Hello All again! This will be the eigth chapter in this story and I just cannot comprehend all of you who have read it! Thank you all! Currently I have fully caught up with everything that I have written, thus I will be mainly starting the next chapters from the ground up. The main issue is that I do not know if that will mean if I will hit this Friday's upload time. I will personally try my best, but I wanted to warn you about it ahead of time. I would rather have the chapters be good than hitting each upload time. Hopefully I will fix this in the coming future and it will have a steady upload format. Thank you all
The next week of classes started up and team WYBR was just as broken as ever. Luckily for them the week started out with individual fights, an area where the four girls excelled. Well now it was starting to get a little harder for Ruby. The class was starting to notice that she was a glass cannon, using her skills to overcome her lack of aura. That led to the individuals aiming for longer fights that would start to put her at a disadvantage, but luckily who she faced couldn't pull it off quite yet. This led to her sixth victory in a row and led the team to still being undefeated when it came to individual battles. The only one across the entire class, though that was mainly because they hadn't fought Pyrrha or Nora yet. Those two could really pack a punch and Ruby really wasn't looking forward to those fights.
At the moment Jaune was fighting Cardin and it was one of the most one sided fights on Remnant. Cardin looked like he wasn't even trying and yet he was still wiping the floor with Jaune. So how did Jaune get in if absolutely nothing was going for him, the boy didn't even look once at his aura levels during the fight. Instead he just kept on attacking with reckless abandonment, and the only reason the fight lasted so long was his aura levels. The man had a much higher than average aura pool, and that was something Ruby was actually jealous of him for. If she had that high of an aura with her current skills she would be unstoppable. She could actually use her semblance for longer than split seconds to gain an advantage in a fight. She could boost her strength to use her sweetheart without the need to fire a gravity dust round off.
Ruby shouldn't get into that mindset so she shook her head. She wouldn't be nearly as skilled in her weapon if she had a higher aura level, she only did so to offset her lack of aura. Plus, while having an abundance of aura would be nice, she would much rather have her skill in combat. Don't have to worry about aura levels when you don't get hit, right? Especially against the Grimm, they weren't smart enough to think like a human does and extend the fight. After the end of Jaune's round professor Goodwitch went on about how the Vytal tournament was later this year and how anyone that chooses to compete in the combat tournament would be representing all of Vale. While Ruby loved fighting and showing her skills, the major tournament that happened every two years still seemed far out of her reach. Yet by looking at her teammates' reactions to this she could tell that Weiss and Yang wanted to participate in it. Blake, like always, had a more neutral look about it that did not show disinterest or interest. Still the mysterious girl as always.
With that the class was finished and they had their lunch time for the day. Luckily for Ruby it wasn't alone with her team anymore, for in recent days they had decided to sit with team JNPR. So the other four could hopefully distract and calm down any fighting from WYBR. This proved true as Nora went into one of her crazy stories, something that Yang loved to pay attention to. Ruby herself was paying attention as she absent mindedly munched on some of her cookies that she had saved until the end of her meal.
"So there we were, in the middle of the night…" Nora started her tale of wonder.
Ren interjected calmly "It was day"
"We were surrounded… By Ursa!" Nora continued as if nothing happened. She made sure to make it sound so mysterious and alluring.
"They were Beowolves." Ren once again corrected.
"There were dozens of them!" Nora yelled as she slammed her hands down on the table below. This really got the attention of Yang, and even Pyrrha. Though Weiss was still not paying attention, more focused on filing her nails just right. Blake was still just reading a book from the stack that she currently had, and Jaune was just moping around while playing with his food.
"Two of them." Ren corrects again, his voice always staying calm throughout this tale.
"But they were no match! In the end Ren and I took them down and made a boatload of lien selling Ursa skin rugs." Nora finished her tale while crossing her arms below her chest and giving the most satisfied face ever.
Ren exhaled audibly before finally adding on one last time "She has been having this recurring dream for nearly a month now." The fact that Ren knew how to correct that story that was apparently a dream really meant she must have. It always surprises Ruby on how close they are and still not admitting that the two were a thing. Maybe Ren was into men? Though if Ruby had to admit Nora was definitely a looker, one would also have to be just as patient as Ren in order to survive every being with her.
With this wild tale finished Pyrrha looks over to Jaune and asks "Jaune, are you ok?"
This finally gets Jaune to look at something that wasn't his plate as he exclaims "Huh" while turning to look at Pyrrha. After seeing her concerned face he finally realizes what she was saying "Oh yeah, why?" He finished up his question while looking away from her, classic lying technique there. Ruby was happy to see someone worse than her at lying, but still listened on.
In fact Ruby noticed that the entire table was now paying attention to the blonde man, and especially when Yang stated bluntly "You definitely don't seem ok."
This caused Jaune to look across the whole table and say "Guys, I am fine seriously. I mean look." With that he gives off the most pitiful attempt at a smile with a thumbs up, yup he definitely wasn't fine. Yet what could it be? Could it be his new nickname that had already spread across the school that Yang gave him? Could it be his many failed attempts at trying to ask out the closeted heiress? Or could it be his many failings in both combat class and out?
Before anyone could reply though the entire cafeteria heard the annoying laugh of Cardin within its confines. This caused the entire table to look at him and his team making fun of a cute bunny eared faunus girl. Ruby immediately felt anger boiling in her stomach, taking away from the joy of the chocolate cookie in her mouth. Before anyone could react to this new development, Cardin grabbed the girl's rabbit ear and yanked hard on it. She exclaimed in pain and started crying while trying to free her ear. "I told it was real" Cardin states to his fellow teammates that joined in his bullying. Before anyone could even think a red blur slammed into Cardin, causing him to fly to the ground with a grunt.
Everyone looked in horror as Ruby was now standing in between the bully on the ground and the poor faunus girl he was bullying. Ruby hissed out "She told you to stop. Would you like it if someone was pulling on your ears?"
"What the hell you doing!?" Cardin yelled in an attempt to intimidate the hooded girl, one that failed before it even left his mouth. As he started to get up Ruby kicked him square in the chest, ensuring that he fell back onto the ground.
"I am defending someone who is being picked on by some utter trash." Ruby said with the venom dripping off every word that came out of her mouth. This was instantly picked up by the others in his team and they looked at each other trying to figure out what to do. They also noticed the arrival of two more women, mainly a short redhead and the angry blonde. That's when they knew it was not worth it and high tailed it out of the cafeteria. Standard bully actions, pick on them when you are stronger and flee when you are outclassed.
Of course Cardin also knew he wouldn't win this fight, but he wouldn't let the younger girl win the word battle that was going on. "Why are you defending a faunus!? They are literally scum that ruin our society, they are much better off where they belong; below us!"
Ruby's rage soared even higher, she might not be a faunus; but they are people just as much as humans are. They have all the same rights as humans do, and they have everything that a human does. It also doesn't help that Ruby might think that the bunny ears are super cute, yet she will never admit that point. "The only sum I see here is you. Trying to pick on someone for their appearance is wrong, and you should know that already. After all, you are going to need all the help you can get to ever find someone with that ugly mug." Ruby spits out. This got a silent gasp from the cafeteria crowd that had gone silent to listen to Cardin getting what he deserved. Not many people agreed with his actions since coming to this esteemed academy, and that was showing right now.
Though Ruby's actions proved too much for the man's pride and he snarled as he leapt to his feet, ready to destroy the girl that said such a thing to him. Before he could even get close to Ruby, Yang came up and stopped him. "Don't you dare get close to my sister, you meathead." she slowly hissed out at him. This caused Cardin to back up, everyone already knows of Yang's temper and that she can back it up with her fists.
This also caused Nora to walk up to Yang's side and ask in an excited voice "Can I break his legs!?" Cardin's face paled at this, Nora would most likely do that. Though luckily for Cardin, Nora's handler was currently in the room.
"Nora! We should not break fellow students' legs!" Ren called out from their table.
Nora soon had a pout on her face at the idea that she could not destroy Cardin's legs and he made sure to book it out of there as soon as possible. The tension in the room finally lessoned at his departure and the cafeteria finally returned to its normal drum of voices. Some were even talking about the fight that had just occurred before them. Of course Ruby decided to pay more attention to the girl that was being bullied and turned around to be stunned. The rabbit ear faunus was none other than Velvet, a member of team CFVY. The same team CFVY that was one of the best at Beacon, despite being only a second year team. Why would she let Cardin bully her?
"Are you ok?" Ruby asked in a hushed tone, ensuring that anyone in the cafeteria that was still paying attention wouldn't hear.
"Yes I am, thank you. You didn't have to do that." Velvet replied while stroking the ear that was yanked.
"I did it because it was the right thing to do. No one deserves to be treated like that." Ruby calmly replied with compassion.
"Thank you." Velvet said as she started to get up from the table.
Ruby had one more thing to ask "Why didn't you stand up for yourself? I know you could have kicked his ass if you wanted to."
Velvet looked over at Ruby and said "Then I would have fed into all their stories about the faunus. I would rather be bullied by some losers that I know I am better than, then have to deal with people saying I shouldn't be a huntress because I chose to stand up for myself."
Ruby was stunned at that. Vale was one of the more progressive kingdoms when it came to faunus treatment and even here a faunus still had some much to overcome. It truly sickened her about how the world treated the faunus, and tried so hard to hold them below themselves. It wasn't right, no one person should be higher than anyone else. They all lived on the same planet and thus should all be equal. The fact that people like Cardin existed, especially within an academy built to train those to protect the people of Remnant, just disgusted her.
Moving past the scuffle in the cafeteria Ruby was starting to head to her next class, which in her mind was her favorite. Weapon crafting and upkeep. She was already starting to design her end of semester project, a possible upgrade to Crescent Rose. Mainly better rifling and reload speed, you can ever stop fine tuning a weapon after all. Though before Ruby could get far Yang stopped her and pulled her to a discrete area.
"Rubes, are you ok? Since we got to Beacon you have been acting a little off." Yang asked in a concerned tone. Her protective instincts towards her little sister kicked in once again.
Ruby just rolled her eyes and said "I am fine Yang. Beacon is just a little stressful is all."
"Ok Rubes.. Would you like to hang out? Just us sisters going down in Vale and having a good time? We could even go to the arcade in the area. I heard that it's a million times better than Patch's! Plus we can stop at a bakery and get some cookies, or even make some together like we used to do!" Yang responded rapidly. She was trying anything to reconnect with her younger sister, because in her eyes something was off.
Ruby just looked at her trying to figure out why Yang was so insistent on spending time with her. They were here to become huntresses, not just goof off. Yet Ruby also knew that she couldn't just keep saying no to everyone, plus it would not hurt to get some cookies. Especially since her secret stockpile was slowly dwindling. Look cookies help the brain work and thus make the perfect snack during study sessions. It was scientifically proven by Ruby herself, she had at least a fifty percent increase in mental capabilities after eating a cookie.
So she agreed with a genuine smile on her face "Sure Yang we can have a sisters day. Let's plan it for an upcoming Sunday." This perked up the blonde brawler, and the two shared a semi touching moment that was harshly ended by the class warning bell sounding off. The two looked at each other and booked it to their individual classes. Ruby to her weapons class and Yang to her security class. Look Yang liked the look of some security guards in a movie and thought that was what it meant. She didn't think it had to do with the boring actual security where almost nothing happens while standing guard all day. How was she supposed to know that huntsmen actually could get missions like that?
So the week progressed onwards, that's the funny thing about time. When one pays attention to it, it moves slow, but when one looks at the larger picture it moves incredibly fast. The same was felt by all the young women on the team, yes it moved slow during the boring classes. Yet each day passed by almost like a blur, as if teasing them that these good times were only a short part of their lives ahead. Each had their own goals, one looking to redeem their family's company, one looking to do good for the wrongs that she felt she had committed, one looking for the thrills of adventure while helping others along the way, and one was looking to one day join her mother. Her mother that protected others to her dying breath, that brought joy to the young girl's life only to be cruelly torn away by the world that they lived in.
Yet the girls now found themselves in a classroom, one that does not have team seating and those had them separated. A classroom with a professor that felt like the very definition of time as he told them history at a speed that few students could truly keep up with. For doctor Bartholomew Oobleck moved at truly fascinating speeds, and used this to his advantage. He saw history as truly something that one must know and wanted all of it to be learned by his students. Not just the major pieces of history, not just the good times, but all of it. Thus he used his speed to cover it all, compared to the professors that taught him history when he was a student, he had triple the amount he was able to cover and it was something he was quite proud of.
Yet like any professor before him he also had his problem students. Students that either didn't care about the history that surrounds them or that they are stubborn fools doomed only to repeat it. It frustrates him to no end that to this day there are still students such as these, especially with the topic of today's discussion. The Faunus Rights Revolution, and how it has shaped modern society. Even though it happened before their time it still had great effects that are still felt to this very day, and still had fools that were trying to eradicate it from history. Some might even be in his very class today, mainly a mister Winchester. The boy is well known for his racist remarks against the faunus and he has even had some altercations against some faunus students on the campus. Though he was quite relieved to hear that some students stood up against the bully and defended the poor individual being bullied.
Though that also brings up mister Arc. The boy does not seem to fit with the former student in the way that he was against the faunus, no it more seemed to be indifference. Something that proved worrying for doctor Oobleck, especially since he was a leader of one of the first year teams at Beacon. Even if the doctor zoomed around the room he could easily see Jaune sleeping in his class, not even attempting to hide it. To make matters worse the man was literally in the front row of the auditorium, so anyone could see it.
Despite the issues he had with certain students the green haired doctor continued on with his lesson for the day "Now, which one of you young scholars could tell me what many theorists believe to be the turning point in the third year of the war?" One of his more studious students raised her hand with the answer. He instantly looked over at the proud white haired heiress and said "Yes" for her to respond.
She instantly answers "The battle at Fort Castle." Yes, he loved it when the students knew history before he taught it.
"Precisely!" he responded while waving out his hands to display his excitement and the event's importance. He moved so fast he almost spilled some of his precious coffee, something that was equally important to him as history was. So he pushed onwards to see if another student had studied up on these events. "And who can tell me what advantage the faunus had over General Legune's forces?" At that precise moment he saw out of the corner of his eye something small and white leave where Cardin was sitting and hitting the back on Jaune's head. This instantly woke up the blonde man and he exclaimed "Hey". Perfect simply perfect, lets see if the man who was currently sleeping through his class had the answer.
With that in mind he zoomed right in front of the blonde and loudly said "Mr Arc! Finally contributing to class! This is excellent, excellent! What is the answer?"
This led to the boy immediately looked completely lost and peering over Oobleck's shoulder, looking at what the doctor could only assume was his partner Pyrrha. Of course the doctor let it go as if a student of his could learn, then he would not hold it against them. Even if it was only to seem like they were paying attention. Being put on the spot usually lets something stay in their mind much longer, than anything else in his experience. Of course that led to a rather unobservant answer that made no sense "The advantage… The faunus.. had.. over that guys stuff… uh, binoculars!" Of course the class erupted into laughter at the answer, as it had made no sense at all. All except a few more serious students, mainly any faunus in the room and a few humans as well.
Looking to get past the class's laughter Oobleck responded to make it look intentional "Very funny mister Arc. Cardin! Perhaps you would care to share your thoughts on the subject!?"
Something that he immediately regretted when said student responded "Well, I know it is a lot easier to train an animal than a soldier." Of course the student wouldn't see anything positive about the other race, he is quite literally dragging humanity back nearly a hundred years with such thoughts.
Ruby was watching the class with rising anger as Cardin started his racist comments. The man had absolutely no redeeming qualities about him. Ruby knew that huntsmen were supposed to be really needed to drive back the Grimm, but could they really not spare a single one? Was the manpower needed so desperately that they had to let someone like him in? This just reminded her how truly bad some people were, just like Roman Torchwick. Utter trash that shouldn't exist freely in society. It was already hard enough to live with the ever presence of Grimm all around them, but now they had to deal with their fellow man ready to strike them in the back?
Luckily for Ruby, many other students agreed with her in the room. She even got to see him get told off by Pyrrha, and he got yelled at by the professor! It was glorious to see that he was the minority in the classroom. Maybe then he would see how the faunus constantly felt. True, Ruby herself was no such faunus, but the literal job of huntsmen was to protect the people. That includes both human and faunus. If she wanted to be like her mother she would have to do such a thing, even if it truly never made sense to her. It also included helping those in need, the amount of time she saw her mom help with odd jobs around the village homes had truly shone a light in everyone's eyes.
For Ruby a huntsman was a job that required your entire life put into it. It was a job that held the lowest life expectancy, even worse than working in the Schnee mines. It led to many huntsmen having families young, and eventually abandoning those families when they lost their life. She would make sure to never do that to anyone, she already knew the pain of being abandoned by her mother in this dangerous field. Yet was it truly worth risking your life every day for people like that to argue that one person is better than the other based on how they were born? What next, if the faunus didn't exist they would judge people based on their eye colors?
When she left class she was once again flanked by her team as they headed to their dorms. This was their last class of the day, and thus the team could relax. Mainly Blake and maybe Yang. Weiss had been trying her best to help Yang along in studies and even if it was still early in the semester, it was proving successful. The fight the other day still hung over them though, and it led to some tense atmosphere in the room. Especially between the partners of Yang and Blake. Everyone other than Yang could tell that Blake had been in the right to try to stop the fight from getting worse the other day, but Yang was still reeling from it. So for the first time when they were not in class Weiss had set up a team talk time. Though the way she had set it up, it felt more like a literal business meeting. Ruby just shrugged her shoulders, which must be the only way Weiss knew how to do anything. Like a business.
After sitting down at her seat, Weiss had straightened her back and said aloud "Ahem" to catch the others in the room. This led to Ruby sitting down next to her partner and Blake and Yang sitting across from them at the table that magically appeared in the room. To Ruby's surprise it even had cookies, apples, and even juice on it. Before anyone could say anything. Ruby's hand shot and stole a cookie. This got a snort out of Yang and a slight glare out of Weiss, but Ruby wasn't the main point of this little meeting.
So with no other interruptions Weiss finally began "Yang I wished to speak with you about what happened on Saturday." Yang just rolled her eyes at what was the most business talk that she had ever had to endure in her life up to this point, though Weiss still continued on "I wish to fix the issues that arose during our training session. For my part I want to apologize about accidentally hitting you in the head during it." With that the heiress finished her statement and looked around the table.
To say that Yang looked flabbergasted wouldn't be an understatement. She had her mouth open like a fish trying to suck in its next meal, and it nearly got a snicker out of Ruby. Luckily she was able to hold it in, this was already going to be a high strung conversation and she did not need to add fuel to the fire. Finally Yang responded "Is that all you have to apologize for? What about blaming me for the drinking?"
Weiss huffed and replied "That is true. While you were the one to suggest such an activity, we did indeed agree to it and thus should be held accountable too. I for one suggest that we do not drink the night before we do future training." That got a round of agreements from the table, not a single person present wanted to have to deal with that again. "Though I do think your reaction was a little over the top, and especially towards your partner. She was only trying to remedy the situation." Weiss added.
Yang looked at Weiss for a few moments, as if studying if she was being sincere. After those few moments she seemed to find her answer and finally said while rubbing the back of her head "Yeah.. I was a little over the top that day. I shouldn't have punched you like that, and definitely try to attack Blake for stopping me from continuing. I am sorry about that guys." She looked over at Blake and gave a sheepish smile. Weiss for her part looked a little happier, and only Ruby noticed that her tense posture relaxed a little.
Blake then responded "It's ok Yang. You had a really bad hangover, and I definitely didn't help it with faceplanting you into the ground. Though I still believe that it was the better option than leaving you to attempt to kill our team leader."
Yang just waved her hand and said "Psh. I wasn't going to kill her."
This time Ruby chimed in "No you were." This got a look of pure shock from Yang at the apartment betrayal of her sister. Though Ruby did not care and continued on "That first punch had taken half of Weiss's aura away, another would have shattered her aura. Can you tell us that when you were in that state that you would have stopped there?"
Yang sank a little into her seat and mumbled out "No, I can't." Then after a minute she shot up and said "But that's just how I am guys. I just act out on my emotions… I mean it has always worked for me so far, right?" She looked at the others, as if her excuse would hold up. True, Ruby knew that Yang was the fastest to anger in her family. It wasn't really a contest, she just was that way. It didn't help that it fueled her semblance at times as well, yet she was also the most caring in her overprotective way. It was how Yang was, she always acted on the emotion that she felt. Yet unlike what she said, it has caused many problems in the past.
That was something that Ruby was about to say before Weiss cut in first. "Yang, I understand that is who you are.." This got a look of hope in Yang's face, a hope that she would get completely out of this. That hope was shattered when Weiss continued ".. But we wish to become huntresses, and acting on emotions will put people in harm's way. I should know this the best in this room, you will meet clients that are not pleasant and you cannot do anything about it. If you even think of harming them you could be facing possibly losing your license or possible jail time. That's not even mentioning how it could affect you on a mission. What would you do if you had to make the decision between helping your sister in a tough fight or saving a group of people you don't know?"
Yang instantly responded "I know that there are asses out there Weiss, and I know that I will have to make decisions that might not line up with how I feel. I am not a child." With that Yang pouts.
Blake then comments "Plus when you are angry, you tend to be very easy to read. I mean the fight on Saturday was a lot easier than when I faced you in combat class. You only tried to attack head on, instead of maneuvering and planning the fight. It almost felt like I was fighting a different person." This caused Yang to study the black haired woman and notice the slight shiver that Blake had felt at the memory of her old partner. Yang raised her eyebrow a little at that, but knew now was not the time for such a conversation.
So Yang responded, hoping to get her partner off whatever was currently on her mind. "I was taught by my dad that if you hit something and it doesn't work you only have to hit harder."
"That may help in certain situations, but we need you to think more before you act. We want you to succeed, so our team can succeed. You are no longer working by yourself where that could possibly work, you are now on a team with three others and we need you to keep a level head in a fight." Weiss wisely stated. She looked rather proud of that statement.
"Ok, ok, I get it guys." Yang said while holding her hands up in defeat. "I will try to work harder on keeping a level head while fighting."
"We will also be there to help you along the way, you don't have to do this alone." Blake replied.
With that the four women had ended their much needed conversation and for the first time in days the tense atmosphere thinned out of the room. It was still there, with this team many doubted that it would ever truly go away; but it was at much more manageable levels. After their conversation ended Blake went to her desk to start on some of her homework, Ruby congratulated Weiss on her actual productive meeting with the team, and Weiss went to help Yang with some issues that the blonde was having on their history homework. While to outsiders the group still seemed very dysfunctional, to the women in that room currently it seemed like they finally got on the next step to being what they all wanted deep inside. Their goals may have been different, but in that moment they all could agree that this was truly what they needed.