Liam stared at the shattered moon in the night sky. He lay next to Winter in separate sleeping bags as the group he was hired to escort followed suite circling an extinguished campfire. Unable to sleep after telling stories and jokes, he pulled the cover off his shirtless body and got to his feet. He fumbled through his pack looking for his cigarettes and lighter. He slipped on a spare t-shirt he kept and pulled on his boots and sword. Upon lighting a midnight cigarette, he noticed another sleeping bag was empty, Jaune's. Liam shook his head, knowing exactly what this boy was doing. He followed Jaune's trail to a meadow where Jaune seemed to be training. Liam leaned against a tree, watching the blonde follow instructions from a female voice on his scroll. He recognized her as Pyrrha Nikos, a name and face he learned from his time at Atlas. Everyone always said that she was a warrior by textbook definition. Jaune struck swiftly and finished with a lunge. Liam took his cigarette between two fingers. "Footwork." He said, clearly startling the young huntsman. Jaune didn't respond, he just nodded. He repositioned himself and swung again. Liam shook his head. "Hold position." He approached the boy and lifted his arm and kicked his leg out further. "Now, try again." Jaune did so and found that he was able to put more weight behind it. "Faster!" Liam yelled. Jaune did as the veteran said. On his final strike, his aura glowed brightly as he panted. He spun around for a horizontal slice, but his bade crossed with Liam's. They stood and locked eyes with blades touching. Circling one and other, waiting for the other to make a move. Liam struck first, lunging forward. Jaune dodged and sliced from the side. Liam parried the oncoming strike and delivered a left hook to Jaune's jaw. While stunned, Liam used this opportunity to roundhouse kick the huntsmen in training. Liam's boot made contact with Jaune's chest which sent him flying backward. Jaune ran forward and sprang into the air. Acting fast, Liam moved away from the strike and grabbed Jaune's arm, while still in the air, Jaune felt Liam ram his shoulder into the boy's abdomen and slam him over his head onto the ground. The air left his lungs as pain entered his back. Jaune laid on the forest floor, defeated. "You put up a good fight," Liam said offering a hand to his opponent. Jaune took it and got to his feet.
"Thank you." He said sheathing his sword and shield. "But why are you helping me?" Liam kept his sword in hand.
"Because I saw how you followed the girl's instructions. Potential untapped." Liam said. "You haven't unlocked your semblance have you?" Liam asked the young warrior. All he did was shake his head in response. "If you want to, then we aren't stopping here. Get your sword out." The two sparred for hours until the early dawn sun covered the land. The sound of metal clashing echoed throughout the forest, loud enough it caught the attention of the rest of the people at camp. They rushed to find the two men slashing at one and other. Jaune attempted a lunge that was dodged by the older man. Liam brought his knee into Jaune's abdomen and struck the boy's back with the pommel of his broadsword. The two warriors fell to the ground in utter exhaustion.
"Jaune!" The ginger girl yelled as she ran to his side. "Are you alright?" She exclaimed again. The boy that Qrow had called Ren followed and help his gun at Liam's head.
"Did he attack you?" The black haired boy asked. Liam attempted to get to his feet, but Ren moved the gun closer.
"Your friend's got a lot of fight in him," Liam said. "He's strong." Jaune flashed a thumbs up.
"Thanks." He said trying to catch his breath. No sooner was this said, when Ren found a blade at his throat. Winter brushed the edge of her cutlass over the boy's jugular.
"It would be unwise to carry on what you are doing. Lower the gun." Ren held steady as Winter pushed the blade into his skin, drawing a bit of blood. Liam held up a hand. "It's okay, Snow." He said. Winter looked blown away.
"But sir-"
"It's okay, just a misunderstanding." Jaune was on his feet now.
"Ren it's okay, we were just doing some training," Jaune said offering a hand to Liam. He took it. By this time everyone had arrived.
"Now what?" Qrow asked, a bit agitated. The red haired girl, Ruby, was by his side.
"Nothing," Jaune said. "Just a bit of late night training."
"Kid it's morning," Qrow said.
"That's how long we've been out here," Liam spoke up. "Try to teach a kid some swordplay and everyone goes batshit crazy." He said, glaring at the boy in green. "Anyway, I got up for a late night smoke and saw him out here swinging a sword around." Liam poked a thumb at Jaune. "I saw room for improvement and showed him some moves."
"Oh, sorry." The orange haired girl said. "Liam right, from the way it looked you two were trying to kill each other." She put a hand behind her head. "So sorry." She said again with a big grin.
"Apology accepted," Liam said giving a smile back. "Besides, you all might be able to learn a thing or two from Jaune boy over there," Liam remarked as he put a cigarette in his mouth. Hours passed as they were back on the road. Lian, now fully armored, held a pace with Winter and Qrow.
"Wait," Liam said putting his hands up. "You mean to tell me, you two knuckleheads had a fight in the Beacon courtyard."
"Sure did," Qrow smirked. "And I'm pretty sure I won." Winter laughed.
"You, defeat me? Don't make me laugh." She said with a cocky attitude about her. "How did it feel to be so humiliated in front of your niece?" Qrow snorted.
"How did it feel to get in trouble with the Admiral in front of your sister?" Qrow retorted. The look on Winter's face went from pride to pure hatred. Liam heard a rumbling in the distance. He turned around to see dust flying as a yellow motorcycle emerged from the dust it kicked up. The rider wore a yellow helmet and aviator glasses with a light brown coat. The vehicle skidded to a stop behind them.
"Yang!" Yelled Ruby.
Hey everyone.
So sorry for the later upload, I had school stuff to do. Anyway this is the latest chapter where I've set up some new "Plans".
Enjoy and remember constructive critisism its always apprectiated.