Beacon Academy once had big breaks in Summer and Winter, like most 'normal' schools had, and as usual it was a time most students were eager for. But sooner than later they learned that giving a full month to rest in each season detracted of the learning experience, as students would lazy out and pig out, coming back out of shape and with most lessons forgotten after the long breaks. So instead, and for many years before, instead of giving those long breaks, they gave small ten days breaks between semesters, and spread out the rest of the days in 3 to 4 days holidays so students had more breaks in the end.
Yet, those longer breaks were eagerly waited for the students, and all were in high spirits as that was the first of the ten days summer break…
Unless you're team RWBY.
"I can't believe they gave dad a mission now of all times!" Yang angrily complained as she sat on Blake's bed. "I was counting the days!"
"I feel you, sis. I wanted to show dad and uncle Qrow how much better I got!" Ruby pouted as she hid herself on her bunker. "And I miss Zwei…"
"Who's Zwei?" Blake asked.
"My best friend in Patch." was Ruby's answer.
"How about you, Blakey?" Yang asked her partner and the Faunus girl sighed. She had nowhere to go on breaks, considering her past.
"I'll probably stay here and put my reading in order."
"I think that's a good idea." Weiss chimed in, also knowing going home meant spending time with family servants and if she was unlucky, her father nagging on her choices. "We all can use this time to improve ourselves."
"First, that's an awful idea! Breaks are meant to get away from studying, not into it! Second, aren't you super rich? I expected you to go to some fancy resort or spa." Yang questioned and Weiss sighed in disappointment before sitting on her own bed.
"Those places… aren't that nice if you're there alone…" She admitted to herself. "And before you ask, yes, I'd love to take you all to some nice place but… I'd have to contact my father…"
Yang and Blake by now knew Weiss and her father didn't had the best of relationships, and as Weiss said once asking him for favors meant owing him a debt that he would collect, always in an unpleasant way. They all left out a collective sigh before the heiress pulled out a white board with a schedule written in it.
"Anyway! If we're staying here, we better use the time to improve our grades. Especially you, Xiao Long!" She pointed her finger at the blonde brawler.
"Wait? Me? I'm the second best fighter in our year!"
"Exactly! You're bellow Pyrrha, and while your combat is A+, most your grades on everything not involving physical performance is C." Weiss accused and the blonde rolled her eyes.
"Come on, we are going to be Huntresses! Who needs to know History to be one!"
"None of the subjects are useless, Yang. History helps us to avoid mistakes of the past." Blake supported the heiress.
"Besides, we want to be the best team of our year by the end of it." Ruby jumped from her bunker, a little more perked up.
"Ruby is right. Blake and I are both A students, and our leader improved her grades greatly and it's a B+ student. If we can get your grades to go up, Xiao Long, we'll be the best team by next trimester." Weiss said proudly.
"You girl will need to do best them that. Our team is the bestestest team!"
"Nora!?" The four girls jumped and shouted when they realized the energetic girl was perked up on Yang's bed.
"Since when you're here?" Blake asked first.
"I'm always here!" She answered and they wondered and feared what she meant. They couldn't ask more questions when they heard knocks on the door and Ruby attended it.
"Good morning." Ren said as he stood on the door. "Nora?"
"Coming Ren!" She sang as she jumped from the bed and joined him. "Do you guys believe they think they can be the best team on our year?"
"We don't think, we are!" Ruby stated proudly and high-fived Weiss.
"Oh really now, lil sis?" Jaune spoke as he came with Pyrrha. "So, you and Yang are B students, while Weiss and Blake are A, so team RWBY would be what? B+?" They nodded in agreement. "Ren, what about our grades?"
"Three As and a B+" The black haired boy said without any emotion but with a small smirk.
"Three As? Jaune, since when you're a grade A student?" Ruby asked promptly towards Jaune.
"Ouch, Rubes, ouch. But no, I'm the B+. Which reminds me, thanks for the tutoring Blake, it really helped my grades." The three girls on team RWBY stared coldly at their catgirl friend that hid behind her book.
"Wait… Since when Nora is an A student?!" Weiss shouted in shock.
"Nora is actually very intelligent, just too energetic. In fact she has grades better than mine." Ren said and the energetic girl booped his nose.
"That's it! We are using this break to get everyone in this team into grade A!" Weiss commanded.
"While the effort is appreciated, I suggest you all to not do that." The eight teens jumped to the back of the room as Ozpin stood by the door with his cane and mug on hand. "Breaks exist to make you all relax and wind out the stress of the life of Hunters in training, something you'll appreciate even more when you become full time Hunters. Or else you'll see this line of work consume you to the point your life becomes the hunt."
"Ominous." Jaune muttered. "Which of course is the reason I'm here. Since all of you helped me this semester, I was wondering if you girls would like to go with my team to my parent's cabin by the lake?"
"Weren't you going to actually visit them?" Ruby asked.
"I was… but them a Nevermore infestation hit the route to my home and all the flights are cancelled until they kill them, and a trip by boat would eat six days of the break." Jaune explained.
"Even you, Pyrrha?" Yang asked the champion, which left a sad sigh out.
"I was going home, until I discovered my mother was trying to fill my break with promotional stunts around Mistral." She said and received a comforting hand on her shoulder by Jaune, causing her to smile at him.
"And Renny and I don't have a home to go back to." Nora said a little sad. "But then our fearless leader told us about this cabin and now we're all going there!" She shouted happily.
"We'll just have to rent an airship to take us there." Jaune finished his invitation.
"If airship is what you need, I'll gladly allow you to take one of our bullheads." Ozpin offered with a smile. "I suggest you all take the offer Mr. Arc is giving."
"I'm in." Yang said with a big smile.
"I don't know…" Blake started.
"As team leader this is an order!" Ruby shouted.
"There's fish in the lake." Jaune added and Blake's bow twitched.
"When we depart?"
"I'll let Cid know of your trip." Ozpin offered. "So you can depart by sunrise tomorrow. I believe that will give you all time to buy whatever you need. Now excuse me, I need to see if any other students are planning to stay stuck in this old place." The headmaster then walked away.
"Do you think he was really worried about us or just trying to get rid of us?" Jaune questioned his friends when the headmaster was far away.
"Doesn't matter! Girls, we need to go swimsuit shopping!" Yang prompted them. "Guys, you can buy all the other meaningless stuff."
"Like food." Jaune added with a roll of eyes.
…
"Pyrrha, no." Yang stated angrily as she saw that the champion chose a sport swimsuit.
"But it fits nice and I like the color." The redhead defended her choice as she fixed the deep red swimsuit.
"It's too prudish! Come on, you want to make all the boys trip when they stare at you!" Yang prompted as she gave a bikini to her.
"What other boys? I'm pretty sure the only ones there will be Ren, who I'm sure is immune to girls, and Jaune." Ruby asked her sister and Yang finally realized that she didn't actually wanted Jaune drooling over OTHER girls.
"Well, I think you…" Pyrrha grabbed the bikini from Yang's hand.
"Actually, I think I should try something different. Thank you." She said as she winked at Yang and entered the changing stall. The brawler cursed her slip and decided to find a bikini for herself, muttering something under her breath about tripping blondes.
"I don't get why they like him." Weiss questioned Ruby as she fixed the white, frilly but elegant one piece swimsuit she chose for her.
"Come on, Weiss, big bro is nice, caring, loyal, brave…" Ruby started pointing his good points.
"Clumsy, dorky, obnoxious…" Weiss countered. "Not the kind of guy I'd like to be saw with."
"That's because you're only worried about your image. I'm pretty sure Jaune would treat whatever girl he fall for like a princess." Ruby defended her friend and honorary sibling.
"I'm sure I don't want to be a princess." Yang returned and entered one of the stalls. "But I wouldn't mind if he gave me a massage now and then." As she entered Pyrrha left hers, wearing the red two pieces Yang chose for her. It had flowing laces on the back of the upper part and on the side of the bottom one, somehow remembered the sash she usually wore.
"I don't know about this…" She commented as she fixed it, especially the top part. "Doesn't it show too much?"
"So unfair…" Ruby lamented as she stared at her own chest.
"You have a perfect body Pyrrha. And I admit this is quite a well chosen bikini. Showing just the right amount of skin." Weiss praised the champion that could only wonder if Jaune would like it. Pyrrha blushed and stared at a mirror, and decided to give it a try. But she put the sports one too.
"I'll just get those." Ruby said showing a two piece that could be mistaken to gym clothes. "Practical and all."
"Well girls…" Yang said from her stall. "Prepare to see perfection!"
The brawler got out of her stall wearing a golden two pieces, both bottom and top piece held by three strings on the sides. Ruby left out a relieved sigh as it was way more prudish than what she feared Yang could chose… Until the brawler showed her back and they discovered they could see a lot of her…
"Oh, you have nice back bumpers!" Nora praised the sight when she appeared wearing a pink two pieces.
"I know right? I'm sure Jaune will be pleased." She added with a smirk towards Pyrrha. She was about to answer when Blake appeared… with a schoolgirl swimsuit.
"What? I always wanted one of those."
…
"It's cold! How can be cold if it's Summer!" Yang protested as Jaune and Ren loaded the bullhead the next morning with several crates.
"I told you to put something warm!" Jaune answered from inside the bullhead. "Beacon is close to the forest and in the early morning it gets cold."
"Please tell me the lake won't be cold!" Yang pleaded.
"I don't think so. And we can always light up the fireplace if it does." He answered as he got out of the ship after loading the last crate. Then he approached the brawler and smiled at her. "Don't worry; your new swimsuit won't be wasted. And I must say you all made me curious about them."
"Only in the lake." She answered back with a wink. "Are we ready to go?"
"I just need to make some final checks, lads." Cid said as he circled the bullhead. "Yer all don't want to cut this trip short."
"So, about this cabin of yours, Arc, please tell me it have a bathroom. I'd rather not do any needs in the woods behind a bush." Weiss questioned as she checked her handbag.
"More than one, snow angel." She groaned at the nickname, but decided to be nice since it was his cabin after all. "And more than two rooms. Don't worry, everyone will be comfortably installed."
"It sounds lovely, Jaune." Pyrrha stated as she rubbed her hands on her arms for warmth. She and Yang were really weak against the cold. "And you said there aren't many neighbors?"
"I don't remember any. The lake is quite big, and not everyone likes to go into the wilderness." He said as he put an arm around her shoulders, surprising her but she welcomed the warmth he provided. "And no paparazzi."
"Joy!" She said with a happy smile, resting her head on his shoulder, both unaware that two pairs of eyes envied them.
"Alright lads, get onboard so I can drop you all at the woods and come back before lunch." Cid urged them and they moved towards the ship.
"Mr. Arc." Jaune stopped and turned to see quite a unique view. Glynda Goodwitch approached them, her usual attire covered by a shawl, and her hair flowing freely. Weirdly, it made her look younger and not older. "I just came here to wish you all a safe trip and remember you all to avoid certain behaviors that could impact your lives in the long run."
"Like what?" Ruby questioned from the bullhead.
"I think she means babies." Nora said with a giggle, while part of the girls blushed at it.
"But why we would worry about babies? They are small and mostly harmless. Except when they poo." Ruby offered insight.
"I think she's telling us to not make one." Blake explained with a faint red on her cheeks.
"But babies aren't made, they…" Ruby then blushed very hard at the realization what that implied. "No one is going to make one!"
"I hope so. I'll see you all back in a few days, hopefully." Glynda finished.
"Thanks, miss Glyn. Let's go people." Jaune said as he closed the door. Glynda smiled as the bullhead departed and shook her head slightly.
"The little fool still doesn't remember."
…
"Miss Glyn? Aren't we awfully cozy with your favorite teacher now?" Yang asked a little angry at Jaune. "Or do you like older woman?"
"What? No! It was a slip of tongue. She reminded me of a babysitter we had when I was seven to eleven. She was very nice, always smiling and made the best muffins ever. Her name was Glyn, so I think I just confused them, but she didn't wear glasses." Jaune explained as a matter of fact.
"Jaune, glasses can't be enough to you decide Ms. Goodwitch wasn't your babysitter." Pyrrha offered.
"And the always smiling?"
"OK, that might be enough. I think I never really saw Ms. Goodwitch really smile." Yang conceded.
"Hey, if I was you boyo I'd go for her. Glynda is still very young and gorgeous." Cid called from the cabin. "Besides, you already have seven gals, what's one more?"
"Wait... what?" Jaune panicked at his seat.
"I'm a boy." Ren deadpanned.
"Come on, like Arc here could make a girl fall for him." Weiss screeched, missing three slight blushes around the ship.
"You'd be surprised! Besides, if he's like his dad, he'll be drowning in gal love by the time he graduated! And won't even realize it!"
"What?!" Jaune asked again.
"Yer old man was really thick of the head! Yer momma had to literally scream at Beacon's PA to tell him she fancied the lad! And I can tell you for sure that at least…"
"AHAHAHAHAHA!" Yang yelled nervously, while Pyrrha had a might blush and Blake hid her face on her book. "You need to tell us that stories another day, Cid. I think we need to set a schedule and all."
"Yeah, Xiao Long. Schedule." Weiss teased making the brawler stare daggers at her.
…
"Welcome to my humble wood shack." Jaune said as they started to unload the bullhead.
"I think someone doesn't know what 'humble' and 'wood shack' are and I'm not talking about Weiss." Blake deadpanned.
The 'cabin' was a three-level wood house with glass panels working as external walls, with a roof made of dark tiles. On its left side there were tables and a complete big grill. It was just a few meters from the crystal clear water of the lake and its pier, where a big shack rested by the right. As soon as they unloaded they rushed to see the inside.
A comfy place could be seem with many modern amenities like the TV, sound system, complete kitchen and a central circular fireplace in the middle. One of the levels were a complete entertainment room, with a billiard pool, a table for card games, a foosball and a ping-pong table, darts, an arcade cabinet and two different old pinball machines. The other level had four complete bedrooms with their own bathrooms.
"OK, Arc! What you family do to have such nice house just for vacations?" Weiss asked as she checked the place out.
"My mom… she is the boss of the family business." Jaune admitted as he started putting the food they brought into the proper storages. "She's the Arc in the family, dad married into it. We deal… with defense?"
"Ah, a weapons contractor." Weiss concluded satisfied with the answer. "But if your family has so much money, why you're always broke?"
"My family believes living with a bare minimum builds character. They say they don't want to spoil me by giving as much as they can, so they give me just what I need." Jaune explained. "You can all make yourselves home. You can also choose the room you want; all of them have a view to the lake."
"Renny, let's get the most awesome one!" Nora sprinted while dragging the boy with her.
"All the rooms are the same size, just two have bunkers and two have double beds." Jaune informed them and the rest of the girls got up to check the bedrooms. After a few minutes they came back with worried looks.
"Jaune…" Pyrrha started, blushing a little. "They all have double beds…"
"Wait… what?" The boy dropped what he had in hands and rushed to the bedrooms. As his partner said all of them had double beds, and Nora was already happily jumping on one.
"We're taking this one, right Renny?" She shouted to the black haired boy that just nodded. It wouldn't be the first time, after all.
"What… but…" The blonde boy started muttering when Ruby approached with a red enveloped in her hand, written with gold paint.
"It was in the bathroom." She said and he opened it.
"Dear brother of mine, I hope you hold good health and fortune. A dark cloud covered my heart when I learned I won't be able to enjoy your companionship this summer, especially after I decided we didn't need those bunker beds anymore and had them replaced with double beds, to provide the comfiest way we could enjoy your company. The sisters of ours also miss you thoroughly, and I hope this letter reaches you. I hope you enjoy it with your lady friends you so affectionately write about and that we met again soon. Yours truly, the flower of the Arc family, Nero." Jaune face palmed hard after reading the letter aloud. "How… how she even did this? How she even got this letter delivered if the Nevermores were blocking the routes!?"
"Are you saying your sister did this… intending to share a bed with you?" Blake asked with a bright blush. Her choice in literature was starting to affect her mind.
"NO! Not like that, heavens, Blake! We take naps together sometimes. Nero really is into them… Anyway, it's not a big problem. Nora and Ren don't have troubles sleeping in the same bed…"
"Nope!" Nora yelled from the room she chose.
"Yang and Ruby probably don't have problem either…"
"Nope." Ruby supported.
"So that leaves two bedrooms for Pyrrha, Weiss and Blake while I sleep in the couch." Jaune concluded.
"I'll take the couch!" Pyrrha promptly offered. "It's your house after all."
"And what kind of gentleman I'd be if I allowed my guest, partner and friend on the couch?" Jaune said humorously, while Pyrrha blushed contently.
"We do like this: Ruby sleeps with Weissy, kitkat with cereal girl and us blondes together. I can trust you, right, sir knight?" Yang said shamelessly with a wink. She was silenced by Ruby slapping her arm.
…
They decided to let the decision about the beds for the night. After eating a nice brunch, they were ready to go swimming. Nora didn't wait for anyone; she was already in the water with all her inflatable toys and Ren with her. Jaune couldn't help but laugh at the old swimsuit Ren was wearing, a green and black striped full body suit. Even he was wearing a pair of black shorts.
It didn't take long for Ruby to arrive, carrying a big inflatable crocodile on her head, wearing her new swim gear.
"Hey big bro! Uh, you really have some muscles under that armor." She commented happily.
"Well, I think training with your sister and Pyrrha do that."
"Is it really safe here?" Weiss asked as she came along wearing a big hat and sunglasses. "I mean, not only Grimm, but in the water?"
"The biggest fish we got was 20kg. And none of them are biters." Jaune affirmed to the heiress. "Besides, we're in an ESZ."
"I thought we were in a lake…" Ruby wondered.
"No, you dunce! External Safe Zone! It means an area outside the walls of the Kingdoms that is relatively devoid of Grimm!"
"Grimm tends to be where great concentration of people is. So the most dangerous places are actually the ones just outside the Kingdoms, but when we try to establish settlements in areas like this one they flock over there." Jaune summarized.
"Grimm goes were negative feelings are…" Ruby murmured.
"And creating a new settlement usually is a very stressful affair. But here with so little people…" Weiss added.
"I never saw a Grimm around here but we do have sensors around." Jaune reassured the two girls. "So you can all relax and enjoy the day."
"Thank you, Jaune…" Weiss shyly answered under his comforting smile. Then she was dragged to the water by Ruby. "AAAH!" Jaune laughed at the splash sound and all the yelling. It really sounded like his whole family was there.
"Jaune, where's a good spot to fish?" He turned around to see Blake wearing her schoolgirl swimsuit and blushed tremendously. He didn't know why such prudish attire made him hot and bothered, and he couldn't help but notice how beautifully white her legs were.
"M-middle of the lake… T-there's canoes in the shack…" He offered and she smiled at him.
"Thank you. So, do you like my outfit?" She asked with a small teasing in her voice.
"It s-suits you well… Though you'd be cuter without the bow…" He muttered to himself, sure she didn't heard him but forgetting she had four ears.
"You know, since I'm around only my friends…" She removed the bow and tied it on her arm, then walked to the shack, and Jaune wondered if she always swayed her hips that much. He wondered if he would have more surprises for him and then…
"Jaune, do you mind passing sun blocker on me?" He turned around to see Pyrrha Nikos standing in front of him exhibiting almost all of her toned body to him, like a goddess in mortal form. "Jaune?"
"Wha… Y-yeah I mean I'll h-help you with it." He stuttered and she giggled a bit, sitting on the pier with her feet touching the water as Jaune cautiously rubbed sun blocker on her back, eliciting a pleased hum from the champion. Sadly for her the moment was interrupted when Yang decided she wouldn't allow it… by hugging Jaune from behind and pressing her chest on his back.
"Jauney!" She sang on his ear, and he was sure he would get a nosebleed. "When you finish with P-money I want some too, but I want you to apply it on my whole body!"
And then the trio was hit by several sprays of water.
"AAAAH!" They yelled as the cold water hit their bodies and stared at Ruby, Nora and surprisingly Weiss holding up water guns.
"Stop with such indecency!" The heiress demanded and shot against Yang again.
"That's it you're dead snowflake!" Yang affirmed as she jumped after them in the water.
…
"Ouch…" Yang lamented as she was all red from the sun.
"You should've waited for me to apply the sun block, sunshine." Jaune said as he applied post-sun lotion on her.
"I would if someone didn't decide to be a party pooper!" Yang protested and cringed as Jaune kept applying the lotion.
"I think it's well deserved. OUCH!" Weiss winced as Ruby was doing the same for her.
"Come on, but you have to admit it was fun!" A much tanned Nora celebrated as she played foosball with Ren.
"Well, it was, but I hope to be able to do it again tomorrow!" The brawler begged and Jaune laughed.
"It feels nice to be able to just be yourself." Pyrrha commented as she read a magazine, and she was slightly tanned from the sun. "Not having to be on your best behavior because someone might see…"
"Not having to hide who you are to avoid confrontation…" Blake added, also sporting a mild tan, and eating a roasted fish. "And eating fresh fish all day long!"
"Just don't eat all of them." Jaune joked but Blake's answer was to roll her eyes and eat another piece of fish. "And done. Now, there's something I want to show you all, if you kindly follow me."
"Oh, a surprise?" Yang celebrated getting up and putting her flip-flops.
They all got outside and stood in the pier, and Jaune took his scroll and pressed a few commands. The lights from the house turned off, and the moonless sky provided no light for them. There was a bit of scared yelps around.
"Arc!" And one angry heiress. "If this is your idea of a joke…"
"Look up, everyone."
For the first time since their arrival there was a long silence. Up in the sky, away from the city, without a moon and without clouds, they saw it for the first time. Above them the sky wasn't pitch black, but as their eyes adjusted to the darkness they saw the celestial abode covered in multicolored lights, from colorful blinking dots to light veils. No one dared to say something for several minutes.
"Wow…" Ruby resumed their feelings, being the very first to say something. "Even back in Patch we don't see such sky!"
"Renny… was there always so many stars?"
"I don't know Nora..."
"Amazing uh?" Jaune said smugly.
"It is…" Pyrrha answered as she gently hugged his arm in the dark, thankjing no one could see how flustered she was. "It makes me feel small though…"
"My dad said once we like to think we are the center of the universe, but with such vast sea of stars, can we really say it? Therefore we don't really make a difference on the universe, but we can make a difference to the people we met along the way. That we can change only our own lives and the lives we touch, but those changes, even if insignificant when looking at the universe, is the changes that really matter." Jaune spoke softly, and silence reigned once again.
Then they heard a kissing sound.
"Hey!" Weiss yelled and then they heard a slap.
"Ouch! Why you slapped me!" Blake questioned.
"Sorry! But someone kissed my cheek! Arc!"
"What!? I'd never do that! I swear!" He defended himself. "I'll turn the lights on… Ah! Someone kissed me!"
"Who's the kisser? Yang!"
"Not me, snowflake! I wouldn't give my precious kisses around!"
"Wait… Blake! You have nightvision!" Weiss turned to wherever she believed the catgirl was.
"I was looking up!" Hmmm… tastes like oranges…
"Then who?!" Weiss demanded while Nora couldn't believe she missed Ren.
…
After the small confusion of last night and spending most of it laughing and having fun, it was no surprise that when Jaune woke up the sun was already shining bright on the sky. He yawned and blinked, ready to start another day of chaotic fun… except he was trapped in a rather envious position.
Pyrrha on his left and Yang on his right, both hugging him tightly and smothering his face with their generous chests.
Calm down, Arc… There's probably a perfect fine explanation for this… Yang is your childhood friend and Pyrrha is your partner and…
"Aren't you a lucky man?" He stared in panic at Blake, who stared back with an expression he couldn't decipher. "And here I was worried when I woke up and didn't find my partner in bed."
"Phrasing!" Jaune yelped in panic only to see both girls smothering him hard. "Help?"
"Should I now?" Blake said with a smirk, grabbing her scroll and taking some pictures. "I wonder…"
"Morning." Ren came down and stared at scene, but ignored it to start making breakfast before Nora woke up.
"Jauney…" Both girls murmured at the same time… then their eyes slowly opened… and they realized what they were doing… And Jaune was tossed outside by the open door.
"Sorry!" Pyrrha said immediately, blushing darkly, while Yang just rushed to the bathroom muttering something about 'idea thief'.
…
"That was the most fun ever!" Nora celebrated.
The days in the cabin passed flying, with even more chaos erupting and the joy of relieving all the stress behind, but as all good things that also came to an end, and now they were riding a bullhead back to Beacon. Nora herself now sported a healthy tan, while Yang had a mild one and Pyrrha was the most tanned of them, something she confessed she got easy.
"You know, my sponsors would have a heart attack if they saw me like this." She said with a bright smile. "Always concerned with my looks and health, but I quite like the tan."
"It does suit you well, Pyr." Jaune commented with a smile and she felt happy with his words.
"On the other hand someone really should have used stronger sun blocker." Yang added with a smirk as she stared at a red colored Weiss, the heiress avoiding touching anything.
"It's not my fault Ruby kept pushing me on the water!" Weiss protested and winced at the sudden movement. All her body was like on fire.
"I said you should reapply often… and that you should have accepted our sun blockers since yours ended so soon."
"My skin is really sensitive! I can't just apply store brought stuff!" She defended herself and Nora touched her exposed arm. "HEY! Owww…."
"Next time, just accept it. I think the damage the sun made is worse than any store brought cream would be." Blake deadpanned as she stared from over her book, but with a small smirk on her face.
"I'm glad ya younglings had yer fun. Things got kinda boring back a'Beacon with so few around." Cid commented from his cabin. "And guess what? Heard they hired some new teacher while yer gone, some famous warrior or sumthin like that. Haven't met the new blood yet, but it's good to have a new face."
"A famous warrior? Maybe a new combat instructor?" Ren wondered.
"Ms. Goodwitch always complains she works too much, being the headmistress, combat instructor, Aura instructor and Dust teacher… She is running half the school, actually." Pyrrha consented.
"I think that is good news for us!" Yang said with a smile. "Our favorite blonde instructor gets less work, means she has more time to relax, she gets relaxed, and she won't be so strict with us anymore. A win-win situation if I ever saw one!"
"Oh, maybe they hired dad from Signal! He was really lax!" Ruby beamed on her seat. "Or maybe uncle Qrow!"
"I doubt either of them would accept it… and uncle Qrow… I doubt he would get along well Ms. Goodwitch." Yang wondered.
"It should not matter who the teacher is. As long as he or she helps us in improve our skills." Weiss said proudly of herself, only for Nora to poke her again. "Stop it or I will cut the finger off!"
…
"Hello children, how was your trip?" Glynda asked as she welcomed the returning students, wearing a rare small smile on her face. Apparently the new teacher was already having effects on her.
"It was fun! So many water, so many games…" Ruby started.
"So much fish…" Blake added with a pleased smile.
"Too much sun…" Weiss lamented.
"As long as you're ready to start the new semester again." Glynda answered then.
"I always start my semester with a Yang! Eh? Anyone?" Everybody rolled their eyes and ignored her.
"Ms. Goodwitch, is it truth we are getting a new combat instructor?" Pyrrha asked, curious to see who the famous warrior was.
"I see Cid already filled you all. I was finally able to convince the headmaster that I was being overworked, and also we were able to secure a splendid addition to our staff. We have tried to convince her to join for years, but thanks to Mr. Arc she finally was swayed to join." Glynda stated and all eyes turned to Jaune at once and he gulped. He had now an idea of who it was.
They didn't had time to ask any questions as a woman in a suit approached them, her heels clicking on the hard floor as she approached with a mature elegance and grace on the way she walked, but with a gait that screamed confidence. Her face didn't show how old she actually was, but a serene beauty. Her hair at first seemed to be cut at shoulder length, but as she moved a low pony tail swayed, much like Ren's. Her reddish brown eyes stared at the group as if scanning them.
"Chifuyu-nee!" Jaune shouted and she flicked his forehead loudly despite no one noticing her movement before the fact.
"I'm a teacher here now, Arc, so it's Orimura-sensei for you and everyone else, understood." He simply nodded at her. "I'm Orimura Chifuyu, your new combat instructor. I must say, Jaune didn't hold in his praise for you all, but I'll have to see for my eyes. You all look too green to me."
"Ms. Orimura…" Pyrrha started as she approached, stars in her eyes as she was in front of her idol.
"Orimura-sensei, Ms. Nikos. I'm too young to be called like that. You're quiet well known and Mr. Arc vouched for your skills."
"I hope I can prove myself to you. I'm… quiet a fan of yours. In a way, seeing you winning the Vytal Tournament at such young age inspired me." Pyrrha added with reverence.
"I'm but a woman, Ms. Nikos, same as you. While I'm eager to see your skills, I won't treat you in any special way. The same goes to all of you, friends of my nephew or not." She added but was smiling. "An interesting group… Yang Xiao long and Ruby Rose… You two really grew up, both remind me of your mothers…"
"You knew my mom?" Ruby asked with a puppy expression, but Yang frowned at the mention.
"I knew, but I'll tell you about it in another time. You all should go to your rooms. I need to talk with Glynda about how teaching you all will go. And remember, while I'm here I'm not your friend's aunt, I'm your teacher." She finished and they all nodded and walked away, now swarming Jaune with all kinds of questions, especially Pyrrha in an out of character moment.
"Your nephew made some good friends here." Glynda commented and Chifuyu sighed.
"He did, but I already can see he's too much like his dumb father." She shook her head as she saw three of the girls giving certain glances to him. "And besides, they have no idea, do they? Of whom he is?"
"No, they don't. Not a surprise considering how isolated you all have being."
"True, but Charlotte decided it was time to change, that's one of the reasons I'm here."
"And I'm thankful for your presence in more than one way." Glynda stated and they shared a smile.
"Did he remember you already?" Chifuyu asked with a teasing smile. "If I remember correctly he even said he wanted to ma…"
"Not a word!" Glynda said with a raised hand.
…
"Things are getting complicated…" Emerald told Cinder as she handed the scroll to her. "They got help. Dangerous one."
"I see… they called her, which means the forgotten one is aware of the danger, even if they don't know what it is." She stared at Chifuyu's portrait and smiled. "Which means a little change of plans…"
"I still don't know why that blonde is so important." Mercury questioned as he sat in a crate as Roman and the White Fang worked.
"He could either be a valuable ally if I can make him see things my way… or a valuable hostage if don't. And since no one realized it yet, he is an easy prey."
…
A.N.: Yep, Chifuyu is now part of the show, officially! XD