AN: As always thanks for the reviews and follows. Hope you enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 6

A Dying Day

Lucien spent the rest of his day contemplating all that had occurred that morning. When dinner finally came he sat alone again, eating quickly and leaving before most of the other students. Heading towards his dorm right after for the first time in two weeks. Arriving at his room he went straight to his wardrobe which he had filled the previous weekend with a trip to Vale. Taking out a set of more comfortable clothes he changed into his signature black and greys. Sitting down on the bed he decided to take another one of his notorious naps before team JNPR arrived, most likely dragging team RWBY with them.

Soon enough there was a knock on his door that signaled the arrival of his guests. Sitting up he called for them to enter, watching the familiar scene of the teens entering his room. After they had all been seated he took a look at them. The teams had the same looks upon their faces that they wore the first time they came to question him.

"Let me just cut you off before you can ask anything. Yes you saw me with wings." Lucien began. "No you cannot see them. Yes I am a faunus."

"Ok well that answers almost all of our questions." Jaune said, taking the lead this time. "But we have one more. How are you hiding them?"

"Wow you kids are dumber than I thought." Lucien replied. "Isn't it obvious, I use my semblance."

"Well no shit." Yang said, as frank as ever. "Our question is how are you keeping your semblance up all the time?"

"Well that's easy. Practice. When you have been using your semblance everyday for most of your life you get really good with it." He explained.

"Really? Just practice?" Jaune questioned, somewhat disappointedly. "I thought you had some secret or trick you used."

"Nope kid, just practice. Why so disappointed?" Lucien said, then realization dawned on him. "You don't know your semblance yet do you?"

"No, not yet." Jaune replied, averting his eyes.

"Ha, wow… never would have guessed. No I take that back, I should have guessed." Lucien said mockingly.

"Hey get off his case!" Yang said. "How long did it take you to find your semblance? Huh?"

"I was five." He replied cooly.

"See! Wait… five? As in the the number of fingers on your hand?" Yang asked, expressing the surprise the entire group felt.

"Yeah, five. When you have something that's hard to hide you kinda wish to disappear. One day I did." He explained unabashedly.

"Wow…That's… Shit…" Yang replied, shocked by his candid nature.

"Any other questions? Comments? Smart ass remarks?" He asked sarcastically.

"No I think that covers it." Pyrrha spoke up, looking to her friends for confirmation.

"No, I have one more question." Jaune said, looking up from his lap. "Will you train me?"

"Nope." Lucien replied curtly.

"Ok. I figured as much… Who'd want to teach a loser like me?" Jaune said looking back to his lap, his hand balling into fists.

"Jaune, don't talk about yourself like that." Pyrrha said, placing a hand on his back to comfort him.

"Hey kid, I didn't call you a loser. You got potential. It's just that I do not, let me repeat that, Not, teach anymore." Lucien explained, a hint of guilt in his voice.

"You taught?" Weiss said, finally breaking the silence she had maintained. "What did you teach? Tax filing?"

"No, I taught kids who couldn't afford schools like Beacon." Lucien replied, his voice thick with snide.

"Ah so you lead hapless children to their deaths at the hands of grimm?" Weiss barked back.

"No. I taught kids just like Jaune, or kids who'd have had to fake their way into Beacon. Kids whose families got killed in war. Kids who needed help. If you want to call me scum for teaching kids who wanted to do good than go ahead, I won't lose any sleep over it." Lucien said, his voice low and threatening.

"Whatever. You are obviously hiding more than your wings." Weiss said bitterly.

"Weiss! What is up with you?!" Ruby asked, looking at her partner dumbfounded.

"Oh come on! You guys can't believe he was an accountant. He bested Pyrrha, he is always giving cryptic answers, the teachers don't like him being here." Weiss stated, looking at her friends like they were idiots.

God damn it Schnee shut your mouth, you are just as infuriating as your mother. Lucien thought, suddenly remembering one of the few times he passed up on a job.

~ Four Years Ago ~

He had been contacted by the wife of a mega-corporation's president. She had a very well paying job that she was only willing to offer to one man. She arranged to meet him at one of her family's vacation homes, Lucien seeing no threat in meeting her decided to show. He now stood in a lavishly furnished parlor, staring down at a dark haired woman.

"So you are the famous Mrs. Schnee?" Lucien asked, thoroughly unimpressed.

"Yes, I am. To be honest I am surprised that the infamous Morningstar would even show up." She responded, just as unimpressed.

"Well that's a lot of lien." He explained. "And besides, what's killing for a massive and corrupt corporation?"

"Yes what is it to the likes of you, and while that is all well and good the job I have for you has little to do with killing." She explained. "The offer I have for you is a long term job protecting something extremely valuable to me."

"So you want me to babysit an heirloom?" He asked. "No thanks. I have much more interesting things to do than sit around waiting for a thief that may never come."

"What I need protecting isn't some valuable item. It's a person. Someone very dear to me." Mrs. Schee said.

"Oh you want me to be a bodyguard?" He asked, before answering. "No thank you."

"You don't even know who I want protected. How can you so casually refuse so much money?" She asked, shocked by his disinterest.

"Simple, I don't do bodyguard work anymore. Also I don't need the money, I've got plenty of other jobs I could do that would pay me just as much." He explained nonchalantly.

"So you would rather go on killing for the rest of your days, instead of taking a long term job doing something that might one day be worthwhile for the good of many people?" She asked, determined to succeed.

"Pretty much. I can do a lot of good killing one politician a day, instead of protecting your daughter for the rest of her days." He said, seeing the surprised look on her face at the mention of her daughter he pressed on. "Oh yeah don't think I'm stupid, you don't live long in my business if you aren't at least above average. I figured you would want me to protect you daughter that minute you told me it wasn't some piece of replaceable art or gems."

"Well then, if money and boredom are your concerns those can easily be solved. Just name your price and you will have it, and as for remedying your boredom, my daughter Weiss is following in the footsteps of her older sister and is attending a huntsman academy. I'm sure there will be plenty there to keep you entertained." Mrs. Schnee offered.

"That's an even bigger no. If she's gonna become a huntress I am not getting involved. That's how she gets killed by a beowulf." He said, his tone lighthearted but his eyes cold.

"I can offer you anything you want, just name it and it will placed at your feet." She pleaded.

"Redemption." Lucien said, his entire being cold.

Mrs. Schnee couldn't say anything, she just sat there staring at the killer in front of her. All he wanted was redemption, yet he paradoxically kept killing. Unable to fathom his logic, she resorted to false promises.

"Protecting the life of an innocent could be the first step on your road to redemption." She offered, attempting to sound wise but coming across as haughty.

Her words made Lucien pause, contemplating his next words carefully.

"I doubt she needs the protections of a killer. If she is training to become a huntress she must already be skilled and strong willed. I don't think a grimm is gonna take her down to easily. So what do you really want me to protect her from?" He asked, sure that she had some deeper reason for asking him to protect her daughter than simple worry.

"I want you to protect my daughter from her family." Mrs. Schnee explained, a shamed expression painted on her firm features. "I want you to protect her from my husband's family. They are vicious and bitter, obsessed with legacy and wealth."

"Lady what you need is a better husband. Not a bodyguard." Lucien replied.

"What I need is a deterrent. What I need, is your help." She pleaded.

"No, that's my final answer. I won't take the job. What I can do, is give you my word that the SDC will ever have to worry about me." Lucien said. "Don't think it's for any good reason. I just don't want the SDC as an enemy. That's the best I can do and that's all I'm going to do."

"I see there is no convincing you. Fine then. Have a good day. Please see yourself out." Mrs. Schnee said, watching in silent astonishment as Lucien faded away into nothingness.

~Present Day~

"Lucien… Mr. La Fiere…" Ruby said, waving a hand in front of his face, trying to shake him from his memories.

"I'm sorry, I spaced out for a moment didn't I?" He asked.

"Yeah you said something about Weiss's mom then you totally zoned out…" Ruby explained. "Do you know Weiss's parents?"

"Children, it's time to go." He said, ignoring Ruby's question.

"NO. You are going to tell us who the hell you are and how the hell you know my mother!" Weiss shouted at him, her hands balled up into fists by her sides.

"No. I am not going to do that. You are going to leave. No more questions. No more answers. Jaune we start training tomorrow at 5:30 AM in the training arena. You get one chance. If you are late then it never happens again." Lucien said firmly, ending the conversation.

"Yes sir." Jaune said shocked before rising to leave. "Team JNPR we are going to bed."

The rest of Team JNPR was shocked by the sudden change in their leader's demeanor, but followed his instructions. They all stood and followed Jaune out and down the hall to their dorm. Team RWBY stood and began to leave as well but before she left Weiss stopped and stared Lucien down.

"We are not done. You will tell me how you know my mother or the faculty will know that The Morningstar is attending their school." She threatened, putting as much sarcasm into his former moniker as possible.

"Ha, good one princess. But I think they already knew that one. I went to school with your teachers. They knew who I was the second I knocked on their door." He replied, unfazed by her threat.

The heiress was stunned by this knowledge, a flustered blush rising to her face she stormed out in a huff, slamming his door behind her. God she has a temper. What an annoying girl. Leaning back into his bed, once again exhausted by the questioning. Soon he was fading into slumber, just before he was completely enveloped in sleep's grasp his scroll buzzed. Groaning he raised himself up and reached for it. Glancing at the number he groaned again before answering it.

"Hello Professor. What can I do for you tonight?" He asked.

"Lucien we need to talk." Ozpin said on the other end of the line.

"I'll be in your office in a minute." He answered, before hanging up and heading towards the door before deciding that flying would be quicker. Phasing into nothingness he hovered in mid air and kicked off against nothing, propelling himself through the air simply by thought.

I wonder how I can do this when I can't touch anything? I never actually thought about how I can even move when I phase my entire body out. I guess it's just part of the mystery of aura and dust.

In less than half the time it would have taken him to walk he was standing in Ozpin's office. Fading into existence in front of Ozpin's desk he took a seat quietly and waited for Ozpin to start.

"Lucien, we got a disturbing call tonight from another student on your dorm." Ozpin began before he was interrupted by Lucien.

"Yeah I figured Weiss would call you. She figured out who I am. Kinda figured one of the wealthier students would have." Lucien said, cutting Ozpin off.

"Yes this was something I should have foreseen." Ozpin said. "But you know the rules we have"

"Ah yes the rules! The glorious rules with glorious loopholes. I didn't tell her who I was, she figured it out. So if you want to expel me or worse, go ahead." Lucien replied, his tone harsh.

"No, I don't think any of that will be necessary. I will speak with Miss Schnee and explain the situation. Or some variation of it." Ozpin explained calmly. "But what I find more troubling than that is the other bit of information she told me when she called."

"And what would that be?" Lucien asked.

"That you have agreed to train Jaune Arc." Ozpin replied. "While this school encourages training outside of class, your students have reputation for dying. I don't want that reputation being upheld by one of my students."

"I don't intend to let it. I bet he won't even show up for our first session, and I have only given him one chance. If he fucks it up on the first day he won't be a student of mine." Lucien replied.

"Let's play devil's advocate, shall we? Let's say he does show up on time and he does preform well enough for you to continue training him. What's to keep him from becoming a victim to one of your numerous enemies?" Ozpin asked.

"I don't have many enemies. The ones that were actually a threat died, and the ones that are still around don't know I'm here. I fell off their radars when I came here, I made sure of that." Lucien assured him.

"Good. But that doesn't answer my question. How can you guarantee that my students will be safe?"

"For one I won't be teaching him how to do what I did. Two I'll be teaching him. If he can't survive an attack from some petty criminals after a week of training with me than he shouldn't even be here." Lucien stated.

"Well then, I see no problem with letting this go on, save for one thing. Give me your word that you will protect Jaune Arc and his friends should any of you enemies come for you." Ozpin said, his face a mask of serenity, but his tone a serious one.

"Done." Lucien said. "But that won't happen."

"We shall see. Don't let any other students find out about your past and we won't have anymore problems. Now I suggest you get some rest. I have a feeling that you have some early mornings ahead of you." Ozpin said, waving his hand in a dismissive gesture.

"Good night Oz. It was… pleasant as always." Lucien said as he faded away and began floating back to his dorm. Arriving in his dorm he phased back into the physical plane. Turning off the lights in his room he laid down and tried to get some much needed sleep. Soon enough he was awoken by his own tossing and turning, checking his alarm he saw that is was almost five in the morning and time to get ready for his first lesson with Jaune. Going through his normal morning routine, save for the uniform, opting for his black and grey combat gear instead. Leaving his room to go to the arena he was almost knocked over by Jaune, who was tightening his belt as he walked down the hall the wrong direction.

"Jaune, you are going the wrong direction." Lucien said in the way of a greeting.

"Yeah I...uh… I realized that." The blonde boy replied.

"Well come along then. Let's go get our weapons." Lucien instructed.

"Uh… what? We are going to start with weapons today? I thought we would start with like… I don't know… like an evaluation or something?" Jaune asked.

"Why do you think we need our weapons?" The greying man asked.

"Ah yeah… I guess those would help." Jaune replied.

Soon enough they had arrived at their lockers and began equipping themselves. In the silence of the morning all that could be heard was the clicking of buckles and the stretching of leather straps. A few minutes later they stood in front of each other in the middle of the arena. Lucien appraising Jaune with the critical eye of a teacher.

"Come at me, with intent and purpose. Try and land a hit on me." Lucien instructed.

Jaune took his stance, loose and somewhat sloppy, but it kept his center of gravity low and let him stay mobile. Waiting for a moment that felt right Jaune took two swift steps forward and to his right, putting him on Lucien's weaker side aiming a cut at his shoulder, only to have it deflected by one of Lucien's arm blades.

"Keep trying till you can't anymore." Lucien demanded.

Jaune replied by backing off a few steps and pushing back at Lucien's defense, only to be deflected again. He kept trying for another ten minutes before his sword arm began to tire from the shock of being pushed back constantly. Choosing to take a different approach he raised his shield up and jabbed the point at Lucien's jaw, when the shield's mass hit the raised blade it didn't bounce off, instead Jaune kept pushing it forward, binding Lucien's dominant arm. While his opponent's dominant arm was occupied and his vision obscured by the shield in his face, Jaune sent a quick jab at Lucien's right thigh. Lucien attempted to block it but at the last second Jaune flicked the tip of his blade upwards and to the right, catching Lucien in the bicep of his left arm.

"Good, you managed to land a hit. That's very impressive." Lucien commended as he backed away, rubbing his arm slightly checking to see that his aura caught the entirety of the blow.

"Really? I thought you let me have that." Jaune asked disbelieving.

"No I didn't, well I guess I did, but that doesn't matter. You are much better than you give yourself credit for, but you have a long way to go to catch up with your girlfriend." Lucien said.

"Yeah Pyrrha is pretty good." Jaune agreed, blushing slightly at the mention of her.

"But given some time I'm sure you'll be on her level. If you can keep getting up early. That rule stays in place." Lucien assured the boy.

"I figured as much." Jaune said defeatedly.

"Good, now let's get back to it. Do it again." Lucien instructed.

They spent the next hour in the same way before they had to shower and go to breakfast. After they had showered and stowed their weapons the walked towards the dining hall and got their breakfast, discussing the things that Jaune needed to improve upon when it came to melee combat. They were finally interrupted when Pyrrha and the rest of team JNPR came and took their seats round the table.

"There you are Jaune, when you weren't there when we all got up we figured you would be with Lucien." Pyrrha said, a smile lighting up her face when she sat down next to Jaune.

"Yeah I met Lucien on my way to the arena." Jaune said, a smile gracing his face as well.

"Well how did it go? Did you get your butt kicked?" Nora asked from across the table, eliciting a groan from Ren.

"No butt kicking this morning." Lucien said, finally greeting them. "Your boy did well, Pyrrha, he has potential. I get the feeling he has already been training with a mentor."

"Yeah… I may have been helping him after class." Pyrrha replied sheepishly.

"I figured as much, he fights a bit like you, but sloppier." Lucien said before going into detail about their morning session of training. Eventually he was breaking down every bout, everything from the timing of the blows to the strategies that worked. Pyrrha listened with an interested expression, growing more and more pleased each time Lucien described a successful attempt. Soon enough she had a beaming smile upon her face, not only at the success of her boyfriend, but at the good mood it seemed to put the older man in.

"Well I need to get going, gotta get my nap in before class. I'll see you all there." Lucien said as he stood to empty his tray. "Oh and Jaune, you did well today, but tomorrow is when the real fun starts. Be there at the same time."

As Lucien walked away a hush fell over the table, though he may have said that with a light hearted tone, the message he sent was obviously received, it was going to get harder. Walking to class and going through his usual motions of sitting in the back and napping till the bell rang. Sitting through the first class of the day he walked leisurely to the next class when he remembered the threat Weiss had given him. Picking up his pace he was suddenly anxious to get to the arena he had been in not more than two hours ago.

Choosing to sit in an empty seat closer to the front today, he sat and thought about the possible fight he had ahead of him. He had seen Ruby fight a number of times in this arena, and he always enjoyed seeing the young girl dance around her enemy landing blow after blow with her scythe before finishing them off with a point blank shot from her sniper rifle. She was very skilled, and he wanted to see just how skilled she was. Soon enough the bell had rung and Glynda was at the front of the class talking about that day's agenda.

"Ok now let's begin sparring, any volunteers or challenges?" Glynda asked the class.

A hand cloaked in red and black shot up.

"Yes professor. I would like to challenge Lucien." Ruby said full of pep and grit.

"Very well, Lucien do yo-" Glynda began before Lucien cut her off.

"Yeah I'll go up against her." He replied. He left to equip his weapons for the second time that morning. Walking out to the center of the arena he saw Glynda quietly talking to Ruby. Listening closer he heard her trying to talk Ruby out of the match. Ruby, however, wouldn't have any of it. She was ready and wanted to take him on. They stepped into the center of the arena, shook hands, and backed off to take their stances.

This will be fun. Get to see what my student has in the way of competition. Shit did I just call Jaune my student? Oh shit!