Lately I've realized this story has too many sad moments and reminders, so for this chapter there's a change in character involvement. While this certain time period isn't one for too many happy reads I will add some comical moments. Where this story goes is kind of a repetition to what I've read in many RWBY stories, though for this one, there will be a hardened decision to be made. Do enjoy this chapter.
Mt. Runa, the inhabitants near the foot of the mountain are villagers loyal only to Vale, though in the days after the war, the uneasy alliance with the remnants of the Coalition members was of great necessity. But now, after so many humiliating defeats, and Pyrrhic victories, the members of Mt. Runa's villages lived peacefully. And a clear distance away from Henan, the village by the river occupied by former Coalition. There once was a time that Coalition meant a union or alliance of several political or government entities, but after the civil the war the very definition of the word changed into a hateful title for those who survived. When the war broke out, the other kingdoms claimed neutrality under the assumption that the civil war was to be dealt with by participants in house; no one could accurately predict the invasion. The Coalition members were a mix of various groups labeled terrorists by their government, shunned down upon because of their call for justice and the manner in which they made their cries heard. People rejoiced when their leader, Cinder Falls, declared a near victory. So much so that the invasion was as much of a surprise as the initial uprising. The reason the interventions never occurred was due to the treaty made by the coalition with the other kingdoms, Vale's natural resources would be theirs for the taking if they would just leave the civil war to be dealt with. But what caused the betrayal was the fear that similar acts would occur in the other kingdoms, or the influence of this victory would spread. In desperate attempts to maintain their power, politicians will do just about anything. In this case, the deaths of Valens mixed with those of the Coalition were but collateral damage. 13 years since the fall of both the kingdom of Vale and the Coalition, the other kingdoms kept a firm hold on the territories with a united military force that could not be defeated so easily, or without a heavy cost. Rebels and survivors alike eventually gave up, and did their best to adjust to the new government, yet; the humiliation, prejudice, abuse, and indiscriminate massacres merely pushed the territories more and more into another civil uprising.
But to those outside the territories, their lives were eased ever so slightly. With only their local militia as their army for defense, Atlesian forces could literally just run settlements over with nary a struggle. Atop the village in Mt. Runa lived another major figure of the Coalition, though her role in the fight was mainly to gather support of the local populations, and her efforts worked under a new identity. For she 'died' during the uprising, and her last true friend carried the burden of her sins, as well as those he performed himself. Her own cottage was small, and hidden well within the thickets, yet could overlook a majority of the forest. Upon the arrival of dawn, the unknown, sleeping soundly in the protection of her own home, was awoken by the sounds of a bullhead passing over the forest. Her eyes shot open, jumping out of bed and just as quickly running to the window still. Her eyes dilated in horror as they witnessed dark smoke arising from the village of Henan, all the while she saw the bullhead shooting down the fleeing villagers in an open field. Their blood and severed limbs littered the fields, dying the golden yellow into a light orange, and then into a deep red.
"Damn Atlesians." The woman growled. She quickly dressed herself and retrieved a rapier she hid under a false bottom within her closet. This weapon brought back painful memories, though just as easily, brought up painful memories. She wore a thick tunic to not only shield herself from the cold, but to conceal herself with the forest. Just as she was about to leave her home, a small hand caught her tunic. She turned to see her little one, almost a mirror image of herself, except with ocean blue eyes. "Mom, what's going on?" Her voice groggy and still weighed down by the urge to sleep. The woman was reluctant to involve her only child, but if the fighting spread to her own village, then her training would be put to the test, not only that this child was stubborn to no fault.
"Tell the men in Runa that villagers from Henan will be arriving soon. The Atlesians haves burned their homes, and we'll need to use the fallout shelters to hide the surviving villagers. Quickly now!" Without giving the young one a chance to protest, the woman made her way down the mountain, though her path wasn't towards the burning village, but to the land just across the river. 'I'll be there soon, Jaune.'
What was supposed to be another quiet morning became an interesting turn of events. With some strand of luck, Coco found the once lost blonde knight and his family hidden within the forest. Interactions weren't at all what one would expect from opposing soldiers, but then again what good would further violence do now? The war was over, and both factions lost their goals long ago. Not that there were any winners to begin with; the conquering kingdoms were left to deal with remaining rebel forces, and said forces eventually went into hiding. Though after exchanging a few words with one another, the veteran huntress realized what was waiting just across the river, and had she been more attentive, she would've realized Winter Schnee's ability to freeze the river. Meaning a destroyed bridge wasn't going to stop her from continuing her hunt, and she might as well be approaching the cottage.
Realizing this, Jaune ran to the window, his eyes catching sight of a column of smoke from the direction of the village, an indication that his family was going to be in danger soon. Winter Schnee had one goal in mind; to kill him and if she found Neo and the children, this sadistic woman would torture them just to toy with him. He couldn't let his family die, not again. He ran to Coco and used a knife he swiped from Emerald to cut her retrains, if she wanted to kill him it was fine, but he knew the huntress would never harm his children.
"Neo, get the kids and pack them some extra cloths. Now!" Without hesitation, Neo ran to her children's room. Jaune retrieved two large nap sacks from a closet by the front door. "Emerald, Coco; fill these up with food." Emerald grabbed one and made haste, Coco on the other hand was staring at the blonde with confusion. She couldn't understand why the boy suddenly decided to trust her, but after a moment she took hold of the second bag and did as she was told. Jaune on the other hand ran to his study, and retrieved a small box within the top drawer of his desk. Before leaving, he assured the contents within the box were exactly what he needed to give his son. A legacy to pass on, and hopefully a way in which to cleanse the tainted history marked on it.
Neo and Noa were packing cloths quickly; Blake on the other hand left to her mother's book collection and retrieved a certain piece of parchment she couldn't leave behind. Not after reading its contents, and after what she heard about her father's past, there was one particular section of the book that could be of great use.
Jaune's entire family gathered in the living room, the sounds of shouting and gunfire were all but distant. Jaune pushed aside the living room rug, revealing a trapdoor; an escape tunnel stretching past the forest, perfect for quick escape with one condition to it. "You girls take the tunnels and get the kids out of here; I'll hold them off long enough for you to escape. Don't worry; I'll catch up as quickly as I can." His lies couldn't be any more obvious, but his children believed his words. Neo's eyes were reddening; she fought hard to put on a brave face for her children. Emerald and Coco did their best as well, but they knew what was going to occur if Jaune stayed behind. The blonde handed Emerald a folded letter. "Follow these coordinates, and you'll find yourselves with a close friend." Jaune took a moment to face his children, both of them were frightened and clinging to their mother tightly. He kneeled down, fighting the urge to cry in front of his children. "Noa, come here." His son slowly walked to him, "Take this for me, my friend has something of mine that will keep you and your sister safe. Behave, and protect our family, I'll do my best to catch up to you, ok?"
The boy nodded, receiving the box from his father's trembling hands. Jaune turned his attention to Blake, "Be a good girl, and listen to your mother. I love the both of you." He pulled both his children in, kissing both on the forehead, refusing to let go for a few moments before another gunshot was heard, this time just near the brim of the meadow. "Go!" He ordered Coco and Emerald, the two women grabbed the two kids and made their way down the tunnel. Neo stood with tears running rivers down her cheeks, the one person she stood by this long was about to do to the one thing she always feared; he was going to leave. She couldn't hold back her tears any longer, neither could her husband. Jaune took advantage of what little time they had left and embraced his wife, it was long, but time was not. The minute a bullet pinged off the window frame, Jaune broke their embrace "Go, I'll hold them off for as long as I can." Neo didn't budge, she was put in this position before, only this time it wasn't going to end the way she wanted. She knew enemies were a given, and sooner or later their family would be looking over their shoulders every waking moment. The tunnels were built with one intention; untraceable escape, as soon as someone passed the pressure plate on the other end of the tunnel, it would trigger an explosive to collapse the entire passage.
"Go! Please. I promise I'll come back to you."
Neo hesitated for a moment before giving her husband one last forceful kiss, and joining the group below. As soon as his family was a clear distance within the tunnel, Jaune closed it off and awaited the enemy outside. He could see their outlines approaching from the forest, the very one were his children played, and helped keep his home hidden from the world. But now, here came rookie hunters aided by the last heiress to the Schnee Corporation. Luckily, he set up a few traps in the meadow only he could remotely trigger. And once the rookies got close enough, Jaune ignited them by sending an aura pulse strong enough to reach the explosive dust beneath their feet. The explosion killed a few of the rooks, the others lost bits of their legs and were bleeding out on the ground. Winter had sensed the pulse beforehand and managed to avoid a similar fate. Jaune wasn't surprised how well she was able to detect his pulse, nor how easily she left her men to die while she lived on. Her reaction was a slight moment of confusion, followed by an agitated expression. There wasn't time to send for reinforcements, and whoever did this needed to be dealt with quickly. Though, just as she was about to go search the cottage in plain view, her target exited the house willingly. Her smile faded to shock, her mouth agape as the unknown's face turned to face her. For 23 years she searched, in those grueling years of seeking her sister's murderer, she finally found him; Jaune Arc. And just when, in all honesty, her hopes of finding him had almost completely dwindled. She giggled, in a somewhat whisper-like tone, and soon it turned to a full on laughter. Though, it was not of innocent joy, that much was certain.
"FINALLY!" She yelled out whilst charging toward the blonde. On instinct, Jaune managed to draw his sword, though just barely enough to shield himself from a fatal blow. Though the force of her strike sent him crashing into his house. Winter strolled calmly to her target, whom was arising slowly from the wreckage.
The young heiress twirled a similar rapier belonging to that of an old memory. "23 years ago, my sister was betrayed. And now, I have the pleasure of killing the bastard that turned coat." As she raised her blade to strike, she saw a smirk on the blonde man's face. For someone who was on the verge of seeing his maker, he had no fear whatsoever. Instead, he was facing his death with a smile which in turn made Winter cringe in disgust. A traitor truly has no regrets for their sins; she hoped he would grovel for his life, which she would still take. His divisiveness caused the collapse of an entire kingdom, and yet was still hailed as a hero by most within Vale's old territories. Even some elements in the other three kingdoms spoke highly of his role in the fight against a corrupt kingdom, though it was still controversial due to his betrayal. All the while the talks were cautious as government monitoring would censor anything that would instill another form of rebellion.
Winter hated this man, and when she finally had him in her grasp, his death wasn't going to be as satisfying unless she could make this bastard beg. He had no family left alive, he slaughtered his friends and there wasn't a soul on this planet that meant anything to him, let alone risk harboring him. In her momentary train of thought, Jaune arose from the wreckage quickly, and delivered a hardened punch to her stomach. Catching the heiress by surprise and bringing her to her knees while gasping for air.
The blonde knight towered her while removing a hidden dagger from his wrist sheath. "If only you knew." Jaune hated this, somewhat, but he had to kill now before she found the tunnel intact. As he positioned the tip of the dagger to run through her neck, he hesitated. Yes, from what he heard she was a monster, especially when it came to former coalition members, but she was all Weiss had and vice versa. Taking away her sister turned Winter into this kind of person. So, in all honesty this was his fault. Though, his hesitance would cost him, the heiress regained her strength and managed to lift herself up with enough speed to run him clean through. All the while also running into the blonde's dagger, the blade embedded in her shoulder. Both fighters glared down one another, though Winter was gleefully grinning all the while. She finally did it, the blonde's life was now about to end by her hand; Weiss's murder would finally be avenged. She could see her father with pride that his last daughter achieved what many in Remnant failed, the praises from all over would be abundant. And the once powerful influence of her family would finally regain its hold on the political world.
"She talked about you."
Winter's visions of victory were broken as she glanced to the dying blonde, she could feel his aura fading, but it was still enough to fight back. So, why was he accepting defeat so easily? And what did he mean by his statement?
"When our teams ate lunch together, she...spoke of you so much; it was almost like we knew you personally. Personally, I think Weiss was obsessed with protecting you. I'm sure she would love to see how much you've grown."
His comment angered her greatly as she twisted the rapier to further increase his pain. "Do not speak so lightly of my sister; you have no right to call them your team after what you did!"
Though, by doing so, she only increased the rate in which the blonde was dying. He smiled slyly at her words. He obviously knew something about Weiss's death that even she didn't know about, and that very thought was something Winter couldn't allow.
"I guess you could say...it applies to the both of us..." The light was already fading from his eyes; Winter removed the rapier and violently shook his body. "What did you say?! Tell me!" She shouted.
But the blonde was stalling, and at this rate his family should've reached the end of the tunnel by now. If the pressure plate didn't go off, then he would trigger it himself. He reached into his pocket slowly and retrieved a detonator. "The reason you hunt me...is because you want to find your sister's body...and bury her properly. Good luck finding her." His last words to Winter were uttered with a sly grin as he quickly detonated the explosives beneath them, destroying the cottage and any soul around.
On the other end of the tunnel Coco was restraining Neo, whom had found the sudden urge to return and assist her husband. All the while Emerald was trying to activate the pressure plate, with no luck whatsoever. Noa was trying to understand why their mother was in such a desperate state, and the huntress was keeping her from saving his father, all the while hugging his sister tightly as she cried softly. By this time Emerald was angered to the point that she stomped on the plate, this time, a loud rumbling shook the ground as the tunnel was beginning to collapse.
"Take cover!" She yelled out while running to shield the children, Neo and Coco ducked down as the walls within the escape tunnel collapsed, completely covering their tracks. Once the smoke settled, the small group saw nothing but dirt and broken pieces of wood. They were a few miles from the cottage, using their aura for added speed while carrying the children on their backs saved great amounts of time. Neo stared at what was left of her only route back to her husband. She couldn't help but wonder why he so easily stayed behind when they could've all escaped. Did he intentionally and so eagerly want to die? Or was he using some form of diversion to throw the heiress off their trails. All these questions swam in her mind; Emerald came to her side offering a sympathetic smile. "We'll see him again, I'm sure of it. But for now we need to meet up with this friend, it isn't safe for the kids out here, agreed?" Her words lacked any form of assurance, and to be honest, the three women had already assumed the blonde was taken down, but there was still a shred of hope. Hesitantly, Neo nodded, all the while praying deeply that her husband would return to her. Coco unfolded the paper containing the coordinates to their next destination, Neo assured the minds of her children were focused away from their father, at least for now. But Blake's constant asking of her father's whereabouts and Noa's pessimism was a challenge even for her. She could so easily silence them with a glare, but that would only make the situation worse. Emerald and Coco studied the map until a loud groan from the green-haired girl caught everyone's attention. "What is it?" The huntress asked, receiving a finger pointing to the near top of a mountain a few miles north of northwest of their position. "Whoever his friend is, they're hiding out in Mt. Runa. But this damn thing doesn't say exactly where, just that they live near the top."
If they hustled, then they would reach the top by nightfall. Although, a hike that grand and at their age, although not openly admitted, wasn't exactly going to be an easy tread. The small group began their long walk to Mt. Runa, all the while keeping their heads low to the sudden increase in air traffic from above.
Back at what remained of the cottage, a single bullhead flew over the flaming wreckage. The ID's of the rookies all pinged KIA, and the dismembered corpses near the edge of the forest were enough of a tell that the mission went awry. Only the heiress and the huntress were left unaccounted for. The metal bird landed slowly on the fields, one of the pilots got off and scouted the area. Just for a moment, he caught a glimpse of white beneath a pile of burnt wood. The man quickly ran over and lifted all of the degree off the heiress, her wounds weren't fatal, but she was unconscious due to the blast. The pilots immediately called for reinforcements, unaware of a pair of crystal blue eyes spying on them from afar. This wasn't what was in mind when the column of smoke and gunfire was heard, neither was the appearance of the new heiress. With faint expression of regret, the unknown took one last look at Winter before turning to leave. "I'm sorry." She whispered as her outline faded into the forest.
Instantly, Winter's eyes shot open, her eyes darted to the forest where the unknown had already faded.
"Ma'am, please don't strain yourself!" The pilot asked.
In all honesty, she didn't know, but that feeling just now felt so familiar. Almost as if...
No, that person was dead...or, was she? No, the traitor killed everyone associated with him, there's no way he would allow her to live unless...they...A sudden moment of realization came to the heiress, with the boy's power levels at the time, even if they were stronger during his betrayal, there was no way he went through with it alone and still be successful. The reactions from the students and staff would be swift and brutal, especially to traitors. From glory unto glory, the fore coming would be shame unto shame. It was then that she realized how easily the blonde turncoat disregarded Weiss's death, it interpreted to one conclusion, and that very thought brought tears to Winter's eyes as she covered her saddened expression with her bruised arm. "How could you?" She whimpered softly.
In the forest just a mile north, the unknown, although small in size, had been carrying Jaune's body with relatively little ease. When safely away from the military presence in Henan, the unknown gently laid his body on the ground. It glanced to Jaune, all the while with a single question in mind; was he truly dead? The one who singlehandedly crippled the hunter program of Vale, whom took personal charge of ending any and all who stood against the coalition, the one who brought her into the fold, who believed she was a worthy of herself regardless of her family's title? Small teardrops were building up, her usual calm composure was crumbling, he was dead wasn't he? Not when they were finally able to speak after their kingdom collapsed. Even after their fallout, he still cared about her, and managed to find her a place to call home in a land torn by hate.
*snore*
Nope.
Those sounds came from the supposed 'dead' boy's body. He was alive, and he was using the same damn trick they two of them used during the uprising. For a moment the unknown was thankful, and then almost just as quickly as she confirmed his status, kicked his sides. The response was a painful groan, followed by an annoyed remark from the woman. "Worrying me like that, I ought to kick you again, dolt."
Jaune glanced up; smiling widely as his eyes adjusted to the sunlight, and the towering unknown's identity was made clear. Her beauty, even with the passing ages, never faded. Snow white hair with light blue eyes, skin slightly paled and cool to the touch, yet scathed with the conflicts life threw at her. Though she had cut her hair, no longer the same length from the first time they met. But, her appearance wasn't what was troubling the blonde at the moment; it was the rapier in her hand that made the situation somewhat terrifying. Especially when the tip was aimed for his second head. It makes it worth noting that when they went their separate ways, it wasn't on easy terms. Or without a broken heart. The ill intention was apparent in her empty eyes as she lunged her rapier at high speed, only to strike the ground. His speed and reaction time increased, not to say the unknown was impressed, but there were other issues to address. Such as; revenge. While they were close, there was still the issue of never speaking a word to each other since the end of the war, 13 years prior, only meeting once, a year after the war ended, but with no words to share during the limited time together. Mainly an idea of the blonde man currently making treads to...anywhere that wasn't where she was. But, he didn't spend the bulk of his time in hiding getting accustomed to the nearby woodlands; his unfamiliarity with his surroundings caused him to either trip or get slapped in the face by a branch. Almost nostalgic in a way, though fond memories were not something he wanted to tread into lightly. Speaking of treading, as the blonde finally made his way into an open clearing, a hand quickly grabbed the collar of his shirt and dragged him back into the dense woodlands. As he again disappeared into the thickets, another Atlesian bullhead made a flyby through the clearing and almost caught sight of him. Once the large machine finally passed, Jaune found himself weighed down by the unknown whom was sitting atop him. The tip of her rapier was now touching the tip of his neck. "Say it." Her voice now calm, yet slightly demanding.
Nervously, the blonde laughed dryly and responded. "It's nice to see you too, snow angel."
"That's not my name." She corrected him quickly with her rapier now pressing against his skin, her expression shifted to annoyance as she waited for her real name to be uttered.
"Princess?"
The woman again threatened to run him though, seeing as how she wasn't in the mood for games anymore, Jaune finally gave in. "Ok, ok. I get it. It's really great to see you again…Weiss."
When her name was uttered, she arose from her position atop him and assisted lifting her friend up. The two stared at each other for a few minutes before laughing lightly at their situation.
"It feels really weird to be called by my name after so long." She commented
"Oh, but didn't you hear? Weiss Schnee died in the uprising, betrayed by her classmates. It would be poetic justice if it were true, and considering what you did."
Weiss pressed her rapier again towards the blonde, though her blade was now directed to his heart. "What WE did, your hands are drenched in blood just as much as mine are." Playfulness aside, Jaune brushed her blade aside and sat down on a nearby branch. His memorize played back to the day it all began 23 years ago, when the signal to strike came. In truth, he had second thoughts even before running Crocea moors through his partner, but as he said before; his decision was made, and regret was a luxury he could ill afford. Then again, it was one neither of them could dwell on, for now time was growing close until Atlesian troops would begin marching the valley in search of the now confirmed alive; Jaune Arc. And no doubt, if she had any brain at all, Winter put the pieces together; Weiss Schnee was alive, and she was…is a member of the Coalition.
-Nightfall-
The forest of the mountain was treacherous and dangerous for inexperienced climbers. More so for those who had no knowledge of the terrain, Coco and Emerald saw glimmering lights near the foot of the mountain, possibly a village, or the survivors of Henan. Either way, they couldn't go up the mountain at night and the children were exhausted. With no option available, they made their way to the source of the light. What they found streets filled with bloodied and injured villagers from Henan, most of the seriously injured were taken inside what looked like the grand hall. Many of the inhabitants of the village here were hard at work tending to the wounded, though all eyes fell on the new arrivals. One villager from Henan recognized Neo and ran to her with joyful tears. "Madam Beildschmidt, thank Oum you and your family are safe!" Many Henan villagers who weren't seriously injured walked to Neo, most of them fully aware who she was, and her role in the Coalition, but used her fake identity to shield her from the hands of these loyal Valens. Yet, when their eyes fell on Coco, many backed away, unable to understand why one of Winter Schnee's mercenaries was with Neo. Only a fair few, whom she allowed escape approached her and gave simple thanks. Emerald on the other hand, although not aloud there were some who were quick to place the blame on her. Still, they shared the same persecution, all for the same reason. And the loyalty of the remnants of the coalition was still as strong as the few remaining Valens to their old kingdom.
It wasn't until a few minutes after their arrival that some of the villagers began to notice a missing piece. "Where is Gildarts?" One of the make villagers asked, some holding their breath that the one person able to reconstruct the Coalition would still be breathing. Neo's saddened expression indicated the worse, but Emerald was quick to react. "He's leading the military astray; they'll be chasing him in the opposite direction of this village. He said he would return after he loses the heiress a few good miles away." While it did bring some comfort to a few, a majority weren't exactly optimistic after the sudden Atlesian raid. Coco and Emerald took a glance around, the streets might be packed, but the truth of the matter is that less than half of the Henan villagers made it to the Runa village. Militia guards were already erecting heavy defenses by the forest entrance, along with traps within the thickets themselves. These Valens hated the Coalition, that much is true, but even they knew that there are times when an enemy can become an invaluable ally. The Atlesians would never give them their kingdom back, and the coalition were massacred equally as much as Valens who resisted Atlesian control. So in the favorable idea of not fighting two fronts, the two groups would temporarily ally when possible, and dive straight into battle together with unflinching loyalty. But, the recent battles made it apparent that loyalty would only take an alliance so far. Those who could stand were given a weapon and garrisoned any and all form of defense stations. Along with the small addition of troops, the militia was now seven hundred fifty strong. As a huntress with years of experience, Coco assisted with the defenses. Emerald did the best she could to train the few that would hide in the woods to strike swiftly and quietly.
Neo was left with her children on the city streets. Blake slept in her mother's arms, while Noa sat beside his mother, glancing towards the village entrance while praying his father would return. At the same time, his mind swam with the realization that his father is the infamous Jaune Arc, the greatest traitor to Vale, and the most influential General from the coalition. From what his aunt Emerald told him, the leader of the Coalition was but a mere shadow when compared to him. And although Jaune made it apparent that Cinder's orders and her position was above his own, the grunts valued the blonde knight for the fact that he would dive into battle alongside them. With his disappearance came an overwhelming sense of duty to avenge their fallen General. Which could possibly explain the major victories that followed up until the invasion of the three other kingdoms. Still, if his father was so important to the Coalition, and they were going to win, why did he decide to leave? Noa wasn't told the whole facts, but now he knew his family history and an itching urge to be an over watch to his sister emerged. A pair of feet stopped in front of him, he glanced up to see a girl his age with snow white hair, ocean blue eyes, and pale skin. She wore a stitched beige tunic with long sleeves, and similar pants all made by hand and from the hide of an animal. Her eyes were mainly focused on his hair.
"Pink." She stated.
Annoying? Not as much anymore, yea he was a boy and yes he had pink hair. Was he picked on, not after he settled the taunts, none peacefully either. Pink hair and a somewhat sadistic sense of humor, both traits he received from his mother. Though just as easily he angered girls whom were clingy to start with, and he had the ability to dress in drag and make it work. These traits he received from his father. Not exactly something he shared openly.
"Cute." She stated, only this time her compliment caught the boy off guard. He was used to teases and insults; a positive note on any physical trait he had was quite the surprise.
He scratched his cheek before responding. "Thanks...I think...you're cute too." His voice was calm, a testament to the many times he's probably said it before. But, it caused an abnormally warm sensation to burn in her cheeks. A strange feeling she wasn't used to, nor was she so eager to dismiss. For a moment, a pair of light brown and ocean blue eyes were staring at one another before the unamused boy broke the silence. "I'm Noa." He offered his hand for a formal handshake, though just like his father, oblivious to the girl's hesitance and growing blush.
"A...Adelheid." She shook his hand, though feeling the warmth of his palm made her heart beat rapidly. She instantly broke off contact "I-i-I have to help the nurses. Bye!" She bowed all too quickly, accidentally head butting Noa, then leaving unaffected by the blow she just delivered. The boy himself however was rubbing the part of his head were the girl struck. He groaned annoyingly, he just arrived in a new village and already he's making enemies. At least that's how he interpreted her sudden attack and need to leave quickly. He couldn't understand why making enemies was so easy for him, especially with girls. He glanced to his mother and sister, both of whom were smiling slyly at him, confusing the boy. "What?"
Neo smiled warmly, this child was indeed just like his father. Blake however was wondering if being this dense was some form disease, because if it was, her brother was in the fatal stage.
And there is the latest chapter, tut mir leid. I know this chapter took way too long, but my classes are demanding and I've had a major writer's block for this story. Not in terms of plot, but grammar and no constant repetition of words. I hope this new chapter met your expectations and I promise not to lag too much on an update. For future questions, there are a few secrets Jaune has kept even from Neo, and they will all come to light soon. Patience. Thank you for reading, until next time!