Just FYI I have no idea how Lien works. So I went online and found someones theory on it. So that's what I'm going with. Also, sorry it took me so long to update. This is also my first time making an entire chapter without any guide from the actual show so... I hope it's okay? I hope you enjoy it. (Also, I'm having a little trouble incorporating everyone and keeping them in character so I hope I haven't messed up anyone's personality.

Chapter Seven

Sparring

'BEEP BEEEP BEEP BEEEP BEEP' The loudest alarm I've ever heard sounds out from it's place on our work desk.

"What the fuck!?" I jump awake in alarm before wincing and covering my ears. I hear a shout of pain from the bunk above me. In between beeps, I hear Arnold start to whimper.

… Like a dog.

Moving to silence the fucking noise maker, I curse as I get my limbs tied in my blankets. Shouting as I fall to the floor, I find myself unable to free myself from the blankets of doom.

"TURN IT-" 'BEEP' "-OFF!" Arnold shouts at me in a strange tone.

I ignore the pain in my still sore body as I wiggle in a futile attempt to free myself. "I'm... trying!"

A few more useless flailing occurs before I shout in frustration. Turning on my stomach, I move myself like a caterpillar to get to the damn alarm. Once I reach the table, I move around in the blanket before managing to free one single arm. Reaching up for the alarm, I groan in frustration when I see that I can't reach it.

"FUCK!" Reaching for the alarms cord, I yank as hard as I can. One tug later and the infernal beeping stops. Though that isn't the end of the noise...

Other than the sounds of Arnold's whimpers, I also hear very loud knocking. "What's going on in there!?"

Arnold groans and I roll in my position on the floor to see him glare in the direction of the door before taking in my trapped appearance. Sighing to himself, he climbs down the bunk ladder and goes to open the door.

When the door opens, I see Teams RWBY and JNPR still in their pajamas. Weiss looks to be extremely annoyed, Ruby and Yang look more curious than anything and Blake looks like she's in tremendous pain.

'Oh shit... Faunus hearing... No wonder Arnold was whimpering.'

…

'Stop staring at her legs goddammit! Look elsewhere!'

Moving on to Team JNPR, and ignoring the new heat on my face, they seemed less effected by the noise. Though notably Jaune looked like he was about to fall back asleep and Pyrrha was just looking at me in concern.

"What was that noise?!" Weiss says hotly.

Arnold winces again. "That would have been our alarm Ms. Schnee. I set it to max setting before bed and-" He turns to glare at the offending object next to me. "-I was unaware of the fact that it was so loud."

Weiss simmers down a bit as Arnold rubs his ears and Pyrrha pick that moment to speak. "Are you... alright." She says to me.

I give a tired smile. "My ears hate me but... yeah. I'm alright. Just pathetically trapped in my blankets but... whatever."

I hear Ruby and Yang start to giggle. "You look like a Burrito." Ruby says with a smile.

I give her a mock glare. "Duh, that's the point of a blanket burrito. Well... that and being very comfortable."

Arnold fold his arms before giving me a coy smile. "And the lack of maneuverability evidently."

I turn my mock glare to Arnold. "Oh Ha-ha." Maneuvering again, I finally have enough sense to roll to unwrap myself from my comfy prison. Finally free, I stand with a smile...

Which immediately becomes a grimace. 'Why the fuck am I still so sore?'

Trying to ignore the pain, I give the Teams an apologetic look. "Sorry if we woke you guys up."

Weiss turns her still annoyed gaze to me before she sighs. "I suppose it's fine. I was about to get up anyway."

Blake however still looks annoyed. "Just turn it down please.", she says flatly.

Nodding, I crouch down and pick up the noise maker. Standing again, I give everyone a smile. "We'll deal with it."

Blake seems satisfied and nods before trying to quietly rub her bow. An action which significance is not lost on me. Surprisingly, I see Arnold raise an eyebrow before understanding dawns in his eyes.

'Oh, shit. Don't you dare say anything about her being a faunus! It's not time yet!'

Suddenly, the sound of a stomach growling gets everyone's attention and we turn to the source. A very sheepish Ruby poking her index fingers together. Hilariously, another stomach groans as if in response and the source is none other than Weiss Schnee who has started blushing for some reason.

"I... think we might be hungry." Ruby says with a sheepish smile.

My stomach also sounds in response and I laugh. "Yeah, I think we should probably head to breakfast before our stomachs rebel against us."

Suddenly, Nora jumps in the air and shouts. "Last ones a rotten egg!" Before she can charge however, she is suddenly stopped by Ren who grabs her arm.

"Perhaps we should change first?" He says before sighing as Nora gives him a boop on the nose in response. Team JNPR soon makes a move to return to their dorm. However, Pyrrha does have to guide Jaune's half-asleep form back.

For some reason, only now do Team RWBY realize their state of dress and Weiss gets as red as a tomato. Wordlessly she turns and marches quickly back to her dorm. Ruby continues to look sheepish for several seconds before turning suddenly and pointing.

"To the dorm!", she suddenly shouts before running away. I watch as Blake turns to follow, though she doesn't seem to be in any hurry. Trying my best not to stare as she leaves my sight, I try to ignore the rising heat in my face.

Only one person still stands in the hallway. Yang is standing there with her arms crossed and a very amused look on her face...

...And she's looking right at me.

"See something you liked?" She teases, before laughing at my panicked expression.

I try to sputter out a response. "I- I didn't-"

"You are not subtle." Arnold says with a laugh.

'Not you too!'

My face as red as it will probably ever be, I turn quickly and grab my school clothes off the desk. Because I fully intend to flee to the bathroom until this awkward situation passes.

LINEBREAK

Moving through the line, I grab the usual breakfast items. Bacon, ham and eggs. I do deviate from the norm slightly though and grab myself an apple.

'I have no idea why these taste so fresh here and I don't think I care.'

Moving to my table, I find myself passing Team CFVY, Velvets team. I have to force down another fan-boy moment as I pass Velvet, Coco, Fox and Yatsuhashi. Instead I give them a polite smile and nod as I pass.

Taking my usual seat across from Arnold, I roll my eyes as I see him devouring his ham like it's prey. Looking down to my plate, I sigh in contentment after taking a quick bite of my apple and take in the sight of the mostly empty mess hall.

"Hey watch it!" I hear from the entrance before a laughing Cardin makes his way through the cafeteria, his cronies following behind him. Looking back outside, I can see a random girl with bear ears on the ground rubbing her arms as her emerald eyes glare daggers at Cardin through her brown locks. I see a girl approach her and offer her a hand and she swipes it away with a growl. "Leave me be human!" I feel a chill down my spine as she stands and moves her way to get breakfast, glaring at as many of us as possible.

… Correction, the humans in the room. Myself included.

'This is so messed up. Even in Beacon... things are still this bad between humans and faunus?'

Turning to my companions, I see similar looks of pity on their faces. Except for Weiss and Blake, who seems to have a haunted look in their eyes as they watch the girl. Turning to look back at said girl, I watch as she goes to sit next to a group of three faunus. All of them giving Cardin venomous looks.

'Well... that just happened." Yang says with a grimace.

"Indeed it did." Arnold says before looking somberly at his food. "It seems hate festers even here."

Staring at my friend wordlessly, I'm aware of the sounds approaching the mess hall.

It looks like the rest of Beacon is finally awake.

LINEBREAK

The rest of the day was a typical day at Beacon and I soon found myself in Glynda's sparring class next to Arnold and Teams RWBY and JNPR. The incident from this morning was long out of my mind, replaced by notes and assignments.

And homework... lots and lots of homework...

Regardless, at the moment I watched Glynda scan the room from her position on the auditoriums stage. She types something into her scroll and two of the auditoriums screens light up. Looking back up, she pushes up her glasses before speaking.

"For most of you today will be your first real experience sparring against one another in a tournament styled match. The rules are as follows..." Glynda points to the screens. "The algorithm will randomly select two of the students present. When chosen, you will retrieve your equipment from your lockers and return to the stage. When the match begins, your Aura will be displayed on the screens above-" Glynda then holds up her scroll. "-as well as your scrolls. Do try to get into the habit of checking your aura during the matches." Letting her arms rest, she continues. "When one or both combatants aura falls in the red, I will call the match. Use whatever skills and weapons you have at your disposal to claim victory. Now... lets begin."

Pressing her scroll again, I watch as all the faces in my class zoom down the screen like a slot machine. Feeling the dread rising in my stomach, I tried again to ignore my still sore body.

'Okay writer... I read ALOT of fanfictions in my time. The OC ALWAYS gets paired to fight Yang... So here's the thing... I don't wanna die. So can you do me a huge fucking favor and NOT make me fight Yang?'

Watching the screens, I see the one on the left slow down and stop on Arnold's student ID. Watching the screen on the right, I see the image stop on Ruby's pic.

'… Oh Arnold, ye will be missed.'

Seeing the results Glynda looks up from her scroll. "Mr. Campbell, Ms. Rose- would you please retrieve your equipment for your first match."

Ruby practically flies off to the lockers and I watch as the rose petals she leaves behind lands all over the place and I find myself having to brush petals off my shoulders. I hear sounds of annoyance as several classmates (and Weiss) have to do the same.

Turning to look at my partner, I raise up a fist. "Good luck man."

Arnold looks less than enthused, but bumps my fist anyway with a quick smile. "I may need it. Ms. Rose has a very big scythe..."

"You'll be fine." Pyrrha assures with a smile."Just do your best and the rest will fall into place."

"Yeah!" Yang says with a smile. "And it's not like my sister's gonna kill you or anything!"

Standing, Arnold nods to us before leaving.

Several seconds pass, and when Arnold leaves the room, Nora suddenly leans over to look at everyone. "OK! Take your bets Teams! Who will win! Pot starts at Ten Lien!"

'...Is she kidding?'

Ren sighs before shrugging at my questioning stare.

'Oh my god she's not kidding.'

Weiss looks insulted. "Are you implying we should gamble on our own Teammates chances of victory?" Nora ticks her head to the side and nods.

"Yep!"

Weiss goes straight faced and much to my surprise, hands a blue card looking thing to Nora. "Ten Lien on Ruby."

"Ah... No fair Ice Queen!" Yang says before dramatically pouting.

Weiss looks offended. "Ice Queen!?"

"We have ten on Ruby! Step right up! Anymore bets?" Nora says before leaning on Ren. "Ren? Wanna bet?"

Ren doesn't miss a beat. "I'd rather not."

Nora frowns. "Fine Spoilsport!" Turning her gaze on me, she leans over with a smile. "Toby! Wanna bet! He is your partner after all!"

'Even if I could... I'm not sure it would be wise to vote AGAINST Ruby when money is involved. But that IS my partner... Why am I even thinking about this? I'm broke. Not a single penny to my name.'

…

'Oh hell, now I'm depressed.'

"I don't... have any Lien. So I couldn't even if I wanted to."

Nora grumbles before Yang leans over and tosses a similar card looking thing to Nora. "Fine! Ten Lien on Arnold! Lets go Ice Queen!"

"I still disagree with the nickname 'Ice Queen'!"

"I don't know." Jaune says with a smile. "I think it kinda fits."

Weiss glares at Jaune. "Shut it 'vomit boy'."

Jaune looks appalled. "Wha?- Who told you about that!?"

I hear Yang laugh nervously before clearing her throat.

Jaune turns his gaze on Yang. "Yang?! How could you?!"

Yang leans back slightly and waves her arms frantically while smiling sheepishly. "It just sorta slipped out?"

"How does that 'sorta slip out'?!" Jaune cries out in response.

I see Pyrrha lean around him with a confused look on her face. "Vomit boy?"

Jaune instantly looks panicked and turns on Pyrrha. "Oh! Ha- ha... Nothing, it's nothing! Nothing to concern yourself with! Nothing!"

I can't stop myself from laughing.

Jaune turns his gaze on me. "Toby! Not you too! Wait... How did you hear about that name!?" Jaune turns to glare at Yang who holds up her hands in innocence.

"Wasn't me this time."

"Then how?!"

'Well one, I've seen episode one... and two...'

I cross my arms with a smile. "Ruby pointed you out to me before we met as... 'That guy who threw up on the ship!' or... something like that."

Pyrrha giggled slightly before giving him an understanding smile. "Airsickness?"

Jaune blushes before looking anywhere but at any of us. "Um... y-yeah."

Nora suddenly speaks. "Shh! Guys! They're on stage!"

All talking stopped and I along with my friends, turn to see Arnold and Ruby dressed in their combat gear. Glynda looks down and types something in her scroll before stepping off the stage and turning to watch the combatants.

"Begin!"

Ruby starts first, disappearing in a cloud of rose petals too fast for me to follow. Arnold in response, morphs his Duel Knives together to form an SMG before firing into the approaching rose petals. Ruby stops, now almost halfway to Arnold, and dashes to the side. She then zigzags the rest of the way to her target, all while Arnold tries in vain to shoot his incoming target. Right before Ruby attacks, Arnold quickly switches back to his Knives. Just in time too, as I watch him cross them just barely in time to block a slash from Crescent Rose. Sidestepping, Arnold releases his block Crescent Rose. I watchas the scythe falls downward and stabs into the ground, makes a slash towards Ruby. Expecting this, Ruby lifts herself off the ground and as Arnold slash hits air I see Ruby twirl around Crescent Rose's long handle and kick Arnold right in the face, who falls over and rolls back into a standing position. Looking at the screen, I see Arnold's Aura go down from 100% to 98%.

'Damn! Based on what I've seen Aura do... How hard did she kick him?'

Smirking Arnold charges again at Ruby, however I see him sheathe his left Knife.

'What is he doing?'

Arnold holds his left hand out toward Ruby as well as slash his remaining knife at Ruby's torso. Ruby smirks, before beginning to dodge.

But then I see her eyes go wide when she realizes she can't move... and I feel myself smile.

'That clever...'

The slash connects and I hear Ruby cry in slight pain as her Aura goes from 100% to 95%. However, Arnold releases his hold after that and Ruby jumps back warily.

"Why did Ruby just let him hit her?" Weiss asked with a puzzled look on her face. "That slash was sloppy. There was no form to it at all. A child could have dodged it."

I let myself chuckle. "She didn't."

Both Teams turn to look at me. "What do you mean?" Weiss asks.

"You just saw Arnold's Semblance. He can put things in some kinda stasis. Though for how long changes based on whatever it is he's freezing."

Weiss's eyes widen before she groans.

Yang laughs. "Yeah! Take that Ice Queen!"

"Stop calling me Ice Queen!"

Looking back at the stage, Ruby morphs Crescent Rose into it's sniper form. Arnold charges, before raising his arm again and I see Ruby fire right before she goes into stasis. The bullet sores and Arnold moves to avoid it...

Only for it to hit him directly in the chest anyway and as he falls to the ground, I look up and see his Aura go from 98% to 68%.

'Oh damn! That must hurt like hell!"

I feel myself wince and I hear Yang speak up. "Ow..."

'Indeed ow...'

Weiss laughs. "Get him Ruby!"

Ruby looks up at Weiss and gives the biggest smile I think I've ever seen.

'Oh look, they're finally really getting along!'

Arnold painfully stands with a grimace and I see Ruby give him a slight worried look. "Are you okay?"

Arnold chuckles. "As much as to be expected Ms. Rose. Now..." Arnold draws his second Knife. "Ready?"

Ruby nods before switching her scythe back to it's original form and I watch as they stare each other down. Ruby moves first, dashing and slashing at Arnold who barely dodges. His slashes in retaliation miss and soon they fall into a flurry of parry's and dodges as the sound of metal clangs reverberate through the room.

Once again, that feeling of displacement sounds in my mind as I watch them battle.

'Can I even keep up with this?'

"This is... intense." Jaune states. Turning to look, I see his face has turned a strange shade of green. This detail is not missed by Pyrrha who sends him a worried look.

Oblivious to Jaune's state of being, Weiss responds while continuing to watch the fight. "That's what happens when huntsmen clash."

Jaune gulps and I see him turn to look back at the fight. I hear a shout from the battle and turn to see that Ruby had finally gotten another solid hit in. Arnold's Aura was now at 50%. I watch as Arnold stands he shifts his knives back into an SMG and smirks. He throws out an arm and freezes Ruby in place before firing directly at her. Ruby grimaces as the bullets connect and I watch as her Aura slowly falls from 95% to 55%. However, because Arnold's bullets use Aura themselves, I also see his Aura fall down to 45%.

"Toby?" Ren asks.

Turning to look at him I raise a questioning eyebrow. "Yeah?"

"Are you informed as to why his Aura is falling despite taking no damage?"

"Oh yeah! Why is that happening?" Yang leans over to ask.

"Well... I don't know how-" I say before pausing. "But somehow his bullets are fused with his own Aura. Even when I had to use them back in the forest."

Weiss turns a puzzled gaze on me. "I've never heard of that before... Did he make them himself."

"I... think so?" I say unsure. "I think he may of mentioned something like that?"

The rain of bullets stop and when we turn our attention back to the fight, I see Arnold wiping sweat off his head and breathing hard. Ruby grimaces as she grasps her weapon and I swear I see the gears turning in her head.

Dashing to the side, she morphs Crescent Rose back into a sniper and fires as she runs. The bullet connects. Ruby repeats her action. And it hits again. Smirking, she uses her Semblance to run around Arnold non-stop as she disappears in a whirlwind of rose petals. Arnold's eyes widen and he tries to freeze her again as well as shoot into the petals...

But he can't find her.

Bullets fire from the whirlwind of petals. Each one hitting the mark, and it isn't long before I hear Glynda Goodwitch blow a whistle. "That's enough."

Looking up, I see Arnold's Aura is at 10% and in the red. Looking back down, I see Ruby run over to Arnold and offer him a hand up. I see him smile before accepting and I watch as she helps him up. Ms. Goodwitch returns to the stage. "As you can see, Ms. Rose adapted to her opponents Semblance and found a way to counteract it. Make sure to always keep your opponents Semblance in mind when in battle. Now..." Turning her gaze on Ruby and Arnold, she gives them a slight smile. "Good job you too. Go get changed and return to your seats."

Ruby and Arnold nod, before leaving talking amicably.

"Pay up!" I hear, and turn to see Yang begrudgingly mumbling as Nora handed 20 Lien to Weiss.

"Now..." We all turn to look back at Ms. Goodwitch. "We have time for one more match." Looking down at her scroll once again, I look up to the screens as she types. The screens spin student ID's once again and I watch as the first one stops on my face.

'Fuck...'

Turning my gaze to the other screen, I felt dread rising in my chest.

'Not Yang. Not Yang. Not Yang.'

The image stops on a familiar face.

Blake Belladonna

'… Oh fuck you author dick.'

Turning to look at Blake, who had been silent up to this point. She gives me a nod before standing and heading off. Sighing to myself, I stand as well and head to my locker.

LINEBREAK

Now dressed in my Dante ripoff clothes and equipped with Ebony, Ivory and Kira. I make my way up the stage where I am met with the sight of Blake dressed in her signature outfit holding Gambol Shroud.

'Why couldn't it have been someone easy, like Jaune? Or at least someone I hate, like Cardin?'

…

'This is gonna hurt.'

I see Glynda step off the stage again before looking up. "Begin!"

Putting a hand on Kira I watch Blake warily as she does the same.

'Okay... from what I remember from what I saw from the show and the MOUNTAINS of fanfics I read... She has some kinda... Shadow Clone thing. I also remember watching video clips of some of her fights online. If anything comes to mind... It's her reflexes and speed.'

A minute passes and neither of us have moved. Figuring Blake didn't want to make the first move, keeping my right hand on Kira I use my left to quickly draw Ebony and fire at Blake.

It's like a switch was flipped.

Blake is suddenly not even there. And I manage to draw Kira just in time to block a slash from Gamble Shroud. She slashes again and I just barley manage to block a second strike. The third hits me point blank and I grimace as I move to block a fourth strike. Deciding I need room, I jump back and fire Ebony as many times as possible.

… And then proceed to drop my jaw as I watch Blake FREAKING BLOCK FIRE BULLETS with Gambol Shroud.

"Shit." I so eloquently say before I have to block another slash from Gambol Shroud. Trying to go on the offensive, I slash back at Blake and feel annoyance when I see her block it with ease. She makes a slash for my face and I duck...

Only to immediately get kicked so hard, I fall to the ground. I see Blake pounce back as I painfully stand up. Pulling out my scroll, I look to see my Aura level.

'90% huh... Well...'

Remembering how Arnold and I took on the Mother Widow, I put up my scroll and sheathe Kira. Keeping an eye on Blake, I quickly draw Ivory and charge at her. I fire both pistols at her and watch as she blocks all of them.

ALMOST all of them. Just before I reach her, I fire several bullets from Ivory at her feet and I see her eyes widen as the Ice Dust freezes her to the floor.

'Jackpot...'

Jumping in the air, I take a page from Nero's DMC 4 moveset and dropkick Blake. I hear the ice shatter as she goes flying. I land on the ground with a grunt but I'm not done yet, pointing both Ebony and Ivory at Blake I fire to get as many hits in as possible as she struggles to block on her descent to the floor. When she lands, she rolls back into a standing position and throws Gambol Shroud keeping a hand on it's wire attachment. Before I can react, Gambol Shroud knocks Ivory out of my hand and I see it fly off the stage.

Right before the blade returns and strikes me on it's way back to it's master. I feel myself fall forward and put my hand out to stop my fall. I feel a tinge of irritation as my body surges in protest.

'Yeah, I know your still sore... But deal with it.'

Drawing Kira once again, I feel my eyes widen as Blake charges directly for me. Planning to meet her head on, I fire at her approaching form with Ebony. Despite the fact I see her blocking everything, I don't stop shooting.

"If she's having to block, she can't throw that thing again."

I keep shooting until, she gets to me and I block the incoming slash from Gambol Shroud. She slashes again and I block with Kira before pointing Ebony point blank and firing. She grunts in pain as the shot connects and she jumps back again. I fire again but only get out a few shots before I'm out of ammo. After blocking all of them, Blake throws Gambol Shroud at my gun again.

'Not this time.'

Quickly rolling out of the weapons path, I sheathe Kira and try to reload. Suddenly however, Blake is in front of me and she kicks me directly in the face again. I fall to the ground as her weapon returns to her and she slashes downward. Unable to reach Kira in time I block the strike with Ebony. She makes another slash and it hits my hand and I cry out in pain as I drop my last pistol. She makes another slash and I roll out of the way. Standing, my eyes widen when another kick connects with my chest and knocks me to the other end of the stage. Grunting on impact I feel my body shoot with pain as I get up to stand. Fishing out my scroll, I look down at my Aura Count.

'45%?! Son of a Bitch!' I feel a mix of frustration and anger which I try to keep down. 'This is just... a sparring match. No need to get so angry about it.'

Taking a calming breath, I unsheathe Kira and hold it ahead of me with two hands. Charging forward, I intend to try to bluff her into blocking my strike. Thankfully she does, and moves to block an incoming strike...

And then her eyes widen when I quickly shift Kira to it's shotgun form and dive away. Firing at my target, I watch as the bullet explodes on it's target. However, a form flies out of the blast and it lands to reveal Blake. Completely unharmed.

She dashes to me and slashes Kira out of my hand, and as it lands near my feet. Without missing a beat, Blake lets out a roundhouse kick and I once again find myself falling through the air. Landing once again in pain, I momentarily wonder if I should just stay on the floor at this rate.

'This is pathetic...'

I feel my eyes widen. 'The voice again?!'

'I didn't unlock your power to see you on the ground like a worm! How do you plan to change their fates like this! Stand up! Use your Semblance!'

'How!?'

'Tap into your emotions! What do you feel in this moment?!'

'What do I feel?'

…

'...I feel angry.'

'At what?!'

'Myself.'

'At what part of yourself!?'

'My weakness.'

'Then use it! Turn this match in your favor! Use what energy you have left to turn the tide!'

Feeling anger surging inside me, I stood up and turned to Blake. Seeing Kira out of reach I smirk at Blake before motioning her to come at me. "Come on Blake. Lets get this over with."

Smirking back Blake charges forward. I let my arm fall as she approaches for a slash. Then I let my anger flare. Time seems to slow around me once again as I raise my left hand and catch her arm. Time returns to normal and I see Blake's eyes widen. She makes eye contact and gasps for some reason. Smirking, time slows again as I feel what little Aura I had left falling. Wrapping my remaining hand around her torso, I spin myself around to pick up speed. And then I throw her across the stage as hard as possible.

Blake goes flying and time returns to normal as I run to Kira. Pulling back up, I fire another explosive round at my target.

And this one hits. I hear Blake cry in pain as the shot connects and I pull out my scroll.

'Toby... 19%... Blake... 40%'

…

'She's way out of my league... And I doubt I have enough Aura to use my Semblance again...'

...

'At least I somewhat managed to fight a match I can be proud of... but still...'

…

'How can I save Pyrrha at this rate.'

Putting up my scroll, I see Blake standing as she recovers from the blast. She gives me a wary look that shatters to one of confusion when I start laughing lightly.

"I don't have anymore tricks up my sleeve. Everything from now on is pretty much your match." Switching Kira back to a short sword, I give Blake a smile. "So lets go." Charging directly for her, she charges as well. Slashing our swords clash and I meet her blow for blow. Though every couple of swings she hits me, I keep at it and soon I start to feel myself becoming tired. My swings slow as well as my blocks and I am finally disarmed before one final slash across my torso ends the match.

Ms. Goodwitch blows the whistle as I fall to my knees. Feeling at my limit, I plan on just sitting here for a bit. I see someone get down on their knee's in front of me and I look up and see Blake giving me a slight smile. "How are you feeling?"

I laugh painfully. "Almost as bad as when I fought the Mother Widow. Girl you kick ass."

Blake laughs lightly. "You didn't do so bad yourself."

"Drat!' I suddenly hear Weiss cry out. When I turn to look, I see Ruby holding up Forty Lien. She then hands twenty to Yang and they high five happily.

'Really? They bet again?'

…

'Wait! That means Ruby bet AGAINST me! Not cool Little Red!'

Ms. Goodwitch returns to the stage as Blake helps me up and I find I have to lean on her for support.

"Sorry." I say trying to ignore the heat rising in my face.

"It's fine."

Ms Goodwitch types something in her scroll before looking up. "As you saw, Miss Belladonna was clearly the more experienced fighter. Though he lost, Mr. Lawliet was able to fight back by thinking on his feet and a clever use of his Semblance."

Turning to us Ms. Goodwitch takes our appearance with a smile. "You both did good. Go get changed and head to your next class." Turning to everyone else Glynda pushes up her glasses. "Class is over with five minutes to spare. I suggest you all hurry to your classes."

Forcing myself to stop leaning on Blake, my body surges in protest as I stand on my own. Turning and moving to retrieve Kira from it's place on the stage, my legs seem to groan with every step.

'I wonder if there will ever be a day I'm NOT sore or in pain?'

Picking up Kira, I sheathe the blade before turning to retrieve Ebony and Ivory. I'm surprised when I see Blake approaching with my pistols in hand. Handing them to me, I give her a thankful smile before I holster my guns.

"Thanks." I say continuing my smile.

Blake shakes her head. "Don't mention it." Turning around, she starts to head out off the stage.

'Oh hey! I wonder if she finished reading The Hobbit?'

Following her off the stage, I catch up to her with almost no time to spare.

"So hey Blake? You finish reading that book yet?"

Blake gives me a happy smile. "Yes! It was a great read! I was actually hoping to stop by the library, I've heard this one is a prequel and I'd like to read another."

I feel my smile grow. "When you do, would you mind if I came with? It's been awhile since I've read anything that wasn't textbooks."

I see Blake's bow twitch again and she gives me an amused smile. "Sure. I'll let you know when I have time."

Seeing we'd reached the different locker rooms, Blake turns to leave. "See you in class Toby."

I give her a friendly smile as I feel a strange excitement. "Yeah! See you later!"

Turning, I move into the male locker room where I left my school clothes and feel my smile grow.

'Okay, this fan-crush might have actually turned into a real crush.'

Moving to my locker, I am unable to keep the smile off my face as I changed back into my school clothes.

END OF CHAPTER SEVEN