The New Teacher

Chapter 3

The past

A couple of weeks have past since the first fight lesson. I will admit I was being more cautious so I didn't have to deal with paperwork or Glenda. So far it was working. As for my first class, it was interesting.

Shane Archer was a decent fighter, a bit on the average side. Yang Xiao Long was no doubt a brawler like her father. The same could be said for Nora Valkyrie. Lie Ren and Phrrya Nikos were good fighters too. Blake Belladona was better at evading me. Jaune Arc was getting better a little bit as practice wore on and I figured he wasn't fully useless, which made me feel bad to think of some kid that way.

The only two I had left were Weiss Schnee and Ruby Rose.

The other portion of class was interesting as I didn't look at weapons yet, but went over the anatomy of certain weapons. I wanted to get over all the fighting before I looked through the other weapons.

My other classes with combat were better, considering they weren't first years and had some skills under their belt along with more schooling.

As of now, my knuckles healed in the first week. I was clad in my bandana around my neck, green shirt, brown pants, boots and my jacket.

We were in the combat room and the kids were around me in a circle. My hands were behind my back and I paced a little. "Okay, after this, I will have a look at your weapons since the trial fights are almost done."

After saying this, I faced Weiss Schnee and Ruby Rose. I smiled. "I believe you two are the last ones before we move on."

Ruby seemed to move closer to her partner as she fiddled her fingers together with a nervous look on her face. Weiss on the other hand stiffened so her back was straight with a stoic expression on her face. I detected slightly nervousness in her eyes. They both seen what I could do.

I nodded and said a bit louder. "Alright, now move away and give us some room."

The kids did and I noticed a slightly nervousness on Yang's face. It made me smirk at little, the girl was no doubt worried for her little sister.

I said. "Weiss."

A frown was on the young girl's lips. I noticed Ruby let out a sigh of relief. I moved my hands from behind my back. The heiress moved forward. I raised an eyebrow. "Attack me."

She did and I stepped to the side, I could tell she was having trouble. Not wanting to lose, but also not wanting to 'stoop' so low either. It was annoying in a way.

I blocked the attacked aimed at my shoulder, ducking said appendage and flinging her over my shoulder with the same arm. I heard her heels hit the floor and I spun on my heel to see her land on her feet. I grinned. "Good."

Our attacks were going on for a while until I was tired of the same thing and took her down with a sweep and a hard hand restricting her to the floor. I moved away as she glared at me. I just smiled and offered her a hand. She grimaced before taking it, no doubt not wanting to offend her teacher. I pulled her up and she moved back, brushing off her clothes.

I clapped my hands. "That was great and it looks like we have one more left."

I looked right at the small 15 year old as I said this. She gave me a nervous look and moved forward. I felt my face soften a little before moving to my normal slightly care free look. "Now, all you have to do is attack me, Ruby. That's it, just give me what you got, alright?"

I heard Yang groan in the background and tried to remind myself that Ruby wasn't as bad a fighter as Tai said she was. I called all the students by their first names, I wasn't a teacher, not really. I was blunt with most people. I didn't have time for all that out there. The politeness and what not. I still don't know what Ozpin was thinking, even weeks after he hired me.

She balled her fist in front of herself. I narrowed my eyes, hearing Yang groan once more. I spoke up. "Ruby?"

She looked at me with bright silver eyes. "Yes, Professor?"

I frowned. "Can you…tighten you fist a little bit?"

I heard snickers around me and I sighed to myself.

She looked down, her cheeks red. "Like this?"

Her fist looked tight enough. "Yeah, like that. Now, attack me."

Now I told them they could use their Semblence against me if they desired to. I knew she had speed, whatever I wanted to or not, Qrow and Tai kept me updated. Yang didn't use it the first time we fought because I didn't mention it and I knew she just wanted a fight at the time and I wasn't really testing her. She harder to fight with that power of her though. I never used mine.

She put one foot in front of the other and I tensed a little. Just because she didn't fight hand to hand, didn't mean she didn't know how to use her Sembleance well.

She moved darted at me and I sharply moved away and turned back around and hit me in the chest. I'll admit, I was curious to see how hard she would hit me. I mean, I've seen her weapon, she has to have some type of upper body strength. I barely moved. This girl had no strength at all.

She stared at me and I stared back in disbelief. The room was silent and her silver eyes were wide. I nodded. "Alright, that's enough."

Her shoulders shrunk and I grimaced slightly. The bell rang and I gave an internal sigh of relief. Ruby still looked downtrodden and her team started at her. I grimaced to myself and said to her. "Ruby, can you stand back for a moment?"

She froze as did her team. Weiss narrowed her eyes at me and Yang sent me a look. I smiled a bit. "You're not in trouble."

Yang seemed to relax and I said. "She'll be with you in a minute."

I was already regretting this, but thought I couldn't go back on it. I needed to do this for Summer. For the times when I wasn't around. I shifted slightly to the right as the other three left. She looked up at me and I patted her shoulder. "Listen…being strong is important, but so is being good at other things."

I shoved my hands in my pockets. She still stared at me and I frowned. "You came early so that must mean something. Try harder on getting stronger and don't worry if it seems to take a while…I came here early when I went to Beacon too."

She seemed to brighten as she grinned at me. "Woah, really? Thanks, Professor."

I patted her on the head and she walked off, an excited skip to her step. I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

It was a tiring day as I went through my class. I kept drifting off and drinking from the flask I haven't touched in a week. I only drank when I wanted to forget what I was thinking about. I ended my last class 20 minutes early, walking to my room and tossing my jacket off.

I loosened the piece of cloth around my neck and sat on my bed, leaning against the headboard. I was lost in my memories.

I was just getting off the Bullhead that took me to Beacon. I shoved my hands into my brown coat. I was only 13, the youngest student, but Ozpin, the Headmaster had me come here. Since I started one of the academies early, I didn't know anyone, I haven't had 'friends' in a long while. I was what they called a protégé.

I looked around and it was strange to see people who were 17 years old or older. I knew they didn't want to be around some kid. I walked to where I heard the Initiation speech was going to be. I had a duffle and suitcase with me that was making me stumble with the weight.

I tried to make it look like I was not struggling at all. I was younger, but I was not going to act like it. Even if I wasn't looking for friends, looking weak wasn't what I wanted. I followed the ones that the same new look that I had. I cut through a short cut a group went through. It was two boys and two girls. I was about to pass them to where I saw the crowd of kids go, when I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was a big hand, most likely from one of the males.

I turned and saw it was one boy who was pale with dark hair and pale grey eyes. The other one next to him had red hair and green eyes, a smirk on his face. The girls were next to them. Surprisingly one of them was a faunus. There are a lot of issues lately with humans and faunus. I just worried more of being a huntress. She was a bull faunus with small horns on her forehead with brown hair and eyes.

The last one had black hair with a couple of green streaks. I was wondering what they wanted with me. I asked. "What do you want?"

The one that grabbed my shoulder nodded his head in a mocking manner. "'What do you want'? She asks." He snickers and the others joined him. I glared, moving away from him and crossing my arms across my chest sullenly. I see, they were one of those. The type that mocked me because I was a 'prodigy'.

"Leave me alone."

The human girl laughed. "She wanted to be left alone."

The faunus girl smirked. "You should've stayed at the lower academies."

She looked over at the others and realized she was doing this to get attention from the others. They just kept on harassing me and I was clenching my fists and hating the tears that came to my eyes. Their words were getting to me and I looked away, closing my eyes tightly. I wouldn't not cry in front of them.

"She gonna cry. Listen kid, go back to the academy and wait until you're this height." The boy with the brown hair sneered, raising his hand above my head.

I felt angry as I glared at them. What right did they have to pick on me. One went to shove me and I move to the side so he would miss.

"Hey! Why are you picking on that kid?!"

I stiffened in shock and annoyance. I looked to see 2 guys around 2 years older than the bullies in front of me. The one who yelled had bright blond hair and lilac eyes. He was glaring angrily at the ones around me. The other one was his opposite, he had black hair and red eyes, looking calm, his eyes slightly narrowed. I just felt embarrassed, I just wanted to go to the stupid orientation. The girl with the green streaks smiled. "Don't worry, we're just playing around."

The blond frowned. "We'll don't. Your new, right? Go to the orientation."

They could tell he was not new like they were. With a couple of dirty looks, the group left and I was relieved. "Thanks for helping me."

I shifted the bang over my shoulder and pulled my suitcase. The blond's anger disappeared. "Don't worry 'bout it, kid? What're you doing here?"

I glared at him and was about to walk off, when the black haired one scoffed, smacking the blond upside the head. "Idiot, she's the new prodigy everyone's talking about."

The blond gaped. "What? Really?"

I was tense. "Yeah, really."

He grinned widely. "That's so cool. Nice to meet you, I'm Taiyang Xiao Long and this is my partner."

He sent the black haired one a look and the black haired one smirked. "Qrow Branwen. This idiot's partner."

Taiyang sent Qrow a look of annoyance and shoved him. "Stop calling me an idiot! You're just a big 'ol jerk!"

I smiled a little as I watched them argue. That must be what it's like to be friends with someone. Even if it's by partnership. I was going to walk around them, but after a moment Taiyang voice was heard. "Hey! Wait up!"

I looked back to see Taiyang jogging up to me, Qrow following at a calmer pace. "You still didn't tell us your name."

I frowned at him for a moment and then shrugged a little, moving the duffle on my shoulder. "Riley Gray."

Qrow nodded his head. "How old are you?"

I frowned a bit more. I always hated this part. "Thirteen."

Qrow's eyes widened in surprise and Taiyang gaped. "Woah! Really, that's crazy."

I relaxed. "Thanks for helping me, I'll…see you around."

I walked away and yelped as I felt my duffle being taken. Taiyang look it with a wide grin. "Got it."

I frowned again, a bit insulted. "Just because I'm younger-"

Qrow walked over, rolling his eyes. "Just leave him, he'll bother you until you do." He chuckled a little.

I sighed a little. "Thanks."

Qrow was next to Taiyang as he said. "We're going the same way; our other two teammates are meeting us over there."

Taiyang smiled. "Yep, can't wait for you to meet them." He was babbling on about Beacon Academy and how great the school was, Qrow cutting in every now and then. He did look amused through out the conversation. I liked the both of them, they didn't judge me for who I was, they were talking to me like I was a normal person and I haven't had that in a long time.

Soon enough, I saw where the orientation doors were and young, but older than me teenagers go in them. I saw Taiyang waving while grinning and Qrow lift a hand, while waving a little, smiling. I saw two girls who were the same age as Qrow and Taiyang. One was shorter, she had maybe 6 inches on me with black and red hair, a white cape and the brightest silver eyes I ever seen. The other one was taller with long messy black hair and red eyes, she looked like she was related to Qrow somehow.

We walked closer until we were near each other. I checked my watch and saw I still had 20 minutes before the Orientation would start. The Qrow look alike asked. "Who's this?" She said this in a silent tone of voice.

Qrow snorted, sharing a look with the black haired one. "Tai wanted to play hero."

She rolled her eyes. "Of course."

I stiffened with annoyance and a bit of anger. "Well, I have to go. Thanks for helping me."

Taiyang caught my shoulder. "Wait! Ignore Qrow, he's a skirt wearing jerk."

My eyes widened as I stared at Qrow. He went red as he glared at his partner. I grinned without realizing it. The other two girls laughed. Qrow snapped. "I said not to bring that up!"

Taiyang laughed, looking at me. "I'll show you pictures."

Qrow swung at him. "You said there were none!"

They moved away and started fighting. I cracked another smile. The smaller, but taller than me girl came up to me with her hand held out. "Hi! I'm Summer Rose. I hear you're the new advanced student. Nice to meet you."

I shook it with surprise. "Riley Gray, nice to meet you too."

The other girl nodded her head. "Raven Branwen, that idiot is my brother."

I smiled a little and then looked at my watch. "Oh, I really need to go. I'll be late."

I was about to walk off with my suitcase. Taiyang called. "Riley, wait!"

I sighed, I get he was nice and all, but couldn't he leave me be. "What is it?"

He gave me a sheepish grin. "Here, you forgot your bag."

I flushed in embarrassment that I forgot and took it from him, shouldering it. "Again, thanks."

He just smiled wider. "No problem, see you around." Before I moved, he messed up my hair. I glared at him, moving away. The action caused him to laugh.

Qrow called as I walked off again to which I lost count. "See ya around, kid."

I frowned at that, but waved the other members of them off before I went to Orientation.

I had a feeling that was right, even we were 2 grades apart and 6 years in age from each other, I would see them again.

I sighed as the memories from the old days came back to me. It was the first time I met Team STRQ. It was certainly interesting. The next morning I changed into some clean clothes before leaving with a fresh cup of coffee. The flask filled with liquor I had was tucked into my jacket pocket. I walked over to see the students crowded in front of the class door. I waved with an lazy smile. "Hi everyone."

I opened the door and let them in as they greeted me back in sync. I leaned on my desk and the kids sat down. I did the attendance like usual and said. "Now, time for weapon care. I show you mine and then I'll look at yours."

I grabbed my sword from my back, only deciding to show them the sword, not the gun. I was still a bit paranoid. It was weird being in a safe environment here and I had no Grimm to attack, though I was planning on a trip later. I showed them my weapon and with a mechanism in the side, showed the blade popping out. I moved a little more to the center of the room. "Even if it looks cheap and weak, this is a very strong and sturdy metal. As you know, I take good care of my weapon and you should to. Any questions before I start?"

Jaune raised his hand. "Why're you worried about caring for our weapons if we're learning to fight with our hands."

I answered. "Simple, you need more than your hands to fight. You need a weapon, one that suits you. Fighting like that is for a last resort and having self defense."

I did my best not look at Ruby when I said that. That kid couldn't throw a punch to save herself. I showed them my weapon and the parts of it without taking it apart. I was happy to say I had most of their attention. When I finished with my weapon, I looked at the class. "So, who's up?"

Well, that took a while. I have 2 weeks off, so I can get a couple chapters for stories in before I have to go back in January. Hoped you liked it. Also, the timeline is very loosely based. I'm going to follow it, but this stories is on my ideas.