At this point, with the fact that this is a RWBY AU story, published on a website called "Fanfiction", in addition the fact that I've already put it in the last 6 chapters, I'm not gonna put in the whole "I don't own RWBY, it belongs to Roosterteeth" disclaimer because, well, it should be obvious this point. So yeah. Also, I'm changing the parting symbol to "-0-0-" now, just to make it easier for me.
P.s: for those wondering about the new cover image, it is, in fact, Nilo. I'll be updating it w/different characters as I go on, but the series will eventually have its own cover.
"Blah"= Spoken
'Blah'Thoughts
-0-0---Nilo Brenin--
"The hell is he?"
"A damn freak, that's what."
"Is he a human or a Faunus?"
"I don't serve to your kind!"
"I'd rather play with a Faunus than be near whatever you are!"
"BECAUSE YOU DON'T BELONG HERE!!!"
-0-0-I sat up quickly, having woken up suddenly at the sound of the equally sudden blaring of the alarm clock, which went silent after a few seconds, my heart racing while I panted lightly. I placed a hand against my forehead, feeling that I was apparently sweating, causing me to sigh lightly. Although, my brief moment of calmness was abruptly interrupted as I heard the door to my...no, our dorm open. 'Our dorm..my team...MY team..yeah, that's definitely going to take some getting used to..'
To my surprise, Jin entered the room, wearing only a white t-shirt, black sweatpants, and a pair of black sneakers. He had a white towel draped around his neck, some sweat present on his face.
"Hey, I'm here. Any of you guys awake?" He asked before yawning, allowing a hand to hover over his mouth as he did so.
Before I could speak up, Violet groaned lightly before sitting up and stretching her arms out, the metal one making slight noises as it rose and eventually descended.
"...well, 2 out of 3's pretty good. All that leaves is..." Jin looked over to Aoko's bed, and so did I, only to find it empty and already made, "wait, where is she?"
"Right behind you." Aoko stated matter-of-factly, causing Jin to jump away from the door in surprise. She wore a dark blue tank top, black sweatpants and blue sneakers. She had her hair tied into a ponytail and had a black bag slung over her shoulder. 'Guess they were both out training..' "..."
"..What is it?" Jin asked, looking noticeably awkward as Aoko continued to look at him.
"...it's nothing. I'll get changed first." She said as she walked into the bathroom and closed the door.
"...I.." Jin tried to come up with something to say, but gave up, letting out a sigh as proof. He walked over to his bed and picked up the black bag that was on top of it. Meanwhile, both Violet and I had already gotten up and ready, and Aoko had already gotten out of the bathroom fully changed while we were getting ready, allowing me to go in next. After I finished getting dressed, with the addition of blue scarf around my neck, Violet went in, and after her was Jin. Although, he seemed noticeably more...hesitant to do so. To the point where Aoko actually had to shove him into the bathroom and close the door behind him.
After a few minutes, Jin came out wearing the same uniform as me, though the red tie around his neck was loosened and the sleeves of the black blazer were rolled up to his elbows. Jin then briefly pulled on the white collars of the dress shirt underneath, making it so the collar wasn't tucked beneath the blazer. Finally, he finished his look off with his blue bandana-like cloth tied around his neck.
"Hate wearing these things..." Jin mumbled with an irritated expression on his face before sighing heavily, placing his hands in his pockets before turning his attention to me, "so, where are we going first, Mr. Leader?" I raised a brow slightly at the nickname, but soon shook the thought off mentally.
"First up is..." I began, going silent for a bit as I checked my Scroll to see what class was first, "Grimm Studies, with Professor Port. And apparently it doesn't start for about half an hour." I commented, "..well, I'm gonna head out. Guess I'll see you guys there?" I asked, getting a head nod from everyone but Jin, who simply shrugged in response.
With that, I left the dorm room, my hands tucked in my pockets as I made my way to the cafeteria.
-0-0-
After grabbing a glass of orange juice in addition to a couple slices of toast, I took a seat on the floor, my back against the walls of the cafeteria, staring out towards the campus in front of me, which was a pleasure to the eyes to say the least.
"Geez, even the toast tastes great here.." I said with my mouth somewhat full, a feeling of satisfaction warming me inside. The feeling was short lived however, as a memory crossed my mind.
"BECAUSE YOU DON'T BELONG HERE!!!"
As the quote appeared in my mind, a feeling of small disgust and slight rage built up in my stomach.
"...home.."
"It is a sight to behold, isn't it?"
I instinctively jumped away, combat rolling before landing in a crouched position, my hand drawn to where Avalon normally would've been on instinct. In front of me, standing next to where I was seated, was Professor Ozpin, with a steaming mug in one hand, and his cane in the other. 'How did--? I didn't even notice him!' I briefly thought in alarm. After a moment of mentally collecting myself, I sighed before standing up and walking towards my previous spot.
"Yeah, the view's great. Food's even better, if you ask me though." I commented jokingly as I sat down before taking a drink out of the glass of orange juice that was set on the ground next to me, "You've got a good thing going here, Professor.."
"I'm glad you approve. It's always a joy to hear that students are becoming well acquainted with their surroundings while here. Especially this early in the school year."
"Speaking of students, that just reminds me of the pickle I'm in. I'm not exactly a 'holding the reigns' type of guy, you know.." I said, letting my body slump slightly as I sighed.
"You don't see yourself as fit to be in a position of leadership?"
"Well, I'm not sure I'd go that far...I'm pretty sure I can do it if it's a last resort, when there's no other choice..but not as a primary job...I think it's more that I'm the type to come up with a plan for the one in charge, not as the one in charge."
"Ah, so you say you lean more towards the role of a strategist rather than a leader?"
"..yeah, that sounds about right.." I said, exhaling lightly while running a hand though my hair.
"Yet many great leaders have been noted to have been quite exceptional strategists themselves. And surely you don't mean to imply that you are weak offensively? Because from what I saw during the Initiation, I believe the ship for that statement has already sailed. Wouldn't you agree?" Ozpin asked with a smile on his face before taking a sip of his coffee.
I remained silent, slowly pondering his words, admittedly a little frustrated. Not with necessarily just with myself, but rather, with Ozpin too. Frustrated at, to some degree, how right he was. I can handle myself in a fight, and I'm damn good at coming up wth plans, if I do say so myself.
But still...somehow I feel like I'm sitting in a chair someone else should be in..
Or maybe I'm supposed to be in it and I just don't know it yet? Maybe I'm not confident enough?
...ugh, this is not how I wanted to spend my morning before classes. Stressing out? I feel like I'll get enough of that once Port's class sta--
...WAIT A MINUTE
"Uh, Professor?" I asked a little nervously, the Professor simply humming lightly in response, "you wouldn't happen to know what time it is, would you?"
"Hmm...it's currently 8:57, Mr. Brenin." And with that, I immediately dashed off to Port's class, leaving behind the empty glass of orange juice as I had one lone thought on my mind:
'SHIT!!'
-0-0-
"Monsters! Deeeemons...Prowlers of the night! Yes, the creatures of Grimm have many names, but I merely refer to them as prey!Ha-ha!" Port monologued, much to most of my team's boredom. Throughout the Port's monologue, Violet was busy reading a book on chemicals, and Aoko and I were paying attention, although for different reasons. She was genuinely trying to pay actual attention, though I was just acting more as the one to alarm Violet and Jin if Port decided to direct his attention towards us.
Speaking of whom, Jin was currently seated with his forehead planted onto the desk, light snores emanating from him. And it isn't like we were the only ones struggling to pay attention to Port's tales of adventure. Team RWBY's leader was busy with her head propped in her hand as she took a quick nap, until she got woken backup by one of Port's bad jokes, which got the response of an almost silent room, if not for the cricket-noises.
"Uhhhh...and you shall too, upon graduating from this prestigious academy! Now, as I was saying: Vale, as well as the other three kingdoms, are safe havens in an otherwise treacherous world! Our planet is absolutely teeming with creatures that would love nothing more than to tear you to pieces! And that's where we come in. Huntsmen! Huntresses..." Port added with a wink aimed to Yang, who groaned uncomfortably, "Individuals who have sworn to protect those who cannot protect themselves! From what, you ask? Why, the very world!"
"Ah! Corn! Fight?..." To my surprise, and even slight shock, Jin had suddenly woken up, a little bit of drool present on the left side of his mouth. The class remained silent, everyone looking directly at him.
To my surprise though, Jin didn't seem to care, to the point where he even let his head fall back onto the table, his immediate slumber evident as the light snores came back.
"That is what you are training to become. But first: A story. A tale of a young, handsome man...Me! When I was a boy..."
"Nilo." I heard Aoko whisper to me, "you're not going to wake him up?" She asked with a slightly raised brow, nodding her head over to Jin, still fast asleep.
"What? Why? Don't tell me you still think he's a 'liability'.." I finished with my eyes slightly narrowed, a look to which Aoko responded by lightly shaking her head.
"No, of course not. He already made that plenty clear during the initiation." Aoko said, "I just mean that he'll miss everything that Port's talking about."
"Don't tell me you're into his stories?" I asked with my brow raised a little higher, Aoko furrowing her brows in the form of a frown in response.
"What? No!" She exclaimed in a whisper, "His stories are, to some degree, a bit boring. But the lessons are worth hearing. Especially considering that he knows more than we do, since he's a professional Huntsmen."
"She's got a point there." I heard Violet speak up, quietly though, her eyes still locked on the pages of her book, "want me to do it?"
"Uh, su--wait, not yet!" I interrupted myself, raising a hand lightly, signaling for her to wait.
"So, who among you believes themselves to be the embodiment of these traits?" I heard Port ask, as I silently thanked my..gift.
"I do, sir!" Weiss replied in an angry tone, though not directed towards Port.
"Well, then, let's find out!" Port stated before turning to gesture a pair of glowing red eyes, surrounded by shadow, shaking the cage tha--
...wait, when? When and how?!
"...ok, now you can do it." I said after finally breaking out of my silent shock. Violet clapped her hands together lightly, and slowly moved one flesh finger closer and closer to Jin's back, the tip of the finger crackling slightly with electricity. Eventually, the finger made contact, causing Jin to suddenly shoot up.
"AH! SON OF A--!!!" Jin almost finished, but didn't, as he then fell off his chair and onto the floor.
"...can I do that again?" Violet asked with a small smile.
-0-0-
After a few minutes of waiting, during which I had to hold Jin back in orde to stop him from fighting Violet, Weiss reentered the room wearing her combat attire and with her rapier in-hand, readying it at the creature, most likely a Grimm, in the cage.
"Goooo, Weiss!" Yang cheered as she raised her fist.
"Fight well!" Blake contributed as she waved a small flag saying "RWBY".
"Yeah, represent teeeeam RWBY!" Ruby cheered, causing Weiss to lower her sword and look over at her leader.
"Ruby! I'm trying to focus!" Weiss complained, causing Ruby to become sheepish as she apologized.
"Allllright!" Port exclaimed, standing next to the cage, pulling out his axe, "Let the match...begin!"
Port swung his axe down and broke the lock, dropping the cage door and revealing a Boarbatusk inside, which immediately charged at Weiss. She used her rapier to deflect its attack and rolled to the side, readying herself for its next move. The Grimm stood a distance away from its enemy, studying her.
"Ha-ha! Wasn't expecting that, were you?" Port asked.
"Hang in there, Weiss!" Ruby called out.
Weiss sped towards the oncoming Boarbatusk, sticking her blade straight at its skull until they met, though her rapier was trapped in the beast's tusks. Weiss still hung on to the hilt, and was tossed around as she struggled to get the rapier back.
"Bold, new approach. I like it!" Port exclaimed.
"Come on, Weiss, show it who's boss!" Ruby cheered in an attempt to be supportive, though the gesture was only met with a glare from Weiss.
While Weiss was distracted, the Boarbatusk turned its head and ripped the sword from her grip. Her rapier landed far away from its master, who was knocked back by the creature's tusks.
"Oh-ho! Now what will you do without your weapon?" Port asked.
Weiss looked up just in time to see the Boarbatusk to charge again, rolling out of the way just in time to avoid getting trampled and make it crash into a desk. Weiss rushed at her sword and slid to get it back in her hand.
"Weiss! Go for its belly! There's no armor underneath-" Ruby began, only to be interrupted as Weiss turned to her.
"Stop telling me what to do!" Weiss snapped back, causing Ruby to gain a hurt look at her rebuttal. Meanwhile, the Boarbatusk lept into the air and rollec into a ball, spinning rapidly in the air and landing on the ground, consistently gaining speed until it launched itself at Weiss. It came closer and closer, but Weiss activated one of her glyphs, a blue-white one, and blocked the roll, leaping up into the now-black snowflake glyph and turning it blue again so she could drive the blade into the Boarbatusk's stomach. It squealed and fell silent, while Weiss gasped in relief.
"Bravo! Bra-vo! It appears we are indeed in the presence of a true Huntress-in-training!" Said Port. Meanwhile, Weiss stood up at attention from her exhausted position and Ruby continued to frown, "I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today. Be sure to cover the assigned readings, and...stay vigilant! Class dismissed!"
With that, Weiss briefly glared at Ruby and turned away, walking hurriedly to the exit past her teammates.
"Sheesh, what's with her?" I heard Jaune ask, causing me to sigh lightly in response.
"Well, she is a Schnee. Makes sense she'd be ice cold." Jin said in a somewhat bored tone. I was about to suggest something, but he quickly put his index finger up, silencing me, "and before you say it, no pun was intended there. That terrible schtick belongs to you and Yang alone, and I don't see anyone else copying it anytime soon."
"Should we get involved?" Violet asked, her ocean blue eyes finally leaving her book as they looked into mine, "I mean, I consider Team RWBY to be my friends...but I feel like this is more of a 'team' issue than a 'friend' issue.."
"I say we stay out of it." Aoko spoke up, "I agree with Violet that this is an issue with their team. Meaning it doesn't involve us, and we shouldn't try to get involved."
"...well, I could go either way, to be honest." Jin commented lazily, "Like Vi said, Team RWBY's my friends, but this is something they've gotta deal with on their own. Then again, technically you've got the final say, Mr. Leader." I internally grimaced slightly at the nickname.
"...well, I don't think there's anything left to say. So, guess it's decided then.." I said before standing up, "we stay out of it." My decision gained a head nod from the rest of my team before they all got up and we walked out of the classroom.
"Ozpin made a mistake." I heard Weiss comment coldly around the corner. I took a peak and saw Ruby looking dejected. 'God damnit, I already regret my decision...'
"Hmm...now that didn't seem to go very well." I jumped from my spot, letting out a small sound of surprise as I did so. Near the spot where I previously stood was Ozpin, holding what I've come to assume are his two favorite items.
"Is she right? Did you make a mistake?" I heard Ruby ask, her sad voice alone making me feel like an ass for deciding not to help. Ozpin however, simply laughed slightly in response.
"That remains to be seen." Ozpin noted before turning and walking away, briefly glancing at me and smiling before leaving.
"...Jin." I finally spoke up, causing Jin to turn his head to me with a curious expression on his face.
"Yeah?"
"Go help her."
"I thought you told us not to help them sort out the problem their team's having?" Jin asked with a raised brow.
"As far as I'm concerned, Weiss's attitude is their team's problem right now. Ruby's self-confidence with being a leader, however, is something a friend can help her with.." I said before sighing lightly. What surprised me however, was the smile planted on Jin's face as he walked past me, though not before lightly placing a hand on my shoulder and nodding.
As Jin walked around the corner, I looked down at the floor briefly before sticking my hands in my pockets and walking away.
'I wish that I could help her...but I don't exactly have this whole thing figured out either...'
-0-0-
--Jin Tang Lung--
"Yo, Ruby!" I called out to her. Ruby remained silent for a moment, seemingly in a daze, before finally reacting to my greeting.
"Oh! H-hey, Jin..!" Ruby greeted smiling, the forced cheeriness being upsettingly evident to me, "Did you enjoy the classes?"
"I slept through it." I commented with a shrug, "..well, most of it, anyways..." I corrected with a slight grimace. I swear to god, I'm gonna make Violet pay for that one. "..so, I noticed the Headmaster talking to you not too long ago. What was that about?" I asked, feigning ignorance.
"Oh..well, I asked him if he made a mistake about choosing me to lead my team, and..he said no...I think..?" Ruby addition of the question at the end made me laugh a little inside. 'Glad to see she isn't too depressed.'
"That's a good thing, isn't it?" I asked with a raised brow and a light smile as I leaned against the wall, my arms folded and one leg crossing over the other.
"..I don't know..." Ruby forced out, "What if he's wrong..? What if he's lying? What if I mess up?! What if--?!" I cut off Ruby with a poke to her forehead with my index finger, causing her to go silent, seemingly having short for a second before finally snapping back to reality. "I..what just.."
"You wouldn't stop panicking, so I poked you. It's not good to stress out like that, Rubes. Otherwise, you'll look like a Grandma." I said, before gaining a grin, "Or worse--Weiss." I added playfully. There was a brief moment of silence that was broken when I exhaled lightly, "speaking of whom, I'm guessing this hit to your confidence somehow revolves around her?"
"..." Ruby's sad silence as she looked down at the floor was enough of an answer for my rhetorical question.
"I thought so. And I'm guessing now you don't feel like you deserve the position?" I asked. Ruby did nothing for a moment, only to nod a second later, "okay, got it...in that case, I want to you to do something for me Rubes." Ruby raised her head, giving me a curious lookc. A smile then crossed my face, "I want you to guess my Semblance."
"..huh?" Ruby said seemingly unconsciously.
"You saw my fight in the Emerald Forest, right? Meaning you saw me go toe-to-toe with the Tavros. And I want you to guess what allowed me to do it."
Ruby went silent for a few seconds, pinching her chin while she looked up at the ceiling, all the while I waited with a smug grin, but not worn on my face.
"Hmm...is it...Super Strength?!" Ruby asked in what seemed like a borderline accusation, pointing at me as she asked.
"Nope." I replied, exaggerating on the "p".
"Uh...Speed?"
"Nope."
"Enhanced senses?"
"Nah."
"Healing?"
"Ruby, that's just Aura and you know it." I replied with a raised brow and a smile, amused by Ruby's desperate guess.
"Agh, I give up!" Ruby exclaimed as she threw her arms into the air, "What is it?!"
"Alright, alright! I'll tell you." I said while laughing lightly. I took a deep breath, internally holding back the urge to laugh a little at the sight of Ruby leaning in a little closer in anticipation, "...I don't have one."
There is no amount of lien in the world that could equate to how much I love seeing the reactions that people show whenever I say that, especially after they've seen me in action.
And Ruby's was no different, that fact being evident with Ruby blanking out for a solid ten seconds.
"...WHAT?!!" Ruby finally exclaimed, though the volume made me jump a little, "BUT--HOW--YOU WERE MOVING FASTER THAN ME!!"
"Mhm." I replied, still smiling, "you wanna know how did it?" Ruby nodded rapidly in response. "...I trained a lot." Ruby gained a dull look, oozing with skepticism.
"Really?"
"Yep. I trained like hell to get where I am today. Almost died at least 10 times, but it was all worth it." I said with a satisfied exhale, "And tell me this Ruby--Do you think I can become a Huntsman?" Ruby seemed baffled by my question judging by her expression.
"Wha--yes! You can totally become a Huntsman!"
"That so? Glad to hear it. Especially since you're the first person who's ever said 'yes'." My statement made Ruby's eyes widen in surprise. I let out a sigh, looking upward as I continued to speak, "I don't feel like telling the whole story now, since it'd probably take too long...but to put it simply, I wasn't exactly given a lot of support when it came to my goal to become a Huntsman...actually, barely anyone was willing to take me seriously, and it only got worse when I unlocked my Aura, but could never manifest a Semblance. I got called 'talentless' and a weakling, and it frustrated me to no end. Not because they were wrong..but because they were right. Lack of a Semblance aside, I couldn't, and still can't, use any kind of weapon without either throwing it far off into the distance, hitting myself, or shooting something I wasn't supposed to. I was a complete mess." I unfolded my hands and stuck both in my pockets, "After that, I decided to focus solely on hand-to-hand. And, wouldn't you know it, I was a natural at it.."
"That's great! So they stopped calling you names..?" Ruby asked with a shine in her silver orbs.
"Nah, they still did." I quickly replied, causing Ruby to pout. I then gained a toothy grin, "..but they sure as hell weren't calling me weak anymore." Ruby paused for a moment before smiling, "so, as for the moral of my story...let me put it this way--close your eyes." I said, Ruby taking a moment before closing them. "Ok. Now, imagine that feeling you're having, the lack of self-confidence in yourself as a leader, as a person." Ruby's face changed ever so slightly, with the slight furrows of her brows indicating her effort to use her imagination.
"...Ok.." Ruby commented.
"Good. Now, Ruby, before I tell you the last part, I want you to promise me something--and keep your eyes closed." I quickly added just to make sure. Ruby paused for a moment before nodding not lightly, "...promise not to tell Yang about any of this." Ruby's head tilted a little to the side, a look of confusion present on her face. She eventually nodded slightly hesitantly, "Ok...Ruby...tell the figure to fuck off." Ruby jolted back in surprise. So much surprise, in fact, that I had to rush over to her and cover her eyes. "Hey, come on! What'd I just say about the eyes?"
"You want me to swear?! I-I can't! Yang would--!" Ruby went silent, likely remembering what I made her promise earlier, judging by the adorable angry pout she gave me, "That's why you made me promise?! A-and why do I have to swear?!"
"Believe me Ruby--while swearing can be less than helpful at times, there are occasions where doing so is downright therapeutic. And this, in my opinion, is one of them. So, you gonna do it or not?" I asked. Ruby paused for a few seconds, her internal struggle being obvious through the expression on her face. After a few more moments, Ruby took a deep breath and let it out.
"FUCK OFF!!" Ruby yelled out, her words echoing slightly throughout the halls. Admittedly, I felt a small feeling of pride in her actually built up within me as a grin crossed my face.
"Yeah, there you go!" I cheered, causing Ruby to gain a light smile after a few seconds. "So, how do you feel?"
"I...I feel...better?" Ruby said/asked, though I couldn't tell if she was asking me or herself. Either way, if she was feeling better, then I considered it a success, "but what was the point of that? I get that I feel a little better now, I think, but why?"
"Well Ruby, that's because, sometimes, when life presents you with obstacles, be it in the form of personal barriers, or people who try to push you down, you've just gotta tell those obstacles to, as you so cutely yelled, fuck off." I said with a grin, Ruby slightly pouting at my comment of her yell, "You get what I mean?"
"I...I think I do. Thanks, Jin!" Ruby said with a beaming smile. 'Ah, I missed that. Definitely suits her more.'
"Anytime, Ruby. It's what friends are for, after all." I said as I extended a fist out to bump with hers. She bumped fists with me, marking the end of our conversation as we went our separate ways.
I stood in the courtyard, looking up at the sky, dazing off into the ocean colored view above, littered with clouds.
Blue...blue, huh..?
"Ruby's self-confidence with being a leader, however, is something a friend can help her with.."
His words caused a smile to come to my face again.
'A friend...one my first, too...coming to this place is feeling like a blessing more and more as time goes by...'
The End
A/N: Dear god, this chapter took forever to write. But, in exchange for that, it's also the longest chapter I've written so far, so that's good! Hopefully I portrayed Ruby's character as accurately as possible, but I'm not 100% sure.
Additionally, this isn't related to the chapter, but I've also considered writing a couple other stories, maybe even making at least one of them connected to Team NAVJ.
Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! And hopefully I'll see you guys next chapter!...whenever that comes out. Peace out!!!
