nearly in sync with Shukaku's ranting.

"Whoever the hell that was broke in here without even breaking a sweat General. I'm pretty sure I know who it is but I have no proof but my own word"

"Then you have nothing" he turned to Ruby "You, what happened"

"I noticed someone on the rooftops and followed them here I found your guards the way they were so I texted him to come help me and he showed up just before you did" she explained nervously.

"Then you both did exactly what you should've done" he sighed nodded to them both, he turned and walked back toward the elevator.


Chapter Seven! Bit of a long one this time, probably won't always be though.