Mithos here again! Sorry for the slow update (compared to usual), but I spent more time writing and refining this one as my previous ones. I sent it to a few of my friends and they told me it could use a bit more work, so hopefully that shows.

As always, please enjoy the read!

"Did it really take you two days to get a chance to talk to me?" Jaune asks Ozpin through his scroll.

Today is the day Beacon Academy opens its gates for students. Jaune currently rides the airship toward the school, leaning against the wall while scowling at the scroll in use to contact Ozpin.

"I am still the Headmaster. I have been busy the last few days preparing for the first-year students. There is nothing you have to concern yourself about."

"Except there was!" The airship slows down and prepares for docking. The slight shaking only unsettles the blonde more. "I think I angered President Schnee. Being a man of power, I don't know if he's going to send someone to erase me!" The blonde whispers, with his eyes darting around the ship, closely examining everyone around him. "I don't even know if I'm being watched right now."

Ozpin stares at him blankly. "Do not worry, I have already resolved the issue. While you are at my school, you are under my jurisdiction. I doubt he will be that blatant about his motives."

The airship stops as Ozpin finishes talking.

"I hope you're right. For the last couple of days, I think I made as many enemies as friends." Jaune recalls the criminal, the blonde, and President Schnee whom he met a few days ago. Seriously, how am I not lying dead in the middle of a random ditch? "If this is the upcoming trend, I need you to warn me. Or hide me in a place as unassailable as possible."

The man takes a drink before replying. "From this point forward, I am legally your guardian. I will do my utmost to ensure yours survival." Glynda taps Ozpin's shoulder. "I must to prepare for the ceremony now. If you need anything else, talk to me after initiation." The screen goes black.

Ughhh. I initially wanted to come to school because it was the easiest way to follow Master's path, while still figuring out what I want. But now I'm just worried. Did I make the wrong choice?

Jaune looks around him as he finishes his thought. Everyone had left the airship, and he takes the clue to do the same.

Stepping out, he takes a scan of the school.

Last time I came here, I couldn't get a good look since it was dark. The school is extremely large, having to both house the students and faculty while having space for lessons. Beacon Tower stands out the most, being the tallest building around. True to its name, light emanates from the top; he feels the structure towering over him, like an adult man to an ant.

Jaune follows the large road, aptly named Main Avenue, taking in the greenery around him. The trees are all a vibrant green, with unblemished trunks wrapping around the ground near itself. It reminds me of the cabin. I could get used to how much greenery is around. Mental note: Find a good place to relax to read a book and/or play games.

As he approaches the column rings that surround a large building, he could see a familiar red silhouette on the ground.

Preparing for a repeat of their first meeting, he covers his mouth. Luckily, neither memories nor gastric juices come up. A sigh of relief escapes him as he considers his next action.

I should go greet her, since I have met her before. She could be my first friend! Oh, maybe these last few days weren't too bad after all.

As he gets closer, he could see a crater around the girl. Using that as a way to lighten the mood, he offers her his hand. "So what's with you and explosions, Crater Face? Should I expect a daily explosion with you?"

The girl gives a muted laugh before taking his hand. "Jaune, right? I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to talk to you or thank you after the Torchwick thing, Ozpin wouldn't let me do either and he didn't give me your contact information and are you okay now you didn't seem hurt and I didn't even know you were coming to Beacon..."

"Ruby, slow down, I'm fine," the blonde interrupts her before her speeding bullet speech overwhelms him. "I'm actually more worried about you. Aren't you a bit young to be attending Beacon?"

"I did skip two years of school," the girl answers while fiddling with her hands. "But I don't want you to treat me differently! I'm just a normal girl with normal knees."

"Normal knees?" He raises an eyebrow. I have never heard of that expression before. Maybe it has something to do with how baby's kneecap are weak, and she's comparing herself to that? Jaune tilts his head, question marks all over his face.

He decides to ignore that part and changes the topic. "So do you know where we're going? I wasn't exactly paying attention on the ship."

"Nope," the girl replies, popping the 'p.' "I originally hoped my sister would help me, but she ran off with her other friends..." Her crestfallen face looks down at the ground, kicking a small rock away. She plays with the hem of her skirt, fixing the nonexistent wrinkle.

Do all girls have that look? He recalls Miltia's pout. More notes to self: Learn to be resistant of girls' sad looks. Jaune takes a quick glance at her again. No matter how useless it may appear.

"Well, that's okay!" the boy shouts, pointing towards himself. "You're here with your friend too!" She skipped two years, so she probably doesn't know anyone. I can be her first friend.

Ruby looks at him, silver eyes sparkling and showing his reflection. "Really?"

"Really." Those...eyes...How can anyone resist!? Jaune scratches his cheek in an attempt to remove the red on his face. "So you don't know, huh? It's times like these, I use Master's handy-dandy rules. Rule Number Four: When you're lost, charge straight ahead! The world's obstacles and forces will push you to where you need to go!"

Ruby takes a moment to pause and tilts her head toward him. "Doesn't that get you more lost instead?"

Jaune takes a second to consider the last time he used that rule. "You're probably right, but it makes for a great story."

Ruby gives him a smile, and they both follow the road. A gentle silence fills the air between them.

Oh crap, I never had to lead the conversation. Melanie and Miltia made it so easy to talk to, and in games the girls always take the lead... Gotta think of a topic, a topic...

Before he could speak up, Ruby transforms her weapon to scythe mode. A loud clunk sound follows when the scythe embeds into the ground. "So...I got this thing."

Jaune recognizes the weapon from before, but it is impressive now that he has to chance to closely look at it. It's a scythe and gun combination. I think she used the rifle's recoil to push herself up to the roof. "A scythe, huh? That's really cool. I think I would decapitate myself if I tried to use it."

"It's also a customizable, high-impact, sniper rifle. I had to learn from my Uncle Qrow how to use it. So what do you have?" She points toward the sword at Jaune's side. "Did your master teach you how to use that too?"

He unsheathes the blade, revealing the short sword. "Yup. It's a short sword made from black silver. Apparently it was really hard to make, but since I wasn't there for its production, I don't know how true that is." He stops to recall all of bruises Master gave him. "Yes...in a way, she 'taught' me."

Questions marks appear over Ruby's head. "Black silver? I have never heard of a material like that...I wonder what its properties are? Can I use that on Crescent Rose's blade to make it cut better? Maybe it's lighter than the carbon fiber I used on the frame. But if it's weaker than it, it won't be..." Ruby keeps talking about her weapon, until she realizes Jaune have not said a single word.

"Ummm...sorry for talking so much." She looks down at the ground. "I designed Crescent Rose myself, and I really like weapon design and I always think about ways to improve them, but..." Ruby realizes Jaune still did have not spoken.

It's cute. "It's cute," he says. Wait, did I say that out loud? Quickly say something else less embarrassing! "The way you talk really shows your love for your weapon. I think a lot of guys will love that part about you." Wait, that was even worse! "And girls! I think a lot of people will like you!" He scratches his cheek again, self-conscious by his bumbling words.

"Eh heh." Ruby looks down, with her cheeks tinged with red. "Do you really think so?"

"I know so." I really hope so. She seems like a sweet girl. Outside of the scary weapon of death. God, that was so embarrassing! Maybe I shouldn't trust my instincts on what to say anymore...I'm pulling the worst lines out from my games.

Jaune takes a look at the time. "Okay, I think we need to hurry to...wherever we go. If we look around, we can probably find someone to ask directions from."

Ruby nods. "Let's go."

Jaune recalls his rule again. It hasn't steered me wrong yet! "Charge forward!"

The two runs into the main hall, short of breath.

"See...we made it! That wasn't so bad," the blonde says to his partner.

"Jaune..." she says, panting. The look she gives him was anything but one of agreement. "We ran into the girl's bathroom! I don't think you need to follow the rule that closely!"

He considers his mistake, before giving a shrug. "At least the girls inside were nice enough to give us directions."

A voice calls out to Ruby before she could retort. "Ruby, over here! I saved you a spot!"

"Oh, that's my sister." The girl in red considers introducing Jaune, but the danger of introducing her first friend being a boy was not lost on her.

"I would like to meet her. She seems like an...interesting individual." She ditches her sister on the first day. I know there's something called independence, but...he takes a look at Ruby. How does anyone abandon this adorable creature?! Suddenly, he gets a urge to mess with her hair. DOWN BOY, he reprimands himself as he slaps his hand out of the air.

The girl in red leads him to the other blond. "This is Yang, my sister. This is Jaune, my first friend at Beacon." Ruby gives a small smile at that proclamation.

Recognizing each other, they both point and exclaimed, "You again!"

"You nearly destroyed the nightclub!" Jaune accused first.

"I was stuck in handcuffs for eight hours! The police couldn't cut through it until the locksmith came!" Yang countered.

Oh yeah, those handcuffs were meant for Grimm...Stupid pinning practice. "So you destroyed them? You could have just asked for the keys!"

"I didn't even know you!" The two continue to stare at each other, imaginary sparks flying between them. Both clench their fists, ready to jump at each other's throat at a moment's notice.

Yang is the first one to step back. "Wait a minute. You're going to the school? Why did you have handcuffs on you?"

I can't tell them I used them to capture Grimm. They'll think I'm insane! "It's a toy. I play games with them." Jaune deadpans.

It was both the right and wrong thing to say.

"A toy, huh?" The long hair blonde wiggles her eyebrows. "What kind of games?"

"Well, clearly Cops and Robbers," Ruby chimes in. "What other games involve handcuffs?" She gives Yang a look like she just stated cookies aren't the best food in the world.

Jaune felt as if lightning struck him when he realize what Yang insinuated. "I mean, I..." Oh crap! I thought that excuse was perfect!

"Of course! So, blondie, do you like to play as Cops...or Robbers?" Yang gives him a knowing smile, hinting at the meaning behind the question.

This is worse than Melanie and Miltia! The look she gives sends warning signs to Jaune's head. I need another topic. Quickly!

Ruby finds the scene how quickly they reconcile, she remembers the scene with Weiss and silently hopes they could get along.

As if summoned, the girl in white shows up behind Ruby. "You!" Weiss points at her.

"Oh God I was just kidding! Please don't hurt me!" Ruby jumps into Yang's arms.

"You were lucky we weren't blown off the side of the cliff!" Weiss admonishes her.

"You were caught in an explosion?" Yang asks, mouth wide open. Her grip on her sister tightens, as if to protect from the danger just mentioned.

"Maybe Crater Face is a good nickname..." Jaune mutters underneath his breath. Wait, I know that girl! She was at the party, singing 'Mirror Mirror.' We then fought that Giant Armored Knight together. Remembering the contents of the song, he feels an obligation to talk to her.

"...You really want to start making things up to me?" Weiss asks her.

"I'm sorry! Absolutely!" Ruby replies with eyes straight at her, like a cat ready to pounce at any opportunity given to her.

"Read this, "Weiss hands her a pamphlet, "And don't ever speak to me again."

With that, her facial expression inverts; eyes completely downcast, she looks like someone just kicked down her sandcastle. Her arms slump next to her in resignation.

Jaune looks Ruby, completely dejected by the rejection. Those. Eyes. Ughhh, I don't want to do this. Unable to just stand by and watch, Jaune walks up between the two.

"Hey princess, remember me?" Weiss eyes open wide she recognizes the blonde on front of her. Taking that as a yes, he continues. "Now, I can't say I know you very well, but there are three things wrong here. One, you are judging her harshly only after one meeting with her, where the accident wasn't intentional." At least it doesn't look like it.

Weiss tries to cut in, but the boy gives her a glare and keeps talking.

"Two, you reject her, despite being a Huntress that must work together, on those very grounds, while she has repeatedly apologized. Three-" his stare softens as he considers his last point, "please remember your song."

"Yeah, you tell her!" Yang cheers him on.

"Thanks, Jaune." Ruby whispers. A small smile returns on her face as she gives him a light punch to hide her bashfulness.

Weiss steps back, mouth floundering like a fish. She frowns and raises her fist, shaking from the indignation she just suffered. Her shoulders convulse as she attempts to control her breathing. "Wha...How dare you speak to me like that?"

Jaune gives an immediate follow up. "That's because you never had anyone close enough to you to give you the truth. They always say or give you what you want because you're cute. Which brings me back to three."

Weiss could feel the fire of embarrassment and anger reach her face. As the two glare, throwing imaginary daggers at each other, Ozpin walks up to the microphone on the stage and starts his speech.

"Ahem...I'll keep this brief. You have traveled here in search of knowledge. To hone your craft and acquire new skills. And when you have finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people. But I look amongst you and all I see is wasted energy, in need of purpose and direction. You assume knowledge will free you of this, but your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step."

Ozpin walks away as Glynda takes his place. "You will gather at the ballroom tonight. Tomorrow, your initiation begins. Be ready. You are dismissed."

With a hmpf, Weiss walks away with her aggression undiminished.

"He seemed kinda...off," Yang comments. Ruby adds, "It's almost like he wasn't even there."

Was Ozpin busy with something else other than initiation these last few days? I should go ask him after.

"Alright, let's head out! Where are we going again?" Jaune says.

"Yang, please don't leave me again," Ruby exclaims, remembering the disaster getting to the main hall.

"Sure, follow me." Yang answers. "So how did you two meet?" She asks, looking at Jaune with dangerous eyes.

What did I do this time?!

"So, let me get this straight. The first time we met, we got in a fight, and for Ruby, you vomited on the road. And the second time, you got lost and went into the girl's bathroom? Man, you are terrible at first impressions, Vomit Boy." Yang laughs at Jaune's expense.

Oh man, I hope that nickname does not stick. "I would love to refute that, but-" considering how I just made enemies out of the SDC, "I would be lying. Where did my cool and suave demeanor go?" The two girls both laugh at that bombshell statement. "Seriously! I thought I would know how to talk to girls, but I think every time I've talked to one, it's been an embarrassment or in a fight." He puts his head on the table. "Where did I go wrong?"

The three had went to the ballroom and organized their belongs. The supervising teachers instructed them to eat at the cafeteria before retiring for the night in the ballroom. Ruby and Yang sits across from Jaune as they finish their meal.

"Oh come on Jaune, it's not that bad. At least you have us!" Yang hugs Ruby by the neck, her other hand out in a triumphant pose. "You've made friends despite your terrible introductions!"

"I also have made an equal number of enemies!" Jaune retorts, as Ruby nod in agreement. They were both thinking of Weiss. "But I guess it is nice to have someone to talk to. If you two weren't here, I would..." I would just be talking to my games. But I feel like that's giving Yang more material to pick on me with, so let's avoid that. "I would just sit here. Yeah. Let's go with that."

"You were going to say something," Yang looks at him, trying to poke holes into his story. "But you kept it a secret. Oh well. No secret stays a secret from Yang Xiao Long for long!"

The two both groans as Yang makes the terrible pun. Jaune could feel a headache setting in. She seems like the person to research my past and look through my scroll for dirt. Have to be careful around her, especially since she seems prone to trouble. I make a bold prediction! She will pull me into trouble at least once this year.

Ruby finally gets the chance to speak up. "Are you excited about initiation tomorrow? I know I am! I can finally show off my skills, and let my sweetheart do all the talking." She takes the chance to caress Crescent Rose in its compact form.

"You know what, I actually am," he answers, voice louder and gripping Daybreak tighter. "I may have learned that I am not good with girls, but I am good with a sword. Daybreak here is going to cut through all obstacles in my way!" he yells, standing up and pointing his sword upwards at an imaginary enemy.

His surrounding classmates point and look at him, murmuring about his random outburst. He sits and slumps into his seat, shrinking himself to hide from the gazes. Yang gives a sharp look to everyone staring, and they all look away, afraid of the fiery girl.

"You think you're pretty good in a fight, huh?" Yang looks him up and down, seeing the muscles that show from his tight-fitted clothes.. "You look pretty well built, but I don't know about your skill. How about we get a spar in sometime?"

Alarms go off in his head. "It'll be a friendly fight, right?" She damaged my sword with one punch! I think I would bend over kneeing if I take one of those. "I mean, you're not using me as a punching bag for anything, right?"

Yang cracks her knuckles with a wry smile. "Of course not. It's not like I still have a grudge over the fight. Or the handcuffs. Or you being a boy and the first friend for Rubes. Absolutely. Not."

Bullshit! He looks at her eyes that burn red. Those eyes are set on killing me! Jaune gives a dry laugh. "Ha. Ha. Yeah, let's schedule this sometime in the future." And I mean the DISTANT future, between the end of time and never.

Ruby looks at the scene, noting how it looks as if a lion is staring down at a gazelle. In an attempt to diffuse the situation, she makes a suggestion. "Let's go take a shower and turn in for the night! Tomorrow's going to be a long day, after all."

Thank you, Ruby. "I am done eating. I'm going to go on ahead, I'll see you two tomorrow," he answers, running off.

"Yang, are you actually angry at him?" Ruby asks, giving her the puppy-eyes.

"Of course not. He's your first friend. But he just looks like so much fun to tease," Yang answers, a sadistic look in her eye.

As Jaune heads to the showers, he looks around as his danger sense flares. Not seeing anything, he makes a silent prayer. If there is a God there, please let me retire peacefully for tonight. I will renounce anything you want, just let me know.

Jaune returns to the ballroom to find Yang and Ruby talking to someone else. I'm happy Ruby is trying to make a new friend. Hopefully they will make her smile more than Princess Schnee. He glances at the new girl, before realizing she is the same one he met on the train a few days ago. The two lock eyes, and Blake's eyes narrow at him.

I have confirmed there is no God. If there is, then he is one sadistic person. Just peace on my first day of school, was that really too much to ask?

He looks over at his inviting, warm, and comforting sleeping bag. I am not getting a full night's sleep tonight, am I?

Tucking himself in, he still has hope that he had been wrong. Wrong person, wrong luck, or wrong presumptions; anything would do.

The hope shatters like glass immediately after the lights went out. Blake walks over to Jaune and points outside, indicating she wants to talk privately.

As they walk out and turn around a hallway, Blake covers Jaune's mouth up and pushes him up against the wall. "Don't make a sound. Answer my questions truthfully and nothing will happen to you." He nods.

As Blake removes her hand, Jaune gives a quick rebuttal. "How do I answer your questions if I can't make a sound?"

Blake's look grows colder, and Jaune takes the hint. "Just trying to lighten the atmosphere. Then again, it didn't work last time, so I don't know what I expected..."

"How much do you know about me?"

"I know that your name is Blake, and you're an ex-White Fang and a cat Faunus,"

"Who have you told about this?"

"Just Ozpin and Glynda. They both seem to know about your situation, and I can't say no when my CO asks me."

"Really, no one else?" Blake looks to see signs of him lying. Shoulders relaxed and eyes unflinching, he shows no signs of deceit.

"Yes. I promise, that I have not told anyone else." Jaune looks straight into her eyes in an attempt to prove his innocence.

A few seconds later, Blake lets go of him. "Fine, I believe you. If you told anyone else, I probably won't be here in the first place." She sighs. "Everything was suppose to be easy."

"Master always said that life's not fun without a little trouble." Jaune feels her contempt fall right back on to him, the cause of her worries. "Sorry, sometimes I just say things without thinking them through. Let's get back before..."

He sees Glynda walking towards them, riding crop in hand. Once again, the world succeeds in screwing over one Jaune Arc. Next thing you know, the school is going to be destroyed and I'm the only one to stop it. Jaune realizes the danger of his statement. Wait, no, don't take that as a challenge! Oh God, why did I say that!

Glynda reaches them with her signature look. "Why are you two out here so late? I believe I specifically said to stay in the ballroom, and-" she points toward the two, "Though I understand you are teenagers, please hold your flirting after initiation."

"Wha?" The two let out disbelief simultaneously. Blake tries to tell her the truth, but realizes that probably is worse than the accusation.

But she knows our...Oh, she's giving us a cover story! I'm guessing someone else saw us, but she was sent after us.

Jaune grabs her hand. "Let's listen to the Headmistress, darling. We have a long day tomorrow."

Blake's eyes twitch at the word 'darling,' but was forced to accept it. Her grip tightens on the boy, fingertips drawing his blood. "Yes, we wouldn't want anything to happen to you tomorrow, would we?" A dark shadow falls over her eyes, and the smile she gives would even make demons reconsider approaching her.

The two walk back to the ballroom and separate back to their sleeping positions.

Great, I now have TWO girls that might want to kill me. Feel free to throw some more. God knows it can't get much worse. Those were Jaune's last thoughts as he falls into a nostalgic dream.

"Keep your guard up, kid! Read your opponent's intentions and hide yours!" Master slams the wooden sword against Jaune's, knocking the sword out of his hand.

"I would if each of your blows didn't make my arms feel like they are going to fall off!" Jaune's arms feel like jello. "Why couldn't I get a nice master?" He goes over and picks up the sword, but even gripping it sent waves of pain rushing through his spinal cord and into his brain.

"What the hell did you say to me?" She gives three quick slashes that Jaune narrowly avoids. "Look at the kindness of your master."

"What kind of shitty kindness involves beating up a kid black and blue?!" He brings up the sword for another block, but the impact knocks the sword flying again. She follows up with smashing the sword against his stomach, and the shock makes him lose consciousness for a second.

"Alright, let's take a break to stop your bitching." Master walks over to her favorite sakura tree and takes a seat. "Besides, I can tell your mind is wandering."

"If you could read me so easily, then you can tell what I'm thinking." Jaune takes the spot next to her, lying on her lap.

She smacks his head. "HEY!" Jaune rubs his head. "I didn't even say anything!"

"Whatever you were thinking, it was rude. I gave you a lesson before you had a chance. So what's on your mind?"

Jaune groans. I don't even know if she's going to take my problem seriously. "You know how I only really talk to you?" She nods. "Well, between your personality and me learning how to talk from dating sims, I'm worried that people I talk to will think I'm a weirdo."

"You know, you do seem like the type of kid to leave crying women in your wake. Unfortunately, we can't do much about that now, so don't worry about it." Xenith gives one of her signature shrugs.

"You're saying it's too late, so don't worry about it? What happened to the kindness crap you were just shouting a moment ago? Take responsibility for your actions, damn it!"

She smacks him on the head again. "It's your fault for being a shitty brat, too. Seriously, you don't have an ounce of respect for me."

"Pot, meet kettle." Jaune rubs his head, feeling the bump that always appear at that spot. "If I get brain damage, you are the number one culprit. I'll sue you for child abuse!"

"Whichever idiot is dumb enough to take your case, I'll kick his ass, and then yours for the idea in the first place." She rubs his head, running circles around the bruise. Anyone looking from afar would see the false heartwarming scene of mother and son.

"Well, I think you're fine the way you are, kid. I honestly wish you were less like me, but with our environment, that was inevitable." With her hand still there, she then ruffles his hair to prevent him from seeing the red on her face. "Making me say something so sappy, give me another ten laps."

Muttering "kindness my ass," Jaune gets up and starts running anyway. However, his face is grinning, contrary to his statement.

"It's morning, it's morning," someone sings.

Jaune wakes up from his dream. He reaches his hands out in the air, trying to grasp at the memory. I haven't dreamt about Master in a long time. Wiping away the tears in his eye, he looks around to see whose singing woke him up. He could see a orange hair girl singing and dancing around a green hair boy. Ugh, an active type. Jaune checks the time. 7:00 am. What an ungodly hour...

Reluctant to return to sleep, he goes to wash his face. Without anyone to talk to, he starts swimming around in his thoughts.

Even if I'm surrounded by people, I can't connect with any of them. I've been trying to ignore the pain by being around people, but now...Why did you die so easily? You were supposed to be unstoppable and unbreakable, what the hell were you thinking?

Trying to distract himself, he grabs food from the cafeteria and starts eating. However, the pancakes taste like scrambled dirt, and he falls into a deeper melancholy.

"Hey, Vomit Boy. You look like you just fought in a war," Yang approaches him, slapping him on the back. She takes the seat next to him.

"I'm just worried about initiation. Apparently there was talk of teams?" Jaune answers with the first excuse in mind. He had overheard similar topics from his other classmates. Not like I really care, though. I will just end up going on solo missions as 1019.

"Aww, Mr. Suave is having trouble with the ladies? Come on, where did all that confidence go? Though, if you end up on teams with Weiss, I really do feel for you."

"Oh, don't make him feel worse about it!" Ruby sits down across the two, and starts her meal of pancakes. "Besides, I know one person who wouldn't mind you as a teammate."

I can FEEL the heat and anger from Yang next to me. Don't look, don't look- he turns to face her, seeing those red eyes full of ire again. damn it.

"Thanks for the assurance. But it's still worrying until I finally get my partner. Again, it seems like my luck has been terrible since I got here." No matter who my partner is, it will never replace her. Never. He picks up his unfinished food and stands up. "I think I'm done eating. I'll see you two at initiation." Jaune tosses his food at the nearest trash can forcibly and walks out.

"Do you think he's going to be okay?" Ruby asks in concern.

"I don't know, but I hope so. He seems like a good guy." Yang answers, but her tone lacks the usual confidence or certainty.

Ozpin said he had armor made for me at my locker. I said I didn't need any, but he insisted that "You are a Hunter. You cannot go around fighting Grimm in a t-shirt and jeans." Jokes on him, I'm wearing those anyway.

Jaune looks through the locker room for his number. Once he found it, he types in the usual "1019" password. The locker opens electronically, revealing a simple white breastplate with accompanying shoulder armor.

Jaune puts on and tightens the harness of the armor, noting the snug fit. Does everyone knows my sizes or something? Closing the locker, he takes out Daybreak for one last inspection.

Not seeing any signs of damage, he looks around for indicators to where to go next. His eyes catch a certain white-hair heiress. Before he could turn around to avoid her wrath, she approaches him with her companion following behind.

The redhead next to Weiss wore a bronze and leather plate top, which seem to balance defense with weight. To match, she has a black miniskirt and long gloves. A circular bronze plate attaches to her belt with a spear and shield design, similar to the weapons she carries on her back.

"Hi, Jaune." Weiss gives him a slight smile and bow before continuing. "I apologize for my outburst yesterday. I believe your words have some merit, and I wish to reconcile." She extends a hand out to boy, the venom from before no longer in her voice.

Taken back, Jaune stares at the outreached hand. If she's willing to admit her mistakes, I guess that can't make her too bad of a person. He accepts the handshake, giving her a modest smile. "Forgiven."

"Good. Moving on to business, have you heard of the assignment of teams this year?"

"Nope. I wasn't really concerned about it." Jaune gives a slight shrug, his face unaltered from the question.

"Seeing how you fought against the Giant Armor at my father's party, I believe you could be a great addition to my team, along with Pyrrha Nikos. If space permits." Weiss adds that point, and steps aside to allow her partner to introduce herself.

"Nice to meet you, Jaune." The redhead gives him a slight wave.

"Right. Can I go now?" Jaune curtly answers, the apathy not leaving his voice. Talk of teams reminds him of the one partner he cares the most about. He tries to hide his emotions by speaking as little as possible, but Weiss takes the answer as rejection.

"Are you not interested? Do you have any idea who she is?"

"No idea. Don't care." He turns around to leave, but the bewildered Weiss grabs his shoulder, not letting him leave.

"Pyrrha here graduated at the top of her class in Sanctum." Jaune stares at the two blankly. "She's won the Mistral regional tournament four years in a row, a new record." Pyrrha looks uncomfortable by the statement, her smile lacking in confidence.

"Look, I don't..." Jaune tries to stop her, but Weiss is determined to get a response from him.

"She's on the front of every Pumpkin Pete's Marshmallow Flake's box!" Weiss flails her arms wildly, exasperated by the lack of response from the boy.

However, this last statement finally bought him a small smile. The box had pictures of my favorite characters too, and Master liked the sweetness of that cereal too much. The bittersweet memory reminds him of her rules, especially rule number ten. Enjoy every moment, huh?

"That is pretty cool. The covers sometimes had Rei Ayanami too." The two look at him, unaware of who he just referenced. "Anyway, sorry about that. It's just talk about teammates reminds me of my old one, before she passed away." His arm clasps his elbow, as if unsure if revealing that was the correct choice.

Weiss feels a tinge of regret as he reveals his reason for his apathy. "You're not against being teammates with us, but teammates in general..."

Pyrrha walks up to Jaune, warm hand on his shoulder. She gives Jaune a gentle smile. "I don't know who your teammate was, but please understand no one is replacing her."

The words shoot themselves into his heart, and gnashes at the pain he has been feeling all morning. Surprised that Pyrrha could see through him so easily, he finally makes eye contact with her.

"Thanks." He gives her the biggest smile he can, despite the tear that appears at the corner of his eye. "I think you would make a great teammate. Weiss-" He gives her a small bow, "I'll see you around." Back facing towards them, he appears to shoulder an unshareable burden as he slowly walks off.

The lonely sight catches the redhead's interest. Though their meeting was short, she feels the need to take care of the boy as well as happiness that someone finally saw her for what she was, and not what others had assumed.

As always, thanks for reading. Responding to some comments:

IWEYC-Thanks for your kind words as always! I always keep them in mind as I write. I really like the twin's chapter too(though there are a lot of really good stories about them, I hope I did them justice). As for teammates, I tried to showcase each of their reasons for wanting Jaune as a teammate. I added to Pyrrha's, where she could so easily see through him as another reason.

Guest-He will have interactions with Neo, Emerald, and Cinder (And each of them have their own reasons for approaching him) but I'm not quite sure where I want to fit that in the timeline yet.

Bob-I really do want to write a story where the teams are scrambled, but since it's my first fic, I'm having trouble just locking down their personalities and trying to give them the development they deserve. Maybe if I get another idea, I'll scramble up the teams. And, as I said, "The more things change, the more they stay the same," as the events that occur may happen, but in different motivations and angle.

Whew. Thanks for the comments, and I would appreciate any more criticism or suggestions you have may!