*Author's Note*

Hey guys, I'm back rather quickly this time. Normally, I'd be gaming right now, but I just lost my will to do so. So, I decided to update for you guys. I-it's not because I like you or anything, baka!

…

I fail at being tsundere, huh? Anyhow, so last chapter was a troll. I kinda convinced some, if not most, of you, that Ruby and Jaune were breaking up. I feel like an arse for having done it, but I'm bored out of my mind most days here. Pulling a little prank was all I could do to alleviate the boredom a bit. I hope you guys forgive me. It is due to this that I'm throwing a second chapter out so quickly. Enjoy.

"Oh geez. They're doing it again."

"Those two should just get a room."

"Aww, I think it's adorable. They're gonna have such cute babies. Maybe we can dress one in orange and have Blake train him into a nin- mphmpffmph"

"Shut up Nora."

This was how the conversation at the table of teams RAYR and NNWB was going. All six present, plus one extra member by the name of Scarlet Velvetina, were looking out the window to a small picnic going on. Said picnic being between possibly the cheeriest couple in Beacon history. The two hunters, both with zero prior experience in the field, were eating one of Ruby's handmade lunches. All the while, doing corny things like feeding each other and snuggling. To the others, who despite having two years seniority over the small red-head didn't even have their own boyfriends (or girlfriend in Ren's case), this was a suffocating sight.

They all supported Ruby and Jaune being together, even Yang. Prior to Jayne, any guy who came within a 50-foot radius of Ruby with the intention of asking her out was taken care of by Yang. By hook, crook, or some other 'ook', Yang would remove the suitor before he ever made it to Ruby. Yang only permitted Jayne because she felt that he was weak, and that Ruby would easily be able to whup his butt, should be try anything funny. Then again, Ruby wouldn't know anything was wrong in that situation, considering she was so damn naïve.

Anyhow, to the point. The two were Baca together again. After an eventful few days preceding the weekend, the two were as happy as ever. Previously, a misunderstanding had almost caused a fallout that would have had far reaching consequences, for both the broken hearted maiden, and the Arc family tree. Fortunately, despite her initial impression of him, Yang decided to help Jaune out and explain the situation to Ruby.

Back to the present now. Ruby was cuddled with Jaune, his arm wrapped around her. The two just sitting, watching the clouds above. Sadly, the Midwinter Ball, which everyone usually assumed would be in winter, was usually held at the beginning of spring. Something about the professor in charge hating the warm seasons and wanting to get back a little bit of winter spirit. Still, the two were practically dressed for winter anyhow, Jaune in his jacket and jeans, and Ruby in her combat skirt and cape combo.

Anyone taking note of the scene would find it weird, cheesy, and a little sweet. But to the others, it was getting insufferable. Especially to the rabbit eared Faunus, and the red-haired Amazonian. Velvet and Pyrrha. Two girls who had fallen for the quirky Jaune, and who had issues with the current situation. Velvet was content to simply watch (read: Stalk) Jaune, and try to simply win his affection to take him from Ruby. Pyrrha, on the other hand, only saw the option of taking Ruby out of the picture, and usually tried to do so with gusto. Oddly enough, they never saw eye to eye.

"Well," began Yang. "I say we go break 'em apart before they end up stuck together."

"Here, here," muttered Weiss.

Yang, Blake, Weiss, Ren, and Nora got up to go make sure the happy couple didn't spend too long outside again. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the group, the remaining two girls, or the happy couple, a new shadow was watching the two. Or more specifically, watching Jaune. Simply staring, this figure seemed to have no mal intent, but one could never be certain. The only certainty here was that the figure wanted Jaune for something, and there was no doubt that we would soon find out what.

After the happy couple had been made to pack up by a slightly miffed older sister, ninja, heiress, martial artist, and Viking, they'd gone back to their room to chill. Ruby had decided, with some free time, that she would be working on some weapons crafting and maintenance. She politely asked Jaune to leave the room while she did so. And by polite, I mean she all but kicked him out. After she assured him about a dozen times that it wasn't because she was mad at him or anything. She simply wanted some free time and privacy to work with her babies. Knowing how Ruby got around weapons, he acquiesced and left.

Upon leaving the room, Jaune decided to head down to the combat arena and get some more practice in with the throwing dagger-pistols. He'd been finding his marksmanship has improved quite a bit, and his ability to accurately hit a target with the throwing daggers was quite impressive. What was even more impressive was, despite his clumsiness, Jaune had managed to become proficient with a weapon that required a bit of skill and dexterity to use. He figured he would eventually get himself one or two, for some versatility.

But reaching the combat hall, Jaune was not met with the usual emptiness that accompanied a weekend. Usually the students would be out doing idiotic things, like spending all their money or getting wasted at some bar or another. You see, Beacon has this policy. It goes a little something like "If they're old enough to fight and die for us, they're old enough to drink, smoke, gamble, and have sex. We don't care." Irresponsible to a degree, but nobody really argued with it. It made sense. Anyhow, back to the hall. A lone figure stood in the middle of the arena, where people would often spar or just practice new maneuvers. But this one was not practicing. He seemed to be waiting.

As Jaune entered, the figure looked up towards him, and stood up. With deep brown hair, armor with ornate designs, and a build that betrayed his status as a freshman, it was Cardin Winchester. This guy was a major asshole. So much in fact that his little group had half the freshman class wanting to set them straight. Well, he'd calmed down recently. He still acted horribly to Faunus, though his bullying had become a lot more subdued. This was partially due to Jaune himself. A month and a half ago, Cardin had made the mistake of trying to get Jaune to betray Ruby, via blackmailing him. It needs to be pointed out that this was prior to them getting together. But after being attacked by an Ursa and being saved by Jaune, Cardin had somewhat calmed down. It wasn't until Ruby's accident during class that had left her injured, when Jaune had mercilessly and systematically taken Cardin down in two quick moves, that Cardin finally saw the light. Light courtesy of the stars that were encircling his head at the time.

But now, Cardin was before him, and Jaune had no idea why. Figuring it might be for revenge, Jaune felt his hand creep towards his trusty sword and shield, ready to counter if necessary. But Cardin was unarmed, and in a non-threatening posture. Walking up to Jaune, Cardin initial the conversation.

"Hello Jaune. There's something I would like to talk to you about."

Huh?

"What is it?" Still a little wary, he left his hand near Crocea Mors.

"I'd rather we be able to discuss this in private, if you don't mind. As it is, I know a nice café in Vale that I think would be fine. Please, Jaune." It wasn't a desperate plea, but Cardin coming to him for help kind of threw him off. Unsure of what was happening, Jaune tentatively accepted the proposal. Leading the way, Cardin took Jaune to that one café he and Ruby always frequent, Dust in the Wind. Ruby loved the place, especially their cookies. Jaune was more of a tea and cake guy. Sitting down the two ordered some food and sat. Just simply sat there. The food came, and Cardin still hadn't said what he'd wanted. About to ask what was so important that he asked Jaune out here, Cardin began.

"Listen, Jaune. I wanted to ask you for some advice."

The fu-?

"Uhm… okay? On what exactly?"

"I want your advice on how to get a girl."

… eh?

"Ugh, and who might the girl be…?"

"The girl who you're good friends with, the one who leads team NNWB. Pyrrha."

And at this, Jaune's brain just short circuited.

*Afterword*

Although it was a short chapter, I hope you guys enjoyed it. Those of you that have been paying attention probably saw this coming. As for the others, I dropped quite a few hints about it early on, so shame on you for not paying attention

Anyhow, yeah. This is how it ends up. I'm going to make an arc where Jaune tries to play matchmaker with Cardin and Pyrrha. For those of you Pyrrha lovers out there, I am mercilessly laughing at you right now with playing the troll song at a high volume. To the rest of you, I say laugh too. Just for the lulz. Yep, I'm evil. Depending on how this works, I may make 'em a couple, or not. Having one less person vying for Jaune would allow me to focus more on having Velvet try and seduce him. Now that'd be fun.

On the note of Velvet, I've decided on her personality. Don't hate me for this. I'm gonna make her the straightforward type. She will try to seduce Jaune, impress him away from Ruby. She will likely act a little rudely to Ruby, but unlike Pyrrha will not try to harm Ruby or make her displeasure known through her actions. She will, of course, be on good terms with Ruby, as I like to think the two of them would be good friends.

And as for the dagger-pistol things for Jaune, I'd like to explain some reasoning for those. They're a Chekhov's Gun for later. The idea is simple, and most have probably had it. But after watching a few old documentaries and reading a crap ton of manga, I saw that most swordsmen usually had a backup blade on them; a knife, throwing knives, or a dagger or two. Thinking on this, I also thought back to Call of Duty, where the tact knife was a big bit for those crazy SoB's who liked to being a knife to a gunfight (I was admittedly one of them.) Anyhow, I thought that pistol would make for an excellent side weapon to a swordsman, and I decided to combine the two. And after so much AC, I began to like throwing knives as well. So I combined all three in daggers that, utilizing a similar mechanism to Gambol Shroud, could increase their velocity with a firing mechanism in the hilt. So, thinking this little hastily made weapon up, I gave it to Jayne to have him practice with to give him a possible ranged weapon, something he normally lacks.

Again, this is a major Chekhov's Gun for later, so just think on it. This chapter should have made it obvious at some point as to what my plan is anyhow. If not, this should cinch it. The next arc is about *****'* ********. Yeah right, since when do I post spoilers? Anyhow, if you figure those *'s out, I will be ungodly impressed. Anyhow, that's all for now. See ya later.