The artist oobidoobi created a cover art for my fan fiction by request. I completely love it and I hope you like it as well. The artist was asked by a reader and requested a cover art on my behalf. Thank you both so so much. I love it.
The journey back to Wolfe's house was a prolonged one, because of how Daniel had the chance to dry his tears as the rest of the group took the time to comfort him. Along the walk, Jacket did a series of gestures to express that he was there for Daniel.
"Thanks Jacket." Daniel did a light smile while the crew turn left on the sidewalk as Wolfe's house was in view. The front lawn was still messy and so the team couldn't do much about it. Well that's what Wolfe kept telling them, he just didn't want to admit he didn't care about how other people view his home.
Jacket walked to the front door and took out a small key ring from his pocket. It had only one key on it but it was a start for him. He opened the door and held it for Daniel and Wolfe. When they walked by, Jacket turned his head to Jaune with his usual blank expression.
"Thanks Jacket, but I got to head back to my dorm. Tell the guys I said 'good night.'" Jaune knew the end of his sentence was ironic. Jacket rolled his eyes as he entered the house.
Jaune returned to Beacon without any form of trouble, he walked along the sidewalk of the main courtyard. Either Blake was in hiding or she was finally able to be in her dorm for a change since Zwei showed up. Blake never mentioned if she hated Zwei, but she didn't mention if she loved him either.
Every step he made had the sound of rhythm of his shoes on the concrete, not that it really mattered, but Jaune always liked that sound a shoe or boot made. There wasn't a reason for it but it was still something pointless he enjoyed. He walked to the front door, no Cinder there with no wise cracks about his life, no CRDL there to hassle him. All Jaune felt was a nice captured image that sat in his hoodie's front chest pocket.
Jaune walked to his dorm room door and took out his key ring, it jingled as he flipped through the three keys, one for his locker, one for his home, and one for the dorm. That was all that he really had. Behind him, Jaune heard a door open and it was right behind him.
"How'd it go with the imaginary friends?" Yang said as she leaned against the opening of her room.
That it! "They aren't imagery, they aren't figments of my imagination, and they're real people. I will not allow you the chance to call them that again." Jaune said he stood tall and looked at Yang in the eye.
"Whoa, Vomit Boy, where did this come from?"
She just… just… keeps… pushing it. "Yang, please stop calling me that, I really don't appreciate it and can you please just drop the nickname?"
Yang's expression went from playful to analytical. Jaune never took the time to talk back to anyone, the only person he does that to is Ruby whenever they talk about something nerdy, like Ruby's love for weapons, Ruby's love for cookies, and Ruby's love for everything.
"Alright Jaune." Yang made a half-hearted laugh, the kind of someone knowing full well what the request was but in the end don't really care.
Don't let this ruin your night Jaune. Just enter the dorm and go to sleep. Jaune thought before he turned around. It didn't look like Ruby and Blake were at their dorm, strange. The door opened and Nora was on her bed with her limbs in various directions and her pillow had a small puddle of drool. Nora didn't care about how people felt about it; she just cared if she got some sleep. Ren was at his desk with a paper that was due in two weeks. It was a report on the Freedom War and the Faunus rebellion of various regions of Remnant. Ren had to make a paper about the how the Faunus contributed to end the conflict.
"So how'd it go with your friends?" Ren looked up from his desk; he needed the mental break from working on it for the past 4 hours.
"Fine just fine." Jaune was a little exhausted in from being caught up in the moment back at Club Errera. I'll probably take a date there sometime if that ever happens.
Ren knew he hit a wall so he let it be and turned back at his work to finish before going to sleep. Jaune sat on his bed and started to untie his shoes then notices Pyrrha wasn't in the room.
"Where's Pyrrha?" Jaune asked when his feet were free to breath.
"She went to something about seeing some sort of weapons shop. Ruby wanted to look over the new designs for Hunters." Ren lied; he had no idea where they were but was well aware of their intentions from earlier. Nora told Ren all about it but didn't have a chance to say otherwise against the matter because Nora was well, Nora.
"Oh, that's cool. Night Ren." Jaune said as he took off his hoodie with a blue t-shirt and that was all Jaune needed after he switched into his onesie. He lay on his back and stared at the ceiling until he opened them up again with a blue hue from the morning glow.
The room was quiet as Pyrrha's bed was neatly folded and organized, so she's probably already out on her morning exercises. He yawned and fanned his mouth and looked at his scroll. Three messages. It read two from Wolfe, and one from Bain.
Wolfe messages were.
Hey man, here's the number to Daniel's scroll, we've got him situated with the place but we'll need help in moving his belongings in a couple of days.-W
Oh yeah, here's Dan's scroll number-W. After the message was linked with a highlighted list of numbers and Jaune made a mental note to save the number later.
Jaune's drowsy half-awake eyes looked at the message from Bain.
Hey there Jaune; thanks for the reference.-B. The message ended.
Jaune closed his scroll as he leaned out of his bed and noticed that Ren was awake and stared at the ceiling. This was usually the time when Nora would spontaneously wake up and rave on about another weird dream she had. Low and behold, "Ren, you wouldn't believe the craziest dream I've had." Nora squawked as soon as her eyes opened.
The morning went generally the same as Jaune sat down in his usual seat in for Port's class, and what happened surprised him, No Cinder walked through the door as Port began his lecture of Grimm research in recent years.
It generally went like this. 'We know that the Grimm like killing people, and we still don't know the exact reason why.' Jaune paid attention as the class went on, and from above, Ruby minded her own business. She looked like she was doodling something on her scrap paper. She noticed Jaune looked at her and she took hold of her paper, it was a cartoony image of Ruby, Yang, and Nora all fighting a giant sloth. She beamed a smile on her face as Jaune chuckled at her. From there, Jaune looked to his right to see Pyrrha writing notes in her notebook.
Then Headmistress Goodwitch entered the classroom, which was odd, normally she doesn't show up until after Dr. Oobleck's lecture.
"Jaune Arc?" She called.
"Present." Jaune replied as he stood up from his seat.
"Ah good. Headmaster Ozpin would like to have a word with you." The Headmistress said and stared at Jaune as he walked up to her. Half the class stared at him as well as Ruby and Pyrrha. None of them expected Jaune could have been in trouble.
"Um, what does he want to talk about?" Jaune spoke in a low tone to avoid the class from hearing.
"That is between you and Ozpin, please hurry; we don't want you to miss out on Mr. Oobleck's class." The Headmistress said in her uncaring tone. Behind Jaune stood Oobleck as he grimaced from the statement.
"That's Dr. Oobleck to you." He muttered as he sped off to talk a thousand words a minute when he appeared in the classroom.
With every step, all the noise tuned out from around Jaune. All the classrooms with talking instructors and all the thoughts in his mind. All he heard was Ms. Goodwitch's and his footsteps. It didn't take long before Jaune stood in the elevator to be lifted up into Ozpin's tower. The doors opened as in the same large room, stood Daniel, Wolfe, and Jack.
Each of them stood side by side didn't speak a word to Jaune. Not any kind of horror film could recreate this mounting tension.
Am I being kicked out again? It's probably because of the time I beat up CRDL. Jaune's mind raced with different answers for himself.
Ozpin looked as if he was stuck organizing papers on his desk. It must be stuff related to the Vytal Festival.
"Good morning Mr. Arc." Ozpin finally spoke.
"Yes Headmaster?" Jaune replied weakly, scared of what could happen at any moment.
"You're frightened? May I ask why you feel that way?"
"I'm called here to the tower; I think I did something wrong and did something I'm not supposed to do." Jaune stammered.
"How can being a leader be considered wrong?"
"I don't know, because the only people who has faith in me is my team and mother." Jaune knocked himself down.
"But your team does have faith in you. That's why you're here."
"But I thought Pyrrha, Ren and Nora are back at class." Jaune looked around the room to see the Headmistress staring off into her clipboard.
"I'm not talking about NPR." Ozpin loved playing his mind games.
"Come again?" Jaune replied dumbfounded.
"I'm talking about the gentlemen behind you." Ozpin nodded before he took a sip of his coffee mug.
Jaune looked over his shoulder to see the rest of the guys with calm expressions,
"I'm sorry, but I still don't understand." Jaune shrugged.
"It seems that your leadership qualities are much larger than you realize Jaune. They are here because I called them here. I was informed by a little bird that you've been to their aid as of late, with all three of these boys with various issues. Two are dealing with team issues, and the other is completely new student and all of them have the same underlying issue." Jaune heard as he looked back at Ozpin. "They need a team and they found one because of you, Jaune. You rallied these boys together."
"I did it because they needed the help."
"There's your answer Jaune. You still help others without concern over the possible consequences." Ozpin stood up from his chair and proceeded to walk around his desk. "With the information given by the little bird and the situations with the boys, I'm appointing you Jaune, as their new team leader here at Beacon."
Jaune blinked his eyes in surprise.
"I already spoke to each of them on their own over the course of this morning. Each of them agreed on the same thing, you as their leader."
"But I, huh?"
"Being a leader of two teams at Beacon won't be an easy task mind you. It takes the double the efforts you've given to complete the courses here that REQUIRES a team to complete, by say missions and team testing. Shall you decline, I shall find a replacement for you immediately and everything will return to the way it was. The decision is yours."
Jaune looked over his shoulder again. There at the line of boys, all of them had the same approving look on faces. They set their trust, happiness, and respect in Jaune's direction. Upon seeing that, Jaune made his choice.
"I'll do it." Jaune said before his brain registered his actual thought of 'no.' It was a quick one that he cursed himself for, but he disregarded it when Ozpin spoke up again.
"Jaune Arc, Jack Alburn, Tomas Wolfe, and Daniel Steele, step forward." Ozpin ordered, everyone walked up to the same location beside Jaune.
"Under the circumstances of everyday life, each of you has crossed paths in the most unusual of methods. It matters not how if came to this but rather accepting that you have a team standing beside you here at Beacon. Do your parts in making sure each of you succeed at becoming Hunters. From today forward, all of you will be known as Team JAWS."
"Um, sir, none of us are related to sharks in no way." Daniel pointed out.
"Neither is Team CRDL as none of them are humanoid birds." Ozpin shot back.
"True." Wolfe responded.
"Well then JAWS, this was all I wanted to speak about, good day."
As Ozpin finished his speech an turned around to complete his paperwork as it was literally began to pile up as he had the mind numbing task of making sure the festival will go as planned. The rest of AWS turned around to walk to the elevator. Jaune turned around to see the Headmistress walking up to him.
"This is a basic outline of what you'll have to know about being a leader for two teams Jaune. So no pressure in messing this up." The Headmistress giggled at her own joke as Jaune took the papers.
He looked at the elevator and walked inside. The doors closed with his team finally able to speak again.
"So how does it feel to be the boss, boss?" Wolfe snickered. Before more words were spoken, Jaune clenched a fist and punched Wolfe in the shoulder. "Hey, what was that for?"
"Why did this have to happen?" Jaune said with a confused look in his eyes.
"Relax would ya?" Wolfe rubbed his shoulder. "In case you were wondering, none of us spoke to Ozpin until he called for us."
Jaune looked at Daniel. "Don't look at me, all of us got here five minutes late this morning." Daniel raised his hands.
Before Jaune could turn around Jacket had his pockets pulled out that he didn't have his tape recorder.
"If it wasn't you guys, then who was it?" Jaune asked.
"No idea boss." Wolfe shrugged. "Is it really a bad thing? I mean, you already leading us on out in Remnant."
"I'm sorry. I'm just reeling in from the reality." Jaune rubbed his forehead.
"It's okay boss, we believe in you." Daniel smiled.
Jacket patted Jaune's back.
"I don't know what's worse, someone spying on us or the fact I have to lead you assholes." Jaune chuckled at the end of his sentence. When he did, Wolfe and Daniel joined in. I guess I'm stuck with them now. Jaune concluded as the elevator doors opened.
"Whelp too bad, boss, you're our leader now so you better act like it." Wolfe wrapped his arm around Jaune's neck and pulled backward for his to choke from the grip. Daniel and Jacket chuckled at the sight. From his desk, Ozpin watched from his terminal of the security camera placed into the elevator as the doors closed. It was that so he could see the same students before they would come to see him. From there he could get a read on people. The headmistress didn't say anything about it because it wasn't affecting anyone.
The doors two the elevator opened up as each of them walked out. There was a sticky note on Jaune's paperwork he would have to look over. I read. 'Now that you're done, each of you return to class.' Jaune told his new team of their orders as an official team of Beacon.
"Sir yes Sir!" Wolfe said in a grizzled tone like the stereotypical veteran. It just annoyed the team that time and the rest ignored it.
"I guess we'll meet at lunch?" Daniel suggested. Each of them had the same lunch time, Daniel, and Wolfe always ate at different parts of the school. Jack just followed Jaune around because it's not like he has anyone to be silent to.
"Yeah let's do that." Jaune shrugged. He didn't feel emotionally ready to accept more responsibility he could handle. Sure he said yes, but that was in the moment. I'm passed the point of new return. Jaune inhaled a puff of air in his nose and exhaled his worry.
"JAWS, we will meet for lunch today, I'll be in the center of the cafeteria." Jaune made sure to sound sure of himself. His mind was now consumed of the thought on who could have the one who informed Ozpin of his new team. Sure he was alone with them several times before, but it didn't seem like no one was really invested in what Jaune did in his social life.
I need to keep an eye out. He turned to his team, Wolfe and Daniel were already down the halls talking about the perfect donut to have. The kind with sprinkles outside or inside the donut. Daniel preferred inside while Wolfe liked the sprinkles outside. So debated the ethics in good donut making.
"Well see you after class Jack." Jaune said as the two split up in the hallway. Jack nodded to Jaune.
"Well you see children, there are many methods the settlements have tried to keep all forms of Grimm at bay. Even today, it is all still basically the same with the thought of castle defenses. Rather than a king, there are governments, and the walls are still a necessity for any kingdom." Dr. Oobleck pined as he circled around the room to give every direction the same amount of treatment for his voice. The door opened up as he ignored Jaune walking in since he was trying to be as quiet as he could be. Dr. Oobleck respected Jaune for the effort and downplayed the interruption by calling on Pyrrha.
"Ms. Nikos, can you tell me which kingdom was the one that formulated the barrier system first?" Dr. Oobleck asked as the light reflected off his glasses which had him appear emotionless to the students.
"Mistral, the idea was thought up by the Faunus intuition of using artificial barriers than natural ones." Pyrrha answered.
"Correct Ms. Nikos, I know that must have been trivial on your part but is something for all of us to understand." Dr. Oobleck sped across the opposite side of the room.
A student by the name of Mya had a hand on the desk as Oobleck leaned in for her to clearly see his face. "I expect you know all of this well miss Pinewood. If you wish to be an artist I recommend that you focus your matters on such, but you are here, and I will talk about you becoming a huntress, do you understand?"
"Yes Doctor." Mya looked down back at her textbook.
"Very well, let us continue." Dr. Oobleck continued his lecture as Jaune returned to his usual seat. Only one of the students in the classroom understood why Jaune had to leave earlier, and she wasn't obvious about by staring unlike Pyrrha and Ruby.
Dr. Oobleck talked until the bell chimed signaling his time was over.
"Ah there is the bell students, I expect each of you do your homework and have it prepared for me by next week. Shall you be on a mission longer than expected, I will know about it and plan accordingly. Good day." Dr. Oobleck stood tall and with a blink of an eye, and a trail of wind, he was out the room and off to lecture another classroom.
One speedster was gone yet another appeared in front of Jaune's desk.
"What happened? What happened?" Ruby left no time before Jaune could explain himself.
"I uh-" Jaune said as he had trouble finding the words. Behind Ruby, the amazon Pyrrha appeared from her shoulder. She was just as curious.
"You see." Jaune stammered. Why is this so hard to explain?
"Uh girls, the thing is that I'm the leader of another team besides NPR." Jaune admitted. From that Pyrrha and Ruby looked at one another, Ruby had a small giggle and Pyrrha was completely silent.
"Yeah, that's the thing. I'll explain at lunch, okay." Jaune noticed that several other students overheard him and fewer stared at him. Being the center of attention was something he was only used to if it was just his family, with people that could judge him about anything, his mind caved in from the pressure.
Ruby let the thought drift in her mind as she walked to her seat and the same happened to Pyrrha. She walked by. "What have I been doing wrong?" She uttered to herself, and luckily for her, no one heard the thought.
The instructor came in and the class went on as one would expect, lecturing, questions, and a worksheets to go over what to know. The usual stuff. Then it came, the bell signaling it is time for lunch, Nora and Ruby's favorite time of the day. The two raced out of their classrooms and met in the hallway. Ren, Yang, and Weiss followed them to the cafeteria.
Jaune sat at his seat to collect his papers and tapped them on the table to be organized when he put them away in his folder. He stood up for Pyrrha to catch up with him before he left the room. In the distance, another student followed, her bow shifted for a moment.
"So the book report is due in two weeks for Port right?" Jaune asked Pyrrha.
"Yes, so are you going to tell us what this whole team business is about?" Pyrrha deflected Jaune's attempt to change the subject.
"I will, but I don't feel like repeating myself. Let me explain in the cafeteria." Jaune didn't look at Pyrrha as he spoke. She didn't like how he avoided looking at her. It wasn't like him; something deep down bothered him. They walked in silence as the two entered the cafeteria doors and there Ruby, Weiss, Yang, Nora, and Ren were all seated down with their own plates. From the distance, Blake was in line to get her meal alongside Velvet. It seemed like the two talked about something. Jaune stood at the center of the cafeteria and looked around. Pyrrha caught on and stood with him.
"Pyrrha, could you wait at the table? I'll be there in a bit." Jaune rubbed his left eye.
"No, I can stand beside you." Pyrrha insisted.
"Please?" Jaune pressed on.
"I'm staying right here." Pyrrha looked at Jaune sternly. The only other time when she acted like this was during combat back at the incitation test for teams. Jaune recognized the stare because it was the same kind of unmovable stare his sisters would give him. There was no chance for him to argue with her.
"Okay." Jaune said as he looked around the room. After a minute, they appeared, all in the uniforms, Jack walked in front of Daniel and Wolfe. Daniel had Wolfe in a headlock and gave him a nuggie. He rubbed his fist on Wolfe's hair for him to give in as he couldn't do anything to stop it. Jaune's blank expression changed to genuine happiness as he walked up to them with a laugh. Pyrrha couldn't remember the last time Jaune did that with her team.
"Hey boss, how's your day going?" Wolfe broke away from Daniel's grip.
"Fine, what has you in such a good mood?" Jaune asked.
"Numbnuts here learned that Vivian is the same grade level and got himself another date." Daniel added to show why Wolfe was so happy.
"That is indeed true, so what sounds like a good idea for a date?" Wolf looked at his teammates.
"Why not take her to Club Errera?" Jaune suggested.
"Maybe." Wolfe rubbed his chin.
"Oh no no no no. That's my thing." Daniel poked Wolfe in the chest. "I call dibs."
"Damn. Maybe a nice dinner place, I have no idea but I'll figure it out." Wolfe made a toothy grin as he noticed Pyrrha standing beside Jaune. Jack walked passed them as he stood in line to get his food. Wolfe jogged on to catch up with him.
"Hello." Daniel smiled at Pyrrha. She took his gesture and went hello back. Her tone was clear as she recognized him as the description Yang said the previous night. He looked rather young, possibly around Ruby's age if she had to guess.
"Come on, the guys are in line for us." Daniel shook his shoulder and did a light follow me wave. Jaune nodded and Pyrrha followed in tow.
"So you think that the sprinkles will still be good under the skin?" Wolfe felt like continuing the conversation he had with Daniel.
"Of course, that way the sugar of the sprinkle will be preserved in the donut itself. Plus, it becomes a less of a mess when you eat it."
Wolfe shot back. "But on having it on the outside could show your preference and can ward off any snack attacks. I know Jack doesn't touch 'em."
"Agree to disagree?"
"Agreed." Wolfe said after he got his plate of food then so did Jaune. Pyrrha got some chicken fingers with a side of macaroni. Jaune had a turkey and ham sandwich. Then after each member had a plate of food, they all stood there waiting for Jaune to lead them on where to sit down. Jaune shook his head and the rest followed his lead.
They walked and several of the students in Jaune's classroom that overheard him all started to talk. Many of them had theories on how Jaune had gotten a second team. Jaune walked in front of them as he sat down at a table where the others sat down and ironically made room for Jaune's to sit on the opposite side of the table to look directly at Ruby, Weiss, Ren, Nora and Yang.
Pyrrha sat down on the right of Jaune at the edge of the table. Jaune sat down on her left and the rest of AWS sat to the left of him. Each of them stared at the new members. Pyrrha was the only one who actually met two of them before.
"Morning people." Jaune nodded. The rest of RWY and NPR just stared.
"What?" Jaune looked around.
"Who are they?" Weiss asked.
"This here is my second team, Jack Alburn, Tomas Wolfe, and Daniel Steele?" Jaune looked back at the rest of his friends. "Together we form Team JAWS."
"Because you all like sharks?" Ren asked.
"Or is it because Jack here has really sharp teeth?" Pyrrha asked.
"Or how all of you are able to eat up a really big feast?" Yang smiled.
"Or maybe, all of you plan to sharpen your teeth like Jack, because you want to look like sharks and can eat a big feast together?" Nora beamed.
"No, no and probably." Wolfe said with a thought answer as he looked up to the think out the feast part. Jack opened his mouth and widened his lips to show his perfectly flat and well-arranged chompers at the rest. Nora went 'ooohh.'
"Are these your so called imaginary friends? Because all I see is some empty air." Yang chuckled at her own joke. Jack didn't like it as his blank expression changed as his lips went downward from Yang's so called joke. Daniel started to tap all around his chest and looked back at the group.
"Oh thank dust, I thought I wasn't real there for a moment." Daniel snickered.
"We're all friends of Jaune." Wolfe said looking specifically at Yang. She didn't see the slight annoyance on his eyes as he looked at her.
"How'd you all meet?" Ren asked.
"Let's see, I met Wolfe in the library, Jack when Wolfe wanted to show him around town, and Daniel is Wolfe's partner from SHDW." Jaune said then took a bite of his sandwich.
"Why aren't with your team?" Pyrrha leaned forward to get a look at AWS.
"We were kicked out and we don't want to go into the details." Wolfe cut off any further questions to the subject.
"Team JAWS eh? Sounds good to me." Yang looked around. She noticed that Jack has a taste for French fries. He dipped a fry in ketchup and she reach over to snag a fry from his plate and mid-way, Jack caught her arm. Yang looked up at Jack.
"Well, kinda grabby aren't you?" Yang responded.
"He doesn't like it when people do that." Daniel pointed out after he finished chewing his hamburger.
"What do you mean?" Yang looked back. She understood fully well what Daniel meant, she's doing this to get a read on the team. Pushing buttons was Yang's way of testing people. So AWS was no exception to that rule. For Jack however, his expression was completely blank as he waited for her to say the magic word or to pull her arm back, sure he touched her but not at death grip level.
"He'll only allow you if you say 'please?'" Daniel added.
Yang looked back at Jack.
"May I have a fry, please?" And with that, Jack released her and she was able to get a fry. Yang doesn't take any kind of orders from anybody besides family, her team, and Ruby. But considering how they're all friends to Vomit Boy, so by extension Jack gets a pass in her mind. The tension was high as the rest of them took a bite of their perspective food. Yang felt a little of her temper rising before Nora broke it with her special bubbly skills.
"So AWS, do any of you like pancakes?" Little did the team know, that this was Nora's time to test the group.
"I prefer waffles." Wolfe answered, when he did, Nora looked away and turned to Daniel.
"I love pancakes." Daniel nodded.
"Yay! Let's be best pancake buddies." Nora tilted her head. When Daniel looked down to take a bite, he noticed Ren give him a very stern stare. Daniel didn't understand it and shrugged it off.
Jack wince his lip, thought about it and shrugged. Food was food, so whatever that can taste good and have him feel full, he'd eat anything. Nora nodded to the honest thought.
"So Jack do you have any hobbies?" Ruby asked. He turned to her. He opened his mouth and this was news to JWS. Each of them leaned in to hear him better. Jack closed his mouth and made a chewing motion with his mouth. Then from there he balled his hands into fists pushed them together and with a light motion he made it look like he swung an invisible baseball bat. He raised both of his hands victoriously.
"And the crowd goes wild." Wolfe beamed. After he said that he went 'aaaahhhh, aaaahhhh' to emulate the noise of crowd at a baseball game.
"He rounds first base." Jaune joined in on the fun.
"Then second base." Daniel smiled.
"He's passed third base." Wolfe interrupted himself as he drank his soda. A small dribble of it swirled down from his lips.
"He did it, Jack Alburn has won the game." Jaune smiled. The playfulness rubbed off on RWY and NPR. Each of them completed their interview of AWS and started to carry on with the conversation they normally do.
Pyrrha during the whole time was completely silent as she noticed Jaune hasn't been this happy in the time she known him. Sure he would have false bravado and was there whenever someone needed him. Like when Ruby needed help studying for a test when Blake had one of her mood swings, or the time searching high and low for Nora's weapon, Magnhild. Pyrrha blinked. Speaking of Blake, where is she? She thought. She looked around the room as the ebony bow wasn't in sight. It seemed like Blake went out to eat alone like what she usually does time to time.
She looked back at the table as AWS got to know the rest of RWY and NPR. There wasn't any malice, but deep down inside, Pyrrha felt a pit in her stomach. She felt the same way before, back when she was labeled the 'Goddess of Victory.' She thought she got over the feeling but it somehow returned. Pyrrha put up a smile when Jaune looked at her.
Time went on for twenty or so minutes before the teams would have to separate to return to the classrooms. Daniel and Wolfe already left the cafeteria early so because they needed to fetch something from Wolfe's locker. Ruby, Nora, and Ren all left as well. Pyrrha picked at her food slowly as she looked around the room to see the decreasing number of students.
"Are you going to compete with them in the tournament?" Pyrrha asked when she finally took a forkful of macaroni.
"Maybe, we I know we're still going together Pyrrha, we still have two more spots open. We'll figure it out." Jaune said before he stood up. He walked to the closest trash bin and noticed a familiar figure standing behind a pillar. When he focused his vision, the figure disappeared. Strange.
Jaune turned around to see that Weiss left as well. Pyrrha walked to a different trash bin and discarded the remains of her food. So from the cafeteria Jaune and Pyrrha returned to the classroom. When they returned they noticed that it was the Headmistress' turn to lecture, and so the class would have to move to arena for more weapons training.
The standard array of students showed up to watch and commentate the aftermath of the fights. Ren sparred with a random student and won. There were more fights to come as Pyrrha left the thoughts from earlier seep away from her mind. It'll still be there but now she had a distraction. They watched as all the students practiced to hone their skills Jaune didn't fight that day because he wasn't called on or felt the need to volunteer. Five minutes before the Headmistress' training ended she made an announcement.
"Okay everyone, tomorrow is the Vytal festival and you will all be given the chance to do missions under the supervision of huntresses and hunters as you all will have. We know there are more students than there are hunters but make sure you do a mission no matter what, this is your first major team assignment for the semester. Be sure to eat healthy and be rested tomorrow morning. Dismissed." Glynda pushed up her glasses when she finished talking.
With that all the students dispersed. NPR wanted to return home to prepared dinner and go to bed early. Jaune walked to the courtyard to see AWS off on their return trip home. Not many of the students live off campus without approving with the Headmaster and Headmistress because they saw it as their duty to let the students attend class without a worry of living outside. Wolfe was a special case since he didn't inform Ozpin of his situation.
Jaune sat down at the courtyard bench keeping an eye out for AWS. The sun was still about but it wasn't evening yet so the heat was still tolerable. Jaune looked up and noticed the clouds. Jaune always thought the clouds were a nice decoration of nature, she they appear often but they shape the sky in lovely ways making the same place look, well not the same. The glow it gives off when the sun is setting, or the dark puffs that hover above a city at night. Or that rays of light that seep through on a rainy day. Clouds were always a sight to behold.
"Is this seat taken?" A familiar disinterested tone asked.
Jaune leaned his head forward and saw Blake standing beside the bench calmly.
"No not at all." Jaune smiled.
"Thanks." Blake did a light smile as she sat down with Jaune. "We got a big week ahead of us." Blake made conversation. Jaune was all too familiar with it.
"Oh yeah, now I got NPR and a groups of assholes to take care of." Jaune snickered.
"Is that how you see them?" Blake turned her head as her face was of confusion.
"What? Oh nonono. I'm just making a joke about them, they're all really great guys. Wolfe's a pal, Jack is tough, and Daniel needs a team."
"Yeah… a team." Blake's eyes drifted off and stared at the grass.
"Is something the matter? I didn't see you at lunch today." Jaune said as he looked away from the clouds to see her with a somewhat sad expression.
"I'm sorry. I guess I've should have told you sooner." Blake finally lifted the burden from her shoulders since the morning.
"What are you talking about?" Jaune's mind raced around hoping this wasn't Payday related, because right now, he has no backup plan.
"This morning when I was in a tree reading, Ozpin came by to say hi from his morning walks. I talked to him about you being there or a group of friends." Blake admitted.
Jaune kept looking at Blake, he wasn't in any angry mood or anything, and he just listened.
"So when I made a reference about it, Ozpin pressed on about you and the three others. I told him how you planned to be there for the one named Daniel, then Jack and Tomas joined in on that promise. Ozpin accepted all that I told him and said he'll do something about it. I didn't know he would have formed a team out if it."
"How did you know that I was at the Jazz club last night?" Then it struck him. Blake was the woman with the lovely hairstyle, he never got a good look at her face and she disappeared when things got serious in the conversation. It all made sense now, Blake was Ozpin's little bird.
"You see, everyone except Ren wanted to spy on you, they failed in doing so. I know all too well about how people keep secrets for a reason, so I thought you deserved that kind of treatment." Blake shrugged. "I was going in to spy on you to get a little information and give enough for the others to give on watching you. I wasn't expecting you to have that conversation with those boys. I'm sorry about that and talking with Ozpin."
Blake finally finished her confession of how she stuck her nose into Jaune's business. She broke her own golden rule, and it ate at her core.
"Don't be Blake." Jaune spoke.
Blake looked up, she wasn't crying or anything this conversation was on her mind since she learned from what Jaune said in the classroom in talking with Pyrrha and Ruby.
"You see, you did me a favor of me being there for my new friends. I mean, I'm an Arc, and us Arcs never go back on our word. If I said that Jack, Dan, Wolfe, and I are a team, then it should be official. You just accelerated the process, and this whole thing isn't hurting anyone. So it's okay Blake, I'm not mad at you and I'm happy you told me this." Jaune nodded.
"I'm glad even, here I was worried that one of us had some kind of stalker watching our every move." Jaune laughed. It was how he really felt and everything he just said set Blake at ease.
"Thanks Jaune. I hope NPR will understand with JAWS around now."
"I hope they will. I will make sure both teams will make it to graduation." Jaune winked. Blake took the wink and rolled her eyes.
"There's the Blake I know. Are you going to get the new release of the Ninjas of Love?" Jaune asked.
"How'd you know about that book series?" Blake turned her head as soon as she heard the Ninja part of the name.
"My sister Ki loves reading those books and kinda pushed the series for me to read. I got into them since she owns every book in the series. I know next week the new one will be released." Jaune rubbed the back of his neck. The Ninjas of Love book series was sought out by all of those that love that kind of fiction. But if 51 Shades of Gray can be called literature, then Ninjas of love seemed tamed in comparison.
"How do you think will be the best for the Golden Samurai?" Blake wanted to test if Jaune really read the books.
"I don't know, it's a tie between Sorakishi and Hana, I mean the both ladies have a reason to like the Golden Samurai. Whenever Sorakishi would be in trouble, GS would show up to help. Though for Hana, her pursue of GS seems pure so far, we won't know until part nine comes out. Let me know how it is before I pick it up." Jaune leaned back to get a view of the clouds.
"I'll be sure to let you know." Blake smiled. She took care of what she wanted to talk about and learned more about Jaune than she bargained for. She never thought he would like Smut books since all she saw him read were those blasted comic books.
"See ya around Blake." Jaune waved her off. Blake waved back as she walked off to her dorm to reread the latest book for the seventh time in preparation for the even newer one coming out.
Jaune continued to check out the clouds for another good twenty minutes. There was this one cloud, it was shaped oddly, and it kinda looked like-
"SHARK!" Wolfe shouted into Jaune's ear as Jacket appeared with a well decorated paper bag over his head.
"AAAHHH!" Jaune shouted as he rolled out of the bench and widened his eyes. He was on the grass as he could have sworn his heart skipped a beat.
Jaune rolled his back as he returned to his senses. He looked around to see AWS. "You guys are serious assholes." Jaune said as Jack offered him a hand to get back on his feet.
"We know, but that's why you love us." Daniel smiled.
"Yeah yeah." Jaune dusted himself off as Wolfe brushed his back.
"Hey boss, we didn't think you see us off today."
"Nah, like I would ever do that. I just wanted to talk to you guys about what mission we could do." Jaune looked around at the three.
"Yeah we wanted to talk to you about that." Daniel said.
"Hmm?" Jaune hummed. Wolfe was the one to speak next.
"We talked about it, and we think you should spend tomorrow's mission with JNPR, because as much as you are a leader to us, you need to be there for them." Wolfe nodded. "Besides, Jack and I will help Dan move in to my place, it should take a couple of days. So don't worry about us, because we have to be there for you as well since we're also stuck with you."
Jaune looked up with a tear from his right cheek. It was a single tear and it was of happiness. "All of you are the best assholes a guy could hope for."
Jaune said his goodbyes to his team as they boarded the public airship to head home. Jaune walked back to his dorm to see Ren and Pyrrha at the kitchen baking up some potatoes as Pyrrha sliced up some spam meat for them to have Spam and Potatoes. Jaune walked in and smiled as he was about to enjoy dinner with JNPR.
Well, so ends the JAWS arc. I know this one is completely short in just two chapters but it was something I felt that I needed to do. So now all of Jaune's closest friends can now hang out without causing suspicion at Beacon. When I wrote for Ch. 20, I'm not going to lie, I cried while writing it. I mean, I welled up at times, but I didn't fully cry until I had Wolfe hug Daniel. So with this special story arc out of the way, it paves the long road ahead I have planned for this story. Get your favorite snacks ready for the next chapter of the Grimm fights.
Let me get this out of the way now. JAWS and SHDW will have a showdown Eventually.
For the cover art, I made a rather bland sketch on my deviant art profile. But also on deviant art, please check out oobidoobi. He's awesome.
The Cover art: art/Jaunes-Fall-From-Grace-Cover-Request-532871932
As always, thank you so much for reading, have a great day, and to please review.
Now for the response corner:
Lukefang: Sorry about the glass, and SHDW will be around for a nice bit of comeback from JAWS.
Iandude: Thank you for liking the chapter. I have some stuff planned out for the Jazz Café. Team SHDW will have a match with JAWS eventually. Thank you so much for reading.
Drow79: I do like this change of pace as well. As I wanted Jaune to really bond with his team mates. Thank you so much for reading.
MajorDarkBlade: Yeah, Jaune is starting to get serious about the work he's been doing. I can't give away too much of the story, sorry. Thank you so much for reading.
Supernoob257: What are you referring to? Can you PM me about it please? Thank you.
CrimsonHeresy: I enjoyed the chapter immensely as well. I wanted to have JAWS really become JAWS in being there for each other. I'm grateful you feel that way by the end of the chapter. Thank you very much for reading.
Iijdgreat916: I ecstatic you feel that way. The Payday Gang is fun to write when they bicker. Thank you so much for the compliment and I hope you'll like this chapter.
RyderRosas: 3 things. 1. Writing the RWBY bit was a blast. 2, I hope you'll look forward to the SHDW and JAWS showdown. 3, You may most definitely can give Houston a hug. He needs it.