AN: I promised that the delay wouldn't be too long...

Yeah, the wait was still long, but at least I updated before the month ended! That has to count for something, right? Right?!

Anyway, I'd like to thank everyone for following and favoriting, as well as anyone who even took the time to read the story. A special thanks to any person who reviewed the previous chapter.

Dread Knight N7: Glad you liked the omake! I'm glad to know you like this so far, and I can't wait for you to read this chapter. There isn't much in the way of action, but I think this is the best of the three chapters I have now.

theycallmebeanz: I'm back, in Jaune(ish) black... god that was awful. I am so sorry for that. As for why Neo didn't show up, I will get to that next chapter. Sorry, but you need to be patient with me.

IndecentNoise609: I will never leave you.

Blacklight181: Too dark? Or is it just too plain silly? Either way, I will never change!

dragoon109: I concede, I should have displayed Jaune's physical strength being greater than Roman's. In fact, I will probably update the first chapter to incorporate that. Although, I think you missed the point of what I was trying to with Roman when he was talking about the job of a hunter. I will be going more in depth later in the story because there is a reason why I had Roman go off on that seemingly spontaneous speech. If you still want to read this, TRUST me when I say that I know what I am doing... somewhat.

Ari-Dexel13: PLEASE DON'T SHOOT! I GAVE YOU ANOTHER CHAPTER!

Ever Professional: Ah yes, blondes can be quite troublesome. Especially the ones in RWBY.

Guest: Don't know who you are, but thanks!

xanothos: We can both be crazy... forever.

No beta reader this time. My friend Lelouch is very sick at the moment, so he needs his rest. But I am confident that there isn't anything dreadfully bad in this chapter. If there is, feel free to write a review and inform me of any mistakes.

From Roman Torchwick's point of view, tonight was a success! Sure, he may not have gotten any dust, and those animals were probably locked up like him — not that losing a couple of freaks was such a bad thing; but in the end, he did succeed in one thing.

That would be his arrest, as getting captured was part of the plan. Sure, it happened sooner than expected, but usually one would appreciate the gesture of being early. So he did Cinder a service by getting caught.

That was what Roman told himself, and it was what he would say to Cinder when they meet again.

He was glad that no one was with him to hear the growl he let out. What was the point of convincing himself otherwise? The fact is, tonight was an utter failure. Those brats ruined everything! The annoying stray cat and little Red were nuisances to be sure, and he was beginning to contemplate killing them. But by far, the worst of the bunch was that blond trying to play the hero. It was not that he posed a threat, in fact, he held almost no real skill. What irked Roman was that damn hero complex the kid had. God, just thinking about that stupid grin of his made the renowned criminal livid!

Now here he was, stuck in this interrogation room, with no means of getting out. The only source of illumination for him was the single light on the ceiling that only lit the center of the room. What was beyond his circle of light was only a minor annoyance to his eyes, as while the darkness around him made things partially unclear, he could still see the door and the gray walls that boxed him inside.

The thief knew that his little assistant would not save him. It was not betrayal, oh no far from that. Neo will always be on his side; that was something he would never doubt. The reason he was not going to be leaving at this moment was his employer. Right now, they were in the early stages of Cinder's master plan. A plan which he did not know the entirety of, but even with his limited knowledge Roman knew how important Neo was going to be.

While his role was vital, it went without question that Neo was essential for the end game, as her semblance was not only dangerous.

It was the most unpredictable.

From all the fights he has seen his personal murderer in one thing was clear. With the element of surprise, Neo would never lose no matter who the opponent may be. Roman knew firsthand how dangerous she could be in a fight. He taught her, after all. Shattering glass would leave her victims stunned for a moment, and a mere moment was all she needed to punish them.

So it was important that Neo were to be kept secret until she was absolutely needed. In Roman's eyes, him getting captured would have been such an emergency.

Here he was, though, sitting in a darkly lit interrogation room, waiting for the next pair of cops to try their hand at getting information out of him. It sadly meant that Cinder did not think his capture warranted his little friend's involvement. It was annoying, but Roman would have to be patient. He would be set free; of that, he did not doubt.

It was way too soon for him to be out of the game. Whether Cinder liked it or not, she needed him to steal more dust. Right now, the amount they have was not sufficient enough and as dangerous as she is, theft was something Roman excelled at. He had spent years surviving, and profiting through his way of life. So it was not a matter of if she would break him out, but when.

Already he was dreading the moment of his escape. Cinder would either berate him for his failures or have that infuriating smile of hers while giving him his next set of orders. Even worse, she would probably spout some cryptic nonsense that Roman would fail to understand. One way or another, that woman would no doubt design what his purpose would be for the future.

She would also leave him in the dark as always.

That was how things went with her, and though Roman may have hated being ignorant of his role, and hated Cinder even more so, he would begrudgingly obey. Usually, even when the odds are against him, he would always take a gamble and fight. He would not be where he is today if he didn't have the backbone to take risks, and the intelligence to know when to take those risks.

Life is like one big game of poker. The only way to win money in the game of cards is to bet your funds and to be smart about it. Roman bet his survival in the early days, back when he was a small-time crook living in Vacuo— a street rat who was surrounded by lions. As time went on he earned money and status, and death came close for him many times. But because of his gambles he not only continued to survive, he truly lived. He had the skills to fight off huntsmen, and the cunning to outsmart anybody stupid enough to get in his way. Roman was someone feared by his enemies and respected by his allies.

But to even consider fighting Cinder was like trying to win the pot with a pair of deuces. Roman may be a gambling man, but he knew that siding against Cinder was a fool's bet. There was no amount of planning that he or anyone for that matter could do to stop her. Like it or not, the world was going to change after her plan comes to fruition.

There wasn't any doubt in his mind that people were going to die, and that he would play an intricate part to their deaths. And yet, even with that knowledge, he would play the role of a subordinate. Whether people died should matter little to him, because, in the end, he will be on the winning side. More importantly, he will survive.

That was all that mattered to him.

"What's your name, kid?" he asked the small girl who sat on his couch, a bowl of Neapolitan ice cream on her lap.

The girl never replied, and instead went on eating her ice cream as if he never existed. When he asked for her name a second time, she shrugged her shoulders, and then went back to eating the creamy desert.

What an annoying brat. The kid doesn't even know her name.

Roman sighed, rubbing his temple as a migraine began to settle. Neo too, only so that he had someone to watch his back. Despite the extra baggage, his little assistant was a valuable asset, and losing her would cripple him. The two of them had been through a lot together — so long, in fact, that once upon a time, he was the one who got Neo out of trouble.

He remembered the cold day he first saw her. It was only a couple of days after his first successful robbery in Vale, and he was walking in a foot of snow going home. There was so much snow at the time that it was hard to see Neo's tiny frame when she slept in that dark alley.

His hand clenched into a fist. Roman found that it was easy to recount the days of living like a street rat. Always alone, without a potential friend in sight. Powerless against the ruthless thugs who want everything that isn't theirs.

When his ears picked up the creaking of the door opening, Roman had to resist the temptation to roll his eyes. So, the good cops of Vale wanted to interrogate him again? Well, even if they were decent at their job, which they were not; Roman would dodge their questions. He would poke fun at their stupidity, at their incompetence as officers of the law.

Roman knew he could outwit the law enforcement he had done it countless times, and he will continue to do it. So, he turned his head to the door, his visible eye taking in the details of his visitor.

When Roman looked at the man's face, he immediately knew who he was. Behind his circular glasses were brown eyes filled with cunning and mystery that rivaled Cinder. With a cane that was different than Roman's, he walked in with a coffee mug in his other hand.

Roman was expecting the good cop bad cop routine from buffoons, not the headmaster of Beacon Academy.

I will gladly take the idiots back his thoughts groaned, remembering how much fun it was to watch the inept hacks on the police force to try and interrogate him. It was like watching an awful comedy, but better because it was a personal show for him.

The principal of Beacon sat down to be at eye-level with the notorious thief. The light made the esteemed headmaster more visible, but for some reason, he became more of a mystery. Try as he might; Roman could not tell what the man was thinking, nor could he discern any of his emotions. Ozpin seemed more like a machine than a man and already, Roman was debating if he should switch sides now, only so he did not have to deal with the famous headmaster.

"Roman Torchwick," he started, his expression not giving away his feelings. That was going to get real annoying, wasn't it? "your transgressions are rather extensive." he continued. "Theft, fraud, smuggling, and now attempted murder. On my students, no less."

"Not proud of smacking your kids around, honest." getting blood on his suit always became a problem when he had to get his hands dirty. These days, he had Neo handle the brutality. But he never killed unless necessary, and if possible it was to be done discreetly. He tried to instill that rule onto Neo. If they had to end a life, then they would make sure there was no evidence. Thankfully, his midget partner followed that rule, despite her bloodlust.

If the esteemed headmaster of Beacon didn't know about the lives, he and Neo took, then nobody did. So, his mandatory rule did pay off.

Though, given the events that transpired tonight it was for naught. Roman came close to killing students from Beacon, out and the open for that matter. He had planned to kill the two faunus who intervened. The plan was for him to cover it up later if he had the time.

Then a guy playing the hero got involved, wasting more of his time.

"-and as the reports say, you are talkative."

"I consider my voice a gift to Remnant, Ozpin," he said, hoping for a sign of irritation from the man.

Roman met disappointment, as the headmaster sipped something from his white porcelain, which displayed the dark green emblem of their kingdom of two axes crossed against each other. From the warm air that tickled his nose, Roman knew that it was coffee. Damn good coffee at that.

"So, you know who I am," Ozpin stated, not at all surprised. And why would he be? The man was famous, even more so than the popular James Ironwood of Atlas.

"If I were dumb enough not to know who you were, I wouldn't be where I am today." if his network was so bad that Ozpin of all people was a mystery to him, then Roman deserved to have died a long time ago. Just turn on the news and a story about Beacon would eventually pop up. And when there was talk about the prestigious school, Ozpin was a part of the gossip.

"In jail?" Ozpin countered.

"Alive," he replied with a smile. They were playing a little game; a game of whose composure would break first. Roman did not doubt how difficult it would be to win such a game against Ozpin, but he was determined.

The winning side was something Roman knew intimately.

"Alive, but worse for wear." he countered. Roman's eyes narrowed when his visitor's hand grabbed something from his jacket pocket. They were soon wide like saucers when Ozpin took out a familiar brown cigar.

It was not just any cigar, but the only brand Roman would ever allow to touch his lips. Top quality and worth more than a hundred of those animals in the White Fang. Most people would consider it ridiculous to smoke such expensive tobacco, but Roman only settled for the best of quality.

The cigar in Ozpin's hand was not where it was meant to be. It belonged to him.

"Here,"

The cigar was resting on the table, free for Roman to take. He wanted to, oh how he wanted to. The temptation to smoke it annoyed him more than a starving Neo. Constant kicking to his head that gave him the worst migraine in the world.

"I don't believe smoking is allowed indoors," he would deny the temptation. To fold so quickly and accept a gift was the same as surrendering. He refused to surrender.

Ozpin did not seem to care, as he takes a sip from his mug. For once, could the man show some emotion?

"I am sure you know the reason behind this visit." he started, setting his cup down to sit next to the cigar that was worth more than the table holding it up.

"Cannot say I do, but let me tell you how honored I am that such a famous figure would visit little ole' me." he did his best not to show how aggravated he was. Roman could not believe that Ozpin would risk getting his cigar wet! Who knew that the headmaster at Beacon was a mad man?

It was common knowledge that ruining a man's cigar was like killing a mother's child. It was just unacceptable!

"So, what is the reason behind your surprise visit? I am dying to find out."

"Your crimes as of late, have been more frequent than usual, and what's more your primary target has been dust." For the first time, Ozpin did not take the time to drink his coffee. So, Roman was getting somewhere. "Many would believe that you are trying to raise the value of dust so that you can sell it for a lower cost. Mainly to the White Fang, since you started working with their organization." Light brown eyes narrow. "I, however, do not think that is the case."

If Ozpin were not sitting in front of him, then he would have smiled. While making a profit through dust sounded promising at first glance, Roman would never chance it. To try and raise the value of dust would be profitable for a time, but it would backfire eventually. Quite horribly he might add.

Take a step back, and one could easily see how fragile an economy Remnant has. Every day, more and more dust is found and harnessed; and because of that many people have the ridiculous mentality that the energy propellant they use is infinite in resources.

When in fact, it is as finite as one's life.

Stealing dust in such large quantities not only made him the biggest target on Remnant. But the sharp increase in dust prices would hurt him too if his goal was to gain a profit. See, weapons that he would need for other jobs would jump in cost because the ammunition that those weapons use have grown in price. Trying to steal weapons themselves would only make things worse, as not only has the price of dust rose, but weapons would get even more costly, and become harder to steal.

It is the same concept for other businesses. Establishments like local restaurants for the middle class or even grocery stores that sell produce would have to increase their prices because it has become much more expensive to power their store with dust.

Worst of all, the cost of Neapolitan ice cream would increase. Roman would go bankrupt trying to appease Neo's high sugar cravings.

In essence, if the price of dust rises so does the price of everything else. That hurts everyone, including Roman. And losing isn't something he ventures in, anymore.

"Well, you'd be wrong," he denied. Roman needed to withhold the truth from Ozpin, no matter what. "Me working with those animals is bothersome, but I gain so much."

"You are supplying the White Fang, that much is certain." the green-clad hunter said with a lopsided grin. From the weird kitty cat that wanted to kill him, to the piercing green light that cut through aircraft like butter. Ozpin smiling took the gold medal of what terrified Roman in the past twenty-four hours.

Why was he smiling? It should be obvious that Roman was working with those animals. The cops in Vale know that, which means everyone knows that.

"I know for a fact that you are not a supporter of the White Fang's cause. In the past you have made it quite apparent that you despise the faunus." the interrogator's hands intertwined as he continued. "There is a reason why you work with them, one that does not stem from wanting to profit."

"I can forget about working with faunus, just as long as I don't lose."

"I am sure you can, but I do not believe the White Fang would share your mentality of settling differences. That is, not without influence from a third party." The way this conversation was going, Roman knew that he would need to fold. If they kept going, then Ozpin would glean information out of him. He would rather not die by fire. "I know there is someone else involved, someone who is orchestrating you and the White Fang behind the scenes." he continued.

"Can't say I know what you're talking about, I'm the one who's in charge," he said with a smile. It was a weak attempt to throw him off, but Roman had to do something.

"Whoever this person may be, no matter how powerful they may seem to be. If you tell me who they are, I can stop them," Ozpin said, completely ignoring Roman's claim. "I will even ask the council to pardon most of your crimes so that your sentence will not ruin your life." what a promising offer, and in most cases, Roman would have accepted immediately. Ozpin is the headmaster of Beacon, so if anyone could convince the council to get a reduced sentence for the thief, it was him.

There was an offer on the table, and it was up to him to take the deal.

"Who is this queen that you work for, and what are her plans?" Ozpin asked.

When Roman was younger, he once aspired of becoming someone like the man sitting in front of him. Someone respected for their strength and influence.

Reality taught him quickly that what he wanted was a dream for the suicidal. The only way to survive was not to worry about the strangers around him. Roman could only rely on himself, so he had to take care of himself. He couldn't stay the weak and naive kid he used to be, who people could easily manipulate — who knew what betrayal felt like. Yes, Roman knew what it was like to be stabbed in the back, metaphorically and literally. People he thought were his allies had only used him for their personal ends, and as soon as those goals were met, he was thrown aside like trash. Alone, bleeding and left for dead to be long forgotten.

He never wanted to feel that helpless again. To be so pathetic and stupid! So, after years of fighting and hurting, he got what he wanted long ago. Roman became something bigger. It just wasn't in the way he had first envisioned.

What he became was better than what he wanted as a kid. Roman had wealth and power that most men could only dream of having.

"Who are you working for?" he asked again.

Roman was under no delusion that Cinder could kill him effortlessly. Hell, perhaps after his role ends, she would betray him like those in his past did. Every time he saw her or even heard her, his instincts to prepare for a fight would always surface, warning him that his life could end. Even as an ally, Roman knew that he was not safe from her.

"How can I reveal someone who doesn't exist?" he replied, earning a frown from the headmaster.

Working with Cinder was dangerous, but his chances of survival were better as an ally, rather than being her enemy.

With a sigh, Ozpin stood from his seat, all while the locked-up thief continued to smile. Despite the smug expression, the older man didn't seem angered by it in the slightest. In fact, he seemed more disappointed than anything. Regardless, it was a victory for Roman, but instead of that uplifting feeling of satisfaction he usually basked in, he felt hollow. He knew why, and it made him second guess his decision. He won not for himself, but for Cinder.

"It is unfortunate, but I suppose whoever is influencing you has seeped their claws inside your heart." the huntsman opened the wooden door; he turned before exiting. Despite being hidden in the dark, Roman can still see those coffee colored eyes.

Ozpin was staring at him in pity.

"I do not know when the people of our world failed you, but I am sorry." his voice was quiet as he spoke — sounded apologetic even. "To many, you owe a great deal to the world for all the crimes you have committed. But I blame the flawed system we have now, for allowing people who live in poverty to suffer the way you did." His hand reaches the pocket of his jacket. "Perhaps, if we had taken the time to help all walks of life, then maybe you and so many others who were molded as monsters could have lived a humble life."

Monsters? His eyes widen.

"Shouldn't you be saying that to the animals?" he needed to remain calm. It was just a coincidence is all nothing more.

Roman refused to believe that Ozpin knew of his other crimes. He and Neo buried their past alongside the bodies a long time ago. If Neo was a secret, then he did not care if his bloodied hands were known. It was all for Cinder's plans of course! Neo was his partner, but she wasn't anything more than just that.

The two men could hear the scrunch of Roman's gloves when his hands tensed into fists.

"While this also regards the White Fang, at this moment I am speaking only to you," Ozpin said, not seeming to care for the criminal's clear distaste for the other race. "While the faunus have suffered a great deal, others forget that people like you have experienced a considerable amount of hardship as well." His hand finally left his pocket, in his grasp was a red and black lighter.

It was Roman's.

"The world may have failed you, and what I am about to ask will seem impossible. But when the time comes do not fail the world like it did you." he was right, that is an impossible request. Ozpin didn't appear daunted by the glare he was getting as he continued without skipping a beat. "We are truly alive when we take care of each other; that is how we have prospered against hardship for so many years. And while the soul may be unique for each person, there is one similarity we all have." Roman was surprised when the lighter found its way in his hand when Ozpin tossed it. "That is to help others, even when it is hard to do so."

Then Ozpin left, and Roman allowed the air his lungs trapped freedom. And he thought that the kids from Beacon were weird.

If by some off chance, that Cinder was detained because of him. There was not a shadow of a doubt that the madwoman would find some way to end his life. She would arrange some way of killing him, whether that was getting burned alive or having an arrow pierce his heart. In the end, she would find a way... she always does.

Neo would also be in danger. After all the times she's helped him, the least he could do was return the favor by ensuring her survival.

Taking Ozpin's side held too much risk, and while he may despise Cinder Fall, taking the winning side takes precedence. Roman will see the end game, and he will be alive to see the outcome of her plan. See, the thing is... she's already won. Everybody in Remnant just doesn't realize it yet.

Roman mentally thanked Ozpin as the familiar shape of the cigar fit his hand. His lips take hold of it, lighting it and taking a long drag. The fumes as always were warm and helped calm his nerves. He felt like he was floating as if everything that led to tonight never happened. There was no Little Red, no annoying blond with a hero complex, and certainly no Cinder in his life.

Another deep breath. His lungs felt tight, but ironically they felt alive, more so than when they would be otherwise. It may seem small, but the little pleasure he got from smoking this was a reminder to him of his accomplishments. Roman had lost a lot, but he gained much more.

His life used to be perfect.

Then Cinder came along and shattered his reality, dragging him into a war that he would rather avoid. Showing him powers that should have only existed in fairy tales. Roman was already a part of her scheme, now, which meant he couldn't back out. Not unless he wanted to die.

They may be on the same side, but every time he had to face Cinder, Roman felt like the young street rat he used to be. Though he would never admit it, that terrified him.

He was genuinely afraid of Cinder Fall.

For the first time that he could remember, the cigar he was smoking meant nothing to him. Like his victory against Ozpin, the tobacco felt empty to him.

He felt nothing.

Waking up from his slumber was a painful affair, but one Jaune begrudgingly forced himself to do. It was the cadence beeping of a heart monitor that had woke him up, and the bed he lay comfortably on made him realize that it was not the bed in his room. His bed was not nearly as comfy, which was rather odd.

Jaune always liked sleeping in his dorm. Training with Pyrrha was hell for his body, and sleeping on his bed would always soothe his aching body.

The mattress he laid in now, though, it was overwhelming in how soft it was. Even now, as the invading light beckoned for Jaune to awaken, the bed seemingly wrapped its arms around him, imploring him to stay in the dreamland. The pillow his head rested on would whisper sweet words to invite his slumber to continue.

Oh, how he wanted to remain asleep, to accept the invitation of an undisturbed rest. To dream about taking Weiss on the perfect date. He could perfectly envision it now; he would confess his love after a walk through the park. She would smile bashfully at him as her cheeks flush, and give him the response that he wants so badly.

It wasn't until his memories began to return that he fully woke up with a pained gasp. The White Fang, Torchwick, his injury — his friends!

He reared up in the hospital bed, letting out a pained gasp because of the sudden pain on his back. Oh God, that hurt more than all the times Pyrrha knocked him on his ass combined! His injury was sensitive, even the soft fabric of the white gown he was wearing brought his injury more pain.

"At least you're alive." a woman's voice to his left. Even after the events he went through with her, that voice was one that he wasn't used to hearing. At least, usually not one directed to him.

"Blake? How long have I been asleep?"

"Only for a few hours." a short response that was typical of someone like Blake. She was like Ren in that way, he supposed. Honestly, with how little he knows either of them, they could be alternate versions of each other.

"What happened?" he needed to find out more. Was Torchwick captured? Are his teammates okay? Was Ruby okay? Was she okay? An explanation of what happened tonight would be great!

For the first time that Jaune could remember, Blake smiled.

That was the best answer she could have given him.

"So everyone's okay," she nods. "and you guys beat Torchwick?"

"We didn't fight him per say. After you had fallen unconscious, he surrendered after some... convincing."

"Convincing?"

"A girl named Penny ripped a Bullhead in two with a beam of light."

Oh... that kind of convincing.

"Who's Penny?"

"A strange girl from Atlas who can apparently use floating swords that shoot green light," she said with a smile, earning a laugh from Jaune. Well, from what little he knows of Blake her brief description was all she knew about the supposed strange girl. It was also rather surprising that Nora wasn't the one to do something outrageous. That girl always did have to have the last explosion.

Whoever this Penny was, Jaune owed her big time.

They were silent now; the last audible thing was the short laugh he let out earlier. Though that in of itself wasn't so bad as Jaune found the silence between them to be somewhat comforting. But he was rather confused about what was happening right now. Not about the silent treatment from Blake that was normal as they never did talk during the first semester, save for the last couple of days.

"Blake, where is everyone?" it was weird for it to be only the two of them. He would have expected Ruby or his team to be with him. Yang wasn't even here to be with her partner, so what was going on?

It would have been nice if Weiss was here to see how he was doing. Jaune is injured, so it was rather disheartening that only Blake was here.

"Don't look so down. I know you would rather be around anyone else at the moment, but-"

"Don't take it the wrong way!" he interrupted.

Sure, he may not know Blake very well, but that didn't mean her presence wasn't wanted. In fact, he was happy that she decided to take the time and watch over him. Though they weren't very close, to begin with, she is still a friend. Having someone take the time to sit with someone who was sleeping is one of the most boring things ever. Jaune knew that more than most. His youngest sister, Violet would always demand his presence when she was too scared to go to bed.

Dad and Mom would usually let Violet sleep in their room when she had nightmares. But for those nights when Dad was away on a mission or Mom was too tired to be woken up. Little Violet would go to her big brother for safety from the dark.

If his two older sisters were around, then maybe his role of "mean monster slayer" would have gone to them. The oldest, Rogue was working as some private investigator in Atlas. Jaune wasn't too close to her anymore as she was only around for birthdays. So obviously, a sister who was no longer part of their lives was a no go for nightmare banishing.

As for Autumn, she was in college studying to be a teacher. Sure, a quick video call might have been enough for Violet's troubled mind, but Jaune knew that his older sister needed as much rest as possible. Being in college was tough for her, and he didn't want to burden Autumn with family problems even if they were small.

So he was the oldest sibling in the house, which meant that it was his responsibility to fight off the monsters in his little sister's nightmares. Admittedly, it got annoying at times when he had to force himself out of bed to watch over her. Jaune had lost count of the cumulative hours of sleep he lost to be Violet's knight in shining armor. But hearing her quiet snores after an hour of sitting by her side always made him smile.

Thinking back, that was when the idea of being a huntsman became more than a dream. Jaune wanted to make that unattainable goal a reality so that he could help others like he did for his sister. Someone who others can look up towards, and admire. To be someone that others can rely on would give him the greatest pleasure.

"So what way am I supposed to take it?" Blake asked with an amused smile.

Two days of talking to her, and already he knew that smile would irk him.

"I'm just surprised that nobody else is here," he replied, earning a nod from Blake who offered a small smile. "I thought that Pyrrha for sure would be around." they were partners, after all. If Pyrrha were ever hurt, Jaune would stay by her side for weeks if he had to. After everything she did for him, it was the least he could do.

She was his best friend, and he'd always be by her side.

"So when only one of my friends is here with me, I can't help but be confused."

Blake let a sigh escape as she closed her book. It must be serious if she of all people put her book down to explain something. Every time he did see her at school, a book usually obscured her face. According to Yang, it was a novel called Ninja's of Love, some kind of romance novel if the title was any indication.

Maybe reading one of those books could give him ideas on how to get Weiss to start dating him.

"The reason why it's only the two of us is that Professor Ozpin wanted to speak with us." she crossed her arms. "He probably wants to know the details of what happened at the shipyard."

"You would be correct, Miss Belladonna."

Despite the pain on his back, Jaune made sure to sit up straight when their green-clad professor appeared. Blake did the same, but while he did it as a sign of respect for their headmaster, it seemed that she did so out of apprehension.

It was because she was a faunus. A faunus who was once a member of a terrorist group who fights for a good cause with awful methods.

That same terrorist group was the one they were fighting just hours ago. If Jaune were in Blake's shoes, he'd probably skip the possible interrogation, get on his knees and start begging for forgiveness. He'd offer to go to detention with Miss Goodwitch, all so that he didn't have to get a stern talk from the headmaster of all people.

As terrifying as Miss Goodwitch is — as in so scary that he would give the woman his lunch money to appease her. Professor Ozpin was a tall and imposing figure, who Jaune knew next to nothing about, save for his current title. With the blonde vice headmistress, he at least knows what to expect. The scariest glare that is known to Remnant while getting the lecture to end all lectures.

Being around the headmaster was nerve-racking because of the mystery surrounding him. Sure, he is a well-renowned huntsman, but Jaune was certain that the man's fame came from his position as the director of Beacon. Other than that there was nothing else Jaune knew about him. Not even a last name.

Professor Ozpin was like his dad, a great huntsman that not many people knew about.

"What an eventful evening," his teacher had a small frown when he walked in the room. The soft thud of his cane tapping the floor with every step he took, had somehow become more predominant than the violent beating of Jaune's heart.

"Just being the heroes, you trained us to be... which you guys have done a great job doing by the way," he added with a nervous laugh, which Jaune for the life of him could not explain what was even remotely funny. The blame would have to be shifted to his sisters, as they would always get him in trouble with Mom. Trying to laugh his mistakes off was the go to plan when the possibility of life in his room without games and comics was on the horizon.

Blake looked at him with a frown, accompanied by her raised brow. After being friends with the quieter member of his team throughout the semester, Jaune believed he has gotten adept at silent communication. His mind translated the silent stare.

'Really?'

He could only shrug.

"Mister Arc, know that I am relieved to see that you are well." oh, well that was pleasing to know. Maybe being scared of Ozpin was an irrational thought. "But I am not here as just your headmaster. I am also here as a huntsman."

And now the fear comes tiptoeing back.

"Of course, sir. I guess you want to start asking your questions about the docks." Blake thankfully spoke for him. Leaving the conversation to her seemed like a good idea, so that's what he'll do. There was no reason for Jaune to do any of the talking when he had a reliable friend to do it for him.

That, and he was sure that Blake could get them out of any possible trouble. She was a good student from what he could tell during the semester.

"I do," he said before the white mug reached his lips. The smell of the drink reached Jaune's nostrils. Why on Remnant would someone drink coffee so late into the evening? "How did you know to go to the shipyard to interfere with Roman Torchwick's operation?"

"We didn't," Blake answered. "We just happened to be lucky."

Why not tell him about Sun? Was she worried that the headmaster would have the blond detained to question him too? I suppose I can't disagree with her choice. Besides, Sun helped them, so it was fair that they didn't get him involved any more than he already was.

"Do you consider Mister Arc to be fortunate to have been gravely injured?" his words seemingly forced Blake to let her gaze fall on Jaune. Then there was a long pause, which seemed to add to the guilt she must be feeling. Blake opened her mouth to say something to him. Probably an apology, or maybe she was going to ask him to help her.

He didn't let her say a word.

"I'm the one who got myself hurt!" the blame couldn't be solely on Blake. If he were a better fighter, then he wouldn't have gotten injured. She was not going to get in trouble for his inadequacy!

"And from what I have heard from Miss Belladonna's team and your own, she had apparently been saved by you. Considering the burn upon your back, I have my suspicions on how exactly you protected her." he paused, as Jaune looked at the white sheets.

There was no arguing with that, he supposed. Damn, this conversation was already turning bad, and they just started!

Blake looked away from both men, who found the ground more appealing. It was something he did a lot when his parents would scold him. For most kids, they would look away from their parents out of fear. For him fear never played a part— maybe a small part, but when his eyes refused to meet his parents, it was because he was too ashamed to look at them.

Was it the same for her? Was Blake ashamed to look at Ozpin?

Was it hard for her to look at him?

"Blake..." their professor's voice cracked out, making the girl meet his brown eyes. "The other teachers and I knew of your past before your acceptance into Beacon. I am sure you knew this, correct?"

Blake answered with a simple nod. Somehow, she was still able to meet the teacher's gaze, while Jaune could only make quick glances in between them. She was the one who had to talk to Ozpin, yet he couldn't show the same courage the girl beside him had.

"While Miss Goodwitch expressed her concerns of taking you on here, I did not believe it to be a big deal. When I first saw you — I saw a girl who wanted to run away from the mistakes she once made — to do the right things and rectify the wrongs. And yet I see that you were unable to so indefinitely... which leads me to believe that perhaps Miss Goodwitch was correct in her assumption."

"No..." she whispered, causing Jaune to stop staring at his sheets, and look at Blake. Her stare was blank as if there were no more reasons to live. When he looked at her shaking eyes that seemed to glisten like wet glass, he knew that her entire world was shattering right before her eyes.

"Property damage that the school must help to pay off, running away from your team, and worst of all getting Mister Arc injured on the field. Given the circumstances of what happened this night, I am not sure if I can allow you to go unpunished."

He couldn't mean... no there was just no way!

"Miss Belladonna, from this moment on you are ex-"

"It was my idea to fight the White Fang!" a voice shouted. When Professor Ozpin and Blake both looked at him, Jaune realized that it was he who made the statement. "Blake was only trying to help me get out of trouble." he looked at Blake as he spoke, hoping that she wouldn't say anything. She mouthed no to him. He let out a sigh. "I was the one who wanted to fight Torchwick and the White Fang."

"Sir, he's lyi-"

He cut her off. "Don't try to take the blame!" he needed to be confident. If he looked nervous or uncertain, then Ozpin would never believe him. "I'm the one who wanted to play the hero, so if anyone needs to be expelled it's me!" he mustered the best glare he could, and it seemed to pay off as Blake became quiet, her own eyes still wide like saucers while her lips quivered. If she was trying to think of something to say, then thankfully Blake was at a loss for words.

That's good, as long as she didn't say anything, then this can work.

"Mister Arc," what confidence Jaune had cracked away when Ozpin spoke. A pregnant pause, then a sip of his coffee before he let out a sigh. He didn't know if it was out of satisfaction from the brewed drink, or if he was stressed. "Do you realize what you are telling me?"

"I do," Oh how he knew.

"Then you realize that the punishment Miss Belladonna would have received, will instead be passed onto you," he spoke slowly, the meaning behind those words were clear. It could have been Oobleck who said those words in a jarring cadence, and Jaune would have still understood. "So I am going to ask you. Was it you who attacked Roman Torchwick, and forced Miss Belladonna — a student who is not on your team to be involved?"

Not on the same team, but still a friend.

"Please... don't do this." her soft voice was like a magnet, and his eyes were the metal that was attracted.

Once again, he could just make out the familiar glint of eyes that could barely withhold tears. Honestly, crying over an oaf like him. If someone had told him that Blake of all people would have shown emotion for him, he would have laughed. After all, they were just strangers a couple of days ago.

"Don't be punished for my mistake..." she pleaded again.

The liar was pleading to any god above that Ozpin believed that Blake was trying to take the blame for him. Jaune couldn't tell when looking at the man's undecipherable expression. Regardless, he needed to drive the final nail into the coffin.

His coffin.

Once Jaune follows through with his lie, then his time at Beacon will end tonight.

"I was the one who attacked Torchwick by myself." he sighed. "And because of my actions, I endangered Blake's life."

His dream will end tonight.

AN: And we're done. The story is now over, and I can move on to bigger things!

...

No?

*Sigh* Fine, I'll keep writing this story if it makes you happy. Just know that I will take you on a ride full of joy, pain more joy and more pain than the RWBY community felt after watching the last two episodes of Volume 3. Yeah, there will be tears.

I warned you!

An Awful Omake that I spent almost no time on... go ahead and read it. : The Absence of Kindness

As Blake was reading her book, Jaune began to fidget in his bed. Right now an incredibly sexy woman was beside him — this was his chance to get a girlfriend finally! If he could sound sincere and come off as the nicest guy in Beacon, then conquering Blake would be possible. Jaune can finally ditch the worst third wheel in history.

Virginity, this is when we part ways.

With a practiced sigh, feigning disappointment. "I'm sorry that I couldn't help." Start by apologizing. Get the girl to feel bad for him, and want to console him. Eventually the target will want to make him feel better in any way possible. "But at least I was able to shiel-"

"Useless bitch," she said while turning a page.

Okay...

Unexpected but he could recover. Jaune Arc won't give up on his prey so easily. After all, even after hundreds of rejections, Weiss was still his number one priority as far as which girl he wanted to have incredible sex with.

Blake was child's play in comparison to his snow angel.

"I wanted you to know that I am sorry for getting involved in your business."

"You whore." a page was turned, and Blake hadn't spared him a glance.

"And I'm sorry for meddling into your life." he continued, remembering the less than fortunate past of Blake's childhood. Back then, she must have been scorned and hated by masses of people. It reminded him of a time long forgotten in his past. A past that was just as cruel and unforgiving as her's.

"You prying, piece of shit." she continued while reading.

Jaune could no longer hold back his tears. He remembered now! Memories of his childhood began to surface. They were times long forgotten, and they should have been left forgotten. Don't Onyx! But for Blake, he would allow his mind to relive that day. That's my blueberry yogurt! The day when that asshole ate his favorite flavored yogurt.

"I want you to know that I was bullied as a kid too!"

"Good," she said flatly, as she turned yet another page.

"I hope that you and I can become great friends!"

"No,"

Jaune opened his mouth to speak again but stopped as Blake slammed her book shut. Despite her bored look, he could smell the sexual tension between them. Oh yeah! She totally wants the di- "I hope you die of cancer." She didn't spare the blonde another glance as she walked away. Even when she left the room, his eyes were glued to the spot where his verbal abuser sat.

He had tried to pour his heart and soul into that conversation. He had even relived the worst moment of his life for her. And yet she rejected that. Rejected him! How dare that bitch do such a thing! That disgusting cat will rue the day she crossed paths with him!

Jaune Arc will have his way with Blake Belladonna! Then... she'll have his permission to die.

"What the fuck did I walk in on?" Ozpin asked to no one in particular.