Surprise! I managed to get this one out quick and pretty easily too. Don't get used to it, I simply couldn't stop my fingers this time and I had a hard time going to sleep with the need to write this chapter on my mind. Anyway, enjoy.
҉¯`•.¸¸.•´¯ Team RWBY's Room¯`•.¸¸.•´¯҉
There was silence in the room as the members of Team RWBY remaining members of Team JNPR settled down and looked at Blake. The Faunus said nothing and simply looked back at the others with a blank face before she let out a sigh.
"So, what do you want to talk about?" Blake asked, wanting to get a conversation going before things got too awkward.
"When are you leaving?" At that, everyone turned to Ruby before looking back at Blake. The Faunus simply took in a deep breath before letting out and shrugging her shoulders.
"Probably when the last Bullhead leaves tonight." She answered, getting everyone to widen their eyes before they looked outside and saw the sun was already setting. "I don't have any real reason to stay here…except you guys." Blake said, adding to her answer when she saw Ruby pull out a puppy-eyed look. "Look, we can act like things are okay but it's not…" The Faunus said, getting the others to look down.
"Do you have anywhere to go?" Weiss asked.
"I have a place in mind." Blake responded, "I stayed there when I ran away the first time. I'm sure they won't mind letting my stay there for a bit." The two had a stare down before Weiss nodded at the answer. There was an awkward silence that began to settle in the room that Blake wanted to get rid of. "Anything else?" The Faunus asked, getting everyone to look at one another. She could tell that the others had a load of questions, but it seemed that none of them wanted to ask any.
"Where you going to do after you leave?" That got Blake to look up to see Yang looking at her. "I mean, besides hanging around Jaune." That got everyone to look at Blake with raised eyebrows while the Faunus glared at the blonde, who gave an innocent smile in return.
"You're going to be with Jaune?" Pyrrha asked, causing Blake to let out another heavy sigh.
"That was the plan." Blake said, "I was thinking of traveling with him for a while. At least until one of us get tired of the other." That got the others to share a look with one another. "After that, I might travel around on my own." That got another round of shared looks before Ruby spoke up.
"Why not go home for a bit? I'm sure your parents might be missing you." The reaper asked, causing Blake to look at anything other than her.
"Don't you have a home to back to?" Ren asked, getting Blake to shake her head.
"I don't think my parents and I aren't on the best of terms right now." Blake said, looking away from the others. "I didn't leave them on the best of terms. In fact, I called them cowards and walked out on them." That got everyone else to flinch.
"Do you know where Jaune is?" Nora asked she saw that no one else was willing to speak up. The question got everyone to look at the ginger before focusing back on Blake, only to see her nod. "Do you mind if I go with you when you meet him?" Blake nodded at that before focusing on Weiss when she let out a light scoff.
"Why would we want to see Jaune again?" The heiress asked.
"I didn't know that meant it was invitation." Nora fired back, getting Weiss and the others to look at Nora in surprise. "I asked if I could go with Blake, not all of us. You made it clear what you and Yang thought of Jaune…" The ginger said before turning to Pyrrha and Ren. "…you two aren't any better." That got the two to look away. "I just want to see Jaune one more time…probably for the last time." That got Ren and Pyrrha to look back.
"I want to go too!" Ruby said, raising her hand before moving over to Nora.
"Ruby, you can't be serious!" Weiss said, "Why would want to see Jaune?"
"Because it's my choice Weiss." Ruby answered back, "Nora's right, you made it clear that you don't like Jaune, but he's my friend. This might be the last time I ever get to talk to him." The reaper continued, "The least I could do is tell him that he can always rely on me." Blake couldn't help but smile at Ruby's words. After another moment of silence, the Faunus captured everyone's attention by getting up, pausing for a moment before making her way towards the door.
"Blake?" Hearing her former leader say her name, Blake stopped and turned around before smiling,
"I'll meet you at Vale's landing docks tomorrow." The Faunus said, opening the door and closing it before anyone else could say anything.
҉¯`•.¸¸.•´¯The Den¯`•.¸¸.•´¯҉
"Why are we here?" Jaune asked, looking at Pyre when the two of them stopped in front of a building. The gunsmith was currently dressed in a pair of jeans that were tucked into black high boots as well as a dark red tank top, a while bolero with orange highlights around the pockets and an arm-length glove. Compared to Jaune, who was simply in a black muscle shirt and a pair of jeans, the gunsmith looked like she was ready for a fight.
"We're going to have a talk with my ex." Pyre said, looking at the building before letting out a sigh. "Might as well get this over with." The Faunus said before she began to walk toward the building. Jaune didn't immediately follow and watched as the two men that were guarding the entrance suddenly ran inside. That got Jaune to raise an eyebrow before his eyes widened entirely when he saw a large set of metal door close in front of the original ones.
"Are you sure we're going to be okay?" The blonde asked, getting Pyre to look back and give a Yang-like smirk. Without a word, the Faunus pulled her arm back and let Jaune watch as a massive holographic robot fist constructed itself around her glove. Jaune had no words when Pyre threw her fist forward and busted the reinforced door open with the holographic construct.
"C'mon, let's get inside." Pyre said as the fist began to dissipate around her arm. Jaune simply gave a numb nod as he followed her in, stopping when he heard an array of guns cocking themselves before he saw what seemed like an army of mobsters aiming their guns at the entrance, where they were standing.
"No one shoot." A voice said, getting Jaune to peek around Pyre to see a man walking up to them. "Pyre, what brings you back to my neck of the woods?" The man asked, getting Pyre to scoff.
"I'm pretty sure we already had this conversation over the phone." The Faunus said, before she reached out and tapped the man on his shoulder with her glove. "Or do I need to knock you around to remember?" At that, Jaune saw the man stiffen up before he turned to other mobsters and waved them off.
"Everyone get back to work!" The man said before he turned around and motioned for the Jaune and Pyre to follow. "This way." Jaune didn't fight and followed the two adults, taking the opportunity to look around the club before his attention was drawn a bar where the man motioned them to sit before going behind and grabbing a bottle and a few shot glasses.
"I'm not here to share a drink, Junior." Pyre said, as the man pour out three shots and pushed two of them forward.
"I know, but I consider it a waste that you don't have one while you're here." Junior said, downing the shot. Pyre followed his example and downed the shot while Jaune simply pushed it away with his hand.
"I don't drink." Jaune said, getting Junior to raise an eyebrow before Pyre reached over and took Jaune's glass.
"Who's the kid?" Pyre simply leaned on the counter and stared at Junior, causing him to hold up his hand in surrender.
"This 'kid'…" Pyre said, jabbing a thumb at Jaune, "…is the one who took out Torchwick." That got Junior to widen his eye before looking at Jaune. "He also managed to survive a Dust fueled explosion, so you might want to reconsider how you address him."
"Right…" Junior said before holding his hand out to Jaune. "Name Hei Xiong, but most here call me Junior." Jaune grabbed the man's hand and gave it a light shake before raising an eyebrow.
"Aren't you a bit old to be called Junior?" Jaune asked, getting the man to roll his eyes and sigh.
"Enough pleasantries." Pyre said, getting the two men's attention. "My info, Junior." This got another sigh from Junior.
"No, I didn't give out an information about you to anyone, especially two kids." The man said, pouring out another shot. "As for who those kids are; never seem them, at least, not around here."
"You think they're with Beacon?" Pyre said, getting Junior to shake his head while Jaune raised an eyebrow.
"If they are…they must've gotten in legitimately." Junior said, "No word from any forgers either, at least none in Vale." That got Jaune to wince a bit before looking around the room.
"Then I'm going to have ask that you poke around." Pyre said, getting Junior to let out a tired sigh.
"Ask around for two kids who knew about you?" The man asked, getting Pyre to nod. "Right, because no one could've heard about you from someone else."
"They mentioned you…of any other excuse and they knew about us." Pyre said, leaning in to stress the last word. "If that doesn't raise your suspicion…I don't know how you've managed to live this long." Jaune didn't say anything and watched as the man downed the shot in his hand before drinking straight from the bottle. "We may have had our differences Hei, but in the end we both still care about each other. Don't make me regret it."
"You're right…" Junior said when he lowered the bottle. "…I'll look into it and tell you anything I find." That seemed the be the answer Pyre wanted, as she nodded and sat back down.
"Jaune…." The blonde looked towards the Faunus to see her holding out a key ring. "Why don't you head back, I'm going to talk with Junior some more." Jaune didn't say anything and took the keys before leaving the two at the bar.
҉¯`•.¸¸.•´¯Lady Fyre's¯`•.¸¸.•´¯҉
"Blake?" Jaune asked, stopping a few feet away from Pyre's store. He hadn't expected to see the Faunus leaning against the wall with a duffle back and a briefcase next to her. The cat Faunus simply gave the blonde a quick wave before Jaune walked up to her. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." Blake said, getting Jaune to look at her with a confused look on his face before his attention was drawn to her luggage. Seeing that he wasn't going to accept the answer, Blake let out a sigh and looked away. "Ozpin expelled me…for everything I cause at the docks." The Faunus revealed, getting Jaune to widen his eyes.
"He didn't let you stay an extra week?" Jaune asked, looking around to see if anyone else was around. "That's what he offered me before I left."
"I didn't want to stay at Beacon." Blake answered, getting Jaune to blink. "Being there after being expelled…it wasn't something I wanted to deal with. I don't know how you managed to it." Jaune didn't say anything and simply nodded before he walked past Blake and unlocked the door.
"Pyre gave me the keys." Jaune revealed when he saw Blake's confused look. "Were you waiting for a while?" Jaune asked, grabbing Blake's briefcase before the Faunus could and motioning for her to enter.
"A few minutes honestly." Blake said as she walked past Jaune. "I was hoping Pyre could let me stay here for a bit before I head out."
"You're leaving? This soon?" Jaune asked, looking at Blake in surprise. "Looks like you had a back plan. Lucky. I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to do." Blake didn't respond and simply nodded at Jaune's words. "So, where are you headed?"
"That's…personal." Blake said, her ears flattening when Jaune simply nodded back. "Where's Pyre?"
"With a…friend? I'm not too sure but they talked like they used to be together." Jaune answered with a shrug getting Blake to raise an eyebrow. "She needed to know something and went to some information broker at a nearby club." Blake opened her mouth to say something, but before she could, the door to the shop opened.
"Well, look who's here!" Pyre said before she wrapped Blake in a hug. "What brings you here Kit-kat?" The Faunus asked, tightening her grip while Blake tried to free herself. While she tried to free herself, Blake's nose began to burn.
"She's drunk!" Blake said, looking to Jaune to see him simply watching what was happening. "Help me!"
"How?" Jaune asked, "If there's one thing I know about someone being drunk, it's to not interfere with whatever they're doing. And considering that we're in a weapons store, I'm not taking my chances." The blonde said, getting Blake to look around before giving in and letting Pyre fully wrap her arms around her. "Why don't you two go ahead and get some sleep?" Jaune said, getting Blake squawk in disbelief. "I'll close up here." Pyre didn't seem to object and simply headed up the stairs, Blake still in her grasp. "Good night!"
-The Next Morning-
"Why did I stick around for more…" Pyre groaned out, her head buried in her arms as she sat at the counter. Off the side, Jaune and Blake watched, the blonde with some sympathy while Blake had an indifferent expression.
"Maybe next time you'll think about drinking." Blake said, getting Pyre to shift her head to look her.
"Maybe I should reconsider letting you stay here…" The Faunus said, getting Blake to clam up while Jaune lifted his arms and stepped between the two.
"Look, it's already happened, okay?" The blonde started, his past experiences involving his sisters starting fights going off. "Let's just drop it and focus on something else. Pyre, why don't you get some rest? You've clearly got a hangover." Jaune said before looking to Blake. "You can get settled in while I go out and have a look around town."
"Actually, I've got to get to the landing docks." Blake said, getting Jaune to raise an eyebrow. "I'm meet with Ruby and Nora." Jaune didn't say anything and nodded at the simple explanation before patting Pyre on her back.
"Alright, Pyre can take a nap while we're out and we'll talk about everything when she's better." The blonde said, getting no protest from either woman before they began to move, Jaune and Pyre heading upstairs while Blake left the store.
҉¯`•.¸¸.•´¯Vale Landing Dock¯`•.¸¸.•´¯҉
"Blake? Blake! Over Here!" Blake stopped where she was and looked around before she stopped a familiar red cloak that was waving at her through the large crowd of students. Making her way over, Blake immediately stopped and felt a frown start to grow on her face when she saw who was waiting for her. Ruby and Nora were there like she had expected, but so were Ren, Pyrrha and Yang. Knowing that it was was useless to delay the meeting, Blake simply took in a deep breath before heading over to the group of five.
"I thought only Ruby and Nora were coming." Blake said, watching as the extra three winced and looked away.
"We just wanted to see Jaune one more time." Ren said, getting Blake to raise an eyebrow before looking at Ruby and Nora for confirmation, which the two nodded in agreement.
"I see Weiss isn't here." Blake pointed out, getting Yang to force out a cough.
"Weiss said that she and Jaune weren't really friends, so she should be expected to be here to see him." Ruby explained, her tone letting Blake know that the small reaper was not happy with the Heiress.
"Well, Jaune's off exploring Vale, so we have some time to kill before meeting him." Blake said, getting a round of nods. "So, if anyone has any options on what we can do, I'm all ears." The Faunus said, her extra set of ears wiggling at her choice of words. "And yes, Yang, I know what I said." The blonde raised her arms in surrender at being pointed out.
"There's a Dust shop that just recently opened." Ruby said, getting everyone's attention. "We can go there for a bit." No one objected to the small reaper's suggestion and motioned for her to lead the way. They didn't get far before Nora spoke up.
"Hey Blake…" Nora said, catching Blake's attention. "…I just noticed this but…" The Ginger said before she pointed to Blake's head. "…where's your bow?"
҉¯`•.¸¸.•´¯Vale (With Jaune)¯`•.¸¸.•´¯҉
"I can't believe I'm doing this." Jaune said as he walked down the street, stopping when he came to a rundown building. Stepping inside, Jaune closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. "Alright, I'm here." The blonde said loudly, before he saw a small girl appear in front of him. Even though she looked unassuming, Jaune knew that she was deadly, if their encounter from the night before was any indication. "What do you want?" Jaune asked, getting the girl to tilt her head before reaching into her pocket and pulling out a picture. Jaune didn't hesitate to take it, giving it a quick look before looking at back at the girl.
The picture was that of Roman's cane.
And this chapter's done. I know, I know, it's all over the place and I keep delaying Jaune departure from Vale. My only argument is that there are a few things I thought I should wrap up around Vale first before I make Jaune and Blake leave. And if you're wondering when Jaune met Neo...there's a reason for some transitions.
Aside from that, I thought I might answer a few questions that have been asked through PMs:
1. Yes, Blake never had her bow on since the day she and Jaune stayed with Pyre. Everyone saw that she had as second set of ears, but I didn't put any attention to it for a reason.
2. Pyre will come up later but is mainly just a repeating support character for story.
3. Jaune's relationship with his friends won't be 'fixed', just adjusted.
4. Jaune will deal with some of the 'main' baddies of the story so expect a few of them to show up later.
Anything else, you'll just have to wait until I upload a new chapter.
Until next time, see ya.
P.S. I wrote a very short poem, so if you could, give it a quick look over.