All rights so this chapter focuses on Nora dealing with Jaune dying. This is a mix between ideas from Jaune Black Smudge and Masseffect TxS. So I hope I do this justice. This takes place at the same time the last chapter did. I do not own RWBY. Before I forget Masseffect TxS has recently put out a story based off AKFF so I highly recommend it along with all his other work.

Chapter 7- Reckless

Nora's POV

Six months, that's how long it's been since the Battle of Beacon. All this time it's been mission after mission for RWBY and us, the remnants of JNPR. The increased Grimm numbers have had us running all over trying to reduce them. I like it this way though, the work keeps my thoughts from turning to Jaune. The seven of us have gone our separate ways today to mourn. My version of mourning is to just smash stuff. Ozpin gave me permission to go wild on some training bots today so I don't have to worry about cost. As I smash the bots with Magnhild I see Cinder and her goon's faces on them.

Smash. Cinder's skull caved in

Bang. Mercury's chest has a hole in it.

Crack. Emerald's neck is snapped.

Over and over I repeat this, channeling all my anger into my blows. I continue this for hours before I just collapse against the wall and cry. Why did he have to leave us? He promised to stay with us, Ren and I finally had someone to lean on beside each other. The worst part is he had to die in such a hypocritical way. He always told me to not be so reckless, to stop charging ahead without thought or a plan. It was the biggest argument we ever had, even bigger then whether Pancakes or Waffles were better.

Flashback Begin

"Nora, this has to stop." That's Jaune talking to me as I lay in the infirmary due to a blow from a Deathstalker I wasn't prepared for. "What has to stop oh leader of mine?" I don't see what the problem is, I'm alive so what's the problem. "Nora every time we've gone on a mission you ignore any plan I come up with and charge headfirst making us have to change the plan to revolve around you. You're going to get either yourself or someone else killed someday, especially with the way you use your grenades sometimes. Their weapons not candy on Halloween." This isn't the first time this has come up. "Honestly Fearless Leader I don't see the problem, you always have a plan in the end and I can take the punishment." Jaune brings his hand up and rubs his temples. "Nora I'm sorry to point this out but you're a glass cannon, you have lots of strength but after every mission you're in here because you take so many blows you can't take. Your semblance only blocks electricity not kinetic energy." I finally reach my limit on this subject.

"Well unlike you I can actually fight rather than have to hang in the back and try not to get killed instantly. So stop worrying about an actual hunter-in-training and focus on yourself." As soon as the words are out of my mouth I regret them. Jaune simply stares at me before speaking again in a colder tone. "I understand I'm weak and quite frankly pathetic in most regards, I'm not the smartest person around, and I'm quite slow on the uptake as seen by how long it took for me to realize that I have no shot with Weiss. Yet in an act that should have people wondering if he's gone senile Ozpin made me leader of this team, which means it's my job to worry about you and the others. I'm doing the best I can to no longer be a burden on this team but you are starting to become one. These charges of yours attract more Grimm to the area then we can handle easily at once, it ruins any surprise attacks, and it's draining on us to have to chase you down. If you can't stop this recklessness for your own sake then do it for Ren. You're incredibly important to him, when you don't get up from one of these blows someday it will devastate him." Jaune then turns and walks out the door leaving me alone.

Flashback end

I took Jaune's advice and stopped most of the reckless attitude, Jaune apologized to me for how cold he was and allowed me to go wild on small groups of Grimm at the end of the missions from then on. I apologized for my words but he merely waved it off. Now I can't help but think it was hypocritical of him to do what he did. Yes, Jaune had a plan to beat them but he shouldn't have just charged off with no backup like I did. The last time I saw Jaune was when he ran off to find Pyrrha and now he's gone.

I'm interrupted from my thoughts by a tap on my shoulder. Looking up I see Ren looking down at me. "Nora are you okay." I can't afford to be weak now, not when we all need each other. "Ya of course Ren, just whacking a few bots to keep in shape." Ren looks around and I actually get a good look at what I've brought about. Countless bits and pieces are lying about on the ground, several craters have formed in the walls and scorch marks are all over the floor. "Nora how long have you been here?" I think for a bit before replying "Since we split so only a few hours." Ren head snaps back towards me "Nora that was about eight hours ago." Huh really guess I lost track of time. "Nora do you need to talk about … Jaune?" I can feel some tears start to come but I hold them in. "No I'm fine. No need to worry about me Ren." I'm surprised when Ren engulfs me in a hug, he's never been one for physical contact.

"It's okay to cry Nora, everyone needs to be vulnerable at some point." I can't hold it back anymore after hearing that and start baling. "WHY? WHY DID HE HAVE TO LEAVE US? HE PROMISED ME HE WOULDN'T LEAVE US AND THEN HE DID. ALL THAT TALK ABOUT NOT BEING RECKLESS AND THEN HE WENT AND FOUGHT THE ENEMY ALONE. HE WAS THE CLOSEST THING I HAD TO A BROTHER, NOW HE'S GONE AND I LOST MY BIG BROTHER!" I continue crying for a while longer, Ren never letting go of me. "I know Nora I miss him as well but this isn't what he would want us to do. To drown ourselves in sorrow and stop searching for joy in our lives. Jaune made a call as a leader that most others wouldn't. What he did was out of love, he wanted us to live on for him. If we stop doing that we truly dishonor him. So cry as much as you need, I'll be here for you." I just continue to cry and when I stop Ren asks me something I never thought I'd hear.

"Nora will you go out with me?" I look at him in shock, he's always been the one to shut that idea down. He always wanted to make sure we didn't ruin what we had. "It's sad it cost me Jaune to realize just how much I've missed out on by never taking a chance with you. It's shown me I can't wait around or never take a risk. I promise you this isn't just because of Jaune dying, I've felt something for you for a while but was too scared of losing what we had to move forward. So if you're willing I'd like to go for it." I hug Ren once more "Of course dummy, I've waited so long." I tap his nose "Boop." Ren smiles and then taps my nose "Boop." Thank you Jaune for this final gift you've given me. I promise I'll be careful from now on and that I'll protect the others for you.

So for now just rest Big Brother. Someday we'll meet again.

So what do you think? I hope you all enjoyed it. Remember I'm open to suggestions for chapter topics.