At first, I was a bit skeptic on the new team and living arrangements I would have to succumb myself to now that I'm not alone anymore. When they told us all teams were going to be put into one rooms each, I will admit I was a little cautious and worried about the whole set up since as I said to Ruby during the night before the initiation test that I primarily sleep alone. Now though the first night after we got back from the ceremony that announced everyone's teams and such, we went to our new rooms and settled in.

Well, not so much settle in, more so settle all our stuff in one corner so we don't lose them and crash out from the day's events. No one even asked about my ability yet but for now we were all so tired we just focused settling into bed rather than for the long haul.

It feels good to sleep in a warm bed after so long. I may be used to the cold and lying down on hard surfaces but being back on a soft bed indoors makes all the worried stuff about living with others a thing of the past.

*BREEEEEEEEEE!*

"Gah!

"Ah!"

Sort of.

I suddenly find myself face down on the hardwood floor after what vaguely sounds like a whistle go off in the room we all are in. A separate cry of surprise also went off and as I slowly look up, I see Weiss on the ground too and the reason for the whistle being blow quite apparent. "Good morning, team RWBEY!"

"What in the world is wrong with you?"

"What happened?" Weiss and I both ask our enigmatic leader from our positions on the ground.

"Now that you're awake, we can officially begin our first order of business." Ruby states, completely ignoring our questions.

"Excuse me?" Weiss asks as she gets up and brushes herself off.

"Come again?" I ask as well as I sit down on the bed and trying to stave off the headache from being woken up so suddenly… and loudly.

"Decorating!" From my side, Yang happily pronounces as she holds a variety of items in her arms; pillows, pamphlets, Blake's candle-holder; with Blake herself standing right next to her holding a suitcase. It's now I notice that Ruby, Blake and Yang are wearing what I believe to be the school uniform we are required to wear with Ruby still wearing her red hood. Pretty much Weiss and I are the only ones underdressed since we were woken up by a loud whistle. She's wearing a white and gray colored nightgown and has her hair let down instead of tied up, which suits her. I however am simply wearing a black t-shirt with gray shorts as my night attire.

"We still have to unpack." Blake tells us as she lifts her suitcase, which snaps open, spilling its contents all over the floor. "Aaaand clean." She embarrassingly states.

Weiss does not look enthusiastic at all about our plans, especially when Ruby knocks her back again to the floor with the blow of her whistle. "Ahhh. Ruby! We get it! We're awake." I grumble at hearing the infernal noise again.

"Aaaalright!" She happily yells. "Weiss, Blake, Yang, Ethan and their fearless leader Ruby have begun their first mission! Banzai!" She yells with a raised fist into the air.

"Banzai!" She repeats but this time Yang and Blake join her as well. They turn at an angle as we stare at them. Weiss and I share a look before sighing and getting changed into our uniforms.

As per what everyone else said, we get to work on putting all our stuff in and around the room. Yang places a poster of six guys in various poses named "THE ACHIEVE MEN" on her part of the room. Weiss hangs a painting of the Forever Fall forest to perfection and Blake is busy putting away her books on the shelves. One book though gets her pretty nervous and looks around warily before putting it away. Just before she does I manage to spot the name of it being "Ninjas of Love". 'Hm, should look into that later. Find out why she was so nervous.' Although with the name itself, I can probably hazard a guess. Ruby for her part uses the end of Crescent Rose to help hang and fix our curtain on the only window in our room, and then promptly but accidentally perfectly slashes it when she turns around, cutting a diagonal portion off of it. After managing to fix the sliced curtain, which the others were oddly surprised I could sew, I got to work in putting my stuff away. Nothing too big; I simply placed my bag against the wall connected to the door that carries all the tools needed for quick fixes on any of my weapons, and in this case the others too if need be. In the end, we take a step back and admire our handiwork. As we do, we come across a bit of a problem. Our beds are cramped and piled together in the center of the floor.

"This isn't going to work." Weiss says and I nod.

"You think?" I mutter.

"It is a bit cramped." Blake also comments on the oddity of our bed situation.

"Maybe we should ditch some of our stuff…" Yang proposes but I don't think anyone wants to get rid of their stuff.

"Or we could ditch the beds… and replace them with bunk beds!" Ruby announces happily and enthusiastically with raised arms.

"Umm, that sounds incredibly dangerous." Weiss isn't really onboard with the idea.

"And super-awesome!" Yang is happy with it.

"It does seem efficient." Blake sees the logic in the bed idea.

"Definitely free up some space in the room." So do I.

"Well, we should put it to a vote!"

"I think we just did."

With it obviously being that the only one who isn't onboard with the idea of bunk beds is Weiss, we get to work making them. Few seconds pass with the sounds of hammering and sawing evident in the room, we step back when we are done. "Objective: Complete!" Ruby announces and we see our… 'masterpiece'.

I say that with hesitance because of somehow we thought this would work. While Weiss's bed is simply on the ground next to her art and luggage, Blake's bed is next to her books, which are used to raise Yang's bed over it by placing the novels on the posts, and Ruby's is hanging from ropes on the ceiling with a blanket used as a tent over it.

"Wow… this is… nice." I hesitantly say as I see how we made our bunks beds to be. There is just another problem I kind of notice. "Wait, where's my bed?" I ask out loud. In all the frantic movement of making the beds, I didn't see where my bed went.

"Eh-hem." Ruby clears her throat and taps my shoulder. Turning I see her and everyone else looking towards the door, and up. Following their eye-sight, I look and see my question answered.

My bed is suspended over the door, ropes similar to Ruby's holding the thing up but straighter with two planks of wood under the frame holding it up. At the foot of the bed is a rope ladder so I can apparently climb up to go to sleep.

"…" It takes me a bit to process how this came to be. "Okay then." My head hurts.

"Allllright! Our second order of business iiiiiiiis...!" Ruby begins to announce but gets disappointed as she realizes what we need to do. With a book in her lap, she mutters "Classes… Now, we have a few classes together today. At 9, we've got to be—"

"What?! Did you say 9 o'clock?" Weiss loudly exclaims.

"Uuuum…" Ruby uneasily moans but before she can answer, Weiss says something that gets us all into high gear.

"It's 8:55, you dunce!" She says and bounds out the door. Looking at the clock, my heart beats just a little faster as I see she's right.

"To class!"

"Move it!" Ruby and I say as we run out the room, followed by the rest of our team and team JNPR falling out of their doorway and running with us. We run as fast as we can through the hallways till we cut through the courtyard towards where our first class is. I have no idea who exactly our first teacher is, or the class for that matter, so I'm just following the group and hope we make it in time. I'm pretty sure I saw Professor Ozpin watching us as we were booking it through the courtyard but he didn't stop us or scold us or anything like that so I just focused on us getting to whoever we need to get to quick.


"Monsters! Deeeemons… Prowlers of the night! Yes, the creatures of Grimm have many names, but I merely refer to them as prey! Ha-ha!" And our first class of the day involves a portly elderly man named Professor Peter Port who is going to be teaching us about the Grim and such.

Team RWBEY is situated in one of the lower levels of tables while JNPR is above us. While Yang, Blake, Weiss and I are paying attention and taking notes, Ruby has decided to take a nap… on the first day of class. Either way I have no idea if the professor was making a joke or not but while Ruby was asleep, it was enough to wake her from her sleep, along with an aptly times cricket-filled silence as a result.

"Uhhhh… And you shall too, upon graduating from this prestigious academy!" He continuous to teach in a boisterous happy attitude. "Now, as I was saying: Vale, as well as the other three kingdoms, are safe havens in an otherwise treacherous world! Our planet is absolutely teeming with creatures that would love nothing more than to tear you to pieces! And that's where we come in. Huntsmen! Huntresses…" I see him wink and then hear a groan from Yang. 'Huh, well that made her uncomfortable.' He continues regardless. "Individuals who have sworn to protect those who cannot protect themselves! From what, you ask? Why, the very world!"

"Ayyy-yep!" All eyes stare at the random student in the far back who talked and has a fist raised into the air. Not long under everyone's stares, he sits back down embarrassed.

"That is what you are training to become. But first: A story. A tale of a young, handsome man… Me! When I was a boy…" He starts going on about his life, his achievements and stuff such as that and to be honest it's starting to get hard to keep track of what he's saying. 'No wonder Ruby fell asleep.' My eyes drift open and closed heavily as I start to lean heavily on my arm, only able to catch some of what he's saying. "…Despite smelling of cabbages, my grandfather was a wise man. 'Peter', he told me… In the end, the Beowolf was no match for my sheer tenacity, and I returned to my village with the beast in captivity and my head held high, celebrated as a hero!" I snap out of it as he decides to bow for some reason but out of the corner of my eye I see Weiss angry. Clenched fist and a scowl as she stares at Ruby. Our leader in question doesn't look like she's paying attention to the stories either. "The moral of this story? A true Huntsman must be honorable!"

To my amazement, Ruby is able to balance an apple on a book with her pencil held only by her finger.

"A true Huntsman must be dependable!"

She falls asleep again.

"A true Huntsman must be strategic, well-educated, and wise!"

"And now she's picking her nose, leaving Weiss quite angry at her leaders actions. Me, I don't really care but I don't think that matters right now as I scoot a little away from her just in case she blows up.

"So, who among you believes themselves to be the embodiment of these traits?" The professor asks us.

"I do, sir!" Weiss suddenly stands up with her hand raised into the air. I get the foreboding feeling that she shouldn't have done that.

"Well, then, let's find out!" He says and it's now we see a steel cage for the first time in the room. 'When did that get here?!' My mental question doesn't get answered as he turns to gesture at the cage that's now shaking and has a scary set of glowing red eyes with shadow in its confines. The feeling I have when Grimm are near isn't needed as we all know just what's in there. "Step forward, and face your opponent!" He declares. I was right on why Weiss shouldn't have done that.

Without missing a beat, she stands up and proceeds to go get changed. "Uh Weiss I don't think…" I begin to try to talk her out of it but she completely ignores me and even increases her speed. Once she goes out the door, I place my head on the table and cover it with my arms. "This isn't going to go well."

"Aaah don't worry Ethan!" Yang slaps my back in an effort to comfort me but it in fact stings. "I'm sure she'll come around." She says, most likely referring to the tension between us but that's not it.

"That's not what I'm worried about." I mutter.


A few minutes pass and Weiss is in her combat attire and ready to face her opponent. The cage hasn't stopped rattling and I wonder just what type of Grimm she'll be facing. It's too small to be a Beowulf that's for sure so unless the professor somehow managed to get his own version of Shadow, we'll see just what demonic creature we have here with us.

"Goooo, Weiss!" Yang sheers her on with a raised fist.

"Fight well!" I won't even ask where she got a flag that says RWBEY.

"Good luck!" I wish her luck in the fight but a glare from the corner of her eye makes me shrink. 'I really got to patch things up with her.'

"Yeah, represent teeeeam RWBY!" Our leader loudly proclaims happily but it has the opposite effect on the fighter.

"Ruby! I'm trying to focus!" Weiss angrily retorts before going back to her stance.

"Oh, um… sorry…" Ruby apologizes sheepishly for the apparent interruption but I just think she's singling her out.

"Allllright!" Professor Port says from next to the cage, pulling out his blunderbuss, axe combo weapon I think and holds it up. "Let the match… begin!" He announces and swings his weapon down, breaking the lock and making the cage door drop, revealing the Boarbatusk inside, which immediately charges at Weiss. She uses her rapier Myrtenaster to deflect its attack and roll to the side, readying herself for its next move. The Grimm doesn't charge again and instead stands a distance away from its enemy, allowing it study her.

"Ha-ha! Wasn't expecting that, were you?" The Professor says.

"Hang in there, Weiss!" Ruby encourages her again but doesn't acknowledge her.

Instead, Weiss now proceeds to speed towards the oncoming Boarbatusk, sticking her blade straight at its skull until they meet and Myrtenaster is trapped in the beast's tusks. The Grimm shakes all around to dislodge her, with Weiss still hanging on to the hilt, making her get tossed around as she struggles to get her rapier back.

"Bold, new approach. I like it!"

"Come on, Weiss, show it who's boss!"

Weiss doesn't take too kindly to the encouragement again and glares at Ruby, only for the Boarbatusk to turn its head and rip the sword from her grip. Her rapier lands far away from its master, who is knocked back by the creature's tusks. My breath hitches as I watch the weapon slide on the ground well out of her reach.

"Oh-ho! Now what will you do without your weapon?" The professor asks but no one answers as she focuses on her opponent.

Weiss looks up just in time to see the Boarbatusk to charge again but she rolls out of the way just in time to avoid getting trampled and make it crash into a desk instead. She rushes at her sword and slides to get it back in her hand in time.

"Weiss! Go for its belly! There's no armor underneath—"

"Stop telling me what to do!" Weiss snaps at Ruby, interrupting her. Glancing at Ruby I see her look hurt from her partners outburst but the Grimm doesn't take note or care. The Boarbatusk leaps into the air and rolls into a ball, spinning rapidly in the air and landing on the ground, consistently gaining speed until it launches itself at Weiss to try to end her. I wring my hands together in tense anticipation as it comes closer and closer, but Weiss activates one of her glyphs and blocks the roll, leaping up into the now-black snowflake symbol and turning it blue again. Next she takes the opportunity to drive her blade into the Boarbatusk's stomach. It squeals for a second before it falls silent dead while Weiss gasps in relief at ending it. My hands finally relax and I steadily breathe again.

"Bravo! Bra-vo!" Professor Port congratulates her on her victory. "It appears we are indeed in the presence of a true Huntress-in-training! I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today. Be sure to cover the assigned readings, and… stay vigilant! Class dismissed!" The professor announces and everyone is not doubt ready to get moving. None more so that Weiss who glares and walks out of the room without acknowledging the rest of her team.

"Sheesh, what's with her?" Jaune asks as he watches her go. The rest of us look at each other with similar questions on our minds before we start going after her.

"C'mon. Let's go see what's eating her." I propose and we go to the door.

"Mr. Wright!" The loud voice of our professor booms causing us to stop, especially me. "A word please."

I look at him for a second before looking at the others. "Go." I indicate with a nod to my head out the door. "I'll catch up." They nod and go while I walk back to the professor back in front of the room. "Uhh yes, sir? Is everything alright?" I ask tensely. It's only the first day of class and I don't want to be in trouble already.

"Capital!" He loudly pronounces with an arm pump to the side before back to a somewhat calm demeanor. "I just wanted to give you your extra work as per your agreement for being here." He explains.

The conditions for me to be here at the academy with an odd numbered team clicks into my mind. 'Oh, right.' "Oh yeah. I remember now. What do you got for me?"

"Here." He pulls out a somewhat thick book from off his desk and holds it. "This is a collection of biography on all the Grimm we currently know about in the world and every few weeks, I will be giving you a quiz on specific chapters pertaining to some of these dastardly beasts! I expect you to study and pass with flying colors." He hands it to me.

"Oh cool. Thank you sir. I'm sure this'll come in- Oof!"

*Slam*

As it stands, as I go to take the book, it's a lot heavier than I thought it was going to be because I face plant on to the floor on top of the book.

"Very good then!" He says, completely ignoring the fact that I hit the floor and am struggling to lift the cursed thing. "Do please come and see me should you ever have any questions! And if you don't mind me asking, I would very much like to see that ability you have of—"

"Shhh!" I forgo the book and jump up to shush the man.

He blinks at me for a second before sporting his happy demeanor again. "Oh come now Ethan! I mean it's not every day you meet someone who can control a Gri—"

"Shhh! Shhh! Ap ap ap ap! Shhhhhh!" I shush him repeatedly and glance back at the door to see the last student walk out. I sigh and wring my hand through my hair before looking at him. He has a curious face as to why I was reluctant to talk about it. "Listen sir, it's not you or anything it's just… I don't want to go mentioning to everyone that I have this… ability. I've been… burned in the past for having it. Some people weren't very… good to me and I just don't want to mess anything up right now and—" Professor Port puts a hand on my shoulder to shut me up from my rant.

"It's okay my boy. I don't wish to pry or make you uncomfortable. You can tell me when or if you feel like it. Just know, I will be intrigued, but I will not judge." He states firmly. His words make me smile and I'm a bit more at ease now.

"Thank you. Eventually I'll show Shadow and Raven… but first I'd like to show and clear things up with my teammates first and foremost."

"That sounds like a good idea my boy!" He pats my shoulder and I go to pick up the book but something else pops into my head.

"Wait, how did you find out about them? I don't remember you being there when I summoned them." I ask. So far only teams JNPR and RWBY at the time, along with my potential teammates at the time before they had to go to the hospital, saw Shadow and Raven but not the teachers.

"Well we did monitor the forest during the initiation remember?" He reminds me.

"Oh yes." I mutter uncomfortably. Of course at the time I wasn't focusing on the secrecy of my ability until after I was alone what with the Grimm surrounding me and such. Still sucks though. "So how many…?"

"Well if I recall," He thinks with a hand to his chin, "I believe about all the instructors saw what happened." I gulp at the news. "You still did spectacularly in the fight if I must say. You needn't worry about any negative actions to come from any of the instructors."

"Hehe, thank you. Well, in any case I guess I should go. Thanks again sir." I thank him before grabbing the book and with some effort I hoist it up and begin my trek up the stairs. "Oh! Oh man! I hate this." I mutter to myself as I walk.

"Farewell! I wish the rest of your day to be much uplifting!"

As I hobble out the door, I remember how Weiss was acting and how angry she was. 'Yeah somehow I don't think so.'


"Eh-hem."

"Huh? Oh! Weiss! I-I was studying, and then I fell asleep! I'm sorry..." Ruby is stopped of her frantic apology by Weiss who shushes her. She puts a finger to her own mouth to indicate the need for quiet, as gestured to their three sleeping teammates.

"How do you take your coffee?" She asks her leader.

"I… I don't…"

"Answer the question!" She demands irritated.

"Uhh, cream and five sugars!" Ruby replies quickly.

Weiss sighs, "Don't move." She ducks under to her own bed and comes up a moment later with a fresh cup, offering it to Ruby. "Here."

"Um… Thanks, Weiss."

Weiss smiles at the thanks but it turns to an apologetic look as she remembers her actions earlier in the day. "Ruby, I think you have what it takes to be a good leader." That gets a smile on the leaders face. "Just know that I am going to be the best teammate you'll ever have!" They both share a smile at the declaration. "Good luck studying!" And with that, Weiss ducks under but comes right back up. "That's wrong, by the way." She informs Ruby of an answer on her paper. She ducks under again. "Hey, Ruby?"

"Uh-huh?" She looks at the door where her partner now is.

Weiss's hand lingers on the door knob inside the door way before speaking. "I always wanted bunk beds as a kid." She admits and closes the door.

Ruby, grinning at the progress with her friend, goes back to her notes.


I smile out of the corner of my mouth as I eye the display, after seeing how angry Weiss was and hurt Ruby was, it's a relief to see them alright with each other now and made up. Things would be very bad and tense at every turn if they were at odds with each other.

After I made my way back to our room to drop off the book, the rest of the day progressed relatively easy until it came to night. Ruby was saddened most of the time and Weiss was angry but now, after some words from some of our instructors no doubt, I can fully close my eyes and let myself drift into a comfortable sleep with no worries.


"… The end comes soon…"

"Huh?"


*BRREEEEEE*

"Ah!" My sleep was… alright. Cryptic nightmares as usual for me but it would seem that my waking state is interrupted… again. "Oof!" And painful. I suddenly find myself face down on the hard floor with pain all over my body. "Ooowwwwww." I look up from my spot on the ground. "Ruby! We don't have classes this early!" I angrily state after getting woken up so harshly… from such a high height. "I'm installing a guard rail up there." I grumble as I achingly get to my feet.

"Sorry Ethan. I thought now would be a good time for you to explain to us something."

"Explain what?" I mumble as I pop my back with a few twists.

"How you can control Grimm?"

I freeze mid twist to the right at Blakes blunt question. "Excuse me?"

"Yeah! Like what exactly did you do back at initiation to make those two fight with you?" Yang asks. I turn to see them with expectant looks on their faces.

"We would have asked you yesterday… buuuuuuut…" Ruby moans uneasily as she glances over at Weiss. The memory of her little spat and disagreement with our leader is still fresh, resulting in her looking away a little.

"Regardless, we have time before classes and its about time that as a team, you explain to us how you have two pet Grimm under your control." She demands. I stare at her for a bit until I glance over and see the others with similar expressions of want but of course not as harsh. 'I knew I was expecting this. But I guess I got comfortable when they didn't ask me yesterday.' Closing my eyes and shaking my head a little, I sigh.

"Mmm, alright. It's about time I guess." I mutter and go to get changed out of my sleep clothes. Once I'm out, I sit down on Blake's bed. "Might as well go get Jaune and his team in here too. They saw and I don't feel like telling it twice or you all giving your own version of it to them."

"I'll get them!" Ruby volunteers and she goes to open the door.

"Woah!"

*Thud*

We stare at the mess of bodies that fell from her opening the door. Team JNPR lies in a heap from falling in and there are several groans before as one, they all look up at us staring at them. "Eh-hehehe… whoops." Jaune nervously says.

I shake my head and wave for everyone to come in. "Come on. Gather 'round children and I'll tell you."

"Aren't we older than you?"

"Do you wanna hear the story or not?!" I retort annoyed at Weiss's observation. No further arguments or comments are made as everyone gets seated around me. While I sit at the foot of Blake's bed, she sits at the head, Jaune, Weiss and Ren sit on her bed in that order, Ruby lays on her bed, Pyrrha stands next to the window, and Nora and Yang lean over the side on her bed, looking at me upside down. Once I see I have everyone's attention, I speak.

"Wait!" Or I would if Nora didn't interrupt me. I look at her to see she has a smile on her face. "Can you bring them out here?! I wanna see them up close when you explain everything." She explains with a giddy look. I stare at her for a second before I glance at the others to see them having somewhat subtle looks as well of want. I roll my eyes and stand up.

"Alright I guess." I look at the Spartan near the window. "Pyrrha, window please." I ask of her. She turns to open the window, albeit a little confused but does it regardless. Once it's open, I bring up my right hand and concentrate. Clenching my hand into a fist, a swirl of thin black mist curls around my hand for a second before it disappears. Bringing it back to my side, I wait. They look at me confused and look around for an indication of my pets but find none… at least at first.

Flapping sounds can be heard and all eyes turn to the window to see my eagle Grimm flap in. "Oh!" Pyrrha takes an instinctive step back as she lands on the window sill and sits there. No outward aggressions appear from Raven as she curiously tilts her head to the side and examines all the faces around the room.

"Whoooooaa." Ruby from her perch leans over and stares at the creature with wide eyes. Raven for her part stares back and tilts her head in curiosity.

"That… is actually pretty cool." Jaune says as he stares at Raven too.

"Uhhh Jaune?" Ren murmurs, getting his leaders attention. Once he looks at his squadmate past Weiss, Ren points behind Jaune. The blonde haired leader turns around to see two red eyes staring back at him.

"AH! Aha!" He yelps in surprise and envelops the first thing next to him.

"… Get… off." Weiss seething says, her anger slowly building at suddenly being pulled into a hug by him. Noticing what he's doing, he lets her go but stays close and away from the wolf Grimm perched on the foot of the bed next to him.

"Everyone, I'd like you all to meet Raven," I wave to the window, "And Shadow." I finish saying towards the wolf on the end of Weiss's bed. Everyone shifts views between the two of them, intrigued and fascinated between the two unique creatures of Grimm of that are just inches away from all of them without a hint of ill intent from them. Some though, aren't as intrigued.

"Uhhhh, nice… doggie?" I roll my eyes at Jaunes attempt to be nice as he hesitantly extends a shaking hand to Shadow next to him.

"Jaune, its fine. They pick up on my knowledge and what I know. You're not my enemy, so neither is he. Go ahead." I explain. Glancing to me, his hand shakes a little less but slowly comes close to Shadow's head. He looks curiously at the appendage before leaning forward into the touch. Jaune sucks in a sharp breath at the contact but calms down when it isn't bitten off so quickly. A smile appears on his face as he gets into the petting and sees the content look Shadow gives.

"Wow. This is so cool." I smile at his compliment.

"DOOOGGIIIEEE!" Two voices squeal out in utter happiness.

"Wha- Oof!" Jaune is suddenly thrown off the bed and Shadow disappears.

"Aw he's so cute!"

"Good doggie!" Coos some voices from above. We look up to see Ruby and Nora fawning over the mutt on her bed.

'Cute? Wait, how did…?' I think very confused at the idea of Shadow being cute and how fast they moved. Ruby I understand but Nora… huh. "Cute? He's a merciless killing machine that could chop your head off with his tail." I can't help but drone out as I stare at them. I feel all eyes on me at the comment as I notice Ruby pulling away just a little.

"Cool doggie." Nora mutters without letting go of him. Thankfully shadow isn't angry or anything, he just sits with I think a look of confusion on his face. I mean outside of combat, this has been the most they've been let out or interacted for that matter with anyone so I'm not surprised their confused about this.

"Well, that's one way to get to know him." Yang mutters from above. I shake my head at Nora's so… ecstatic attitude towards him. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Blake who looks very uncomfortable.

"Blake you okay?" I ask her.

"Huh?! Oh yeah. I'm okay just… not everyday you see Grimm up close like this without them trying to kill you." She nervously says to me. I don't really believe what she claims since everyone else is so cool about it but I guess its just her.

Also I'm pretty sure I saw her bow move but I can't be certain. Shrugging, I glance to Pyrrha. "Pyrrha." She perks up having been called. "Hold your arm out to Raven. Like so." I hold out my left arm with it bent. She looks at the Grimm for a second before slowly doing what she's told. Raven examines Pyrrha for a bit and when she's satisfied, she flares her wings and bounces over to the outstretched limb. The Spartan flinches at the Grimm coming to her but composes herself as Raven lands on her arm calmly and remains perched there.

"Oh. Oh wow. This is… amazing." Pyrrha comments as she brings a hand up to run her hand through Raven's feathers. The Grimm purs at the petting and curls a little into her affection.

"Awesome." Yang comments as she reaches over pets Raven on the head too. This whole time I've kept a reserved sense of dread at the idea of the others attacking first and asking questions later but I'm incredibly relieved to see them all trust me so on the fact Raven and Shadow aren't going to attack. Especially since they are starting to warm up to them so well. "Soooooo… how exactly is this happening?" Yang asks while lying on her back and picking at Raven's beak, who actually doesn't seem all that angry about it. "Like, what did you do to get them to obey you like this and summon them? Is it your semblance?"

I breathe in deeply at the questions. 'I knew I was going to explain. Was still worried about it though.' I think. Leaning forward, I give two sharp short whistles. Raven and Shadow turn and come to me. Raven lifts off of Pyrrah and places herself on the bed next to me while Shadow jumps down from above and sits next to my feet. Patting the both of them, I let out a breath of air and prepare myself to explain.

"Alright, I guess it's time I explain." I say and lay myself against the bedpost, albeit careful as to not push the books holding up the one above. "Well, I guess I'll make it clear: They are not my semblance." The others look at each other confused at the answer. It's true while a lot of different people have a variety of different semblance abilities that can range to all manner of actions that can give them an edge over both the Grimm and criminals they may face. The idea of this being my semblance was an option for them to think, but I just confirmed its not.

"Then… how?" Ren asks. Glancing at the two next to me, I sigh.

"In order to make some sense I guess I have to tell you about my family." My hands clench at the memories but I reel it in as Shadow growls. "My family sees the Grimm in a very different light than anyone else. They almost… revere the Grimm in a sense."

"Revere?! They worship them?!" Blake asks loudly, surprised and a little angry. I don't' blame her.

"Not totems, statues, or prayers way. Nothing like that. Their way of trying to establish a type of relationship with the Grimm has come from a long line of tries and efforts. These two…" I gesture to my Grimm, "Are the fruits of that effort."

"Whoooooa." Ruby moans in awe.

"But how are you able to have them in the first place?" Pyrrha asks.

"My family have developed a sort of contract with the Grimm. By signing it, in your own blood," They flinch at that, "And through some special prayer method that I can't remember, you are given the chance to have your own form of pet Grimm that will do your bidding, and fight for you till your life ends." I explain.

"What's the catch?" Weiss asks suspiciously. "There's no way it's that simple."

I smile at her caution. "Your right. There is a catch. I'm bonded to these two," I rub both of them, "Right down to the soul."

"Your soul?!" Weiss blurts out in surprise, mixed in with the same looks from everyone else. I nod.

"But why?! I mean they're pretty cool, awesome and I want one too, but why?!" Nora asks loudly.

I close my eyes, lean back and chuckle darkly. "Like I had a choice." I mutter, loud enough for them to hear.

"Uh, what?"

I get up slightly angry. "My parents were fanatics about them. When I was seven they made me do the contract without my consent and had me get these two on my own." I growl out in anger. My Grimm start to get fidgety as well from the raw emotions I am giving off but I bring it down to a somewhat manageable level. Before they ask how, I speak, "In order to get your own Grimm, you need two things to make it work after establishing your contract. One: You need a regular animal of your own choosing and kill it. Two: A Grimm that best suits the animal of your choosing." I let the information sink in as the stare at them, trying to piece together just who and what animals I used. It's Weiss and Pyrrha that get it first.

"So, a wolf… and a Beowolf?" I nod at the heiress.

"An eagle… and a Nevermore?!" She says the last part in complete surprise.

"No way." Yang moans in awe.

"Yeah, although I was lucky. It was a small one." I rub the scar on my eye. "Was still one of the deadliest creatures I ever faced." Raven bristles at the memory of her Grimm half causing the permanent scar on me but I rub her feathers in comfort. "After defeating my chosen Grimm, the essence they dissolve into when we destroy absorbs into me, and all that's left is to push it into something else soon."

"Or else?" Ren asks, no doubt on the alternative on what would happen if I didn't bind the Grimm essence into the chosen animal.

"It tears you apart… slowly." Some of the others pale at the description or the idea of what it might look like.

"Still though," Ruby jumps down and crouches next to Shadow. "It seems it worked out for these two huh?" She asks as she pets him. I smile and join in.

"Yeah. Funny thing is, it sounds simple but it gets exhausting very quickly. Heck, I was only supposed to have only one. Imagine my parents surprise when I came back with both of these two."

"You mean you can't have as many as you want?" Blake asks and I nod.

"Nope. Each one that you bind with will lessen you overall. Most of the people in my family's past have only been able to bind one. Others who've tried for more, perished. Because of my ability to have not one but two Grimm under my command, you'd think they would have appreciated me more… but they showed it in a very messed up way." I take a second to breathe in and out before leaning against the post. "They decided that if I could do this, there's no limit to what I could do everywhere else." I look out the window with a far off look. "And so began the next part of my life filled with nothing but training, fighting, learning… surviving." Before the others can ask anymore, I stop them. "And I think… that's all I can say for now. Hope you all understand." This story telling has been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster for me and right now I don't think I can go anymore.

"We understand." Pyrrha says with a slight bow to me, one in which I am grateful for.

"You've more than explained your situation. I don't think it necessary for us to pry anymore." Ren proposes and gets nods from everyone else.

"Yeah." Jaune says but as he looks at the clock, he gets up. "Our classes should be starting in an hour. Let's go get some breakfast before they're completely out." He suggests and walks to the door.

"Oh yeah!" Nora happily agrees and jumps down before following her leader. "I'm hankering for some pancakes right now! With lots of syrup!"

"Nora, please don't steal every syrup bottle." Ren drones on as he follows after her, which I get the feeling he's had to say that before. Pyrrha follows and waves goodbye to us as they leave the door.

"Hold on guys! We'll come too! Let's go team!" Ruby happily announces and goes with Yang jumping down, Blake giving Shadow a wide berth for some reason, and Weiss following. It's when my team gets to the door that they notice that I'm not there with them. "Uhhh, Ethan? You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just… the reminiscing sort of didn't put me in the mood for eating right now." I say from my seated position, staring out the window as I do. "If it's alright with you, I think I'd rather stew in my own thoughts for a bit."

"Uhhh." Ruby moans unsured until she looks to Yang and Blake, who both shrug at my suggestion. "Alright then. Just don't forget about class later."

"I won't."

"C'mon girls." Yang leads them out and towards the cafeteria. I don't see them leave, only focusing outside as I basically reform my thoughts after bringing them back up for so long.

Thing is though, I didn't hear the door close.

"Ethan…" I turn to see Weiss still at the door, looking down with what amounts to be a guilty look. "I wanna say… I'm sorry. I treated you unfairly when we first met and I want to formally apologize. You didn't deserve—"

"Weiss." I interrupt her apology, giving her a firm look as she looks up at me. "You don't have to apologize to me because you feel sorry for me. I've accepted what my life has been like to this point and I won't change a thing if I could."

She looks surprised. "You don't? But why?"

My eyes stay locked with hers for a bit before I glance around the room, examining all the items that consist of my team living here. 'My team.' I smile and look at her. "Because I'm here. With good people, a good team, and good friends. If dealing with all that in the past lead me to here… why would I change it?"

She stares at me with an unreadable expression for a bit until she too smiles and relaxes. "That's good. Still, my apology was overdue and I want to make it clear that I am sorry for being a jerk to you."

I stand up and walk in front of her before extending my hand. "Apology accepted Weiss."

We shake hands firmly to formally cement it. "Thank you." She takes a step back out the door. "You sure you don't want to come?"

"I'm sure." I say with a nod.

"Alright then… bye." She gives me a wave and heads out the door.

"See you later." Once she leaves and closes the door, I find myself staring at where she departed for a bit longer than I should have. It's only when something nudges my leg do I snap out of it. Looking down I see its Shadow next to me with Raven as well. I glance at the door once again before crouching and affectionately petting the two. "I think I AM going to like it here."

Raven purs while Shadow bark happily.

I am so sorry everyone. This too way longer than I had originally planned and I would like to apologize in getting this out. Several college assignments, including a research essay that requires me to interview someone, and the recent release of Shadow of War just ate up my time on working on this and I'm very sorry for that.

For my essay, I've got someone so I'm not stressing out over interviewing someone anymore so that's an immense relief off my mind on so many levels.

For Shadow of War, holy crap people. The game is MASSIVE with the amount of captains, warchiefs, and overlords you can fight. The combat is something else, the enemy, grunts also, are so all over the place I find myself struggling at some points against waves of enemy's, clusters of them and so forth. My time is definitely going to be eaten by that game. So much to do and I have no idea if I'm at the halfway mark of the game.

Now onto some guest reviews:

Well this would be where I would answer guest review questions since I can't send a PM to them personally. Most of the guest reviews of course were votes on who Ethan's love interest was to be but that's not to detract those in the future who don't have accounts from reviewing. If you're a guest and you review, sometimes expect a response here in the author notes, depending on what's said of course.

That being said, I'm also not going to sugar coat it people.

Weiss won… but only barely. Like super barely. The other two who gave her a run for her money, one I wasn't surprised in the least, and the other I was very very surprised at. Ruby of course was a popular choice amongst reviewers, with barely any votes in the poll. To my utter surprise, it was Cinder Fall who was also a possible candidate with how many votes she got in the poll. If I had only used the polls vote results as the deciding factor, then that's who Ethan would be getting in bed with.

Wow that's an image I never I thought I'd picture for my character. In any case, since guests couldn't vote in the polls and only people with accounts could, I went with all forms and it was a combination of the poll, reviews, and PM's that brought Weiss out on top. Stop it brain.

Alright well, sorry for those of you expecting the others and I hope you continue to read regardless of the result.

There's another question though that I'd like to ask you all, that I'm asking everyone on all my stories, but what would you all say to me making a Code Lyoko story? I binged watched the whole series a few weeks ago and after finally completing it after all these years, it's such a relief and nostalgia to see it again. Ideas for a story are constantly stewing in my head going back and forth and giddy as hell to make it. I know I only uploaded a Star Wars: The Clone Wars story some weeks ago but that was out of the blue and this I want to ask everyone. I hope the idea receives positive reception.

Sorry again for the late upload and I'll try not to take so long in the next one. If you want, fave, follow, review, have a great day and as always, have fun reading.