AN: Thanks everyone for the massive support you've shown this! I've been really enjoying this pairing alot, i'll see everyone next week!
Also, the Penny x Nora oneshot i'm scheduling to release it sometime next week, but most likely will be post onto the additional week. But i also wanted to ask what future fic idea on my profile would everyone be excited to read about the most? I have alot of interesting options and i just want to guage the interest of each fic before i decide to spend time writing them.
Again, thank you for all your love and support, and i hope you enjoyed this week chapter of Grieve in silence.
"Hyah!"
Ruby rose shouted as the blade of Cresent Rose traded blows with Crocea Mors shield. Sparks begin to flash as Ruby never letting off the offensive. Jaune arc felt his knees almost began to buckle under the overwhelming force that was Ruby speed. Jaune eyes widened as Cresent rose sharply headed for his neck, his aura blocked it and Jaune didn't need to check his scroll to know that his aura took a massive hit.
"Do you really have to say Hyah like your in a karate movie?" Jaune asked as she swing at the girl center mass, Ruby responded by blocking his sword with Cresent rose.
"Yes! That's like, the fun part of fighting!" Ruby demonstrated by letting out another hyah! as she began to slash once again at Jaune.
Jaune was at least proud of himself that he was about to block or dodge at least a quarter of Ruby slashes. Especially since he knew the girl wouldn't hold back for him. However, he took one too many hits, and the yellow flash of his scroll warned him so.
"Alright let's take a break." Jaune groaned out. "Only a month and you're already this good…" Jaune cried as he looked at both Ruby's and his own scroll. Her aura is the deepest of greens, while his was on the border of red and yellow.
"Don't worry Jaune!" Ruby sat right by him, handing him a bottle of water. "After a day in Ruby Rose bootcamp, we'll get you right as rain!"
"I don't think I would ever want to participate in Ruby rose bootcamp…"
Ruby squawked and hit him on the arm, nearly knocking him over. Soon the pair burst out in laughter.
This is fun. Jaune thought to himself.
It's been a quick month since Team JNPR visited patch. They head back in vale occasionally, to help with the vast amount of city repairs, or whatever menial task Glynda has ordered the few teams who have stuck around and not move to another academy.
Jaune saw many teams do that. Team CFVY went to Shade, Team CRDN to Haven, not really looking forever to seeing Cardin face again, and the other teams who he never really talks too saw them all mingle between the other three academies. That just leaves Team JNPR, and spare beacon academy teams to help amongst the workers, The simple solution everyone came up with is that Huntsman equals More endurance, therefore huntsman would be better workers.
However, Jaune was pretty sure they we're doing more harm than good, if Goodwitch frequent headache naps we're anything to judge by. It seems clear that the students were much better demolition experts then they were a makeshift construction crew.
The bright side was that any Grimm that ventured into vale was immediately turned to shreds and those few teams that stayed had the enthusiasm to work no matter what task was given to them, and see they wanted to see their city back in the proud state it once ways. Jaune found it sort of wholesome in the, everything kind of sucks, so let's fix it, way.
A part of Jaune wished he could stay and work alongside them, while not a resident of the actual city of Vale, it was still his kingdom, and still felt a bit of national pride to see it torn and ripped apart the way it was.
Even more reasons to head to Haven as fast as possible. If they stop Cinder, Vale shouldn't have to worry anymore.
Don't act like that's the reason. His mind thought betrayingly. Jaune ignored it as best he could, he didn't need his mind to tell him that he was a fuck up, it was already proven by his actions.
"Hey!" Ruby punched his arm again, hard this time, which caused Jaune to yelp out in pain. "What the heck Ruby!?"
"You were spacing out and stuff! I even told you I would give you cookies, but you didn't budge!"
Wow, that was a bold strategy of Rubys. She would rather die then to give up her cookies.
"Heh… Sorry, guess I was thinking about stuff…"
Like that you're a failure?
Shut up me!
"So…" Jaune rubbed his head awkwardly "Are the cookies-"
"Nope! You lost your chance!"
Jaune let out a groan. Great. His own mind is being mean to him, and he doesn't get cookies. What's next, an awkward talk that he's not ready to have.
"Hey Jaune?" Ruby's sudden question momentarily brought him out of his funk. "I just wanted to ask… Do you want to talk."
Oh shit, it's the awkward talk he isn't ready to have.
"Ruby." Jaune tried his most fake confident smile he could manage. "I'm fine."
Ruby mumbled something, Jaune didn't catch it but he pretty sure it was something like "buyer." What does buying stuff have to do with anything? Maybe she wants him to buy her cookies?
"Oh Jaune-Jaune!" He heard the piercing voice of Nora shout, turning back he saw the forms of Nora and Ren standing a bit away. Jaune waved at them quickly before turning back to Ruby.
"Well… When we get back tomorrow with the supplies…" He stopped when Ruby interrupted herself.
"Yep. We leave." Ruby eyes showed fierce determination. Not a single doubt or hesitation was present in her spirit. Jaune was completely proud of her fierce duty to do what's right, and envious of being able to put her mind on something so dangerous with no repercussions.
"We got this Jaune, that is a Ruby guaranteed!" Ruby proudly exclaimed, giving her friend a double thumbs up. It was cute enough to make Jaune laugh.
"Yeah, I know we got this." Jaune gave her a genuine smile. "We're a team now so I know we can make it."
"A team huh?" Ruby put her finger on her chin. "I think we need a name then!"
Jaune pondered for a moment, that was true. Every huntsman team did have a cool name. "I'll ask Nora about it!" Jaune said before turning away and walking to the remnant of Team JNPR.
A new dawn was brewing for them, a goal was set in their mind, and Jaune for the first time was slowly feeling brighter about his future.
/-/
However, Jaune wasn't feeling so bright as he felt his stomach rumble threatening. His face got a nice view of the waves hitting the boat as the vessel bobbed up and down on the current. Simply put, Jaune wasn't having a grand ol' time as his body felt like the ocean needed to be a bit greener then it was currently.
Oh Universe, whyyy He thought weakly as he laid his torso up against the railing. He felt the supporting rub of Nora's hand against his back.
"You know Jaune-Jaune, I didn't think it was possible to have motion sickness This bad."
All Jaune could do was groan in response.
"Seriously Jaune! What if it's your semblance!?" He could feel Nora bounce excitedly right beside him.
Jaune somehow found the ability to utter a single word, a weak whimpering "Noooo…" which was interrupted by his own stomach retaking all his focus and energy.
"Maybe Yang was right in calling you Vomit boy." Nora teased and poked his shoulder, however, was paradoxically rubbing his back some more. It brought him immense comfort when Ren came back from the front of the ship, Jaune didn't think he could handle the pain of hearing that dreaded nickname. How lucky he was that Cardin never caught onto it…
"Still not feeling good?" Ren asked him, which jaune just gave a simple thumbs up, not even bothering to raise his head up to greet his friend.
"Yep, he's been like this for the past hour!" Nora said slapping him on his back, which undid all the supporting rubs she just did earlier. "Got news on when we're reaching Vale?"
"I asked the crew and they said that we would be reaching the city in fifteen."
Jaune could have danced with happiness if he could move, however hearing the timeframe did make him feel a bit better. He slowly raises himself up from the railing and faces his friends.
"Finally, I can't wait to get off this stupid boat. I never felt this bad before with motion sickness…"
Nora snorted and Ren looked unsurprised, hell, Jaune was pretty sure he manages to catch an eye roll from the man. "Doesn't surprise me, you've been worried sick for the past month."
"I what now?"
"It's obvious Jaune!" This time it was Nora who surprised him. "From the moment Ruby told us her idea, you barely been getting sleep, always checking in on us, constantly going over the plan, After Ruby and Ren already did so, you're kind of out of control."
"It has been… a bit concerning, is there anything you want to tell us?" Ren asked, his eyes turning a bit soft. Jaune looked at Nora and saw a bit of concerning flash in her vibrant eyes as well.
How would they ever understand what he's thinking about? He knew they loved Pyrrha as much as he did. But they wouldn't get it. They would never get it.
"I'm fine guys, trust me on this one." Jaune tried to wipe away their worries by giving them a confident smile. However, as Jaune looked between them, he saw how little that seemed to comfort them. Ren was still gazing at him with his always thoughtful, knowing glance. While Nora looked undecisive, unsure of what to do to comfort and help her friend.
Jaune couldn't let this happen anymore. He couldn't disappoint more and more people. "I guess I have been worried a lot." He admitted, turning his back, and looking outwards towards the blue sea.
It was calming when he wasn't throwing up 24/7
"It just, I'm thinking about what we're doing, this whole Haven trip. And I want to do it! Don't get me wrong on that it's just… I'm nervous."
Jaune let out a sigh. The calming breeze felt good on his face, he turned back towards his friends and gave them a more genuine smile.
"I'm just nervous that we're going to mess up along the way, or that we make it to Haven, and it would be too late to help… It just, I don't want to feel like we wasted all our time for nothing."
Ren and Nora looked at each other for the briefest of minutes before turning back towards Jaune. Nora gave him a small smile.
"Dummy, we're spending it together, that won't be for nothing."
Ren nodded in agreement, placing a hand on Nora and Jaune's shoulder. "As long as we're together, we'll be fine."
Jaune just stared at these two. Friends he didn't deserve. Friends that have always been on his side since that first day in Beacon. Jaune always wondered if they knew that he was a fraud and didn't belong there, but they never brought it up, and frankly he didn't think they would care.
They were friends. Family. Some of the best people he knows.
"Guys… Thanks for coming with."
Nora tilted her head. "Well, duh! Like we said earlier, we are sticking together, and that's final! Got it fearless leader!"
"Nora, you know I'm not exactly that brav- "
"Nope!" Nora crossed her arms in victory. A pleased smile on her face.
Jaune couldn't help but laugh. "Did Ruby taught you, her trick?"
"Took me forever to beg her too! She went on about how it's too powerful and I need to think of the greater good, and all that nonsense." Nora flicked her hand dismissively. To Nora the greater good was getting an entire plate of pancakes during the morning. Jaune smiled at Nora silly antics, always loving whatever crazy idea that goes through her head.
As Jaune turned to Ren, Jaune knew he loved Ren outlooks on his, his quieter demeanor help offset Nora bubbly nature perfectly.
They really were the perfect pair, and the perfect Friends.
The quick noise of the Ships intercom turning on made Jaune perked his head up.
"Attention Passengers, we're arriving at the Vale port in ten minutes." Were all the captains said.
Jaune looked east and saw the City of Vale, still a bit broken as he remembered it from a couple of days ago, but not nearly as bad as it used to be.
Things are improving, slowly but surely.
Jaune turned to the rest of the team JNPR. "Alright remember, get supplies, then tomorrow we leave."
"Onto a new adventure!" Nora whooped and raised her hands excitedly, causing Jaune and Ren to laugh as the boat slowly but surely made its way to Vale.
/-/
The streets of Vale were a bit of a melancholy sight, for one of the four major cities in the world, seeing it empty and stranded would have showed the rest of Remnant that something has gone seriously wrong.
However, as Jaune walked past through the main streets he felt a bit of optimism bubbling up. As he looked around and into the many shops, he could see the owners and workers trying to regain a bit of their living again. Seeing this and hearing from the huntsman he passed that they're being no reported Grimm sighting in the city made him feel hopeful.
Then all Jaune had to do to remove those small bites of hope was to take one simple gander as the Esteemed Tower of Beacon. The destroyed tower being the new hoped for the Wyvern and thousands of Grimm that decided to make Beacon their home. Jaune finds it hard to see any positive outlook whenever he looks towards the school.
Jaune sighed and stretched his arms as best as he could. He was already being weighed down by bags of supplies that Ren and Nora had been getting. Jaune had only been camping probably once or twice in his life, but that was usually surrounded by his family with his seven sisters, meaning that he didn't really need to think and just follow directions.
Jaune found himself in a similar position here. He just followed Ren and Nora around like he was a lost puppy, they would turn to him and go "hold this|" and now here he was, holding roughly four different filled bags with supplies.
When he asked Ren why he bought so many supplies the quiet man just chuckled and said to Jaune "It isn't as much as you think, Jaune. Besides, we're going to be splitting all our supplies four ways, we won't make you our mule forever." Ren teased him before examining a very interesting can of beans on the shelf.
That was it, Jaune was bored. Somehow in the span of a single shopping trip, Jaune arc turned from 'Nervous and cautiously excited' to 'bored, bored and even more bored.' Jaune groaned as he leaned against the wall. He was watching Nora and Ren picking up more supplies, clearly more knowledgeable then he gave them credit for, and with Ruby all the way back at Patch he was feeling a bit useless at this predicament. He supposes that was fine, it isn't like-
Someone was watching him.
Jaune didn't know how he knew. Some sort of Huntsman instinct he would assume. Jaune felt ever hair on his body standing up at once. He gazed around the store to see if anyone was watching him from inside the store. It was just Team JNPR and the owner, who was currently catering his time to helping Ren and Nora.
Jaune turned around and looked out the window, gazing at the streets and that's when he saw her.
Standing silently by an ally way was a girl with long pink and brown hair. On top of her had was a somewhat familiar bowler hat that Jaune couldn't recognize right away. She was using an umbrella as a sort of a staff, balancing her body as she seemed to watch him. Most people, when caught watching someone, would feel extremely embarrassed or apologize in some way.
However, this girl was different. She just met Jaune's eyes and gave him a wink before she dipped back into the alleyway, completely out of sight.
Jaune didn't know exactly what to think, who was she? Why was she watching him? Why did that hat look so familiar?
A girl winked at you and you're thinking about a hat? Idiot. The side of his brain that thought that Weiss was just playing hard to get was trying to speak to him, he just ignored it as usual, but it did make him wonder…
Who was she?
/-/
Neo Politan was walking slowly through the alleyway; she was curing herself. Caught by the blonde fool was a massive hit to her pride, and a sign that she was getting sloppy. Honestly, she thought if she were ever caught it would be by Not girl one. The one, she got to admit, was very cute, with a pink highlight in his hair. He seemed to be one of the only confident members of Little Red's twiddle dee group, but no! It had to be the stupid idiot one to notice her!
Neo took a deep breath and calmed herself down. It was fine, for all those tall and lanky know, it was just a cute girl that looked at what she saw. She didn't but he didn't need to know that. If Neo played her cards right, he'll never have to see her again until she brought little red right to her-
"Hey! Wait up!"
No shot in hell that's him. It can't be, no one is that dumb to follow Neo into alleyway and expect to come out of that scenario alive.
But he didn't know who she was, in her idiocy to get away as quickly as possible she didn't show any signs of not approaching her, and now she must deal with this idiot. Her day literally can't get any worse.
Jaune, or the blond idiot as Neo likes to call him, appeared right in front of Neo. To her he seems a bit off from what she gathered about, he seemed a lot more nervous and standoffish… somehow this intrigued Neo.
"Hey I saw you from the window." Jaune started uselessly, Neo rolled her eyes and allowed Jaune to continue. "I just wanted to ask you if you uh… needed any help?" Jaune seemed more unsured about what he was saying then Neo was, but the entire concept was hilarious to begin with.
Her? Need help? How cute. The only thing that can help her is something he can't offer.
Neo begin to turn away, ignoring the blonde fool sputtering as she begins to walk. This was nothing more than a slipup for her. This would not happen if she had anything to say about it. She can already picture Roman laughing at from hell about how much of a screw up she was being-
"Wait hold on!" She heard the grating get closer. Neo let out a silent sigh and turned around, raising her eyebrows in a question. Jaune just rubbed her hair awkwardly and was holding a small carton. Neo could smell a delicious aroma from it.
"I don't exactly know what you're going through, but if you are in Vale, I guess the attack hit you hard. So, here's some food, so you don't have to worry about it for today."
Neo just tilted her head in confusion. Why was he doing this? What exactly did he have to gain from giving her free stuff? Was it simply kindness? No, no one is just that kind. But hell, Neo was not an idiot. You don't refuse free shit. That was the first lesson Roman taught her in their early years.
If they offer anything, take it. Then robbed them blind afterwards.
Neo took the carton and walked away from the wannabe huntsman. However, before she went, she turned her head and gave him a genuine smile. Jaune just awkwardly chuckled and waved, causing Neo to roll her eyes and step out of sight.
As Neo walked the streets of vale, she just randomly decided something. If worst comes to worst, she'll make sure the blonde fool death will be quick and painless.
/-/
Jaune just stood like a dumbass in the alley. He didn't know what came over him to just offer his lunch to some stranger like that, but it felt… needed. He couldn't put exact words into what he got from her other then one thing.
She was dangerous. She could probably kick his ass if she wanted too.
To be fair, everyone could kick his ass if they wanted too, but jaune got a special sense that he shouldn't mess with her. That she was dangerous and that if he did it would end with him hurt or killed. But then Jaune remembered seeing her from the window and seeing her mismatched eyes and how he saw it. Just the sadness that she hid behind her fake confidence.
Jaune knew all about hiding themselves behind a mask, so maybe he could understand a bit.
Or maybe he was jus being an idiot and disturbed a random woman day. Either way, he felt a tiny bit better but lost his chicken and rice in the process.
Jaune didn't know if that was a worthy sacrifice.
He returned to the shop where he left his friends and their bags and as he got closer to the door he saw the pouting face of Nora, and the neutral expression of Ren right beside her.
"Where the heck where you!?" Nora asked.
"Well… Uh. Igavemylunchtoarandomstrangercausetheylookedsad." Jaune said it all at once.
Nora and Ren just blinked at him before looking at each other before Ren said. "How about you explain while we walk."
Team JNPR was holed up in one of the many shelters that Vale had in place of such an extreme attack such as this one. Jaune gazed at the extremely bare walls, with the extremely bare bunk beds. The room was probably the size of a standard apartment living room if he had to guess so while they're technically could be enough room for four people, it would be claustrophobic quick. Jaune was currently helping Ren prepare their dinner while Nora was setting their table or lack off if Jaune was honest. He did not want to see what horrible seating concoction that Nora had set up for them, but that's thirty minutes in the future Jaune's problem, right now Jaune was enjoying watching a pot of water boil for the next ten minutes.
"That was nice…" The voice of Ren made Jaune jump from his daze. "What you did for that woman you ran into."
Jaune chuckled weakly, rubbing his hair. Perhaps it was, and he did feel good doing it, but man was it the most awkward thing he did in his life. When he shared that sentiment with Ren just chuckled.
"Well, perhaps it might've been awkward for you, and probably for her as well. But like you said you didn't know what she was going through, and who knows? You've might've help someone in need." Ren shared his friendly wisdom as he gazes was focus on the meal in front of him. The manager of the shelter offered them, as well as the rest of the misplaced and homeless food, but they declined. They didn't want to take any resources from people that needed them.
"Yeah, she just… reminded me of someone, that's all."
"Oh?" Ren stop stirring. His pink eyes meet Jaune's. "Pray tell?"
Jaune just chuckled and waved his hand dismissively. Ren keeps his gaze for a solid minute before returning to prepping their meal. Jaune just took this silence as a victory and began to do the same. After a solid couple of minutes, the meal was done. And with Nora ingenious idea of "Ehh, forget about the table let's just eat on our beds." Jaune began to dig into his meal, sitting on the top bunk, because who wouldn't, Jaune talked, dined, and laughed with his teammates. They probably annoyed the rest of the people in the shelter, but sometimes it was just nice to let out some positivity occasionally.
Jaune sure knew he needed it, and as he thinks about that Girl with the pink and brown hair, and the mismatched eyes. A part of him hoped that perhaps just maybe she'd find some positivity too.
/-/
The day has finally come. With their supplies prepped and paired into four different packs for all of them to carry. Food lasting long enough for them to Mistral, all of them prepped and ready to fight if needed be.
Ruby Rose and Team JNPR were ready, a remnant of a plan was all they had but what they didn't have much of a plan, what they did have was spirit and determination. Not even the dead Winter air could stop Jaune excitement from building up inside. Victory would be right in front of their grasp.
Or at least that's what Jaune believed he had. He thinks that they can make it through this, all of them can make some sort of difference. Mistral would be in trouble if Ruby's uncle was anyone to believe, their enemies were heading to Haven, and they needed to be stopped. He won't let Haven be another Beacon, he would let anyone suffer the same fate that he did.
And her. She would be there. And if he could cut her down, watch as the life drains from her eyes as she finally gets revenge for Pyrrha.
Well, that would simply be divine.
Jaune head turned towards the wood cabin as Ruby rose appeared. She locked the door behind her, and she turned to their friends. Redonning her Huntress uniform, she turned to Jaune and gave him a small smile.
"Hey." He said to her.
"Hey Jaune." Ruby said and walked up to him. "Haven's a long way to go, are you sure you want to come with?" Ruby randomly asked him again. Perhaps she was feeling a bit guilty that she was dragging him along with her, but Jaune decided to pet that to rest.
"I know. But it's the only lead we got." He said.
"The journey will be perilous, and whether we'll find answers is uncertain." The calm voice of Ren spoked right beside him.
"And we wouldn't be here if we weren't up for it!" Nora bubbly voice answered in kind.
Ruby looked at all three of them, her own determined smile plastered on her face. "Then lets get started."
And so, they did. Jaune and the rest of them began to walk away from Patch, from their old lives, and onwards to new adventures, to Haven, where if they are skillful enough, lucky enough.
Perhaps they can make a difference.
As they walked, the loud caw of a Crow could be heard.
Neo hasn't found herself to be this excited in a long, long time. Not since she met Roman. Not since she guided that Airship to kill Mama and Papa.
But this? She was excited. Excited to embarrass Little Red for all she was worth, Excited to watch the color drain from her face and her silver eyes to be nothing more then the signs of a lifeless girl. The more she thinks about it, the more she just wants to attack the group right then and there, but she holds back.
It will be much sweeter at her planned Finale. The show ends all shows. The final act that such a horrible actress like little red deserved.
It an issue however that Little red thought to bring extras, but no matter. Live or die, they weren't Little Red. So, Neo simply won't have to care about them.
The winter snow crunch under her boots as Neo start to follow, using her semblance to constantly blend in with whatever background is available, Neo was prepared. Neo was ecstatic.
Neo was ready for the show to commence.
chapter 4 will be next Monday at 2pm!