Money is a funny little thing, isn't it? Money seems like something so small and plentiful, yet it holds so much power. Money can make people do the worst of things, yet at the same time it makes people happier than they ever would have imagined. Money can be used in many ways, and is something to work for, but sometimes working for it won't get someone by in life. Sometimes they need to cheat, to steal the money, but enough of that little chat, it's time to focus on the protagonist of this story, who is currently riding a bus home, unaware of what's to come for him. He really hoped he hadn't scared Weiss away, because that was bad, real bad. Throughout the bus ride Jaune thought about what he said, and where he went wrong, because obviously somewhere he must have scared her off. As the bus approached his stop, he pressed the button and absent-mindedly walked off the bus. He walked up the hill to the Schnee manor, where he would wish she had run away from him.
"What is the meaning of this?!" one of the Schnee guests demamded.
"I'm sorry, but I must ask you to leave at once. I am now in the middle of a family crisis." Mr. Schnee repeated for what seemed like the billionth time. His patience was rapidly depleting.
"Alright then, thank you for tending to us." the guest's wife intervened politely, while dragging her infuriated husband out of the house.
"I really will have to apologize later..." Mr. Schnee muttered.
*DING DONG*
"OH WHAT NOW!" Mr. Schnee roared as he rushed to answer the door, expecting that he would shoo the visitor away, of course in a more polite manner. As he opened the door, he found Jaune, who looked downcast.
"Yes, hello Jaune, I'm terribly sorry, but now is really not a good time."
"I'm sorry if I upset Weiss, Mr. Schnee- ("Abraham, or Abe") but I just wanted to apologize. Is she here? I was with her at the movies." Jaune shamefully inquired.
Abe's face morphed from his usual polite gaze to a look of absolute fury. Jaune was instantly terrified.
"So it was you who Weiss was with? Well, then it must be YOUR fault that she has been kidnapped by the White Fang!" Abe bellowed in his rage.
"K-kidnapped?" Jaune quietly asked.
"Yes, Jaune! Kidnapped! Things like this happen to people from rich families!" Abe roared.
Jaune briefly entered a state of denial, and but then began thinking.
Kidnapped? How can I go out with her if I can't even protect her? I would be even less beneath her than I've thought I was up until now! No, I have to save her.
"Where are they." Jaune asked monotonously, all signs of fear were replaced by a look of determination.
"Hah! You think you can beat the White Fang?" Abe scoffed before slamming the door in Jaune's face. Jaune expelled the final comment, as he couldn't even begin to imagine Abe's situation.
Jaune never went home, and even though he was about to pass by it, he certainly was not going to enter and worry his mother about the whole situation. Jaune could just picture what would happen in is head. He was quite sure that he was not going to be able to do anything, but he was damndest sure he was going to at least try, but that lead to a conflict in his head.
"No! Do, or do not! There is no try." rung the words of the wise Master Yoda. Jaune made his decision, it was "do".
Jaune continued to the bus stop, through the silent and empty streets.
Weiss regained consciousness, only to find she could not open her eyes, nor could she speak. After knocking her out, they blindfolded her and taped her mouth shut so that in case she woke up she would not be able to see where they were going, and so that when she woke up she would not be able to make much noise. Instinctively, Weiss started to pound her fists on the man who was carrying her. The man continued as if she wasn't even awake and calmly noticed the boss of her regaining consciousness. She heard nothing, meaning the person in charge must have nodded in order to avoid any talking. Even their voice could make them identifiable if she knows any of them by some chance. She deduced that they were cautious, but also smart, it was clear they knew what they were doing.
She was snapped out of her thoughts as she heard a door open, and not too long after she was put down, but before she even could even move she felt something put against her head; a gun, she was sure of it. Suddenly she heard the voice of Google Translate.
"Should you make any unauthorized movement, we will put a bullet through your head." the empty voice mimicked.
Of course, for voice filtering they chose Google Translate of all things.
She felt herself be pushed down into a chair and her hands were pulled behind the back of the chair. Next were her legs, as they were bound to the legs of the chair. Google Translate began speaking again.
"If all goes well, you will be returned to your family tonight. However, should you resist, or should anything go wrong, you will be hurt, or even killed. This is your incentive to be a good little Schnee piece of filth."
Weiss mentally cursed herself for showing such weakness. She was surprised to find herself begging mentally to be with Jaune again. She quickly made the excuse that anyone would rather be with him than be in this situation
She then panicked, Jaune had no idea what was going on, and he might think she ran off! If he went back to her place, she knew her father would blame Jaune for the whole situation! This was a bad situation. Her father wanted her to have friends more than anything in the world, but he also cut them off if it would benefit her. For example, her dad made sure Cardin never made it a foot into their property once he broke up with her. She had a lot of damage control to do, or else she was going to be alone again... No. She didn't want it. She was done with being alone, she was happy with whatever friends she had now.
Weiss was stuck, and at this point she was powerless. She was blindfolded, her mouth was taped, and a gun was pointed at her head.
Jaune went back to the movie area and began searching every single alleyway. After looking around he found a strand of unmistakeably white hair that had fallen, and quickly ran straight ahead. This was now a maze, and he was going to conquer it. Some alleyways came to a dead end, others continued forward in this web of alleyways. Jaune came across his next clue, an orphan keeping watch. Luckily enough he had darker clothing on, and so he crept around, trying to find a way to immobilize this bastard who kidnapped his (hopefully) prom date. He flanked the watchman and began by tapping his shoulder. The orphan turned around while swinging his fist, but Jaune ducked underneath and punched the guy right in his not-so-family jewels. The poor victim to this angry teenager fell over in pain, and Jaune began his onslaught of punches to the face. Once he was sure the guy was unconscious he got up and continued.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but thank God for Cardin's bullying. I at least have some sort of reflexes."
FLASHBACK
Jaune was sick of Cardin's bullying. He always ended up either walking home with an empty stomach, or with some sort of bruise and an empty stomach. Jaune wanted his revenge, and what better way than to get him from behind? It was simple, tap Cardin's shoulder, wait for him to turn around, and deck him. What could possibly go wrong? He crept up behind Cardin one lunch and tapped his shoulder, expecting him to turn around harmlessly. Cardin turned around while swinging and the tables turned. Jaune was flat out on the floor, while Cardin had a foot on him.
"Come on Jauney-boy, you don't think I saw this coming? If you're going to make plans, try not to write them down on paper. You KNOW I like to knock down your binders." Cardin laughed. Suddenly there was crowd, because who doesn't love a good old one-sided fight? Cardin spat on the floor right beside Jaune's face, and he could feel some of the spit splashing up on landing on his face. His train of thought didn't last long as Cardin began playing with his new toy of a punching bag. First Cardin kicked him, and then began an endless onslaught of attacks to any random part of Jaune's body. Jaune wasn't only physically damaged, but emotionally damaged as he heard the crowd cheering in the background.
After the humiliation was finished, Cardin finished with one last phrase before walking away: "Learn a lesson from this."
Jaune learned nothing, because after Pyrrha helped him up, he ran at Cardin one last time from behind only to receive one last punch to the gut that winded him.
"Huh, I guess you learned nothing. Thank your lucky stars we're at school, otherwise I would've made sure you didn't get up."
FLASHBACK END
Jaune continued forward but couldn't find his mark, no matter how hard he tried. He opened every door he could find that led to an abandoned building, checked every alleyway he could find, but he had no success. He found another orphan, and this time he made sure to keep him awake after beating the poor victim to a pulp.
"Where's your hideout?" he snarled. The orphan simply spat in his face and stubbornly responded.
"I'm never telling you." the orphan began to laugh. Jaune never understood that, why people were beaten to a humiliating defeat, yet they could still laugh. Jaune made sure to bring the orphan to submission, almost breaking his arm.
"Alright, alright!"the orphan screamed through agony. "Just continue forward and you'll find a rusty door to the right! Just please, don't kill me!"
Jaune snapped back to his senses with that last part. He recalled everything he did and immediately he felt tears well up in his eyes.
"I'm sorry..." he said, though his voice was shaky.
The orphan was too beat up to get up, his face was swollen and Jaune could tell the kid had a black eye. He picked up the phone and left an anonymous call for help. With that he walked forward, but this time there wasn't the same determination. All of that anger and resentment he felt not even 5 minutes ago was now gone, replaced with sadness, and fear. Tears were falling from the bottom of his cheeks, much like rain dripping off the roof of the house once it has stopped raining. His steps were slow, and slightly wobbly. At last, however, he found his mark, and Jaune decided there was no turning away now. Quietly he opened the door, minimizing the creaking as much as possible, and took a peek in to found out the setting, as well as the situation. Jaune nearly broke down at what he saw. He found a man holding a gun to a tied up Weiss' head. She was strapped to a chair, and around the area he found orphans everywhere. Some were weak and scrawny, too sick or malnutritioned to do anything. All of them though looked like they hadn't eaten for days, as where their cheeks should have been, he found only skin that curved inwards. Some were sleeping while others were awake. There was one girl, that Jaune could tell would be beautiful had she been properly cared for, was tending to those in the sick area, feeding the orphans food one spoonful at a time. Jaune looked to another area only to find others, healthier orphans, having the time of their life playing poker at a beaten up old wooden table. Two were inside with assault rifles to guard the area. Jaune paused for a moment to think of a plan. In order to deal with these people... He would need to steal a gun... But to do that they can't see him unless he wants to be riddled with bullets... Got it. Jaune picked up a rock and flung it outside, using it as a diversion for the two guards. One walked outside to observe the scene, and Jaune took advantage of this to trip him from behind. The guard never expected the surprise and fell over, dropping his weapon. Jaune took this opportunity to pick it up and burst into the building.
"EVERYBODY DROP YOUR WEAPONS, OR I'LL SHOOT THE WEAK FIRST!" Jaune bluffed shakily. Everybody stopped, dropped their weapons, and stared him down, waiting to hear what he had to say. The poor girl feeding the weak instinctively jumped in front of the weak with her arms and legs spread out. Her eyes pleaded to Jaune that he leave them, but he simply looked to the rest.
"Everyone to the corner with the weak." he next instructed. Everyone did as he said and huddled to the corner
"I'm going to walk towards the girl in the chair, and we just want to leave peacefully." He informed them. Everybody moved out of the way and Jaune rushed forward to Weiss.
"Weiss? Are you okay?" he whispered. He was glad to see her quickly nod her head. That was the last thing he saw with clarity before he heard a deafening bang and black out. Wait... Did that girl come scrambling over to take care of him?
Jaune woke up next in a hospital bed, unaware of what was going on. The last thing he remembered he was in the White Fang hideout trying to save Weiss. He looked to the right and found his mother was sobbing while his Dad had his face in his hands. To his left, he saw his best friend with rosy tear stained cheeks sleeping with her head on his bed. The only thing he could do was tap on his mother's leg weakly, and after she looked up, he put on a small smile and waved weakly. His mother instantly started bawling her eyes out uncontrollably. His Dad looked up immediately stood up and walked out of the room. Once he was outside, he closed the door shakily and he too began to cry uncontrollably, as he sunk to the floor from outside of the room. Both parents had the same question in mind: what would they do if Jaune didn't make it?
From inside the room Jaune began the conversation.
"Hey Mom, I'm really sorry about this-"
"Don't ever do that again!" she screamed. "Do you know how worried you had us?! First you didn't come home, then we found you with a bullet hole in your stomach! Please don't ever do that again..." she croaked.
"Yes Mom..." he responded.
From his left, his saw familiar emerald eyes now looking at him, and Pyrrha pulled him into her tightest squeeze.
"Pyrrha-" Jaune attempted to speak, but quickly found a hand over his mouth. His sweater began to feel wet where Pyrrha's face was, so Jaune pulled her into his own hug despite how much his torso hurt from being squeezed.
A new visitor entered the room and Jaune immediately became scared.
"Look, Mr. Schnee, I really am-" Jaune began, but he was cut off.
"Jaune, I want you to say nothing at the moment." he interrupted. Jaune shut his mouth and stiffly nodded his head. "I'm so sorry for everything dear boy... how I reacted, everything. I questioned your loyalty for my daughter, and now you're in a hospital bed from a bullet wound from trying to save her. I am forever in your debt." he admitted. From behind him Winter came rushing in and jumped on Jaune, a tight hug following.
"Thank you for trying to save my big sister!" she practically screamed in gratitude. Abe literally had to pry her off.
"How's Weiss?!" Jaune said without thinking. He nearly jumped out of his bed.
"If you want to see her, I can lead you to her room." Abe offered. Pyrrha reluctantly let go of Jaune as he gratefully took the offer and walked, more like hobbled over with Abe's help to Weiss' room. As soon as he saw her he did his best to rush to her bedside and apologized in rapid fire mode. Weiss put a finger to his lip, and she had a terrifying scowl on her face.
"You..." she growled, "you complete IDIOT! Do you know how many ways that could have gone wrong?! YOU COULD HAVE DIED!"
"Weiss, I-" he tried to speak, but he was cut off.
"NONE OF THAT! I DON'T CARE, NEXT TIME THIS HAPPENS YOU LEAVE THIS TO MY DAD AND THE POLICE!" her was face now redder than a red chili pepper.
Nurses were actually rushing in from all of the commotion, scared that someone flat-lined but when they found it was Weiss giving a lecture, they quickly turned around and ran away faster than they ran to get there in the first place.
"Still, thanks..." she added quietly, all colour returning back to normal.
"What happened?" Jaune asked.
"Nothing, you came in like an idiot, you got shot, and the exchange happened. One of the orphans helped you against all odds. I heard it, they screamed at her to leave you to die, but she refused to leave your side. She patched you up, and you were fortunate enough that someone had previously called the ambulance for an orphan who was found beat up. After that... My dad told the police to stay out of things and handed over the ransom." Weiss stated sadly.
"Then... how will you guys continue forward with your business? You must be flat broke!" Jaune panicked,
"Simple, we had savings for this kind of situation." Abe interjected.
Jaune sighed in relief. This sucked, but they could continue forward almost unharmed." Jaune finished.
It took Jaune a while to get out, and he even managed to get to school for a day to let his friends know he was okay. Within there though, he found something odd. This girl named Blake, she was always wearing worn and tattered clothing, and he overheard her a few times about being an orphan. Oddly enough she had nice clothing on. It only took him a few seconds to connect the dots and approach her.
"Why did you do this?" he asked her flat out.
"I'm sorry?" she asked as she looked at him and froze
"I know you were there, don't bother hiding it." he said flat out. She immediately jumped into a defensive stance, ready to use as much force as necessary. He held his hands up to show he meant no harm and spoke.
"Hey, I'm not looking for a fight here. I just wanted to ask." she relaxed.
"We're sick of being poor, and we definitely aren't going to any orphanages. We wanted money, and this was the only way that worked. We tried to be nice, but that got us no results."
"So you think that makes it right?" He asked
"Did I say it was right?!" she yelled in response, a tinge of guily in her voice. Still frustration flooded not only her voice, but her face too. Jaune faltered, and without saying another word he walked off, but he remembered seeing her at one point.
FLASHBACK
After Jaune was shot, he fell forward, but his face spun in the other direction. He saw a girl who blended in well with the darkness staring at him coldly from a corner. She had a mask on her face, but he could tell from her night black hair and amber eyes that she was a girl. Furthermore, guys don't exactly wear bows on their head... In front of her, he saw a smoking pistol pointed in his direction. He could tell that she was the one who shot him. The girl who was helping the weak then rushed to help him and he blacked out.
FLASHBACK END
When Ruby saw Jaune she immediately rushed over at blinding speeds and tackled him with a hug. Yang surprisingly followed her. She let go though after remembering he had a bullet wound in his back
"You're okay you're okay you're okay!" she squealed.
"Looks like you're okay Lady Killer. You had us all worried you know, even Cardin." Yang commented. Jaune raised a brow
"You know Yang, I could believe the first part, but I'm sure that Cardin hoped I was dead."
Yang raised her arms in defeat and laughed. "Alright, you got me. I thought it was worth a shot to make you feel better."
Jaune ran into Ren and Nora, and found himself wishing he didn't. Ren kept calm as always, but Nora pulled him into a bone crushing hug.
"Nora, air..." he wheezed. Nora let him go and jumped back, looking as cheerful as ever. She gave him a salute.
"You weren't kidding when you said you fell for the Ice Que- Weiss." Ren commented. Nora on the other hand gave him a salute and added "I salute you and your bravery Jauney!" Of course, this being Nora, she was loud.
Jaune didn't have to pick up homework at least. Weiss was released rather quickly and she made sure to bring him all of his homework, tutoring him on pretty much everything.
Jaune returned to the hospital after his visit to the school and Weiss came in for her usual tutoring.
"Alright, so this quote of Hamlet, 'frailty, thy name is Woman!' is one of the most well known quotes from the play-" Weiss began.
"Weiss?" Jaune interrupted. She stopped to hear him out.
"Yes Jaune?"she replied.
"I've been waiting to ask you this for a while now, but uh..." he paused while blushing heavily from what he was going to say, "I find you amazing." He began. Weiss began to blush lightly, but quickly shook it off, followed by a frown.
"Jaune, what are you getting at here?" she asked suspiciously, but there wasn't a threatening tone here.
"You've known for a while now that I've had a... Well... I've kind of had a crush on you..." he said, lowering his voice at the last part.
"Yes, and..." she continued suspiciously.
"Ireallywannagotopromwithyou!" he blurted incomprehensibly.
"English please, Jaune." Weiss sighed.
"You've got the looks, you're really nice, you have a beautiful voice, and I was wondering, would you go to prom with me?" He repeated. There was a moment of silence.
"I really thought you were going to ask something else." she stated while raising a brow. It was clear she was trying not to laugh.
"Well, I don't think you'll exactly say yes, but..." Jaune paused again, but Weiss wasn't going to wait.
"Hurry up Jaune!" she yelled,
"Would you go out with me?" he added. He sat there waiting for the obvious response.
"I think we can give it a try." Okay, well, the rejection was the seemingly obvious response,
"Wait, WHAT?!" he asked in disbelief. His jaw just about hit the floor
"I think we can give it a try, I mean not everybody would take literally a bullet for me." she repeated, suppressing her laughter from Jaune's reaction. She had to cover her mouth to stop herself from laughing.
Jaune wrapped his arms around her pulling her into a tight hug, finishing off with a rather long kiss. Weiss looked surprised
"Oh come on, we're going out now!" he complained.
"Yes, Jaune, but let's be more... Subtle about it." she finished a small smile.
{A/N} WHEW it's been a while. I dunno how I did it, but I reached 100 followers. I was going to thank the 100th dude, but I can't remember his name. Anyways, thanks everyone, it's nice to see people take an interest^.^
So it seems that this is the part one of the end. Next chapter is it, that's all. I dunno what I'll do after this but English class has helped me come up with ideas that are floating around in my mind.
Speaking of which, BEWARE GRADE 12. TAKE A SPARE IF YOU CAN.
Comments and criticism are all accepted, in fact I urge you to leave a review. I find reviews one of my biggest motivations for writing, to be able to hear people's thoughts on here, so please, fire away!
Sorry it's been a while, but odds are I'm going to be slow for the next and final chapter. I may come up with little extras from time to time though.
