Greetings once again everybody! I know that I have been updating a lot lately, but it's just that soon spring break starts so I won't be able to update next week very much so I'm updating as much as I can. Anyways this is the next chapter of RWBY: A Demon's Life. This has been a lot of fun and I'm really happy that I started this story. I was debating whether or not to actually write a story but eventually started to write one and it has been really fun. But anyways I have a review to respond to.
N7 Recruit: Thank you very much. I was so worried that the date was going to suck because I have no experience in writing and I was even debating whether or not to write out the date, but eventually decided to. About your second comment, all I'm going to say is there is a reason that Shade/James isn't dating Weiss. I actually had an alternate ending where Blake feigned being sick and sending Weiss out on the date, but decided against using it.
I don't own RWBY. But, without further ado, welcome to the next chapter!
Chapter 6: Friends?
Shade woke up, and rubbed his eyes. He was about to get up when he realized that he was in bed with Blake. When he saw her lying next to him and holding him, he opted to stay in bed for a little longer. A few minutes later, Blake woke up. Blake got out of bed and so did Shade. Shade went into the bathroom for a shower. While he was in the shower Weiss woke up and saw Blake.
"Good morning Blake." Said Weiss.
"Good morning to you too Weiss." Replied Blake.
As the two girls chatted and waited for Shade to finish in the bathroom, Ruby and Yang woke up as well. Shade soon exited the bathroom without his shirt on and before Weiss could noticeably blush looking at his chest, she ran into the bathroom.
"Woah! That was fast." Remarked Ruby.
"Yeah. I don't think I have ever seen someone move that fast, except maybe you sis." Said Yang.
"It's almost as if she didn't want to see me. Weird. We were fine yesterday." Said Shade, confused as to why Weiss ran into the bathroom.
Soon Weiss left the bathroom and saw Shade sitting on his bed with Blake. They both had one of Shade's earbuds in and didn't notice that they were singing a duet of Monster by Skillet. They were both so distracted by the music, they didn't notice the others were leaving until Yang pulled Shade out of the room. Grimm studies was just like any other Grimm studies class, with Shade sleeping through one of Professor Port's stories. Once again history was just as uneventful as ever. But when combat class started, Shade could tell that today was going to suck the second Goodwitch told them what was going on in class.
"There will most likely be a time as a hunter or huntress where you will need to work together with someone you don't know particularly well. So, today, you will be placed in random pairs and will fight another random pair. However, before the matches begin, you will have some time to discuss with your partner a possible strategy." Said Goodwitch. She opened a randomizer. Shade watched as everyone in the class spun around on the randomizer, until it stopped and showed the teams. Some were going to be good, Nora and Yang, while some were going to be tough to see the too working together, such as Pyrrha and Russel. While Shade was looking through the teams, his heart skipped a beat when he saw his partner. Shade and…Cardin. Shade looked over at Cardin, sighed and realized that he couldn't get over this so he had to work together.
When Shade sat down next to Cardin. Cardin looked up and saw that they were paired together. "Dammit." Was all Cardin had to say.
"Alright, I'm just going to come out and say it. I know you don't like me and I CERTAINLEY don't like you. But if we are going to do this, we are going to have to do this together, Ok?" asked Shade.
"Alright. Look, I want to say I really am sorry for…well everything. Ok?" asked Cardin.
"Apology accepted. Now let's discuss strategy. I noticed in our fight that even though you aren't too fast, you hit hard. Meanwhile, I am fast but the only reason I hit as hard as I do is because I hit more often. So what I'm thinking is that, I start off with a hit and then you come in with a bigger hit. But that won't be enough if we fight someone just as fast as me like Ruby. So we should come up with some sort of team attack." Said Shade.
"But what would we do?" asked Cardin.
Shade and Cardin though for a while until Shade asked a question.
"How much can you lift?" asked Shade, with an idea.
"I believe my record is 250 pounds." Responded Cardin as Shade told Cardin his idea.
"That's good, but how will I know when to use it?" asked Cardin.
"Just wait for me to say now, Ok?" asked Shade.
"Got it." Responded Cardin.
"Ok class. I will now call out the matches. First we have Shade and Cardin vs Russel and Pyrrha." Announced Goodwitch.
"Alright, here we go Cardin." Said Shade.
The four students got up on stage and got ready to fight. It was a great match, neither team giving any ground, nor gaining any. The match looked like it might be brought to a stalemate. However, Shade landed hits on Pyrrha and Russel witch gave Cardin an opening. After knocking them both back Shade said "CARDIN, NOW!" Shade then jumped at Cardin. Cardin grabbed Shade by the ankles and spun him around a few times before throwing him at the other two. Shade spun in mid-air to hit Russel with a clothesline and trip Pyrrha so Cardin could knock her into the air. Shade then landed and started to run at Cardin, who was ready to launch Shade into the air. Shade stepped into Cardin's interlocked hands as Cardin sent him into the air. Shade hit Pyrrha down and she landed gut first on Cardin's knee. This drained Pyrrha's aura completely. When Shade landed elbow first on Russel, it put his aura into the red.
"And the winners are Cardin and Shade. Well done Boys!" congratulated Goodwitch. Cardin and Shade shared a chest bump after this and went back to their respective seats.
"Good job Shade. I assume that team attack was your idea?" asked Pyrrha holding her stomach.
"Yeah. Is your stomach Ok?" asked Shade worrying.
"Yeah. Just a little sore. You hit hard. Landing on Cardin's knee also wasn't the best feeling." Stated Pyrrha.
The last matches went by really quickly because Shade was busy assessing the strategies, wondering what everyone would come up with. Soon enough the class ended and everyone went to the cafeteria.
Shade sat down with his friends when Sun and Mercury showed up.
"Sup losers?" asked Sun, walking up to the group.
"Not much. How about you Sun?" Asked Sun.
"Same. But I do want to know what you were up to last night. I called you but you didn't answer." Said Sun.
"It must've been when me and Blake were on our date-" Shade was quickly cut off by a loud what coming from Sun, Mercury, and Velvet.
"WHAT?! YOU AND BLAKE ARE DATING?!" Velvet half asked, half yelled.
"Yeah. That's about the reaction I expected." Said Shade.
'Why did I wait so long? I should've told him. Now I can't have him.' Thought Velvet, threatening to let tears show, but none came.
After the group started talking amongst themselves, four unexpected guests showed up.
"Hey Shade." Said CRDL.
"Oh. Hey guys. What's up?" asked Shade.
Velvet immediately became scared when Cardin spoke.
"Not much. But, um, me and my teammates were wondering if we could sit with you guys today?" asked Cardin.
Shade looked at His friends, who gave him a look that clearly said that it was his choice.
"Alright but there are rules. One, we are all friends here. NO bullying. Two, there are three Faunus here. NO discrimination. And three, if you think someone has a blatant crush on someone else. You don't flirt with either of them. That last one was Yang and Nora's idea." Said Shade, explaining the rules of the group.
"Ok. So can we sit now?" asked Cardin.
Russel sat next to Shade and Dove sat next to Russel. Cardin was about to sit down next to Velvet, before he remembered how horribly he treated her before. He was about to sit somewhere else, when Velvet pulled him down to sit next to her.
"Wha-?" asked Cardin.
"If we are going to ever be friends, we need to get past this." Explained Velvet.
"Ok. As long as you are Ok with sitting next to me." Said Cardin.
As the group began talking again, Ozpin approached the table.
"Hello sir. What brings you here?" asked Shade.
"We are going around telling the students about a singing competition going on sometime. We hope you will enter." Explained Ozpin.
"Alright well thanks for letting me know." Said Shade.
"Farewell for now." Said Ozpin.
"Are any of you guys thinking of entering?" asked Cardin.
"I'm planning on it." Said Weiss.
"Me too." Said Velvet.
"How about you Shade? Are you going to?" asked Sun.
"Probably not." Replied Shade.
"You have too though!" yelled Ruby.
"Why is that?" asked Shade, confused.
"Well, you see. I'm turning 16 in about a month. It could be a birthday present for me!" said Ruby. "Plus you are a really good singer."
"Ok. I don't deny that and if you really want it to be a birthday present for you, then I'll enter." Said Shade, hesitantly.
"Ok, then let's sign up." Said Velvet before grabbing both Weiss and Shade and dragging them to the sign-up sheet. While they were looking for the sign-up sheet, the others were talking.
Sun and Ruby were talking an awful lot. Sun then realized that Yang was there.
"Hey Yang. Can I talk to you in private for a bit?" asked Sun.
"Yeah. Sure. Why not?" asked Yang. As the two exited the cafeteria, Sun just asked her.
"Yang, I want to know something. Can I have your permission to date Ruby?" asked Sun.
"REALLY?!" asked Ruby, who screamed at the top of her lungs.
"Oh crap. You heard that?" asked Sun.
Shade then got back with Weiss and Velvet. Shade immediately knew what was happening. Weiss and Velvet simply kept walking into the cafeteria.
"About time Sun." was all Shade said.
Ruby was beyond happy. Beyond ecstatic. Words could not describe how happy she was that Sun liked her back. But they also couldn't describe how she felt after Yang answered.
"Sun. I'm sorry. I just don't think you're right for her. So, right now, my answer is no." said Yang.
Ruby was heartbroken. She had gotten her hopes up, and now they just got shattered. Shade could swear that he heard Ruby's heart shatter within her. Ruby started to tear up before running up to the dorm. Shade shot Yang a glare of pure, unrivaled rage. He was ready to kill her. But he settled for just ignoring her and going after Ruby.
Yang walked back into the cafeteria. Mercury noticed her walk in.
"Hey Yang? I want to ask you something." Asked Mercury.
"Yes Mercury?" asked Yang.
"I wanted to know if you wanted to go out for a movie tonight. Like a date." Said Mercury.
Yang was actually really happy. She had a crush on Mercury for a while now. She immediately said yes.
"Hey Yang? Where's my favorite monster?" asked Velvet, looking for Shade.
'Hmm. Does she like Shade?" thought Blake.
"He left with Ruby after I told Sun that he couldn't date her." Said Yang simply.
The group was shocked. Blake and Weiss immediately left to go to the dorm.
When they got there. Shade had already comforted Ruby and told her his plan.
"But what if you don't win? Or if you don't get one?" asked Ruby.
"I have an alternative, just play the part and it should work. It also gives me a reason to give it my all in the contest." Said Shade.
"Hey honey." Said Blake.
"Hi sweetie. What's up?" asked Shade.
"We were coming here to help with Ruby, but it seems like you have it under control." Said Blake.
"By the way, what was up with Velvet's name for you?" asked Weiss.
"I don't know honestly. She called me that once as a joke and it just stuck." Responded Shade, knowing what Weiss was talking about.
"Ok. SO I just have to be angry at Yang, and start being antisocial, right?" asked Ruby.
"Yeah. It would also help if you started wearing long sleeve shirts. Just to really sell it." Said Shade.
Blake and Weiss didn't really want to know what the plan was, so they just started to leave.
Shade and Ruby then came back to the cafeteria to eat.
Yang went to talk to Ruby, but Ruby just ignored her. Yang was sad about this, but she didn't want to push too hard, so she left it alone.
The whole group just sat together in an awkward silence until the school PA came on.
"Attention students. Starting tomorrow, all classes will be cancelled in to allow time for students to prepare for students. This will allow you to study on the classes you need to study for, while not being distracted by the classes you don't need help in. This will be all." Said Ozpin's voice over the intercom.
The whole school erupted in a chorus of cheers and woo-hoos. Even Weiss was excited. The whole group was happy.
"No classes for a month! YES!" Shade shouted at the top of his lungs giving a high-five to everyone in the group.
Everyone was excited, but Ruby stayed playing the part about being depressed. Everyone took notice of this and asked her what was wrong. She responded with a nothing. The group eventually decided to go into town to celebrate. They all took off towards the airship. When they landed in town, they passed Ruby's favourite bakery. Yang then asked if Ruby wanted her to buy her some cookies. Ruby just said no, which sent Yang into a state of absolute shock. Shade the offered to buy her some cookies, to which she said sure. Yang was still confused. Why didn't she want Yang to buy her cookies but was fine with Shade buying her cookies. After Ruby came out with a bag of cookies, but she still looked sad. Shade had to admit she was playing the part well. The group of people eventually decided to go to the arcade to play some games. When they got there, Shade bought everyone enough token for a long stay there and immediately went to the shooter games. Cardin went to the racing games along with his team. Ruby and Velvet decided to stay with Shade and play some of the shooters. No one else knew what to play, so they just went around. Weiss kept stealing glances at Shade when Blake wasn't looking.
'Why can't I get over him? What is wrong with me?" Weiss asked herself.
"What are you thinking about over there Weiss?" asked Pyrrha.
"I think you know." Replied Weiss.
"Yeah. This seems to be hitting you hard. You look like you're having hard time." Said Pyrrha.
"I just don't know what to do." Said Weiss. After Shade had finished the first stage of the game he was playing, he handed the gun to Ruby, looked over and caught Weiss stealing glances at him. He then walked over.
"What's up Weiss?" asked Shade.
"Not much. How about you?" asked Weiss, visibly nervous.
Shade decided to ignore her nervousness. "I want to know what is up. It looked like you were staring over there. At me in particular." Said Shade, calling her out.
"Well…Um…" Weiss was trying to get a coherent sentence out.
"What is it?" asked Shade, somewhat worried for Weiss' sanity.
Weiss then thought of something. 'Remember when you showed me your scars?" asked Weiss.
"Yeah? Why?" asked Shade, confused.
"Well, I saw a tattoo on your back then. I wanted to know what it was of." Responded Weiss.
"Oh ok. He then lifted up his shirt to show Weiss his back.
Weiss looked at the ink on Shade's back. At first it didn't look like anything. But as she stared at it, something started to stand out. Slightly, ever so slightly, it seemed to be moving.
"Strange." Said Weiss. "It looks like it's moving."
"It is. It's never the same image. It changes based on my mood. For example, right now I'm idle, so is it. Now if you'll follow me." Said Shade. He led Weiss over to the game he was playing, which Velvet was now playing, and doing quite well at it.
"Now, you should see it change." Weiss looked at his tattoo. It had changed into what looked like a thumbs up. "I'm currently proud of Velvet for doing so well, so it should be a thumbs up." Said Shade.
Shade then led Weiss over to what was a rage game. "Now watch this." Shade began playing it. The tattoo changed into what looked like a Beowolf. "Now I'm angry, so it should look like a Beowolf." Said Shade, clearly pissed off at the game. "That is only a few of the images that the tattoo can look like." Explained Shade.
"Ok. Thank you for sharing that with me." Said Weiss, thankfully. Sun came over to Shade, pulled him from Weiss, and asked him something.
"Ok. I'm up for it and yes, it is a lie. But I can take care of it. Don't worry." Weiss heard him say.
"Ok thanks man. I'm looking forward to it." Said Sun.
Weiss then walked up to Shade to ask him something.
"Do you know what song you're going to be doing?" she asked, genuinely curious.
"Yeah. I do. But, I'm not going to tell you. I want it to be a surprise." Said Shade.
"Alright then. What did Sun want to talk to you about?" asked Weiss.
"He wanted to know about Ruby and he needed my help with something." Answered Shade.
"With what?" asked Weiss.
"Well, have you ever heard of the band called The Fighting Faunus?" asked Shade. "They were a one hit wonder?" asked Shade.
"Oh yeah! I loved them but I heard that they broke up a while ago. Something about their lead singer wanting to stop and do something else? I was pretty sad that they weren't going to release any other songs after their 'Angel With a Shotgun' (AN-Actually by The Cab), but what can you do?" said Weiss.
"Yeah. Well, I was the lead singer of The Fighting Faunus. Sun was Lead Guitar." Said Shade.
"THAT"S WHERE I KNEW YOUR NAME FROM!" yelled Weiss. This got the attention of everyone else.
"What's up Weiss?" asked Yang.
"Shade was the lead singer of The Fighting Faunus, and Sun was Lead Guitar!" yelled Weiss.
"WHAT?!" Everyone yelled, even Pyrrha, who never knew.
"You see. This is the exact reason I didn't tell you guys my real name. I didn't want you guys to treat me any differently than when I was just one of you." Said Shade.
"Ok. We'll try to keep it down. But Ruby and I both loved your song." Said Yang.
"I think we all did." Said Cardin.
Everyone conclusively nodded.
"So, what did Sun want to ask you about?" asked Weiss.
"You'll find out. Just not now." Said Shade. "Anyways, it is getting late, so let's head back to Beacon."
Everyone left the arcade, went back to Beacon and went back to their dorms.
'I need to tell Blake don't I? But when is the right time to tell her?' thought Weiss.
"Hey Weiss. What are you thinking about?" asked Blake.
'Guess I'm telling her now then. Ok.' Thought Weiss.
"Can I talk to you in private?" asked Weiss.
"Um, ok? Sure?" Blake said, questioningly.
Weiss lead her away from the group.
"Ok. I'm just going to say it. I'm kind of in love with someone I can't be in love with. I thought these feelings would pass, but they keep coming back. It's gotten to the point where I can't stop thinking about him. Every time I see him, all I can feel is regret for not telling before he got together with his current girlfriend. I'm actually starting to worry about my health. I can't stop thinking about him. Whenever I close my eyes all I see is him. Even now. I want to know what you think I should do. Explained Weiss.
"Alright. So this guy's gf, is she a good girl?" asked Blake.
Weiss remained silent for a second. "Yeah. She's the best." Said Weiss.
"Ok. Well what I would do is just tell her. Even if it doesn't get you the guy, it might give you some closure about it." Said Blake.
"I don't know Blake." Said Weiss.
"Hey it's worth finding out. If you really like him." Said Blake.
"I do. So much. He's all that I can think about right now. Every night I dream about being with him. He's the only thing that I want right now, but he's also the only thing I can't have." Said Weiss.
"You know what Weiss. You just have to go for it. You owe it to yourself, and let me know how it works out, ok?" asked Blake as she walked away.
Just before Blake got away from Weiss, she blurted out. "It's Shade…"
Blake stopped dead in her tracks.
CLIFFHANGER! How will Blake react to this. The Ultimate Bombshell! Couple things to ask you all about. I'm thinking of adding in a Nora x Ren ship. Let me know if you want that. Also, let me know if you want all of the songs to be in the same chapter, or split up into two or three chapters. Popular vote wins! Also there was a reference to a TV show in this chapter. Leave me a review if you got it. I'll see you all in the next chapter! Goodbye!
