Jäger Chapter Twenty: Burning a Bridge or Exploring New Grounds?
MorgothII: Wow, just wow…Four for four now, huh? I am semi-speechless right now. Maybe there will be a new chapter tomorrow, but at this rate it's about a fifty-fifty chance. Now, enjoy this new chapter and the long-promised CrossFire pairing made 100% official!
A rather-tired Jake Torchwick opens his eyes as his alarm goes off. Despite Ozpin having made a late-night announcement just before their meeting that although it was had been a Sunday night during the dance, and so tomorrow classes would start in the early afternoon, the one known by the media as the Jäger always preferred, even for days that the preceding night hadn't gain much peaceful rest like this day, to wake up early every day. Though, the late start for the day was only for second-year through fourth-year student teams. Though the exact hour can change, typically it is around 6 or 7:00. Today however, he had been slightly lenient, allowing a (for him at least) longer amount of time in the form of a half hour, thus meaning that it was just a little bit past 7:30. He puts Sōryū down on his nearby nightstand as Jake gets out of bed. With a mighty yawn, the leader of the secret warrior society known as the Order of the Shrikes of the Mournful Dawn stretches his body, waiting for his mind to become fully awake.
Once that is done, two separate thoughts pop into Jake's mind. The first is almost purely of a business matter. Today all first-year students such as Teams RWBY, JNPR, and JÄGER would be given the option to pick their first field assignments. The Jäger would be 'assigned' the assignment of a search-and-destroy at Mountain Glenn, his primary suspected area of the White Fang hideout Ruby had mentioned last night that he would be scouting for. And maybe, just maybe, he will find his twin sister Neo and save her. He had finished the small and portable signal jammer only hours before the dance and the events that had occurred during the event last night.
Which is exactly what the second, more personal, line of thought in the Jäger's mind is related to. Jake and his best friend, Ruby Rose, had kissed each other on the lips. It wasn't that Jake hadn't enjoyed it, far from it. The issue was that he had no idea what it was that the younger female team leader desired. No matter what, however, this issue will be settled today, and before all the first-year teams were summoned for the briefing. With that thought in mind, as well as just in case her older sister, the blonde buxom brawler Yang Xiao Long, decided to attack Jake immediately, he puts on his colorful blue composite armor with yellow highlights, afterwards placing his weapons, ammunition belts, signal jammer, helmet, and protective throat-guard/face mask on his bed. Once completed, he takes a deep breath as he exits his room. As he walks over to the door to the living quarters for Team RWBY, the Jäger can already the four voices that belong to the four female members of said team. Despite his best efforts, Jake's face reveals the anxiety he is feeling about the inevitable conversation between the two team leaders.
"Time to face the music," He quietly murmurs to himself as he prepares to knock on the door…which suddenly swings open to reveal an equally nervous-looking Ruby Rose. Both are startled by the unexpected appearance of the other.
"Oh, um, hey Ruby."
"H-hey Jake," She replies, stuttering slightly as a slight tinge of red slowly graces her pale white cheeks. 'It's kinda cute when she does this,' Jake's mind idly muses before he realizes he is letting himself be distracted. He mentally slaps his own face to focus on the smaller, silver-eyed girl.
"U-um, look about last night. I didn't-" Ruby starts to say before being stopped when her now-apparent crush gently raises a hand to stop her. As he lowers it, he gives her a gentle stare, his brown eyes lacking any negative emotion, or at least, so far as the scythe-wielding, cookie-loving and milk-drinking speed demon is able to make out.
"Actually, that is what I wanted to talk about."
"Oh," Ruby replies, looking down sadly at her boots, also having changed into her outfit. She turns around and looks at her three older teammates, who are now anxiously watching the two. "Um, guys, Jake and I are going to be just outside in the hallway. We need this to be just between the two of us for now. Ok?" She asks, her tone firm and telling that she would not accept 'no' for an answer. After sharing glances at one another, her older sister, the Dust heiress, and the cat Faunus former member of the White Fang all give Ruby a reluctant nod. She gives them a weak smile before closing the door, leaving only her and Jake to talk. The next minute or so is filled with an extremely awkward and uncomfortable silence. Finally, looking up at her (hopefully still) friend, the black-and-red haired girl breaks the silence, clearly worried as she starts the conversation about the kiss.
"Look, I should have asked you if you were comfortable with going out like someone like me, especially before kissing you."
"Ruby-"
"I mean, look at me, I'm just an awkward girl with a giant scythe and an obsession of fighting and killing Grimm and weapons!"
"Ruby-"
"We could just forget we kissed and still be friends. I mean, I'm very good, great, with just being friends. But if you hate me and never want to talk to me again or having anything to do with me, I under-"
"Ruby Rose!" Jake says, louder than normal. While he didn't like having to do so, the Jäger could clearly see that the more his friend/admirer talked, or rather, ranted/rambled on and bringing her to the edge of tears. At once the fifteen-year-old fighter stops talking, her body shaking slightly in anxiety but not daring to utter another word, wanting to respect her fellow student's request. Jake takes a moment to finish composing his thoughts before he speaks. This time, his tone is much lower and gentler. Something that he uses only rarely, and the only person used to it being the very same girl he is now addressing.
"Ok, first of all, stop selling yourself short and being harsh on your appearances. Frankly between you and me, you look beautiful, but that isn't what I want to say. I would like for you to listen to what I have to say, and to not talk until I finish. Can you do that please, Ruby?" Almost immediately Ruby vigorously shakes her head up and down, cheeks blushing slightly brighter from the compliment the Jäger had casually given her. After all, when compared to her much sexier older half-sister, Ruby hadn't received even a quarter of the lustful desires and adoring compliments Yang had (and still is) received. Jake gives her a thankful nod, taking a breath before resuming his speaking.
"Thanks Ruby. Now, you didn't force me to go to the dance, either as a friend or a date. While I did say yes, I'm sure you would have understood if I had changed my mind. I didn't do so. I went with you on my own free will. Secondly, last night's kiss wasn't one-sided. I think we both kissed each other at the same time. So I am just as much to blame as you. Now, I shouldn't have given you the semi-cold shoulder that I did afterwards. I was just caught off-guard and unsure of what to do." Jake pauses, a small wry smile appearing on his lips as the taller boy looks at his unofficial partner.
"It's almost ironic how a veteran killer doesn't know how to deal with a simple kiss or its implications. Regardless, we can't just ignore this. I'm willing, however to give this a try. But before I ask you that question, I have two important questions that you must answer before I do so. First, are you willing to date someone who has at least several large secrets? Last night showed that I have some, though I will eventually reveal at least some." Ruby nods her head solemnly. Jake nods his head to himself before speaking once more.
"Very well, second and final question: Are you willing to date someone who is two years older than you, a known killer, and one who is likely to have to do so many more times in the future?"
Again Ruby nods her head once, not even hesitating.
"Then I guess I would like to give this a chance," Jake finally says, feeling a bit unsure of himself once more. The feeling is quickly erased upon seeing the large smile appearing on Ruby, his brand-new (and first) girlfriend, which quickly becomes infectious as the Jäger feels his own mouth forming a similar expression as they lean closer. But before they can kiss, the door to Team RWBY's dorm swings open. A grinning Yang snickers slightly at the now-still teens.
"It's about damn time for you two! Hey, Ruby, I didn't get the chance to tell you, but dad sent us a package. Don't know what it is, but why don't we open it together?" She suggests while ignoring the harsh glare Jake throws at her. Immediately a blushing and sheepish-looking Ruby quickly recovers with yet another one of her smiles.
"Ooh! Something from home!" Ruby says in a high-pitched tone. Then she activates her speed semblance, despite the short distance between the two sisters, creating a brief, thin cloud of her equally-trademark roses. Jake's glare softens as he quietly laughs at the sight of Ruby clambering up onto Yang's back and trying to grab the long, cylindrical packing she is holding out away from her body.
"I'm going to do a final inspection of the signal jammer for Neo. I'll catch you gals later," He says before closing the door, quickly shooting his girlfriend a warm smile, which is swiftly returned by the kind, open-hearted girl. Then, with the door closed, Jake walks back to his room, closing the door with a smile still plastered on his face.
"Well, that went well. It went very well indeed."
Now, all the Jäger has to do is to just to pass the next half hour or so until the announcement for first-year students to the amphitheater. Soon, it will be time for the hunter to do what he does best: Hunting his prey.
And done! Again, I didn't plan for so many chapters to be posted in so many days, but I guess it's just been a damn good week, huh? Anyways, again massive thanks to everyone who has been taking the time to read this story! Please feel free to leave a review, comment, or OC request form down below, and I will see you guys in the next chapter either tomorrow or next week! Have a wonderful day(s) until then! Next chapter: Mountain Glenn