Team SNOW was in the process of training their individual skills. Naomi was off in the firing range in order to practice his crossbow skills, Olivia was sparring with Willow and Shiro was firing off his best set of switch kicks at the punching bag.
When thrown properly it allowed him to hit the liver of any human like enemy with great force. while he was doing this he heard the sound of an argument starting.
When he turned he saw Weiss Schnee doing her best to get in the face of Cardin Winchester who was several feet taller than her. Shiro couldn't hear the words but he had a gut feeling that Blake who was behind Weiss was the catalyst for this situation.
Not wanting this to get out of hand any more that it already had Shiro approached the fight and said. "That's enough everyone just go your separate ways." he did his best to sound like he was in charge.
It didn't help much but it did seem to shift Cardin's focus from Weiss and Blake to him. After a moment he recognized Shiro from initiation. "What the fuck do you want you fucking pussy. You watch my friends die in the forest and now you're poking your nose around."
Shiro was about to try and counter that when the professor overseeing the room today being Professor Port entered the conversation. "Boys, if you want to fight get into the sparring ring and settle on some rules."
Cardin growled and headed for the boxing ring and grabbed a set of gloves. He started prowling back and forth in the ring looking like he was waiting to pounce. Without a word Shiro put on a similar pair of gloves and headed in to face him. Shiro saw Jaune standing just outside the crowd.
He had a look on his face that didn't inspire confidence in Shiro. Sure enough once the portly professor signalled that it was time to fight Cardin lashed out fast grabbing Shiro by the left arm and pulling with his right.
As Shrio fought to regain his balance Cardin slipped his left arm around the inside of Shiro's left leg lifting him in a fireman's carry. While Shiro was trying to think of a way to get free Cardin shifted his right hand from Shiro's arm to his neck, and shifting his left arm from around Shiro's leg to his belt line.
With a light grunt Cardin pressed up and after he had Shiro effectively dangling from almost eleven feet into air he slammed the ragdolled boy into the mat with a tremendous thud.
Shiro didn't feel the impact and the last thing he saw was one of Cardin's fist coming for his face.
…
As Shiro opened his eyes he had to close them immediately as the lights were too bright for him to keep them open. When he tried to sit up he felt his whole body protest, mostly in his back.
"Ah, you're awake." Shiro slowly opened his eyes to see Jaune sitting in a folding chair next to the hospital bed that Shiro was in. When Shiro looked around he saw that Willow was asleep in the chair that had been placed in the room.
Once more he tried to move but this time he was able to get a few inches up before his back started to spaz. He fought the yelp of pain that he felt but still ended up groaning loud enough to wake up Willow.
Before she could speak Jaune did. "Cardin messed you up pretty good, your aura has been hard at work repairing your face so it hasn't gotten to your back yet. The doc says you should be back on your feet in about a day or two."
"That was stupid what you did!" Willow snapped.
Switching from brother to sister Shiro said. "I would agree with you but I can't remember what actually happened."
Jaune laughed and a chill ran down Shiro's spine. "You got your ass kicked by Cardin Winchester, the two time Valetian no holds barred wrestling champion" Willow continued.
At the mention of his credentials Jaune huffed. "Please he was practically handed those two years. The three best fighters were banned from competing." shaking his head and getting back on topic Jaune explained. "He slammed you and killed your arua and then he started to punch you and almost killed you. He did in fact break your face."
Shiro brought one of his hands up to his face to feel for any damage but felt none. Then he remembered what Jaune had said earlier about his arua repairing his face first. "How long have I been here?" he asked.
"Two days," Willow said. Then without a moment's pause Jaune picked up saying. " And three hours"
Shiro's head still hurt so the fact that the twins were now trying to mess with him by finishing sentences made him offer a single finger in response. Jaune laughed him off saying. "Don't worry about your team. I'll keep an eye on them until you are back on your feet." before he put down the book that he had loaned Shiro and left the room.
"Where's Winchester?" Shiro asked, he was eager for payback as soon as he could stand.
Willow chuckled and said "He was expelled for trying to kill you while he was still on the stretcher."
He was gonna ask what happened to him when Willow played a video of Cardin standing over him about to kill him when Jaune stepped in from behind. He grabbed Cardin's chambered left arm and performed an arm throw that tossed the large boy onto his face.
While Winchester was still face down Jaune locked in a left hammer lock. When Cardin tried to turn away from it to his right he ended up in half guard bottom just in time for Jaune to release his right hand and snake it over Cardin's left shoulder.
Once Jaune's right hand grabbed Cardin's wrist it was over. He pulled with all his strength and dislocated the shoulder as well as destroyed all the tendons at the same time. While Cardin was still screaming Jaune smoothly shifted into a kneebar and dislocated the knee as well. The video ended with Jaune calmly standing up and walking away from the still screaming boy.
Shiro was going to say something but before he could Willow stood up. "You need to rest so I will leave you to it." she left and Shiro thought about the fact that Jaune had no reason to go after the knee unless he was trying to send a message.
Lying down he closed his eyes and hoped that when he opened them he would feel better.
…
Shiro woke up when he heard someone try and sneak into his room. He was about to alert the nurse when he saw who it was. He wasn't sure why Blake was sneaking into his hospital room this late but he didn't care. She wasn't a threat so he relaxed.
When he heard the sound of pages being turned he knew that Blake had either brought her own book or was reading the own that Jaune had left him. What he didn't expect was for her to read aloud.
Foolish courage all
Warrior's wisdom grants gaul
Makes one's enemies fall
It was simple Haiku from ancient Mistrial but it was nice to hear, not wanting to disturb her Shiro decided to let her keep going.
Courage, the shield of the soul
The mark of the brave as red as coals
There was many who escaped it
Too many who in the moment chose to simply sit
Courage is not a lack of fear
It is the act of strength when death draws near
As she read Shiro drifted off glad for the company and greatly appreciating the reading.