(A/N none is mine apart from plot, all RWBY characters belong to their creator)
"Again!" Morgana yelled as she tossed Jaune around like a ragdoll
Jaune hit one of the pillars in the training room, hard, he got up with a grunt and looked at his aunt, he held out his hand and a two-handed longsword materialized with the color of his aura, it has been a month since he started his Aura construction training. And a week since his aunt gave him the book of the Arduin style of swordsmanship.
Jaune leveled his sword to the side, feet apart and eyes focused, with an unheard signal he charged. Each strike has the precision of a scalpel, each strike with the weight of a Warhammer, and each strike was leveled and calculated as a sniper rifle.
Jaune went for a piercing strike on Morgana's perceived blind spot but was deflected by a purple barrier, Jaune jumped back, his aura sword held in front of him in defense if Morgana went for a counter attack so he could parry
The Arduin style of swordsmanship is focused on attacking and defending at the same time, but as Jaune has yet to master the style he was not adept at doing both offense and defense. For the last week his aunt has been drilling him into the marble floor of the training field and he has yet to land a single blow.
That was until he figured something out the other day.
Jaune began to focus on the blade, coating it with as much aura as he can, Morgana saw this tilted her head in confusion.
"Jaune, what are you doing?" Morgana asked, but Jaune did not answer, so Morgana raised her hand, orbs of purple energy coalesced in front of her, ready to blow apart Jaune.
She sent the orbs careening towards the boy, but an odd thing happened, Jaune, for some reason smirked.
Then he swung
Caught surprised Morgana saw the orbs she sent cut in half as a crescent arc of aura sailed through them, and straight at her, carving a trench on the floor. Seeing the power behind the incoming projectile Morgana's eyes glowed like moonlight as a pale silver barrier held against a golden white slash.
Morgana easily fended off the attack, the slash dissipating in the air, but amidst the confusion Jaune snuck up on Morgana's side, sword held horizontally and thrusted forwards. Jaune, finally managed to land one singular blow to Morgana's side, but with her aura it left nothing but a bruise.
Jaune was then sent flying and hit one of the far-off walls, but the smile he held made it seem he wasn't bothered at all. He looked at Morgana, a look of slight shock on her face, but soon morphed into a proud smile a mother would have when her son did something amazing.
"Well done, Jaune, one month of training and you managed to hit me, that is no easy feat." She raised her hand and the damage to the training field was fixed and Jaune upright and already started to heal the small cuts he suffered.
"I want to know; when did you learn aura slash? I'm sure I haven't given you the auric arts books yet" Morgana looked at Jaune who looked back in puzzlement.
"there's a book for that?" He asked
Morgana deadpanned at Jaune, and shook her head "Right… new question, how did you do an aura slash?"
"Well… I kind of got sick of being beaten into the dirt because I can't really do much against you, and I'm not proficient enough on the Arduins style to contend with your ranged attacks… so I made my own" Jaune explained
Morgana looked at Jaune shaking her head in exasperation 'right… he's an Arduin as well… can't add logic to our family'
"Regardless I am proud that you came up with new ways to attack, you lacked range so you made up for it, ingenuity is an assent when in comes to a fight" Jaune nodded preening at the praise. "I believe that you are ready"
Jaune looked confused "ready? For what?"
Morgana only gave a sly smile and beckoned him to follow
They made their way through the halls and arrived to a familiar room, Morgana opened the doors and Jaune saw an alter with some kind of animal skin on it surrounded by runes glowing blue. Jaune looked at Morgana in puzzlement.
"Um… Are we summoning?" Jaune asked
Morgana shook her head "Nope, bonding, you read the book I gave you right?" Jaune nodded "Then you know what a Bond is"
It took Jaune a second to understand and he smiled widely "Really?! You're letting me have my own partner?!" Jaune read what a bond was, a bond is what it says, you are to bond with something, be it a tool, an animal, or even other humans. A bond means you and your bonded partner are tethered by the soul itself, like a familiar in the games he played, he can summon or speak with his bonded partner, know what the other is thinking and many more.
Morgana whistled then a trotting was heard behind them, Jaune look back and was surprised, it was a familiar bronze colored pegasi walking inside the room, the pegasi then stopped just beside Morgana and nuzzled her side.
"There, there Llamrei, missed you to, kind of busy repairing the castle sorry I didn't have the time to summon you" Llamrei gave a neigh of understanding while Jaune just looked and pointed at the pegasi.
"that's the one that led me here!" he called
Morgana nodded "A bonded partner only dies when their master dies Jaune, and as you can see, I am well and as youthful as I was 10,000 years ago"
Jaune wanted to say more but shook his head, really, a horse older than all of the modern day kingdoms combined.
"You deserve this Jaune, you hit me, actually did damage, however small it was, I can tell you now, you've become strong, stronger than when you first came here"
Jaune looked skeptical "Are you patronizing me aunt morg?" what he got in response is a 5-finger hand chop to the head.
"Just take the compliment, brat"
Rubbing his head Jaune mumbled 'vicious woman' but shut up quick when Morgana glared heatedly at him.
Morgana beckoned Jaune to stand at the alter "Now, Jaune, despite your… disrespect… gaining a bonded partner is a right of sorts, a marker in your life, a nexus if you will, a bond isn't just some pet you can show to please others, no, a bond is your friend, family even, they are your eternal companions until death says it not"
Morgana rubbed Llamrei's head "A bond will be there when others cannot, a reliable pillar that can hold you steady when others cannot, fight beside you when others cannot. They are the extension of your soul, so Jaune, place your hand on the medium and call for your partner.
Call out to your bond"
Jaune did so, he placed his hand on the unidentified animal skin, it felt weird, soft yet sturdy, scaly yet smooth, hot yet cold, he can't make heads or tails what this thing is but he did know what to do next. He opened his mouth as words began to spill fort, words he did not even know he uttered, as they merely sprang from his tongue unrehearsed.
"The skies are his domain! Vast and clear, pure and untamed!
He rode upon the clouds unbounded by earthly tethers!
Upon his back red rubies he carried fort into the sunset sky!
A protector! A wise beast of old!
Hear me! hear my dream! My voice!
Answer my Call oh, great protector!"
There was a pause, a silence in the room, a mist crept upon the alter like the early morning, white-gold aura pilfered from Jaune cascaded down the animal skin like a waterfall. Jaune felt it, Morgana felt it, and most certainly Llamrei felt it.
There was a shimmer, a soft glow of light, it then intensified into a blazing sun. everyone in the room had to avert their eyes less they be blinded by the rays, but once the glow died, a new sound was heard, a soft meow, like a feline was heard.
"Gao~!"
Jaune, putting down his arm that shielded his eyes looked at the pedestal, there where once the pelt of an animal once resided a feline took its place, white fur with blue marking along its body along with blue eyes, it looks like a cat, sounded like a cat, to Jaune that is in fact a cat.
But Morgana? Oh, she was delighted at the sight of the creature, for upon its forehead a bright ruby gem is embedded, glowing a soft red.
Jaune meanwhile was taken at the cuteness of the cat and thought 'my sisters are gonna love you' he reached out his hand, careful not to startle the cat with a ruby 'huh, I just noticed' the cat started to walk over Jaunes out stretched hand.
It gave a tentative sniff then it began to nuzzle itself on his hand, Jaune chuckled and scratched behind its ear, it gave a content purr as he did so.
Morgana, looking at the cute display coughed to get Jaune's attention and an annoyed look from the cat "Congratulations Jaune, you just bonded with a jeweled protector [1]"
"A what?"
Morgana sighed "Read chapter 234 of Newt's book"
Jaune nodded he hadn't finished the book about fantastical creatures yet.
"So, what are you gonna name it?"
"Him"
"Hmm?"
"Not an it, a he"
Morgana hummed "So what are you gonna name him?"
Jaune looked at the jeweled protector, the cat in turn tilted his head in equal interest "Julius?" Jaune voiced, the cat wined "Ok, ok, not Julius, Nickolas?" Again, the cat mewed in disagreement. Jaune started to think of something else. He looked at the pure white fur, like fresh fallen snow in a winter morning, bright blue eyes that shone like small sapphires.
"Blanc Nemeo" the cat paused looking at Jaune tilting his head seemingly debating if the name was acceptable. The cat then gave a joyful meow and leapt towards Jaune's arms.
"Gao~!"
"Woah there, buddy" Jaune managed to catch the small kitten and the cat nuzzled his head on his arms "heh~ I guess you like it boy?" the cat smiled up at him one he turned.
Morgana looked at the two and chuckled as Llamrei approached her from behind as well, his head nuzzled against her side, shaking her head in mirth she rubbed the head of the pegasi "Yeah, yeah you big softy, love you too…" she said her voice laced in melancholy
(…)
Jaune locked at the eyes with Nemeo or Neo for short and the cat cutely tilted his head, Jaune also tilted his head as partners looked at each other in intrigue sat crossed leg on meadow of white roses, Jaune then nodded his head seemingly coming to an accord as did Neo.
"Ok bud I'll take you to the nearby creak to catch fish, but you need to help me train" Once again Neo nodded "Great! Come on bud, I don't know where you came from but I'm pretty sure you are just clawing to go out, eh? Eh? Get it?" Neo was not amused and made it known.
By tumbling to the side letting out a small cute meow as he did
'I blame Yang for this' Jaune sighed 'how are they? It's already been a month since I was presumed dead, no search party has stumbled upon the sanctuary so I'm pretty sure I'm labeled as KIA' Jaune frowned as he laid on a bed of flowers.
Neo laid on top of him curled up in a small ball of fluff, Jaune looked towards the clear sky, thinking, pondering about what is happening in his home, with his friends.
'Friends…' Jaune though as he closed his eyes, thoughts drifting to those he drifted apart with. Were they mourning him too? Or are they celebrating his death? A morbid though, one he shook his head at 'no… no they won't do something like that, their hunters in training… and I think I know them enough that they won't cheer at the death of someone, well, at least I think they wouldn't?'
Jaune gave a deep sigh 'what ever they are doing, I just hope they could live with their selves, abandoning me to the wolves is cruel, an entire week of jeers and insults made only bearable because of the understanding of others… willingness to see past my ineptitude and give me a chance, a week of suffering, only ended when I seemingly die…'
Closing his eyes Jaune thought back to a question he asked his dad when he was 7
Flashback
A little Jaune Arc looked to the hulking visage of his father, Roland Arc, a goliath of a man standing just under six foot four inches, golden hair trimmed short wearing heavy leathers and armor, strap on the back is a hunk of metal nearly as tall as he was, the sword he now wields over Crocea mors.
Dragon slayer was its name
Roland has just gotten back overseeing the watch, a group of people that monitors the surrounding lands for any signs of Grimm activity that are acceptable. Roland looked at the same blue orbs looking up at him, a small body, weak and fragile, he bent down and picked up Jaune.
"Woah!" Jaune yelped, suddenly being held far above the floor
Unstrapping his huge sword Roland set it aside the door and went further into the house, the Arc home was large, it needs to be, as a family as large as theirs demands it, especially the women, Roland went to the living room and put Jaune delicately down on the couch, and he removed his heavy armor leaving him in his leathers.
"How are you Jaune? Where's your mother?" Roland asked his only son, the miracle of the Arc family.
Jaune, still a child answered in a high pitch but not annoying voice "Mommy is looking after Andy! She was crying and mommy said she was hungy so mommy is feeding her!"
Roland chuckled at Jaune and ruffled his blond hair, earing a wine from Jaune "Daddy! Stop!"
Roland continued to tease Jaune, and him trying and failing to remove the large hand from his head. "Your getting stronger there Jaune! I can actually feel you pinching my hand this time! Haha!" father and son bonded until Roland's wife, Arwin Arc came to the living room, if one to look at her you can be forgiven for mistaking, she has yet to bear a child, let alone 8. A lean but curvy figure, she is muscular but not overly so, like that of a sprinter, her dark hair and emerald eyes stood as a complete contrast to her husband's.
"Sweety! Welcome back" Arwin swift as the wind crossed the distance between her and Roland and gave the man a passionate kiss, though Roland was a head taller it doesn't seem to bother them.
Jaune on the side gagged
"Oh, don't be a prude my little knight" Arwin bent down and hugged Jaune tightly "One day you'll find that special someone and you'll change your tune really quick~"
"Mommy, stop! I can't breathe!"
Quickly Arwin let go and sat Jaune gently on the armchair "Oh my! Sorry Jaune, mommies sorry…" Arwin gently caressed Jaunes head "Are you alright? Does anything hurt?" Placing the back of her palm to Jaunes forehead "you don't have a fever so, are you hungry Jaune?"
"mom~!" Jaune wined "I'm not a kid! Dad said I was getting better!" Jaune puffed his chest, but Arwin wasn't convinced.
Picking up Jaune again Arwin sat him against the couch "wait here dear, I'm going to prepare some snacks and your medicine"
Arwin gave a quick peck on Jaune's forehead and dashed towards the kitchen.
Once again, the living room was left to the two male Arcs "Jaune" Roland started up the conversation "Why were you waiting for me in the front door? You usually wait here in the living room"
Jaune shyly looked at the floor "…I-I want to A-Ask you a question"
Roland, confused but nodded for Jaune to go ahead "Why do people hate each other"
Roland was caught unprepared by the question and looked to Jaune to elaborate "W-Well I saw people with animal parts on T.V screaming at someone else, they said, t-they said t-the bad words at him, and hit him."
'Shit!' Roland was sweating, he didn't think he would have this conversation with his son until much later, it was obviously about the recent act of Violence the White fang was headed to and Jaune somehow saw it.
"You and momma said hitting people was wrong, but when they hit the other one people cheered, but then the other ones didn't and hit back… I-I don't understand that papa" Jaune looked at Roland, his eyes looked lost and unsure, desperate for his father to make the world have sense again.
Roland sighed and knelt over to Jaune; same-colored eyes looked at each other "Jaune… things are more… complicated than that"
"Why?"
Roland struggled to get the right words out his mouth, words that the young Jaune could understand "People do what they believe is right Jaune, in their view, in their experience, their actions are correct. But sometimes other people don't see it that way, and that their actions are the correct ones, thus the others are wrong, this leads to… disagreements, do you know why?"
Jaune made a face, struggling at the question, his still child mind having difficulty in understanding Roland sighed and was about to answer when Jaune responded "… Is it because they don't understand what the other has been through?"
Roland was rendered silent by the answer but nodded "Yes, Jaune, that is exactly why, people fight, because they have different experiences, different lives, everyone Jaune, Faunus or Human alike, have different sets of cards they were dealt with in their lives, so they had to play life with what they have. This leads to separate conclusions on how the world plays out" Roland set his hand on Jaune's shoulder.
"Listen, son, everyone has their story, their reasons for doing what they do, do not hate them for what they do, but understand why they do it, only then can you judge someone, only then can you act." Roland waited for Jaunes answer, one the little boy gave that shocked Roland
"I don't understand much about what you said papa, but I understand one thing… I won't hate anyone, even if they are mean to me, and tease me, I won't hate them! Angry maybe, but I won't hate them. Instead, I'll learn their story so I can help them finish it, I'll be the one that reads their stories, so I can guide them to their happy ending! An Arc promise!" Jaune gave Roland a radiant smile, so pure, so innocent, and with such determination Roland had to double take.
It was a naïve promise, childlike and not suppose to be taken seriously, but those eyes, Roland know the look, he sports one as well, as did the rest of his family, eyes set and unmovable like stone, Roland was concerned, but also proud, proud that his son has such a fine character, holding kindness and goodness in his heart. But also concern as people like his son is dealt the worse hand by the world, already his son is cursed with a weak body.
But a will unbreakable
Roland suddenly felt a chill on his back, it was not unpleasant, it wasn't reassuring either, Roland ruffled his son's hair again and gave a toothy smile "enough about this talk Jaune, I can smell your mothers curry, and boy I am hungry as a starved beowolf in Vacou" Roland picked Jaune up and the two head towards the kitchen.
Flashback end
Jaune woke up, the words of his father echoing in his mind, words that corelate to the feeling he was getting for the people that left him to the wolves. Neo, who was still curled up in ball looked up and met Jaune's eye, the two gazed at one another before Jaune smiled "A childish promise, but a beautiful one" Jaune laughed and got up Neo leaping off him "come on bud, I still have to get you some fish… Hopefully they only have aura" Jaune mumbled the last part.
Could you imagine a fish with a water bending semblance? Jaune shuddered.
Partners began to walk, though one has burdens, the other will be there, one of his pillars, by his side until he can face his fears and carry his burdens.
(…)
A black tower, a dark place, surrounded by a field of malice with dead trees and jagged grey stone. Instead of flowing clear rivers, pools of black ooze dotted the land. This place, this world -so different it is from the rest of remnant it might as well be on a different planet, maybe a different plane of existence.
It was a land once filled with life, green trees and abundant wildlife, home to great human kingdoms, of smiling people and bustling streets.
Now it's a deadland with dead people's
Atop her tower, surrounded by a black miasma, Salem, the worlds evil sat on her cold throne, beady red eyes gazing uncaringly to the people kneeling before her. Little sheep that thinks themselves wolves, Salem has seen true wolves, and hunted them down until non remain.
Or so she thought
For a month ago a surge, a wave of magic so familiar to her she shuddered in delight…
And contempt
Delight for because of this event a power she has long since accepted has faded, gone, never to be unleashed by her ever again. Was once more brimming within her, it was slow, but picking up steam quicky, she mused that by 2 or 3 years she will be at her peak once more. No… she will be stronger than her peak all those millennia ago, 10 millennia is a long time, and she has practice on what remains of her power.
Though, her delight was casted out as soon as she felt just who this surge belonged to, this power, this light… who else but them, can this power belong to? Those mongrels that took what was hers, it sickened her, it enraged her, and… in the very bottom of her mind, locked away with a mental key…
It gave her fear
Flashes of a man garbed with blood red dragon scale armor stood before her, blade held ready to strike her down with the fury of a thousand lightning bolts. A man she came to fear, from a family she came to despise above all else, even her ex-husband, even the long extinct silver eyed warriors… well… mostly. A line she cursed to the ends of remnant.
"The Arduins has returned" Salem spook, her voice like that of an eerie void, dark and bottomless. If she was once a kind wife, a doting mother…
All that she is now is evil incarnate
Her pawns shuddered, for that is their worth to her, pawns to be played and discarded, there was no knights, no bishops or rooks, only her, the black Queen.
"T-The Arduins… your highness?" Arthur Watts, a disgraced Atleassian scientist for… unethical practices asked.
Salem regarded the scientist coldly, Watts can feel the air in his lungs constrict, he can't breathe, 'H-Help!' he looked at his colleagues but non looked back. Just as suddenly he can breathe again, but he was shaking, fear was an abundant resource of the Grimm and Watts was giving gallons of it.
"I shall forgive you Arthur for your ineptitude, for I have gone great lengths to remove the mention of the Arduins from history, the victors usually write antiquity as they see it after all…"
"T-Thank y-you for y-your mercy, m-my Queen" Watts managed to speak.
"The Arduins, a family older than even I" A gasp in the assembled group "But just as powerless, like all before me they fell…"
A mad Faunus, a man so drowned in insanity and bloodlust cheered "Once more my goddess shows the nonbelievers' her powe-!"
Salem held her hand, the dark miasma surrounded the scorpion Faunus, clawing at his neck, unable to breath "Tyrian…" Salem spoke "I do not like being interrupted, be grateful I let you live"
Once more the crazed man was able to take air, but the fear in his eyes was evident pass the fanatical zeal.
"The Arduins may have fallen to me, but they were not idle, they, unlike many before, stood the closes in matching my power" once more gasp of disbelief "Their line was a danger, a blight, a threat to my conquest, 10,000 years ago I and their army fought, I dueled their king and laid him low before the earth"
Salem gripped the armrest of her throne "I had though I won, I had though I crushed their great kingdom, and slaughtered their armies and killed their families." A torrent of dark power surged "I had thought their line has ended 10,000 years ago… but I was wrong"
Salem stood, and her throne broke, her pawns cowered and her Grimm howled in the distance "I. Am. ANGERED! I was DECIVED! Their wretched line still draws breath after all that I have done to end it" her red eyes glowed like a blood moon "I want them found, I want them dead, I want you miserable, replicable mongrels to find them! Scour all of remnant! Every settlement! Every cave! EVERY HOUSE! AND KILL THE ARDUINS ONCE AND FOR ALL!"
Her rage swept her tower and beyond
"I shall give you information on what to look for, I trust you all will give me results, this supersedes all other plans, this will be your primary objective, all the others are secondary" Salem narrowed her eyes at one particular girl, a beauty in her own right, black cascading hair and amber eyes. "Even the maidens… Do I make myself clear?" All nodded fearful of her "Good, now get out of my sight"
Non dared to stay a second longer
Salem gazed at her damned realm, the dark skies swirling and thundering, her malefic aura rolling off her in waves "Soon…" she spoke as a shadow behind her left.
(…)
It was a rough month for Ruby Rose, between classes, her team, her grief and now a letter she was given by headmaster Ozpin himself. A letter with a painfully familiar wax seal of a double golden crescent. She was hesitant opening it, and she was staring at it for hours now, holding off reading what is inside until it was dark out and classes ended.
Naturally, her team noticed and sent questioning looks her way but remained silent, their shared dorm room has become more… tolerable as of late. The week Jaune's transcripts were outed and Ruby was the only one that gave a damn about him anymore caused friction between them. All because she decided to be a good friend.
They tried to change her views on Jaune, Yang certainly spun a tale on why he was unfit being a huntsmen based solely on his combat prowess, actually, his performance in combat class was the only counter argument people had on why Jaune deserved to be kicked out. Not his near prodigious scores in Tactics and Strategy or even his encyclopedic knowledge about history that made him Professor Ooblec's number one student…
If he got around being awkward answering in front of class that is…
Ruby chuckled at that, seeing Jaune fumble out a response when Ooblec called him out was funny and cute at the same time, Ruby suddenly became sullen 'I miss him, so damn much…' if the people that know her heard her thoughts, they would have had an aneurism hearing their innocent rose curse.
Taking a deep breath Ruby mustered up the courage and picked up the letter, to the vested interest of the others in their room, they had to be blind not see who the letter was from. Ever so delicately Ruby unsealed the wax seal and read the letter inside.
Her eyes moved along the paper, slowly ever so widening, and a deep blush crept up her neck, then her eyes became melancholy, vestiges of tears starting to form around her eyes and a small hick from her was heard, yet none in her team went over to ask what was the matter, even Yang, though she moved, she hesitated.
Closing the letter and wiping her tears, Ruby looked at her team "It was from Jaunes family, they… they want us to attend the funeral, once semester break rolls around in a week" her team was shocked, never would they have thought the family of the one they pushed away to reach out and offer them something that their hearts were screaming at them to do.
Find forgiveness from the good man they shunned
"Team NPR was also invited, as leader I'll be the one to inform them… Just, I want your answers by the end of the third day, they're not ordering you to come, to face retribution on what you all did, they just want to meet the people Jaune met, only then will they judge you" Ruby said, her eyes having a ghost of a smile.
The others were silent, baffled at why the family of the boy they disrespected and mocked would even want within eye sight of them.
Naturally Weiss was the one that asked "…Why?" she said, gritting her teeth
"Hmm?" Ruby tilted her head
"Why allow us anywhere near his casket! Let alone wanting to meet us! We wronged Jaune Arc so why in the ever-loving grace of the brother gods would they want to see the us!" Weiss yelled, a flurry of emotion roaring within her eyes "We insulted him, we demeaned him, called him a pretender, I called him useless, I spat in his face, I continued to stomp on his dream, he has all the reason to hate me, to scorn me, and yet, and yet… he sacrificed himself, without hesitation, without a single moment of delay he pushed me away so I can live, when I should have died…"
Weiss fell down to her knees "Why… even when death was certain… he still smiled… smiled ruby… he was glad I was safe, I saw it, I saw when the dark forest below consumed him… he still smiled…" she was openly bawling her eyes now "Me… the spoiled heiress of a multi-billion Lien company… whose only claim of notoriety is because she's beautiful and rich… no one saw me as Weiss, only as a Schnee and like an idiot sheltered all her life I was blind… blind to others, years of only seeing people wanting to get close to me for my wealth and the status it will bring them"
Ruby sat down next to her partner and hugged her
"I was so accustomed to people wanting to be friends with me because of my family, that I… that I never even bothered to entertain the chance that finally… finally someone wants to be with me because I'm Weiss… not just a Schnee"
Ruby continued to rub circles on Weiss's back "I'm such a stupid, stupid girl… I acted like my father, I acted like someone I hate with every fiber of my being… I said to myself I won't be like him. That I won't be cruel and heartless as him" Weiss released a humorless chuckle "And yet… here I am…"
Silence, the room was Still, none of the occupants made a sound, too surprised at the sudden emotional dump their teammate shoved in front of their face. one has to question how long? How long did she suppressed, and bottled-up all of this to have it explode all at once now?
"Because Jaune and his family are kind…" Ruby said, amidst the stillness of the room, breaking her hug with Weiss, Ruby held her shoulders so they were eye to eye "Jaune told me how they treat people… he told me that their family is taught to not judge the action of the person, but understand why they act the way they did, they won't judge you, they won't hate you, they will treat you how you want to be treated until they understand you're experience, your story. Only when they have the whole picture will decide how to act"
Ruby helped Weiss get up, her silver eyes looking at Weiss's ice-colored ones "If you decide to go, they will talk to you, ask you why you did what you did, they won't hate a person Weiss, angered yes but they wont hate anyone. I asked Jaune how can anyone not hate someone" in front of her team, and unknow to her, her eyes glowed a soft sliver "He only replied 'because its not in our nature to hate' it was so simple, so corny that I half expected it to be the answer…" Ruby looked down to her hands, clasp around Weiss's own.
"I hope you can find what you are looking for Weiss… maybe all of you can find it if you all accept the invitation" Ruby, for the first time in months looked at her team and smiled… not a half-smile she was giving them all month but a genuine one they have all missed seeing.
"I think we are a bit tired, maybe its time to sleep" Ruby said as she bid them goodnight and climbed her… bed balanced with rope… and pulled the covers over her head.
The remaining members of team RWBY stood or sat in silence at what happened, slowly though, one by one each member climbed their beds and turned off the lights…
However, one pair of eyes looked at Ruby's bed, mind a whirlwind of emotion, her lilac eyes closed shut and a silent scream of frustration escaped her mouth "…when did you become so mature…Ruby?" she softly said as she let darkness surround her.
(...)
It was a Friday, starting Monday it was the start of semester break, students milled about preparing their luggage to those that want to go home for the break, others lazed around as they decided to stay in beacon, for one, three-man team however, they are at an impasse on what to do. One of them hates her home life, the other two don't have a home.
The trio were currently sitting on the floor of their dorm room, mulling over Ruby's proposal.
Pyrrha still looked beautiful, her hair groomed tied in a pony tail, emerald-colored eyes, and a body most people envied.
Lie Ren sat aloof as he looked at his long-time friend babble about something, speaking of which, she was currently leaning against him going on about some conquest she had in the kitchen.
"There I was surrounded by 20 Beowolves!"
"They were the kitchen staff"
"Behind me were frighten hostages!"
"They were 10 stacks of pancakes"
"All I had was a fork to fend them off!"
"It was- no she did use a fork…" Ren shivered "that poor… poor man…"
Pyrrha chuckled at their back and forth, if one to look at this scene you are forgiven to assume these were just a trio of friends, of teammates, talking and enjoying each other's company.
But the luster in Pyrrha's hair, the once vibrant shade of red, looked more like dried blood, her emerald eyes dimmer than before, as if losing their light to reflect.
Ren was much the same, as was Nora, Ren was farther away from Pyrrha, and closer to Nora, and Nora was much the same, they were more reclus, more reserved. Even Nora's stories were less… spectacular, but none would notice, none would but one… but he's dead, the three saw him plunge into the abyss that day…
A day that weighed heavy in both their hearts and minds
And now… they were given a chance… a chance to face that day
Would day accept? Or would they cower?
It was Pyrrha who took the initiative "…Should we?" She asked, looking at her remaining team. Her body tense and her lips were quivering.
The other two stopped and looked at her, well more like Nora stopped pestering Ren, one could see the conflict in their eyes, if not there then from the way their body reacted to the question, Ren stiffened, straighten his back, Nora pealed herself off Ren and looked at the floor.
It was a tense moment, for the three, should they go? should they face the family of the person they abandoned?
Are they brave enough to do so?
Another tense minute pass before Ren replied "I… I don't think it's a good idea…"
Pyrrha looked to him to continue "It's just… I feel… I feel like I don't deserve it" Ren gripped his pants "I abandoned him, I let people jeer and mock him, I look the other way when Cardin and his thugs beat him, I never even thought of reporting what I saw because… I saw nothing… I saw him as nothing…"
Nora leaned on Ren, hands gripping his arm "I'm not a huntsman, huntsmen protect the people, huntsmen defend the undefended, and fight for what's right… What have I done? Pushed away an honest man all because of a mistake anyone can make…" Ren closed his eyes as he remembered the event, he turned his back on Jaune.
Flashback
It was a sunny and peaceful day, perfect for a field trip, Teams RWBY, JNPR and CRDL were slated to head to forever fall and collect some sap and clear any Grimm. Though there was an underlaying tension between partners.
Pyrrha did her best to not look in Jaune's direction, and Jaune tried his best to act normal, but everyone around the two knew something was amiss. There was a strained feel in the air, as the bullhead landed, team RWBY were the first to disembark "All righty! Blake, Weiss can you guys collect the sap? Yang and I will act as watchers" Ruby smiled looking at her team.
"You got it sis! Beat sitting around waiting for a jar to be full" Yang pumped her fist "I'm more of a punch anything that gets too close kind of gall"
Blake only nodded, patting the back of her pants and felt an indent of a book.
Weiss… well "Now hold on! You cannot saddle me with collecting sap! Its unbecoming of me!"
Ruby only looked at her and tilted her head "Weiss, I'm the fastest in our year, if a threat comes, I would be the first to react and tell you guys, and Yang's the physically strongest in our year, she can hold off scores of Grimm alone so the others can get a chance to regroup"
Weiss opened her mouth to reply but Ruby wasn't done "Besides, I'm the leader! So as leader I order you to collect sap!" she finished with a disarming smile Weiss deflated, faced with logic, she can't argue and set about collecting the jars.
Ruby looked on with pride 'Just as Jaune said!' she giggled, her time with Jaune after their shared leadership class was time well spent, not only did she get to spend time with her might-be-might-not-be-crush-but-definitely, but also, she was learning about how to manage a team, and what to act like to minimize insubordination.
Ruby looked to where Jaune was and once their eyes met, Ruby gave him a flashing smile, one he gave back tiredly and turned around to his team. This made Ruby frown, she noticed the tenseness between Pyrrha and Jaune, she wanted to ask them what was up, but because it was between partners, she held her tongue 'I just hope things get better…' she thought
The group found a suitable place with enough trees with sap and went about collecting them, Ruby, Yang, Nora, and Ren were delegated to watching duty, while Miss Goodwitch remained near the bullhead, her scroll out, overseeing all of them.
Jaune placed the jar on the base of the tree and dug a hole in the tree to place a tube in, once that was done, he saw at first, a thin line of sap but soon in became a slow but cascading flow of sugary nectar going in the jar.
It was a peaceful and quiet except that it was shattered when a high-pitched scream echoed in the forest, quickly, Jaune stood up, sword unsheathed and sheath unfurled. "Guys! Head count!"
"Ruby!"
"Here!"
"Wiess!"
"Here!"
"Blake!
"Here!"
"Yang!"
"Right here Vomit boy!"
Jaune went closer to his team, as did team RWBY, forming a semi-circle that covered each others blind spot.
"Ren!"
"Here!"
"Nora!"
"Present fearless leader!"
"Pyrrha!"
There wasn't a response
"Pyrrha?" Jaune looked to where she was, she didn't look to where he was
"…here"
Jaune nodded, his heart ached, but it was not the time to dawdle "Team CRDL isn't here, and Miss Goodwitch is near the bullhead. Report said low-Grimm activity around the area for the past few days, what ever made CRDL scream like banshee's might just be some low-grade creeps that got the jump on them, they may be idiots, but they know how to use their weapons"
Jaune look to his team "Nora with me, Ruby, get to the bullhead and notify Miss Goodwitch"
Ruby would have protested but she knew after so many sessions of Jaune coaching her in strategy she was the fastest, thus the messenger so the cavalry can arrive. She nodded to Jaune and yelled orders to her own team "Yang! Follow Jaune and Nora! Blake, Weiss return to the bullhead along with me"
Her team nodded without complaint, a grumble from Weiss but nothing else
"What am I suppose to do?" Ren asked his leader, Jaune looked at him with a smile.
"Go with the rest, and take Pyrrha with you" Ren nodded, and Pyrrha was made to protest but held her tongue.
"Don't cha worry Renny! Fearless leader always has a plan!" Nora cheered, pumping her arms in the air and headed towards where the scream came from.
Jaune sighed and prepared to run after her before Ren pulled his arm aside, Jaune stopped and looked at Ren, his friend's perpetual looks of Zen hardened "I trust you to keep Nora safe Jaune…"
Jaune nodded "An Arc promise Ren, and an Arc never breaks his promise" Ren nodded with a smile and let Jaune go.
Running through the dense red mahogany oak trunks of forever fall forest, Jaune caught up with Nora, beside her was Yang, easily keeping pace with Jaune shook his head as he struggled to keep pace with the other two.
"Come on Vomit boy! Your too slow!" Yang yelled over her shoulder a wide grin on her face "Want me to carry yah?"
"Nope! I-m, I'm good…" Jaune said in between paths "Just… g-get to CRDL"
"Sure, thing, Vomit boy, come on Nora! Last one there is a pink stalker! Not counting Jaune that is" with a cheer Nora bolted, Yang hot on her heels, does Nora even wear heels?
Jaune sighed and kept running, soon he saw three retreating figures going his way, he squinted and eventually saw it was Cardin's other teammates.
"Sky! Where's Cardin!" Jaune yelled
"Left em'!" Sky immediately answered as he and the rest of his 'gang posing as hunters' sprint past Jaune.
Jaune tsked 'cowards…'
He doubled his effort and eventually reached a clearing, and he paled. In the center, two people were being overwhelmed, slowly, but soon they would be too tired to even open on eye. On the floor was Cardin, knocked out and being protected by Yang.
Jaune roared, trying to divert some of the Grimm to him, but a sparse few went after him, when he saw it wasn't working and Nora and Yang were in the yellow as he peeked on hi scroll. Jaune sheeted his sword and started to think,
Started to feel
Grimm at their core, are lifeless, soulless abominations, made manifest and propagated through the negativity in sentient beings. It was why they attack settlements; it was why Grimm flock to the edges of population centers and need to be culled periodically by hunters. The deeper your despair, your insecurities, self-doubt, loathing, it attracts them to you like a moth to a flame. And Jaune Arc…
Has spare a plenty
Jaune thought about his life, his inadequacy, his weakness, his loneliness, the despair when he watched as his father came home day after day with new wounds and scars. His envy to his twin Jeanne when she was taught how to wield a sword and he was left reading book after book to fill the void in his soul. He felt the self-doubt and regret when he looked up to the judging emerald eyes that once looked at him fondly.
Her once warm smiles turned to cold indifference.
And the Grimm felt it, they quivered and drooled over the emotion of Jaune Arc, soon, one Grimm attacked Jaune, one turned to three, three turned to six, six turned to dozens. Jaune was soon unsheathing his sword to block the rabid mouth of a frothing Beowolf, catching his sword in its mouth, Jaune felt a weight on his back as another Grimm clawed his armor.
Good thing he has an ungodly amount of aura, and so far, it has yet to break, so confident, Jaune pushed the Grimm in front of him and yelled "Come and get me!" he turned and looked back to the tired eyes of Nora and Yang, they've bitten out more than they could chew and fell unconscious.
And Jaune cursed there was supposed to be few Grimm around this area, so why. In the ever-loving arms of Lady Yvanna was there more than 5 dozen! Jaune cursed again when he was hit on his side and sent flying by an Ursa major, dropping his scroll in the process, the heaping ball of grizzly death, stood on its hind legs getting ready to charge.
Jaune rolled to a crouch and held his shield up, his muscles tense when he felt a weight of a sedan plow and hammer on his shield, he grits his teeth and mustering his aura he pushed back the massive beast, getting it to tumble back and buried the smaller ones with its massive body. Jaune shakily got up and leveled his sword in front of him.
Ahead, an army of beast that frothed and drooled as they prepared to feast, behind him where three people, three people who are knocked out and unable to defend themselves. Gritting his teeth Jaune gave a roar of defiance "YOU WANT THEM!? THEN YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH ME!"
Jaune leveled his shield up, bent his legs, and has his sword on his side, with one more word the battle was renewed.
"Come"
Grimm roared as Jaune did his best to defend his friends and Cardin, he ducked, swung, pierced, and swiped at anything that got close, he held strong, never faltering, never taking a step back, even as he felt his aura drop, drop like never before since Pyrrha unlocked it.
He. Stood. His. Ground.
In that moment he started to have visions
Visions of a man in the very same forest he stood, surrounded on all fronts by enemies, he was armored with barely hanging metal, a half-broken sword and an arrow to the shoulder. Yet the man stood, eyeing his would-be killers like a predator stalking his prey. The man opened his mouth and spoke "All' ye think you'll catch the young prince? Bah! I am to die today, then I'll take you lot with me!"
The man yelled and charge at the nearest frighten fool "FOR CAMLANN!"
Jaune's vision became clear, he looked at the snarling host before him, his eyes glowed yellow, his body shone like a newborn star. Then he yelled "FOR MY FRIENDS!"
Then he took a step
And charged at the enemy, conviction and strength of will mirroring that of the man in his vision.
Jaune fought like a man possessed, he cut, he slashed, he decapitated any Grimm before him, none can stand in his way, all the while his eyes and body blaze like the sun. And Jaune was blind to it, blind at what he was doing as all his mind, all of his will was centered on one order, one singular order that came directly from his heart, his soul.
Protect those behind him
And so, he did, for a full hour he fought, never tiring, never letting a single Grimm pass him, his warmth washed over the battlefield, burning the Grimm that got too close like a purifying flame, and in that moment, he fulfilled his dream, to be a hero that protected all.
But heroes eventually fall
As just as the last of Grimm were charging at him Jaune woke up from his trance, pain and fatigue washed over his body, helpless as an Ursa Major charged, he tried to raise his shield, he tried to pull up his sword, but as the claw of the Ursai descended, he could do nothing but watch, he closed his eyes accepting his faith.
However, a yell made him open his eyes and was shocked to see Cardin, with his mace, cave in the head of the Grimm, and utterly crushing it. Jaune gave a sigh of relief and fell down, just as his eyes closed, he saw the rest of the group arrive at the clearing, and only one thing came to his mind 'what the hell took you all so long?' as darkness embraced him.
Ruby was sweating, she and the rest were sprinting to where Jaune and the rest were, they came across the rest of team CRDL, and after a quick but brutal scolding by miss Goodwitch they hurried to where Jaune was. Except, they were halted each step they take, as Grimm after Grimm threw themselves and fought them, each time she sliced the head of an Ursa, two would take its place.
It was a grueling gauntlet of death, but soon they broke the tree line and she and the rest saw Jaune, barely standing on his feet face down an Ursa major, she screamed at him to move as she herself started to move but was to slow as she saw the Ursa raise its paw. Ruby felt fear grip her heart 'no, no, not again please, I don't want to lose someone again, please!' she yelled in her mind, she prayed, she begged and her answers were heard.
Just as Jaune was about to be ripped in half, Cardin of all people leapt to his defense and killed the Ursa, Jaune seeing this promptly falling face first on the ground unconscious, never hearing Cardin speak "Really Janue'y boy? Can't handle one Ursa? Tsked"
Soon after they approached, and Ruby, to her horror saw Nora and Yang slumped down on the base of the single tree in the clearing. "Nora!" Ren yelled and sprinted towards her, Ruby did the same and was relieved to see they were only knocked out and out of aura, 'nothing a good rest, milk and cookies can't fix!' Ruby thought.
Ren was worried, he along with the rest encountered Grimm after Grimm on their way to save Nora, Jaune and Yang… and Cardin too. Once they broke the clearing Ren froze, as he was the first one to see the knocked-out forms of Nora and Yang, surrounded by the dead, decomposing corpses of Grimm and an awake, charging Cardin, dread filled his being as he saw Nora limp on the tree, dread turned to anger as he looked to Jaune.
He saw Cardin leap to his Defense, He saw how Cardin easily dispatched the Grimm Jaune was struggling against, Ren saw Jaune fall exhausted and unconscious, Ren saw just how weak his team leader was. Ren didn't spare a glace or a look of concert for Jaune, he made Nora his priority "Nora!" Ren yelled and dread once more filled him when she didn't respond.
But relaxed when he saw she was still breathing, picking her up princess style, he walked back towards where the others were, with Nora slowly waking up "Renny?" "I'm here" Ren replied, he saw the rest of team CRDL praising Cardin, he heard the begrudging respect from Weiss and Blake, and he felt the raw furry in the eyes of Pyrrha.
And in front of everyone she turned to look at Miss Goodwitch, and spoke "Jaune forged his transcripts, he didn't go to a combat school, he didn't have training, he didn't even have aura during initiation! He's a fake! A cheater!"
Her admission froze everyone in place
"I should've told you this Miss Goodwitch sooner this morning, but I was too shocked myself last night when he told me that I didn't even mention it, now, now my hesitance nearly cost the lives of three decent huntsmen and huntresses all because of cheater" Pyrrha breathed in heavily as the rest of us stood their shocked, even Yang who Ren saw just waking up looked at the other unconscious blond.
That shock turned to the feeling of betrayal, then to anger.
"I knew it! he was too weak to be a huntsman! And I am proven correct!" Weiss said, pointing her finger at the still face kissing Jaune Arc.
Blake's amber eyes blazed at the blond
Yang's hair was inflaming with anger
Ren was shaking in fury
Nora was frozen in shock
And Ruby?
Ruby was sweating 'oh no! the cat's out the bag!' she looked to a still knocked out Jaune and, when she realized no one was even helping him that worry was turn to anger, not at Jaune but the others. A flurry of rosses manifested above Jaune as Ruby bent down and looped one of his arms around her neck "Upsidaisy Jaune" with one quick huff Ruby easily carried a much taller Jaune Arc 'hurray for aura!'
"RUBY? What the hell are you doing?" Yang, from, who got up yelled "Put the idiot down!"
Ruby narrowed her silver eyes "He's unconscious"
"And?! Didn't you hear Pyrrha?! He forged his transcripts!" Yang argued but Ruby was having none of it
"I already knew, he told me months ago"
"What?!" everyone yelled
"Why didn't you tell anyone?!"
"How could you help a criminal?!"
"Ruby…"
Ruby glared, her eyes, unnoticed by anyone because of the sun, glowed. All but Goodwitch who was watching the scene in silence.
"So? I knew, but the other teachers already knew, Jaune told them after he told me, after I accepted him." That made every student whirl their heads towards Goodwitch.
"Mr. Arc passed initiation, a transcript only makes a student eligibly to take the initiation in the first place, if they pass initiation, then their a student of beacon" Goodwitch answered.
"But the criminal forged documents!" Weiss cried out
Soliciting a glare from Ruby "Yes but Mr. Arc already paid for it, the headmaster asking him to do something that forced the council to leave it be, something I will not disclose" came the response.
"That ain't fare! We struggled to get in this school and Arc just get a free pass?!" Cardin roared, along with his posse "Wait till pops hear about this! I'll have the cheater out of school by the end of the day"
Weiss, surprising many and herself agreed with Cardin "I will contact my lawyers, this criminal will be punished" She glared at the still knocked out Jaune, blind to what was happening around him.
Every one was in agreement, until a heavy presence washed over the students. It was suffocating, like death, an aura surrounded the area, as trees and the boulders started to float. Everyone looked to Goodwitch, and boy did everyone flinched.
"Children, I advise to continue this once we are out of danger, your plots of harm to Mr. Arc will attract more Grimm to the area…" She gave one order that sent shivers down their spine. Even Jaune who was still knocked out…
"Move"
Everyone didn't need a second more.
Jaune woke up with a headache "Ow… where am I?" He looked around and saw he was in the medical wing of the school "How did?"
"Mhmm, Jaune?" a soft voice called out to him
Looking to his die he saw Ruby slowly waking up from a chair she was sleeping on "Jaune? Jaune!" Ruby tackled hug him back on the bed "Your ok!" she called "I was so worried! Coco, and her team came by an hour ago to check up on you!"
"Ruby?! Ack! Wait I'm still sore!" Jaune called out, making Ruby eep out of the bed.
"I'm sorry!" Ruby apologized with her eyes wide and lips quivering
'Ack! Too cute!' Jaune thought "Hey, hey! It's ok, I was just surprised is all 'if Yang saw Ruby making that face to me she'll punch me through a wall, speaking of which…'
"Hey Ruby, where's the others?"
Ruby froze, her back stiffen and she started to avert her eyes away "Ruby?" Jaune asked, feeling dread creep up on him.
"They know…"
Jaune gripped his fist "K-Know w-what?"
"They know Jaune… and they didn't take it well…" Ruby said bowing her head.
"O-Oh…" Jaune's voice quivered, his hand was shaking "H-How?"
"Pyrrha told them…"
Jaune's breathe hitched "No…" tears formed in his eyes "Pyrrha…" Jaune sniffed "I-I thought, I- "Jaune cried, "I trusted you…"
Ruby once again leaped over to Jaune and hugged him tight "It's alright Jaune, you still have Team CVYF, the teachers… me"
Jaune cried in Ruby's arms, hurt at the fact that his partner, someone he trusted about his secret ratted him out not one day after he tole her. It hurt, it hurt more because after such a long time, after so long practicing with her in the roofs… 'damn it'
Minutes pass in the medical wing, Jaune hugging Ruby for support and Ruby whispering soothing words to him, "thanks Ruby…" Jaune said, breaking their hug.
"It's fine Jaune… what are friends for?" Ruby gave him a smile, one he returned
"What… what happened Ruby? I… I don't remember much, only trying to catch up with Nora and Yang"
"Wait, really? Not even how you got knocked out?" Ruby asked stunned, her eyes wide
Jaune shook his head "Zero"
Ruby gave him a pat on the back "It's alright Jaune, I'll tell you" She began explaining her perspective of what happened, him struggling to fight a single Ursa, being saved by Cardin, Nora and Yang knocked out.
She stopped suddenly and Jaune asked her what was wrong "Ruby? What happened after?"
"They think Cardin saved you, Nora and Yang, he claimed that he held off a dozen Grimm, protecting Nora and Yang when they were knocked out, and… everyone believed him. Nora and Yang was surrounded by corpses of Grimm, with Cardin the only one conscious. The others saw him charge towards the Ursa that nearly killed you" Ruby gripped the sheets of the bed
"They think you were the reason why Nora and Yang were in danger, it was your order that caused them to be nearly killed and Cardin had to intervene and save you three." Ruby gritted her teeth "They called Cardin a Hero and you a weak coward, it didn't help everyone in school found out about your transcript…"
Ruby looked at Jaune's eyes, wide and dazed "I'm sorry Jaune…"
He was silent once more, his thought heavy with what he just heard 'were they right? Did my order nearly caused the deaths of my friends? Am I that weak that I can't handle a single Grimm?'
The door to the medical wing suddenly burst open.
"Well, well, looky here, mister faker is awake" Yang stepped in, her face snarling at Jaune, Behind her the rest of Team RWBY and JNPR. Jaune flinched at the narrowed eyes, judging stares and disappointed looks they gave him.
"Ruby get away from him" Yang ordered
"No"
"Ruby! How could you-"
"Because Jaune is my friend, he didn't do anything to hurt me, he told me his secret willingly, he trusted me so I trust him" Ruby glared up to Yang, and even though her sister was taller, Ruby just had a larger presence.
Yang tsked and looked back to Jaune "You…" Yang neared Jaune "The fuck did you do the corrupt my sister…"
Jaune shook his head franticly "I didn't do anything!" he argued
"Lies! Was it pity? Did you use your pitiful life so you can lur my sister? Your nothing but a weak little parasite! You can punch, you can't fight, hell you're the weakest in our year!" Yang glared harder, her eyes turning red "Someone as weak as you shouldn't be a hunter…" she said
Jaune filched, the words hurt and hit closer to home than anyone -bar Ruby, realized. But it didn't stop there as he was punched in the face, not by Yang, no she was as surprised as everyone. The person who punched Jaune was non other than his teammate and first male friend he had ever had.
"It's your fault" Ren said pulling Jaune's shirt collar, their eyes meeting "Your weakness nearly killed Nora, your plan hurt her, your orders…" Ren looked at him, his eyes flared with anger, Ruby called for Ren to stop, but he ignored her "Your orders shouldn't be followed, not from someone as weak as you, never promise something you don't have the strength to keep"
Ren let go and left the room followed by Nora, who gave a Jaune a blank look and said "cheater" and left
Blake also just shook her head "You don't belong here Arc, someone who can't fight for himself shouldn't fight for others" she turned her back and left leaving Weiss.
Jaune waited for her piece, her words to hurt him, and Weiss Schnee did not disappoint.
"I knew it! I knew you weren't fit to be here! Someone as mediocre and pathetic have the gall to try and woo me with your words!? It won't work! You will never have a sliver of the Schnee fortune!" Weiss vented "do us all a favor Arc, quite this school and never show your face… ever…again" Weiss turned on the ball of her feet and left the room.
"…Pyrrha" Jaune called out to his partner, but she did not answer, she looked to Ruby and spoke.
"Ruby, I advise to not get involve with him, less you experience something I do not wish to see you happen to you" Pyrrha walked away, but told Jaune "I am disappointed in you…" she left and closed the door with a soft click.
Leaving Ruby and Jaune alone once more…
"Jaune?" Ruby asked Jaune, worried, but no response, Jaune looked down towards his sheets, his dull eyes hurting her more than any injury she had or will have.
"Ruby… just… go, please, I… I want to be alone…" Jaune said, his voice hollow and void of emotion, not even sadness, just… emptiness.
Ruby wanted to argue, she wanted to stay to make sure he wouldn't do something he'll regret she opened her mouth but Jaune stopped her with one finger above her lips.
"Thank you, Ruby, for staying by myside even after all of this, I couldn't have asked for a better best friend as you" Jaune gave a weak smile, his cobalt eyes dim of light, but still held on to embers, for her.
"Don't worry Ruby, I'll still be here, an Arc promise, staying alive until you see me again isn't that hard, I'm sure I have enough strength for that at least" Jaune joked, but Ruby didn't laugh, she just hugged him tight.
"Promise…" Ruby said, voice muffled in his chest
"I promise Ruby… thank you" Jaune hugged her back, and as she exited the room, leaving Jaune alone, Jaune fell back on his bed.
Flashback end
Ren gripped his pants harder "I was and still am a fool for what I have done, for letting anger cloud my judgment, I don't deserve meeting his family…" Ren bowed his head tears flowing down his face and Nora hugging his neck, to the silence of the room
(…)
Ruby sighed as she sat on an Airship heading towards Jaune's home, with her was Weiss, Yang team CVYF, headmaster Ozpin and Miss Goodwitch. Ruby was sad that not one from Jaune's team accepted her invitation, 'I guess the guilt was too much for them…' her thoughts then drifted towards her last team member that didn't come 'Blake…'
The ride would be long, and emotions will flare, so Ruby closed her eyes and let sleep take her…
(A/N Hello~ so like it? to those that think NPR and Blake not coming as a sign that I will bash them then stop… these are real characters, people with emotion and their own reasons… reasons that I will cover in the next chapter. Toddles~!
[1] Jeweled protector – Legends of Runtera)