Chapter 8 – No Rest For The Wicked

The next morning, Jay awoke to the sight of Yang on his bed.

"Hey sunshine, what are you doing up so early." Jay said as he placed a pillow over his eyes to stop the light from hurting his eyes.

"Early? It's 11 am already. How is that early?" Yang asked.

"It's still morning so I still have plenty of time to catch some Z's. It's also hard to move when you have a few fractured ribs you know."

"I told you that I was going to beat you to a pulp didn't I?" Yang asked, grinning at the student.

"Well you did do that… somewhat. So let me hear it."

"Hear what?"

"Your apology… I did win didn't I?"

"Oh yea you're right. I am sorry for acting like a jerk and to make it up for you, I will take you on a date." Jay sighed at this statement and pulled the pillow out off of his eyes.

"I thought I told you that I'm not interested."

"Oh come on. It's the least I can do for you."

"How about just two friend going out to eat?"

"Yea sure two friends." Yang said, using her fingers as quotation mark around "Two friends".

"Well as you can see, this dinner meeting is going to need to be on hold. I can't really move around without hurting myself and I probably won't be out for a few days."

"Alright that's fine I'll see you when you get out." Yang got up and walked towards the exit.

"Hey Yang, you still look cute in those bandages." Jay said, grinning at his statement.

Yang's face turned red and her eyes as well and slammed the door behind door when she marched out of the room.

Hours passed and lunch had started. The teams were at their seat eating the lunch and were talking about Jay.

"Jay seems like a nice guy. It turns out he didn't know that I was a Faunus… till I accidentally asked him how he knew I was a Faunus." Blake said.

"Well I don't like him." Ruby said crossing her arms.

"What's so bad about him?" asked Ren.

"He beat upped my sister that's why. Whoever does that to her is no friend of mine."

"The nerve of that guy!" Yang said, marching towards the team and taking her seat.

"What did he do sis?" Ruby asked.

"He told me that I still looked cute with bandages on." Yang formed a fist with both of her hands and slammed them down to the table.

"Was that it?" Jaune asked.

"Yeah that's it! Can you believe the guy?"

"I will never understand women." Jaune said, as he placed his head down.

"So how is he doing Yang?" Blake asked.

"He has fractured ribs. That's all."

"It seems he is going to be stuck in the infirmary for a while." Ren said.

"That's perfect. I will be able to go and confront him about this and with his injury, he won't be able to put up a fight if he does get aggressive. Qrow hasn't been answering his phone so I'm going to need to take the initiative." Jaune thought.

"I manage to find out from a student where his team's dorm room is at. We should all go and check for anything that could connect him to the person behind the explosion." Ren said.

"Yeah! He is currently unable to move so now would be the perfect time." Ruby excitedly said.

"Wait! Hold on! I already checked his room last night. There wasn't anything that traced him back to the meeting." Jaune said, trying not to sound like he is lying. He remembered not to scratch his head.

"WHAT! You went without us!?" Ruby exclaimed.

"Yeah. Why?"

"I wanted to feel like an actual detective that's why." Ruby crossed her arms again and looked away from Jaune.

"Forgive me Ruby. I didn't know you guys wanted to come along. You know that I would have asked you guys if I knew you were all interested." Jaune placed his hands in a praying position hoping for Ruby to accept his apology.

"Nope."

"Ruby please."

"Hmm… Nope."

Jaune sighed and decided to head towards the infirmary.

"Where are you going fearless leader?" Nora asked.

"Your fearless leader is going to his room to fetch a few things." Jaune proceeded to walk towards the infirmary. Seconds later, Ruby told her friends that she is going with Jaune.

"Why are you going with Jaune?" Yang asked.

"He owes me big time for not taking me to investigate." Ruby said. She began walking towards the direction in which Jaune went. She managed to catch up to him but began to trail him since the direction wasn't towards his room. Jaune reached the infirmary and walked in while Ruby stayed outside and listened in to what was about to happen.

"Jay…" Jaune said.

"Hey, you're that guy from Yang's group right?"

"Yea I am. I came here to ask a few questions if you don't mind."

"Is that what your friends do for fun? Ask people questions every day?

"No not really. Well then do you mind?"

"No I don't. Shoot away Yellow."

"I know this is going to come out as weird, but are you familiar with the White Fang organization?"

"Yeah I am familiar with them. Why?"

"There was an explosion a while ago that involved multiple White Fang Officers as well as soldiers. You don't happen to know anything about that do you?"

"I heard about the explosion, but didn't know there were any White Fang soldiers. It seems they got what they deserve."

"It's hard to tell if he is lying or not. That facial expression gives me no indication that he is indeed lying, but the outfit I found proves that he was the person behind the blast. I need to push him even further." Jaune thought.

"Yeah I guess you can say that. I've heard that a young looking man wearing what it seemed like a navy blue outfit was seen leaving the area before the explosion."

"… Well whoever this guy is I want to start a fan club for him since he is doing the public a favor by getting rid of these pathetic no lives."

"Do you hate the White Fang? Is it because they are a Faunus group?"

"Don't categorize me with the people who discriminate against the Faunus. I have no issues with Faunus, but when it comes to the White Fang, they piss me off."

"Why is that?"

"I recall that you wanted to ask a few Questions. This isn't an interrogation."

"Do you think it is?

"Why don't you just come out and say it! You think it was me who caused that explosion don't' you?" Jay clenched his bed and gave an angry look at Jaune when he asked his question.

"Yes I do. I went to your room last night and found what match the description of the person leaving the scene."

"What were you doing in my room? Who in the hell gave you permission to go through my stuff?"

"I had the authority to go through your room and look through your stuff."

"Wait a minute… I remember that voice. You were the one who was interrogating that White Fang officer weren't you?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You're looking for the same people who attacked Beacon aren't you?"

"And if I was?"

"Then I can help you."

"Sorry, but I don't need help. I just need you to stay out of this. Drop this revenge thing you are going for because in the end, it won't accomplish anything."

"Revenge thing? Who told you about them?"

"No one… like I said drop it and forget about it. You will accomplish nothing if you get your revenge."

"Won't accomplish nothing? Won't accomplish nothing!? What would you know about accomplishing anything!? All you manage to do is stand by and watch people do the lifting for you!" This began to anger Jaune because what Jay said was the truth. All Jaune managed to do was get people to do the things for him.

"Tell me… how many people have you saved?"

"..."

"None? Ok then, how many times were YOU saved?"

"Shut up."

"A lot huh? Ok… how many people died saving you?

"Shut up!" Jaune had enough of his talking and grabbed Jay by the neck and began choking him.

"How… many… Jaune? *Gasp*" Jaune couldn't stop himself from choking him. He began to enjoy the sounds of the student trying to gasp for air.

"Do… *Gasp* you enjoy *Gasp* hurting others Jaune?" Jaune began to tighten his hand and before he could crush Jay's neck, Ruby slammed open the door.

"JAUNE STOP!" Ruby screamed. Jaune took back control of himself and let the student's neck go.

"*Cough* Why didn't you finish it?" Jay was getting air back to his lungs after the near death experience.

"Jaune what were you planning to do?" Ruby asked. She was terrified of what she saw. Her eyes began to tear up due to horrific face that Jaune had. He was smiling when he began to tighten his grip on Jay's neck. His gold eyes at the time was filled what it seemed like pleasure.

"I… I don't know… I'm sorry." Jaune quickly ran out the door leaving Ruby behind. She walked over to Jay who was feeling his neck.

"Are… are you alright?" Ruby asked. Her eyes had tears streaming down her face.

"I'm not the one who you should be checking on in the moment. You should go check on Jaune. He needs his friend right now." Jay laid back down and Ruby ran to find Jaune. She spent hours looking for him and she eventually found him sitting on top of the school's roof where he and Pyrrha used to train.

"Jaune…" Ruby said.

"I couldn't stop myself. It scares me to say it, but I was actually enjoying choking him Ruby. If you would not have come in, I would have killed him."

"Why… why did you do it?"

Why? He… he asked a personal question that ticked me off."

"What kind of question?" Ruby began walking closer to the blonde who sat near the edge.

"How many people… died saving me."

"Does he know?"

"I don't know." Ruby held the knight tightly in her arms.

"Ruby… do you think I'm a monster?" Jaune asked, his body facing away from her.

"I don't think you are a monster. I think you are somebody who wants to become something that can protect the ones he loves."

"I don't think this Dark Power will help me protect any of you, I think it might end up hurting all of you."

"It won't happen. I trust you enough to know that you won't allow anything like that to happen."

"Thank you Ruby." Jaune turned around and held the red hooded girl tightly to him, holding on to the only thing that is keeping him ashore.

Arrival

The long anticipated meeting was just a day away Jaune, Qrow, and the rest of the teams had reached Roland Village that was outside of Atlas. It was snowing heavily and the teams were sure to pack sweaters that would keep them warm while their stay at the village. A week before today, Jaune could not locate Jay anywhere in the school. He had left the infirmary after he had felt better and taken on a mission that was expected to be completed in two weeks.

"So where are we going to stay at?" Yang asked.

"We're going to stay at the Roland Inn that is a few blocks from here. I made sure that this hotel was safe for you two." Qrow said, placing his hand on Yang and Ruby's head.

"My legs were starting to kill me after walking that long trip. I can't wait to collapse on my bed." Jaune said. After walking a few blocks, the teams had finally arrived to the inn and were assigned to their rooms.

"This feels like heaven!" Jaune said as his face was against the bed.

"It does feel comfortable." Said Ren

"Well enjoy it while it lasts because tomorrow is the big day and we're going to need to go over our plan right now." As the group began to go over their strategy, someone knocked at the front door and Jaune proceeded to open it. Behind the door was a young man wearing a navy blue headband and tactical outfit.

"What up Yellow how's it going?" Time seemed to have stopped for Jaune. He didn't expect Jay to just come walking in and exposing himself to what could possibly be his enemy. The information that his group managed to gather through the warehouse incident made it seem as though Jay specialized in stealth, but to simply knock on the front door was unbelievable. Qrow looked at the kid's outfit and pulled out his greatsword and was ready to attack.

"WAIT QROW!" Jaune yelled.

"What do you mean wait? This kid is the one who cause the explosion back at Vale and who knows what he is planning to do here!" Qrow said, ready to attack the student at any given moment.

"He wants to get the people behind the attack, just like us."

"What makes you think that? He could have easily lied to you just so that he can get all of us on a single building and blow it up."

"I talked with Professor Ozpin. I know he won't do something like that."

"You talked with Professor Ozpin about what?" Jay asked Jaune.

"Oh… umm just to ask him where your room was."

"Was that it?" Jay asked as he stared at Jaune.

"Yup that's it." Jaune scratched the back of his head nervously.

"Well I don't care if he is on our side, he isn't staying here." Qrow said, as he placed his weapon away.

"Okay… but don't come crying to me when you find out who else is going to be at the meeting."

"Wait! What are you talking about?" asked Ren.

"I managed to get some information from some of the locals here that a man named Torchwick was going to be at the meeting along with another person named Rhett Wine."

"Torchwick and Rhett are going to be there!?" Qrow asked.

"I know who Torchwick is, but who is this Rhett guy?" Ren asked Qrow.

"You've heard about the kidnappings that had been occurring in Vale right? I have found out 3 days ago that a man named Rhett Wine is believed to be behind these kidnappings. For what reason? That's what I have been trying to figure out."

"I came here to warn you guys that there are going to be White Fang troops and thugs scanning the area of the meet. I'm going to take them out once the meeting has started and allow all of you to go in."

"I know that you specialize in stealth, but can you really handle all that? Qrow asked.

"Of course… it's something that I have been good at since I was a kid."

"Then here's the plan, Jay will take out the soldiers outside of the cabin house and we will wait until we listen into any useful information that can possibly lead us to any other person who could be possibly involved. Once we have gathered enough information we will go in and finish them off.

"This is what they deserve for what they did to us… to Pyrrha." Jaune said.

Jay looked at Jaune's eyes and was able to see what was inside of it. It had anger, despair, and determination.

"Jaune are you sure you want to get your revenge? Nothing good will come out of it." Qrow asked the determined knight.

"… Yes I'm sure." Jaune said confidently.

"Very well, but Jaune I have a favor to ask."

"What is it Qrow?"

"Promise me that whatever happens, make sure to keep Ruby and Yang safe.

"We will all be safe." Jaune went to relay the plan to the others and Blake insisted on joining them inside knowing that Adam will be there. Jaune had no choice but to give in to the Faunus's demands. The others were fine standing outside and keeping watch for any other soldiers. Jaune asked Jay to come with him to grab a bite to eat and Jay agreed to go.

Dates

While they were walking towards the exit of the building, Jaune began to apologize what had happened weeks ago.

"Hey Jay, I want to apologize for choking you back in school. There is something that I have that make me prone to anger and I couldn't control what I was doing."

"It's okay. Something tells me that we are on the same boat and from my point of view, I would probably had done the same thing if you were the one getting questioned."

"So… no hard feelings?"

"Yeah… no hard feelings."

"Where do you think you guys are going!?" Yang asked the two that were about to leave the Inn. She and her sister were there standing, crossing their arms.

"We're going to go get a bite to eat at a restaurant that's a few blocks away. Do you and Ruby want to go?" Jaune asked.

"Heck yeah we do!" Ruby yelled as she wrapped her red scarf around her neck and walked beside Jaune. Yang got her yellow scarf and walked by Jay's side and all four of them headed towards the restaurant.

"Jay you're not cold in that get up?" Yang asked.

"No not really. This outfit is designed to prevent me from getting cold in extreme cold weather. It pretty much cools me down or heats me up based on the temperature. It was created in Atlas by someone who I work closely with.

"That's freaking awesome! You should really get me one too, but I want mine stylish and yellow."

"I'll be sure to tell him to make you one just the way you like it." Jay smiled at her and they continued on the snowy path.

"This is actually my first time feeling snow. I have never seen or felt snow in person and I am really enjoying the view."

"Are you serious Jay?" Ruby asked.

"Yeah I'm serious. I'm from an area that never snows and it is usually dry and warm every day. I never liked the sun and prefer the cold winter feeling."

"Well this is the perfect place for you it seems." Jaune said. They made it to the restaurant and took their seats. They ordered a big meal for the four of them and munched down on it. They talked about school and funny stories that made everyone laugh. Their time together seemed as though they have known each other for decades. It was almost like a family enjoying a thanksgiving meal in the dinner table. They took their time eating, enjoying every second they had together before the big event. After they were done they decided to look around the village. The village didn't seem shady and instead felt welcoming to the four students. They entered gift shops and looked around trying to find something they felt was interesting. Jaune bought Ruby a Wolf plushy and Jay bought Yang a snow globe that had a shining sun that signaled the end of winter and the beginning of Spring. They made it back to the Inn and were ready to depart from one another.

"Hey Jay…" Yang said

"Yeah?"

"I want to thank you for the fun time I had. I really enjoyed it."

"I enjoyed it too. It was fun was it? It's been a while since I've had a bit of fun."

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. There is only one way I can thank you."

"A thank you isn't even necessary. It was something that I…" Jay got cut off by Yang's lips that had made contact with his. He was caught by surprise and it took him several seconds to realize what was going on. Jay placed his hands on Yang's waist and pushed her away.

"That was uhh… quite something. I better get to bed. You know I get cranky if I don't get sleep." Jay quickly walked away and headed towards his room. While this was going on, Jaune and Ruby were having a moment of their own.

"I had tons of fun with you Jaune." Ruby said, as she smiled at the blue eyed knight.

"I had fun too. The food there was amazing huh?!"

"Yea it was."

"Hey Ruby."

"Yes Jaune?"

Thanks for always being there for me."

"I will always be there for you Jaune. You're the many reasons why I never stop to think about not being a Huntress."

"Really?"

"Really. When I look at you, you give me energy and a reason to never give up on my dream and on you." Ruby got closer to Jaune and held him tight.

"Ruby what are you do" Jaune got cut off by the red hooded girl who tiptoe her way up to Jaune's lips and kissed him. For Jaune, it felt as if the world stopped turning just for him to enjoy the kiss that was laid on him. For a brief moment, everything that had been destroying him stopped. There was no Dark, no sadness, no anger, and nothing to worry about. He had never felt in ease since Pyrrah's death. Reality started to return and Jaune pulled his lips out of Ruby's.

"I uhh… thank you for that kiss. I will uhh… be on my way." Jaune walked towards his room and looked back at the short girl whose face was redder than her cape.

"What am I doing? Stupid, stupid, stupid!" Ruby said, talking to herself while slapping her head and walking back to her room. Yang and Ruby made it back to the room at the same time and saw each other's face. Both faces were crimson and opened the door to walk in. Inside was Weiss, Blake, and Nora who were waiting for them to get to bed.

"Why are your faces redder than someone's blood." Nora asked.

"MY FACE ISN'T RED!" Yang and Ruby yelled simultaneously. They both looked at each other and yelled again.

"WHY IS YOUR FACE RED?!"

"First off, where did you two go?" Weiss asked.

"We uhh… went with Jaune and Jay to go eat?" Yang said.

"YOU WHAT!" Weiss and Blake yelled..

"What did you two do!? Don't tell me you did what I think you did!" Blake said

"I uhh… accidentally kissed Jaune." Ruby said rubbing her hair.

"YOU DID WHAT!" Weiss, Yang, Blake and even Nora yelled at the same time.

"That's worse than me kissing Jay!" Yang yelled.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY!?" Blake, Ruby and Weiss yelled.

"Are you telling me that both of you went on a double date with those two goofballs?" Weiss asked.

"Uhhh… yes?" Yang and Ruby said.

"Why would you do something like that?" Weiss asked Ruby.

"Why can't I?

"You're only 15 and he's 17!" Weiss said.

"I'm going to be 16 next week so it would only make a one year difference." Ruby said, crossing her arms.

"And he is turning 18 7 months from now!"

"Then I guess I should do as much as I can before he turns 18 right?"

"WHAT ARE YOU SAYING!?" Weiss and Yang yelled, both of their faces turning red.

"What about you Yang? I thought you hated the guy." Blake said.

"I never said I hated him."

"Well the fact that you tried to punch him the first time you met him seems to say you did."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Yang said as she went straight for her bed.

The girls continued to argue and Nora just enjoyed the view from her bed. Meanwhile at the guys side, Qrow and Ren were already asleep and Jaune was laying down on his bed thinking about the kiss he had received from Ruby.

"Is this how Ruby really feels about me? This can never work. She is two years younger than me and if Qrow and Yang found out, I would be good as dead. Then again, she is turning 16 next week so I guess it can somewhat work. What am I thinking, I don't feel the same way she does… do I? I think of Ruby as a younger sister and not someone who I would be in a relationship with… I think. I need to stop thinking about this, this would never work and it shouldn't. I can't fall in love again, not after what happened to Pyrrha. If something similar happened to Ruby, what will happen to me?" Jaune fell asleep after a while, with this in his mind.

Jay was at the roof of the Inn looking down at the village that was in front of him.

"I can't. No matter what I think about… I can't stop seeing the image of Ash when I'm around Yang."

Jay looked at the clouded sky that was dropping snow on this village.

"What am I supposed to do… just what am I supposed to do?"

Here is another chapter for you all to enjoy. It seems that the love that is going around is getting really serious. Does that mean there won't be a chance for your favorite character to get a shot at love? NO! He or she will still have a chance of hooking up with the person if I feel that it would suit the situation. Will it happen? Who knows! Stay tuned! Also, the person who typed a review stating that Chapter 7 was going to be used in Guantamo Bay... it's Guantanamo bay and yes it was used!