Hello! Christmas is coming and I am busier than usual, but I will continue to work on this story when I can. There might be some waiting time for the next couple chapters as well.
Also, I've read every review this story gets and I am never disappointed. Thanks again to Kisdota who through his suggestions have given me enough ideas for another two chapters, bringing the expected total to 18. I'm still willing to listen to other ideas or critiques.
Anyways, still loving all the support. Keep feeding my ego and I'll keep feeding you chapters. Enjoy!
Jaune was feeling great today. It was beautiful Sunday, he got to sleep in because Velvet said she was okay on her own and the cafeteria had served a buffalo wing buffet. He even did some training and managed to surpass all of his old records. Tonight, he was planning to lounge around with his team and playing a new game he picked up in town. He was heading back to his dorm room when he bumped into another student. Both fell to the ground with grunts. Jaune scrambled back to his feet and offered his hand. The boy he ran into rubbed his head and smiled as he looked up. "Hey, sorry about that, man."
"What, no. I bumped into you. I should be apologizing," Jaune laughed sheepishly.
The other boy grabbed his hand and pulled himself up. "No worries. These things happened."
It was at this time Jaune took in the stranger's appearance. "I haven't seen you around here before. Are you a new student?" He asked.
"Naw," the stranger responded. "I'm here for the Vale tournament. Beacon's been setting up guest rooms for the out of towners."
Jaune nodded in understanding. "Ah, ok then. See ya later."
"Later."
The parted ways, but Jaune gave one last look at the other, noticing something peculiar. Is that a monkey tail? I guess he's a Faunus.
Jaune arrived at his destination to find his team. "You look cheerful today," Pyrrha commented.
"Yeah, it's been a good day," Jaune beamed.
Nora jumped from her position and ran over to her leader. "Hey Jaune! Wanna play some video games? We can do two on two now!"
"Sure. Sounds like fun, but I've got dibs on Pyrrha."
Pyrrha perked up with a hopeful look. He wants me on his team? "There's no way I'm getting stuck with Ren.," Jaune smirked to the green-clad boy, who responded with an inappropriate hand gesture.
Pyrrha deadpanned. Of course.
They powered up the system and were loading a game when the P.A. system buzzed. "Attention please," Professor Ozpin's voice rang throughout the school, "Would team JNPR and team RWBY please come down to my office."
Half the members of team JNPR groaned in protest, but begrudgingly made their way to Ozpin's office. In the hall, they met with team RWBY and they all proceeded.
They chatted about what they thought they were called down until they arrived at the headmaster's door. Ruby knocked on it and they heard the professor's voice call them in. The eight students lined up in front of Ozpin's desk and waited patiently. Professor Ozpin was reading over some papers and taking casual sips from his coffee mug. After a few moments, he finally looked up and smiled to the two teams. "I bet you're all wondering why I called you down here today."
He was met with blank stares and a few nodding heads before continuing. "I know it is the weekend and everything, but we have received an urgent request from a Northern mountain village.
"There are several reports of Beowolf attacks and I want you, as hunters and huntresses in training, to clear out the Grimm infestation."
"Sending two teams after a pack of Beowolves seems a little excessive, doesn't professor?" Weiss stepped forward.
"True," Ozpin replied, "but the area is considered a hazard zone and it could be a bit of an expedition into a blizzard. The extra assistance could prove invaluable. Your two teams work well together and know each other's strengths and weaknesses, so you will be working together on this mission. You will depart this evening. Gather what you will need and meet the air shuttle at 8:00. Understood."
The students nodded and departed to get ready. On their way back, in the hall, Jaune groaned. "Another flight? He didn't say how far the village is! The ride could be hours!"
"I'm sure you'll be fine," Pyrrha put her hand on his shoulder.
"Oh, quit your complaining," Weiss barked and the knight. "I've already set arrangements for a more… comfortable flight."
"And what does that mean?" Yang cocked her eyebrow.
"Oh, you'll see," Weiss smiled cryptically back at her.
"Meh, probably isn't even anything that great," Yang whispered to Blake.
Yang soon ate her words, however, when they saw their mode of transportation. It was a private, luxury class shuttle complete with leather seats, a wide screen theatre and a mini-bar. The Schnee logo was painted on the side if the ship. "Damn Ruby, whatever you've been doing to Weiss to get her to be so nice to us, keep doing it. This is definitely worth my sister's innocence," Yang looked around, awed.
Ruby and Weiss blushed, but Weiss' came with a scowl. "This is your only warning Yang. One more crack like that and I will kick you of the ship, got it?" Weiss growled at her.
Yang frowned, but pointed her finger to something behind Weiss. "I can still tease Pyrrha, right?"
Weiss waved her hand and walked past her fiery teammate. "Of course."
Pyrrha stared slack jawed at the duo. Yang smiled at her, jerking her head towards Jaune and winking.
The pilot was given the directions and it was a pleasant flight. Even Jaune had little to no trouble with his motion sickness. They all talked, watched a movie and raided the snack bar. Eventually, they all fell asleep, the pilot telling them that they would arrive at their destination in the morning. Pyrrha stirred in her sleep, rays of light shining through the window and onto the seat she rested on. It was odd for her because she would wake right up, but she felt content to remain where she was. As her consciousness returned to her, she could fell that her arms were wrapped around something warm. Curious, she lazily opened her eyes to find her face inches from Jaune's sleeping one. She stifled a scream and franticly evaluated her situation. How did this happen? We weren't even sleeping near each other. Jaune was curled into a little ball and the young Spartan had one arm trapped underneath him and the other one was draped on top.
It was then that Pyrrha noticed a small piece of paper lying on her pillow. Slightly turning her head, she could see a little drawing of cartoon versions of Yang and Blake sticking their tongues out. Why those two! One day I am going to… um… give them quite a talking to. Pyrrha tried move the arm that wasn't trapped under her crush, but as she raised the appendage ever so slightly, Jaune jolted in his sleep and snuggle in closer. Pyrrha's face lit up, but she also knew that she was smiling. She was afraid of moving in case it woke up the blonde boy. She stayed like that for a few minutes until she heard shuffling followed by a yawn. Out of the corner of her eye, she could a green figure approaching.
"Uh, Pyrrha?"
"It's not what it looks like Ren!" Pyrrha replied quickly.
"Does he know that you're-"
"No. Blake and Yang did this."
She could practically hear her teammates smirk. "Can you help me?" She asked through gritted teeth. Ren chuckled before responding. "Just be ready to move."
Pyrrha tensed and nodded. Ren leaned over their team leader. "Hey Jaune, did you study for Oobleck's test today?"
Jaune shot up and fell out of the seat. "We have a test today!?"
While the object of her affection was still getting his bearings, Pyrrha slipped into the seat behind hers.
"No, we just thought you should get up now," Ren smirked down at Jaune.
Jaune scowled in return, but started to the washroom to get ready. Pyrrha sighed in relief. "I owe you one."
"Yes you do," Ren replied.
A short time later, the rest of Beacon's students were up and they were preparing to land. "No! You can't make me!" Yang clutched to her seat and cried.
"Come on Yang, we have to go," Ruby tried to pry her sister off the seat.
"But we were meant to be together! I can't leave, I love this thing!"
"It's not even yours, it's Weiss'," Blake retorted.
"I gave her my sister, she can give me this!"
Ruby puffed out her cheeks in anger when Weiss stepped forward. "For the love of dust, Yang, we'll need to ride it on the way back. Kill the beowolves quickly and we can come back."
Yang pouted, but let go of her beloved and trudged to the door.
They put on their winter clothing and packed their backpacks and entered the village. After a quick meeting with the village leader, they set out. They were at the base of a mountain surrounded by a massive forest. The Beowolves were said to be in a cave about half way up the mountain. Unfortunately, there was a fierce blizzard enwrapping the area. They spent hours climbing when Jaune had a thought. "Hey Nora."
"Yes Mr. Fearless Leader?" Nora shouted back at him.
"When we start fighting, I want you to keep Magnhild in its hammer form. The grenade launcher might cause an avalanche."
"Okey dokey," Nora chirped.
They continued for another two days, camping out on various plateaus every once in a while. On the third day, while the blizzard was still blowing, Blake finally picked up on a strange sound. "They're here," she warned her friends.
Everyone pulled out their weapons and prepared to fight. The Beowolves struck, but they were no match for eight trained Grimm killers. Several dozen of the monsters came, but numbers meant nothing. Jaune, still being the weakest fighter of the group, stayed near Pyrrha. They knew each other's moves well and they were stronger together. In ten minutes, the battle ended, the students breathing heavily.
"We won!" Ruby cheered.
"Back to my lov- The ship!" Yang announced.
The group started to move when suddenly, one of the Beowolves that was that to be dead leaped from the snow and charged Ren. Pyrrha, Jaune, Blake and Weiss rushed to aid their friends. "Ren! Look out!" Nora shouted and shifted her weapon to a grenade launcher.
"Nora, wait!" Jaune looked back.
However he was too late, for Nora fired her weapon, nailing the Grimm in the chest. The explosion sent Ren flying down the mountain and into Nora, who eagerly caught him. Her glee was cut short though when she could feel the mountain rumbling. Snow began to cascade down the side of the mountain, creating the forewarned avalanche.
The four that went to help Ren tried to run, but they were too close to get away. "Over there! A cave," Pyrrha pointed out. "Get in there."
There was enough distance between the other four and the hazard to run, but they would be separated from their friends. "Weiss!" Ruby called out, but was picked by her sister, who ran down the mountain.
"She's a big girl! She can handle herself," Yang shouted.
Meanwhile, Blake escaped into the cave, followed by Weiss, then Jaune and finally Pyrrha before the avalanche reached them. The four waited until the shaking stopped and the snow became static again. "Is everyone all right?" Jaune asked.
The three girls nodded. They turned to the entrance, which was buried in snow. After a few futile attempts, they determined that they would not be able to get out soon. "Will we run out of air?" Weiss asked.
Blake pointed to the ceiling. "No, I can hear wind coming from those cracks.
"But that doesn't change the fact that were stuck in this cave until help comes," Jaune commented.
They all looked at each other, wondering what they should do next.
A/N: I finally decided on the final pairings. The reviews helped me decide so thanks!