Jaune's breath came in ragged gasps, Penny's daggers in a circle around his crouching form. As he regained his breath and his aura returned, a small cut on his cheek oozed blood.
"Jaune, that was fantastic!" cheered Penny, " two minutes and thirty six seconds! That's a huge leap up."
For some reason Jaune didn't feel particularly victorious. Maybe it was the sight of Yang propped up against a tree trunk, snoring through his workout. Penny stuck out comically in front of Yang's torso, but it seemed that the robot could have taken a nap as well. Jaune hadn't even gotten within twenty meters of his sparring partner, a failing that was becoming increasingly grating.
"One more go," He called to Penny.
"I don't know, we told Yang we would stop over an hour ago."
"Come on she's asleep, just one more try." Before Penny could reply, a dark shaped dropped down next to Yang.
"Sorry Jaune, Qrow says he needs to see Yang," Blake yelled to the knight, "Yang, wake up," Blake gently nudged her partner, whose snoring ended with a harsh snort.
"Whas happin?" Yang muttered groggily.
"I figured you've been sitting out here long enough," Blake whispered, "I came to break you out."
"Wait so Qrow isn't -" Yang rudely muted Penny before she could blow Yang's cover. Yang would pay for being so brash later, but Penny never really knew when to keep quiet Quickly, the blonde retreated with her partner into the woods as Jaune transitioned to solo training. The two stopped once they had left the impromptu training grounds behind.
"So, what do you want to-" Yang was cut off as Blake pulled her in for a deep kiss. Or at least tried to, her lips found the cold steel of Yang's arm. Both girls stared in brief confusion before realization and embarrassment swept across Yang's face.
"Penny!" Yang quickly unmuted the girl, and was met with a very irate android.
"YANG, HOW COULD YOU?!" yelled the robot girl sadly, "that's so rude," Penny's anger was rapidly replaced by deep seated melancholy. She hated being reminded how dependent she was in this form, and nothing did that faster than being forcibly muted by Yang. Yang, for her part, at least had the dignity to look ashamed.
" I know Penny, I'm sorry," Yang began, "but you were doing it again."
"Doing what?" the robot snapped, "telling the truth?" Yang grew a shade redder.
"Y-yeah, that."
"That's a horrible reason, Yang."
"I know. I'm sorry Penny, I was just being rash again. It won't happen again," Yang muttered awkwardly.
"I'll hold you to that. Better yet, Blake will," Penny turned her attention to Blake, "Blake, if she ever does that again, could you please slap her?" Blake stifled a snort before nodding her affirmation. "Right, well that settles it then. I guess I'll leave you two lovebirds alone," with that, Penny quietly powered down.
"Right, so wher-" Yang was interrupted by a quick smack across her face.
"Figured you owed her one," Blake said unapologetically before pulling Yang in for their previously interrupted kiss. The two were extremely thankful to Penny for her understanding. They had debated trying to keep her in the dark about their relationship, but eventually deemed it both unfair and practically impossible. Penny had taken it all in stride, congratulating them and even managing to keep the secret until Blake and Yang were ready. It was the least Blake could do to give Yang a little slap for being so inconsiderate.
Eventually, the two broke away as they heard the soft murmur of voices approaching. On instinct, the pair leapt to two low hanging branches and waited. Soon a still recovering Qrow came into view, followed closely by Ruby. As they came closer, their voices grew more audible.
"So what are we doing anyway, Uncle Qrow?" asked an uncertain Ruby.
"I've been neglecting your training, I think it's time we get back to it," Qrow responded simply. Ruby smiled widely, ecstatic to train with her Uncle again. The pair continued their walk, eventually leaving the eyeline of the hidden pair. Silently, Blake leapt over to Yang.
"I believe we were in the middle of something?" The faunus said coyly. However, Yang's mind was somewhere else. Ruby's training lessons had always been private. In truth, Yang had always been a little jealous that Qrow had never trained her; Although she knew her Uncle could do little more than show her the basics of fistfighting, her sister's private lessons had always been a source of envy.
"Wait," Yang said slowly, "I want to go watch this."
"Really?!" called a disgruntled Blake as Yang went after Qrow and Ruby. Irritated, Blake reluctantly followed.
The duo eventually found their quarry through the sharp ringing of colliding scythes. Slowly, Blake and Yang approached a large clearing. Qrow stood in the center, a red blur bounding rapidly around him. The air was filled with the clanging of weapons, Qrow sweating to block Ruby but not moving an inch. Suddenly, a small smile appeared on Qrow's face. In one smooth motion, Qrow sheathed his blade and stuck out his leg. The red blur transitioned into a tumbling Ruby, who was eventually stopped by the trunk of a tree.
"Come on Ruby," Qrow said through a superior grin, " all that speed and you can't hit a broken old crow," Qrow gestured to his makeshift sling for emphasis.
"How are you still faster than me?" pouted a morose Ruby. Qrow simply responded with a sharp laugh.
"Ruby, I don't think there is anyone in Remnant faster than you. Your problem has always been that you're too predictable. If you keep assuming your speed will carry you through, you're going to stagnate. Now go again, and this time keep me guessing," Qrow readied himself as Ruby regained her footing. The sound of clashing blades quickly resumed.
An hour passed. Time and time again Ruby stumbled and fell, though it took longer each time. By the fifth time, it was evident to the hidden duo that her blood was boiling. Surprisingly, Qrow seemed to be in a similar state.
"I can't do it Uncle Qrow!" yelled a distressed Ruby. Never in all her training had her Uncle been this unrelenting with her.
"Don't give me excuses Ruby! Fight harder! Use your goddamn eyes!"
"My eyes?"
"Your eyes! Show me you can do this!"
"I- I can't," tears appeared on Ruby's face as the stress overwhelmed her
Qrow stalked over to his niece, kneeling down to stare into her eyes.
"You don't have the luxury of 'can't' anymore Ruby! You took this mission, and you're the only one who can do this!" Qrow took a breath, calming his voice, " You may be the only person on Remnant of fighting the woman we're after. And if you can't find your strength now, then what? Will someone have to die like that poor girl on the tower? Will you let Yang die since you can't find your strength? Will you let me?" Ruby stared in horror at her uncle.
"No I-"
"Then show me you can do this, Ruby!" Qrow turned into a blur, swinging his scythe at his niece. Blake had to physically restrain Yang as the blonde attempted to rescue her sister. An action that was completely unnecessary.
A flash of silver exploded from Ruby, flinging Qrow's scythe away like a matchstick. As quickly as it came, the light flickered and died. Ruby went limp, the power still too strong for her. Yang and Blake watched as Qrow looked down on his fallen niece, then sat beside her. Gently, he placed her head on his knee. He stroked her hair as tears began to fall freely. Yang saw him whisper something barely inaudible. The remains of Blake's ears, however, were barely able to comprehend the musings of the distressed man.
"I'm so sorry, child. I wish I was strong enough to take this burden from you."
"Yang, I think we should leave," Yang stared in disbelief at Blake, but was met with an equally stern gaze. They had seen something they shouldn't, something Blake knew would color Yang's perception of her Uncle, possibly forever. Blake did not know Qrow well, but she did know the look in his eyes. He hated what he was doing, but believed in his heart that it was the only way forward. Although she would never admit it to Yang, Blake did not disagree. Regardless of her personal opinions, she knew an emotional confrontation with Yang would only further muddy the waters.
"We will talk about this later," she said calmly to Yang, "but you have to trust me on this, now is not the time."
Yang seethed silently for a moment, before silently nodding to Blake. Like ghosts the two disappeared into the woods, heading back to camp.
A/N: sorry about the long update, I swear I am going to pick the pace back up right after exams. I plan on having this whole story finished by the time Volume 4 comes out and ruins my hypothetical continuation.
As Always, I would like any and all feedback. Also, I want to know the audience preference for the next chapter; do you guys want more Neo or the team's arrival in Haven? If you care one way or another shoot me a PM. If no one in particularly cares I'll just flip a coin or something