Warning: I do not own RWBY, that belongs to Oum & Rooster Teeth

Bold: other speaking

Bold: other thinking

Hi: normal thinking

Hi: normal speaking

Reviews:

harmonylight200: Well, it is similiar but not exactly the same.

Luine Mercury LWG: True, that would be the better option for everyone and for Pyrrha. Sadly Pyrrha takes more from her parents then most would like

Connor Worsnop: Oh, and why so?

Austin: That is a possbility, as for the omakes ... I'll think about it.

Xealchim: Sadly :(


MISTRAL, UNKNOWN AREA


"Alright Jaune, you ready to continue your journey to becoming a hunter!" said Ruby. She and Jaune were at a clearing as the sun shined brightly on them. As with the rest of the girls they each took their chosen person and started their training.

For Ruby she got Jaune.

The blonde nodded, this made the young girl simile as she was quite scared about this. She never before taught anyone and teaching someone who was older then her did not inspire much confidence.

Still, Jaune did believe in her.

"Good, well since we've already unlocked your aura we can go over the nitty gritty parts" said Ruby. "Now I'm sure you've been told that aura acts like a force field around you."

"Yeah, kinda like when I use magic to defend myself" he concentrated and showed a bright glow on his arm.

"Well aura can do more than protect you Jaune. It can also be really useful during the winter as it protects you from extreme temperatures ... well I don't know much about for hotter temperatures" Ruby started.

"But that isn't all aura can do Jaune. Another cool thing is when you combine it with a weapon!"

"Combine your aura ... with a weapon?" Jaune asked.

"I mean you can augment it. Observe" Pulling out crescent rose Ruby pushed her her aura into the weapon. After a second the blade glowed red, and then she sliced it cleanly through a nearby tree trunk.

"As you can see aura can be used to make your attacks stronger and deadlier" said Ruby.

"Wow, wait a moment? Why didn't you use that more often; I mean that could have been real useful against that giant guy and Tyrian" he asked.

"Mm not really. It takes time to build up aura and it is easy for enemies to see it glow too; Plus you have to make sure your weapon can handle the stress, if your weapon isn't strong enough it can shatter during or after using it" she warned.

"Oh ... so wait you can put aura into anything, like even a piece of stone?"

"Yep, there's really nothing you can't put aura into. But mind what I just said. Moving on, there is more that aura can do besides making yourself or your weapons stronger. Aura can also be used for special attacks as well."

Jaune tilted his head.

"Well you see aura can pushed out of your body in some really amazing ways. Like you can project physically into some cool powers. I know Yang can concentrate her aura into her fist and unleash it like a shock wave. It's really something to see" Ruby explained.

"Seems like a lot of work to use. I mean with how aura feels compared to magic" Jaune commented.

"It is, Yang took years before she could use it and even then she rarely does. Aura based attacks can be powerful but take time to charge and the actually strength itself can vary between users" Ruby warned.

"Wow, seems like Aura can do a lot of amazing things Ruby" said Jaune.

"It can ... well compared to magic I'm not really sure about that" the young girl was conflicted on that end. While Aura could do a lot of things it felt like a single drop in a lake compared to magic; With magic it felt like you could do anything that aura did and more.

"Come on Jaune, I think that's enough about aura for today. Let's get you a weapon" She pulled Jaune up as she examined the man closely, eyeing him up and down before pulling away.

"Well, you have some broad shoulders so maybe something involving a shield would be good for you. But your legs also look rather developed too ... hm, I can see you being an endurance runner" Ruby muttered to herself.

"Um what are you doing Ruby?" Jaune asked.

"Hm? Oh I just checking you out ... I mean your body-Not like that I mean. I just want to see what type of weapon would be good, nothing sexual at all I promise" Ruby's faced blushed a tiny bit in embarrassment.

"And what do you think I should use" Jaune asked bemused at Ruby's shuttering form.

"Well a sword looks like a good idea. I mean add that with a shield you can definitely become a strong defender type. Thought with your arms a two handed blade would also be a good choice ... oh, maybe we should give you a mecha-shit weapon!" Ruby said.

"Really, just a sword and shield?" said Jaune.

"Oh come on Jaune, don't go putting down the classics, besides it will be a good place for us to start your training too" Ruby assured the blonde.

"It's not that, I figured that I would be able to learn how to use other weapons. I mean ... your scythe was pretty cool" said Jaune, whispering the last part to himself. Sadly for him Ruby was able to hear that last part.

"Aw, I didn't now you liked crescent rose. That's real sweat of you Jaune" said Ruby. It was nice to here that someone else saw her baby as a cool weapon, seriously people would push her away for a flaming sword the nerve.

"Well I could train you if you really want to. I mean I don't know how much we can get done before Atlas" said Ruby "But maybe starting with something easier would be better."

"I guess, alright well then how about this?" a sword a pure ice formed in his hand. It was a standard two sided blade, though the blade part was more heavier then normal and the hilt looked rather thin too.

"It's nice, but this is a bit much for you" she threw the blade away "give me a wooden blade equal overall weight."

The blonde frowned but channeled his magic into creating a wooden blade from the ground. Taking it he gave it to Ruby who after testing it out.

"Now this is better, now I'm going to show you some basic stances for you and I want you to follow closely" taking the wooden blade she took a deep breath before slowly going over five stances.

Once she was the sword was tossed over to Jaune. "Jaune, I want you to follow what I just did. And don't stop till I tell you"

"Ok, so is this pretty much it or is there more I'm not knowing?" he asked. Just starting the first stance.

"Sorry Jaune but this really it. Uncle Qrow always told me that you need to know the basics before going on. And he isn't wrong, doesn't matter what I teach after if you don't know the basics" Ruby apologized.

The blonde frowned but continued on practicing.

...

...

...

"Hey Jaune, odd question ... but what are you thinking about doing, I mean after getting to Atlas and dealing with Salem" Ruby asked him.

"Well ... if we really do take care of Salem I guess try to get dad to let me be a hunter" said Jaune "I mean I don't think dad can stay no to me after I show him my aura."

"It's going to be a long road if you want be a hunter. I mean your kinda late to the party and all ..." said Ruby.

"I know I know, you aren't the first one to tell me. But that isn't going to stop me, being a huntsmen has always been my dream Ruby. Dad can't tell me I can't be one now" he said.

"You really want to be a hunter that badly huh?"

"Come on Ruby, you know it's been my dream. Though I'm not sure know, with Salem I kinda scared" he said lowly.

"What do you mean, you think Salem is going to kidnap you?" she asked worryingly "You know if she wants to do that she'll have to go through me. I made a vow Jaune and I'm abandoning you."

"No, it's not that ... well not that at least. I mean ... I guess I'm kinda scared about other knowing her, and my relationship with her. Being her son and all. I guess you can say I'm scared how other would react" Jaune explained.

"Not good, that's for sure" Ruby thought to herself. If she learned anything from how her teammates reacted then staying in Atlas would be a terrible idea; In fact where would they be able to stay without everyone coming after them?

"Come on Jaune, there's no way anyone will now. The only people that know is maybe uncle Qrow or Ozpin. I doubt anyone else knows the truth, there's nothing to worry about" the girl tried to assure him.

"Yeah but I what if one of your teammates slip, well not saying that is going happen but well you know ..." Jaune rubbed the back of his neck embarrassingly.

Ruby frowned but could not argue against that, one bad drink and who knows what they could spill. Look at Uncle Qrow for an example.

"Come on Jaune, we've been through worse. Your looking at this too deeply" she grasped onto his shoulder "We're in this together, both of us."

"Yeah, I guess so"

xxx Camp xxx

Ruby watched the firefly's danced around the air. Around her bugs chipped away and Yang's snores threatened to drown that out.

While everyone else was asleep Ruby could not get any, her thoughts going back to Jaune's words.

"Come on Ruby, the chance of anyone else knowing Salem is next to none. I mean if Ozpin was able to keep her a secret for so long then must be no way anyone else will know. Then again ... what if Salem revealed herself, would she really go that far for them?"

No, if her actions told anything Salem would do it in a heartbeat. Maybe that was what Jaune feared, if she did that then what hope did any of them have? Could ... could he even be hunter even if that meant fighting her ... mother?

Ruby herself did not know if she could, it should be an easy thing; But Salem was a member of their people, someone else who has magic. Who knows what kind of knowledge has, what culture Jaune's people carried before they vanished.

Could they really kill one of the last remnants of their people?

"Mm, maybe I'm thinking this too much. I think I need a walk" getting up from her bedroll she took the first direction she saw.

The moon's light shined the forest and illuminated the pathway for her. As she walked around her ears started to pick something up, it was ... slashing? Going to the source of the sound she knelt down in a close bush.

Pulling the leaves back it was none other then Jaune. Practicing the stances they went over for today.

...

"Jaune, what are you doing?"

"Ruby! What are you doing here?!" the blonde gasped, turning around the face the little reaper.

"I was walking around here and I saw training so ..."

"Wait where you watching me?"

"No of course not, I only heard a few seconds ago" she defended herself.

Jaune narrowed his eyes on that "Well what are you doing here then?"

"I was ... well, I was just thinking what you said. About the whole Salem telling everyone" said Ruby.

"Oh, so what about it then?"

"Well, what are you guys going to do if Salem really does reveal herself?" Ruby asked, the question that was burning her mind for the day.

Jaune stayed silent, after some time Ruby herself started to worry until Jaune finally spoke up.

"To be honest, run. That's really it Ruby, if Salem does go that far the only thing we can do is run. Go somewhere the CCT can't reach and use illusion magic to hide ourselves" Jaune answered.

"That's it? You think your father will do that; I mean he's one of the most important people in the world after all" said Ruby.

"He is, but dad is more then that. He cares about us and I mean that by a lot. Ever since that day he's been caring and giving us his love since then" said Jaune.

"That day?"

"One day dad came back and when Nora greeted him he just broke down. He hugged us all, promising to someone. Since then he's been willing to make any sacrifice to make us happy" said Jaune.

"That doesn't seem really healthy there Jaune" Ruby said worryingly.

"It's not that bad Ruby. I mean you remember when my father left a council meeting to attend Pyrrha's game" said Jaune "Whatever your thinking your just overthinking it Ruby. All I'm saying is that between his job and us he'll always choose us first, no question."

"Oh, I see" said Ruby. She hoped that day would not come, headmaster Ozpin was not something they could loose. They could not loose the last remnants of their past and she vowed no harm shall come to them too.

"Well it doesn't matter Jaune, come risk or rain we're not abandoning you. We all made our vows and we'll hold ourselves to it" Ruby promised.

xxx The Next Day xxx

"Come on Ruby, do really have to use your semblance like that?" Jaune gasped. Barely standing as a film of sweat dripped form his brow.

The red head smirked. The two of the them were having a spar to see Jaune's skill, it was generally understood who the winner was.

"Sorry Jaune, but the rules state no magic" she said in a sing song tone.

"Because I would so kick your ass otherwise" he grumbled.

"I don't know about that?" she zipped right in front of Jaune "I think I could stop you before you could cast a spell."

Jaune suddenly smiled at that to Ruby's confusion. Right up till her cloak lifted her up the ground.

"Gah! Jaune let me go right now" she kicked her shoes fruitlessly at the air "Come on this isn't funny!"

"Really? Seems interesting to see how far you can go up" suddenly Ruby's whole body was lifted further into the air. Much to her protest.

"JAUNE, GET ME DOWN ... PLEEEASSEEE"

...

...

...

"Meh, fine" the magical aura covering Ruby disappeared allow the girl to fall to the ground. The girl started to scream before she was halted right before hitting the ground, only for it to then disappear. Letting her fall face first into the dirt.

"BELH, PHUGH" she tired to spit all the dirt before turning the laughing Jaune. Marching up to the blonde she leveled a hard kick to the shin "Why did have to do that you big jerk."

"What can I say, it's funny" he laughed back. That only made Ruby more angry and further kicking the blonde.

"Don't think I'll forget this Jaune" Ruby warned "I'll remember this, this is war I tell you."

"Oh, you wish to fight me? Please, try as hard as you wish" Jaune teased the girl. Closing the distance between their face.

...

...

..

"Pfft, hahahha" he laughed after a few seconds. Ruby herself started to simile as well.

"Oh I need that badly, you have no idea Ruby" said Jaune "Nothing like a good laugh to unstress yourself."

"Maybe for you ... that was still mean of your Jaune" the girl grumbled.

"I'll buy you something when we get to Atlas" he waved away "Or maybe Mistral, I mean we shouldn't be too far from it."

"Well, I'll hold you to that" she said.

...

"So, how was I Ruby?" Jaune asked.

"Well ... kinda of bad to be real. I mean I get you only started training and being a civilian ... but man we need to work a lot with you. The next big thing we need to focus on is your body, you have a good start having exercise for a while. However that is not enough, we need you to have more endurance."

"And how long will that take?" he asked.

"Months ... years, this isn't going to be quick thing. We have a lot to work on and time isn't on our side. I need to you to be putting 110% into your training alright" Ruby explained.

Jaune nodded his head.

"Good, now we let's go-" her eyes shifted to the sides, narrowing down.

"What? Is there grimm here?" Jaune looked at Ruby's sudden shift.

"I'm not sure, but I saw more then one bush rustle" she said

"Maybe it's an animal Ruby, I mean grimm aren't the only creature that live in the wild you know?" Jaune offered.

...

"Mm, yeah I guess I could see that happ-" a sudden shriek ripped through the air. Forcing both Jaune and Ruby to cover their ears.

"EERAAHHHKKK" a shadow zip passed the duo, floating a bit away from there. It's body was mostly comprised of a dark cloudy substance. In the place of it's face a grimm mask with a single red eye looking at them.

"What is that!?" asked Jaune.

"I-I have no idea. Get behind me, now!" Ruby pulled crescent rose and fired at the grimm. The creature quick rolled to the side, pushing itself further from Ruby and using the foliage around for cover. Seconds later Ruby had lost the grimm.

The barrel of crescent rose slowly moved around as Ruby herself looked around for any sign of the grimm. Which eventually came ... from the nearby trees.

A large fist made of wood came form the side, throwing the girl into the dirt and her weapon to the side. Coming from the woods a massive monster made of stone and trees marched out, it's body looking like a mismatch of whatever was around. And at the center of the this monster's chest was the grimm's mask.

...

"Wait it can do that, Ruby it can do that!?"

"Apparently" Ruby groaned, getting up from the ground "Alright, so you can take other things for your body. Well let's see how long you'll last then!"

Rose petals fell to the ground as Ruby became a blur to the grimm. It's eye trying to catch up with the huntress. She began hacking at the creature as it attempted to defend itself, leaving either minor scares or light cuts on it.

Making some distance she fired a few rounds at the creature as they dug into it's body yet did nothing to weaken the creature. The breast roared as it grabbed a tree and threw it at the huntress which she easily dodged out of the way.

Before a the grimm could continue a fireball slammed into it, charring it's organic parts while leaving scorch marks on the rest.

"Hey big guy, yeah that's right I'm the one who fired the fireball at you. Why go after a young girl when a big juicy kill is right here! Come on!" Jaune jeered at it. Producing two more smaller fireballs to make his statement.

The grimm turned around to Jaune as it began slowly making his way to him. Adding some magic he dashed away like Ruby, making a good amount of distance away from him and the grimm. Holding both hands out light arc outside of his arms as a ball of pure lighting formed within his hand.

With a loud of cry a bolt of lighting flew and slammed into the grimm, it's body cracking and scorching the grimm's body. It's body crumbled and fell apart, leaving a smoking husk left.

...

"Hey Ruby, I think its dea- GAH!" a massive hand of wood grabbed the blonde. Ripping out of the ground was the same grimm, this time in a new body. Jaune tried to get out of it's grip but it refused to budge. Surprisingly it did not seem to crush Jaune but merely held it in place.

The huntress saw her ward and charged at the grimm, pushing aura into her blade the scythe began to glow and sliced it through the grimm's hand. She took Jaune and began racing away from the grimm.

"You think Salem saw us?" Ruby asked.

"Don't know, didn't feel her magic, yet" said Jaune "We have to get out of here now!"

"Well I'm trying" she really was, from what Jaune had told her Salem had just appeared, possessing the grimm without issue. From what she understood it seemed Salem could talk to the grimm, like a psychic or something.

Nothing of which was good for them at all. Still, they should be able to get out, if they push themselves with aura and with magic then they should-

FWACK

-And she was probably sure the world was not suppose to roll around her. She felt the ground hit her body as she tumbled around to only stop when she hit a tree trunk. Jaune himself fell a bit further away.

Slowly getting up the first thing she saw was two of the same grimm, each of them possessing a new body with the first one catching up. She rolled out of the way as they slammed their feet on her.

Jaune himself was barely able to get up before a massive hand tried to reach him. Rolling aside he fled to where Ruby was. Grabbing Ruby and placing her arms over his shoulders, pulling them both away.

"Come on the rest should be here by now" he growled.

"Probably, ah! ... fighting grimm" said Ruby. "Any sign of Salem yet?"

"No, but at this rate I think Salem is going to be the last thing we need to worry about" he said "There's no way we can beat where are."

"Can't you summon one of those elemental kings? Like the fire king?"

"... How long can you hold them of?"

"How long do you need?"

"Five minutes" Ruby nodded her head. Letting go of Jaune readied her weapon. Pushing aura into her legs she activated her semblance, in an instant she became a blur of red and roses.

Ruby ran across the forest, jumping on the one of the grimm's arms and sliced at it's mask. The grimm quickly ejected from it's body before the scythe could connect. The body momentary collapsing before regaining control. Jumping from the grimm she hoped on the other grimm's body.

Dropping to the ground she closed her eyes and took a quick breath. Looks like she would need to use that slivered eye power of hers. Closing her eyes she tried to think of happy thoughts as she tried to get the feeling that power once more.

Sadly a giant fist stopped that, her concentration broke as she moved out of the way. It seemed she would need to make a distraction. After a few seconds of rummaging through her ammo pack she pulled out some dust based round. It was a lighting variant.

Loading it in she fired at it at the nearest grimm. It's arm momentary covered in lighting before collapsing to the ground. She fired two more rounds at the two others as they fell down with there legs now crumbled. With them temporarily down Ruby tried to concentrate on her power one more.

Thinking of happy thoughts her eyes started to swell with energy. She opened her eyes the grimm next to it, a flash of sliver shined on it as the grimm screech in pain. It's body expelled out.

Her body faltered for a second, holding onto her weapon for aid.

"Dammit, still hurts" her eyes felt there were burning. Like she stayed up all night binge watching non-stop. It was too much for her to bare and she closed her eyes. Allowing something large hit her. She fell to ground in pain, opening her eyes there was a massive log on her body, her aura the only thing keeping it from squashing her.

As much as she tried to push it off it would not budge. The two grimm moved toward her while the third flew towards her, claws sharpened and ready to cut her into pieces.

"Come on Jaune, please, please, please!" Ruby shut her eyes channeling every bit of aura.

...

SSTTKKK

SSTTKK

SSTTKK

...

...

...

Opening her eyes she saw three massive stone spike protruding from the ground. Two of them were lodged into the grimm's stone bodies why the third one dodged out of the way.

Suddenly the two geist's exploded as hundreds of smaller spikes ripped out underneath it. The geist inside died instantaneously.

The ground rumbled as a massive shadow covered her body, looking up she was a giant.

Larger then a 3 story building it was a massive stone golem, it's designed look similar to that a ancient warrior, it's two yellow eye glowed as they looked right at her. On it's shoulder was Jaune.

"Is that her? She is rather ... small" the titan spoke.

"It's her" jumping down from the titan he levitated to the ground and with a wave the tree trunk was lifted off of the reaper. He rushed over to her and gently lifted her off the ground, holding the girl bridal style.

"You took your time" she coughed. Jaune's hand's glowed as yellow/gold energy seeped into the her body. Suddenly her whole body felt rejuvenated as the pain vanished, her body felt like it could go on a mile run and still have energy left.

"You just rest right now Ruby, me and the elemental king can handle this" he said calmly. Before Ruby could opened her mouth he gently laid her down on the ground as he glared at the geist still alive.

The geist stared back at the Magier.

...

"Your not Salem, you don't have her magic. But no doubt your still talking to her, how else was Salem able to posses your bodies" he said "So Salem, if your there I want you to listen very carefully."

"Stay away from us, we seen what you've done, to innocents and to my own siblings. We may be your blood but we will never be you. Stay away or I will stop you"

Jaune flicked his wrist as the elemental king's eyes glowed. Hundreds of stone chains wrapped around the geist. He raised his hands as a stream of gold flames fired, burning the geist as it screamed.

xxx Later That Night xxx

It was Ruby's turn to watch over the camp, after that attack everyone was on the edge. They were luckily that Salem never arrived nor Maria found out about the elemental king.

That last one was a bummer. She barely had anytime to talk to the elemental king and this was Jaune favorite summon too! Still, what she did get was that the earth elemental was rather cherry. Like very cherry and quite friendly too ... ignoring his uh ... touchy-ness, it was not fun almost getting squished in his hugs.

In the end they had to send him back before the rest arrive. Keeping Maria in the dark was a little difficult but accepted when she said she used the sliver eyes. After that it was all of them planning what to do next.

Right now they only had one more day left, before they reached a village with an airship. Then they could get to Mistral and get help. Supposedly they could get help from Headmaster Lionheart; Head of the Mistral huntsmen.

If anyone could help them to Atlas then Lionheart would be the man.

...

...

"Hey Ruby, you there?" Jaune pipped up.

"Hm, oh hey Jaune. What are you doing here?"

"Just making sure your ok, don't want your wounds to get worse or anything" he said.

"I'm pretty sure your magic did it's job. Heck I don't even feel a hurt at all" she said "so is there anything else you want to talk about?"

"Well, just making sure your ok and all ... I'm sorry about what happened back there. I should've done more to help you then stand around."

"Stand around? Jaune you saved my life, I don't think that's standing around?" she said.

"I could have used other spells then that summoning, all I did was put you in more risk to those grimm. It ... it wasn't very huntsmen of me" he said.

Ruby laughed at that, surprising Jaune "Oh come on, don't go beat yourself on that. Look, we were both in a bad situation. I don't know where that ghost grimm cam from or where those other two appeared, I think I can guess who but that is not the issue. We're caught off guard and with our pants down."

"Even if you did come to help I really don't know how much that would do. I mean your really strong but I don't think you've ever fought grimm before, that goes double for that breed of grimm. But you still helped, when you brought the elemental king we won. We killed those grimm and got away from Salem."

"Just because you didn't run in does not mean you saved me. You did help Jaune, and your one more step closer to being a huntsmen" Ruby finished.

...

"You ... you really think so?" Ruby grabbed his hand.

"I know you can be a huntsmen, as your guardian I believe you can"

...

...

...

He tightly held Ruby's hand

"Thanks Ruby ... thank you"