Hello! I'm finally back with another chapter. Sorry for the delay, I got into an argument over with my sister and it resulted into a messed-up babysitting schedule.

To Better (K)nights

҉¯`•.¸¸.•´¯Vale Huntsmen Offices¯`•.¸¸.•´¯҉

Jaune let out a sigh as he waited on a bench with Pyre was humming happily beside him.

"Do we have to be here?" Jaune asked, getting Pyre to stop humming and look at him with a lazily raised eyebrow.

"Do you want your reward money?" The Faunus asked, getting Jaune to look around. There weren't many people around, aside the receptionist and two other huntresses, but the blonde couldn't help but feel a little uneasy about being here.

"I never thought that Huntsmen Offices set up a bounty on Roman Torchwick." Jaune said, getting Pyre to shrug.

"The man clearly had Huntsmen training," The Faunus said, "I don't think the Vale Police Department would put out a bounty on someone who was clearly out of their league; especially if they have people around who can match him." At that Jaune took a second to think before squinting one eye.

"And yet, the one person to take him down was nothing more than a liar who was kicked out of Beacon." Jaune said, getting Pyre to open her mouth before shutting, offering another shrug. The silence that fell over them was calming until Pyre let out an exaggerated sigh.

"There's like five people out here, including the receptionist!" Pyre said loudly, getting the two Huntresses to look at her and Jaune. "How long does it take to service two people?"

"This feels like waiting at the clothes store with my sisters…" Jaune mumbled, letting his body droop a bit as he tried to sink into the floor. As the blonde continued his fruitless efforts, a door opened before a man poked his head out.

"Which one of you is here for the bounty on Torchwick?" The man asked, getting Pyre to jab a thumb towards Jaune.

҉¯`•.¸¸.•´¯Beacon Halls¯`•.¸¸.•´¯҉

"This might sound mean to ask but…" Nora started, getting Alexander to look at her, "…is Jaune's mom always like that?" This got everyone else's attention, and caused them to slow a bit as they looked to Jaune's father. The man simply let out a sigh and shook his head.

"No, in all honesty, she's the sweetest woman you could ever meet." Alexander said, "However, she was brought up with a strict life style. To her, respect is something earned and, until it is, both parties have the right to act as rudely as they want." The man explained, focusing on Ren near the end. "In all honesty, cutting in the conversation like you had tried to was nothing new to her. But you have to consider the fact circumstances we're under."

"Circumstances?" Ruby asked, getting a nod in return.

"We, two parents who were worried sick about our runaway son, had just learned where he was after months of no communication." Alexander said, getting everyone to widen their eyes. "Can you imagine what your parents would likely feel in our place. No doubt that, if they cared for you, they would've wanted to get you back as soon as possible." The man said, before letting out a sigh. "Of course, she is admittedly a bit of a hot head."

"If you don't mind," Blake said, getting everyone's attention as she stopped in place. "I'm going to head to our dorm and pack up." The rest of her team widen their eyes before Yang walked forward stopped next to Blake.

"Why don't you guys go to the locker room?" The blonde said, waving them away casually. "I'll help Blake here and we'll meet up there?" Before anyone could answer, Yang began to drag Blake away by her wrist. "C'mon partner, let's get you ready." While Weiss and Ruby seemed to watch the corner, Nora simply began to walk again. This got everyone's attention and caused Ruby to look back at the corner before following, Weiss doing the same with a roll of her eyes.

The walk was quiet for the rest of the way, only interrupted when Alexander took a second stop and look out the window, as if he were waiting for something to happen.

-With Blake-

"You sure you're okay with leaving all of these?" Yang asked, motioning to their bed former bed, specifically the stacks of books that were used to being hold it up.

"As much as I don't want too, I don't I'll be able to carry all of them." Blake said as she looked towards the books. Slung over her shoulder was a simple duffle back that held extra sets of clothes while her brief case was full of toiletries and a few books she didn't leave behind.

"Hey…" Yang asked, getting Blake to look back. "Can I ask you something?" Blake blinked at the request before she motioned for Yang to continue. "Why did you run? When you told us that you were once a part of the White Fang?" At that, Blake let out a sigh before she turned back to the books and skimmed over the books again. Yang didn't say anything and simply waited before Blake let out a heavier sigh.

"Honestly, I was afraid." Blake said, before she grabbed a book and, with a precise showing of skill, managed to remove the book without causing the bed to topple over. "I mean, all my life I was told how SDC treated Faunus. How the company basically made Faunus nothing more than slaves." Blake said, before she repeated the same actions with another stack of books. "I mean, I never seen an actual mine run by SDC, but the amount of Dust I saw on trains was more than enough to convince me."

"So, you assumed that Weiss was going to do something like that?" Yang asked, getting Blake to shake her head.

"I was afraid that she was going to turn me in. I did just admit to being a part of the White Fang before coming to Beacon." The Faunus said, her ears flattening against her head. "It wasn't the best option, but it was the one that appealed the most at the moment. Even Jaune told me that I made a should've stayed."

"Speaking of which," Yang said, getting Blake stop and turn to her. "Are you going be sticking with Jaune once you leave?" Blake took a second to blink while Yang just shrugged. "I mean, he was there for you when you ran away so you likely know where he's staying and if Torchwick is anything to go by…he's clearly able to take care of himself." Yang said, looking away near the end. "That actually makes we wonder if it was right to push him away…" Even though Yang whispered the last part, Blake still heard it.

"Probably…" Blake said, getting Yang to look at her with surprise. "…he's the only person I know that's dependable." The Faunus said, letting out a sigh as she closed her briefcase and stood up. Seeing Yang's betrayed face, Blake closed her eyes. "Look me in the eyes Yang. Tell me that if it had been the other way around that you would've done what he had."

"What do you mean?"

"Yang, you're not the only one who pushed Jaune away. Practically everyone in their first and second year pushed Jaune away." Blake said, motioning towards the window. "I'm asking you to look me in the eye and say that if we had done that to you…would you be willing to help us out still?" Yang opened her mouth to answer but she immediately shut it when Blake focused all her attention on her, not blinking as she waited for Yang to speak. The blonde, however, shut her mouth and begun to turn away.

"No…"

"But Jaune would." Blake said, getting Yang to flinch. "Even after what we did, Jaune still helped." Blake said, letting out a hallow chuckle. "And seeing him own up to his mistakes made me realize that I was nothing more than a hypocrite. All my talk about Faunus equality and I don't even lift a finger against him and Cardin when I knew something was up. I could've taken that as an opportunity to show that Faunus can stand up for humans." Yang simply shrugged before an uncomfortable silence.

"We should get going." Yang said, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "I think the others are in the locker rooms right now." Blake simply nodded in agreement as she followed Yang to the door.

-With Nora-

"Here's Jaune's things…" Nora said before she unlocked her rocket locker and let the door swing open. Inside, Nora's grenade launcher/hammer was collapsed and hanging on a set of hooks while a familiar set of armor was nestled on the bottom with the object they were looking for was sticking out from the top of the chest plate. Without a word, Alexander reached into the locker and grabbed Crocea Mors, taking a second to unsheathe it before nodding.

"Even after all this time, it's still strange to see this blade like this." The man said before he unfolded the shield and put himself into a readied stance. The remaining five students took a second to blink when they instantly recognized the similarities between the man and Jaune when it came to their postures. The man simply let out a quick grunt before putting the weapon away. "Make me wonder what Jaune would've done with it had it not been re-forged." Hearing that, everyone blink in unison at what they heard.

"Wait, Jaune's sword used to be different?" Nora asked, getting Alexander to nod.

"Yes. In fact, it was taller than even me when I wielded it." The man said, before he pulled out a photo that showed him with the blade. The pictured showed him, albeit a much younger version, with a large sword that was currently stabbed into the ground next to him, letting him lean on it while a group of kids were standing at his feet. Giving the students a quick look, Alexander watched as the five students to looked at him again with wide eyes, Ruby, Nora and Weiss all craning their neck up to see his face. While the father could admit his son was tall, he himself was still a head and a half taller than Jaune.

"…Wow…" Was all that anyone could say, getting Alexander to chuckle before putting the photo away.

"Indeed, but, since I felt it was time to pass it on, I had it broken down re-forged into a sword and shield." The man said, before looking up a bit. "Still have some scraps for just in case purposes."

"But…Jaune said he stole it." Ruby said, getting the man to nod again. "If you were supposed to pass it on…why did Jaune steal it?"

"Because it was supposed to go to his twin sister." Alexander said curtly. "Tradition states that I had to pass the sword onto Jaune when he became of age. However, his mother's own traditions conflicted with this and we decided Jaune was going to take on her traditions when he was born."

"Is that why you didn't train him?" A voice asked, getting everyone to turn and see Pyrrha staring at Alexander. The man didn't seem bothered by the somewhat angered stare the champion had on her face.

"Yes, it is." Alexander replied, his voice calm yet now having an authoritative tone to it. "As I've said, this was decided when he was young. Even if I don't support it personally, it was an agreement I felt was best for him."

"So it wouldn't have bothered you if he got hurt during initiation?" Pyrrha asked, getting the man to close his eyes. As he did, the room began to fill with a certain atmosphere that made the students begin to fear for the man like a child would a parent.

"I suggest that you think over your words carefully girl." Alexander said, his voice still remaining the same. "Do not assume you know what's best for Jaune." The man said, before he opened his eyes and focused solely on Pyrrha. "And do not assume that I never cared for him. You are but a child and any Huntsmen or Huntress could see that." At that, Alexander held up the sheathed sword and pointed at her.

"So, you didn't think that he would come to Beacon?" Pyrrha asked, getting Alexander let out a sigh and lowered the sword.

"My money was personally on Haven, but I won't claim to know my son like a normal parent would. The actions of my wife and I are clear of that." Alexander said, "But I will not have a girl such as you attempt to paint me as the sole cause for it all." The man continued as he turned around. "Even if my son didn't listen to us…we've always made our feelings clear to him."

"And he respected that." A voice said, getting everyone to turn towards the door to see Blake and Yang walking through it. While the five other students remained quiet, Alexander raised an eyebrow at Blake.

"You knew my son?" The man asked, getting Blake to shake her head.

"Not on a personal level, but enough that he told me about his family." Blake answered before she walked past the man and up to her locker. "I'm the reason he's in the hospital." Blake said, stopping her actions to take a deep breath and choosing to ignore the fear that was creeping up the back of her neck "I won't defend myself not for what I did to him. And now that I'm no longer a part of Beacon…you have every right to hurt me." As Blake finished saying that, she closed her eyes and waited, for someone to say or do something.

"It seems like my son got to you too." The man said, surprising Blake when he slammed his hand on her shoulder. "Jaune's always had a way of accepting responsibility; whether he knows it or not, he tends to pass that sense on to others." Alexander explained. "Come, I think my wife would like to have a word with you two." The man said, stopping to motion to Nora before he continued to walk away with Blake.

҉¯`•.¸¸.•´¯Ozpin's Office¯`•.¸¸.•´¯҉

Ozpin was at a loss for words as he stared the woman in front of him, her serious expression making hard for him to do anything but sputter out senseless words.

"Y-you can't be serious!?" Ozpin said, getting up from his desk as the Camellia's smirk disappeared.

"You know damn well that I don't joke when it comes to you." Camellia said, before she extended one finger and used it to tap on Ozpin's desk. "I had no problem with Jaune attending Beacon. He knew we didn't want him to be a Huntsman, and yet he did it anyway. I will always respect my children's decisions and won't interfere even if I want to. But." Camellia said, balling her fist again and slamming it against Ozpin's desk, spreading the cracks she made earlier. "You've made the mistake of expelling him."

"I did what I had to…" Ozpin said, getting Camellia to lean in with blank expression. "…to prevent any conflict."

"More like didn't want your precious little fortress to fall in the chance I found out." Camellia stated before her face twisted into one of disgust. "But I'm telling you this now and only once; there's nothing I that will stop me from watching over my son." The woman said, getting Ozpin to narrow his eyes at her.

"The war against the Grimm-"

"Is not the only threat in the world!" Camellia cut off, her fist crashing into Ozpin's desk and causing it to shatter entirely. "We both know you can't defeat Salem, not on your own. But I'll be damned if I let you use anyone in my family to accomplish that." The woman said, before she reached over and grabbed Ozpin by his collar. "You may have tricked the rest of the Arcane Tribe into giving their lives away, but I'm not that blind. But now that I see you've tried to use him…I have no choice but to act." Hearing that, Ozpin widen his eyes before he felt himself being shoved into his chair as he watched Camellia turn and walk away.

"Camellia." The headmaster said, getting the woman to stop and look back. "Is this really what your parents would've wanted?" Ozpin asked, instantly regretting his word when he felt a blade bury itself into his chair. Giving the blade a quick glance, Ozpin focused on Camelia again as the blade began to disappear.

"I wouldn't know." The woman said, her voice both cold and sadden. "I was only a little girl when you took them away." Seeing that the conversation was over, Camellia walked to the elevator and stepped inside. However, before the doors closed, the woman said one more sentence; one that made Ozpin's blood freeze over. "Qrow, tell your sister that the Branwen Tribe will finally be fulfilling its duty." A few seconds later, a crow perched itself in an open window, taking second to look at Ozpin before flying off to deliver its newest message.

҉¯`•.¸¸.•´¯Lady Fyre's¯`•.¸¸.•´¯҉

Jaune said nothing as continued to look at the single card that was in his hand as if it held the secrets of the world.

"Seriously? You've been looking at that since we've got it." Pyre said, getting Jaune to look away before holding it up.

"Sorry. It's just…I've never held this much money at once." The blonde answered before shrugging. "At best, I had enough for a used game; and that was if I saved up or I didn't give it to one my sisters."

"It's only fifteen percent of the total. Don't go gaga over it." Pyre said, getting Jaune to lazily raise an eyebrow at her.

"Seventy-five thousand isn't exactly what I was expecting." Jaune said, holding the card a bit higher. "I mean, I heard that Roman was criminal, but I didn't think Vale put a half-million bounty on him." That got Pyre to shrug a shoulder.

"I can't believe that he actually dipped his hand into Mistral's underground." The Faunus said, looking up from the dagger she was working on. "No doubt that Mistral was paying for that bounty as well. Their underground business is more cutthroat…sometimes literally."

"Still, this should set me up for a while, right?" Jaune asked, getting Pyre to nod.

"More or less." Pyre said before she held up the dagger, inspecting it before putting down to continue her work. "But, if I could suggest an option." At that, Jaune nodded. "Toss a payment my way and I can get a new set of clothes for you, more durable this time." Hearing that, Jaune blushed. "And it'll still cost the same."

"Think you can make me something else?" Jaune said, getting Pyre to look up. "Something I can use with my new gun, like a new sword." That got Pyre to smirk again, something that made Jaune shiver again.

"Kid, I've already got something in store for you." Pyre said, pointing the dagger at him.

And done. Like I said, I'm sorry for the delay but I didn't really have much time to write since I'm still watching my sisters' kids. I could technically write and watch them, but the kids are the kind who'll immediately try to do something as soon as you take your eyes off of them.

Anyway, I'll try and get the next chapter out as soon as I can. Until next time, see ya!