Chapter 18: The Beacon Two Step
The last few days had been uneventful for Jaune, he tried to get a date to the dance with Weiss…But just as he was about to ask her, he overheard her ask Neptune.
That kind of hurt…but at the same time, it really didn't. If Weiss wanted to go with Neptune that's who she wanted to be with and even though he wanted to be with her, he'd much rather Weiss be happy with who she chose.
Still, it did make things a bit lonely for him since he had no one to go with…but enough about him, his inability to get a date was the least of his problems right now.
Well, since he was dateless, he'd better get a prime spot near the punch bowl, looks like he wasn't the only one to think that.
"Hey Ruby, I see this spot is pretty popular," He commented.
"Yepppp" Ruby responded with an emphasis on the last letter.
"Well, here's to the socially awkward," Jaune commented as he grabbed a cup and raised it.
"Here, here" Ruby replied as she copied his movements.
"So, how's it hanging," Jaune asked as he filled his cup with punch.
"mmm, nothing much." The redhead responded, "Just slowly dying from these lady stilts."
"Come on, they aren't that bad right?"
Ruby just gave him a blank stare as a response.
"Why don't we trade I can wear your shoes and you can wear my heels?"
"Ok, I get your point."
"Exactly."
"Soo, you look pretty tonight," Jaune commented.
"My word, Jaune Arc are you hitting on me," The girl teased, "Careful, you wouldn't want my boyfriend to overhear you."
"That was a mistake ok!" Jaune cried back.
Why oh why did he ever tell Ruby that he was worried that he thought it looked like he was hitting on her when they first meant.
"I'm just messing with you Vomit Boy," Ruby joked as she lightly punched his arm.
"I thought we agreed to stop calling me that Crater Face."
"Hey!"
After laughing at the girl's pouting face for a couple of seconds Jaune's eye's drew back onto the dance floor at the sight of Blake and Sun dancing.
"So, looks like you guys were able to convince Blake to come," He commented as he took a sip from his cup.
"Yuuupp," the Redhead responded as she took a sip from her own cup.
"What finally convinced her?"
"I half believe it was to see Sun trying to wear a tie." Ruby joked as she looked over at the Monkey Faunus, "I don't think they are supposed to be worn that way though."
"I'm just surprised he's finally covering up his Abs."
"They are nice abs though."
Yeah, they were, Jaune could only wish he could get abs like Sun.
"So, what really convinced her?"
"Yang had a talk with Blake, I wasn't sure what it was about but by the end of their talk she finally convinced Blake to come."
"That's good, at least we got one of our friends to come today," Jaune carelessly commented.
"…Yeah," Ruby sadly replied as her eyes focused on her drink.
Shoot, he wasn't thinking, he brought up that minefield.
Ever since Mori had left on his mission bringing him up had become a bit of a touchy topic, especially around Ruby.
To be honest, Jaune really wasn't happy with his friend.
Jaune was irritated with Mori. Yes, they were Huntsmen, and the job came first. But Mori didn't have to hurt Ruby like that. He literally said they could've gotten someone else to do it and for what? Not because he was the only option available or because he firmly believed he could save the most lives but because he felt like it was a good way to get stronger.
It was a selfish reason for a dickish act.
It was bad enough that his training consumed him on a normal basis, but now there was this!
It's seemed like all he cared about these days was getting stronger.
What was the point of strength for strength itself if the pursuit hurt people you cared about?
No, no Jaune wasn't going to go over this again.
Mori made his decision and he decided he'd rather go off and train instead of spending time with everyone else.
"Sorry I didn't mean to bring that up." Jaune apologized.
"It's fine you didn't do anything and it's not like what he did was wrong," Ruby dully responded.
An awkward moment of silence filled the space between the two.
"Sorry you couldn't go with Weiss," Ruby spoke up, breaking the silence.
"Eh it's fine," Jaune replied, "If Weiss wants to go with Neptune I get it, he's much cooler than me."
"What do you mean?" Ruby asked in confusion.
"Well not many people can pull of blue hair, but he does it pretty well." Jaune glumly replied as he took a sip of his drink.
"No, I mean…Weiss came alone." Ruby clarified.
"What?" Jaune choked out.
"Yeah, she said she was too busy for boys."
Jaune looked over now to where Weiss was, she was trying to fix something and looking very unhappy…that was not the look of someone who was too busy.
He then took a look over at Neptune, who was busy laughing and having the time of his life with Sun and Blake."
"Hold my punch," Jaune said while narrowing his eyes giving his cup to Ruby.
Looks like Mori wasn't the only person he was going to be ticked at.
As he went over to talk to Neptune, he briefly saw Pyrrha as well looking lonely, he went to talk to her but that wasn't important, Neptune was the main focus.
It was after talking with Pyrrha that he was able to find his target conveniently come up to him.
"Yo Jaune, what's up?"
"You!" Jaune growled as he came upon the sight of the blue-headed knucklehead.
"Me?
"Yes you," Jaune snarled back, "What are you thinking?" He said smacking Neptune on the backside of his head.
"Ow! Uhh, I'm thinking why are you hitting me?" he said as he clutched his head.
"No, that's not what I meant!" Jaune barked as he smacked him again in the same spot.
"Oww!" Neptune whined, "Has anyone ever told you that you hit hard."
Not really, no, Mori and Pyrrha just mostly shrugged off his hits.
"So, tell me Neptune, what's up with flirting with Weiss and when she asks you out, you reject her?"
"Oh, that's what you are talking about…it just didn't work out."
Something about Neptune's answer seemed off to Jaune.
"Didn't work out, why? Are you too good for her?" he grilled.
"No, that's not wh—"
"Is it because you think she's not your type?"
"No, she's really great, it just—"
"Or do you just enjoy stringing girls along?"
"What no! It's just…I can't dance." Neptune sheepishly replied in a whisper.
"…What?"
"I said I can't dance."
"So, you are telling me, you rejected Weiss Schnee, one of the prettiest, most talented girls we've both probably met… because you can't dance?"
"Yes."
Jaune could feel a migraine coming to his head.
"So, you'd rather break a girl's heart and let her go to a dance she'd been looking to forward to alone…just because you don't have moves and wanted to save your pride?"
"Uhh, yes?"
Well, Mori's stupid reason just got one-upped.
"I feel better about myself now."
"Please don't tell anybody. Look, if you want Weiss, she's all yours. I don't wanna get in your way," Neptune cried out.
Red suddenly filled Jaune's vision.
Even though Neptune had a point; Weiss was feeling vulnerable and sad right now and now was as good of a chance as any to ask her out.
But that wasn't right.
"Look Neptune," Jaune said putting his hand firmly on the blue head's shoulder, "Do you like Weiss?"
"I guess? I don't know her very well, but she seems cool."
"Then just go talk to her. No pickup lines, no suave moves, just be yourself. I've heard that's the way to go,"
"Yeah, but then—"
"Hey! You don't have to look cool all the time," Jaune interrupted, "In all honesty, if you could be a little less cool, I'd really appreciate it."
A moment of silence filled the room as Neptune seemed to compliment Jaune's words.
"Yeah, okay," Neptune said after digesting his thoughts.
"Go talk to her. I guarantee it'll make her night." Jaune said pushing him towards the heiress.
"Thanks, You're a really cool guy, Jaune," Neptune replied as he held his hand out for a fist bump.
"I know I am," Jaune replied as he reciprocated it.
"Hey, Jaune… you are interested in Weiss as well, right? So why are you encouraging me to go towards her." Neptune asked before he left.
Jaune thought about it, what was he doing sending a rival off to the girl he was interested in?
He really did want to ask Weiss out, but…
"…It's because that's what I want to do," Jaune commented with a smile.
"That doesn't make any sense."
No, it didn't.
Present
"Ok Jaune," Mori interrupted, "I understand how the dance started and I really am sorry about how I handled things with Ruby, but you are still not going over the giant Goliath in the room."
"Yeah, the reason why I didn't go for Weiss myself, was because even though I liked Weiss, she is my friend first and foremost so I wanted her to be happy, and if she feels happiest with Neptune than what I want to do is help her."
"Which is great that you care for her, and are doing more of what you want," Mori replied with annoyed tone, "But that still doesn't answer the question of how did that lead up to me walking in on you in a dress and also kissing Pyrrha, speaking of which where is Pyrrha?"
…oh, Pyrrha left a long time ago in embarrassment of being caught.
But looks like he still needed to address that, Jaune was hoping an elaborate story would get him off his back but looks like that was still very much in his mind.
One hour ago
Jaune could only watch in pride at his work as he watched Neptune go over to Weiss and see the heiress's frown turn into a smile.
Crap, what was he thinking, he probably sunk his own chances.
That thought disappeared as he once more took a look over at the girl's smile, oh well, he had more important things to worry about.
There was one more smile he needed to make happen.
Jaune went to get ready for that.
He still couldn't believe that his partner Pyrrha didn't get asked and was by herself for this dance, something about those words were just not right.
Jaune could still hear Pyrrha's sad words to him echo through his head as he went to go grab the necessary equipment.
"I've been blessed with incredible talents and opportunities. I'm constantly surrounded by love and praise, but when you're placed on a pedestal like that for so long, you become separated from the people that put you there in the first place."
Hearing Pyrrha say that made Jaune realize that even though Pyrrha was his partner, she had her own problems, but she kept silent about them all the time while patiently listening to his.
Everyone assumes I'm too good for them. That I'm on a level they simply can't attain. It's become impossible to form any sort of meaningful relationship with people. That's what I like about you. When we met, you didn't even know my name. You treated me just like anyone else…"
He didn't think it was that special that he treated Pyrrha like normal. It was only from his catastrophic knowledge of the world outside of Ansel that he didn't know who Pyrrha was, if he was trained and raised like all his other friends, he was sure he would've known who Pyrrha was.
"…I guess, you're the kind of guy I wish I was here with. Someone who just saw me for me."
…those last words especially hit Jaune's heart, she specifically wanted to be at the dance with him. Jaune Arc! A faker who didn't belong at this school. Someone as amazing as Pyrrha would rather have him as her partner over literally anyone else.
He'd better live up to those expectations.
It took him a couple of minutes, but he finally got what he needed.
He could hear the sounds of laughter as he walked through the dance floor, he didn't really care though.
"Jaune!" Pyrrha gasped, "What are you doing?"
"Remember how I bet I would wear a dress to the dance if you didn't have a date?" Jaune replied with a sheepish smile, "I lost that bet."
It took him a bit to find his old dress that his sisters forced him to wear, but he found it, it was a lot tighter than he remembered though.
"You didn't have to do that," Pyrrha said trying to stifle her laughter.
"Ehh, an Arc never breaks his word," Jaune replied, "Now, may I have this dance," He asked sticking his hand out.
"You may," Pyrrha smiled as she took.
Those next moments were the best moments Jaune had ever had as he danced with his partner, no care for those laughing at him in his dress.
Finally taking a break Jaune and Pyrrha went outside laughing and joking with each other.
"That was so much fun Jaune," Pyrrha exclaimed happily.
"It really was, though it is a bit chilly right now," Jaune replied as he sat down trying to warm him up.
"I don't think the dress is helping," Pyrrha commented.
"No, no it is not."
"So, what made you want to do that?" Pyrrha asked as she sat down next to Jaune.
"It's because I wanted to."
"Really," Pyrrha said in a disbelieving tone.
"Yeah, really."
A moment of silence filled the air as the two looked up at the night sky.
"Hey, Pyrrha?"
"Yes, Jaune?"
"Why me?"
"Jaune, I told you, it's because you treat me like an actual person, and not as the invincible girl."
"No, I get that, but of all our friends why did you want to go to the dance with me?"
This was a question that had been bugging him, even though he treated Pyrrha like normal, he wasn't the only one, Mori and Ren also treated Pyrrha like an equal.
"Well… Ren is taken by Nora for one… and Mori is away on his mission."
What Pyrrha said made sense…but something about the way she responded made him think there was more.
"That's not the full answer is it," Jaune replied with a serious tone.
"…No…" She admitted as she turned her head away with a blush.
"May…may I ask…what it is?"
"I…I don't know if I should," Pyrrha replied, "I feel like if I tell you the actual reason…you may not treat me the same or even hate me."
"Pyrrha, you have done so, so, so much for me, there's no way I could ever hate you."
"Are you sure?"
"Look me in the eyes and tell me if you think am lying."
Her green eyes met his blue ones as they both stared at each other.
Jaune truly meant it, he would not be where he was at right now with Pyrrha, he could never repay the debt that he owed her.
"The…the reason I wanted you at the dance over Mori and Ren is…is…is because I really like you!" Pyrrha said finally blurting out her reason.
Jaune could only stare in shock at his partner who was visibly flustered.
He had to admit it was very cute.
There were so many thoughts running through his head…like why? How? But there was one thought that seemed to control him. What did he want to do right now?
It was an easy question to answer.
"Jaune, you don't hate me …right?" Pyrrha bashfully asked as she looked from the ground.
"Here's my answer," Jaune replied as he grabbed Pyrrha by her shoulders and suddenly gave her a kiss.
Pyrrha immediately reciprocated as she grabbed his shoulders.
It felt like an eternity and Jaune wished it would end.
"Hey Jaune, Pyrrha I'm Bac—Woah!"
Jaune and Pyrrha quickly separated at the sound of someone interrupting them.
It was Mori.
"…I think I should go and come back at a different time."
As Pyrrha quickly left the premise her face as red as her hair, Jaune could only glare at his close friend and curse his shitty timing.
Present
"So, that's how that happened," Jaune said as he finished his story, "and how you interrupted a very tender moment."
"Look, I'm sorry man," Mori cried, "I just saw that you two were over there chatting and wanted to say hi because it's been days."
"…It's fine, I'm over it how was the mission?"
"It was—" Mori started.
"You!" A voice cried out interrupting him, "I have a bone to pick with you!
Mori and Jaune looked over to see Yang with red eyes… yeah, Jaune wasn't dealing with that.
"Well good luck with that," Jaune commented as he gave Mori a quick pat on the back and a swift exit.
"Wait, don't leave me!"
"We are going to have a talk Mister!"
There was a lot of crap that Yang had to deal with her team so far in the second semester, Blake's single-minded obsession with the White Fang was one, thankfully she got the girl to take a break and go to the dance.
The other one was Ruby.
On the outside she seemed fine, maintaining her cheerful personality, on the inside though…she had been less enthusiastic to do stuff and at night she spent most of her time before bed going over the martial arts that Mori was teaching her.
Speaking of Mori… She had a bone to pick with him.
She wanted to smack him when she heard he rejected Ruby's offer to be punchbowl buddies, but then when he said it was for a mission she calmed down, then that urge to smack him came back with a vengeance when she heard his reason for wanting to go.
Yang herself really didn't mind his reason for going so he could get stronger, it was a bit selfish sure but, she had heard worse reasons like money and fame.
Ruby on the other hand took it a bit worse, even though she didn't say it.
Which was the real reason why she was mad at him.
HE'S THE REASON WHY RUBY WAS IN HER FUNK.
NO ONE made her sister sad without paying for it.
So yeah, she had a bone to pick with him right now.
An awkward silence filled the air between the two as Yang glared at the target of her ire.
He was currently in a suit that for some reason just did not feel right on him.
"…So…how has the dance been going so far," Mori meekly asked looking to the side.
"It's been good," Yang frostily replied, "We've been having fun," Yang finished replied with some extra emphasis on the We part.
"That's good…" Mori responded, shuffling his feet and looking down in guilt, "You look pretty in that dress."
Of course, she did, she looked pretty in everything, flattery though wasn't going to help him get out of this one.
"So, do you have anything to say?" Yang curtly asked.
"…I'm sorry?"
"Sorry for what?"
"I'm going to be honest, I'm not quite sure."
Yang could only sigh in exasperation, of course, he didn't understand.
"Mori, do you know how Ruby's been this week?"
"…No, not really?"
"She has been feeling really down."
"Just because I said I couldn't go to the dance with her?"
Yang sighed, "Mori, it's a bit more complicated than that…sit down."
The boy complied as he grabbed a chair.
"You know how our family consists of just me, my dad and Ruby right."
The boy nodded.
"Have you ever wondered why Ruby and I look so different?"
"Kind of, but I thought it was best to leave that alone."
"Well, the truth is Ruby, and I are only half-sisters, my birth Mom left me when I was born."
"…I'm sorry about that,"
"You don't need to apologize, that's not the part I want to talk about, I want to talk about my actual Mom, the one who gave birth to Ruby, Summer Rose."
"Is she the one with the white cape in your family photos?"
"Yup, she was awesome, a Super Mom, the kindest person who made the best cookies that and she was an awesome Huntress…she was Ruby's…no she was our hero."
Mori patiently looked as he waited for Yang to finish.
"One day, she just left on a mission and well…she never returned… it took a long time for our family to recover from that."
"You guys must have been very strong to overcome that," Mori sincerely replied.
Yang smiled, "Thank you, but the reason I'm telling you this is, remember how I told you how Mom was our hero?"
Mori nodded.
"Ruby all her life has wanted to be like Mom, an awesome hero who saves everyone, too her there was no one more amazing in this world…well until now."
Mori tilted his head in question, "I can't imagine there'd be someone she'd look up to as much as your Mom…who is it?"
"He's sitting right in front of me."
"Wait!" Mori shouted in shock, "Me?"
Yang nodded, "Yup… you, a random boy that she had only known for less than a year had become as much of a hero to Ruby as our Mom."
"But… why?" Mori questioned, "She's known plenty of strong people, heck even your Uncle Qrow would probably be a better example."
With his love of the bottle, Yang highly doubted that.
Yang shrugged, "I'm not sure why, it's just a Ruby thing, but to her, you are an amazing person who she now wants to emulate."
"I…I…I'm not as amazing as she thinks," Mori replied looking down sadly at the ground.
"Well that doesn't matter, the real reason why Ruby's been acting down is that you have been acting a lot like our mother before she disappeared."
"…What?"
"She doesn't notice it as much because she was too young when Summer left us so it's more of a feeling to her, but I see it."
"I don't know what you are talking about."
"Before she disappeared…Mom started to become too busy with missions, she always promised us that she'd be home quickly, and return home weeks later." Yang explained, "It seemed like being a Huntresses was all that she was doing and eventually…it consumed her."
"Yang I only left on one mission that doesn't mean I'm going to be going on missions all the time."
Yang sighed again holding the bridge of her nose.
"Yes, it was only one mission, but that's not what I'm talking about …you have something that you focus on above all else…Mori all you've cared about lately is getting stronger…and Ruby and me…well I guess everyone is concerned that your pursuit is only going to consume you…that it will take you away from us like how Summer got taken away."
"So… the reason why Ruby is feeling down is she feels like I'm going to disappear?"
Yang nodded.
Ruby was worried that he would abandon them just like how her own mom abandoned her when she was born.
"I…I'm not sure how to respond to that." He said while thinking about it"…I guess I am sorry for worrying you guys so much."
"Hey, me personally I like your attitude towards training, but I do think you should tone it down a bit, spend some time with us…you know people that care for you."
"I guess I should talk with Ruby huh?" He said rubbing his head in embarrassment, "Where she is?"
Yang looked around, ohhh that girl ditched, she was going to pay for that with some comic books confiscated.
"I don't know, she may be back in our room, though if I had to take a guess, I'd say check out your spot on the rooftop…she's been hanging out around there a lot."
"Ok, well I better go to her."
"Yup."
Just as Mori left Yang called out.
"Hey, Mori."
There was one more thing she needed to comment on.
"Yeah?" He asked turning around before leaving.
"That Monkey suit really doesn't fit you."
Mori paled with a sour look on his face.
"Yang…please never make that pun again." He begged.
…Pun? What Pun?
"And was that all you saw Miss?"
Ruby nodded as she finished explaining her story to General Ironwood from Atlas.
"Yup, I was just minding my own business just at the punch bowl when all of a sudden I saw this masked lady sneak into the CCT, I then decided to grab Crescent Rose and ended up fighting her inside the tower."
"…Your story checks out with the footage…That was very brave for you to do that young lady."
"Oh it's nothing just trying to do the right thing," Ruby then looked in concern over at the pile of unconscious guards "Are they ok?"
"They should be fine Miss Rose; at worst they will have a massive headache when they wake up."
"Oh, ok" Ruby responded, "Would you like my help in trying to find the intruder?"
"Oh no, you should be fine," The General replied with a smile, "My men should be able to track her down…why don't you go on back and enjoy yourself at the dance."
Ruby nodded as she made her way out of the CCT.
Instead of heading back to the Beacon Dance, she instead decided to just head back to her room.
She really wasn't feeling dancy and all that... Now, where did she fling those blasted lady stilts?
Finding her shoes, instead of subjecting herself back to their nefarious clutches, she decided to just go barefoot as she made her way back to her room.
The dance had been…fun, outside of her dying feet, it was good to see Blake finally relax, and Jaune was able to help Weiss as well. That was nice of him, he could have been the one to comfort Weiss but instead he got Neptune to do it.
A couple of minutes of walking later she finally reached the dorms, instead of going to bed though she instead decided to throw her shoes in the corner and head to the rooftop.
She wasn't feeling that tired.
Reaching her destination Ruby took a deep breath and started to go over the Renewal forms that Mori had been teaching her.
…She really missed him, it had only been a few days but still…
She didn't mind as much when he couldn't be her punchbowl buddy, that sinking feeling she had disappeared when he explained it was because he was going on a mission.
That was so cool! He was only a freshman and he was already going on Second Year Missions.
His reason for going, however…
There was something about it that bugged her…it sounded selfish, but…that didn't really fit who Mori was.
Still, without Mori here, life had been…normal, no pissed of Goodwitch, no pranked Weiss, No amazing feats that defied human logic…everything just made sense.
She had been so used to the strange that accompanied Mori that normal just felt…empty.
Sometimes it felt like he never existed like it was right that he was not here.
She really hated that feeling.
She hoped this feeling would never become permanent.
These last few days it felt like her only connection to him had been practicing renewal taekwondo.
It was the only enjoyable time for her lately, and it was also the closest she felt to him, sometimes she'd even feel like he was right there teaching her and correcting her.
It was the only time those feelings of normal were gone…and that felt right.
After going through her stances Ruby noticed how late it was.
"One more run-through," She thought to herself.
Getting into a stance Ruby decided to start with the most basic of the Renewal Techniques…the Round Kick.
"Your foot is too far back Ruby,"
Oh, there it was again, his whisperings of what she was doing wrong…though it seemed easier to hear…louder as well...wait…
Ruby quickly spun around as she realized that it wasn't whispers talking to her…IT WAS THE REAL THING!
"MORI!" Ruby shouted as she dove for a hug.
"Oof," Mori shouted as he collapsed to the ground.
"How long have you been back!" Ruby asked as she looked at him.
"I just got back about an hour ago, where were you? I tried to look for you at the dance hall, but you weren't there…by the way, I'd hide your comic books because Yang was muttering something about confiscating them."
Oh biscuits, Yang was not going to be happy that she ditched.
"I'm sorry," Ruby whined "I was off being an awesome huntress."
"…You got into trouble again didn't you?"
"No!" Ruby replied angrily with a pout, "…Well, I didn't start it."
"I highly doubt that."
"It's true," Ruby whined again, "I saw someone trying to sneak in the CCT and I had to stop them."
"Did you?"
"…I think, the guards are ok, and nothing appeared to be stolen."
"Well then," Mori responded with a smile, "Good job," He then gave her a pat to the head…it felt nice.
"So, how did the mission go?" Ruby asked, "Tell me everything!"
"Well…"
And with that, Mori recapped his story, Ruby's heart couldn't help but ache when she heard that Team CYSM were too late to save Lower Cairn, but when he described the rescue efforts it started to rise again, and then when she heard about his fight against that Grimm horde, it was like she was hearing a fairy tale from her childhood again."
"Mori that's so awesome!" She yelled, "You are like a fairy tale hero!"
At that, Mori gave a sad smile as he looked to the ground.
"Ruby…I'm not as amazing as you think…"
"What do you mean?" Ruby asked, "You were able to save everyone!"
There was something off with him, there was one part of the story that seemed to really affect him…the part with the Grey family.
"Mori?" Ruby asked, "Are you ok? I noticed that something about saving the Grey family seemed to bug you."
At that Mori chuckled, "I don't know how you do it, but you just have a way of being nosy and hitting the nail on the head, don't you?"
"Hey!" Ruby shouted as she pouted again, "Would you like to talk about it?" she said as her face softened.
"So, do you remember how I mentioned during the story that the Grey family's father was almost killed by an Ursa?"
Ruby nodded, "You were able to save him, though right?"
"…Yeah, I was…it was just…right as he was able to be eaten…his kids shouted in terror as they were about to watch him die, and…"
Ruby stayed silent as she waited for him to continue.
"…Ruby, there's only one feeling worse than having someone you love die …and that's watching someone you love die while you are unable…when you are powerless to stop it…Seeing those kids cry out for their dad…being unable to save him…"
Ruby's heart broke as she listened to Mori's feelings, she had an idea what he was talking about and it wasn't about the Grey family…it was his Grandfather.
She thought she knew how Mori felt when he mentioned losing him…after all, she knew the pain of losing a loved one as well.
But…it was so much worse for him, while Ruby's Mom never returned, Mori had to watch his Grandpa disappear in front of him.
She never knew about that part and she wasn't quite sure what she could do to help him.
Ruby wrapped her arms around her friend, in hopes that the warmth of a hug could make him feel better.
"I…I never knew," Ruby whispered as she let go, "It must have felt like you were reliving it."
"Ruby…I'm… I'm not as strong as you think I am…I…I…I can't save anyone that I care about."
Hearing that from him everything made sense, the look of worry on his face, his frantic urge to get stronger, the hours he spent on his craft, he didn't want to get stronger just for the fun of it.
"Who are you worried about losing now?" She asked as she looked him in the eyes.
"You…Yang, Weiss, Blake, Pyrrha, Jaune, Ren, Nora," He replied listing off the names of all their friends, "I'm worried that I'm not strong enough…that I will fail…that I will lose everything…again."
Ruby wasn't quite sure what she could say to him, she couldn't really say that he doesn't have to worry about losing them, being Huntsmen their lives were always in danger.
"Mori," Ruby whispered, "Thank you."
"…for what? All I've done is ditch you guys and make you feel worried about me."
She once again gave him another hug.
"Thank you for caring about us so much, that you would sacrifice your own time and health just to protect us."
It felt like an eternity before he spoke up again.
"I think I'm feeling better now Ruby, you could let go."
Releasing him from her hold she looked at him one more time to make sure he was ok.
"^You know Mori, I'm not sure if this helps, but to the Grey family you are probably the greatest hero ever to them…you are the reason that they can still be together."
It seemed like Ruby's words of encouragement seemed to work as Mori gave a small smile.
"Thanks, Rubes," He whispered before suddenly changing the subject, "By the way your Renewal Taekwondo is looking a lot better."
"Really!" Ruby excitedly replied with a huge smile, "I've been working hard on these forms trying to get them right."
"Yeah, it looks a lot cleaner and you look more comfortable with it." He said while smiling back.
The smile shared between the two stretched into a slightly awkward silence. Ruby instinctively trying to reach for her cloak to wrap herself in while Mori averted his eyes and scratched the side of his nose.
"Soooo..." The taller boy began, "Do you wanna practice together?"
Ruby nodded.
A minute after they started training Mori spoke up again,
"You know this reminds me of something."
"Yeah?"
"Anytime me and my grandpa were separated for long periods of time whenever we meet up again, we had a habit of using our renewal taekwondo techniques to recognize each other."
"that's weird Mori…you're weird."
"I don't want to hear that from the cookie addict."
They both chuckled as they finished ribbing each other.
"…Can I learn it?" Ruby asked after they finished laughing, "Learn how you and your Grandpa greeted each other."
Mori was silent as he thought about it.
"If you want to," He replied. "Here's how it goes," he said as he started to show Ruby his greeting."
Ruby followed suit as she attempted to copy Mori's moves.
It was a little hard at first, but she started to get a hang of it a couple of minutes in.
She'd lift her leg to strike as he raised his knee to block, then when he would kick with his other leg she would respond with her own block."
Standing still in just one spot, they went through kick after kick, strike after strike.
Once Mori was satisfied at their current speed, he would shift it to another level.
Faster and faster Ruby responded to Mori's movements as it started to become more natural to her.
Eventually, everything started to become a blur as she was able to respond to Mori's kicks and strikes with her own with ease.
As they continued, Ruby couldn't help but notice that their practice felt like a dance underneath the moonlight.
"Hmm, I wonder if this is what Professor Ozpin meant by saying dancing is just like combat."
TMT here again, sorry about last week it seemed like FFN was just having problems in general. If it ever happens again, do note that this story is also posted on AO3 and SpaceBattles under the same name so you can go there as well. Other than that I hope you enjoy the chapter and I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Darthwolf: They definitely don't think he's normal that's for sure.
Wizardwolf1020: It wasn't by the punchbowl but they did do their own thing for a while.
MisakaPhenix: It would be a bit too easy for him if he had his full powers back.
Miguel Castro: There really isn't any plans for Mori x Coco, that was just her gaining respect for him.
Resurrection99: Glad you like it.
Khonkywaza: It's something I try to do since you guys are kind enough to leave reviews for me. No the Wukong tale specifically does not exist in Remnant. As for borrowed powers we will see if they gain any.
RyB1: I think its something I can work on is better fight scenes, I'm glad you like it though despite it's weaknesses.
TheLost01: Yeah that really was a great scene.
Dxhologram: Yeah sorry about that, thank you for responding though I'm glad you liked the fight scene.
808joker808: I'm glad you liked the chapter, I hope you enjoyed how the dance went.
Alith2020: They do but they are brown.
akira-of-ashton: I too would love to see Mori smash Mubong's face.
Luke: I do have plans for the reveal, but they probably won't be for a while.
Draxustheprideful: Thank you, getting characters is important for me because the plot isn't that creative.
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