Chapter 12

(AN: This is the final chapter of the events of Volume One. There will be an intermission during which I recharge and plan, starting once I end this chapter. This chapter will be shorter than most as a result, but I won't be counted out for long.)

Being a Teacher Assistant wasn't so bad. At least with Professor Oobleck. Apparently the professor had been keeping up with my story and was ecstatic when he could see elements of what he gave me last time in my progress. Most of the six hour period was primarily the two of us working out the politics for Condemned, with Professor Oobleck scolding me for the previous events for a few minutes at the very most.

He didn't need any help with any paperwork, assignments, or any physical work like cleaning the desks and chairs. Apparently with how fast he worked, he often did not need a teacher's assistant, and he more or less did most of everything in the classroom. I wondered if Ozpin was actually going easy on me: either that or he was having me tortured with sheer boredom.

If the latter was the case, then joke's on him! Oobleck was not boring at all, since the two of us had two chapters of my story completed, which made up for the writing delay that I suffered due to helping Blake with her issue with the White Fang. I also ended up adding just a bit more progress for the chapter after that, all while Oobleck sent me more notes on politics of this kind of matter.

With my punishment so easy, I felt very bad when all of us reconvened for lunch, which we ate much later than everyone else. Yang could barely lift her arms, Blake was half asleep, and Liya looked like she had been through hell and back a dozen times, before being delayed at purgatory for extra measure.

"Uhh...how was Professor Peach?" I asked awkwardly by my finished plate, sitting next to Yang, with Liya across from me and Blake next to her, across from Yang. "I'm guessing it was cataloging stuff all day?"

"I dunno, she never showed up," Blake whispered. "I spent six hours...alone, doing absolutely nothing..." She nearly fell asleep at the table right there before Yang let out a loud sigh, waking her up at once.

"I pity you," Yang groaned sarcastically as she struggled to pick up her cheeseburger. "I wrote and stacked papers for six hours straight, no breaks. All while Goodwitch lectured me on 'the expectations of being a huntress' nonstop."

I reached over and began rubbing her arm, half expecting Yang to shake me off. Instead, she just sighed and relaxed a bit. "I...did a lot of cataloging with Oobleck. And he sent me a ton of stuff to study over," I said awkwardly, not wanting to tell them how I had it easier than any of them did. The wrath of three girls is nothing to sneeze at, especially when all three girls had body mangling weapons and large amounts of aura.

And especially since one of them was my girlfriend and an inferno all in one. The large stack of papers and notebooks next to me under the table at least convinced them of my lie.

"Yeah, Oobleck can be rough. Still, I'd rather listen to stuff I can't understand than be forced to understand everything to do with business and economics for this damn school," Yang growled before sighing, having lost her will to be overly angry long ago. "What about you, Liya?"

"I hate Port," she grumbled calmly, tearing at her fried chicken. "I hate that man with every fiber of my being. He told me the same story all six times. Blake should've gotten tossed with him, not me." Blake paled and looked down at her tuna sandwiches awkwardly and drowsily.

"You're not yourself when you're hungry," I said as Liya continued to tear into her food, finishing one chicken leg and moving onto a chicken breast. "Anyways...what's the plan for the rest of the day? We still have classes tomorrow."

"Sleep," Blake groaned, before shaking her head rapidly in an attempt to wake herself up.

"Gonna destroy the training room and all of its bots while imagining they're all Port. I need the distraction," Liya growled. I was hoping Liya wouldn't attack Professor Port in class tomorrow upon seeing him.

"I need to sleep too," Yang said before turning to look at me, a stern look in her eyes. "And you're going to be my pillow."

"I-alright then," I mumbled. "Can I drop off my stuff first?"

"Sure. Just don't take too long," Yang said. I ended up bringing all my papers to my room before coming back to see everyone else finishing their food, Blake being the last one to do so.

When lunch was over, I ended up carrying a clocked out Blake on my back to the dorms while Yang trudged alongside me. Dumping Blake on her bed unceremoniously, Yang dragged several blankets and pillows from the remaining three beds to the floor before pointing down at it.

"Lie down," she said. I reluctantly did so, only for Yang to drop on top of me, eliciting a painful cry as all 154 pounds of her sandwiched me between her and the pillows. "Ow..." I whined.

"Are you implying I'm fat?" Yang asked, raising an eyebrow. I tried not to focus on the thigh between my legs, or her...chest pressed against mine.

"N-nope. Muscle has more mass than fat...and that means you're strong," I stuttered awkwardly, hoping Yang's ire would cool off. Thankfully it did, her raised eyebrow giving way to a tired sigh. She lay her arms on mine, holding both my hands and lying her head against mine, her hair all over my chin.

"I don't understand," Yang whispered. "Did you know what I heard from Blake when I woke up this morning? She said 'Once I'm done with being a teacher's assistant, I'm going to go do some research'."

"And?" I asked, having an idea of where this was going judging by how Blake was in the second volume of the show.

"She's not gonna give up over this White Fang thing! She rarely studies or researches unless she's hell-bent on something personal. Like last week, when she was trying to triangulate the author of that scroll story she likes to read so she could get a chance to talk with them," Yang said.

"Oh. Umm, funny story. I'm...actually the author of that story," I chimed in awkwardly. I fell silent when Yang started to play with my ears aggressively; which didn't hurt but more or less felt overwhelming. Whenever my ears were played with, it always felt like my emotions were turned up 500%. Which is probably why all the cute things Yang and Ruby said about me when petting me always made me feel so giddy.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the case here. "She hasn't given up! She still thinks she can keep going, and I was an idiot to think she'd learn from her mistakes. I know my partner, and I'm not stupid," Yang grumbled. "And you practically enabled her."

Back to this again. I know Yang said she wasn't mad, but she was either lying for my sake or couldn't just make up her mind on the matter. "Yang, I-"

"Like, why couldn't you just tell me where you were?" she mumbled, and the awkwardness I usually felt over this subject felt much more than just awkwardness. It was actual guilt, like I'd let Yang down, and she was never going to forget it because my actions hurt her so very much.

It's safe to say that my ears were a weapon meant to be used against me to play with my emotions. And I was investing in a hat as soon as possible because as Yang continued to grumble over me and Yang, I felt my eyes well up. Dammit, I always hated crying, and it came out of nowhere.

Yang stopped her rant as I wiped nervously at my face. I didn't really know why I suddenly felt like crying so much, but all I knew is that I wanted it to stop. And so did Yang apparently because she immediately began to backtrack what she was saying.

"No no no, I'm not mad! Sorry, I was just so worried and that translates into stupid anger, please stop crying I didn't mean mean to make you think you were a bad person. I'm so sorry, I just wanted to-" Yang blurted as she wiped at my face for me, poking my eyes a few times. It was kind of like a mother wanting to stop her baby from crying.

...

No way, did I have one of those ugly crying faces to Yang? The thought hurt my pride much more than I thought it would. "I'm...I'm fine Yang. Just upset over what I did is all," he said. "You were right."

I wasn't lying either, while I knew I did the right thing in helping Blake, I had no business making my friends worry so much. In the end, it didn't change much; only roping Yang into trouble with us as well.

And Yang was currently kissing my face. "No, I shouldn't be dragging you through the mud over it, not after last night," she whispered. "I won't do it again, I promise." I just nuzzled her in quiet response, and she hugged me tightly in retaliation, squealing into my ears. For a moment, all felt truly right in the world.

Well, almost.

"Yang, I need to pee," I said nervously as I squirmed. I hadn't gone to the bathroom at all today, and it was strange how I didn't need to go before then at all.

"No," Yang mumbled sleepily as her grip didn't lighten up at all. "I want my snuggles."

"Yang, please. I don't wanna pee my pants right now. Or you. Or all of Weiss's and Ruby's pillows and blankets that I'm lying on," I said.

"Hmmm," Yang said before letting me go. I came back a few minutes later fully relieved to see Yang on her bunk, patting the bed for me to climb in. I did so, and Yang instantly cuddled me tight. "You're the best boyfriend anyone can ask for."

"You sure...that's not the fatigue talking?" I asked nervously. She was very close to me, and it felt so weird. The closest people I had was my mom and dad, and they never cuddled, even when I was a kid. Hugs and kisses were common, but I'd never had more than that. Yang was being very affectionate, a bit more so than when she is with Ruby. Is this what she's like when she dates? This kind of behavior was never seen in the show, at least, not this early.

Yang sighed. "No," she said. "You're great...you really are."

I blushed in glee, but winced in fear. I forgot that despite this place being my new home, and everyone around me being practically family, this was all not mine. I didn't belong here, and I wasn't supposed to be fitting in. I should be working on ways to counter Salem and her goons, to change the path of history and-

I shut down my thoughts in an instant. I was thinking like Blake before the dance, and I knew how that would turn out in the long run. In front of me was Yang, and that was what I was going to focus on.

I slept in her room that night, hugging her under the covers until the next morning, where Ruby whined about having a cuddle buddy and Weiss berated us for breaking the rules. Blake had vanished while we were sleeping, likely to get to her futile effort to stop the White Fang alone.

I checked the clock on team RWBY's wall; it was pretty late at night, likely around 7 in the evening. Sighing, I crawled out of bed and stumbled out of the dorm to head downstairs. Dinner in the cafeteria

I ended up deciding to cook dinner in the dormitory kitchen, instead of going to the cafeteria like a normal student. I was surprised to see Jaune there as well, searing a few chicken breasts on the stove. "Morning," I said as I yawned.

"Hey," he said. "How's Yang?"

"Sleepy and dealing with her bedhead. How's Pyrrha doing?" I asked back, grabbing some eggs and a bowl.

"She trained me all day, and she's gonna be training me all night. I think I'm getting better, but it's slow," Jaune said as he flipped the chicken. I decided to make a chili omelet with diced onions, pepper, ground beef, beans, and a bunch of other kinds of seasoning for me and Yang.

"Well, we are first years after all. You're catching up, and that's the important part. Trust me, you'll be much better by the time you're 18," I reassured as I cracked six eggs into a large bowl and began to whisk.

"Yeah. I know she cares and everything and she wants what's best for me as a friend and leader," Jaune said. "But...I know this is stupid but..."

"Yeah?" I asked, absentmindedly as I took out some ingredients from the fridge, readying a cutting board and knife as I began to peel the onion.

"Do you think she wants more?" Jaune asked, making me freeze in place. "T-this isn't me thinking highly of myself, but the way she acts...she likes to hug a lot, s-she smiles almost nonstop around me. A-and that isn't saying that she's creepy, it's just like..."

"She's happier when she's around you," I finished. Jaune fell silent and we locked eyes. "Ask her out."

"W-wait, you're...what?" Jaune asked.

"Talk to Pyrrha, ask if she wants to hang out in Vale on a weekend, maybe the next one or something, and see where that goes. And don't give that 'team leaders must be equal' bullshit, because I see the four of you. You're super close and dating Pyrrha won't change that," I said.

"I'm just worried..." Jaune said. "What if it doesn't work out?"

"Then you stay friends. How is breaking up gonna ruin your dynamic?" I asked.

"Uhh, it'll be super awkward," Jaune said, lowering the heat on the stove.

"You watch too much television. Things don't work out, the worst case scenario will be a little awkward in the long run, but you're friends," I continued. "Do you honestly think it'll break your friendship? If anything; it'll cement you as best friends. But if it does work, you'll have a long life of happiness and love ahead of you."

Jaune blushed, likely at the thoughts of Pyrrha and Jaune being together; and I could see he had feelings for Pyrrha as well. I guess Ruby pulling along Jaune earlier did help Arkos get ready for sail; and I was about to send it off.

"I...I see," Jaune said quietly as he turned off the stove. "Thank you."

"No problem," I said, before I went back to cooking.

"Oh yeah, I'm not sure if anyone asked: but how old are you?" Jaune asked as he moved the chicken from the pan onto a waiting plate, which had cooked and some egg rolls on the side.

"I'm sixteen. No, wait...uhh," I said, freezing as my mind went into overdrive. "Actually, I think I'm seventeen years old now."

"Wait, when was your birthday?" Jaune asked, turning to look at me.

"Uhhh, last week I think. Wow, time flies by," I said as I awkwardly looked at my half whisked eggs.

"Umm, we could all get together and hang out for your birthday. I could see if my team-" Jaune said before I held up a hand.

"It's fine," I said, smiling. Jaune was always such a nice guy. "Honestly, birthdays are everyday things for me. Just some cake, a gift, and a happy birthday from everyone else around me. It's nothing too big, but it's special enough for me. I don't like making a big deal over them."

"But-" Jaune said before sighing. "Alright. I won't make a big deal over this."

I smiled. "Thanks, man." We left, Jaune bringing his food to his room and me cooking up the eggs. Once those were done, I tossed some bread in the toaster and started on hash browns, using some kind of food shredder that probably didn't exist in my world.

"Heyyy," Yang said. She came down in her usual combat outfit(I swear she had like 10 copies of this outfit), hair no longer everywhere, just cascading down the back, sides, and front of her head like the beauty she was.

"Hey, angel," I said, and Yang hugged me from behind as I tossed the potatoes into a bowl of cold water. "Making breakfast for us."

As the thinly sliced strings of potatoes sizzled in the large pan, Yang went over to the fridge and grabbed a carton of milk, pouring herself a glass and gulping it down lazily. I looked away when I saw a trickle of milk stream down her chin and towards her...I'm not gonna say more.

"So, angel?" Yang asked after she finished her glass and poured herself another. "That's a first."

"Well..." I said quietly, now thoroughly embarrassed. "Blonde, beautiful, always shining like the sun...like an angel."

Yang giggled as she leaned on the counter. "Sweet. And cheesy. Don't purretend that you came up with that on the fly," she said. I groaned in response, and she snorted. "What? My puns are purredominantly purrfect."

"They're all purr puns, seriously?" I said. She just winked at me and I had to groan even louder at that. "No food for you."

"Wait, I'm sorry!" Yang cried. "I'm hungryyy!"

"Stop the puns and I might consider it," I said jokingly.

"Markuuus!"

I gave her half of what I cooked anyway like I planned. No way I was eating that much omelet anyway. Yang ate it all with glee, before dragging me off before I even had a chance to do the dishes.

"Yang, what is it?" I asked as we left the dorms.

"Let's spar," Yang said, still jogging along with me in tow. "No weapons, just you and me with our fists and feet."

"Aren't you still tired?" I asked.

"Uhh, nope," Yang said as she kicked open the door to the nearest training arena. "Food does wonders." We walked to the center of the mats, and Yang held up her fists in that classic boxing stance both our worlds had in common. "Well, what's the plan?"

"Plan?" I asked as I got ready to fight, cracking my knuckles and stretching my arms and legs.

"Till our aura drops or until one of us pleads uncle?" Yang asked.

"Latter," I said. "Involves pinning to win."

Yang grinned. "You perv," she said teasingly before she dashed forward, spinning to deliver a kick to my side. Instinctively, I jumped and grazed her leg with my heel as I narrowly dodged an instant K'O.

"You're faster!" Yang remarked as she swung up, grabbing my sleeve and slamming me down on the mat. Coughing, I swung around and tripped Yang over by her ankles. Performing a single windmill move, I leapt to my feet and threw a punch at the off balance Yang.

"I wasn't dragging my ass this whole time," I said with a grin as Yang caught my punch. Like I'd seen many times in fighting shows; I rolled back, dragging Yang with me before planting my foot on her stomach and sending her flying over my head.

With a short laugh, Yang landed on her feet and ran at me full tilt. With no time to get to my feet and dodge, I simply jumped up and took Yang's charge head on. Shoving me back on the mats, she began to throw blow after blow with incredible speed.

I was completely focused on the defense: blocking anything to my face and legs while avoiding anything to my arms and sides. Yang had strength and speed, but every punch she threw required her to reel back for the next, giving me small but exploitable windows of opportunity to work with.

I managed to sidestep one punch, with Yang overextending her arm in the process. This gave me the opportunity to grab her arm and swing my body hard, elbowing her in the face. She was sent tumbling back with a well placed kick to her abdomen, which was shielded by aura. "I'm...not that easy to beat," I said, panting a bit.

That was apparently the wrong thing to say as Yang exploded into flames on the floor, her hair hovering above her head as an inferno raged above her. "Oh...shit," I mumbled. Yang only snarled as she bent over, ready to launch herself at me as her crimson red eyes burrowed deep into my soul like a drill into the earth.

With a near savage roar that was kind of hot, Yang catapulted herself at me with the speed of a railgun, and we crashed into the floor beyond the mats, Yang bombarding me with punches and kicks, draining my aura quickly.

I dodged one blow, cracking the floor, before kicking her in the stomach to roll out of the way. Yang continued to go after me, throwing burning punches that mostly missed in her indiscriminate attacks. While I was somewhat on even footing with Yang earlier, her semblance put her way above me in terms of nearly everything to do with combat.

I was panicking now. Every blow she dealt me sent me closer to defeat and pain, and I began to actually feel like Yang was going to kill me. "Shit...shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit!" I cried as she slammed into the ground in front of me.

She let out a growl as she flew towards me, fist reeled back ready to end my consciousness for the night, and I immediately felt warm on the inside. On instinct, I braced myself for one hell of an explosive agonizing end, before an explosion tore through the air.

I felt hot all of a sudden, and all I could see was orange around me, as if flames were about to swallow me. As hot as I felt, I didn't feel like I was burning, more or less just...almost normal.

Suddenly, the fire vanished, and all I could see was Yang standing in front of me, hair doused of any flames and eyes back to a lilac shade. Everything was silent, and I immediately felt like I'd done something wrong. "Y-Yang? Are you...OK?" I asked nervously.

"Markus," Yang said. I raised an eyebrow until I saw her face clearly. Her cheeks were bright red and she was looking away awkwardly. Why was she embarrassed? And why did I smell smoke?

I looked down to see ashes on the floor around me, and I was clad in nothing but the remnants of my pants around my ankles, as well as a pair of half burned briefs. I remember passing out a mere two seconds after processing just now near naked I was in front of Yang.

Semblance: Replication

The user is able to completely copy any technique requiring aura to utilize, and can bring up said technique with 100% proficiency as long as focus on that ability is kept. The user cannot utilize more than one aura technique or semblance at a time, and semblances drain more aura the longer they're used.

(AN: I'll be on hiatus for a few weeks Thanks for reading so far, and expect further updates in the very near future.)