New Teacher 2

Chapter 3

Foreign Students and Flashbacks

I was sitting in Weapons Repair Class, high interested in the material. It was a class for all ages with different Years and levels. It was the first couple of weeks of classes and it was still a little weird to see people not only four years older, but some were eight years older, being 21 years old. I also shared the class with one of my teammates, May Campbell.

I was still a little awkward around my team, only being around each other for a couple of weeks. Our room was split in half, May and me on one side and Jack and Yori on the other, we took turns in the bathroom too.

I didn't care much about that stuff, but older teenagers were weird. It was a fighting school, that wasn't a concern for me. Though I didn't voice my opinion as the first time I did, Jack laughed, telling me I'd understand when I'm older. Which just made me mad, causing Jack to laugh at me some more.

May then split us up. She seemed like a peacekepper, able to stop us from fighting or arguing with a couple of well placed words.

Anyway, she was sitting next to me. May Cambell. She was in the uniform like I was, her lavender hair in a high ponytail. I then saw a wave out of the corner of my eye.

May asked. "Wasn't he one of the Seniors at Orientation?'"

It was a lazy wave directed at me and I saw it was Qrow. Just like us, he was wearing the uniform, but the male one. I smirked in amusement as I remember Taiyang saying he tricked Qrow into wearing a skirt. Knowing Qrow's anger at that if I brought it up, I smiled a bit and sent him a wave of my own.

We were waiting on the teacher, Professor Wilkers, a man in 50's with thinning white hair, light brown skin and eyes, round glasses usually perched on his nose.

Qrow nodded at May, telling me. "I didn't know you were in this class, Kid."

I felt my eyebrow twitch from the name. Being the youngest at Beacon was annoying. "Yeah, it'll be useful, never know when I'm gonna need it."

Qrow nodded again, sending me a small smirk. "Yeah, Summer's usually here, but she's running...late?" He looked toward the door with a confused look.

With those words, they burst open. "Ah! Professor! Sorry I'm-oh. He's not here yet. What a relief." She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, smiling.

Qrow waved a hand, calling out. "Hey, Summer! Look who I found."

She gave him a confused look, brightening when she saw me. "Hey, Riley. It's nice seeing you again." I automatically smiled back at seeing her grin, she seemed to have that power. Seeing May and Qrow also smile prove that. Professor Wilkers walked in then, causing them to scatter after another wave at me.

May whispered. "You know them pretty well?"

I shrugged. "Met them at Orientation. right before you saw them."

May whispered back. "Oh."

I focused back on Professor Wilkers, who called out. "Miss Gray, try to focus, please. If it interests you?"

I flushed bright red on my ears and neck. I tensed my shoulders to my ears and ducked my head. I could hear the class laughing at me. "Yes, sir." I don't what it was, but Professor Wilkers had it out for me.

I paid more attention to the class.

I was sitting on my desk, dressed in a button down shirt, my bandana, dark jeans and my jacket. I waved as the teens walked in, slumped over. I chuckled to myself as I realized they left Peter Port's classroom. I respected him and knew he was a excellent Huntsman, but he was a bit much and boastful for most. I knew these kids didn't want to hear 'old war stories'.

I said as they all settled down, grinning. "Okay...so how was your last class?"

My grin widened as I heard grumbles and dirty looks from Yang, Weiss and Nora. Pyrrha said, always the polite one. "It was fine, Professor."

I nodded, taking attendance and setting the Scroll down afterward. "Alright, as you know, the Vytal Festival is coming up and that's exciting for you First Years, but I don't want you to only work on your fighting skills, your written skill and knowledge can be just as important, if not more if the situation calls for it. So, for this class, I have a sheet of worksheets for situation you could find yourself in."

I expected the groans and ignored them, waiting for all them to get the papers. I got up, went to my chair and sat down, kicking my feet up to cross each other on the desk, my Scroll in hand. I didn't look up as I said. "You have 30 minutes to complete it and then we'll go over it. Begin." As much as I hated the paperwork part of being a teacher, it was neccesary and I understood that. I couldn't just have all my students being bull-headed and only using their brawns, even with those more inclined to them, like Yang or Nora. Ren, Pyrrha and Blake used their brains, but had skill to back it up. I saw the Initiation videos.

Ruby is highly skilled for her age, just as I was, but other than building upper strength, she had many things to learn too. Even Jaune who was poor in strength or overall skill, I could see the head he had on his shoulders. With proper learning, who can use that to an advantage, even if he didn't get much stronger physically. After all, foot soldiers are easy to find, but strategist are much reviered.

Shaking my head as the alarm my Scroll was set to, I shook my head again, calling out. "Five minutes left." I smirked as the pencils got faster.

As the time ended, I collected the papers, arching an eyebrow at some of the answers. Interesting.

I tossed them on the desk, leaning on it. "So, was it hard? Easy?" Blake and Ren looked calm along with Weiss. Ruby was looking nervously at the stack on my desk, looking like she wanted to change the answers. Jaune looking much the same as her. Yang and Nora looked to have excess energy.

I picked up a blank sheet, reading off the question I wrote up. "If you are stranded in the woods away from your team with only your weapon and no food or first aid, what do you do?"

I randomly grabbed a test. Yang Xiao Long. "Look for them and kill any Grimm that get in your way."

I nodded, seemed like a Yang anwser. "You should always look for your team, which doesn't have to be your Beacon team, you have better chances with them than without. But, try to avoid trouble. Negativity and Grimm go hand and hand."

I went over the test questions, calling out a answer or two from the tests and going over.

What was interesting was how distracted Team RWBY seemed to be. Ignoring them for now, I decided to watch out for them. If not mine, at least for Qrow and Taiyang's sake.

I dismissed them, jumping a little at the ping from my Scroll. I saw it was from Ironwood, telling me to come to Ozpin's office. Rolling my eyes, I did after I finished my classes. I walked down to his office, listening to the ticking clocks the closer I got. I knocked sharply on the door. I heard a come in from Goodwich, and I pushed open the door.

Ironwood, Ozpin and Goodwitch were in the room. Glenda was standing beside Ozpin and Ironwood was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed. I nodded my head with a smile. "Oz. Glenda. General Jamie."

Ozpin arched an eyebrow which Glenda let out a deep sigh. Jamie rolled his eyes at me. "Honestly, Riley?"

I raised my eyebrow at him. "Sorry, how about we talk about how you let someone steal your Paladin and had First Year Beacon Academy students stop it, still not recovering the robot." I knew him bringing these weapons were not the best idea. I know the need for weapons, but don't tell the public.

As I spoke, Ironwood's eyes narrowed further and further into a sharp glare, his face flushing slightly from anger. "It's not that easy and you know it. We're already taking measures to make sure it doesn't happen again."

I sent him a amused look. "Uh-huh."

Ironwood's brow furrowed. "You truly don't understand with being on your own-"

I scoffed. "Oh, really? I don't understand? What, that we have to clean up your messes?"

"Riley! I swear-"

"Alright, that's enough!" Goodwitch moved closer.

We were standing about ten feet apart before, but now without realizing it, we were only about a couple feet apart. I didn't have a problem with the General, but with the way we did things, me and Jamie didn't see eye to eye. I didn't hate him or anything, but we didn't agree. Me and Qrow seemed to have the same view. Believe it or not, Taiyang would play peacemaker, with his easy going personality. It was just, with the General, I always felt I had to pick at him, knowing one of us would be arguing by the end of the day.

Goodwitch turned to look at both of us. At Ironwood's glare and slight flush or me with my own glare and scowl, my body tense. She turned to Ironwood. "James, you know she's right in regard to your Paladin. You should have been more careful. People could have been hurt."

Ironwood frowned deeply. "I'm aware of that. Riley the one who can't see reason."

I made a slight face at him, smug. "As you can see, Glenda, here sees my side-" I yelped sightly, backing up as the riding crop was slapped in front of me. I stared at Glenda in alarm. It's been awhile since she's done that. My last years at Beacon when me and my team gotten into some trouble is an example.

"And you Riley don't need to be instigating any problems. Seriously, what have your words accomplished? Except an argument?"

I rolled my eyes. "I said my piece at Jamie's lax judgement."

Ironwood sent me a warning look. "Riley-"

My eyebrows went up. "What, like you can't see-"

I jumped back again as Goodwitch swung her crop again between us. I noticed Ironwood back up a step. I barked. "Knock that off!"

"Then don't argue! Honestly, we're all adults here and it's childish behavior. Even worse than some of the students here."

Ironwood shook his head, still sending me a glare and I shooting him the same one back. "Glenda-"

"Don't 'Glenda' me, James. Until you both can be respectful, you don't need to speak to each other at all."

I felt my ears and face burning hot. Just like Ozpin when I skipped out on teaching. She was scolding me like a child. I was 33 years old. Ironwood seemed to get that at the same time, his usual stoic face turning embarrassed. I'd be mocking him for it if not for me feeling the same thing and Glenda's wrath. I knew personally it was a dangerous thing.

Ironwood nodded. "Very well."

I raised my hands with a sheepish smile. "Alright. Fine." I admit, most of the anger other than his carelessness was the worry my young students had to do that in the first place.

After that, Ozpin sent us both a gentle smile, coming to the topic at hand. "Back on the top of our defenses..."

We spent some time talking with each other, until it was late. I went back in my room when it was over, waving them off. All that talking was exhausting.

The next day, I walked over to the training arena (I didn't have any classes to teach at the time). I knew the First Years were fighting right now. I smiled to myself as I saw that Pyrrha was fighting Cardin Winchester and his team. It was a proud smile. She held them all off with a shield and her javalin. Even not seeing her in person fighting, I could see the reasons for her wins and reputation.

I stood at the top of the seating, away from the students (though I did get a couple of glances). Pyrrha knocked and defeated them with gunfire, blocks and jabs from her weapon. I watched as she did the final move, knocking Cardin away and causing him to crash to the floor. I nodded to myself.

I saw Glenda walking over when it finished (reminding me this was her class). "That is the match."

Cardin gronaed, falling over. "Lucky shot."

I scoffed to myself. Yeah, right.

Goodwitch said. "Well done, Miss Nikos. You should have no problem qualifying for the tournament."

Pyrrha blinked, giving her a respectful nod. "Thank you, Professor."

Glenda looked through her Scroll. "Alright, I know that's a tough act to follow, but we have time for one more sparring match. Any volunteers?"

I looked down in interest, wonder who would volunteer. If no one did, like a true teacher, Glenda would call on someone. Most likely someone who didn't want to.

I was right as she said. "Miss Belladona, you've been rather docile these past few classes. Why don't you-"

"I'll do it." I watched the raised hand with narrowed eyes (though amused someone interrupted Goodwitch, that was bound to annoy her). He was a boy around their age, maybe a year or two older. He had a gray sceme, with gray hair with longish bangs. I believed he was one of the students that came from another school.

Glenda stared at him for a moment, fixing her glasses. "Mercury, is it? Very well, let's find you an oponent."

"Actually...I want to fight...her." I frowned as he pointed at Pyrrha. He was pointing at my student. I blinked as the angry thought hit my brain. I wasn't that overprotective (no matter what Taiyang said).

Pyrrha blinked in surprise. "Me?"

"I'm afraid Miss Nikos has just finished a match. I recommend you choose another partner." I could hear the reproach in her tone, I knew it well.

Pyrrha spoke up quickly. "No, it fine! I'd be happy to oblige."

I frowned deeply as I watched, glaring at 'Mercury's' back. Even if I wasn't well versed with what was socially correct these days, even I know demanding a fight at someone else's school while they just fought (off a whole team to boot) was disrespectful. I watched as he went down and faced her. I crossed my arms over my chest, leaning against the wall.

Mercury ran forward, slamming his foot forward into her shield with a considerable amount of power. He ducked the swing of her javalin. Jumping and rolling to his feet.

Pyrrha ran forward, striking him with shield and weapon, his blocking with his legs and feet, before he was thrown back. I looked at his feet, seeing some type of strong footwear, most likely his weapon as I didn't see him use his arms.

I glanced down as I saw Ruby talking to a girl with brown skin and green hair. She looked a little annoyed. She was another student who didn't go here? Was she on her own or with Mercury?

Mercury went forward quickly, kicking sharply at her which she ducked, having to roll away. She blocked his attacks until one knocked her weapon away, forcing her to back up, blocking with her arm, but he swung forward, knocking her weapon to the ground.

Seeing an opening, he attacked with his legs. Suddenly she knocked him away, causing him to spin on his back, landing on one knee. She ran at him, causing him to shoot off her shield and do a backflip, landing in a crouch.

So, he uses Dust? Which wasn't rare, most people did. I did with my weapon, so did Qrow. Taiyang too. Even Raven's been known of using it, even if she rather have her sword.

Mercury suddenly stopped. "I forfit."

Like the honorable fighter she was, Pyrrha stopped herself from attacking him. "You what? You don't even want to try?"

"What's the point? You're a world renounced fighter. We're obviously leagues apart."

I scowled down at the boy. I didn't like that, I didn't like that at all. It was highly suspisious. To start a fight and then forfit. It made no sense, but it was making me uneasy. It set off my instincts. Working in the field as I did, I always listened to my instincts.

Glenda said. "In that case, Pyrrha Nikos is the victor of the match again. Next time you may want to think a little harder before choosing an oponent."

The winner of the match watched with narrowed eyes and I watched him raise a hand, walking away. "I'll be sure to do that."

I jumped slightly at the loud noise, showing the end of this class. Glenda said. "That is the end for today. Remember that the dance is this weekend, but you all have your first mission on Monday. I will not accept any excuses."

As they left, I watched Team RWBY and JNPR leave along with the other students. "Hello, Prof!"

I blinked once I saw it was me and not Glenda they were talking to. It was Yang, who was grinning and sending me a wave. I smiled back, giving a shorter wave of my own. "Hey, kids." Smiling inwardly at the disgruntled looks (now I know why others did it to me), I stood up, stretching my shoulders. "Good match, right?"

Ruby grinned brightly at me. "Yeah, Pyrrha is amazing!" Said girl was coming up to them.

The others agreed with her in their owns ways, Yang laughing as she threw her arms over her sister's shoulders. I said, looking over their shoulders at Glenda, wanting to speak to her before the next class. "Yeah, well any of you could succeed, you're my students and you're strong, even if you are a bit young."

I heard a gasp and looked over. Ruby was staring at me in awe, Weiss and Blake looked to be smiling slightly, their faces flushing a little. Ren give me a polite and respectful nod. I got broad grins from Nora and Yang.

I realized what I said, flushing up to my ears, embarrassed.

Nora said. "You got that right, Teach!"

I chuckled awkwardly, walking past my students and over to Glenda. "See you all in class!" I got various goodbyes from the two teams. With all of them, but Yang and Nora calling me 'Professor' and them calling me 'Prof' and 'Teach'. I smiled fondly, not realizing how fond I was getting with my students. They were good kids.

Soon, it was just me and Glenda (who obviously noticed me when I first showed up. She wouldn't be a Huntress if she didn't) in the arena like room. She nodded at me. "Riley."

I smiled in her direction, coming down and standing beside her. "Glenda. Interesting match."

Glenda sent me a look. "As if I didn't see your proud gaze all the way in the stands." I swear I saw a smirk.

I felt my face flush again, changing the subject. "Who was the cocky outsider?"

Glenda arched an eyebrow. "You are aware you're not supposed to call them that."

I shrugged with a snort. "When have I been politically correct?"

Glenda rolled her eyes at me. "That's unfortunately true. I believe that was Mercury Black, he comes from one of the other schools."

I frowned, glaring at the door. "I don't like him or this. Letting outsiders in Beacon and Vale at a time like this. I might not agree with Jamie, but I understand his caution."

"Yes, but Professor Ozpin believes everything should continue as planned."

I nodded. "Yeah, I know and I trust Oz, I do. I don't know, just don't like it."

"We're keeping an eye out on everyone, especially ones that are suspicious."

I rubbed the back of my head. "Yeah, yeah. I know."

I was talking with Taiyang, who I believed was going through 'Empty Nest Syndrom', even if he would deny it. After classes and showering, I got a call from Taiyang. I was making pasta and propped up my Scroll so I could do both. He was telling about his classes and how one of the kids actually winded up throwing up in the middle of class. I snorted out a laugh, stirring the pasta in the pot.

"Riley, do you still not know how to cook?"

I turned to send him a glare. "Tai, I can cook!"

His look was dry. "Anything other than canned food, pasta or sandwiches."

I shrugged at him. "It's all I need to know how to make."

His groan was loud. "You're just as bad as Qrow! I swear!"

I smirked, putting the noodles in a strainer. I teased. "You make that sound like a bad thing."

Taiyang whined. "Riles! You have to come to Patch and eat some real food."

I leaned against the counter. "Sounds like an idea when I'm not busy, like with the Vytal Festival coming."

Taiyang leaned back in his chair, grinning to himself. "Ah, I remember my first Festival."

I chuckled at the memory. "Yeah, me too."

"You would, you were the smallest one there fighting."

I sent him an annoyed glare. "Shut up!" Taiyang roared with laughter, rocking back in his chair. At my growl, he let out a cry, falling out of his chair with flailing limbing, crashing to the floor with a groan. It was my time to burst into laughter as he struggled to his feet.

He sat back down, sending me a huffy glare. "Quiet, you." I just sent him a satisfied smirk.

We were talking and I brought up the meeting up with Jamie, Glenda and Ozpin. As cheerful as Taiyang usually was, I was annoyed to see his disapointed look. Something he no doubt got better at by being a father (though a look he had before Yang was born). "Riley, you real need to stop pissing off Ironwood."

I threw my arms up. "He started it! It was his fault."

He arched a blond eyebrow. "'Really? You're goin' with that?"

"C'mon-"

Taiyang said. "You know it's not helping."

I waved a hand. "Qrow does it all the time."

Taiyang smirked. "And you think I don't yell at him for it?"

I conceded to that, know Taiyang and imagining Qrow's reaction to being scolded.

I sighed, realizing his point. "Yeah, yeah. I'll try to be more patient."

He sent me a blinding smile. "Thank you."

I've been taking the Weapons Repair for a couple months now. I actually had a lot of long talks with Qrow and Summer on different types of weapons. May too, but May took the class for being prepared. Me, Qrow and Summer had a passion for it, excitement for using weapons and different types of them.

It actually caused me and Qrow to argue on different ideas sometimes. We drove both of our teams crazy causing Raven to get annoyed and smack the both of us. I believe Qrow does it sometimes just to annoy his sister.

Anyway, Professor Wilkers kept on getting on my case. Every little thing I did seemed to have him scolding me and it was driving me crazy. Eventually, everyone else noticed and Qrow asked. "What did you do to him?"

Frustrated, I told him. "Nothing! The dude hates me!" Annoying enough, Qrow laughed at me.

It was also annoying for the bullies I shared with that class and that they noticed.

Well, one day I was sitting in detention for some small mistake and then arguing about it. Qrow, Summer and May sent me pitying looks, but angry, I ignored them.

I was sitting and glaring at his bend head, as he was grading some papers. He looked up and frowned at me. "Miss Gray, is there a problem?"

Angry with him, I snapped. "Yes! Why do you keep picking on me? Is it because I'm younger than everyone else?"

He said bluntly, fixing his glasses. "Yes."

I yelled. "Well, then knock it off."

He said in a hard tone. "Miss Gray! Sit down!"

I glared at him, slumping down in my seat. "Fine."

"You are young, youngest this school has ever seen and will ever see at 13 years old. You will have many against you and have to be the best." His sudden intense look was aimed at me and causing me to squirm in my seat. I was a young kid at the time. "Unless you being here is a mistake."

That killed my quiet. "I am! I'm just as good any of the First Years."

He sent me a look and a smile, more teeth than lips. "Than prove it."

I don't know if Wilkers behavior was too extreme or not, but his push did help me get better faster, further my love of different weapons.

Even if I always held a little resentment for him singling me out.