It was morning. Well, it was a little before noon, to be more specific. Jaune, Ruby, Yang, and Ren were, along with their friends from team NNWB and the other freshmen, attending Professor Oobleck's World History Class. And boy was it an interesting class, to say the least. The teacher was all over the place. Literally. He would not stop moving. He was moving with a speed that made one wonder if his semblance was the same as Ruby's.
While everyone else was paying attention to Oobleck, or at least as best as they could while keeping track of his movements, Jaune was occupied. Several thoughts were taking up his attention, and none of them were related to the class. But at the front of his attention, currently blanketing the darker, more despairing thoughts in the back of his mind, was last night's dream. He'd been having odd ones lately. And for most of them, all he could remember was that roses were involved. But the latest one was slightly more lucid. He could remember the last part. And so vividly too. He kept replaying the dream in his mind, so that he would not forget.
He was crying. He was crying because he had lost, again. Reminded that he had no talent for the sword. Reminded that he could not carry on his family's good name. Reminded that he could not be a hunter. It was just him. Crying. Alone. Always alone. Nobody would ever be able to understand his pain. He was weak. He was cowardly. And these feelings persisted. Like kicking the shot dog, he was always looked down on.
And then the faces were there. All like stage masks, with false smiles, and crescent eyes not unlike his family's emblem, just looking down on him from above. He knew that the faces were to placate him. They were looking at him disapprovingly. Beneath those false smiles, they were making fun of him. They were looking down on him, thinking about how much of a stain he was on their good name. Watching him cry. All he could do was cry. And cry. And cry.
But the faces began to retreat. No longer did he hear their vile laughter. No longer did their faces cast shadows over him. They were backing up from something. No. It was someone. A hand was on his shoulder. The faint scent of roses came from this stranger behind him. Looking around, he saw a girl. Or, at least it appears to be a girl. Short, and wearing a dress. No. A skirt? He could not see her face. It was framed in shadows. But he did see a glint of silver. And then she spoke. He could not hear all of it. But he managed to make something out. It sounded like "I'm here for you", but he could not be sure. But regardless, her words comforted him. He stopped crying. Looking back to the faces, he noticed they were cowering away. From her. No. From them.
Snapping back to reality, Jaune noticed Professor Oobleck looming over him. The hyperactive Professor looked rather disappointed. Or was that annoyance? Jaune couldn't tell what the Professor was thinking. He could tell that his face looked serious. Maybe he ran out of coffee.
"Well well well, Mr. Arc! Feeling like contributing to the class?"
"Uhh, well. . ."
"Excellent! This is Excellent! Now, what was the advantage the Faunus had over General Lagune's forces, hmm?"
"Oh, uhhh," looking around, Jaune found himself panicking. He didn't know the answer to this! Looking back, he noticed that one of the girls from Team NNWB, Pyrrha, was trying to mime an answer for him. Sadly, he had never been very good at charades. Putting her hands in circles over her eyes, he blurted out the only thing he could think of. "Glasses?"
"Funny Mr. Arc! Very funny! Well well, Cardin! Would you like to answer for him?
"Well, isn't it just because animals are easier to train?" To which a few people began to snicker. Mostly his little gang of misfits and a few of the less scrupulous individuals.
"Not very open minded, are you Cardin?"
"What's it to you, Belladonna? Got a problem?"
"No. In fact, I have the answer. It's night vision. Most faunus are known to have near-perfect vision in the dark. General Lagune was inexperienced, and made the mistake of trying to ambush the Faunus in their sleep. His massive army was outmatched, and the general was captured. Perhaps if he'd paid attention in class, he wouldn't have been remembered as such a failure." This last comment, aimed towards Cardin, got the entire class to chuckle.
"Well Mister Winchester, it seems that both you and Mister Arc are in need of some extra help. Please stay behind after class."
The lesson continued until the bell rang. Staying back, Jaune and Cardin had to deal with Professor Oobleck giving them a lecture on thier poor showing in his class, and reminder that Beacon was a prestigeous academy and that the two had to uphold it's standards. After all, they had earned their way into the academy.
Leaving the classroom, Cardin shoved Jaune down in the hallway. Ruby, who'd stayed behind for Jaune, helped pick him up.
"You know, I really wouldn't mind breaking his legs. And maybe an arm. You know what? Come with me Jaune!"
Leading him by the hand, Ruby pulled Jaune up to the roof. A pleasant breeze was blowing, and Ruby's cape could be seen billowing in the wind.
"Uhm, Ruby? I don't think this would solve my problem. I could always become a farmer or something," said Jaune, as he looked over the edge. Seeing the perpexplity in Jaune's face, Ruby was confused herself for a second. After realizing what Jaune meant, she got a little flustered.
"What? N-n-no! No no no! That's not why I brought you up here." She stuttered, as she pulled him away from the roof's edge. "I brought you up here so I could offer to help you. I know you may not be the best fighter here, and you're having some trouble with the fighting and such, so I want to let you know I can help."
"You... you think I need help?"
"No Jaune, that's not what I meant!"
"But you just said it."
"No Jaune. I mean, everyone needs a little wind at their backs, right? You're not much different from the rest of us. You also made it into Beacon. That means a lot!"
"Except I didn't earn my way into Beacon. I never went to combat school, I never got a proper Huntsman's training. I used fake transcripts to enter Beacon. I lied!"
"Wh- what?" Ruby looked dumstruck, as though her own sister had just betrayed her. She couldn't believe what Jaune had just told her.
"Look, I'm sorry Ruby. It's just. It's just that this is what I've always wanted to be. Like my father. Like my grandfather. I wanted to be a warrior. But I never showed the aptitude for it. Never."
"But what about with the Nevermore? You were totally good back then! Amazing even!"
"That was out of pure luck Ruby. I barely know how to control my aura." Yeah, I could only control it because you asked me at the time, and I didn't want to let you down.
"Then please Jaune, let me help you!"
"No, I'm tired of being the damsel in distress. I'm tired of always having to rely on you guys to help me. I'm tired of just being the loveable idiot who sits back while his friends do the work. If I can't do this myself, then what good is it?"
Ruby was frozen in place. Jaune, still looking as stressed and angry as before, just left her there. Brushing past her and exiting into the staircase, Jaune afforded one last glance towards Ruby. She just stood there, back to him, looking down on the roof with her cape billowing in the wind. For a moment, he felt guilty, and considered going back to apologize. But then Cardin appeared. Wrapping his arm around Jaune's shoulder, he started.
"Well well! I overheard you from my dorm. So you snuck into Beacon? I never expected you to be such a rebel."
"Please Cardin, don't tell anyone."
"Don't worry buddy, I would never rat on a friend like that."
"A. . . friend?"
"Of course. We're friends now Jauney boy. And as long as you're there for me when I need it, we'll be frineds for a long time. Now, as a friend, I'd like to ask you for a favor. You see, I don't have any time to do Professor Ooblecks little report. So, mind being a pal and doing it for me?" Being met back with a blank face, Cardin took that as a yes. "Great! And don't worry Jaune, your secret's safe with me."
Two weeks have passed since Cardin found out about Jaune's darkest secret. Things had been awkward between Ruby and Jaune for some time, too. Keeping their distance from one another was starting to take it's toll on Ruby. At the present time, it was almost curfew, and Ruby was heading back to her dorm.
Why Jaune, why? I could've helped you. I don't want to see you like this. Ruby was again brooding over her now distant teammate. He had been staying out long with Cardin, whom Ruby suspected had found out about Jaune's secret. She wanted to do something to help. But what could she do? With what Jaune's been doing lately, she hasn't had a chance to talk to him. As she walked back to her dorm, her thoughts in a maelstrom, she saw Jaune outside of their dorm. He's here! Good, I won't waste this opportunity!
"Jaune, we need to talk."
"Uwhaa! Oh, Ruby. Err..." Jaune looked awkward. As he should. He had been avoiding Ruby ever since the day on the rooftop. Secretly, he was glad she was here, although he also felt guilty.
"Listen Jaune, you've been acting strange lately. What's wrong? Is it the," Ruby looked around cautiously before moving on with her sentence " thing about your secret? If so, I just wanna help you Jaune."
"No Ruby, it's not that. It's just," Jauned sighed. He didn't know if he had the right to talk to Ruby like this. But he couldn't help but tell her his problems. "Cardin found out about my secret, and now I don't know what to do. This, after all that I told you. I'm a failure."
"Nope!"
"Huh?"
"You're not allowed to be a failure now Jaune. You're part of our team now."
"But what if I'm a failure at being your teammate?
"Nope!"
His back to the wall, Jaune slid down into a sitting position. Talking with Ruby wasn't easy. He often forgot how young she was, and how she had a different perception of things.
"You know? You're not exactly the easiest person to talk to about these kinds of things." This made Ruby smile a bit.
"Nope!" she said cheerfully, and with a little giggle. "Jaune, you may have been a leader before Beacon. And you may have been a leader the first time we met. But you can't be a failure now. We're with you. I'm with you."
Picking herself up, Ruby started into her dorm.
"Jaune, you deserve to be better on yourself. There are a lot of fighters in Beacon, but I think you could definitely be one of the best if you tried. Now, good night Jaune." And with a smile, she closed the door behind her. Going to the washroom, Ruby dressed in her usual night clothes and redied herself for bed. Satisfied that she could have a good heart-to-heart with Jaune, she drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
The next day, Professor Goodwitch had brought all the students out to Forever Fall for a new assignment. Todays assingment, it would seem, was to collect jars of sap for Professor Peach. After being divided into groups though, Jaune was nowhere to be found. A bit disheartened, Ruby set off with her older sister to collect the sap. Their other teammate, Ren, was being stolen away by his childhood friend, Nora.
Off away from the others, Jaune was with Cardin and the rest of his team. After having gathered six jars of sap, one too many at the behest of Cardin, Jaune sauntered back to the group.
"You know? I think I may be allergic to this sap."
"Great job Jauney boy! Now, I bet you're wondering why I had you collect one jar of sap too many, right?"
"Among other things."
"Well, follow us and you'll see." And with this, Cardin led him and the rest a little bit away. Perching up on a small hill, they were looking down on his team, and team NNWB. "Now, it's time for payback."
"What?"
"Yeah, the little red-haired one. Thinks she can act all tough and try to shame me! Well boys, Jaune here collected a nice big box of Rapier Wasps last night for us. Now, according to an essay you did for me a week ago, these little things just looooove sweets. So, here's the plan." At this, Cardin shoved one of the jars of sap into Jaune's hand. "You're going to throw this stuff all over her, got it?"
"Wait, I can't do this to Ruby!"
"Well, it's either that, or I have a chat with Ozpin and Goodwitch and you're on the first airship out of Beacon."
Looking from the jar, to Ruby, Jaune could only wonder what he should do. He couldn't harm Ruby, he couldn't! He wasn't sure yet what it was, but there was something about Ruby, something he felt, that told him this would be the worst mistake he could make. If it came to him or Ruby, the choice was clear. Steeling his resolve, Jaune turned toward Cardin.
"No."
"What?"
"I. Said. No!" And as if to emphasize his last word, he threw the jar of sap right at Cardin, splattering the pinkish goo all over his breastplate.
"Big mistake, Jaune." Him and his friends grabbing Jaune, they led him deeper into the forest. Finding a little secluded clearing, they threw Jaune down.
"Now, you're going to pay." But before Cardin or his gang could make a move, a loud roar had caught their attention. At the edge of the clearing, the largest Ursa that any of them had ever seen just appeared, and it was looking straight at Cardin. With the Ursa bearing down on them, team CRDL could only run in fear, leaving their leader behind.
Meanwhile, back with the rest f the students, Ruby was still collecting her sap. In the midst of her thinking about Jaune, she heard a commotion. Running out from the trees were three of the members of team CRDL, Russel, Dove, and Lark all shouting "Ursa Ursa!". They looked absolutely terrified. Yang, being ever so delicate, grabbed the one with a silly green wisp of hair on his head by his collar, and dragged his face near hers.
"What's going on?"
"There's a huge Ursa back there, and it's got Cardin!"
"Jaune!" Crying out his name, Ruby grabbed Crescent Rose off of her back. Turning towards her teammates, she began to bark orders. "Yang, Ren! Go find professor Goodwitch and let her know what's happening! There may be more!"
Turning towards her teammates, Pyrrha barked a similar order. "Weiss, Nora, you two go as well." Nodding their consent, the two left off with Yang and Ren, as they raced to reach the teacher in time.
The remianing three; Ruby, Pyrrha, and Blake, rushed to where Jaune was supposed to be. When they got there, they saw a massive Ursa, easily several meters tall, looking hungrily towards a downed Cardin. Raising it's paw, which was easily larger than Jaune's shield, it prepared to strike down the fallen hunter. Ruby was about to make her move when something caught her eye.
"Raaaaah!"
It was Jaune! Putting himself between Cardin and the Ursa, Jaune blocked it's massive paw, and forced the Grim back a bit. With a small distance opened between him and the Grim, Jaune rushed forward and slashed at the Ursa with all his might, causing the beast to falter a bit. Not missing a beat, Jaune placed his shield in front of him, braced himself, and tackled the Ursa, causing it to stumble back.
With more agility than anyone thought such a large body would be capable of, the Ursa quickly righted itself, and took a slash at Jaune. Jumping to avoid the slash proved to be a bad idea, as the Ursa came around with another claw. Putting his shield up, Jaune could only mitigate the damage done, as he was sent flying back several meters. Picking himself up, Jaune flung himself again at the Ursa, taking yet another heavy hit to the shield, but not before wounding the Grim's great arm. Getting himself back up, Jaune glanced at his scroll and checked his aura readings. He was getting Red. He had to end this, and soon.
Readying himself, Jaune looked over to his large ebony opponenet. Riasing his shield in front of him, Jaune charged without hesitation, as did the Ursa. Ruby was tense, watching as her friend performed this last act of desperation. Raising Crescent Rose in case anything went on, Ruby still waited. You can do this Jaune, I know you can. Just a few meters away now. Prove that you have every right to be here. One meter. Prove it Jaune! And they met. The Ursa struck, swinging it's unijured arm down. At this, Jaune raised his arm. Concentrating more than he ever had before, Jaune forced his aura output to it's limit. The beast met with resistance, as Jaune's shield coupled with his aura enhanced strength stopped it's claw. Forcing the mighty Grim back, Jaune swung his blade towards it's neck and, with a clean stroke, he had decapitated the Ursa.
Joy. Elation. Pride. Ruby could not describe how she felt seeing this. Jaune had just proven everyone who had ever doubted him, himself included, wrong. He did it, he managed to do it! She watched as Jaunewent over to Cardin, and offered him a hand up. Cardin looked stunned, shocked. But his shock was soon replaced with awe. Accepting Jaune's hand, Cardin picked himself up.
"Holy crap Jaune!"
"Don't you ever mess with my friends- no, my team. Don't you ever mess with my team, ever! Especially not Ruby." Turning his back to Cardin, who now looked dejected, Jaune threw in one final line. "And don't you tell anyone what you saw here today, got it?" With this, Jaune simply walked away. Bruised, cut, and battered, but with his chest out and pride in his step.
Later on that night, Jaune had called Ruby up to the rooftop.
"Look Ruby, I know I was a fool. I may not deserve your forgiveness, but please. Will you help me train?"
Smiling like a kid in a candy shop, Ruby was ecstatic. Jumping at Jaune and wrapping him in a massive hug, she replied. "Yes Jaune! Yes yes yes! I'd be more than happy to help you!" Still hugging him, Ruby was spinnign Jaune around like a pillow, despite his being larger than her.
Framed by the fragmented moon up high, this happy and foolish pair began to discuss the specifics of Jaune's training. It wouldn't be easy, but Jaune could do it. He would do it.
As he discussed this with Ruby, he felt warmer and warmer. Happy at the prospect of getting to spend more time with her. Wow, spending time with Ruby is so much fun. But that feeling from before. Do I like Ruby? Pondering this, Jaune let off a small chuckle. Hmm. Well, whether I do or whatever, I'm glad to be with her.
*Afterword**And that finishes chapter 10. So, I kinda fit Jaunedice and Forever Fall together for this one. I hope you enjoyed it. It was fun to write about Cardin being attacked, though I wish I'd thought to put that half in Jaune's perspective so I could have gone more into. . . detail, about that. Oh well. Live and learn, right? Well, at least we finally have some progress. It's boring when one side doesn't admit their crush on the other. This will make it more interesting, wouldn't you agree? Well, that's all for now. Enjoy the double release.*