Woo, and super late on a Friday, I have the next chapter of Criminally Good. Oh, important AN at the bottom, too.

Enjoy.

[Chapter 11]

I made my way into the Club. Not much had changed since I was last there. Goons were still moving about, clearly armed and on guard. Others were moving about with med kits and carrying wounded and dead through the building.

Junior was stood behind the bar, pouring drinks for a few of the goons who were gathered around him, talking amongst themselves. I supposed that it made sense, just like I needed a drink to help take the edge off everything that happened, they probably did too.

Junior looked up at me once I had approached, taking a moment to look me over in the relatively fresh goon suit I had been supplied. He offered a nod and said something to the group of goons, excusing himself to come and talk to me.

"Didn't waste time, kid." He commented as he approached me.

I shrugged a shoulder. "You said the sooner the better. Something you thought I'd want to see, or hear?"

Junior nodded and waved a hand for me to follow him. "Think you'll find it interesting at the least."

I arched a brow as I fell into step behind Junior. He led me not to his office, but through into the back rooms of the Club. We made several turns and twists in the seemingly never-ending hallways that I wasn't paying all that close attention to. Junior stopped in front of one of the doors and threw it open.

Inside was a familiar layout. It was just like the room I had been put up in when I had been shot a month or more ago. Though what was different was the contents of the room.

There were two armed guards standing near the door, and one man tied to a chair, looking well beaten. I recognized him after a moment as the guy who had led the ambush on myself and Roman a few days ago. He clearly had a broken nose, and blood was dried on his face as well as crusted on his clothes.

I glanced over to Junior who only arched a brow at me before walking over to the chair and driving a fist hard into the man's stomach. This elicited a groan, and the guy sitting up more to look at Junior, giving him a venomous glare.

"Good. You're awake." Junior said, his voice not sounding quite like I'd ever remembered it. His tone was steely, cold, and harsh. I'd heard Junior's anger before, I'd heard him chew out goons for something or other that they didn't do right, but I'd never heard it this steely and cold.

It was unsettling.

"Completely by my own volition, too." He spat out to Junior, glaring at him still.

I glanced between the two. "Uh, Junior? You said he's got something I'd like to hear?" I wasn't one in the market for watching Junior beat a tied and captured man. Even if he'd tried to kill both me and Roman.

Junior nodded and rocked back on his heels crossing his arms. "Now, bud, you have two options. You tell him what you told me last night, or I make you tell him."

The tied man eyed Junior warily before looking to me then, his one eye that wasn't covered in a patch was blackened, bruises all over his face to boot. He let out a sigh and winced in pain. "I'll go with the first long as you don't fucking hit me again…" He grumbled out in response.

"Why'd you attack Jaune and Roman the other night?" Junior started, eyeing the tied man closely.

"Was an order from the higherups." He started, coughing violently. "Someone wanted your head kid. Wanted your sword, too. Was told to bring you in dead or, preferably, alive. The important bit was the blade."

I narrowed my eyes as I approached him and crouched down to look him in the eye. "Why?" My question was simple. I knew why they wanted me dead, I was showing to be one of Junior's lieutenants, leading raids and the defense of a supply depot. Not only had I fought one of their commanders, I'd killed another.

The tied man chuckled and then winced in pain, groaning slightly. "You think they'd tell me? I'm a nobody, kid. Gave me orders to bring back your head and the sword, that's it."

I glanced over to Junior who only nodded. Really? This is what's so important? "Alright, why do you think they want Crocea Mors?" I tried, there's more to this.

The goon only laughed once more, and then winced in pain that came from Junior's interrogation tactics. "You think I know why they want it? It's just a sword, doubt it's any more or less useful than the ones I use." He narrowed his eye slightly at me. "Speaking of, where's it at, blondie?"

"Not here, and that's all you need to know." I said, getting back to my feet and looking back to Junior.

Junior frowned and approached the tied goon once again. "You were sent to get the sword and Jaune's head. How'd you know where he was going to be when you chose to ambush him?"

The goon shrugged a shoulder. "Not my deal. Just told a place and a time, and that he'd be there. Torchwick was a surprise that we didn't exactly plan for."

Junior narrowed his eyes. "Someone told you the when and the where. You mean to tell me someone's got eyes on him?"

The goon grinned slightly and shrugged. "Don't ask me, chief. I'm just the guy who led the hit squad."

Junior growled and kicked the man square in the chest, sending his chair toppling to the ground, making the goon's head slam against the concrete floor. "Let's try that again. Do you have eyes on him?"

The goon groaned in pain from his semi prone position. "Shit, you hit harder than your underlings." He said through long breaths. "If I had to guess, yes, we have eyes watching him. He's got something that belongs to us. The boss wants that sword back, and he'll damn well try to take it."

I pursed my lips. They've been watching me for a while. They know where Roman and I go to train, and the way we tend to take on the way back… Even after that failed attempt to take me down, I'm willing to bet they've got eyes on me. Which means they probably saw me give the sword to Ruby.

"Son of a bitch." I said, a wide pit opening in my stomach. I've put her in danger. If what he's said is true, they want the sword more than they want me. Ruby is in danger just by having it with her.

Junior arched a brow at me. "Something wrong, kid?"

I swallowed nervously, my mind still racing. "Wha? Yeah. Just realized I might've fucked up bad."

Junior narrowed his eyes at my statement while the goon just laughed. "Your sword isn't here. You gave it to someone, didn't you? Someone you care about." The twisted sort of amusement in his voice set me on edge.

"Shut up." I growled lowly to him.

He laughed again. "You fucked up, kid." The pain that came with his laughing like that didn't show much on his face. I didn't feel quite in control of my body as I stalked over to him and delivered a solid kick to his side.

I had kicked him two or three more times by the time Junior had taken my shoulder in hand and pulled me back, away from the prone form of the goon, writhing in pain. "That's enough, Jaune." He said as sternly as he could manage, making eye contact, his gaze seeming to tell me that he understands, but this won't help.

I relented and stepped back with a sigh. Junior sat the chair back on its legs and eyed the goon tied to it. Neither of them said anything as Junior turned back to me and led me out of the makeshift interrogation room back through the hallways.

It was only a minute or two before Junior had led me into his office, this time with the twins absent. He took a seat behind his desk and eyed me carefully. "Alright, kid. Based on your reaction to his goading, I'm going to say that you did drop Crocea Mors with someone you care about. Fine. What shop?"

I shook my head at Junior's question. "Not at a shop. She doesn't work for one, so she'll be doing all the upgrades at Signal."

Junior frowned at my statement. "She a huntress in training?"

I nodded. "Something like that. She's a few years younger than I am, I think. At one of the prep schools before she goes to an Academy, or something like that."

Junior drummed his fingers against the desk as he thought. "Think she can hold her own if she got attacked?"

I shrugged. "No idea. Never seen her fight, though if they're stupid enough to just send goons after her, she'll probably be fine. What I've got to worry about is if they send one of their lieutenants."

Junior hummed noncommittally. "I doubt they'd be able to do anything soon. Making plans to ambush someone takes time." He paused, letting my spirits lift slightly. "At the earliest, they might try to pull something tomorrow or the next day."

I groaned at that. "Well, she said two days and I'd have Crocea Mors back."

Junior nodded. "Then she should be fine. I won't say that's for sure, but more likely than not she'll be fine."

I sighed, nodding. "I hope you're right, Junior. For her sake, and mine, I hope you're right."

Junior smiled at me and nodded. "I'm willing to bet I am, kid. I run a gang of my own, here. Setting up ambushes like that isn't easy, or quick to do."

I relaxed slightly, trusting Junior's word. Even if it wasn't a guarantee, Ruby should be safe. At least relatively.

"Even then, kid. You said she's at Signal. First off, that's over in Patch, and second, it's a damn huntsman prep school. She's probably just about as safe as can be."

I nodded once more. "You're right, Junior. At least, I hope you are."

"Don't stress so much, kid. She'll be fine." Junior said, rising from his chair. "Now, c'mon. Let's get you outfitted with a sword since having you walking around unarmed sounds like asking to die."

I chuckled and got up to follow him. "I'd like to not die, so I'll take you up on your offer of a sword."

Junior rolled his eyes and led me from his office and into the Club proper again. "Kid, nobody wants to die, not really."

[-/-]

A few hours later, with the sword Junior had given me now strapped to my side, I found myself in the same weapons shop that had Crocea Mors in it not too long ago.

This time, the shopkeeper was an older gentleman, likely the owner of the store. Despite the fact that it had been broken into and pillaged not but a few weeks ago, the shop was once again open. Though not all of the displays had been refilled in that time. There were lots of empty spaces.

I was browsing through the collection of knives that the shop had on offer. I didn't need anything spectacular; this wasn't meant to be my primary weapon. More of a backup, just in case something went awry.

My gaze was drawn to a simple pair of knives on one of the shelves. They weren't flashy, no mechashift into pistols or something that I didn't need. The blades themselves were about as long as my hand and a plain gunmetal gray. The handle wasn't eye catching either, simple leather wrapped around the hilt to make the grip all that much more comfortable. These should do nicely, I think.

I called the shopkeeper over and pointed down to the pair of knives in the case. "Those are what I'm looking for." He nodded and took out a key to unlock the case. He slid the glass aside and took the knives out and handed them to me.

I felt them both, and truth be told, I wouldn't have been able to tell if they felt right or wrong. The weight was comfortable enough though, so I guessed that was enough. I took a few practice swings with the blades through the air, content with the grip. I nodded appreciatively as I sheathed the blades once more.

"I'll take them both." I said confidently, handing the shopkeeper the blades once more.

"Good, good. Now if you'll just come up to the front, we'll get you paid up." I nodded and followed behind him as he slowly made his way to the front counter.

Once he made his way behind, he checked the price tag on the blades and then looked to me, a kindly smile that only an old person could manage while selling weapons. "That'll be three hundred and fifty lien."

I found myself choking slightly at the price, but it was worth it for a pair of good blades. Even then, this was Roman's money that I was spending. He'd given it to me to cover expenses to have Crocea Mors upgraded. This is close enough, right?

I handed the lien chips over and took the two knives in hand, eyeing the dual blades. I don't even know where I'm going to stow these things. I shrugged and stuck them in one of my jacket pockets.

"Thank you for your business." The old man said, offering a wave to me as I left the shop.

I offered a wave over my shoulder, though didn't respond. Funny, how not too long ago I was going to rob this place just to get Crocea Mors back. I shook my head as I stepped out into the afternoon air of Vale.

I glanced down at my scroll and thought to myself. It's only just now six. My stomach growled loudly in protest. I've not had anything since breakfast this morning… Well, guess I'm off to waste more of Roman's money.

I pocketed my scroll once more and made my way though the streets. Ruby had shown me a few places that she liked to frequent in the city, restaurants and arcades, not to mention just about every weapons shop in the city.

None of those particularly appealed to me, though. I didn't know what I was looking for, only that I was looking for food.

My search didn't take long, just another few minutes of walking.

I found myself in a sports bar of sorts. It was busy I noted. Most of the bar was filled up with patrons enjoying whatever alcohol they had bought, as well as their dinners which I noted consisted primarily of burgers and wings. It was simple bar food, and that'd do just fine by me.

I came in and took a seat at the bar, the barkeep coming around rather quickly. He gave me a strange look, considering my hat and the red shades I had on. I chuckled nervously and took off the shades and hat, tucking the sunglasses into my jacket pocket, and resting the hat in my lap.

I placed my order for drink and the barkeep wandered on to the next patron who needed his attention. A few minutes later, I had a tall glass of some beer they claimed was good, and my order placed. I sighed quietly as I leaned on the bar and glanced at the patrons around me. Most of whom were ignoring me all together and either talking to each other, or staring soullessly into their dinners.

I wasn't alone all that long, though. Next to me, a seat had vacated and a familiar face took a seat in it. The man was tall, with long black hair splotched with gray in some places. It was none other than Qrow, the huntsman I met a while ago at Juniors.

"Well, well, well. Would you look at that, everywhere I look, you blonde haired, blue eyed bastards are there." He grumbled as he flagged down the barkeep and got a drink.

I arched a brow at Qrow's comment. "Good to see you too, old man."

He growled lowly at me. "Watch who you're calling old, brat. I can still kick your ass."

I chuckled and shrugged, taking a drink of the beer which was decidedly garbage compared to whiskey, but the more you know. "Never said you couldn't. Just stating the fact; your hair is graying, therefore you're old."

Qrow sighed and pulled out his flask to take a long drink while he waited on whatever he ordered from the bar. "It's called stress, kid. Real stress. The kind of shit you deal with when you've got a job being a huntsman." He shook his head as he pocketed his flask once more.

The barkeep came around and set his glass on the counter, making himself scarce quickly. I hummed at Qrow's comment. "Whatever you say, man. Whatever you say."

Qrow hummed as he took his drink from the bar. "You know, kid, I'd think that when you're not on the clock for Junior, you'd drop the whole goon suit shtick. Makes you hard to approach for most people."

I shrugged a shoulder as I took another drink of the terribly bitter beer. "That's by design. Didn't think I'd be out here to talk to anyone."

Qrow chuckled and shook his head. "Antisocial little brat. Any reason you're trying to avoid talking to people?"

I paused for a moment and shrugged. "Just want to think, I guess?"

"And you came to a busy sports bar to do that?"

"It was working just fine until you showed up."

"Which proves my point. A busy sports bar is a shit choice to think, someone might come harass you." Qrow pointed out unhelpfully.

I sighed and shook my head. "Fine, you've got a point. Happy?"

Qrow chuckled. "I'm never happy, kid. But this'll do for now." He raised his glass in my direction as he took another drink. "Now, what's so important that you've got to sit, drink, and think?"

I drummed my fingers against the bar top. "Just kinda screwed up earlier today. Put someone in danger that could've easily been avoided if I'd just used my damn head."

Qrow nodded. "All it takes is that happening once or twice and you'll quit it." Now that I listened more closely to his words, they were slurred more than a little. How that escaped me before just now is beyond me, but it's noticeable now that I've caught it. "They get hurt?"

I shook my head. "Not yet she didn't. Only a matter of time, though."

Qrow hummed quietly at my response. "They're still in danger, then?"

I nodded. "Yeah. She's doing me a favor. The longer she's doing that for me, the longer she's in danger."

Qrow thought for a moment. "This she we're talking about wouldn't happen to be working on doing some upgrades to a sword and shield, would she?"

I furrowed my brows as I eyed Qrow. "That's an oddly specific question."

Qrow rolled his eyes. "Don't play dumb, kid. I know Ruby's working on upgrading Crocea Mors for you." I opened my mouth to respond and then closed it. How? How does he know? "What, you didn't think that her uncle would keep some tabs on who she spends time with? You're one of those people if you, somehow, weren't aware, kid."

I blinked a few times, reeling more than a little. He only knows that I'm friends with Ruby. He doesn't know anything about Torchwick. Hopefully. "Right, right. She just never mentioned you."

Qrow shrugged. "It's not important. What is important, is that sword of yours." He paused to take a drink from his glass. "Crocea Mors, great familial sword of the Arcs. Been passed down for a few generations now, ever since the Great War or there abouts. Always goes to the first-born son of the Arc family who goes on to become some sort of great hero. At least, that's what the stories say about it."

I suddenly found my drink more interesting than Qrow was, though he continued on. "See, ever since the Academies had been built, they were where the Arcs went to become heroes. Before that, they joined the Army." He paused to look me over. "You, on the other hand, wield the blade and work for Junior the information broker of Vale. Care to explain how that came to be?" His voice was pointed, making it clear that I didn't have much choice but to answer his question. Then there was the fact that he was a huntsman and I was a kid with a sword.

I could always try and BS my way out of this, though I doubt that'd go well for me. He's got to know I'm an Arc… Probably from Ruby. Not to mention he recognized the sword. I found myself chewing on my lower lip as I thought on my response. "Well…" Is there any harm in telling him part of the truth here? As long as I don't let too much slip, I should be fine.

"My dad never trained me like he did my sisters. Never taught me how to fight, never unlocked my Aura, none of it, really. Though more than anything, I wanted to be a huntsman. I took the sword and came to Vale, applied to Beacon, and they rejected me. A kid with no Aura, no training, it seems obvious, right?" I chuckled mirthlessly and shook my head. "After that, I showed up at Junior's and he took pity on me. Gave me a job working as a bouncer." I shrugged a shoulder after that. "The rest is pretty boring, just a lot of working the job, really."

Qrow had nodded along with my story, polishing off his glass. "See, kid, that's a great story. Really, it is. Though see, Crocea Mors was reported as one of the stolen items from a weapons shop not too long ago. Then, a few days later, you're walking around with it."

I swallowed nervously as I didn't know how to explain my way around that. Either I tell the truth, in which case I'm still a criminal, or he thinks that I'm the one who stole it, or paid someone to do it for me.

"Could've been a lookalike. You said it's a sword with history, I'm willing to bet that someone would make a replica to try and sell it as the original." I tried, grasping desperately at straws, hoping against hope that something would stick here.

Qrow looked thoughtful for a minute as he mulled over my answer. "I might be willing to buy that story."

I felt myself relax ever so slightly at that statement.

"Though it seems just a little too convenient, don't you think? For there to just so happen to be a replica of Crocea Mors floating around town right as you show up with the real one in tow. Seems quite the coincidence."

And I locked right back up. He might be drunk, but he's well aware and not willing to buy my line of crap.

I was bought just a little more time to think by the arrival of my basket of hot wings on the counter before me. I smiled weakly and thanked the waitress, looking back to Qrow once again. The man had decided that he was going to just help himself to my fries.

I licked my lips as I thought. "Alright, so let's say for arguments' sake that the original was in that shop when it got robbed. And I, being the only male Arc of my generation, had rightful claim to the sword. Would it be considered wrong if I were to have stolen it from the thief?"

Qrow hummed as he munched on my fries, drumming his fingers against the bar top. "I don't think so. That'd make a lot more sense to me as well, though that's only the argument talking, right?" He asked with a smug grin on his lips. He knew he'd caught me.

I sighed and shook my head. "Not quite, no. That's more or less what actually happened."

Qrow chuckled and took a wing from the basket. "See? That wasn't so hard, kid." He took a bite off the wing before continuing. "Here's a tip from a professional, making up a BS lie on the spot almost never works on someone who knows what they're doing."

I shrugged, digging into my dinner that I was now sharing with the older huntsman. "Anything else you're wanting to grill me over?"

Qrow thought for a moment and shrugged. "More curious why you're changing Crocea Mors. The weapon is the classic. Didn't think you'd want to screw with it."

I bit into the hot wings which were allegedly 'hot' on their spice rating, but these were closer to mild in my opinion. "Because I think it's about time the sword gets and update. I'm at a disadvantage with the whole lack of a ranged option thing. Better to have it and not need it than not and need is desperately, right?"

Qrow nodded. "You're careful and prepared. Fair enough." He said, taking more of my fries.

I relaxed slightly, feeling sure that Qrow was done harassing me for the evening. "Better safe than sorry." I said off handedly.

Qrow didn't respond, taking one last wing from my tray before getting to his feet and stretching. "Well, it's been fun, kid. But I've got to run. You know, huntsman things to do, people to see, that whole sort of deal."

I nodded towards him. Without another word exchanged between us, he walked out of the bar an into the streets of Vale once more.

I was left alone to eat my dinner in peace after he left. My thoughts were swirling around me all the while.

How'd he know so much about me? And not only me, but Crocea Mors and the Arcs as a whole? Some of it he could've gotten from Ruby, and our one other interaction, but there's a lot that doesn't make sense. I doubt that Junior would sell me out like that, especially if he hasn't done so for Roman.

That's gotta mean that he's somehow keeping tabs on me, and cares enough to do some digging. But why would anyone care about some kid with a sword? Sure, it's the Arc family sword, but that's not all that common knowledge. He might give a damn because I'm close to Ruby and he's a bit like Yang trying to protect her, but that seems a little much.

I paid the cheque and left the bar, making my way out into the now dark streets of Vale. My walk back to the apartment was quiet, no interruptions, no ambushes, no people I know showing up out of nowhere, none of it.

I wasn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

I made my way up into the apartment, and all was normal. Neo was missing, though Roman was in his recliner, flipping through the TV idly. He glanced back at me, and in one moment arched a brow at me. "Hey, kid. Where's Crocea Mors?"

"I sent it off to get upgraded by a friend. Getting some mechashift in it." I said, moving to take a seat on the couch.

Roman shrugged and looked back to the TV. "Good for you then, kid." He said idly as he flipped through channels again.

I frowned as I looked to Roman. "Say, Roman?" He glanced back to me. "You know anything about fighting unarmed?"

The grin that spread over his lips told me all I needed to know. "Do I know anything about fighting unarmed? Oh, kid, let me tell you do I know a lot about fighting unarmed."

I nodded a bit as I eyed him. "Good. Mind teaching me a bit? I'd rather not get disarmed only to find myself useless."

Roman nodded. "Sure. We can get to work on that starting tomorrow morning if you'd like."

I nodded relaxing back into the couch. "Speaking of, where's Neo? She's usually out here with you when there's nothing better to do."

Roman shrugged a shoulder and looked around. "You expect me to know? What am I, her babysitter?"

I chuckled and shook my head. "No, a lot of the time I'm thinking it's the other way around, Roman."

The master criminal rolled his eyes at my comment and shook his head. "Definitely." He said, voice dripping with sarcasm.

The conversation petered out quick enough, though it didn't feel awkward as Roman and I sat and watched TV. He had settled on some action movie I'd already seen before, but that was fine. It was good enough to warrant me paying some vague amount of attention to it.

Neither of us noticed the door open and close behind us, and I doubt Roman even noticed Neo at all as she took a seat on the other side of the couch with a tub of ice cream in hand. I arched a brow at her and offered a nod in her direction. She returned the gesture and went to watching TV with us.

The next hour or two passed without anyone really interacting with one another. At some point, Roman fell asleep in his recliner as the three of us continued to waste time watching whatever got turned on next.

Roman got up after a while and eyed me and Neo on the couch. When she had propped her feet up on the couch and used my lap as a decent place to rest them, I don't know. I hadn't been paying attention, and it happened.

Roman arched a brow at me. "Really, kid?"

I shrugged. "I didn't notice it happen. Not like it's all that uncomfortable either."

Roman shook his head. "You are seriously dense, kid."

I blinked, meeting his gaze as he sighed and walked away.

"The hell does he mean I'm dense?" I asked nobody in particular, watching as he wandered back to his room.

Neo sat up more properly and held a hand out to me. I arched a brow at that. "What do you want?"

She pointed to the TV remote that Roman had set on the arm of the couch next to me.

I shrugged and grabbed it, holding it out to her.

She scooted over on the couch and took it from me, flipping to the channel that played her particular show on loop seemingly constantly.

I shrugged a shoulder, letting her do as she pleased. It wasn't worth arguing with her when I knew that it'd just end with me losing and letting her have what she wants anyway.

I closed my eyes and felt myself start to drift off as the quiet tone of the TV and the stale laugh track that I had heard way too many times over the past month or so.

I felt the weight of Neo lean against my side and, rather than do anything about it, I just let her. Again, better to just let her have what she wants.

With Neo leaning against me, I quickly found the tendrils of sleep reaching out to take me under. Part of me pointed out that we're still on the couch. The other decided it wasn't worth getting up, trying to dislodge Neo against her will, and going to bed proper.

Sleep found me, and I was content. His bloodied visage still appeared before me, his accepting gaze bored deep into me, but I wasn't terrified. Not completely this time.

Alright, so this chapter is really short again, and I apologize for that. Finals are rapidly creeping up on me, and I'm running low on time to write. With that in mind, I'll be stopping the updates on Criminally Good until that's come and gone. I'll be done with finals come the 15th of May, so expect the next chapter that Friday.

And with that important blurb done, here's the review responses from last chapter.

Greer - Glad you enjoyed, friend. As far as his family and what they'll find out, they've got a role to play in the story for sure, though how big or small has yet to be seen. As for college, it's kicking my ass and that's why I'm stopping updates. I love writing for you guys, but school comes first.

Josh Spicer - A fair number of reviews, friend. I appreciate them all. I have a reason written out, and we'll continue to slowly see that come to light through more dream sequences and the like as Jaune progresses. As for the JaunexNeo route, it seems highly likely that they'll be the ship in the end, though we've still got Ruby and Ren in the race. As for Jaune being or not being gay, he doesn't even know. This is why Ren's the acting dark horse.

Engineer - I suspect you're right, my friend. Neo must've enjoyed it enough to distract her from her stabby nature. Well done, Jaune. You did it without realizing it. As for Jaune playing his chips right, he may yet be able to. He's clearly on Qrow's radar. Now if he can stay off the police, he'll be fine, in theory. The theory is also that he could get in as a huntsman if he does well, but who knows. It might, it might not. At least now, Jaune has one of Junior's swords and now a pair of knives. It's something, right?

Briskpillow - Thanks man, glad you enjoy the scenes they're getting.

ThatOneGuy - Glad you're liking it, and we've got another man in the camp of Jaune x Neo. Camp Ruby isn't looking too good, but I know her supporters are out there, somewhere. Likely crying sad tears at all the attention Neo is getting.

Kharn - Maybe you're right, and maybe not. Who knows, from what we know of Jason he's still a huntsman and Roman abandoned that life, so we'll just have to wait and see, I suppose.

X3 - Glad you enjoyed the date. Reading it back it was my own insecurity as a writer that was acting up again thinking it was bad, so I guess I'll just start ignoring that voice and go with my gut from here on. And poor Ruby indeed. She tried and failed. Better luck next time, Red. As for the blood, I know I never said it, but he made damn sure to clear it all off as well as he could.

Specter - Welcome to the RWBYverse, my friend. Or at least my version of it. You are an as of yet unnamed classmate of Ruby's who saw what you pointed out in the comments. Well done. And well, I dunno, man. Are you in the ball park? Are you just reading my outline now? I'm watching you. I'll know if you read that outline. (Jokes aside, well done on getting it right)

Halobyrd - She does seem to be doing her best. Glad you're enjoying.

Coin Ward - Definitely glad to see so many people enjoyed. Also happy to see that people are excited about Jaune's past too. Awesome.

And that's all my reviews.

Sorry again for the short chapter guys, I'm working wayyyy too much and need to take a break so I can focus on school. I promise that once it's done though, I'll be back in full force.

Next Chapter: Friday, May 17th (Sorry for the two week wait)

Till next time, this is Valres signing off.