Ok just woke up, let's get to writing. I feel like I might have soured a bit on the last chapter. But I wrote it so I'm going to run with it. On to the Chapter 7!

Chapter 7: Triumphant return

I woke the next morning to the faint sound of rustling followed by footsteps and something being placed on the night stand next to me. I pushed the fog out of my mind and sat up to find Velvet already in her school uniform, taking things from her bag and placing them around the room. I threw my feet over the bed and stood up stretching for a moment to work out the kinks in my body and to relax the sourness from the day before.

I forced aura into my wings and opened them to examine the spot where I had been hit by the Death Stalker the day before. Removing my shirt I saw nothing but I could slightly feel what must have been a bruise in the middle of my chest.

Velvet didn't turn back to me but spoke from where she was placing more items on shelves. "Good morning. Sorry if I woke you but I have class in half an hour and wanted to start organizing my things before then." I nodded deciding I might as well get up. Grabbing everything I needed from my bag I headed to the bathroom, closing the door behind me and turning on the shower. The water heated almost instantly from Velvets recent use. I was in and out in a few minutes, the whole time I thought about the dreams that Shay had filled the night before. Stepping out of the shower and drying off, before brushing my teeth. I didn't have a comb as I preferred to just let my hair do what it wanted, putting on a new pair of pants before opening the door again.

I walked back out into the dorm room carrying my armored pants and set them in the corner to work on them later. Turning I found my uniform hanging on a rack near my bed. I held it up for a moment to examine it. No opening for my wings, I guess I'll have to wear this over them. I sighed at the thought. I had tried that once before and hadn't liked the feeling very much.

I didn't dwell on the subject for very long, choosing to just get on with it. I threw the pair of pants that I had on onto the bed before hearing a gasp from behind me. Velvet, who had just finished organizing her personal items had turned and saw me in my under wear and was now turned away with her hand up. "Please put some clothes on Ike. You're not alone in this room you know." She spoke with irritation in her voice, but seemed slightly embarrassed than anything.

I froze for a moment and looked at her, on the brink of letting my amusement show on my face. Jeez Velvet, so innocent. That thought pushed me over the edge and a grin appeared on my face as I slid into the playful mindset that had a habit of showing up at the worst of times. "What's the matter Bunny? It's just you and me here, besides we have been friends since we were 4 years old." Pulling on the black pants of the school uniform I opened my wings and snuck up behind her.

"That doesn't change the fact that you and I are both at Beacon now. Hey, what, ah," I grabbed her around her stomach and folded my wings around her lifting her into the air. I could tell she was blushing and rather uncomfortable as she kicked her feet for a moment.

"Common Bunny, lighten up a bit." I grinned for a moment before one of her legs wound around mine and shot forward, bringing my leg out from under me. I let go of Velvet in that moment and tried to catch myself, but before my hands even met the ground, a hard and practiced kick sent me backwards into the wooden frame of my bed.

I lay for a moment partially wondering what had just happened before Velvet was standing over me. "I swear if you are ever stupid enough to do that again I will put you in the hospital." I could practically feel the daggers in her gaze as she stood over me. Sitting up I held my hands up to my shoulders to show I was done before getting up to put the rest of my uniform on. "I'm going ahead to class, I'll see you later" she said and stormed out of the dorm, slamming the door behind her.

What did I just get myself into? I asked myself as I put on the rest of my uniform before looking into the mirror. It was a black suit with gold trimming accompanied by a blue vest and red tie. My wings were hidden beneath it all and it felt strange since I wasn't used to the metal of my wings against my bare skin.

Turning back to my nightstand I picked up my scroll and checked my class schedule. It also showed the schedule of my team, which in my case was just Velvet. She had a class that started shortly at 9, while mine started at twelve. Combat practice with Goodwitch was first, followed by Professor Port's Grimm Studies, and ending the day in Doctor Oobleck's Remnant History class.

It was 8:55 and as if on cue footsteps rampaged down the hallway. I cast my senses out to try to see what was going on, only to find the member's of team RWBY and JNPR sprinting down the hallway; most likely late for class. I laughed and shook my head before going to the door and heading towards the dry dock.

It took about five minutes for me to arrive and when I did I cast my senses behind me to make sure nobody was there. Undoing my uniform and holding it in my hand as I forced aura into my wings and stepped off the side, gathering air under them. Staying low, I flew all the way back to Vale, landing in an alley before folding my wings back over my shoulders and replacing my uniform over my wings.

I just couldn't stay away. Not after the dreams I had last night with Shay. I thought as I walked around the corner and headed towards the Restaurant. It was a surprise for the host when I walked through the door; it played across his face as he looked at me. "Well, look at you, only away for a few days and you come back in a fancy suit. No doubt you passed the initiation." His smile turned to concern as he continued. "You're not skipping classes to be here are you?"

I smiled at the man as he led me to my table, "No my classes don't start till noon. I've got some time before I have to be back." I removed the blazer and draped it over the back of my chair before I sat down as the host went to the back where the waiters and waitresses hung out when they didn't have any customers. It was odd, it was nine in the morning and usually people were starting to show up, but there was nobody around. Probably just a slow day, it's happened in the past.

Moments later I noticed Shay walk out and head over to the table. I had positioned myself facing away so she wouldn't notice me as easily. Crap I forgot to do something about my hair; she will know it's me now. I waited as she approached, focusing my awareness on her. She didn't have the normal pep in her step that I knew her for. Instead she took her time; she didn't seem to recognize me yet but noticed that I was sitting at my table. That only seemed to put her into a sadder mood, her ears drooping as she finally got to the table.

But the moment she stopped beside me she was her normal self again; putting a façade on to keep her normalcy for her customers. She was focused on her note pad so she didn't have to look at the person that was taking her love's table. "Welcome, my name is Shay and I'll be taking care of you today. Can I start you with something to drink?" That's when I made my move.

I stood up drawing her attention to me as I did so. She put her hand on my chest to keep me where I was but froze when she finally looked at me. I didn't move for a moment, but then drew her into a hug. She didn't move at all, simple astounded that I was there. "Hey, thought I would drop by since I just got done with initiation."

I let her go after a few moments, she finally broke from her trance and spoke, and it was surprised at first. "You're supposed to be at Beacon," but after that it turned to confusion. "What are you doing here? Won't you get in trouble if you leave campus when it's not a weekend?"

"Probably, but I don't care, it's not like they will kick me out or anything." It was my turn to be confused. Didn't expect this reaction, I thought as I took her hand and sat her down across from me. "I have time; my first class doesn't start till noon. So I figured I would come see you." She perked up at that and was back to her normal self.

Standing back up and pushing the chair in, she came around and hugged me this time. "Thanks, after you left I started asking around about the Beacon initiation and heard that people have died during it. I was worried that you might get hurt badly. I'm glad your okay." She released me and stood straight. "Now then I'll get your tea and breakfast started so you can get back before your first class." She retreated quickly to the kitchen; while she was away the host reappeared and sat across from me. I had talked to him a few times over the years but it was usually just idol chatter about what was going on around town.

"Its good that you came back so soon. When she heard about the initiation she took a day off. When I went to check on her she was too worried to even eat. Since then all she has done is work. Yesterday I begged her to go home and rest but she stayed from dawn to dusk." He didn't take his eyes off me, emphasizing how bad it was. "If you had waited the next four days and come on the weekend I fear I would have had to take you to the hospital to see her." There was relief in his voice but concern as well. He was an older man who had been humbled by his past. I had never asked what he used to be in his younger years, but now I the question was on the tip of my tongue.

He looked past me and stood up before going back to the front. He was replaced seconds later by Shay, who placed my tea in front of me before swinging the chair around to the side of the table so she could sit next to me. "It was really as bad as he said." She had clearly heard the host's words. "I was too worried to do anything other than work and try to not think about you getting hurt." I heard a loud grumble from her and looked over in surprise. She blushed slightly. "What? I haven't eaten much in two days. I ordered something as well; now that I'm not worried I can eat." She took my free hand in hers as I began to speek.

"You know I did have a little trouble during initiation. A huge Death Stalker nearly ran me through with its stinger, and probably would have if my partner wasn't there." I recalled the events and started to tell her about the initiation. How I had teamed up with the Faunus she had met the day I brought her in and how because of an issue with registration it was only us two in a team. I avoided the fact that we shared a dorm room and the events of the morning. I didn't need Shay pissed off at me like m closest friend was currently.

Our food came and we wolfed down our meals. I was hungry from the previous day's events and Shay having not eaten for a few days definitely needed food. When I finished I looked up at the clock. It had taken about half an hour to fly from Beacon to Vale and it was eleven o'clock now. I asked for the check but Shay said it was taken care of; the host had paid for it so that they could relax.

I waited till 11:25 before leaving; hugging Shay with a kiss on the cheek before telling her I would be back soon. Grabbing the blazer I headed to the front and thanked the host for paying for the meal. We shook hands and I headed towards the alley I had landed in; stripping out of my vest and shirt and taking off again, getting as much height as I could and heading towards Beacon.

Ya for love interests and back story set ups; Not sure how ill tie it all in to the bigger picture BUT, I'll make it work. As always let me know what you think, likes, dislikes, concerns, or phobias. Submit reviews, I do read them and I would like to thank the people that have so far, I appreciate your support and input. Your guys are awesome, Eternal out.