Arc 3: Re-start, Chapter 11: Comeback
Okki Village, Mayhiro residence - A few hours after the fight
Akashi Mayhiro felt nothing but softness all around him. His hazy mind was of the strange opinion that right now he should be feeling sore all over his body.
"The fight!" Akashi rose from his bed and looked around. When his eyes adjusted to the dim light he saw a wooden ceiling, wooden walls and a general hut feeling enveloping the place.
"This is my room!" The evening sun was shining on his belongings and through the curtains he could see down into the village.
Akashi patted himself down before pulling off the sheets and standing up. "Ouch... not so fast dimwit." He cursed himself before rubbing his sore body. "Huh?" he felt something scrunchy underneath his sleeveless shirt. As he lifted it up he saw band-aids and a bandage all over his body. "Someone patched me up..."
"Indeed Mister." A stern voice piped up behind him.
A young looking middle aged woman with long blonde hair and green eyes was standing near his doorway with a unimpressed look on her face. She wore a white blouse and a blue skirt that reached to her knees, her golden hair was so incredibly long that it almost seemed comical to outsiders. This woman was none other than the mother of Alexis and Akashi, Julie Mayhiro.
"Akashi, dear. Would you please explain to me why two huntresses came knocking on my door to deliver you to me all beaten up and unconscious?" Her smile was scarier than a frown could have ever been.
"Uhh... I kind of... fought one of them?" Akashi put 1 and 1 together and came to the conclusion that Maryjane must have carried him over to his house. Why did his mother say two huntresses though?
"I see, I see, so you fought them!" Julies eyes started twitching. Akashi started sweating in response. "And why would you do that?"
"Well... She asked me for it... and I wanted to test some new fighting moves..." Akashi averted his eyes while rubbing his head.
"Just who taught you to be such a ruffian? Fights should not be taken lightly." She shook her head.
"If I remember correctly you beat dad almost to death when you found out about your pregnancy with big sis..." Akashi mumbled.
"That was different! I have very fond memories of that day." She blushed and put both hands on her cheeks. "Your father confessed to me that day!"
'Yes. While you were beating him up. He told me about it.' Akashi was sweating in face of his strange family customs.
"But your father doesn't matter right now. Promise me that you will never fight without a valid reason again. Especially if you don't know the person." She went back to scolding mode.
"We met by coincidence because I-"
"No need to talk about the Grimm riding, I already dealt with your sister riding an Ursa before. Thank god Glynda was there back then." She smacked her forehead. "I chased that Beowulf away, you really should know better Akashi."
"But it did get me back all the way back to Okki Village. You don't know how long I was in the desert. That Grimm really saved me some time." Akashi sighed as he checked himself in the mirror, his mom had patched him up good. "Thanks for fixing me up mom."
"It's my job to look after my precious children. I want them to be at their best all the time." She smiled at him. "I let your farther know that you came home without any mishaps." Then she glared again. "In return you have to help me with dinner and then you need to prepare to go back to Beacon to talk with your headmaster right?"
"Yes." Akashi nodded.
"Did you finish what you needed to do?" Julie pulled a book out of her pocket. "I had a bit of a read too. It was interesting to see where you father's roots lie. Hard to believe he's had faunus blood in him. It's so watered down that he is plain human." Her green eyes flickered to the book and back to her son. "Akashi?"
"It was a long read, but I thought to myself: I should honour my faunus ancestors. Hiro, Matthew... and Maxis." Akashi smiled. "For them, and for my team... I'll be the foundation of LARJ! And I will be a great hunter who helps people no matter if they are human or faunus." Akashi smiled as he thumbed his chest. "And I'll be the best teammate one could ever wish for!"
Julie smiled at her son's new-found will, but one question still remained.
"Where is your new weapon?"
Akashi laughed. "It has a name mom. It's called Black Eclipse and to answer your question, it's being delivered to Beacon as we speak."
He walked towards the door and followed his mother down to the kitchen. Right after they had dinner he would make a mad dash for Beacon. His wounds were very superficial. Mary sure held back.
Beacon Academy - Night time, 3 hours till midnight
Valkin's shop was closed. It was generally recognized as Valkin's shop at this point, because the other store clerk gave up and left his half to the old hunter too. Granted the veteran was a good salesman, but he had never resided over a real shop before. He was a weapon smith and dealer, but how was he supposed to sell school materials and most importantly, key-chains? These little things were so mysterious and cutesy, that even he didn't dare to touch them.
For now he accepted his new role while thinking about more important matters, if only barely.
"Aye, so much hassle and fuss in one day." Valkin sighed as he assessed Velvet's renewed armour and weapon. "The little lady might enjoy this, once it's finally completed." The old man smiled to himself as he carefully placed it back on a mannequin. He had even attached fake bunny ears to it, for realism...
"But that's for another time." His promise to the young lady was important, but there was something pressing and distracting behind him.
The telephone rang, getting the old man's attention. "Now, who could that be at this hour?" He gingerly walked towards the phone, cursing his age as he eventually picked up the phone.
"Hello, this is the Beacon armoury and you are talking to Ernst Valkin." The old hunter spoke in a professional manner. "Oh and I guess.. this is also the Beacon general store." He added less confidently. "Who is this if I may ask and why are you calling at such a late hour? I am not buying any of these 'magic pens' and 'cheating paper' thingamajigs." His voice turned dry.
"Pardon for the late call, but I am supposed to deliver a certain weapon to Beacon." The lady replied. There was some interference in the background, it sounded like an aircraft.
"Arrival of a new weapon? That's the first I've heard of it."
"Yes it is. I will be calling the headmaster after this, but I would like you to take notice for tomorrow morning."
"I see. Then would you kindly tell me yer name Missy?"
"Certainly. My name is Shelia, I am an aircraft pilot for Promethean Technology. Department weapons and armoury."
"My girl, did you say Promethean Tech?"
"Certainly!" Shelia replied with a happy tone again. "Is there a problem with that?"
The general person on the street would probably ask 'What's Promethean Tech?'
But not a veteran weapons smith like Valkin or his colleagues. Promethean Technology was more like a 'mysterious' company that had a very different way of making products and weapons.
Like the famous car brand 'Mugatti' they only released a small amount of weapons every 4 or so years, but the lack in productivity was made up by quality. The consumers who bought what the company made were extremely satisfied with their purchase.
Even though it was expensive, it was highly reliable to those who used it. Most hunters or huntresses that used their weapons recommended it to others.
"No, it's just that... never mind." Valkin answered. He considered Promethean Tech a rival company to his own, so he couldn't tell how he felt about this. "So who is the owner of the weapon that you're delivering to Beacon?"
"The weapon is a prototype that was designed and created by us. "For some reason, the pilot seemed hesitant "if I may recall, this weapon is to be delivered to one..." a few ruffling of the papers before she spoke again. "Akashi Mayhiro."
"So it's the missing member of LARJ." The gray haired man spoke. "When can I expect its arrival?"
"Be assured it will be arriving at the academy at 9:30 am exactly, along with it will come a few more items." Shelia replied. "That is all that I can disclose at this time, are these terms acceptable?"
"As good as any. The semester break is close, so I won't be too busy." Valkin spoke cheerily. "I'll be there to pick it up."
"That is acceptable, but he needs to be present as well in order to receive his package, please be sure that he is accountable for the arrival."
"Hahaha leave it to this old man!" Valkin released his raspy laugh and said his farewells.
"Please have a good night Mr. Valkin." The line went dead before he placed the phone back in the holder.
"Young Mayhiro... you had a deadly weapon... and your bring in another prototype from these maniacs' labs." Valkin sighed as he sat on a nearby stool. He propped his elbows on the table and lowered his head in concentration. Promethean Tech was not very traditional with their weapon designs and creations. He had seen crazy, but this was something else. "Well, I'll be the one to deem it dangerous or not, that's for sure." The old hunter reached for his knees and stood up. "In the meantime, I need a drink."
Beacon Academy - Clock Tower
Kirk's life was a simple, yet sad story.
He was born in a normal environment and his parents where kind to him. The key word being 'where'.
His parents forgot that Kirk even existed, even being an only child, they often forgot or neglected him. The only times they would recognise him was when something bad happened to him at school... when he was bullied, even then he was not acknowledged by anyone.
The only one who would acknowledge him was his childhood friend… who died in a violent Grimm attack on the village. The next person to ever speak to him after that was the person he hated the most.
He found solace in fire arms at a young age, when he was forced to fight against a Boarbatusk. All he needed to kill it was a single bullet to its head.
And he felt alive. Not the malicious intent to kill, but to feel like he was existing to the world. That his actions had weight and influenced somebody's life. Even if it was indirectly by eliminating the creatures of darkness. Since then Kirk continued to kill them as a hobby and soon built a natural talent for sniping.
First it was 100 meters.
Then 200 meters.
Then he could hit the head of a Beowulf from 450 meters away, as long as there was no interference.
And soon he was known as the Phantom of Lighthouse Academy, but it hardly changed his social status. Both at school or at home.
But that didn't affect him, he built a wall around his mind to protect himself from the loneliness, all he needed was his guns - yes that's all he needed.
But that all changed when he met Akashi and Jaune. He experienced friendship. And those walls that he had carefully build up over time started to crumble. Now he couldn't ignore the bad things and good things alike.
…
After seconds (maybe a minute) of riding the elevator, the turquoise haired hunter finally reached the clock tower of Beacon, which also included Ozpin's office. After catching his breath he tapped in the door lightly.
"Come in." Ozpin's voice called. Nodding, the phantom entered the room. The sounds of the gears and the levers rang in his ears as he was introduced to the green room. In there was a large table and 5 seats. One belonged to the headmaster of Beacon, and the others...
To his other teammates. Kirk swallowed as he looked at Antonio, who gave him a sympathetic smile, but he couldn't resist seeing the other's looks too.
However... Alex wasn't looking at him, nor was she looking anywhere else. She was staring at the ground underneath her feet with a grim expression. But Jasna was a different case.
Her glare could cause the devil to cower in fear.
"Mr. Fire, please, take a seat." Ozpin smiled while holding his coffee close to the mouth. He still had his trademark pokerface on. Quickly sitting next to Antonio, Kirk watched the gray haired man take a long sip of his coffee before setting it down. Jasna rolled her eyes.
Ozpin took out his scroll, pushing and swiping for a few seconds before multiple videos shot forth from it. They were the taping of the Initiation during the second day of Beacon. Other videos contained fight scenes with Grimm or hunters: Each one showing AKJA taking down their targets with ease.
"Antonio Chessa, Kirk D. Fire, Jasna Zora and Alexandra Wilfred... or rather Wilhelmine." Ozpin stared as the videos replayed themselves. "Four highly skilled individuals from across Remnant, come together to form one of the most powerful teams." He gently stood up. "Don't be fooled, I have seen how you've fought, how you adapt to situations. They are very impressive skills and instincts and I commend you for that." A short pause in which he stared them in the eyes respectively.
"However. The key word in that speech is 'individuals'. I do not see a team ready to help each other. I see hostility, fear, oppression and... Chaos."
"Headmaster, what is this about, I'm tir-"
"Jasna, now is not the time to speak your mind." Antonio spoke, growling the young huntress kept quiet.
Ozpin chuckled. "It's is quite alright Mr. Chessa, frankly I'm a bit worn out myself."
"See?"
"But the welfare of the students here is my number one priority." Ozpin stated. "Miss Zora. Do you know what a leader is?"
"Easy! A leader is a role that someone assumes. The leader is the one that leads their subordinates to battle and victory."
"That is correct, but... actually only half correct." Ozpin smiled "Would you like to continue Mr. Chessa?"
"A leader also makes sure that his or her teammates are healthy and fit. Physically and mentally." Antonio answered with his perfect smile. He could already predict where this conversation was going.
"That is correct. If that was the case for team AKJA we wouldn't be here. Could you explain why Mr. D. Fire has been absent from most classes and his own dorm room recently?"
Before Antonio could answer Jasna interrupted. "I don't care about that piglet, he's nothing more that a bacteria in my and Alex's dorm." Kirk flinched at that.
"I see…" Ozpin sighed. "May I ask why do you think of him in such a manner?"
"Ozpin, what he does is certainly illegal and for that he should get a beating!" She almost stood up while saying it.
Ozpin looked surprised and ignored her rudeness. "Really? Do tell."
Kirk started breathing heavily as his heart began to race, sweat was dropping from his face.
"That scum of Remnant takes girls' panties and also shoots photos of their most delicio- I mean embarrassing situations!" Jasna pointed out. Antonio shook his head, she really wanted him gone. Or she was just very, very jealous.
"...I see…" Ozpin closed his eyes. "Anything else?"
"He sells them to others for profit!" Now she pointed at the little guy like a prosecutor would in court. Once again Ozpin merely looked at her.
"…..."
'There won't be a much better time to do this.'
"Ms. Zora, Ms. Wilfred and Mr. Chessa, could you excuse me and Mr. Fire for a moment. I would like to talk to him. In private." Nodding the 3 stood up, Alex had yet to say anything, while Antonio clasped his hand around Kirk's shoulder, before walking out. Jasna gave him one last look before walking about, as the turquoise haired hunter sat there, he heard the door close, leaving him and Ozpin alone.
"Kirk." Ozpin called him by his first name. "Knowing what Ms. Zora has said... this is extremely illegal. Taking photos without consent is an invasion of privacy and a crime."
"Yes."
"Why do you do it then?"
"…I think women are beautiful, just their very being is enough for me to take a picture." Kirk said. "I don't use them for dirty purposes, I just like... art."
"…" Ozpin looked at him "An interesting view Kirk. I know a lot more about your situation than you may be aware of. From these facts I deduced that you fear women and femininity... but also admire them. Is that correct?"
"Yes sir." Kirk answered while fidgeting around on his chair.
"Then I will solve this problem in a discreet manner. You are hereby prohibited from taking photos of girls and women without their consent. Should a complaint about your misdeeds ever reach my ears, you will be banned from this Academy without further notice." Ozpin nodded. "A friend of mine is a psychologist. She... was in a very similar situation to yours before. Her exact words were 'Confront your fear and embrace it'. For that purpose I ask you to participate in sketching activities with the Art club to release those pent up emotions." Ozpin smiled.
"Thank you sir." Kirk's eyes had widened and he looked quite thankful for this second chance.
"You can be thankful to Miss Mayhiro for vouching that you had a genuine reason for this… hobby." The silver-haired headmaster turned around. "I won't turn away anyone that is in need of help, and your talents are very good Kirk, be proud of that, Phantom of Beacon."
"I will sir." Kirk nodded with a smile.
"If you would please call the others back in." Ozpin asked. The 3 entered the room again and sat down quickly. "I have discussed Mr. Fire's punishment, but now you must take responsibility as leader Mr. Chessa."
Jasna was about to talk back, but better judgement was in control. "Like you said, a leader takes care of his or her comrades. If one member falls or misbehaves, then it is the leader's job to take responsibility." His words rung deep.
Antonio looked the headmaster into the eyes without flinching.
"Glynda said that you had not taken action about Kirk's absence for a good week. Here at Beacon that is unacceptable." Ozpin stared at Antonio.
"If I may speak in my defense, sir?" Antonio stood up and raised his hands placatory. Ozpin nodded. In response Antonio bowed slightly. "It is true that I left my team a lot of freedom, as I do not feel quite ready to take the burden of leader yet." He admitted calmly. "But it was in my, apparently lacking, judgement that Kirk needed time for himself. His actions might be a mystery to me, but isn't it said that people seek solitude to recover their thoughts?"
"Well put, Mr. Chessa, but I have to disagree. In times of uncertainty a person needs all the support they can get. I want you to understand this. I am not out to punish you, this is just a little guidance towards the correct path." Ozpin looked over his glasses and handed Antonio a sheet of paper. "You are to write down a 1000 word essay about leadership and what responsibilities come with it. You will hand it over to me before the semester holidays arrive. I will ask you to strictly observe your teammates' actions, especially for Ms. Zora and Mr. Fire."
"Hey!" Jasna pouted at that last part.
"If you fail to keep them in line I will have to appoint someone else leader."
"What!?" Jasna shouted. " Little pipsqueak will become leader!?" she pointed at him "I won't accept that!"
"Then I suggest you become more dependable to your teammates Ms. Zora." Ozpin spoke in a calm manner. He hadn't said that it would be Kirk, but it was a good motivation for her to learn. "As for team AKJA, I want you to become more of a team. RWBY, JNPR, LARJ and even CRDL are bonding as teams and hopefully with LARJ's forth member returning, they will continue to grow together. If you are not careful they will leave you behind."
"...behind." Alex said quietly.
"I will do it Headmaster." Antonio nodded with another smile.
"I get it… but no way Pipsqueak will become leader, not over my dead body." Jasna fumed. To prevent that she would have to control herself...
"Right." Kirk said.
"Have a pleasant night then."He nodded and the four left the room without any dispute. After the door closed the four of them walked next to each other with some distance. All the way down the long stairway they were thinking about their personal problems.
Akashi Mayhiro walked through the door of Beacon's main entrance, his mind set on talking to the headmaster. His new attire was replaced with a high collared long sleeved shirt which was covering his mouth. His warm breath kept his face warm. His pant was a black track pant with orange stripes, like his Hakama. The black armour donned on his right arm was still there.
While he walked the stairs he barely missed a group of people that had just been released from the headmaster's office. They didn't notice him either, because they were in thought.
Ozpin had just finished his coffee and stretched slightly when the sound of knocking called for his attention.
"Come on in." He called out.
The door opened slowly and after it closed behind him, Akashi was revealed.
"Ah, Mr. Mayhiro. So you have finally returned."
"Yeah, it's been a while hasn't it? Headmaster." The brown-haired hunter was smiling brightly.
"It seems you are over the trouble with your previous weapon now." The headmaster sat back down on his chair. "I know it was a harsh thing to do."
"Yeah, but I've changed from back then, sir."
Akashi walked over and nodded. "I have a new weapon and I think it fits my style much better." Ozpin raised a brow. "Oh and it's not Aura based." Akashi added hastily.
"I will leave that to Mr. Valkin's judgement."
"Valkin?" Akashi crossed his arms with an empty expression. "Who's Valkin?"
"He arrived after you left I fear. He is Beacon's new shop-clerk... and armory supervisor."
"Woah, what else did I miss?" The teen tilted his head and frowned.
"I could tell you the details, but would you not much rather discuss this with your team?" Ozpin winked.
"Yeah." Akashi laughed. "I just hope they will accept me back..."
"That, I cannot say. It is all up to you." He then pulled out a sheet and stamped it. "Welcome back to Beacon Mr. Akashi Mayhiro."
Akashi took the signed paper with a happy face. "It's good to be back Headmaster."
"Your sister will certainly be overjoyed. She seemed rather down lately."
Akashi's face turned pale "What?"
"I took the liberty of informing her about your arrival. I predict that she is on her way here as we speak."
And then it turned even whiter.
Beacon Academy - Dorm room of LARJ/JNPR - Next morning
Juge had awoken around 6 am as usual and made use of the time until the sun went up to meditate and and stretch his body. These actions were burned into his daily routine by years of training and strict order under his parents. At this point he would probably do it even if he was in a coma.
His eyes stayed closed while he ventured through the landscape of his mind... or at least thought about something calming that may resemble a landscape.
Something was distracting his attention every now and then, but he tried to focus anyway.
After a while he finally gave in and listened closer to the source of this distraction. There was Jaune's usual snoring an Ren's calm breathing. From farther away he heard the girls' sleeping sounds as well. Every now and then one could hear a mumble coming from under Lucy's blankets. Whatever she was chasing in her dreams seemed to be awfully delicious...
The creaking sound of Nora rolling and kicking in her sleep had become a natural background noise that Juge barely noticed at this point.
He couldn't identify it after all.
With a sigh he opened his eyes and stood up from his bed. It was time to take the usual stroll outside. While putting on his usual outfit he looked over towards the other beds.
...and then he almost let go of his trousers.
There in the formerly abandoned bed, inside the corner that strangely resembled a forest hut, lied a very familiar person. He was snoring as loudly as Jaune and sleeping with all his clothes on as if he had barely managed to lie down, before losing consciousness.
"Stop... touching me... there... sis..." He mumbled in his sleep.
"Akashi..." Juge mumbled. He had read his message and that he was going to return soon, but this was a surprise anyway.
Juge walked over to his friend and rival and looked at him closely. He was wearing a weird black and orange outfit and seemed to have band-aids all over.
"Looks like you had trouble on your way back." Juge shook his head and shrugged. He stared at the ceiling a bit before finally making a decision.
With absolute nonchalance he kicked the brown-haired hunter out of his bed in the middle of the room and turned the lights on.
"W-wha-whuuzzap?!" The now so roughly awoken hunter was looking around in confusion and rubbing his eyes. "It's too bright..." he swayed a bit.
Obviously that noise was enough to awaken the others as well and they all complained about it.
"Good morning everyone." Juge greeted them.
"Dude, that's not how you wake someone up, my sis was clinging to me all night and I just returned so-" He stopped mid-sentence and realised that everyone was staring at him. He gulped. "Right..."
"Could you please not fight in the morning you two." Riza said with eyes that resembled 'z's. After rubbing the sleep away she stopped. "You?!"
"Y-yo!" Akashi waved at them.
Lucy snapped out of her dream like she had just been cut-off and raised her head-phones.
'She even sleeps with those things?'
As if her eyes were tracking down an enemy ship she took Akashi into her cross-hair, aimed... Shoot!
"Akky!" Her head hit his stomach first and catapulted him back against his bed.
"No no no no no no!" Akashi tried to dodge, but it was too late. "OUCH!" He lost all the air from his lungs and his eyes turned blank. "H-hello... cappy..."
"What's going on...?" Jaune looked up from under his blanket, but the sight of his friend almost knocked him out of his pajamas. "You are back? I knew you would come!"Jaune sprinted towards him and hugged him around his shoulder.
Even all that noise wasn't able to awaken the beast, known as Nora, but when Lucy stuffed 20 pockys into Akashi's mouth as a greeting her eyes flew wide open.
"Food detected!" She jumped up and drop-kicked straight into the mass of people. "Nora special greeting attack!"
Juge crossed his arms while watching the chaos unfold. He noticed that Riza was not getting up, which could be connected to her injury. She and Lucy had only returned to the dorm around midnight. But her face told another story. It looked like she was not quite sure how to feel about this.
Pyrrha and Ren only smiled while watching their reunion.
"You have to tell me what happened, man!" Jaune looked at Akashi with expecting eyes.
"W-well... nothing much actually. I just went home for a bit and then Ms. Goodwitch came to visit us-"
"Glynda Goodwitch came to home visit you?!" Jaune's jaw dropped.
"That would explain why she was not here shortly before the test..." Pyrrha murmured in the background.
"Hey, hey, why do you look so beat up Akky?" Nora imitated Lucy's nickname for him while asking.
"I got in a fight with this really strong huntress! She beat me up good, but I also got a hit or two in." He smiled embarrassedly.
They were all happily talking until Riza appeared and slapped him in the face.
"...!" Akashi stared at her and the others got quiet. "Ouchies..." Normally Akashi would have burst out in anger, but he knew that slap was coming to him, one way or another.
Riza didn't say a word and she clearly was in pain from her side. She was holding it with her left hand.
"Riza...!" Akashi looked at the wound in shock. The slap he received faded away. "You're hurt!? What happened?"
"..." Riza kept quiet.
Juge sighed and finally intervened.
"Welcome back Akashi." He softly pushed Riza back on her bed and walked over to the last member of LARJ. "I am not sure if you should look this happy after what you did." His voice was neutral and didn't reveal his own opinion.
"I..."
"Stop." Juge raised one hand. "Let me just tell you that we have every right to be mad at you for leaving without a word and letting the team down." He closed his eyes. "I am sure that everyone agrees that we felt like punching you several times over the course of your absence." The others looked away when he said it... except for Nora who nodded.
Now Akashi looked downcast. He had a complicated expression on his face. His fringe that seemingly grew an inch longer covered his eyes.
"How did you get hurt Flu- I mean Riza." He looked serious.
"... it was a Beowulf at the Survival Test. I wasn't careful enough and got injured. Looks like I dragged everyone down." She looked very exhausted.
"I'm sorry for not being there to protect your back." Akashi who was already sitting on the floor anyway bowed before her until his head touched the recalled his declaration.
"For them, and for my team... I'll be the foundation of LARJ! And I will be a great hunter who helps people no matter if they are human or faunus."
"And I'll be the best teammate one could ever wish for!"
"...I just said it was my own faul-"
"Actually it was my fault." Juge interrupted her. "I shouldn't have pushed ahead. I'm sorry Riza." He also bowed down.
"I know that it wasn't just that, we talked about thi-"
"No it was my fault!" Jaune declared. "I was way closer to you than Juge and Pyrrha, so I should have gotten your back. I AM SORRY!" Now even Jaune apologized.
"B-but-"
"We are the same." Ren and Nora also apologized. Riza looked visibly embarrassed.
"C-come on now! Stop bowing in front of me and just s-stop this!" She decided that in this situation anger was the best course of action. "How did we get from scolding Akashi to apologizing to me anyway?!"
The group around her smiled and then burst into laughter.
"Gnnn..." Now she could hardly keep being angry with them. "I am not mad about that Akashi. I am not good with social stuff... so it's not like I can tell how I feel about what you did, but I know one thing..." She focused her eyes on him again. "You made Lucy sad. That's why I am angry at you."
Akashi grimaced while keeping his gaze low, he was still on the ground.
"Nuh-uh." Suddenly the only one who had been quiet until now spoke up. Lucy had pulled off her head-phones and was listening to her friends with all her attention. Now she was shaking her head. "I was not sad, because Akky left without saying anything." She stood up and patted Akashi and Riza on the head. "I was sad, because he was alone and we couldn't help him."
"Lucy..." Akashi whispered surprised.
"But now you are back, so I am happy." She smiled brightly.
Akashi's mouth stood open as he stared at this sheer warmth radiating from one person.
"Close your mouth or you will start drooling..." Riza said and pushed his jaw shut.
'I think I understand why Ozpin chose her as our leader after all.' Juge thought to himself.
Now Lucy extended a hand towards Akashi.
"I can stand up by myself, don't worry." The brown-haired teen hastily stood up, but Lucy didn't lower her hand.
"Give it to me now."
"Eh? What...?"
"Pocky. You still owe me from all the way back then."
"HUH?"
"I want it all interest."
"Whhaaaaaaaat?!"
"All in all that makes..." Lucy had pulled out a calculator. "2 tons of strawberry flavoured Pocky, two medium-sized cardboard boxes of chocolate..." While Lucy was counting down a fantastic list and Akashi was squirming on the floor begging for forgiveness,his head repeated banging on the floor. The others were smiling. Even Riza.
Juge was sitting down next to her while watching his captain sentence Akashi to this unorthodox punishment.
"Just wait until he sees Weiss and Jasna. This will be fun." He said.
"Oh I think he will be surprised when he meets Weiss alright. But for a totally different reason than with Jasna." One of her ears twitched knowingly.
"You never intended to hold a grudge against him, right?"
"We already decided to welcome him and scold him back at the party. I just... wasn't ready for him to be so... so..."
"Happy?"
"Yes..."
"You know that he doesn't mean anything bad by it. He certainly worried about us as well."
"Right." Riza nodded with a softer expression. "I wonder if this is... what it feels like when a family member comes back..." She wondered with a sad expression.
"No matter how much we went through before, we should always greet a friend with a smile. Same goes for family." Juge said and stood up.
Riza took these words and sealed them deep inside her mind.
"Juuuuuge! Save me, man!" Akashi suddenly grabbed Juge's leg and pulled him into the mess.
"I can't help you with that! Let go of me, you idiot!"
"What was Ms Goodwitch doing at your house?" Jaune was sitting next to them and asking as if the curiosity was killing him.
Ren took a look at his watch. "7 am..." They had to get up soon anyway, so nobody went back to sleep.
Beacon Academy - Campus
Sometime later they were all on their way to the lectures. The sun was up now and shone brightly down on the students, a few of them were particularly tired.
Akashi released a big yawn. "Huuuwaaaah... I didn't get much sleep at all. Sis pestered me all night after I came back and then someone kicked me out of bed..." He rubbed the tears out of his eyes and slowly started swaying in a zigzag direction.
"So sorry about that." Juge said without any remorse at all.
"Now that I think about it though." Jaune started. "What about your new weapon? Isn't that why you left Beacon in the first place?"
"Indeed." Akashi rubbed his nose with confidence. "My new weapon is awesome! It will probably arrive today."
"What is it? You can tell me!" Jaune pressed him more.
"That's a surprise of course!" His laugh was really grating.
"Come down from your high horse and just tell hi-" Juge was about to punch Akashi on the arm when suddenly a shadow appeared right behind the re-enrolled student. Before anyone could even react the shadowy figure grabbed Akashi under their arm and sprinted away.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Everyone stared after them in bafflement.
"What the heeeeeeck?!" Akashi's last words were filled with confusion.
"What..." Jaune started.
"...was..." Lucy continued.
"...that?" Pyrrha finished.
"Somebody save meeeeeee!" Akashi cried as he turned a corner.
...
"Who are you and why are you so damn strong?" Akashi asked while struggling in the iron tight grip of his kidnapper.
"Calm down lad. I am a friend." The old voice answered calmly. Akashi looked down and saw silver-gray hair fluttering in the wind. An old man full of scars was carrying him with ease.
"If that's so.. could you please let me down? The air up here is kinda thin."
"Hohoho I see. But this is faster, so bear with it a little longer, will ya?" The polite kidnapper was sprinting ahead with no intention of stopping.
After another minute of this strange transportation they finally reached the air-ship landing zone.
"Are you going to fly me out of the country now?" He had seen enough movies to know where this was going.
"Want a vacation right after your first day of school already? This generation is nothing but slackers."
"Ha Ha. Clever." The teen replied as he looked at the sky. There was no sign of a flying vehicle... yet.
When they reached a bench close to the field the kidnapper finally let go of him and sat down, breathing a little heavily. For now Akashi did not run away like his life was on the line, because he was not sure if he could outrun this guy, even in lightweight mode.
"So... what are we doing here?" He tried to ask without sounding too impatient, even though he was running late for his first class in a while.
"Ya know... huff... It woulda been easier if somebody told me where ya lived. I had ta search all 'round for yer little group and then when I finally found ya... huff... it was already this late." The man spoke a little incoherently because he was out of breath.
"So is this about my package?" Akashi asked randomly. This was the air-ship landing zone and he was expecting his weapon.
"Smart guy... huff..." The old man straightened his back. "That young lady told me I'd have ta bring you along to receive the package, ya know?"
"What? I totally didn't know about that!" That was news to him. He expected to find it delivered to his dorm room after lectures.
"This Shelia girl was really sure though."
"Shelia Lily." Akashi knew her from his dad's company. She was a nice person, but really accurate about orders, despite being a little weird, It was impossible for her to mix it up.
Even if she did, it would not go down well.
Why was his dad so adamant about him being there to receive it?
As he was lost in thought the plane promptly appeared on the sky. Without much trouble it landed very precisely in the middle of the landing zone. The machine was still humming when a woman in a pilot suit exited through the front door and took off her flying goggles.
"Greetings Mr. Mayhiro!" She saluted.
"Just Akashi is fine Shelia. It feels weird when you call me the same thing as dad." He chuckled.
"Certainly Mr. Akashi!"
'So the Mister stays...?' His eye twitched
Valkin stood up from the bench and stretched his back.
"Looks like we're no second to early." He winked at Akashi and played with his moustache.
Shelia moved towards the cargo part of the plane and opened the door widely. After rummaging inside she unfastened the restraints on a huge crate. With some trouble she pulled it out, but Valkin already appeared at her side to help her carry it.
"This is the delivery for Akashi Mayhiro, send off by Kagami Mayhiro. Please sign right here." She pulled out a delivery sheet and handed a pen to Akashi. The young hunter signed it carefully and then returned the pen.
"With that my part is done. Please enjoy the goods. A wonderful day to you gentlemen." She waved them goodbye and entered the pilot cabin.
"See you Shelia!" Akashi waved back.
"Hope to make business with y'all again." Valkin yelled over the sound of the engine starting again. As the plane left Beacon the old man set the crate down on the bench and waited.
"So you must be this Mr. Valkin... the shop-clerk, right?"
Valkin's shoulders jerked a little at that question. "Ya think I'm ta old to-! I mean... I am not just a shop-clerk, boy. I also supervise the armory. And I'll be the one to inspect your weapon."
"Inspect? But my father already checked it, so it should be-"
"I will decide about that. Those Promethean Maniacs are not known for their traditional designs, no offense to yer father of course." The old man shrugged.
'Really...?' The hunter chose not to talk back.
"Fine..." Akashi rummaged through the crate and gave his still sealed weapon to the weapon smith.
"Isn't it neat?" Akashi grinned proudly.
"My boy... it's-"
"It's still sealed you know, but that's in standby mode." Akashi smiled. "If you gasp it tightly..." The object that Valkin held glowed orange before shifting its components into Akashi's True weapon. "See? How do you like it now?"
"Could use some more stability though... and what's with those edges?" Valkin expertly analysed it and pointed out flaws. With every second Akashi's face became more sullen.
"Alright I got it!" He finally snapped. "It's not your work, so you don't like it."
"No way, boy. My work is far from perfect. I'm only pointing out what can be improved and I'd do the same for my own creations." He said seriously. "I gotta analyse this more closely in my workshop... I mean the armoury. You can have it back this afternoon. That is if it's safe to use." He winked again.
"It's fine!" He was sulking and walked towards the Academy again. "Now I am late for classes too." He grumbled.
"Don't worry too much, or your hair will turn as gray as mine!" Valkin's rough laugh followed him all the way to the entrance.
Beacon Academy - Lecture Hall 3
Another unique lesson with professor Mayhiro was about to start.
"I never thought I'd envy Riza for being bedridden. But looking at the professor's smug face can do this to you." Weiss mumbled.
"Why is she so happy?" Ruby wondered.
"Everyone open your books to page 25... or something ~"
"Or something?!" Weiss and Pyrrha asked simultaneously. Nobody got ever used to her.
In that moment the door opened wide and a heavily breathing Akashi entered. "Almost... made it..." He panted.
"Forget about the lecture, come in my arms Akky!" She jumped at him, but he managed to keep her away with a high kick to her stomach.
"Get back to teaching dammit!" He screamed comically. "You had me in your grip all night already!"
"All night he says." Yang snickered. Juge shook his head.
"W-wha- when- why?" Weiss eyes started spinning.
"Hiiiiii there Akashiiii!" Ruby waved at him.
The rest of the students watched the scene with the usual surreal feeling as if it was some sort of reoccurring TV show.
"Meh, so he really did come back." Jasna looked displeased.
Kirk on the other hand widened his eyes in pleasant surprise. He jumped down the seats and appeared next to Akashi.
"Welcome back." He said happily.
"Yo Kirk! It's been a while." Akashi greeted him while desperately pushing his sister off.
"Yes... a while." Kirk nodded and barely stopped the tears from flowing out his beautiful eyes.
Weiss Schnee took a deep breath before slowly rising from her seat, Ruby looked at her funny before realising what she was doing. "Go get 'em Weiss!"
"Hush you." She shot back before calming herself.
"Akashi..." Both hunters locked eyes for a second, Alexis let go of her baby brother, while Kirk retreated back to his team. All eyes were on the two.
"Weiss." He stated back.
'I was right, he's still mad at me.' She surmised from his short reply.
"Listen to me... it won't take long." Weiss closed her eyes. "I, Weiss Schnee..." She began.
"...am sorry!" She exclaimed and bowed her head before him, however Akashi was doing the exact same as her. They even bumped heads.
"B-but why?" she stuttered. " I should be the one apologizing!"
"I yelled at you for reason that you had no part in, though it did anger me... a true man never takes his anger out on others!" He said, still bowing "Especially on women!"
"But!" Weiss yelled out. "You surely remember the night you left. Those words I threw at you... they were really mean-spirited and hurtful. I have realised that and take responsibility for your disappearance from Beacon." She muttered. "I even slapped you..."
Akashi scratched his head. Of course he remembered her words and he also remembered being quite pissed at her back then, but that was in combination with getting his favourite hammer banned and being reminded of the bullying in his past... But he was more mature than that, his family taught him well. He knew what he did was wrong... even if he didn't show it.
"Then, how about we say we both messed up?" He smiled "That way you don't have to bow to someone like me."
Weiss looked at him as if she only now realised something.
"They were all right..." She whispered. In her head she thanked Riza from the bottom of her heart.
"Hm? What was that?"
Her response was a punch to his chest, making him groan. Weiss pointed her delicate finger at him. "You said yourself. You're a man right!?"
"Y-yes?"
"Then promise me you'll better become a better man in every way, so that I never have to go through this again. I was seriously worried that you had left Beacon because of me." She huffed.
"Aren't we self-centred?" Suddenly Yang laid an arm around her shoulders.
"It's not like your scoldings are THAT horrible, Weiss." Ruby shrugged.
"I would say it is natural for a heiress to be so self-absorbed." Blake raised a brow.
"Mmmrrhgmmm shut up! What is with this sad excuse for a lecture anyway? Aren't we supposed to be learning something here? Professor, stop hugging that cretin and get back to work. I don't believe this!" She finally exploded and returned to commanding everyone around her. It was a real relief to her and her team as well.
But Alexis wasn't even considering to listen to her students and kept grasping after her brother, who in turn tried to keep her away.
The lesson didn't recover from this sudden Mayhiro virus and the students treated it as some sort of improvised home-room.
Mess Hall - Afternoon
"I'm your host, Holly Cruz, and you are listening to Beacon radio! Are you all doing fine in the final sprint? Only a little more than one week until the semester break and we are still going strong! For many there will be one last test before the long awaited break, but don't you worry about it. Just write down what you remember and answer honestly and your head will be cleansed for the holidays." The cheerful voice of Beacon radio station's top hostess resounded from a small player on the cafeteria table.
"She always sounds so happy." Jaune commented.
"For anyone who has a missing item to report, please go to the janitors room and file a complaint. There have been a lot of stealings reported lately, but you should make sure it was really stolen and not just lost. Accusing people of theft without proof is not cool. But to those real thieves out there I say: Bad! If you don't want to have to deal with me you better stop!" Noise could be heard in the background and a few seconds later another host appeared. Apparently Holly had to be cooled down, because she got really mad at the thieves.
"This girl has spunk. I like it." Jasna commented with a grin.
"The upper-classmen love her. Especially the guys." Antonio added. His friends in the higher years had told him apparently.
"Why are you listening to the radio even here Riza?"
"It's pretty much the only thing I can waste my time with aside from reading, so it turned into a habit I guess." She admitted.
"When will you be able to attend classes again?"
"Ms. Utage said it will at least take five more days, possibly more." The fox faunus answered annoyed. Being cooped up in the dorm room all day was visibly going on her nerves.
"I will spend time with you Riza ~~" Lucy offered.
"No. I know you only want to skip classes and I will be the last person to give you an excuse for that." Her voice was resolute.
"I'll even give you my pudding ~"
"Why are you trying to bribe me into it? That only proves my poin-MMGH?!" A spoonful of chocolate pudding was forced into her mouth.
"Tasty, yes ~?"
While Riza tried to resist the sweet seduction of chocolate Akashi and Juge talked lively.
"Looks like those two didn't change at all."
"The same can be said about you. Did you really 'find your answer'?" Juge tilted his head.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Akashi acted as if he was deeply hurt. "I sure did." Now he was grinning again. "Did you know that I am a descendant to a long faunus bloodline?"
"Seriously?" Now Juge looked genuinely shocked. Riza's ears perked up.
"What are you blabbering?" She pushed Lucy's arm away. "I am not trying to call you a liar, but as a faunus myself I am pretty confident that I can tell humans and my kind apart." Her eyes squinted. "And you are human."
"It's been many generations since then. The faunus blood was so watered down that we are just human now." Akashi waved her doubts away. "I'm not pretending to be a faunus now, but I want to honor my ancestors. They fought for human and faunus equality and peace. I want to do the same."
"You are going to fight for faunus rights?" Now even Blake looked at him with suspicion.
"Not directly. I am not sure if I can convince the masses to accept faunus by myself, but I know that I want to stop those who are actively destroying every chance for that peace."
"The White Fang..." Blake muttered.
"Exactly."
"Are you saying only the faunus are responsible for this situation?!" The black haired girl glared at him.
"N-no, that's not it-" Akashi wanted to deny her accusations, but suddenly Weiss interfered.
"Faunus are mostly thieves and criminals, especially the White Fang."
"Hey!" Riza felt insulted.
"...with exceptions of course." The heiress added.
"Maybe your view is just too narrow." Blake retorted.
"Are you seriously defending those ruffians who break into stores and attack innocent people?"
"They have flaws, but you can't just generalise people like that."
"Isn't that exactly what the White Fang is doing though?"
A heated argument started between the two members of RWBY. The origin of the topic, Akashi, was keeping quiet and scratching his head. Riza who was inclined to defend her faunus brothers and sisters didn't find the strength to yell at people right now.
"Still think it is so easy to change the world?" Juge asked with a spoon in his mouth.
"..." He shrugged. "I am not gonna give up so fast."
"I would be just happy if I can reach the break without being beaten to death by your sister." Jaune had finished his meal and massaged his sore muscles.
"Right! I totally forgot that she is training you." The younger brother seemed proud. "So how's it going?"
"Don't you see? I am the picture of strength and manliness already. Right ladies?" He smiled charmingly at Riza and Lucy.
For the first time in a while Lucy had a hysterical laugh flash and Riza looked away as if she had just seen something extremely embarrassing.
"Looks like the Jaune is still too much for them." Akashi patted his friend's shoulder.
"Strength lies also in the mind." Pyrrha patted his other shoulder.
"Thanks for nothing!" He yelled at the ceiling.
Beacon Academy - 1 week later
"Thank you so much!" Riza said sweetly as her fist left the inverted face of another bully. That was the third one and he really hit the stone floor flatly. She rubbed her blood covered fist clean on one of their shirts and dusted her clothes off. "I really needed to test my body strength. Looks like I have a full comeback."
Behind her Velvet stared at the scene with a mix of fright and admiration.
"Instead of bullying an innocent faunus, why don't you get yourself a useful hobby? I would suggest burning flammable trash like yourself in the nearest incinerator." She couldn't suppress a confident smile before turning away.
Velvet thanked her and continued to search for her team. She had lost them after the last lecture and ran into these three bullies. After Riza came to her aid they made the wrong assumption that her bandages were still fresh.
"Good timing." She whispered and pulled the bandages off. Underneath, her old wound had completely disappeared. The stitches had been taken out days ago, but Reiko suggested that she better not take the bandages off until they were sure that the wound was definitely not opening again. Riza's power to recover should not be underestimated!
While walking towards the library for a check she encountered Blake. The black-haired girl seemed a little restless.
"Good day." Riza greeted her cheerily. "Are you looking for something?"
"Hi... no I am fine." Blake answered a little sluggishly.
"You don't seem fine." The blonde girl picked up on her friend's worries easier every day. "Just talk to me. I may not be very skilled at social stuff, but I will try." She gave Blake something that she herself deemed a reassuring smile.
Blake sighed in defeat. "It's Weiss."
"When is it not her?" Riza said jokingly.
"I just can't bear that biased little..."Blake bit her lip mid-sentence. "She really sees things too narrowly."
"Is this about the faunus situation again? You two have been at it for days now." Her fox ears sank down uncomfortably. "I feel like your arguments just end up making you go into more extreme positions..."
"Riza, you are a faunus! How can you just calmly listen to her insults?" Blake asked.
She stayed quiet for a bit. Then she spoke slowly.
"I am used to being an outcast."
"So you just accept your role? What people's biased views force upon you?!" Blake got visibly worked up.
Riza shook her head and sighed. "It's not like that. I am proud to be a faunus." This was a very important fact to her. "...but I see what the White Fang does too. My family always stayed neutral even back in the human-faunus war. I dare anyone to look down on me directly and they will regret it, but I can't speak for a whole race."
"..." Blake didn't seem convinced.
"What happened to all the other kids back then?" Finally Riza asked the question that had been nagging on her ever since Blake revealed their shared past.
"...they joined the White Fang." The black haired girl looked into the distance while holding her right arm.
'So it was like that after all.' Riza had expected something like that.
"And..." Blake was about to say something else, but then she noticed someone in another hallway closing in. "It's her." Her eyes narrowed and she walked in the opposite direction. "See you..." Her goodbye was very quiet.
Again Riza sighed. She was not sure how to help her friend in this situation.
Weiss walked over, but she hadn't noticed Blake.
"Oh hello... Riza." Her face showed some discomfort. "Are you on your way to the dorms?"
"No, I am actually about to go to the library. I got to catch up on the topics I've missed."
"I see, that's... commendable." Apparently she was really trying to sound positive and complimenting.
"You don't have to go easy on me. I saw how you went at it with Blake recently. I can take a few more negative waves." She was only half joking. Weiss flinched.
"I do not hate faunus in general. It is just something that happened back in my past... involving the White Fang." Weiss looked genuinely sad.
'Both of them have bad memories with them, but are still fighting over trivialities.' She realised the irony in this conflict.
"Maybe you should be more clear about that then. Remember what I told you before. Honesty pays off."
"But it is also my honest opinion that most of them are criminals. If that is by choice or forced on them... I cannot tell." Her expression switched between guilty and resolute.
"I agree."
"W-what?!" Weiss looked at her as if Riza had just grown a second head.
"Only a blind person wouldn't recognise the reality of this world. As a faunus I experienced a lot of bad things in human society. It's easy to get angry and fall into a dark hole. Maybe I would have fallen long ago."
"What do you mean...?"
"There is a burning hatred inside me... but it isn't for humans... it's for Grimm. I don't have time to waste on hating people if these monsters roam free as they please." Riza made a fist with all her power.
"..." Weiss didn't seem happy with that answer.
"Talk things through with Blake. Maybe you will find a better answer with someone who isn't such a lost cause like me." Riza waved her goodbye before leaving for the library.
The young heiress stared after her, deeply in thought.
Track Field
Antonio watched as Jasna tried to hit Kirk with all her might. She was wearing her gauntlets and the blades were already activated. Those Slasher Fists were able to deal some serious damage to a person. Kirk was either very trustful that she wouldn't slice him into sushi or he was more confident in his dodging ability than Antonio.
"Hah! Huaaah! Hmph!" Jasna was breathing controlled and yelled every time she hit thin air and then sliced through the ground. Kirk jumped backwards and sidewards in a complicated pattern that didn't allow her to close in too easily. "Stop running already!"
"No." Kirk simply answered while doing a backflip.
"The exercise would be pointless if you killed him, dear Jasna." Antonio called out to her with a smile.
"I... hah... know." She yelled while slashing a deep scar into the earth where Kirk had been only a second before.
This was a practice fight and an exercise that had the goal to improve teamwork. By understanding each other's fighting styles and by cooperating they would grow as a team... or that was the intention.
Antonio leaned his head on one hand while mustering his partner a few meters away on a rock. The black-haired girl stared at the sky instead of focussing on the here and now. She had been like that for a long time now. It was hard to get any word out of Alexandra.
"Would you please cooperate a little bit, Miss Wilfred?" He asked her politely for the dozens time.
"..." She didn't react too much. With one hand she smacked the idea away as if it was his hand.
"Hm." This was not working out at all. As leader he would need to solve this crisis, but could he even afford to confront this woman any more? It was obvious that she was not connected to Beacon anymore, mentally at least. Her past was currently overshadowing everything.
Ozpin's words did not leave his head though. It was like a fly swishing around his head. He couldn't catch it and had to bear its incessant buzzing forever.
In times of uncertainty a person needs all the support they can get.
He didn't disagree, but in the end...
With intentionally loud movements he stood up and walked towards the silent girl. Maybe Ozpin was right, but Antonio had his own way of doing things. When he finally reached her he pointed his umbrella at her.
"Won't the black ice-queen fight this shining white knight?" He said in a very pompous manner.
One of Alex's eyes twitched a little. She slowly turned her head towards him.
"You will never let that chess piece go, huh?" She gritted her teeth.
'She does remember the Initiation after all.' Antonio smiled inside, but outwardly he was just looking down on her.
"White Knight? You? Don't make me laugh. How could such a cowardly man call himself a knight..." Her words were filled with dismay, but her eyes were focused on the present again.
"Your words barely reach my ears. Locked up inside your little ice-castle, you lost the ability to communicate with the outside world? How pitiful." Antonio felt like his performance was quite good, albeit a little heavy on the drama.
"Is this some sort of theatrical performance?" Now Alexandra looked really angry. She got up and pushed his umbrella to the side. "Or are you actually that sort of despicable man?"
"Why don't you find out? Whatever I may be, at least I know where and when I am." The well-dressed hunter spun his closed umbrella around several times and then pointed it back at her. "Where are you? And when do you intend to come back to us?" He stepped back and forth. "Isn't he the coward who stands still forever?" Okay now he was just goofing around.
Alexandra was slowly catching on to him, but her temper was not open for rational thought right now. She pulled out her beloved desert eagles and pointed them at the team leader of AKJA.
"You will regret finding out." Her aim was very calm and accurate. "And also that you angered me." Blam. The first shot opened the fight. It was aimed at Antonio's feet and send some grass and dirt flying around.
"Regret is better than stagnation." He said nonchalantly and opened his umbrella to shield himself from the barrage of bullets. When the impacts stopped he lowered it slightly, just in time to see Alexandra's leg accelerate towards his side. In one swift motion he closed his umbrella and used it to block her attack.
Now that his shield was down she raised her guns at his chest and fired without hesitation.
'So she is using practice bullets.' He thought to himself. But he wouldn't let himself get hit even by those! To make her come back to her senses he would have to beat her. With his semblance he increased the friction of the bullets long enough to be able to dodge. It looked like they had slowed down for just one second.
After that he swiped her legs and as expected she jumped over his sweep, but he had already hit her with his umbrella against her shoulder. She made a pained expression , but then kicked him against the arm to send his umbrella flying. They both back stepped to gain some distance.
Antonio had already caught his weapon again and went back into a stance.
"Not bad. I was almost worried when you tried to shoot me with those practice bullets..."
"Practice bullets?" She asked without a hint of humor. Behind Antonio the two bullets that had hit the ground instead of him exploded into fire and left two huge burned circles in the grass.
"...oh." He gulped. For some reason he started regretting to have angered her.
"Don't chicken out now." For the first time in days she showed a smile. If only it hadn't been accompanied by several bullets from her guns...
Main Hall
"Aaaah I forgot how much lectures suck." Akashi was walking down the stairs with his arms behind his head.
"I almost forgot that you were just sleeping through all of it." Weiss said with a tired expression.
"It's important to rest when you can! Who knows when there will be a big fight again."
"Are you expecting an invasion any time soon...?" She shook her head. "At least the Vytal Festival is close. Finally something to look forward too. Next semester will be very interesting."
"Yeah..." Akashi agreed, he didn't seem to keen on something.
They had just gotten their test results for the final test before semester break and it turned out pretty much the same as last time. Weiss purposely didn't comment on Akashi's results at all and held back any negative notion.
As they reached the end of the stairs they both went different ways.
"See ya Weiss! Greet the others from me." He yelled after her.
"I will." She said courtly and entered the west wing.
The young Mayhiro stared after her and shrugged. She had been surprisingly nice this last week and he didn't want to ruin that mood. He should really try to stay awake through the lessons or she might soon reach her boiling point... "Hn."
While contemplating these things he accidentally ran into someone and fell on his behind.
"Ouch!" He rubbed his bottom and got up fast. "I'm sorry for bumping into you. I was in thou-" Then he realised just who he had bumped into. "J-j-j-jasna?!"
The short-haired girl got up from the floor she had so roughly been pushed against and dusted off her skirt. Her silence made Akashi's heart freeze in fear.
"L-look, it was just an accident! I swear on Juge's entire life savings that I didn't want to-"
"Shut up pig." She interrupted him. He flinched and expected a fist, but she just glared at him and walked on.
"Huh? W-w-wait! You are not going to... hit me?"
"Do you want to be beaten to a pulp? Are you some maso-pig?" She looked disgusted and left the hall.
Ouch. That was a pretty bad accusation, but he was genuinely surprised at her mercy. Surely the old Jasna would have already grabbed him and dragged him through all the hallways just to hang him over the school-roof to make him squeal!
That might have been an exaggeration.
In that moment a very beat up looking Antonio entered the scene. He was wearing his usual olive green shirt and sleeveless black vest, but they looked a little dishevelled and torn.
"Was that her?" He pointed his thumb at the hastily disappearing tomboy.
"Hm? Hello there Akashi. No, this was not Jasna's doing." He tried to straighten himself while saying that."Today's training... was a little rough." He added.
"How's Kirk doing?"
"He and Jasna haven't killed each other yet."
That was probably good news... Akashi felt some sympathy for the leader of AKJA.
"Is she sick or something? I was pretty sure I would be minced meat after bumping into her." He scratched his head.
"Jasna is... holding back. The headmaster has made a it very clear that AKJA will have to change. And if I am not up to it... well she fears that Kirk might become the new leader."
"Kirk?" Akashi started laughing. "He is a good guy, but I doubt he would make it."
"Possibly. Mr. Fire showed some great improvements though. He hasn't been taking any pictures of girls recently and is fully devoted to improving himself." Antonio sounded almost proud.
"Hahaha yeah..." Akashi looked the other way. He clearly remembered the events three days ago when he got all the 'articles' that he had been missing out on for the time he had left. The trusty salesmen was suspiciously small and taciturn. "Want to relax in the library?" He changed the topic.
"The library? That's the last place I would expect you to relax at." Antonio replied.
"They have that quiet corner for people to study and it's really relaxing. You can even talk without getting hissed at by the librarian."
"..." The teen looked like he suspected some other motive, but then he gave in. "I will gladly tag along. But why so suddenly, if I may ask?"
"Truth is I never hung out with anyone from your team but Kirk. I feel like I have to catch up." Akashi smiled.
Antonio smiled back. "I understand."
Library
Akashi and Antonio had indeed settled down in the separate study room, which was relatively empty. So close to the semester break nobody felt like studying anymore it seemed.
They both sat down on a bench while looking outside the giant windows. The whole room was surrounded by glass, there were no walls, just huge windows. One had a very nice view from up here and the sun was warmly shining through the glass.
"Reminds me of a greenhouse."
"The only thing that grows here is knowledge." Antonio replied with a smirk.
"Pff ~"
He pulled out a bottle of soda and took a big gulp.
"What are you going to do around break?"
"I didn't think about it yet." Antonio confessed.
"Don't you want to visit your parents?"
"Maybe. But my parents do not care much for emotional reunions. They expect me to work hard and see results."
"Sounds rough man." Akashi grimaced.
"It's fine. They treat me like a person and pay my living expenses, that's all I can ask for."
'I think your idea of family is a little too pragmatic.' Akashi thought to himself.
As they sat there and made small-talk another young man entered the fray. It was Jaune and he looked mighty exhausted. The blond boy walked towards them and threw himself on the bench.
"What's up Jaune?" Akashi patted him on the back.
"J-just catching my breath..." He said and rubbed his hurting back. "Your sister is a demon instructor."
"Ahaha... yeah I know."
"And she is constantly asking me what you are up to..."
"Aha... I expected that."
"And in exchange for making me a great hunter she wants me to knock you out and tie you up for her..."
"Ah-WHAT?!" Akashi jumped back and almost fell off the bench.
"Joking man." Jaune laughed at his reaction. Sometimes even he could make a good joke.
"Don't scare me like that!" Akashi released his breath and sat back down.
The three of them were drifting around in the comfortable quietness and warmth of the afternoon sun. This place was really an isle of recreation and peace.
And then Akashi stiffened up.
"H-hey isn't that Jasna?" He pointed at the brawler who was indeed sitting at another table diagonally to them. Her back was turned to them, so she didn't notice their presence fortunately.
"What's she doing here?" Jaune asked with honest wonder. The idea that she might have been here to study didn't cross any of their minds.
"Writing a letter I suspect." Antonio finally gave them an answer.
"She writes letters?"
"She can write?"
"You guys are quite rude as long as she is out of earshot..." Antonio was sweating. "Jasna writes letters regularly. You can see her sitting here often."
"Who is she writing to? Her family?"
"I don't know who it is, but it can't be her family. Jasna is an orphan."
The other two went quiet and looked guilty.
"Don't worry, she never complained about it. Jasna is a strong girl." Antonio smiled warmly.
"She sure is giving it some thought. Look at her biting on her pen." Jaune looked at her. She was indeed gnawing on the back of her pen in thought. It was almost cute. Almost.
"Look, now she writes!" Akashi commented. They followed her movements. "Kinda... slow."
"She just puts a lot of thought into every letter." Antonio tried to protect his teammate's pride.
"I can almost read what she is writing just from watching her hand move..." Akashi said while squinting his eyes. "Right now she writes... 'Pig number 2 came back... still a pig...' Huh? That sounds familiar."
"I wonder if she uses aliases or just really categorizes everything as pigs and numbers..." Jaune tilted his head.
"From that sentence I think she is talking about you Akashi."
"What? I am no pig."
"But you left Beacon and came back recently. It looks like she thinks you stayed the same and she is happy about it."
"You can tell all that from just so little?!" Jaune asked questioningly.
"Quiet! Next sentence... 'Have to stay put... piglet will... take over...' ... it is?" They watched as Jasna put a lot of strength into the pen and almost ripped the paper at that sentence.
"She is worried that her actions will lead to Kirk becoming our team leader."
"Looks like that is really eating on her. The paper feels her pain." They all stared at her some more.
"Woah what now?!" Akashi asked with a scared expression. Jasna was biting on the pen so hard that she bit off its tip. She spat it out and then added another sentence. "Uhm.. 'Pig number 3 is getting closer to Goldilocks... I have to... with a brick.. make it look like an accident...' she writes."
They all stayed quiet.
"I feel like I am witnessing a crime in the planning." Jaune mumbled.
"Maybe we should not pry too much into her personal affairs." Antonio repeated.
"Uhm... I am too curious. Please translate for me Anto." He called the other hunter by his nickname.
"I think she is jealous of Juge... for hanging out with Yang."
"They are what?!" Now Akashi was the one who looked like he got hit with a brick.
"Jasna is certainly overreacting. Those two are just on better terms than she could be right now. She is always overprotective of the other girls."
"Yang is the last girl that needs protection..." Akashi closed his eyes in disbelief.
Somewhere outside Yang sneezed. Team RWBY was on their way to Vale City right now. They wanted to check out the preparations for the festival. Weiss was intend on scanning their enemies out too.
Farther away from the library Juge and Lucy were walking in an incoherent line. The red-head had a new favourite song and she was never taking off those head-phones. In fact she got so absorbed into the world of music that she didn't watch her step at all.
"Careful!" Juge barely managed to redirect her path before she crashed into the metal fence. Then she somehow managed to almost fall down a slope, followed by running down the stair, despite needing to go up.
After a while he just held her head with on hand and stopped her movement entirely to catch a breath.
"You really are a handful, leader." He said while exhaling. Lucy was humming in response. Her child-like joy just beat any reasoning. There was nobody who could have the heart to take her head-phones off and make her sad.
The peaceful(?) times were harshly interrupted by an old man who looked like he had just been stung by bee. Or twenty.
"Grrmph... I ain't young enough for this shop-clerk nonsense... what's wrong 'bout a good old wooden pen? Do youngsters these days really want that pink plastic garbage? I can build 'em a perfectly sharp sword, I can, but they want key-chains for their scrolls..." His ramblings were constant and very detailed.
"Good day, Mr. Valkin, sir." Juge greeted him politely. It was important to show respect towards veteran hunters.
"Huh? Oh the young Velmón. Good to see ya, my boy." His face turned from a frown to a smile in an instant. "How's yer father doing?"
"Same as always, sir."
"Meaning Julia is still on his case constantly, I reckon?" He laughed heartily.
Juge nodded. It was to be expected, but Valkin actually dared to call his mother by her first name.
"There is something I want to talk to your team about if that is okay."
Juge looked at Lucy who was not paying attention. "I think she agrees with your terms." He said with a shrug.
"Nice. Ya all come to my office soon, alright?" By 'office' he probably meant the armory.
"I will tell Akashi and Riza."
"Hohoho I can't wait to see the little Missy up and about again. Being forced to sit around all day really is horrible."
Just why did he look like he could totally relate to her?
Beacon Academy - Armory
Akashi had met Riza on his way out of the library and they walked towards the meeting place as a group. Neither of them knew what was up, but Juge had send them a message over scroll to come meet him at the armory.
"That old man better be finished with Velvet's stuff by now."
"Velvet is doing fine?" Akashi asked worriedly.
"She is okay. Her team wasn't as bad as we thought at first." Riza smirked.
They reached the door to the armory which had a build in window, so that one could see inside beforehand. A sign saying 'CLOSED' was hanging outside.
Inside the room there were several people and one of them recognized Akashi.
"So we meet again Akashi Mayhi-Bwagh!" The young hunter hadn't noticed her behind the door and rammed it straight into her face. "Uuunnghgg..."
"Are you okay Jane?!" Another woman was kneeling down to look at her face.
"Huh? Maryjane!" Now Akashi realised who had been standing behind the door. "I'm sorry about that!" He nervously waved his hands while his head drew a blank.
"I'm... fine..." Maryjane said as she held her red nose with both hands.
"Are you sure Jane? You look like you are going to cry." The other woman with long dark-blonde hair was patting her head.
"Am not." Maryjane stood up and stiffened her face. The corners of her eyes were totally wet. To distract from that fact she pointed at the newcomers. "So we finally meet again Akashi Mayhiro!"
"It's been a week Jane." The other huntress chuckled.
"Uhm hi." Akashi said belatedly. "Thanks for carrying me home."
"No problem hun." The other huntress winked at him. "You are not as heavy as you look, Grimm-rider." Her words were teasing.
"I see you are already familiar with Mary and Tahli." A voice from the back asked for their attention. It was Ozpin. The headmaster of Beacon was sitting behind the desk that clearly belonged to Valkin, who was instead leaning against a shelf.
"Headmaster?" Riza looked surprised. "What have you done this time?" Her eyes immediately fell onto the other two member of LARJ that had already arrived before them.
Juge shook his head and took off Lucy's head-phones. She suddenly looked like she had been thrown into cold water.
"Eh?"
"Nobody has done anything wrong, Ms Inari. Please sit down and listen if you want. I am not forcing anyone to be here of course." Ozpin leaned back and his presence sank into the background. He was just a spectator in here.
"Ahem. As the headmaster said, it's got nothing to do with any trouble... at least not yet." The old hunter smiled roughly.
"So what exactly is this proposal you were talking about?" Juge asked.
"Matter of fact is, that I am old." Valkin suddenly declared out of nowhere. Everyone stared at him and waited for him to continue, but the silence just kept going.
"And that's why..." Ozpin whispered.
"...and that's why I can't take care of everything by my lonesome anymore." The gray-haired hunter finally finished his sentence, clearly miffed that the suspension build up had been broken.
"Do you need an assistant for your shop old man?" Riza asked as informal as ever.
"Not yet." Valkin laughed. "Though I'd wish somebody else took care of the shop..." He added between his teeth.
"We are here for a mission." Tahli finally gave them some idea.
"A mission?" Akashi was now fully awake and interested.
"Yep. I saw your fights and your determination and I can't think of anyone better suited to do the job." Valkin laughed again.
"Really? Aren't there a lot more experienced students at this academy?" Riza smelled something fishy.
"Sure, sure, but this isn't about who is the strongest, or best." Valkin explained. "It's a simple request from my company."
"Vulcanus Forge..." Juge said.
"Right on. We have a little problem with a delivery. I fear that our transport has been involved in an accident."
"So why don't you send someone to look for the truck and the driver?"
"That's the problem I tell ya. The swamps are infested with Grimm. The truck had automatic defense systems, but it ain't worth nothing if they get unlucky once." The old man crossed his arms with a dark expression. "The driver was one of my first employees. I don't wanna tell his wife bad news."
Everyone looked serious now.
"Beacon is an Academy that trains hunters and huntresses. Part of that training are assignments from outside, because field experience is the best way of improvement." Ozpin explained. "Usually we do not send out first years... but I have deemed your team able enough. Mr. Valkin has been very clear that he trusts you with this as well."
"Hohoho you'll make me blush Ozzy!" The veteran slapped the headmaster on the back, which made him sigh in return.
"So you want us to search for your employee and return the delivery?" Juge asked.
"Indeed. If you could bring back the truck as well... those things are really expensive..." He added with a small voice.
"We will accompany you." Now Tahli spoke up again. "Our association is very interested in the area around Roxford village." She explained. Maryjane was just staying next to her like a robot on stand-by.
"Yeah you can learn a thing or two from these fine huntresses." Valkin laughed. "With them around you won't have to be scared of the mission. It's practically a field trip."
"I saw Mary's power. He is not joking." Akashi agreed. "But I hit her pretty hard too."
"You want to have a rematch?" Her eyes lit up.
"N-not yet." The young Mayhiro rejected the idea. He still had a few bruises from the last time.
"So are you guys accepting? The mission will start tomorrow, so you can skip the last few days of lectures. If you act fast, you will be back right for the semester break."
Team LARJ gathered in a circle and they whispered to each other. After a few minutes of intense conversation they looked up and faced the 4 full-fledged hunters and huntresses.
"As a Velmón it is my duty to help the people... and be the best at it." Juge smiled confidently.
"It's a field trip, right? Looks like I can finally test my Black Eclipse in action." Akashi grinned at Valkin.
"Leave some of the Grimm for my Ryuyari guys." Riza was emanating blood lust.
"I want to be paid in pocky. And when we have to camp I get Riza's tail as a pillow." Lucy declared.
"What?! I didn't agree to tha-" The faunus girl wanted to reject, but everyone was already shaking hands and preparing the mission.
"That's the spirit! This generation might yet surpass us."
"Heh." Ozpin sat back and watched his students with a smile.
The commotion inside the armory would still go on for a while longer.
And tomorrow...
...team LARJ's first mission would begin.