Author's Notes (PLEASE READ): HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015! Before I start, I would like to talk about Mr. Jaune Arc. When he first appeared in RWBY, I didn't think much of him. Personally at the time, I was hoping that he wouldn't intrude on White Rose, but Weiss' behavior put a little cold water on that back then. I was correct when I suspected he'll be a basic and weak character but learns along the way…like canon Naruto. When he led his future team against the Death Stalker, he gained some of my respect, and I looked forward to seeing him grow as a character and a capable Huntsman.

Then the Jaunedice and Forever Fall episodes came, and boy was I thrown off by the revelation that he faked his transcripts to get into Beacon so he could be like his family, and I lost all respect for him. I even felt sorry about him getting picked on by CRDL, but my sympathy for him went out the window after part 2 of Jaunedice. Okay, you snuck into Beacon with zero combat experience, and when someone offers you their help the first time, you deny them?! No. No! No sane person would deny such help, and from someone who won multiple tournaments?! Jaune at the time was a complete and total…MORON!

But he got better. Single-handedly killing that Ursa (with help from Pyrrha), standing up to Cardin, FINALLY accept the assistance, and…that's about it…aside from killing some Grimm in the Volume 2 Finale. In closing, he's gotten to being a good character I can get behind…but the girls are still at the top of my personal list of Most Awesome Characters.

I don't hate Jaune. I only like him a little bit.

Now that I'd gotten that rant out of the way, this is a WARNING for those who are Jaune fans and I'm going to state this bluntly: Jaune is go to be bashed, and you guys will not like it. Sorry, but in the world this story is in, well…you'll see, if you decide to proceed that is.

In other news, I got four people who want Coco in the harem. Poor Coco doesn't get any love? I thought you guys liked her. *dodges a hail of gunfire*

-Review Responses

ThePsychoPath96 – Yes. Gotta have more variety of enemies in a story like this.

R-king 93 – I think you meant "thickens"

NorthSouthGorem – I'm humble to know that I can never measure up to the greatness of Monty Oum and Roosterteeth. You call it bashing; I call it character development. If it were bashing, Weiss would get the shaft at the end of the chapter, which she didn't.

Dragonbolt21 – On a scale of one to ten…TEN.

curious 37465 – Quite a read. The longest review I ever had. Because of your suggestion, I'm going to make one-shot-like chapters with Naruto and the girls of RWBY to develop their relationships more after the events of Volume 1.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, RWBY, Devil May Cry, or the other crossovers that'll appear, including any other crossovers that might appear.

Special credit and thanks: zemryx for letting me use the RWBY-ifyed Red Queen weapon from Devil May Cry 4 he drew on DeviantArt; and fairy tail dragon slayer for letting me use the Adaptability semblance from his story "Naruto the Huntsmen".

LAST WARNING: If you like Jaune, then this chapter and the next is NOT for you! YOU FORFEIT ALL RIGHTS TO COMPLAIN if you decide to continue.


(Opening Theme: This Will Be The Day by Casey Lee Williams)


Chapter 07: Fall of Arc Part I


(Beacon Academy, Amphitheatre)

It's been several weeks since that eventful first day at Beacon Academy for Team RWUBY. Despite while some of its members still held some secrets from the others, they started working together as a cohesive unit, in and out of class, while doing some individual tasks.

Ruby was studying and experimenting on being a leader to great success, and so far hasn't had another ill-tempered episode like her did during the initiation in the forest and the first day. Weiss was improving her personality and behavior, but still had yet to know how to take it easy and have some fun. Blake was still being her mysterious self, but was sociable to her fellow teammates. Yang was being her usual self, and enjoys teasing everyone on the team. And Naruto kept to being the mold that continued to hold the team together.

However lately, there was one person he was concerned about, and that person was not a member of Team RWUBY, yet a fellow first year student like them.

Jaune Arc, the leader of Team JNPR, who was currently in a sparring match with the leader of Team CRNL, Cardin Winchester…and losing badly.

"It's déjà vu all over again." Naruto muttered to himself before turning to the redhead next to him, "Oi Pyrrha, it's the same thing with Jaune every week there in Dueling Class. You would think that he would show signs of improvement and at least get a couple wins by now. What's going on with your partner?"

"Honesty, I don't know." Pyrrha said, rubbing the back of her head while laughing nervously, "But he'll get better in time. I'm sure of it!"

"…I'll take your word for it." Naruto remarked as he along with his other classmates watched the sparring match then seemed to be drawing to a close.

On the auditorium stage, Cardin had his mace perched on his shoulder, smirking at an exhausted Jaune, who was on one knee leaning on Crocea Mors sword and shield as support.

Jaune looked up at Cardin, who laughed at him, prompting him to gather his strength and rush forward. He swung his sword at Cardin, but his opponent easily dodged. Jaune looked surprised at the maneuver and failed to completely block Cardin's mace strike that sent him tumbling back while disarming him of his shield. Despite being armed with a sword, Jaune let out a battle cry and charged forward again to attack, with Cardin blocking the strike with the hilt of his weapon. As their weapons deadlocked, Cardin showed his strength as he pressed Jaune close to the ground and towered over him.

"This is the part where you lose." Cardin taunted the country boy, who refused to back down.

"Over my dead-!" Jaune started to counter back, but was interrupted by Cardin kneeing him in the stomach.

Jaune groaned in pain as he dropped his sword and fell to the ground, wheezing. As he looked up, Cardin rose his mace over his head and was about to slam it into the face of a now scared Jaune when thankfully the buzzer rang, followed by the lights coming back on and signaling the end of the spar with the result screens showing above the stage.

"That's enough, Cardin!" Glynda's voice snapped as she herself walked onto the stage and glared at Cardin, who growled a little before walking away.

"So much for inter-school unity." Naruto said as he took his hand away from one of his pistols he was going to use on Cardin's mace as Glynda addressed the class.

"Students, as you can see, Mr. Arc's Aura has now dropped into the red. In a tournament-styled duel, this would indicate that Jaune is no longer fit for battle, and that the official may call the match." Glynda explained as Jaune looked at the small tablet scroll on the back of his shield in defeat and Pyrrha looking disheartened.

"Please. There are some who were still fit enough to attack the winner out of spite." Naruto mumbled, recalling his experiences in tournament.

He had encountered sore losers that hated the fact a young Hunter-in-training pulled an upset on them, and attempted to take him out, only for Naruto to defend himself, while the offenders ended up being blacklisted from future tournaments.

"That's true to a degree." Pyrrha agreed as Glynda turned her attention to a miserable Jaune.

"Mr. Arc, it's been weeks now. Please try to refer to your scroll during combat. Gauging your Aura will help you decide when it's appropriate to attack, or when it is better to move to a more…defensive strategy. We wouldn't want you to be gobbled up by a Beowolf now, would we?"

"Speak for yourself…" Cardin muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes as Glynda turned her attention back to the other students.

"Remember, everyone, the Vytal Festival is only a few months away! It won't be long before students from the other kingdoms start arriving in Vale, so keep practicing! Those who choose to compete in the combat tournament will be representing all of Vale!" Glynda instructed everyone, with Naruto nodding and punching his fist in his hand, Yang punching the air in anticipation, Weiss shaking with excitement to prove herself along with Ruby whose enthusiastic energy rolled off of her in waves, while Blake simply nodded.

The bell rang, and everyone filed out while Pyrrha continued to frown sadly at Jaune, whose Jaune was still hung in shame. Naruto sighed before looking at Glynda, who on the other hand, adjusted her glasses while scrutinizing Jaune with a hint of suspicion.


(Cafeteria)

"So! There we were, in the middle of the night..."

"It was day."

Team RWUBY and Team JNPR were sitting together at a table eating lunch, with Nora entertaining her team and the others with a dream she claimed she had recently, with Rin correcting her on every sentence.

"We were surrounded by Ursai…" Nora said while Blake was lost in one of her books and her partner, Ruby, and Pyrrha were listening keenly.

"They were Beowolves." Rin said in her usual deadpan voice and drank some coffee.

"Dozens of them!" Nora suddenly yelled out dramatically as she stood on the table, with Weiss not reacting as she filed her nails and Jaune poking at his food.

"Two of 'em." Rin groaned as Naruto snickered.

"But they were no match... And in the end, Rin and I took them down and made a boatload of Lien selling Ursa skin rugs!" Nora said proudly as she raised a fist in the air.

"She's been having this recurring dream for nearly a month now." Rin said sighing.

"How do you put up with her?" Naruto asked in amusement.

"Years of practice, and somehow, it never bores me." Rin answered as Nora happily hugged and "booped" her on her nose.

"Hey Jaune. Are you okay?" Pyrrha questioned her partner and leader, snapping him out of his stupor.

"Huh? Oh, yeah!" Jaune said quickly before noticing how everyone was looking at him, "Why?"

"It's just that you seem a little… not okay…" Ruby noted with the others agreeing.

"Is it because of what happened in class today?" Naruto asked, with Jaune shaking his head.

"…Guys, I'm fine. Seriously! Look!"

He gave a thumbs up and a forced smile with a nervous laugh.

"Right~" Yang deadpanned skeptically until the sound of laughter was heard.

Everyone then turned their attention to Team CRNL, standing around a girl with long brown hair with rabbit ears sticking out as Cardin and his team/goons laughed and bothered her as Sky Lark holding up his hands to his head to mock her rabbit ears.

The Faunus has long brown hair with the rabbit ears of course, brown eyes, fair skin, and a small slender frame with a D-cup bust, and wearing the Beacon Academy female school uniform.

"Damn do they look like a bunch of idiots." Naruto said and scowled at them messing with the Faunus girl.

"Jaune, Cardin's been picking on you since the first week of school!" Pyrrha commented indignantly.

"Who? Cardin Winchester? Nah… He just likes to mess around! You know, practical jokes!" Jaune said without looking at Pyrrha and the others.

"Is he a masochist?" Kaguya asked, making Naruto snort into his drink and coughed.

"Stop defending his actions Jaune. Every single one of us knows that he's a bully." Ruby stated, stressing on the word 'bully'.

"Oh please! Name one time he's 'bullied' me!" Jaune scoffed, with both teams looking at him with deadpanned expressions.

"There was that time where he knocked your books out of your arms." Weiss recalled, as she was rounding a corner at the time.

"He was only swatting a spider that was there."

"How about that time where he triggered your shield to make it block the doorways you were walking through." Rin noted, remembering the time and sweatdropped.

"He was fascinated by my shield!"

"Oh, so he was fascinated enough to shove you into your locker and directed it to crash near the town?" Naruto questioned while raising an eyebrow.

"That was actually pretty funny." Echidna echoed while laughing.

"He was just concerned if it worked or not! Besides, I didn't land far from the school!" Jaune replied and made a poor attempt to laugh it off.

"At least he got reprimanded for it." Blake remarked, "And FYI, your excuses were terrible."

"Jaune, you know if you ever need help, you can just ask." Pyrrha chided her partner.

"Ooooh!" Nora suddenly said as she got up again with an insane and diabolical grin, "We'll break his legs!"

"Now that's my kind of plan!" Yang agreed, matching Nora's grin, "It'll make for some nice practice for the combat tournament!"

"I actually agree." Naruto nodded and matched the two girls' grins as well, "There are a few pro wrestling submission moves I want to try out."

"Guys, really, it's fine!" Jaune tried to assure them as he got up from the table, "Besides, it's not like he's only a jerk to me; he's a jerk to everyone."

"You make it sound like that's a good thing." Rin said coolly, causing Jaune to backpedal.

"I don't mean it like that!" Jaune said quickly.

"When it comes to Cardin, jerk doesn't begin to describe him." Ruby said, as the laughter grew louder, followed by cries of pain.

"Ow! That hurts!" the bunny girl wailed as Cardin pulled on her rabbit ears, "Please stop!"

"I told you it was real!" Cardin crowed cruelly as he pulled harder.

"What a freak!" Russel Thrush guffawed with his fellow cronies.

"Atrocious. I can't stand people like him." Pyrrha said as she glared at the scene while Yang cracked her knuckles loudly.

"He's not the only one..." Blake said as she glared daggers at Cardin as unpleasant memories surfaced.

"Hahahaha- Gah!"

Suddenly Cardin's laughter turned into a cry of pain as his he felt his wrist with his hand crushing the rabbit ears being painful squeezed and looked to find a hand that belonged to Naruto, who was casually eating an apple, surprising everyone witnessing, and wondering how he got there so fast.

"Tell me, Mr. Cardin Winchester. You ever see what happens to a fresh citrus fruit… when you squeeze…real hard~?" Naruto asked in a really pissed off tone as he began to relentlessly crush the wrist of the offending hand that was pulling on the poor Faunus girl's rabbit ears.

"Argh!" Cardin roared as Naruto increased the pressure, forcing him to relent and let go.

"It's him!" the girl thought when she looked at her savior, causing her red to turn red and forget the pain in her rabbit ears.

"I've seen you pick on other students for far too enough, Winchester, and quite frankly, it's an embarrassment. Pull a stunt like this again, and you'll get my fist down your throat, with my foot up your ass." Naruto threatened as he glared at Cardin and his cohorts, and then turned to the brunette, "Are you okay, bunny girl?"

The girl nodded her head rapidly, with her blush increasing as Naruto gave a gentle smile, "Good."

"Thank you, pyon!" the girl squeaked before realizing her accidental verbal tic and squealed before taking off, embarrassed.

"Yes, it's finally rabbit season!" Kiyomi cheered as Naruto inwardly sweatdropped in response, "That a boy, Naruto!"

"You're gonna pay for that!" Cardin snarled as he grabbed Naruto by his uniform, "Think you're hot shit, huh?"

"Why yes. I am better than you; a better man that is. You? You're a weakling that make other lives a living hell to make yourself feel better. Pretty pathetic to be brutally honest." Naruto snarled back and swat his hand off him.

"Why you-!" Cardin was about to deck Naruto with a punch…

"Cardin Winchester!" …when Glynda arrived, looking angry as she proverbially caught Cardin's hand in the cookie jar, "Release Mr. Namikaze this instant!"

Cardin growled and reluctantly released Naruto, who dusted himself off and ignored the threatening stares of Cardin's team.

"Look like both of us are about to face the music, eh Winchester." Naruto said with a fanged grin that scared the hell out of Cardin as Glynda came up to them to make their ears bleed.

Meanwhile, Jaune had got up from the table and was leaving when he looked back at his friends and sighed. As he left, Cardin was ignoring Glynda as he looked back at a departing Jaune with a sinister grin, something that didn't go unnoticed by Naruto.


(Hallway, after lunch)

"Oi, usagi!"

The Faunus girl stopped and looked to find Naruto catching up to her, much to her surprise.

"Are you okay?" he asked as he put a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"I'm fine. Thank you," she whispered, blushing and putting her own hand on his hand on her shoulder, "But you didn't have to do that. I'm used to it whenever my team isn't around."

"Yeah well, that moron crossed the line by nearly ripping these cute bunny ears out. Also, there is such a thing as self-defense, whether you're a Faunus or not." Naruto said and released her as they stopped in the hallway.

"All I can do is endure. Resisting would've only made it worse…" the brunette said sadly as Naruto shook his head.

"And being bullied is better? There are times when you have to fight for yourself. Anyone who says different doesn't have your best interests at heart." Naruto stated, with the girl looking downtrodden.

"But it would make me as bad as the White Fang."

"It won't. They deal in extremes now. With your cute appearance, you don't look the type."

"He- he called me cute, pyon!" the girl thought and inwardly squealed and blushed some more.

"By the way, let me introduce myself. My name is Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze, member of Team RWUBY and a freshman. …Are you okay? You look like you've got a fever."

The bunny girl jumped and shook her head frantically, "Huh? No, I'm fine, pyon. Sorry!" the girl said as she patted her face and straightened herself up, "It's nice to finally meet you Naruto. I'm Velvet Scarlatina, member of Team CFVY (Coffee) and a sophomore."

"…You're a sophomore? No wonder I thought I didn't see you among the first years. You look like you could be one of us." Naruto said in surprise as Velvet giggled.

"Hee hee, I get that a lot." she said, now smiling.

"Aww. You're even more cute when you smile."

"Thank you…" Velvet said shyly, "You know, I'm interested in you, Naruto."

"Is that why spied on me the day of my initiation?"

Velvet nodded as they continued walking.

"Then let's save you the trouble of writing a love letter so you can get to know me, and vice versa."

As Naruto and Velvet continued talking, a young woman spied on them from around the corner, and adjusted her sunglasses as she observed Naruto with interest.


(Military and General Studies Class)

"How does he do it? Is it something in the coffee? It has to be. Too bad I can't have any or Grumpy Glynda will have my head from the chaos I'd cause." Naruto thought as he watched the hyperactive teacher zip around while teaching and sipping coffee from his mug.

The teacher is question is Bartholomew Oobleck, a tall (young?) man with messy green hair, brown eyes with opaque-looking glasses, fair skin, and wearing disheveled attire with his white shirt with a raised collar partially tucked into his dark green pants, a slack yellow tie, and mismatched brown and black shoes.

Taking his eyes off Oobleck for a second to prevent himself from getting dizzy just from watching him while he lectured, Naruto looked around the classroom, seeing Velvet, whom he's sitting next too, taking notes; Jaune who was fast asleep with Cardin leaning back on his chair right behind him; Weiss, Blake, and Pyrrha paying attention, and Yang and Ruby quite…dizzy-eyed and confused at the same time. Shaking his head in amusement, Naruto turned his attention back to the teacher.

"This is prior to the Faunus Rights Revolution, more popularly known as the Faunus War! *zip*Humankind was quite, quite adamant about centralizing Faunus population in Menagerie. *zip* *sip* *zip* Now! While this must feel like ancient history to many of you *zip*, it is imperative to remember *zip* that these are relatively recent events! *zip* Why, the repercussions of the uprising *zip* can still be seen to this day! *zip* *sip* Now! *zip* Have any among you been subjugated or discriminated because of your Faunus heritage?"

Some of the students raised their hands, including Velvet after a moment. Naruto shot a quick look at Blake and sighed, with Yang doing the same, yet discreetly.

"Dreadful, simply dreadful! Remember, students, it is precisely this kind of ignorance that breeds violence! *sip* I mean, I mean, I mean just look at what happened to White Fang! *zip* Now, which one of you young scallions can tell me what many theorize to be the turning point *zip* in the third year of the War?" Oobleck questioned the class, and saw Weiss raise her hand, "Yes?"

"The Battle at Fort Castle!" Weiss answered confidently, and was pleased when Oobleck nodded.

"Precisely!" Oobleck responded, who zipped back to desk during the answer, "And, who can tell me the advantage the Faunus had over General Lagune's forces?"

Meanwhile, Jaune was still snoring until he was hit on the head by a paper football Cardin flicked at him, rudely waking him up.

"Hey!" Jaune protested, which drew the attention of Oobleck who zoomed over in front of his face.

"Mr. Arc! Finally contributing to class! This is excellent! Excellent! What is the answer?"

"Uhhhh... The answer... The advantage... of the Faunus..." Jaune started, mirroring Weiss' confidence before faltering, and looked behind Oobleck's face to see a couple of his classmates trying to help him.

Pyrrha silently coughed and motioned to her mouth, trying to give him the answer.

"...had over that guy's stuff..." Jaune continued as see saw Naruto with his tablet scroll out showing a picture of the night sky while Pyrrha cups her hands around her eyes, "Uhh... Binoculars!"

Jaune felt relived that he thought he got it, only for the class to start laughing at him as Oobleck sipped his coffee, clearly not amused as Naruto sighed and slammed his head the table, Pyrrha groaned and slapped her hand in their face in an exasperated facepalm, while Cardin chortled and pounded his desk.

"Very funny, Mr. Arc!" Oobleck said after zoomed back to behind his desk, "Cardin! Perhaps you would care to share your thoughts on the subject!"

"Well, I know it's a lot easier to train an animal than a soldier." Cardin replied with a hint of malice as he looked at Velvet when he said it, much to the disapproval of Oobleck who shook his head, as Naruto moved and blocked his view of a miserable Velvet, and Blake leveled Cardin with a glare.

"You're not the most open-minded of individuals, are you, Cardin?" Pyrrha questioned while looking at him with mock pity.

"I'm sure he'll remember those words when a Faunus kicks his rear in a spar or a tournament." Naruto added dryly and sniggered.

"What was that?" Cardin snapped in a threatening tone.

"The sound of me having the answer." Pyrrha retorted and answered the teacher's question, "It's night vision. Many Faunus are known to have nearly-perfect sight in the dark."

"It helps when they sent scouts to map out the terrain so they could know where to hit the general's troops where it hurts. As a bonus, some Faunus like bird-type Faunus can see from a long distance, and coupled with the night-vision, the troops didn't stand a chance. Then again, this is basic knowledge that we all should know." Naruto said and turned to Cardin, "I'll bet the reason you passed your last school is so that the teachers would have to deal with you."

Cardin growled and nearly got up at that.

"General Lagune was inexperienced, and made the mistake of trying to ambush the Faunus in their sleep. His massive army was outmatched, and the general was captured." Blaked added on to the answer and also turned to Cardin, "Perhaps if he'd paid attention in class like a certain someone I'm looking at, he wouldn't have been remembered as such a failure."

Seething, Cardin finally got up with his fist clenched, looking to deal out some pain on the ones who humiliated him.

"Mr. Winchester! Please take your seat." Oobleck commanded, as Jaune laughed at Cardin being taken down a notch, and zoomed up to him, "You and Mr. Arc can both see me after class for additional readings."

"Oohhhh..." Jaune moaned, his shoulders slumping, with Cardin groaned and took his seat.

"Now, moving on!" Oobleck declared and zoomed away.

A while later, the lesson ended, and the class filed out.

"You go on ahead. I'll wait for Jaune." Pyrrha told Nora and Rin.

"Same here." Naruto said to Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang; and looked back into the classroom where Oobleck was giving Jaune and Cardin an after-lesson talk as he sipped his coffee, "This is getting ridiculous. He gonna need help at this rate."

"I know. Maybe we both can help him." Pyrrha offered, with Naruto nodding.

"I got time," he said, shrugging as Oobleck's voice caught his ear.

"You two have been struggling in my class since day one! Now, I don't know if it's a lack of interest, or just your stubborn nature, but whatever it is... *longer sip* It stops now! You've worked hard to gain entrance to this school, and we only accept the best of the best, so I expect you to act like it. History is important, gentlemen! If you can't learn from it... you're destined to repeat it. Pages fifty-one to ninety-one! I want an essay on my desk by next class! Now! Run along."

Naruto jumped back as Oobleck zoomed out of the class.

"If there's ever a crisis, I've got to have some of that stuff." Naruto thought and looked to see Jaune coming out of the room first.

Cardin came out next…and pushed Jaune to the ground, making the bully laugh as he walked away, with Pyrrha coming forward to help Jaune up to his feet.

"You know, I really will break his legs." Pyrrha muttered as Jaune continued to look dejected.

"Here to hoping that he never passes." Naruto said, glaring at Cardin's back before turning to the other two, "Now then Pyrrha, the thing. Remember?"

Pyrrha nodded, "Right. Come on Jaune."

Pyrrha dragged Jaune away with Naruto following right behind.


(Team RWUBY Dorm)

While Ruby and Weiss headed off to the library, with the latter wanting to help the former study; and Naruto with Pyrrha looking to offer Jaune some much needed assistance, Yang and Blake had the dorm all to themselves. As Yang finished up a report for Port's class, she couldn't help but notice her partner's dark mood ever since Ooblock's class after Cardin's "animal" comment.

"Blake, are you okay? I can smell the dark aura radiating off you." Yang noted as she turned to her.

"No. I just wish that people like Cardin would disappear. Their words and actions justify the White Fang's current state of mind, which makes life harder for other Faunus." Blake growled out as she snapped her book shut.

"Don't let his words get to you. Bullies like him are all talk with no bite, making them great punching bags. Chances are that he and his team will bite it on his first mission." Yang said confidently as she strode over to Blake and sat down next to her.

"Glad to see that I'm not the only one who hates him." Blake said as Yang smiled.

"There's nothing wrong with hating people like him. You just have to not let it get out of control so it won't burn anyone else. Let me and Naruto deal with him and the like-minded idiots like him. It's the least we can do for you and Velvet."

"Me and Velvet? I'm not a Faunus." Blake said quickly while getting nervous when Yang put her arm around her.

"It's okay Blake. I'm not Cardin. I'm like Naruto, and your secret's safe with me. Besides, when I first saw you, you did remind me of a stray black cat. Color me surprised when I felt your ears when you fell asleep on me during the first night here." Yang said, making Blake flinch.

"It was a mistake to do that…" Blake whispered, trying to get away, but Yang held on to her tight.

"I said I'm not Cardin! You can trust me. We're friends, partners, and teammates all in one, remember?" Yang said as Blake's heart started beating fast, "It doesn't matter if you're human or Faunus, I'll never betray you Blake. That's a promise."

"Yang…"

Blake didn't know what to think as Yang drew her in for a hug. Her first instinct was to run away so she wouldn't deal with the fact that someone other than Naruto knew her secret. Then she thought all the times she and Yang were together after remembering that Yang said that she knew about her being a Faunus since the first night at Beacon.

Yang didn't treat her any different. She treated her like a friend, and always had her back in everything. They laughed, joked, studied, and sparred together. Yang saw her for who Blake is: just a person and not as a Faunus.

Blake smiled as she leaned into Yang. Maybe she can count on her after all, aside from Naruto.

Speaking of…

"So, shall we have some fun, kitty cat?" Yang asked mischievously after they pulled apart and she pulled out a ball of yarn and a rubber mouse seemingly from out of nowhere.

"You fiend!" Blake squeaked as Yang pounced on her laughing, and laughing alongside her, "But then again, this might not be so bad…"

Yang might as well be a female Naruto after all.


(Dorm Rooftop, nighttime)

"Pyrrha, Naruto, I know I'm going through a hard time right now, but I'm not that depressed." Jaune groaned, looking over the hedge, after Pyrrha and Naruto took him to the rooftop, much to their confusion, "I can always be a farmer or something…"

Naruto realized what Jaune was saying and smacked his head, muttering, "Idiot…", while Pyrrha's realization hit her with horror.

"N-n-no!" she exclaimed as she pulled him away, "That's not why we brought you up here! Jaune, I know you're having a difficult time in class and that you're still not the strongest of fighters, so..."

"Long story short, we want to help you out." Naruto finished for her, since he didn't want to want this to drag on.

"Wh-what?" Jaune asked, surprised.

"We can train up here after class where no one can bother us!" Pyrrha said with Naruto nodding.

"Yeah, as in tutoring you, with our lessons benefiting you in the long run." Naruto agreed and clapped Jaune on the shoulder, "Can't go wrong with that, right? It's a no-brainer."

"You guys think I need help?" Jaune asked quietly, making Naruto frowned since the question was, well…stupid.

"N-no! No, that's not what we meant-" Pyrrha started, but Naruto cut across her.

"Bluntly put, yes, yes you do! Like Oobleck said, you've been struggling since day one in his class, and from my observations, every single other class. What's even more disturbing is the fact that you're not improving in the least, and it's not sounding like the best of the best who managed to gain entrance here at Beacon. I don't know whether you've gotten complacent and/or didn't follow up with what you were taught at your previous school, but this has got to stop, or you won't last long." Naruto ranted, with Jaune starting to feel small, "Face it buddy, you need help."

"But I-"

"Jaune, what Naruto is trying to say is that everybody needs a little push from time to time. It doesn't make you any different from the rest of us. You made it to Beacon! That speaks volumes of what you're capable of, and your potential!" Pyrrha praised him, but Jaune shook his head.

"You're wrong. I-I don't belong here." Jaune said as he turned away from them.

"Oi Naruto. This kid you're trying to help is a liar. It's impossible for someone like him to be in Beacon, don't you think?" Kurami said, with the other tenants listening in.

"Even though he's weak, he should've at the very least have improved over the span of nearly a month." Kiyomi added as Naruto's suspicions from the day of the initiation returned and nodded at that.

"That's a terrible thing to say! Of course you do!" Pyrrha chided while reaching out to Jaune, but he pulled away, frustrated.

"No, I don't! I wasn't really…accepted into Beacon..." Jaune muttered, but it was loud enough for Naruto and Pyrrha.

"Wh-what do you mean?" Pyrrha asked, bewildered as Naruto turned Jaune around roughly so he could face them and not hide.

"I'm sorry, but what? How are you here if you weren't accepted into Beacon? Are you someone's body double until they come or something?" Naruto asked, and did not like where this confession was going.

"I mean I didn't go to combat school, I didn't pass any tests. I didn't earn my spot at this Academy! I lied! I got my hands on some fake transcripts, and I lied!" Jaune confessed in a high voice.

"…"

"…"

"That's funny. It's sounds like you said that you didn't go to combat school, got your hands on some fake transcripts, and snuck your way into this school. Did I happen to miss anything, buddy? Can you at least tell us why you pulled a… stunt… like this?" Naruto asked, looking peeved and restraining himself from insulting his fellow blonde outright until he gets an explanation, while Pyrrha was looking stunned.

"Cause this is always what I've wanted to be! My father, my grandfather, and his father before him were all warriors! They were all heroes! I wanted to be one, too. I was just never good enough." Jaune explained quickly and turned away again.

"Honorable as your intentions may be, did you even try apply for combat school, or thought to take early training courses?" Naruto asked with strained calm while keeping Pyrrha from saying anything with a raised hand.

"No, I didn't… All I did was go to an academic school, and was scared," Jaune admitted, before Naruto snapped and bonked Jaune on his head, "Ow!"

"…You fucking jackass!" Naruto snarled as Jaune turned around in fright while holding his head, "Are you serious?! Sneaking into an advanced Hunters training facility with faked transcripts is like asking for a death wish! It just means that you managed to survive so far with pure luck!"

Naruto facepalmed before continuing with a grin, "Despite doing something so unbelievably stupid, you have quite a set, sneaking into Beacon with faked transcripts, and I actually admire that, which means that there's hope for you yet, and we can make sure of his little stunt you pulled. Give Pyrrha and me two weeks tops, and we guarantee that you'll catch up with the rest of us. Of course, it all depends on you and your commitment." Naruto said with a thumb up 'good guy' pose, "Once again, this is a no-brainer."

"That's right. Together, we can do this! You can do this!" Pyrrha added, as she wanted her partner to succeed with her.

"You guys don't get it! I don't want help! I don't want to be the damsel in distress! I want to be the hero!" Jaune said blurted out with mad frustration, throwing the other two off.

"Jaune?!" Pyrrha asked in shock.

"Uh, what?" Naruto asked dumbly, not expecting that sort of answer.

"I'm tired of being the lovable idiot, stuck in the tree while his friends fight for their lives! Don't you understand? If I can't do this on my own... then what good am I?"

"Dammit Jaune, stop being such a stubborn mule! It's pretty obvious that you need the kick in the ass to get you to the others' level to survive this school! Here you have two of the best first-years that graduated from combat school and you reject them? You're claiming that you'll rather try to make it on your own? Ha! I'm sure your family will be proud knowing that their legacy's in good hands when all you do is SLEEP in class!" Naruto stated bluntly, making Jaune flinch and look ashamed.

"Naruto, I don't think verbally beating him is going to help. He's just under a lot of pressure." Pyrrha said, but Naruto shook his head in disagreement.

"I'm trying to get him to understand his stupidity for the way he's thinking, believing that he can do this on his own. For all the insecurity that stems from his lack of ability, he refuses to accept help from people capable like us of giving it to him, yet makes no effort to build himself up. Him sleeping in classes shows that he doesn't care much for the class he is currently sleeping in, despite its importance. He's claiming to try do things by himself, yet he not making any effort to do so." Naruto said flatly.

"I am. I'm just pacing myself!" Jaune yelled at him.

"Instant death flag." Naruto countered before sighing, fed up, "Last chance, Jaune. Rein in your pride and accept our help. We'll set the groundwork for you to work off of. What will it be, buddy?"

"Jaune, please?" Pyrrha said with a hint of pleading.

"For the last time, no. I'll be fine on my own. I'll prove that I can do fine on my own. Don't waste your time on me. This is my family legacy." Jaune said with finality, "Just, leave me alone, okay?"

"And they say I'm insane." Shukaku mumbled inside Naruto's head, as Naruto just looked at Jaune, failing to understand him.

"If that's what you think is best…" Pyrrha muttered and walked away with a hurt look on her face.

"Do you even know I what the definition of insanity is? The definition of insanity is doing the exact same fucking thing over and over and expecting shit to change, vying for a different result out of it. Hope it works out for you, Jaune." Naruto said before shaking his head and walking off as well.

Jaune was now all alone, and paced around a little, convincing himself that this was for the best, when suddenly he heard an all too familiar mocking laugh.

"Oh Jaune…"

Jaune turned at the edge in horror to find his bully climbing up from his dorm window, "Cardin!"

"I couldn't help but overhear you three from my dorm room. So, you snuck into Beacon, huh? I gotta say, Jaune, I never expected you to be such a rebel!" Cardin said in an honestly impressed tone.

"Please, Cardin, please, don't tell anyone!" Jaune begged in a way that even Naruto would find pathetic.

"Jaune, come on! I'd never rat on a friend like that!"

"A... a friend?" Jaune asked with uncertainty as Cardin trapped him in a headlock, "Oof!"

"Of course! We're friends now, Jauney boy! And the way I see it, as long as you're there for me when I need you, we'll be friends for a long time. *releases Jaune, who collapses* That being said, I really don't have time to do those extra readings Dr. Oobleck gave us today. Think you could take care of that for me, buddy?" Cardin asked and ruffled Jaune's hair, "That's what I thought. Don't worry, Jaune; your secret's safe with me."

Cardin retreats back to his dorm in good spirits at having one of his victims under his thumb as said victim rubbed the back of his head, now more miserable even ever.

What else could go wrong?


(Glynda's Office)

"Okay, thank you."

Glynda sighed as she hung up the phone.

After looking up various combat school files a while ago, she called every combat school in Remnant, and not a single one of them had Jaune Arc in their files.

Not a single one.

Frowning, she opened Jaune's files and looked at his transcript. While she flipped through transcripts like clockwork before the start of a semester, he decided to look at Jaune's more closely, and her frown morphed into a scowl when she recognized something and looked up a transcript on her computer.

The results were less than encouraging.

"This transcript… It's practically the same as his father's when he came to Beacon, only with the name replaced." she growled and shook her head, "So, Jaune Arc got his hands on some faked transcripts and used them to fill out this application.

She close and computer and the file and turned her chair to look out the window.

"Foolish boy… I'm surprised he's lasted his long. Then again, Ozpin must've known and is giving him a chance. Well, so will I. But if he doesn't pass the set requirements his semester, then he's gone. I will not let Beacon have anymore deaths of glory hounds sneaking into Beacon without combat training just so they can make a name for themselves…but I will be watching you, Jaune Arc…"


(Dorm Hallways)

Jaune suddenly sneezed as a sense of dread washed over him.

END OF CHAPTER SEVEN


Next time – Chapter 08: Fall of Arc Part II

-Naruto. Ruby. Weiss. Blake. Yang. Jaune. Pyrrha. Nora. Rin. They started out as the Rookie Nine, with the potential to become the next Team Blood Gulch. However, the future of Rookie Nine all hinges on the choice of the one who became the puppet of a bully. Never estimate a person who'll do anything to attempt to continue their family line and make them proud. At the end of the day, will they still be the Rookie Nine, or the Rookie Eight?

After-chapter notes: Yeah, the chapter title and the next chapter preview was really subtle on my part. Wanna know what happens? You're gonna have to tune in next chapter to find out what happens. Now then if you'll excuse me, I have some angry Jaune fans to run away from.

-Harem Update

Emerald. Depends on what happens in the RWBY canon.

Coco. She's in, but slowly…

The girls from Naruto will be reveals when they debut in the story, and will be confirm in the update.


REFERENCES

Naruto crushing Cardin's wrist in the cafeteria is from the scene in Treasure Planet when John Silver stops Scroop from maiming Jim Hawkins.

Thank you Crazy Luna for teaching me how anime rabbit girls end their sentences with 'pyon'. Save Me, Pyon by LunarisFuryAileron on DeviantArt.

The insanity quote is from Far Cry 3 uttered by Vaas. I never played the game though.


Released: Tuesday, January 06, 2015

Edited: Wednesday, January 07, 2015 (also fixed some errors)