"Oof"

Jaune admired the newest crack he had found in the concrete floor of the training room. It was a vivid exciting coloration of grey, filled with more grey. Before he could marvel at it further, he heard footsteps and his muscles panicked remembering the kicks he had been subjected to for the past two months whenever he heard that sound. He got up almost involuntarily, bringing his shield to bear and tightening his grip on his sword. He had gotten up in time expecting a kick, so his shield was too low to save him from the punch heading straight for the bridge of his nose. As he sailed back, he couldn't help but be reminded of the feeling he got in his stomach when he had been on a roller coaster. Oddly enough it was the same feeling he had gotten when he was asking his first crush - a brunette girl his age named Victoria – to the dance. She had laughed in his face and sent him home nearly in tears, but he remembered her coming around the next day and apologizing to him in the meekest voice he had ever -. Of course, it was somehow his sisters' doing, he just knew it. Before he could chide himself for his obliviousness, his derriere hit the ground like a frisbee to send him skipping like a tall blonde stone on a very hard and unyielding lake. He didn't even remember getting up anymore. The sequence of him getting thrown on his ass and getting up had become enough of a pattern now that his brain had stopped remembering most of it.

He looked up and for the first time he didn't see the usual drunken mask on Qrow's face. She seemed to be bored out of her mind. The huntress ran at him again. Jaune knew this would progress in one of two paths but would in all likelihood end in the same way it always dead. She would either feint a kick or a punch. He would move to defend, raising his shield higher or lower, or he would anticipate her feint. Then she would either follow through with the feint or just keep going in her original direction. Either way he had done the math. This times that equals he would be on his back. If he was there too long she would rush at him to punt him. Rinse and repeat. Everything was going pretty much as it usually did but the boredom on his face unnerved him. He knew that they all knew that this would be near impossible for him. But what would happen if Qrow told Ozpin that he would never be ready for initiation at this rate. If he told her that letting Jaune attend initiation would be a death sentence for him. He had thought of going on the offensive before, but had ruled it out because, well he was Jaune. A guy who had never even held a real sword before now. But now as he saw Qrow running at him, a stupid, idiotic plan came to his mind. The woman was ten times faster than the speed she was running at right now, Jaune knew that. He took his customary position with his shield held up, waiting to see the tell tale signs of whether she was going for a punch or a kick this time. She was 2 yards away when he jumped forwards. He knew he didn't have the precision to strike Qrow with Crocea Mors so he kept his shield in front of him as he waded through the air. Just as he thought that Qrow had anticipated his telegraphed strike he felt his shield meet something solid. It wasn't long before his shoulder crashed into the inner surface of the part-shield, part-sheathe and he heard a surprised and comical "huh?". Jaune followed the shield as it fell to the ground after crashing into the mass.

When he looked up, he let loose a snort of laughter that had the formerly confused huntresses' eyes narrowing, and his chuckles died in his throat. That last thing he saw before he went into the land of forceful slumber was Qrow's boot connecting with his skull.

When he woke up, it was dark. Not dark as in night but dark as in he was blind. Had the drunk huntress finally gone too far and killed him? Or worse, had she blinded him? Well, Jaune thought with sadistic glee, at least his family would make sure she regretted it. The lights opened and Jaune couldn't help the small yelp that escaped him as he scrunched his eyes.

"Well, it took you three months but you finally decided to adapt."

"Maybe if you had ever given me a lesson on as much as holding my sword I wouldn't have taken so long."

"I told you the first day, I'm not your teacher, I'm your savior. As in I'm going to save you from dying on the first day in Beacon. Can you imagine what that would do to the self-esteem of guys everywhere? They might just all get depressed and stay home all day. And that would not bode very well for me, or the other huntresses. Risking your life every day can give you quite a ravenous appetite in a lot of different respects."

"Did you forget I have seven huntress sisters? I do not need to hear that."

"I'm doing it for them too. Well, them and me. Now get up. Your aura's back to full and I know you don't have a concussion. I'd have killed myself from the hangovers long ago if aura didn't stop those."

Jaune shielded his eyes from the glare and got out of the bed. Crocea Mors was in its sheath and he was feeling as good as he did an hour earlier before they had started 'survival training'. Qrow was waiting for him in their makeshift training ring. Ozpin had been gracious enough to lend them a spacious apartment in Vale. He had been stoked to see how well furnished it was before he learned that he was to move everything except the two beds out. Now all that was left was 2700 square feet of concrete interrupted by two beds and a suitcase he had his clothes and toiletries in.

"Since you finally got it through your thick skull that you are supposed to not keep to an unsuccessful strategy, it is time to work on your weapon."

"What, you want me to swing my sword at a dummy the whole day?"

Qrow didn't answer except for a grin before she reached behind her to draw her weapon. Jaune closed his eyes. He didn't want to see the first strike coming. It usually made dealing with the pain easier.

Eight months later

He had only ever seen her armed with Crocea Mors on her hip when she had been about to hand it to him, but now as he looked at his mother, he couldn't help a shudder. Years of motherhood had definitely not stripped her of the lethal aura every huntress exuded. Now as he saw her clad in her leather breastplate and hardened trousers, Jaune felt despair starting to claw at him. She had arrived that morning without telling him in advance. He had still been groggy from sleep when she flipped his bed over to send him sprawling on the concrete floor.

"Get up."

"Mom? What's goin on? Wha happ-"

It was a testament to Qrow's penchant for kicking him when he was down that he was able to avoid the sword his mother had been aiming at his prone form. He came to rest besides Crocea Mors, before he grabbed the sword and sheath and moved again to dodge a blow that cleaved through the mattress of his bed.

"I said get up. It's time for you to prove yourself Jaune."

He used the brief reprieve in his mother's assault on him to stand and expand his sheath into a shield.

"A hello would have been nice, you know."

His ever loving mother responded with a strike straight towards his neck that he deflected with the top of his shield. Before he could counter attack she pushed her shoulder into his shield, catching him unawares and pushing him back. He was able to stop himself from falling back by using his sword as a cane. There was little rest for him however as his mother was already pressing the attack while he had been stumbling backwards, and he saw a booted foot rush towards his shield to push him back further. Jaune grunted as his back met the wall, and he lowered his shield momentarily. Violetta had not lost so much as a step however, she instinctually spotted the opportunity and went in for the kill. She thrust her sword towards her son's throat but before it could connect Jaune ducked and forced his shield into her chest. While she moved to right herself Jaune circled away from the wall.

"Mom, why does it seem like you're trying to kill me?"

His mother's eyes darkened as she stepped forwards once again. She struck at his legs, forcing him to lower his shield and when he did she grabbed hold of it. While it was true that if all things had been equal Jaune would have been significantly stronger physically than his middle aged mother but as things stood at the moment she ripped the shield from his hands and Jaune had to let go lest his left hand get caught in the handle and be torn away.

"You think I'm trying to kill you right now? I'm giving you a glimpse of how outmatched you will be. You've killed Grimm with Qrow watching over you so you think you're ready. What will you do when you're alone, surrounded by dozens of them. This isn't a movie Jaune. They won't wait and run at you one by one. They won't wait for you to deal with one of them before another attacks. They will pile up on you, their jaws snapping at your flesh in an effort to get a hold. And when they do, they won't let go."

She punctuated her last word with an overhead strike that Jaune had to use both hands to block. His sword strained against the force, the sharp edge stalking ever closer to his face. Contrary to popular belief, you couldn't just grunt and force your opponent back in such a situation. He had tried that. The edge was about to cut through his skin when he remembered one of Qrow's most invaluable lessons. There's no such thing as a fair fight. Jaune lifted his knee, ramming it straight into his mother's groin. The action didn't as much as hurt his mother as surprise her but it was enough. The pressure on him relaxed for a second and he used the reprieve to jump out from under the maternal guillotine.

Before he could dwell on what he had done his mother's surprise was burned away by the frighteningly arctic look that she had worn since she had woken him up. He didn't even have time to bring his sword up as he saw his mother disappear from in front of him. The next thing he felt was a bludgeon to the back of his head that sent him nearly ten feet into a cartwheel. He saw his aura flare again to signal his defeat, but he would not let it be over like this. Rising to his feet, he retook his position – shield held in front of him and sword by his side – and looked at his foe.

"It's over Jaune. Submit."

He didn't answer except to charge her like the boarbatusks Qrow had made him cut down.

"Stop this Jaune, you could get hurt."

Violetta easily dodged the charge but didn't dare to strike back. Her resolve was giving way now that she knew her only son was as vulnerable as he was less than a year ago. The stupid boy didn't know when to give up, charging her as mindlessly as the boarbatusks he was emulating now. No longer was there any tactic to his movements, his mind completely blank except for a hot rage in his eyes. Violetta saw him collide with a wall as she dodged yet again, but she didn't miss the telltale sound of a breaking nose. His momentum had been too much to arrest and he couldn't stop himself from colliding with the wall face first. Her eyes narrowed, Violetta didn't move the next time he got up. Her heart fluttered like a hummingbird when she saw his bloody nose but her brain helped steel her for what she had to do to put an end to this. As soon as he got close enough she dodged his unwieldy sword and stepped into his guard, using his own momentum to flip him over. Before he could get up again she kicked away his sword from him. Jaune would have risen regardless but he felt something unseen stopping him from moving his hands or feet at all.

"Thank you Rose. Qrow, is this what you've been teaching him? To pick fights he can never win?"

He could hear the usually careless voice of the huntress take on a serious tone he had heard only once before.

"You saw him fight you, and you've seen the vids I sent of him fighting Grimm. He'll be the runt of the new litter but he won't be completely defenseless. And can you imagine any reason why he would suddenly become so desperate?"

His voice rang out with a desperation he couldn't mask, and he knew his mother would just chalk that up to another reason for him not being ready.

"Mom, you ca-, can't stop me. I'm going to Beacon."

His mother's puzzlement gave him pause before she responded.

"Why did you think I wouldn't keep my end of the bargain and let you attend Beacon?"

"But, but you said. You said I needed to prove myself. I lost. "

"All of your sisters except Jen and Arya still lose to me, and the former have had lucky days as of late."

A sickly saccharine voice called out from where he knew the doorway was, and he realized it was his eldest sibling.

"Oh really mother? We'll have to test how long this streak of luck lasts me then."

His mother ignored the jab and continued.

"You were adaptive, quick on your feet and you knew to take an opportunity and do whatever you could to win. Your hardly at the level of the average Beacon initiate but you are far enough that you can at least defend yourself and make it through initiation. Though I will be having words with you over that cheap shot. That may have worked against boys but girls are quite – "

"AAAH STOP. I GET IT. JUST STOP, I'VE SUFFERED THIS TALK ONCE, I WONT DO IT AGAIN."

There was a slight uptwist as she struggled and failed to hide her amusement and Jaune felt the pressure on his limbs finally give way. He sat up to see Jennifer and Rose standing in the doorway of the apartment and he realized what had been holding him down, Rose's semblance. Grasping his mother's outstretched arm, he stood up on wooden feet that felt like they were about to give way at any moment. He turned to look at his mother and couldn't help the hoping as he asked his mother once again.

"So, I'm going to Beacon right?"

His mother looked at each of the other huntresses in the room. Qrow had gone back to drinking, Jen nodded lightly and Rose was holding both thumbs up.

"Only if you promise me this. Promise me you will never underestimate anything you come across, not because you're weak but because it'll help you survive long enough to come home to me. And please, please promise me one thing. You will do everything you can – EVERYTHING – to come back to me."

Jaune embraced her, ignoring the pain flaring through his arm. He whispered into the mane of her hair.

"I promise."

A month later

His father had told him about it but he hadn't believed him. He had aura now, surely he wouldn't be affected by the curse of his male forebears? But as he knelt over the trash bin regurgitating the day's breakfast – was that what scrambled eggs looked like when it was in the stomach? – he couldn't help but whimper. His stomach had emptied yet his treacherous body still kept dry heaving from time to time. At least the nausea kept his attention away from the girls all around him who were looking at him in confusion at best and derision and disgust at worst. The closest to him was a pair of girls that seemed oddly familiar. The younger of the two was quite childlike, and was dressed in a long sleeved thick black blouse with a high collar and red trim on the sleeves, a black waist cincher with red lacing up the front, and a black skirt with red trim. Her feet were covered in thick black stockings and black combat boots. The older of the two was quite a bit taller with a yellow crop top that exposed a toned stomach. Most of her ensemble was yellow apart from her jacket, and she might have passed for an Arc on virtue of her blonde hair. He also couldn't help but notice how well developed she was compared to the younger girl but before he could stare long enough to be noticed his breakfast swore its vengeance and threatened to break free of his stomach. The sound of the chunks hitting the bottom of the near empty trash can were like a firing squad, killing any prospects he might have had with the all-female student body. AS he finally stood up, he realized quite a few of the girls were huddled together, doing their best to keep their distance from him. Before he could finish weighing the merits of jumping out of the porthole, the aircraft slowed to a stop and began descending. There was a rush of girls scrambling to get out of the vehicle, almost running over the attendant standing outside. Jaune sighed dejectedly, before grabbing his luggage and guitar.

Despite the volume of food he had regurgitated, he couldn't help but stare as he took in the massive castle. His attention was enraptured by something much closer to him however. As he walked forwards, he could make out a large marble statue depicting a woman in a victorious pose holding a very familiar sword and shield. He looked down at the inscription.

In memory of Cynthia Arc. Savior of countless lives from the Grimm menace who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect her team.

"It is not what one can do that makes them a hero. It is what they couldn't do and yet did."

He was broken out of his reverie because by an explosion just a few steps away. The same younger girl he saw in the bullhead was being yelled at by a girl clad in white. She was extremely well off, if the numerous suitcases and articles were anything to go by, along with the butlers. The younger girl was still on the ground, and Jaune could see the irate girl in white get in a few more choice jabs that had the smaller girl looking abashedly towards the ground. Jaune felt a very uncharacteristic flash of quite an intense dislike towards the rich girl. He strode towards the girl who was still looking around for someone and put out his hand.

"Hey there. Is there a comfy spot on the ground that no one else noticed?"

The gothic themed girl looked at his hand puzzled before she took his hand and stood up.

"Thanks for that. Oh, I'm Ruby Rose by the way."

"Jaune Arc. Short, sweet and rolls off the tongue. Ladies love it."

The girl stared at him long enough to make him feel uncomfortable and just before he was about to flee, she broke down into giggles.

"That's the funniest introduction I've ever heard."

As they both set off with their luggage, Ruby couldn't help but ask.

"So, umm, not to be rude but what are you here for?"

Ozpin had asked him not to reveal details about his condition before the press conference that was scheduled when – if – he passed initiation.

"I'm just here for… my sister. Yeah, my sister. She's becoming a huntress."

"But then why are you here? And why do you have a sword?"

"Umm, oh yeah. My sister forgot it at home so I'm here to give it to her."

Ruby didn't seem like she could fathom a huntress that would forget her own weapon but before she could process this heresy - no blasphemy - both of them realized their surroundings had become very quiet, without the constant hustle and ruckus that accompanied students of almost any age.

"Wait, are you sure this is the way to orientation?" asked Jaune.

"WHAT? But I was following you!" little red ruby replied.

Both of them looked at each other, mortified at the prospect of being late on their very first day before they broke into a sprint.

Orientation was almost ending by the time they reached the mass of assembled bodies, and Ruby called out something about meeting up with her sister before she left Jaune, moving away in a flash of, rose petals? Turning his attention towards the stage, he noticed the departure of Professor Ozpin and what appeared to be a senior teacher with a very severe expression. Any further observation was snuffed out by the feeling of hands around him that pulled the hood of his own hoodie over his head. Jaune's mind ran through multiple scenarios. Had the council of Vale learned about him? Or did Atlas intercept their communications and send spies to kidnap him? His instincts had been honed through trial by Qrow, and his elbow found something solid as he swung it back, even as he was withdrawing his own sword. He had almost drawn it fully before he felt his legs unceremoniously kicked out from underneath him, and he hit the concrete floor with an unenviable thud. The fall may have been serious if he hadn't had aura but there were still the assailant(s) for him to worry about. He felt himself free for the moment, and freed his head from his woolen prison, ready to fight. He stopped when he saw the blonde mane, sapphire eyes and the shit eating grin he didn't realize he had come to miss.

"So it's true. That old huntress did teach you to fight. I half expected you to flounder around trying to get the hood off for ten minutes."

"Very funny Natalie, you made your brother look like even more of an imbecile in front of his future classmates. Happy now?"

Looking around he felt relief flood into him as most of hall was nearly empty, the other students having left long before.

"You know if anyone calls you an imbecile they're dead right? All you need to do is tell me and I'll handle them."

Instantly the memory of the girl who had insulted him when he had asked her out came to his mind. It had been cathartic to see the mighty brought low but it had been significantly less satisfying when any girl he walked up to after that ran away from him in terror after meekly – but respectfully – rejecting him.

"NO. You do not interfere Natalie. I'm serious, just let me do this on my own."

"C'mon, you think I'm gonna let my baby brother be bullied? The rest of the hags would never let me live it down."

"I see you interfere and I might just show everyone the pictures we took on the day of your 13th birthday."

"I will end you Jaune Arc, and no one would be able to stop me. They're all too far away."

"Perhaps, but not before I send the pictures out."

"Fine. Since when did you grow a backbone? Anyway Ozpin asked me to bring you to your room for the night. Initiation is tomorrow and usually the girls sleep all together in the same hall. Get your mind out of the gutter, princess. Teenage boys, ugh. The girls usually sleep together but Ozpin wants to keep you a secret till you pass initiation so you get your own room. Someone will bring your stuff up."

"Lead the way dear sister o mine."

Natalie just rolled her eyes – that staple of adolescents everywhere – before leading him to a room in one of the faculty wings. The journey had become silent and awkward, with Jaune's attempt at conversation being smothered by Natalie's unease and tension. As they reached the room and Jaune moved to check in, he was smothered for the second time of the day in a vicious hug.

"Promise me you'll come back to us? I don't care if you fail initiation, none of us do Jaune, as long as you're alive."

Jaune felt for his sister, he really did but he still couldn't stop the flare of irritation that accompanied her words. He wasn't selfish enough to snap at someone for worrying about him however, so smoothing out his face he nodded back at his anxious elder sibling.

"Well, I guess I'll leave you to it then. I'll be waiting for you tomorrow. You better meet me first thing when you're back alright?"

By the time his sister had departed it was evening, and the sun was setting. He would have thought himself too excited for sleep but the motion sickness had taken a lot out of him and so had the aimless wandering around Beacon's massive campus. Before he knew it, Jaune Arc was drifting off to sleep. He didn't dream that night. For how could you, when your dreams had finally a chance of becoming reality?

Sorry for the delay, I had my university convocation and meeting up with old friends took up a chunk of my time. Now hold your pitchforks and listen while I say the rest please. This story will be delayed for about a week most probably while I work on the other story I mentioned, Fides, Unitas, Obsequium. The strawpoll didn't really get much response which was disheartening but before anyone accuses me of ignoring the results, one of the votes was my own as I tested whether it worked or not. You can probably see this story in the next few days as I'll start working on it today, and if you want a summary it's this.

Fides, Unitas, Obsequium: It was a sunny day on the Earth defense forces base Khanjar. That is, until the entirety of the base and it's 2000 personnel were transported to a patch of dirt outside Vale on Remnant. Can man's nature be tamed or will humanity never learn?

If you want to be notified when the story comes out you can follow my profile. As always, please review, and thank you for the support. I don't know if it's good or not but I'm ecstatic with how many followers I've gotten. Ciao.