Old Friends

Jeanne's eyes felt heavy. She could hear several voices around her, she sifted her hand trying to find something to help her up. Her hand roamed around a cloth like surface until she felt a rough but somehow gentle hand. As if on instinct she took hold of that hand and she felt something she hadn't felt in a long time. She felt content just like this, she didn't know why but she didn't want to let go of this hand no matter what.

"Hey, I think she just moved!"

"Really?"

"Of course she's unconscious not dead"

Jeanne felt something poke her cheek repeatedly.

"Nore, cut it out" She heard a calm voice say.

Jeanne slowly opened her eyes, she sat up and saw all of her friends surrounding her with concerned looks. She wondered why they were looking at her like that. Then it suddenly struck her, 'THE INITIATION TEST!' She thought. A feeling of regret washed over her, she couldn't even fulfill her promise after all. . . .

Jeanne hung her head low in shame. She felt her hand being tightly squeezed as though it was comforting her, she looked up and saw a worried Ruben whose face was scarlet red but despite that he was still giving her a reassuring smile.

She wondered for awhile why his face was like that. She looked down and realized the hand she grabbed earlier was Ruben's. She soon blushed scarlet, she looked to Ruben and their eyes met. She quickly turned to look the other way.

'W-What just happened!' She screamed in her mind. She just held Ruben's hand, what if he took it the wrong way? What if she had just ruined their friendship? Moreover what was this feeling bubbling up in her chest? So many things were running over her mind.

"Uhhh, are we interrupting something?" Yin asked deciding to break the ice. He was happy his little brother got to experience this for the first time. But at the same time he was worried, not only about what would become of them. But what was Jeanne?

Yin quickly ran over to the massive gathering of Grimm near the center of the abandoned ruins near the cliff. He heard that Jeanne had a plan, and like the kind person he was he wanted to go and assist her with her plan. But instead he saw something he would never have thought to be even possible.

Surrounded by the lifeless bodies of fallen Grimm was Jeanne who was holding up a Bewolf by its neck, black substance seeped out from its body and was somehow absorbed by Jeanne. Yin was completely baffled by the sight before him, his mind temporarily shut down when he saw Jeanne's eyes turned red for a brief moment before turning back to its original color.

In that moment he knew that he had to leave. He turned around and ran back to the others not sure what to do with this discovery of his.

But for some reason he stopped running and was come over with the immense urge to turn back. Like something was drawing him close, it was strange, he never felt like this before. But right now he wanted nothing but to come running to the place where Jeanne was.

It scared him. He didn't know why, he turned his head around to look back and saw that Jeanne was smirking at him. Like she new he was going to come running to her before turning around and leaving.

He silently watched as his brother and her blushed even harder before awkwardly distancing themselves much to the amusement of the others. He wasn't sure of anything yet. Whether the events that happened during the Initiation Test were really or just a figment of his imagination he wasn't really sure. But he knew one thing, he was going to keep a watchful eye over Jeanne.

Especially now that she has gotten awfully close to Ruben.

A sudden knock was heard on the infirmary door snapping Yin out of his thoughts.

Headmistress Ozzlyn and Professor Glyn came into the room. "May Mr. Xiao Long please step out of the room for awhile" He requested. "Yeah sure" Yin nodded as he followed the Professor out of the room.

"So" The Headmistress started. "How are you doing Jeanne?" She asked her gently. "Oh, yeah, I'm doing great now" She smiled, her muscles felt a bit sore but aside from that she was doing alright. Although she had absolutely no memory about the Initiation Test after she and Pyrrhus encountered that Deathstalker. "I have to ask though" Jeanne added.

"And what might that be?" The headmistress asked.

"Did I pass the initiation?" Jeanne asked. She knew she should have asked how the initiation went but she wanted to know if she passed or not. Right now all she could think about was the promise she made. The promise she wasn't ever allowed to break.

This interested the headmistress. 'So she doesn't remember after all'

"I'm happy to say that you have passed the examination along with the others Miss. Arc" She smiled.

Jeanne smiled brightly at her. "I passed. . . . WOOOH! I passed" She cheered loudly. She finally did it. She was now officially on her way to becoming a true huntress just like she promised. She felt like she was forgetting something very important though. . . . .

"Wait. Where's Pyrrhus?" She looked around the room in hopes of finding her partner but no luck.

"He said he had something to take care of" Blaise explained closing his novel. "But he said he would be back soon, so don't worry. Out of everyone, he was the one who seemed most concerned about you" He smiled.

"Oh. Did he tell you why?" Jeanne asked.

"No" Blaise shook his head. He also wondered why but didn't ask Pyrrhus he knew he had his own reasons.

Ozzlyn smiled, she was finally adjusting to the school like she had hoped."As much as I'd hate to interrupt this conversation but I must remind you that classes will be starting soon" Ozzlyn said.

"Classes?!" Jeanne exclaimed. In the midst of her excitement she forgot that Beacon Academy was also a school. Then she realized Rei, Nore, Blaise, Eiss and Ruben were all wearing their uniforms and she was still in her combat gear.

"Don't worry Miss. Arc, you are exempted from your classes today so just rest for now. You are free to go to your team's dorm" The Headmistress explained. "Well I too must get going" She explained excusing herself and exiting the room. Right after she went out the door Yin came in as chipper as ever. "Welp, what are you guys waiting for? We gotta go before we're late!" He exclaimed slinking his arm with Blaise and going out the room.

"He's right, lets go Nore we'll see you later Jeanne" Rei bowed to her leader before calmly exiting the room with Nore.

"See ya later Jeanne! Oh! And we redecorated a little in our dorm, don't worry though! We didn't touch your side at all so you can design it however you like!" Nore explained waving goodbye and left.

"Alright goodbye guys" Jeanne said waving goodbye to her teammates. She really wanted to go with them to class too even though she knew she would get bored the second she sat down and get lectured by the teacher again like in her former schools. Her expression turned a bit sour when she remembered some of her old memories from home, all her old friends and her old school, she missed them.

Ruben saw her expression and grew worried.

Eiss noticed the worried expression on his partners face and grew irritated. There was no way he would be tardy for class just because of his partners measly attraction "Are you planning to stay here all day, dunce?" Eiss impatiently asked his partner.

Ruben frowned "No, I guess not" He said turning to face Jeanne. "I have to go now, see you later, okay?"

"Yeah, see you later Ruben" Jeanne smiled as she waved him goodbye. Once he and Eiss left she was left all alone inside the infirmary. She sighed and let herself fall back into the infirmary bed. She lifted her hands up in the air and stared at them for awhile and bringing them back down again. She tried twisting her body to check for anything sore.

Nothing. . . . .

'How did I even pass?' She asked herself. 'I don't even remember what happen after that Deathstalker threw me into a tree!' She thought.'Come to think of it why am I still here? The headmistress said I could go into the dorms! And I still have the rest of the day so I can maybe go into town!' Jeanne smiled and rushed outside the door.

Jeanne ran towards the dorms with glee. It wouldn't be long now! That is, until she bumped into someone else. The impact was great enough to make both of them tumble down.

"Hey! Watch it!" A voice gruff but feminine like voice grumbled.

Jeanne looked up and saw that it was none other than.

"Cailin Winchester?"

Cailin bushed away a strand of her waist long chestnut hair and squinted her eyes so she could get a better look at the person who bumped into her.

"Jeanne Arc?

Both were shocked to see each other after so long but Cailin broke the ice by standing up and giving Jeanne a helping hand. She then pulled Jeanne into a bone-crushing hug "How ya doing Jeanney? Been awhile" She broke apart from the hug and Jeanne thought that one of her ribs might have been broken during their reunion.

Just when she thought she was safe Cailin playfully patted Jeanne's back completely forgetting the strength she had. The force caused Jeanne to jerk back in pain. "F-Fine" Jeanne managed to say.

Cailin raised her eyebrow "Still as fragile as a doll I see, aye Jeanney?" She smirked. "Honestly thought you would have changed 7 years. Guess I thought wrong" She laughed lightheartedly which caused Jeanne to shoot her an unappreciated look.

"Hey! I'll have you know I'm a team leader now!" Jeanne proudly boasted puffing out her chest and putting her hands on her waist.

"I'm a team leader too, team CRDL's the name" Cailin smirked. She carefully observed Jeanne up and down "And I'm taller than you now" She added just to see Jeanne's reaction she meant no harm but she also knew Jeanne would think otherwise. It was always like this back then, she would insult Jeanne, Jeanne would retaliate, eventually it would escalate into a fight, then they would ignore each other for the rest of the day, then the next day they make up. Cailin, had secretly inside missed her company deep down, though she wouldn't admit it even if her life depended on it.

"Height doesn't have anything to do with out conversation!" Jeanne exclaimed, her face turning red at the embarrassing truth.

"Yes, it does" Cailin said.

"How?" Jeanne asked.

"Wait. It doesn't? I thought we were boasting?" Cailin said innocently. Jeanne knew she was faking and went into a silent fit to vent out all her frustrations at her childhood *friend*. Cailin chuckled at her actions. "Jeez, Jeanne it was just a joke"

Jeanne sighed "Yeah, I know. But it does feel good to vent out all of your frustrations once and awhile" She explained.

"Yikes, rough day already?"

"Kinda"

Cailin noticed Jeanne's lack of uniform and grew curious "Hey, why aren't you in your uniform?"

"Yeah, I'm kinda exempted from class today" Jeanne explained rubbing the back of her neck.

"Special treat meant huh?" Cailin said. "Well aren't you the luck one"

Jeanne knew where this was going and decided to evade it "Hey, aren't you late for class?"

Cailin's eyes went wide at the realization. "Oh Man! Hey listen, Jeanne. Lets talk later okay?" Cailin then dash off to her class all the while Jeanne was hoping she didn't get in to too much trouble because of her.

"Now, where's the team's dorm room?" Jeanne thought to herself scratching her head in confusion

Meanwhile Ruben and the others were currently attending the class of proffessor Oobleck. Ruben had to admit the woman was as fast as he was when using his sembalance 'I wonder what kind of coffee she's drinking?' He wondered to himself, his eyes tried their hardest to keep up with her blindingly fast movements across the room.

He glanced over to Blaise who was diligently taking notes. 'How does he even keep up with her?' Ruben's eyes went over to his own notes that were mostly just random doodles that he made earlier.

He looked over to his brother who had an oddly serious look on his face that would rarely get when the situation didn't call for it. 'He's been like this ever since Professor Goodwitch talked to him. I wonder what they were talking about'

His thought were interrupted when a pretty girl burst into the room panting heavily. She had dark blue eyes that reminded him of the ocean and neatly combed chestnut brown colored hair. She was also taller than the average girl. When she finally caught her breath she glared over to a group of girl sitting in the row above him and then turned her attention to the Professor who was already in front of her.

"Ah, Miss Winchester. May I ask as to why you are 15 minutes and 7 seconds late to my class?" The Professor asked looking at his watch then back at her.

"Uuuuhhh" She started not knowing what to say. She silently cursed under her breath.

"Hmm? What was that? Something about a Miss Arc?"

Cailin silently nodded. She knew where this was going, she's been late plenty of times back in Signal.

"So you mean to tell me the reason you are late for my class is because you stopped to chat with your friend? Is that it?" The Professor asked.

"Kinda" Cailin said unable to explain it in a good way since that was exactly what happened.

"Well why didn't you say so?! Everyone take an example from this girl" The Professor said taking Cailin by the shoulders and dragging her to the center of the room. "When you are a hunter you shall realize how important bonds are, bonds between your friends, family but most especially your teammates. Remember everyone. No true hunter fights alone, for her or she does not deserve to be a hunter when he or she does not form bonds that will last several life times" The Professor explained with pride. Speaking from true experience.

Cailin's face turned red from embarassmment, the moment the Professor allowed her to return to her seat she immediately hit all of her teammates upside their heads and got mad at them from leaving her behind.

Ruben sat there in silence surprised that she knew Jeanne 'All this time I thought the only people Jeanne knew so far in the Academy was us' He thought. He was happy to know that Jeanne had someone else to rely on but at the same time he felt sad. He didn't know why yet but he wanted to help Jeanne the most, he wanted to be the person she could rely on every time she had a problem.

He turned to stare at the window and thought. 'I wonder what Jeanne is doing right about now?'

Jeanne suddenly sneezed and dropped her cup of coffee on her lap. That's right, of all the things she could have done in her free time she chose to spend her time in a coffee shop while reading her favorite comic, X- Ray and Vav.

She had a strange feeling someone was talking about her, she shrugged it off and continued to read the comic. Ocasionally snickering at some of the hilarious parts. After awhile when she finally finished reading the comic, She checked her watch, 11:30am. She still had plenty more of hours to kill. She pondered on what to do, she still had a bit of Lien left in her pocket.

She considered the two options that were in her mind. Going to the video game store or taking a stroll around the city.

After a solid 3minutes of thinking she decided it would be better to take a stroll, that way it wouldn't be too harsh on her wallet.

She quickly paid her bill and went out of the coffee shop. She grabbed a map of the city and started to think which place would be better to start. She decided on the park. She took in the amazing lights of the city, its diversity, its culture, it was really different then from the small island she lived in before. She wasn't used to this place at all, the challenges of being a huntress and living up to the family name. . . . .

She sat on one of the benches and reclined. Closing her eyes. She remembered her childhood with Cailin and her brothers. Those days were always filled with fun, there was hardly a dull moment. But it also had its down sides, she and Cailin were so different and back then they rarely got along if it wasn't for her big brother she would have hardly even approached Cailin at all and she wouldn't have been friends with her.

The image of the four of them playing in the forest with wooden swords many years ago entered her mind. On the outskirts of the little town they lived in, without a care in the world, she remembered Cailin being ever so boastful about her fighting capabilities and her brother being the patient and understanding person he is took her under his wing, well, all three of them under his wing and began teacher them the basics.

'That's right the four of us. . . . '

Jeanne blinked.

"The four of us?" She asked herself in confusion. 'Where on earth did that come from? I don't recall anyone else aside from Cailin and big bro, who the heck is the fourth person?' She thought to herself, in the back of her mind she thought she could she a figure standing behind all the clouded memories. For some reason she felt like she wasn't supposed to forget that person even though she already did.

"Jeanne? I-Is that you?" A voice asked. Gentle and hesitant.

Jeanne looked up and saw a very familiar face that she hadn't seen in so many years, the wheels in her mind began turning and she finally remembered that fourth person whom she cared so much for during their childhood.

"Val?"

The bunny eared faunus smiled fondly at his old friend and extended his right arm for a handshake. "How have you been?" He asked looking down at a speechless Jeanne.

To be continued

Authors Note: Hey guys! Sorry for updating SO-SO-SO-SO Late I meant to update this a few months ago but I wasn't really satisfied and writers block was really holding me back, anyways I know my excuses don't really matter all that much but I just wanna let you guys know I will try to be updating as frequently as I did. Try, with exams coming up its really hard to focus.

Anyways, I hope to see you guys again in the next chapter!