Chapter 2: Nathan

The Showers, 19:15 pm…

One of the few things Nathan liked about Atlas were the showers.

The talk about Atlas being the best funded academy on Remnant was no hyperbole, as it stretched to the showers; which could adjust to whatever temperature you set it to. Not to mention that the moment one stepped out of their cubicle, there was a section where one could get blow-dried, negating the use for towels.

Meaning Nathan could just shower, dry off, get dressed and be out of the showers in at least fifteen minutes. His record was ten minutes.

Dressing in a red tank top and cargo trousers, Nathan stepped out of the bathing area, where he was soon met by Ghost.

"That was bloody beautiful, mate." Ghost said with a grin on his face. "Your progress has been fantastic. We should see you in combat before long."

"All due respect, I should be joining you and the gang on that mission you're leaving on tomorrow." Nathan replied, folding his arms. "Been ready since at least two weeks ago." Scowling, Nathan looked above them. "But someone seems to think differently."

Ghost nodded, well aware of Nathan's frustrations with Ironwood. "Ain't that the fucking truth." He said, hands on his hips.

"Yeah; you're ready and it shows."

Nathan scowled and turned to see the Ace Ops stood nearby, looking towards their leader, Clover Ebi, who was regarding Nathan with a sympathetic smile.

Facing them completely, Nathan asked: "Then why am I still here?! Why doesn't Ironwood take off the fucking gloves and let me fight?!"

"That's not up to you, kid." Harriet of the Ace Ops said. "It's all up to the general. And if he says you aren't ready; you're not ready. Simple as that."

Nathan folded his arms and glared at Harriet, who gave him a smug smirk. He'd never liked Harriet; whose cocky and competitive attitude had rubbed him the wrong way. But at least she was a target he could trash-talk: "Is that what Ironwood told you when he was fucking you last night? Wouldn't surprise me." Turning on his heel, Nathan walked away, ignoring Harriet's angry retorts.

One comment satisfied Nathan a lot, though:

"You asked for that one, Harriet."

Nathan's quarters…

Nathan's quarters were nothing much:

Just a small bed, a desk, a bathroom, and a small nightstand.

Walking to his bed, Nathan allowed himself to fall into bed, taking a deep breath as he fought down his growing frustration.

For the past two weeks, all he'd heard from Ghost, Jason and Winter was that he was ready.

If he was ready; then why wasn't Ironwood clearing him for active combat?

Why was he still stuck doing exercises he'd aced weeks ago; while his friends went on another mission; this time to Mistral?

Why wasn't he in Blake's arms right now?

The thought of Blake brought tears to Nathan's eyes, as he cast his gaze towards his nightstand; where a lone picture sat:

It depicted him and Blake in Menagerie, mere days before the Fall of Beacon:

He was wearing his usual red beach shorts, whilst Blake was wearing a beautiful white bikini which stood out against Blake's beautifully tanned skin.

Both of them were smiling at the camera, Blake especially as Nathan held her close.

Nathan sat up in bed and stared at the picture for what felt like hours. To say he missed Blake terribly would be an understatement of the highest order.

The past six months had been amongst the worst of Nathan's life for that reason. He wanted nothing more than to leave Atlas; not to get back into the fight; but just so he could hold Blake again. Breathe in her scent. Tell her he'd never leave her again like this.

But until Ironwood cleared him for combat, that would never happen.

And that fact angered and frustrated Nathan more than anything.

A sharp knock on the door drove Nathan from his tearful stupor and he got up, just as another knock on the door was heard. "I'm coming." Nathan said irritably as he opened the door, seeing Jason stood there.

"Oh, hey, Jason." Nathan said. "What brings you here?"

Jason smirked. "Just to deliver these for you." He replied, brandishing two envelopes from behind his back, handing them to Nathan.

As Nathan took them, he smelled a smell he would know in his sleep:

Lavender perfume. Blake's perfume.

Taking that one first, Nathan tossed the other one aside as he sat down, tearing the envelope smelling like Blake's perfume open, and pulling a letter out, written in Blake's handwriting. Opening it up; he began to read:

"Dear Nathan; I'm sorry I've taken so long to write to you. Ironwood mandated that we not attempt to contact you in any way. One of many things he's done to frustrate me over the past six months.

But enough about that. I hope this finds you doing well. I know I've not done well these past few months. The first two were the worst; sleepless nights, the nightmares, all of it. I still have trouble sleeping to this day.

Thankfully, Kanan, Yang and Ruby have been there for me. I know Weiss would be; but I can only assume you're aware she's currently stuck in her family manor since her father wants to marry her off.

Pyrrha has been there for me too; we both were there when you…

I miss you, Nathan… I miss you every single day. Every morning I wake up and you're not there; my heart aches a little harder. I miss you so much, and I pray for the day that I'm back in your arms, and you in mine. Kanan sometimes holds me while I go to sleep; but… he just isn't you.

I love you so much, Nathan… Hopefully I'll see you soon.

Forever yours,

Blake."

Nathan took a deep breath and set the letter aside, forcing down a sob as tears freely toppled down his face.

The pining he felt for Blake daily had just doubled in strength, and he had to force himself to stay put and not run around in search of Blake just so they could at least spend a moment together, if even that.

Ironwood wouldn't be happy, but Ironwood could go suck his own nonexistent dick.

Nathan wiped his eyes free of tears, and took another deep breath, looking up at Jason. "Why didn't you tell me what was going on with Weiss?" He asked.

Jason sighed. "Ironwood's orders." He replied sadly.

"Fuck Ironwood." Nathan spat. "You should have told me, Jason! Weiss is my friend just as much as she's going to be your sister-in-law one day!"

Jason sighed. "I know. I just… I just didn't want to burden you with worrying about Weiss. Me and Winter are trying to handle it."

"And how well's that going for you?" Nathan asked.

Jason fell silent; a telltale sign that Nathan wasn't going to like his answer.

"She's already engaged, isn't she?" Nathan asked.

Jason sadly nodded. "To one of Jacques' business partners' sons: Henry Marigold, I think his name is. The wedding's in two weeks' time."

Nathan scowled. "What's Ironwood doing about it?" He asked.

"Next to nothing." Jason replied. "Apparently Jacques has him by the balls because Ironwood needs the SDC's dust supplies to supply his army."

"And the SDC's the only dust company big enough to suit the military's needs." Nathan realised. "Fuck…" He groaned. "Still; fuck Ironwood."

"With you there." Jason said. "One thing Blake didn't mention in her letter is how every time she's asked Ironwood about you; all she's gotten is: 'He's doing well'. Pisses me off more every time. It's why I finally decided to piss all over his mandate to tell them nothing about you and tell them." Gesturing to Pyrrha's letter, Jason added: "Speaking of… you still have Pyrrha's letter to read."

Nathan nodded, and called Pyrrha's letter to his hand via the Force, smiling as he read Pyrrha's handwriting on the envelope. Tearing it open, he opened the letter and started reading:

"Nathan; I pray this letter finds you as well as Jason has just told us you are. I'm writing this purely because Blake suggested I have a chance too; being your closest friend and all:

I should start first by telling you that we're all doing well, in our own way. Jaune, Nora and Ren have all been my rocks ever since Beacon's fall and seeing you be mortally wounded; Jaune especially, even though he has his own turmoil.

I hate having to tell you this; but it would appear that Jaune's father has once more forced Jaune's family sans Saphron, Terra and Adrian under his near dictatorial control. Though now it has allegedly grown worse; from what little Saphron and Terra have been able to tell us through their letters. All we know for now is that the Empire has a stronghold in Jaune's hometown, and Napoleon is the town's mayor.

Moving on from that… I miss you terribly, Nathan. We all do; but me and Blake miss you most. Coming so close to losing you at Beacon; then not being able to contact you has been akin to torture. Ironwood thinks such things would distract you; but I don't think so. You're probably as desperate for information as we are.

Regardless, your friendship has always meant a great deal to me. I told you during the first Battle of Beacon before we fought Cinder together that I'm grateful for your friendship, and that statement still stands today. I pray the day will come where we are comrades once again.

Forever your friend,

Pyrrha."

Nathan couldn't help but smile. Pyrrha always had this uncanny ability to lift his spirits just by existing, and this letter proved that in droves.

However, the knowledge that Napoleon Arc had allied with the Empire and restored his near dictatorial level of control over the family made him seethe. His mind flashed back to seeing the bloody, mangled mess that was Jaune's leg after Napoleon had revealed his treachery, blasting his own son's leg with a shotgun, and his fists clenched.

"Sounds like Napoleon's forced his way back into control of his family." Jason said, stepping over and reading the letter.

Nathan nodded. "When I get out of Atlas… I'm heading straight for Jaune's hometown. And I will save his family, and burn the Arc Family Home to the ground with Napoleon trapped inside. If the fire doesn't kill him; the Grimm will."

"With you on that one." Jason responded. "I should note that Jaune's hometown is basically an Imperial stronghold right now."

"I don't really give a fuck." Nathan replied. "We'll be gone before the Empire have a chance to save their pet traitor."

Jason snorted.

"And we'll figure out a way to rescue Weiss too." Nathan added. "Even if it means storming the Schnee Manor and freeing her from Jacques' cold dead hands."

"I'm definitely with you there." Jason declared. "I mean; Ironwood might not be happy, and Jacques will definitely be baying for our blood, but like you've just said; you don't really care."

Nathan nodded. "How much do you think Jacques would put on our heads if we went through with rescuing Weiss and he figured out it was us?"

"Easily over a million." Jason replied. "Maybe even millions. Hell; the Marigolds might even put a price of their own on Weiss' head so that their son can get his promised bride back."

Nathan chuckled, but then scowled. "But until Ironwood finally pulls his fucking head out of his ass, does his damn job and clears me for active combat, I'm still stuck here. And if I'm gonna guess; I might need to fight my way out of here."

Jason nodded, though his expression became a concerned one.

"Anyway; let me write letters to Blake and Pyrrha." Nathan said. "They deserve to hear from me since they took big risks so I could hear from them."

"Go ahead." Jason said as Nathan took some paper and began to write.

He could sense something rising within Nathan, and he wasn't sure he liked it.

Team RWBY's dorm…

Blake was asleep.

Meaning Kanan could move over to his bed with Yang, where he found his golden maned girlfriend waiting for him with an inviting smile.

Climbing into bed, Kanan leaned in for a kiss with Yang, who pulled him the rest of the way into bed with her as they shared a kiss.

Breaking the kiss, Yang stared into Kanan's eyes. "It's going to be weird; not having you in bed with me after so long."

Kanan smiled softly. "Trust me; I'll keep in touch with you. I'll call day and night if you want me to."

"I'll go with the evening." Yang responded. "Means I can tease you with pictures every single day…"

"Wouldn't surprise me if you end up sending me some more… private photos." Kanan said.

"You'll have to find out; won't you?" Yang responded, pulling Kanan into another passionate kiss.

Rolling so that Yang was straddling him, Kanan sat up and deepened the kiss, pulling Yang closer as he reached down towards her backside and gave it a soft squeeze.

A sharp gasp left Yang as she met Kanan's gaze, feeling the lust and desire radiating from him.

"This is our last night together, Yang." Kanan said. "Possibly for a while. Let's make it count."

Yang nodded, and glued her lips to Kanan's again, moaning as she felt his hands move from her ass and up under her top, where she felt his hands cup and begin fondling her breasts. "Yes…" Yang moaned quietly, shuddering as Kanan's hands massaged her chest, lightly pinching her nipples every once in a while.

Moving his hands from Yang's breasts to her shirt, Kanan gripped and lifted it up and over her head, setting it aside before beginning a renewed assault on Yang's chest, fondling one, whilst assailing the other with his mouth and tongue.

Yang forced herself to stifle the moans and gasps that would normally be spilling from her mouth, for fear of awakening her little sister and best friend, thus alerting them to her lovemaking with Kanan.

However, Kanan proved to be very adept at making those sounds escape nonetheless. They spurred him on, encouraging him to continue his treatment of his lover, even as he sought to open more fronts of assault, reaching down Yang's shorts and panties, finding an area that burned hotter than the sun and lightly beginning to rub it.

The result was volcanic, as Yang moaned out loud, only to close her mouth again as she realised what had just happened.

Mercifully; no signs of life came from her best friend and little sister; meaning her and Kanan were still safe from discovery.

Though the sudden sensation of Kanan slipping his finger inside of her threatened to break that safety as Yang forced down another volcanic moan, bringing Kanan's face up to hers as their lips met once again.

Kanan refused to cease his assault even whilst sharing a kiss with Yang, sliding his finger in and out of Yang's increasingly wet folds until the kiss broke, at which he slid a second finger inside Yang, forcing another moan from his lover.

A cursory glance revealed Blake and Ruby were still asleep.

But Yang could feel her climax building, at which she knew she would make a noise that'd wake them.

Ever the attentive lover, Kanan removed his fingers within an instant of realising Yang neared orgasm. He didn't plan on letting her get off that easily.

Their lips met once again, and Kanan found himself shoved down into their bed as Yang moved down to his boxers.

"My turn." Yang said coyly as she removed the article of clothing and bared Kanan's shaft to her. Eyeing it up and down, she mused: "What to do with you…" Grinning, she soon took her breasts, which until recently were being assaulted by Kanan, and encased Kanan's length between them, leaving only the tip visible.

Which she promptly dragged her tongue across as she began moving her breasts up and down Kanan's shaft, taking him into her mouth as she did.

Now it was Kanan's turn to stifle his gasps and moans, watching as his lover moved her head up and down his shaft in sync with her breasts, driving him closer and closer to his own orgasm

Until she finally stopped, climbing back atop him and kissing him passionately.

They shared kiss after kiss as Kanan rolled over so that he found himself on top of Yang. He reached for her shorts and panties, only for Yang to stop him with her hand.

"Tonight… isn't safe." Yang whispered, gesturing with her eyes towards where Kanan had stashed his condoms.

Kanan nodded, reaching over, retrieving, and applying a condom as Yang removed her shorts and panties, spreading her legs for him once again.

They looked at a still sleeping Blake and Ruby, and Yang's eyes met Kanan's.

"Don't wake them up." Yang whispered.

Kanan nodded, kissing Yang passionately as he gently but firmly entered her.

Yang's head sank back as she fought the urge to gasp and moan with pleasure the moment she felt Kanan pushing his way inside her, all the way until his hilt met her hips, and they were fully connected.

Her eyes met Kanan's, and with that look, he leaned in, merging his lips with hers in a passionate kiss, all the while beginning to gently but firmly rock his hips back and forth, bringing himself in and out of Yang.

Yang bit her lip softly in order to deny any sound from escaping her with every thrust Kanan drove into her with, eventually placing a hand over her mouth as a better method.

However, Kanan soon decided, he wanted to test Yang. He wanted to see what it'd take for Yang to finally lose herself in the pleasure of lovemaking and let loose the sounds that always proved music to his ears. Leaning in and kissing Yang once again, he quickened his pace, driving himself harder and faster into Yang's soaking, hot pussy.

Yang's breathing escaped through her nose, eyes watering with pleasure as Kanan made love to her, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him into a kiss, coiling her legs around his waist to allow him deeper access to within her.

Kanan smirked, and slowed his pace, driving into Yang with a deep, powerful thrust that very nearly caused a very loud moan to escape Yang's mouth, barely stifled though it was with her hand. Seeing the effect this had, Kanan began to continuously piston thrust after thrust into Yang, deeply and powerfully, hearing Yang's muffled moans and mewls of pleasure threaten to get louder and louder. A glance at Yang's face told him all he needed to know; that Yang was desperate to make noise; to scream Kanan's name and have her moans echo throughout the entirety of Atlas Academy. But to do so would wake Ruby and Blake. And that could not happen.

Kissing Yang passionately as he continued to pound his way inside her, he could feel Yang's inner walls beginning to tighten, much like he could feel a pressure building inside him.

They were both so close. And they knew it.

Breaking the kiss, Kanan quickened his pace once again, beginning to drive himself into Yang at a hard, fast pace that had Yang writhing beneath him, biting her left hand as a means of stifling the increasingly powerful tides of pleasure, her stifled moans, mewls and gasps threatening to break through now; such was the level of pleasure both were feeling in that moment.

It wasn't long before Yang finally let out a muffled cry, shuddering with ecstasy as her orgasm rocked her, walls tightening around Kanan's cock just as her body tightened against his; showing her lover that she had come.

Kanan followed suit, kissing Yang passionately as his condom stopped any of his cum from entering Yang's depths, feverishly thrusting into Yang to prolong the pleasure they both felt in that moment, their grunts and moans muffled by their lips until they finally collapsed into bed together, catching their breath after quietly making love with each other.

Their breath caught, the lovers shared a passionate kiss, allowing Kanan to gently pull out of Yang. Breaking the kiss, Kanan removed and disposed of his condom, lying back in bed as Yang snuggled up to him.

Their eyes met, and Kanan smiled. "Think that'll tide us over until the next time we meet?" He whispered to Yang gently.

Yang shrugged. "We still have all night." She reminded him, climbing on top and grabbing another condom.

Kanan smirked as Yang applied it, then positioned herself above him. Tonight would prove interesting.

Jason and Winter's Apartment, at the same time…

"Something on your mind, Jason?"

Jason looked up to see Winter had exited the shower; and grinning as he saw her attire for the evening:

It was a sky blue nightgown that reached the middle of her thighs, completely see-through save for the part covering her breasts, but showing enough of the body underneath that left no doubt in Jason's mind that he was the luckiest man on Remnant in that moment.

Winter smiled as she saw Jason's eyes exploring her body, sauntering over as Jason scooted back in bed, climbing into bed herself and straddling him. "You didn't answer my question." She said.

Jason sighed and sat up, hands on Winter's hips as he met her gaze. "It's… it's Nathan. I'm worried Ironwood is pushing him to a dark place."

"How so?" Winter asked, cocking her head to one side as she let her hair loose, snow white locks falling down around her shoulders as she brushed it back.

Jason brushed a stray lock behind Winter's ear, replying: "I can sense how frustrated Nathan's getting with Ironwood. He's doing what he can to ease it… but I'm worried it's only a matter of time before Ironwood denies Nathan one time too many. And the end result will be a version of Nathan I've never seen nor ever want to see."

Realisation dawned on Winter; and she asked: "You fear Nathan will fall to the Dark Side?"

Jason nodded. "And given his lineage… that would be a very terrifying prospect."

Winter herself sighed. "Then we had best double our efforts to convince the General to at least give Nathan a chance to prove his readiness. Ironwood can't keep denying Nathan forever. Eventually, he will have to relent." Wrapping her arms around Jason's neck, Winter then said: "But those are problems for tomorrow. For now… it has been a long day, and I wish to spend the evening with my boyfriend."

"Yes ma'am." Jason replied, hands moving from Winter's hips to her ample buttocks, lightly squeezing it.

Winter gasped, then smirked. "Let's forget about Nathan for tonight…" She said. "It's been too long since we gave ourselves to each other." With that, she removed her nightgown, exposing her breasts to Jason, who immediately shared a kiss with Winter, pushing her down onto the bed.

Nathan was soon forgotten about for the evening, as Jason and Winter made love well into the night.

Apologies for the late update. Work has been hitting me hard lately, and most nights I just want to chill for a few hours before diving into bed.

But enough about excuses. Let's answer some reviews, shall we?

april-551: Well; you'll soon find out more about Nathan's stance on Ironwood soon enough. As for your questions:

- No more than I already have. I just felt it important to include that detail as a small bit of worldbuilding to help give you guys an idea of what's happened.

- Basically; the Empire has conquered the entirety of Vale, failed to take Vacuo, and is now attempting to attack Mistral (Hope the Empire's studied Napoleon's invasion of Russia alongside Operation Barbarossa).

- Merlot will not be making an appearance sadly; purely and only due to it not being a good time to introduce such a character. As for Neo, Qrow and Raven; you may or may not be meeting at least two of them soon.

- Well; most Huntsmen and Huntresses have travelled to Atlas in order to be drafted as soldiers for the war versus the Empire, but the common people of Remnant are more than likely suffering.

- Vale, some parts of Mistral, and any part of Salem's territory.

keybladelight: I do have plans for Volume 9, but a lot of them centre around how volume 9 ends. If there is a significant time jump (Say a year or so) in the real world whilst the heroes are in the Ever After, then some of those plans may have to be scrapped, which sucks significant penis.

That said; thank you all so much for reading this story. If you enjoyed it... you all know what to do.

I shall see you this weekend with chapters 3 to 4, which sees things starting to go wrong.

T-Rock14