Full Disclosure: I DO NOT own any of the RWBY characters from the canon show. They belong to Rooster Teeth and the late Monty Oum, may he rest in peace. Any characters you see here that aren't in the canon show are my OC's.
"Blah"= Spoken
'Blah'Thoughts
--Taiyang Xiao Long--
"Woah!" I exclaimed as I dodged a somewhat fast hook, courtesy of a newly fired-up Matthew. He tried hitting me with a jab and failed, as I dodged and countered by taking his extended arm and shifting my weight, throwing him over my shoulder. He landed on the floor of the combat room with a thud, and seeing him with sitting on the floor admittedly led to me beginning to relax.
That was a mistake.
He almost immediately retaliated, quickly spinning around while crouched to perform a low sweep kick--a move that caught me off guard, mostly because of the user.
Who'd have thought that he'd improve this much..?
I quickly backflipped away to avoid the low sweep kick and, after regaining my footing, charged at Matthew, who'd already stood up and entered a stance. I proceeded to launch my offensive, consisting of mostly jabs and hooks at first. Just to test the waters, really. Keep it at an easy level for the time being, then raise the difficulty later on.
'He's..doing surprisingly well. He's dodged every single punch I've thrown, plus he's been looking at all of them without flinching. Maybe some kind of muscle memory, or a subconscious memory in his mind in relation to fighting? If that's the case, then I guess he really does have a past in fighting..'
Seeing that Mathew was avoiding all of my punches, I decided to turn things up a bit speeding up the punches, though that wasn't all I had planned.
As I expected, Matthew was only having a little more difficulty seeing the punches, his eyes having difficulty darting from one punch to the next. His dodging, however, was still good. Very good, actually.
'But let's see how he handles this!'
I suddenly broke the pattern I'd been intentionally building in his mind as I threw a roundhouse towards his midsection, causing a noticeable look of surprise to appear on his face.
'How're you going to deal with this?' I thought, internally smiling in anticipation. I expected him to try and block it, and that was honestly the reaction I wanted out of him.
In response, Matthew--'...wait, huh?'
To my surprise, Matthew actually quickly put a hand on the leg quickly moving towards his midsection and flipped over it to the side, stumbling a bit on his landing but eventually regaining his footing.
Matthew paused for a bit, seemingly taken slightly aback by his reaction to my attack, standing still for a moment, looking at the palm of his open left hand with wide eyes.
'Guess I'll remind him not to daze off in the middle of a fight..!' I thought as I prepared to charge. With a push on the ground with my front leg, I sprinted towards Matthew, who immediately redirected his attention towards me after hearing me running towards him.
Unfortunately, he reacted too late, as I hit him square in the chest with a flying side kick, the impact not only making him let out a grunt of pain, but also sending halfway across the training arena.
As I watched Matthew let out a mixture of laughter and pained grunts, I let out a small chuckle.
'Did I go a little too far..?' I thought jokingly before walking towards Matthew.
"Ugh...really wish you guys would unlock my Aura already.." Matthew grumbled, struggling a bit to get up and eventually just opted to stay seated with a huff.
"No can do, man. Our mission's to train you to fight, not to become a Huntsman." I elaborated, Matthew sighing and drooping his head in response, "Aw, come on, don't be like that."
"No, it's not.." Matthew quickly replied, but went silent for a moment before running a hand through his messy black hair, with scattered strands of white...now that I think about it, why does he have strands of white hair? His eyebrows are black, and so's most of the hair on his head, but why the white strands? Is he stressed...?
"I was just...thinking, that's all.." He continued, pausing for a moment before exhaling, "..never mind. It's nothing important." He said before raising his head to look at me and smiling, "More importantly, isn't today a school day? Or are you trying to build a 'bad boy' rep by skipping class..?" He asked with a smug grin.
In response I just chuckled, but honestly...I was relieved. After what happened last night, I wasn't sure whether he'd bounce back at all. I was worried that Raven might've been right and that he'd broken emotionally.
But what Qrow said after he'd suddenly left, about a fire in his eyes..it gave me hope. Granted, I still had doubts in the back of my mind, but I refused to listen to them at the time, pinning all my hopes on whatever fire was newly lit within him.
And I have to say, I was damn right to do so.
The next thing I know, morning comes around and I wake up, before everyone, to find that Matthew hadn't come back since last night, admittedly leaving me in a state of worry.
With a very briefly written note stuck onto the side of my bed, I went on my way to look for the amnesiac, with the first place I checked being, as odd as it may sound, the cafeteria.
But hey, some people eat to drown the sadness away. That, or to drown stress. Either way, eating as a method for healing isn't exactly uncommon.
Unfortunately though, looking there resulted in failure, so I decided to check the only other place I had a feeling he'd be--the combat training room. Though, not without getting a few slices of toast, 2 for me, and 2 for Matthew, who I had a feeling didn't eat anything last night, nor this morning.
Eventually, I got to the combat training room, and hooray! Success!!
There he was, sprawled on the floor, sleeping in only a black t-shirt with some kind of emblem of the front, with the sleeves rolled up to his shoulders, revealing slightly toned muscles, and gray pants, with no shoes and only white socks.
At first, I was a little hesitant to wake him, since he just seemed so..peaceful. But, I eventually gave in and lightly nudged him I with one hand while holding 2 slices of toast between my fingers, the other 2 already having been eaten on the way to the combat training room.
After a few light nudges, he woke up, a little surprised to see me, though the surprise disappeared as he lost focus on me and immediately went for the one of the slices of toast in my hand. It was only right after finishing the slice that it had occurred to him that he'd swiped it from my hand without even asking, as he apologized with a nervous smile.
I forgave him, of course, and we proceeded to just talk casually. Not too long into the conversation though, he asked me to spar with him for a bit, and I really didn't have any reason to disagree.
And so, we did, leading up to now...
"It's only.." I began as I checked my scroll, smiling as I saw the time, "8:45, so I've got plenty of time to get to class from here."
"True, but do you have enough time to change?"
...huh?
"What're you--?" I cut myself off as I looked at myself and saw I was still in my pajamas.
...How did I not notice?!
I almost immediately bolted for the exit, completely ignoring the amnesiac I'd left behind.
--0--0--
--Matthew--
"Have fun at school, Teach!" I called out to Taiyang somewhat sarcastically, my training insructor ignoring me as he ran off to his team's dorm.
Then again, considering that a class is actually held here, I guess that means I oughta skidaddle too...huh..skidaddle..skidaddle..
Skidaddle...feels weird to say that.." I said, raising an eyebrow at the oddness of the word. It didn't make any sense...but I felt like that was why it appealed to me.
With a shake of my head, I brushed off the thought before pushing down on one knee and standing up, admittedly taking a moment to look at my slightly toned muscles, a bit of pride and self-satisfaction building within me as a small smirk came to my face.
Though both feelings and the smirk were diminished as I remembered that close quarters specialists like Yang and Mercury would most definitely still floor me if I were to fight either of them one-on-one.
"Hahh.." I sighed, gently rubbing my nape with hand before rolling down the sleeves on my shirt, small spots on each feeling a little cold from dried sweat. I walked over to a spot a few feet away from where I was seated and picked up my hoodie, which was placed next to my shoes.
I almost put it on, though I instead opted for a different look, tying the sleeves around my waist. Not entirely sure why I did it. I just liked the look more, for some reason
I then put on and tied both of shoes and left the combat training room, though not entirely sure as to where I should go.
Team STRQ's, and I guess, my, dorm?
Hmm...nah. I'd rather not just sit around all day. Besides, I think I'd need a Scroll to unlock the door anyways, so I can't get in unless anyone else is there, which won't be the case, since it's Tuesday.
Um...maybe the cafeteria..?
..No, I already ate the slices of toast Tai gave me before training.
But where else can I go?
"Hmm..." I pondered out loud with a hand lightly pinching my chin. I swear, it's honestly starting to get a little frustrating with how little I know about Remnant. Granted, I realize I probably know a lot more than anyone else here, except for maybe Ozpin. Not entirely sure how old he is. Or maybe he's just young, but the stress gave him white hair?...yeah, with the responsibility of being a Headmaster, I guess I could see that. But getting back on topic, I'm certain I know more than anyone else here, I just can't remember it.
Damn...if only there was some kind of library somewhe--...wait..
I let a mischievous grin come to my face as a thought came to my mind.
'I am at a school...'
--0--0--
--Summer Rose--
"Vale, as well as the other three kingdoms, are safe havens in an otherwise treacherous world. With the creatures of darkness known as Grimm spread across the world of Remnant, humanity depends heavily, if not entirely, of the existence of Huntsman and Huntresses." Professor Port lectured.
Professor Port was a well built man with black, graying hair, and a similarly-colored mustache, as well as dark gray, almost black eyes. He wore a double-breasted dark brown suit with deep red piping and dark brown pants tucked into black boots.
"Now, who here can describe what Huntsmen and Huntresses essentially are in one sentence?" Professor Port asked, the class silent for a moment before the slight rustling of clothing could be heard as a hand shot up into the air. Professor Port smiled, "Yes, Peter?"
"Those who have sworn to protect those who cannot protect themselves!" Professor Port's son, Peter, answered with enthusiasm radiant in his voice. His father smiled and chuckled lightly while nodding his head.
"Good answer." The professor praised before beginning to circle back around his desk, "Indeed, many Huntsman and Huntresses are those who have sworn to protect those who cannot protect themselves...However," the Professor stopped walking once he was behind his desk, "that isn't always the case. For example, the reasons for which one protects the helpless will most certainly vary between Hunters."
"Reasons?" The question slipped out of my mouth on accident, though I chose not to take it back.
"Yes, Miss Rose." The professor confirmed, "Contrary to what some of you may believe, not every Hunter does their job out of the goodness of their hearts. Some do it for money. And others, for fame and glory." The professor listed off, nodding his head lightly to opposite sides as he listed each intention off before sighing lightly, "Now, I realize that what I'm saying at the moment may seem...cynical, to say the least. However, it's important that you all realize that Huntsmen and Huntresses aren't all the knights in shining armor you may imagine them to be." The professor said, the air of the classroom feeling slightly tense at his words.
"But that doesn't mean you can't be." Professor Port finished with a smile, the bell ringing a moment after. The tense air in the classroom had immediately dissipated at his final words before the bell rang.
But at the same time...
"I'm sorry, I just need to check one more time--this class is Grimm Studies, right?" Qrow asked Tai with a raised eyebrow, the blonde in question simply sighing in response.
"It's a wonder we get any work done in this class with how often he goes off topic.." Raven said while lightly massaging the bridge of her nose.
"..I mean..at least they're still good lessons?" My attempt to justify the professor's habit was met with simultaneous shrugs from the rest of my teammates.
"I just hope Matt's doing alright.." Tai commented, causing my partner to raise a brow.
"'Matt'?" Raven asked, a brow still raised.
"What? You don't think he'll like it?" Tai asked, a hint of nervousness in his voice.
"I don't think I'm a reliable source for that question."
"Uh..why?"
"Because I still feel the urge to send you through a wall head-first whenever you say the nickname you came up with for me-- without my permission, I might add." Raven's casual mention of an action that would likely lead to Tai getting at least a concussion made the blonde gulp loudly.
"N-noted.." Tai said nervously.
"Moving on, you said you'd left Matthew in the training room?" Raven asked.
"Yeah, why?"
"Then I suppose we have to go look for him now." Raven said with an exhale.
"What? Why?" Tai asked, understandably confused. I was also kinda confused, and
Qrow...actually, I don't even think Qrow's listening to their conversation.
"Because he doesn't seem like the type to sit still in one place." Raven responded, "The fact that I know that, yet you didn't, is a bit disappointing, Taiyang.." Raven continued before walking ahead of us.
"I..I don't.." Tai began in a confused tone, but was stopped by Qrow putting a hand on his shoul--...oh..huh, so he was listening.
"Don't. Believe me, it's easier to just let it go and move on." Qrow said in a somewhat tired tone, which was surprising since he slept through all of class.
Tai was about to say something more, but instead opted to just exhale and let his shoulders drop. Qrow lightly tapped his back, and we continued to walk, now apparently, according to Raven, having to look for Matthew.
But it's not like he could cause any kind of mess...right..?
-The End
A/N: Ok, first thing's first--I'm sorry this chapter came out late. But frankly, I'm still really damn new at this and I'm not gonna lie, meeting a schedule is not exactly my forte.
Plus, I have to deal with my brain constantly thinking ahead with this story, instead of in the present. Because of this, I actually have several future moments planned out in my head, and a REALLY big one, but then I come to the realization of "Wait...the f*k's happening right now tho?"
And so, my predicament.
Another thing I have to apologize for is if this chapter felt lackluster in any way. And if it did, please say so in the comments. Because later on, I'm definitely gonna take a kinda-sorta break from publishing new chapter to edit and/or rewrite old ones.
Aside from that, I don't really have much else to talk about.
RWBY Volume 5 concluded last Saturday, and...well, I'm honestly not gonna say anything about it, considering that a lot of the fans most likely have to wait until this upcoming Saturday to watch it on the good ol' YouTube.
With all that said and done, onward to les responses!!!
Comment Responses:
chirotiando: That much is something that I'll actually be keeping a secret for now :). Also, thanks!!