Hey! RGQC here, and we're back again with another chapter with Zack! And while I don't really have anything to say precisely, and I don't want to be the guy who begs for reviews… but having some to read and reply to does sound nice, does it? But I'll leave it up to you. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

As with all my other stories, I do not own RWBY, only my OCs in this story. RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth.

Jade POV

A year has passed since that… awkward moment I had with my best friend, and things have returned to normalcy somewhat. I finally got my double-bladed glaives rebuilt after my father smashed them into two during our spare time, and I've begun training to wield them properly! And that wasn't the only thing that has happened in the past year.

Other relevant things to me also occurred during that time, like my best friend joining in and our time spent with Velvet! Blake had to spend the next few months training up her body to learn how to defend herself, but much to everyone's surprise, she has been training behind everyone's backs for a while now. It's like what I did with the glaives a while back…

I hope she didn't learn that from me…

Nevertheless, it did not seem that bad, for we could spend less time working her body up and more on weapon training! But I did not forget about her studies at all! Since she would be spending the afternoon with me and my father in the training fields, I have to be stricter with her and have all her studies completed in the morning before I come and visit her after school to check on her progress.

Sure, she was upset about this new rule, but she did admit to me that she continued her studies even when she was with her father overseas, so I'm proud of her for that. And another thing was Velvet. With her now part of our small group, we would hang out and have fun together.

Oh, how I missed these moments…

Oh yeah! Turns out, by having my father train my best friend as well, more rumours had begun to spread about the local Huntsman training the Chieftain's daughter. I don't know how to feel about it, but adults are strange if they must talk about everything… But what do I know? I'm just a boy.

I think…

You know, until now, I still wonder occasionally how I seemed to be aware of more things than I should have. But the more I try to understand why I seem this way, the more I just get headaches in return. And while it sounds dumb, I think someone or something's blocking my memories or making me forget who I am.

And how did I come to this conclusion?

Because of Velvet.

The more time I spent around her, the more I got these… Flashbacks. While most are challenging to understand, as many were without context or made little sense, only one stood up to me. And is what I could guess is an older Velvet in a school? It is hard to piece it together since the memory faded as soon as it came, rendering me incapable of recalling it.

Even the same thing could be said about another flashback with my best friend in it! And it's making me increasingly worried that I'm walking into something I couldn't comprehend right now. For the sake of my sanity and fear that I'm travelling through uncharted waters, I had to push my research of who I am away.

But enough of that. It was a day away from my best friend's 9th birthday while I wandered through the streets of Kou Kanna. I've been looking for something to buy as a gift for my best friend for a while now, but I found none that I feel would be a good gift for her. It's frustrating me to no end.

Eventually, though, I concluded that I didn't need to buy something so complicated. Just something nice and simple should do the trick. And I know just what to buy her. I ended up running through the streets until I stumbled across an accessory vendor selling all sorts of items for hair! Blake did mention that one time, she wanted a ribbon, and I think I got it.

"Hmm… I don't think she would like something that is too flashy and blinky… Perhaps something simple like a small hairpin with a black bow will do the trick?" My thoughts wander for a moment while staring at the numerous hairpins on display. Several were made of wood, while others were metal, from what I could tell. Perhaps a metal should do nicely?

"Can I have this one?" I said while pointing at the black hairpin with a black bow and holding Lien in my hand. Yet the vendor chuckled at me. "What's so funny?" I only wondered while my ears twitched in response.

As if he could read my mind, the vendor guy shook his head. "Ah, nothing. It is rare to see children your age buying these kinds of accessories. If I may ask, who are you buying this for?"

"Oh, uh, it's a birthday gift for my friend… I've been wondering what I should get her and figured that something simple would be nice." I replied with my cheeks reddening slightly while the vendor laughed again with a teasing smile. I do not like where this is going.

"Ha! I see…" He chuckles before taking my Lien cards and passing me the hairpin with a bow on it. "You know, I can tell that you have some sort of crush on her by how you're acting." He grins while I feel my cheeks burning upon remembering that kiss I got!

"Not crush! Just best friend!" I couldn't help but squeal before speeding away in embarrassment. Why must you people say that?! Sure, I admired Blake as a best friend, but liking her? That's an entirely different story altogether! Even worse, Mummy has been teasing me about it ever since that day, like, come on! Must you keep going, and why can't you just drop it already?!

And from what my best friend had ranted to me that one time, her mummy has been doing the same thing! Why do you people keep trying to put us together?!

Oh, I feel breathless from running so much…

Leaning against a wooden wall to catch my breath, I could hear the noises of the crowded streets before I picked up someone yelling not far from my location. And not too far away, on a wooden platform, I spotted someone attracting a lot of attention from passersby with her speech, if I were to guess correctly from their voice.

What's going on?

Creeping through the crowds and on the wooden platform was a dark-skinned woman with cat ears? No, those are tiger ears, actually. Her body was adorned with striped tattoos, and she gave a fiery speech to everyone. And if I were to pick it up correctly, it is about the White Fang's failures in securing our rights.

Right… That.

While I understand where they're coming from. Daddy told me this was not the path, and I believed him. I don't think beating people up is a good way to earn equal rights. However, I'm not foolish enough to notice the ever-growing discontent among my fellow Faunus about the lack of progress.

I need to leave. I have no part here.

But… Why do my thoughts warn me that if this goes on, Remnant will suffer because of it? What does it even mean? Hmm… I need to consider it after celebrating my best friend's birthday. I'm sure she wouldn't mind such a gift from me.

A day later, I was proven correct! We had cake, and she received all sorts of gifts from us all! Even Velvet and her parents were invited to our small and private birthday party. But Blake loved the hairpin I got for her, and she instantly wore it!

I can say she looks better with it! But mummy had to ruin it by teasing us again. Ugh! Why won't she stop? But enough of getting teased, it was also the day my best friend received her first sword after months of physical training by my father. And that means she will be joining our spar finally. She has been poking me and my father about wanting to participate despite my father saying that she is not ready yet for months, and I could tell he is relieved about it as well.

So, as I have been doing before, I picked up my double-bladed glaives. My best friend would train in hand-to-hand combat and a simple sword. She wanted to do something similar to my fighting style, but her father denied it. He mentions something about wanting his daughter to learn something simple and not complex.

I still don't know what he means by that, by the way.

Amranth POV

It's not every day I choose to take a leave from my work as a doctor. Most of the time, I would see tens of patients every day or even more at worst. It isn't that bad, I'd say. I've made some good friends with some of my patients despite the workload, as did my colleagues I worked with.

But once in a while, I just want a day's break and check on my dear family. Sure, my hubby's mostly training new militias with his time, and my adorable little kitten is doing exceptionally well in his studies and learning how to defend himself under his father. I tell you, there are so many times I come back to see my son all bruised up, all because he wasn't careful when he trained.

I was furious, but I have come to accept that this is inevitable with how he is. Oh yes! I can't forget about adorable Blake joining them! I still remember when she got hurt badly by my son unintentionally, and out of guilt, he walked her to my clinic by himself! If I had my scroll at the time, I would have taken a photo of them!

It's a shame I did not have it at the time…

Now, where was I? Ah, right, I've taken my leave and done some housework, and it is now close to evening. I should perhaps pay a visit to the training field my husband's in and see how he has been doing. My adorable kitten should also be there as well. He's never one for missing his lessons, except for that one time he did.

It was still amusing, though… His reaction reminded me of the one time he was caught doing something he shouldn't be doing. But I digress. By the time I arrived at the training field, to my surprise, it was packed to the brim with people! Right, of course! How could I have forgotten about the rumours that spread about my dear taking in little Blake and training her?

I thought he was over-exaggerating it, but now that I am here, I can see what he meant. It must be a big deal for everyone if my husband is taking the daughter of the chieftain under his wing. And I can see why. It's not every day that Ghira would have his daughter participating in such a rigorous activity, if ever.

And much to my awe, there were children among the crowds as well! My goodness, they really were interested in it seems.

Making my way through the crowds was a burdensome task because it was packed tightly, but I did it after asking for a way through and apologising to one as I accidentally stepped on his tail! How clumsy of me! And right in the middle of the training field, I spot them. My baby boy was against his friend while my husband was in the distance observing them.

I'm unfamiliar with fighting styles or their names, for it is not my forte, but I can tell that my husband's working on hand-to-hand combat. And it appears that my kitten's going easy on her, I think.

But speaking of Blake, I've been thinking about this, and while both she and my kitten are still young right now, I think they will make for the perfect couple, you know? It's just this feeling I get whenever those two were meant for each other. Was I a firm believer of first love? Maybe. But I know the growing signs of a developing crush between the both of them.

My friend Kali agrees with me, and our suspicions grow when we discover Blake kissed my baby boy on the cheek! How cute! Despite my son's attempts to deny it. Kali even informed me that neither of them could look at each other in the next few days. I like to believe they were still embarrassed about the whole ordeal.

But that won't stop me from teasing my son! His reaction is way too cute and adorable to ignore! Oh! And I want to comment on that gift my son gave to her. While it is simple in design, it does look quite lovely on her hair! And, of course, Kali and I couldn't resist the temptation and pounced on our children.

Heheheh.

Throughout the time I watched my child spar against his partner, I couldn't help but develop an ugly feeling on the inside. While I'll do everything I can for my baby boy, I have to voice my concern about the path he's taking. I'd prefer if he were to stay in Menagerie and away from the outside world. It's not as safe as one would think about it.

Bandit attacks, Grimm and other threats outside the Kingdoms, according to my husband and I want him away from them. But my son's curiosity for the outside world has no bounds, and as much as I want to coddle him and my wish for him to stay here, eventually, we will have to move.

I've been dreading the moment ever since I got a mail from my mother. How long has it been since I ran away from them because I feared what they had planned for me? And how did they find out that I was here the whole time? How could I face them again after not seeing them for nearly a decade? And all because they rejected my love for my dear husband, who is a Huntsman.

How would they react to finding out I have a child with him? My baby boy… Your mummy has been hiding things from you. And I fear the worst will happen to every one of us soon. I suppose this was why I allowed him to expand your training beyond just hand-to-hand, huh?

The skies grew ever dimmer, and the clouds grew ever heavier. I wonder how long it will take before it becomes a storm. In addition, after the storm fades away and gives way to the light, will you be able to forgive me? Your grandparents and uncle have… problems I don't want to burden you with. Yet they always seem to haunt me back again and again.

No matter how much I want to run.

And now I… they've given me an ultimatum. They want me to come home within a few years from now, or they will come for me…

Oh… If you were in my position, I wonder what you would do, my kitten…

And with nothing else and witnessing the training concluding, I took my leave. I… need to think about our future.

Laughter broke out in the fruit stand while the simmering stars of the night loomed over, torches of all sizes were lit while three Faunus children laughed and had a night celebration over their friend's achievement, all while the vendor oversaw them. Blake had successfully managed to land a hit on Jade! And while it sounds mundane at first glance. To Jade, it was something worth celebrating his best friend's progress.

And because of that, the little cat Faunus decided to sponsor everyone with fruit juice before they closed off for the night.

"Cheers!" Jade smiled as he held up his cup while the others did the same.

"Cheers!"

With the sounds of glass clinking, the three Faunus children began drinking their papaya milk with their wooden straws. Jade was sitting in the middle with Blake to his left and Velvet to his right while they stared at the shattered moon above.

"I'm happy about your progress. You really got me good." Jade chuckled while remembering his spar with his best friend earlier. She really got him good with her punch that slipped past his block and slammed against his cheek. In fact, he can still feel them aching slightly, but the taste of his drink did help soothe it.

"Yeah…" Blake could only glance at the punch mark on her best friend's cheek. It was still evident that Jade was punched there and was left with a small bruise as a reward. A part of her was worried how he would feel upset about her landing a hit on him, but the opposite was true. Jade was ecstatic that she managed to hit him.

And partly because that impressed his father to the point that Blake can now move on to practising with the blade. "Are you sure you're ok with that?" Blake softly asked before Velvet joined in.

"I think Jade's just happy to see you improve and stuff." The rabbit Faunus admits while her ears twitch. Agreeing with what his rabbit friend had said, Jade lets out an affirmative hum.

"Yup! I'm proud of your progress!" Jade couldn't help but smile brightly at his best friend, who had a subtle blush on her cheeks. And unaware of his friend's slight reaction to his compliments, the cat Faunus continues. "And I'm sure in no time, we may be able to go against one another on equal footing!"

Velvet was not actively giggling, while poor Blake was utterly speechless in her friend's belief and hope for her. "You really think so?" She asks softly while Jade nods his head after sipping his drink.

"Yeah! I think you impressed my daddy with that move!"

"Uhm… That's great… I should, uh, get going. Mummy won't want me staying out this late." Blake quickly says while finishing her drink while Jade and Velvet nod their heads.

"Of course, it's getting late. I should too." Jade agrees while Velvet can be seen slurping her drink all down.

"Right! Mom is probably worried about me!"

With their goodbyes and Jade giving the vendor a tip, all three children rushed home with Jade escorting since the girls designated him to be a gentleman and escorted them home. But when the little cat Faunus arrived home, he could smell the pungent stench of alcohol and not too far away on the couch was his mother sipping on some wine in a glass she got from somewhere while his dad was beside her.

And from what he could pick up, something must have happened that his father was doing his best to comfort her. "Did something happen, mummy?" Jade could only ask while he slowly shuffled towards his mother. Yet despite the clear evidence that she was far from okay, she denied it almost instantly.

"Oh, nothing bad has happened, my dear. Mummy's just… feeling tired today."

"Are you sure? You smell… strange." The little cat Faunus could only frown at the stench while hiding his perception that he was not falling for it. Even then, he knew something was incredibly off since this was the first time he had seen his mother this… discompose over something. And it was apparent that he wasn't getting any answers from her when she was in this state.

"Look, kid. Just go and take a shower and rest and let Daddy handle it." Melo replied so firmly that it made the cat Faunus understand one thing. He's walking into something he should not intervene, and he should let his father handle it. Jade's ears visibly sank before he silently nodded and walked off, hoping that whatever was affecting his mother this badly would disappear.

He's already missing his mother's lively nature.

And once the little cat Faunus had left his parents alone, Amranth sighed before leaning on her husband. "I wish we didn't have to do this…" She began nuzzling Melo, who slowly nodded his head.

"Yeah, I understand. I doubt we can do anything to avoid it. They are… determined, I give them that." As if the mood of the situation could get even more depressing, Amranth began to sob as she cried into her husband's shoulder.

"I don't want to go back… I'm so happy here with you and our child. They'll just take it away. Take you away. Our little Jade… away… I don't want to see them at all. I ran away from them for a reason." Tears poured out her eyes as she sobbed and stained Melo's shoulder while he gently held his wife close and patted her gently.

"And I'll never let them take you or our child away. I'll fight to keep you and Jade in my hands. Not till my dying breath, I swear." Melo's grip grew tighter by the second. Melo could say he knew his wife well. Still, after receiving that letter years ago and the clock ticking ever closer to the dateline, his dear wife has been undergoing several meltdowns, and it's only recently that it has begun to affect her this much.

"Please let it be true." Amranth whimpered before Melo lifted her chin with his finger and brought her into a deep kiss that lasted longer than it should have. What started out as a husband reassuring his wife became something more when they lost themselves to each other's lips.

But before it could escalate further, Amranth quickly broke away from their passionate kiss. "It's- it's been a while since we have done this, hasn't it?" She could only ask breathlessly as the urge within her grew.

"Yes. Yes, it has. Years in fact, but we can't do it here." Melo whispered softly into her ears while caressing her back as he had done before, and that sent a pleasant shiver up Amranth's spine while her ears twitched.

"Mmm… I know. I don't want our little kitten getting in the way of us or witnessing it either. He's still a young boy to learn this."

"He would eventually." Melo quickly points out while his wife giggles.

"I know, but that can be put aside." Amranth felt her grip tightening around her husband right as a sultry smile grew on her lips. "Now, what I want now is you to ravage me." Her whispers sent a wave of shivers down Melo's spine. Oh dear, this might end poorly. Part of the reason his dear wife tries her best to avoid taking alcohol is that she tends to lose her senses to it.

But even he has his limits. Melo gently scooped his wife with his hands while she giggled with a seductive grin and hazy eyes. "I hope today's your safe day… if not…" He thought to himself, but as if his wife could read his thoughts, she whispered before licking her lips.

"You know… I wouldn't mind you putting another child in me…" Amaranth leaned in towards his ears with the same seductive grin she had. "You know you want to…"

As if he could feel his cheeks burning, Melo left the house with his wife in tow with haste before he lost himself to his lust, unaware that his son had seen the whole thing behind the door. Poor little Jade's cheeks were a shade of red, and hoping to erase what he had just witnessed from his head, the little cat Faunus rushed off and buried himself in his blanket to sleep.

"Mummy and daddy doing naughty things tonight? Eww…" Jade could only shudder with discomfort and a hint of embarrassment. And for reasons beyond him, a part of him feels that he should feel awkward about what he has witnessed.

However, another part of him was feeling the complete opposite. He felt excited at the prospect of another addition to the family, and while he feels grossed out for some reason, the idea of a little sibling does sound nice to have. "But having a little brother or sister does sound nice…"

With a gentle smile, Jade slowly fell asleep, hopeful of what the future would bring him.

And we're done here with something much more different after a time skip. And before anyone can ask, no. No sexual content for now because it's too early for one, okay? But yeah, I wanted to expand on Jade's parents as a character instead of one-dimensional beings and foreshadowing stuff.

But yeah, I'm just setting up some future plot points for later, so don't mind me…

Anyway, if you enjoy this story and wish to show your support for more in the future, do Follow and Favourite this story. And while you're at it, leave a review about what you think, as that will let me know that you want to see more content from me!

With that, I'll see you all in the next chapter!

RGQC out!

(Also, I don't want to be that guy that asks for reviews about it, but… reviews, please? I like reading them.)