Jaune, who has now regained the ability to have speech since he had lost it earlier greeted the girl that was still beside him. She was clearly amused at his antics already. "H-Hello. My name.. is Jaune, Jaune Arc.." he timidly introduced himself. The blonde bombshell, drop dead gorgeous blonde, only chuckles to herself as she smacked him across the shoulder. Making the poor Arc yelp at the unexpected strength she possessed. "Hey! Now you can finally speak, first time talking to a girl there bud?" She teased. Jaune's face erupted into red as he looked away in shame at being called out (unbeknownst to the joking girl) like that. "I'm kidding, well. Sort of, but hey! My name is Yang. Yang Xiao Long." She then introduced herself as well, her lips arced a beam of a smile. Jaune was once more entranced by her. You know Yang is the kind of girl people would be awestruck for different and more inappropriate reasons. But Jaune, being who he is. Is awestruck at the fact she. A beautiful (bountiful) girl such as herself, that is probably dubbed as the popular girl simply due to the fact that every female that was here may have been cute, but they were nothing if put up against this... Dragon. And that, she is talking to him, Jaune Arc. Who has no friends except his siblings, who is probably one of the weakest people trying to become the hero from his stories, a geek who loves comic books, videogames, and anime. Is being spoken to, by this angelic being. A near woman in facial structure that Jaune would consider rivaled the sparkles and molecules of the shattered moon, Is conversing with him.. why is someone like her confabulating with someone of his presence? It only made him feel even smaller, but a part of his heart felt pleased, as if it had been waiting for the day this loneliness that has unknowingly gripped him to dissipate like the Grimm he saw his father slayed.

Tai and Cena were standing together, they were looking at their eldest/youngest child talking together, and they saw the resounding difference between the two. One introverted and more to himself kind of person, and one extrovert who is outgoing, all smiles, and very friendly with anyone kind of person. Well, those that don't eat her fist, Tai chuckled to himself at the thought. "So? What's with the sudden change." Tai didn't hide the fact he knew about Jaune's predicament, it was all from Sincere herself. On their day to rate and compile the students paperwork and grade them, she begun to explain to Tai about her little brother and how she needed one week to help him. Tai thought that it was way too short, no one could train someone that fast even if her alias said so. But she insisted that she will make it work, and with how Sincere was currently acting. It meant she succeeded somehow, Tai couldn't help but lament abit at how fresh and different the new generation were when it came to adaptive nature.

"I didn't change. He made it, he did it by himself, and did not let anyone dictate his belief's anymore. I'm just here to offer my undivided support in my son's dream." Cena solemnly answered in honest, Tai and Cena had talked in the past, but it was mostly due to necessity and introduction for Sincere's new working environment. Tai looked at the man as he is now, and saw the pride and jubilance in his expression for Jaune's major decision in life. "I see." Tai grinned, folding his arms in understanding. "So, you haven't unlocked his Aura?" Tai added to his questioning. To which the senior Arc grinned at the Xiao-Long. "We Arc's unlock through our partner." He expressed in fervent. Tai blinked, not getting it as he had no context and Arc senior did not elaborate any further, Tai did not press on the matter and just shrugged. If Sincere said the kid was good even without Aura. That'll make him very interesting, and although that might cause his students to gossip around about who can beat who. Betting as if it were a casino, instead of the learning ground. But hey, when he was younger he too, did these kinds of mischievous deeds with Qrow. (Bad influence)

"I just realized this, but, why doesn't he have his weapon?" Tai was looking at Jaune and was alarmed that he didn't have his gear on his person, Cena only waved at his concern and moved his coat to the side, revealing a scabbard that has the emblazoned crest of the Arcs. "It's his third gift." Cena grinned at Tai, who was enthralled at the condition of the ancient, yet historic weapon. Now Tai wasn't some history fanatic, but he knew what that scabbard held. A blade that has been wielded since long ago.

Crocea Mors.

"To think..." Tai slowly turned towards the boy who was getting flustered by his overly exaggerating flirty daughter that came off as obviously plastic.. And at the sword that held prestige that not many people have known or respect for that matter. Was it vanity in face value? Well anything that has no sentimental meaning would be nothing except scrap. But this sword was known to be held by one of the most feared yet respected warrior's of Sanus. So to see it, now be handed to. Him, Tai kept his vision glued to the blonde who was beginning to feel comfortable around his daughter. "The next in line huh..?" Tai muttered. This might be more then he had anticipated for.

Jaune was being teased and poked by Yang, who took pleasure in making him all the more jittery and jumpy, the blonde male wasn't use to this sort of interaction so having it thrusted upon him out of seemingly nowhere had him scrambling to figure out wether she was joking or being serious. And although that thought in itself is sort of a joke, since she seems to be overly doing it. Doesn't mean that somewhere deep down he did not yearn for this to not just be of fairy tales, and that she atleast sort of liked him. Yang just giggles at his face contorting from each little tease she provoked, this was sort of fun, but she stopped as a part of her did feel abit bad for making the guest uncomfortable. "Sorry, sorry. I just couldn't help myself for being me even if it does unnerve some people." Yang nonchalantly shrugged, Jaune just smiled sheepishly. "Well... I can respect that." He said, accepting that she was who she was. And although he might not know her. He can respect her on the behalf that she doesn't see herself as anything but herself, unlike him. Another contradicting line of thoughts surfaced, but the Arc crushed it as he'll find himself one day, he has to.

"So, you don't have Aura." Yang cut straight to the chase, now being confronted about this. Jaune only tilted his head, he had no clue of what this... Aura was, and why do people keep talking about it as if it were part of the soul or the reason you live. "I don't even know what that is." Jaune came forward, Yang blinked, clearly baffled by the statement. "Wait, Wait, you don't know what Aura is?" Yang reiterated just to be sure she did not mistaken, Jaune shook his head to her dismay. "Well. It's the part of-" before she could articulate to the best of her abilites, she felt the cold gaze to her neck that frosted her into mute. Sincere's frostbite gaze, pierced right at her blonde female student, now for why she did this? It was because she did not want Jaune to learn about it, in depth just yet. Because if he did, it'll only make him more aware of what he is already lacking, and what kind of excuse could they possibly give to him that would be of reason to the ear. Everyone here has already unlocked from their parents and or guardian, but an Arc mostly follow tradition as did the entire family, so as much as she felt this pang. It must be sacred for his mental sake.

"It's something you shouldn't concern yourself with." She exclaimed on purpose, catching the attention of the students around, including Jaune himself. "It mean's nothing, but an armament of the body in a sense. An enhancement that happens from vigorous training and years of knowledge, but you Jaune. Are still weak, i know i said that you can beat anyone here. But that is because they are just as weak as you." She told him, though she spoke to everyone. It was just that her point was more directed to Jaune. "What good can something more advance do for the novice you are? Master what you lack first, then we will talk about.. Aura." She looked straight at his ocean-blue eyes, Jaune felt the lump in his throat throb. His body aware of the many lingering eyes on him as if expecting some sort of retort. "Y...Yes Sincere.." Jaune sighed, slightly dejected, however he understood what Sincere was doing and he accepted that, but those knife slashing truths did not burn any less.

Sincere grimaced at his plateaued self-esteem, it was harsh, and maybe unnecessary. But, she was the eldest sibling, she had the knowledge of what her little brother can endure, and it will keep his mind away from the topic of Aura. They may not be able to completely negate away from it as he still had two years left before he is set and prepared to go to Beacon. But as of now, she must light more torches under him. As to watch, and see if those flames would falter from the rush of the wind, or become wilder from his heart. And by the way his visage had switched from self-pity to frustrated vigor. Those earlier musings, might have predicted the latter.

[On the Make-Shift Field]

Jaune stood on one opposite end while Yang, whom now had yellow bracelets that laid dormant on her wrists, she stood at her end with anticipated stretches. After Sincere's earlier remarks, Jaune still felt slightly irked. But not at her, but at his abilites once more, which then reminded him of the reprimanding he deservingly got from Sincere about

gradual-progress... Right, slow and steady. He did not need to rush, slow and steady. "Okay!" He hushed to nobody in particular.

As to why Jaune and Yang stood on opposite sides, right after the entire Aura thingy he still had no clues about. Sincere said about the final day of his training with her, and that the final test as of now. Was to have actual combat with Yang, now it was still sparring, that doesn't change but. The outcome of Jaune and Sincere was foretold before it would even begin, but Yang albeit more experienced is still junior level compared to the Pro-Huntress that is Sincere. So the playing-field had more foundation compared to the mountain that Jaune was sustaining when she went easy even. "Alright Yang. Now i know you wanna go all out, and you will. Just don't overly do it, remember he doesn't have it, and you are more well-rounded compared to him." Sincere told the gauntlet-armed student who immediately understood after being pulled aside by her terrifying teacher, she nodded, Jaune oblivious went to grab at his blade-wait. "Sincere, can i have my sword back?" He asked her, the eye-patch Arc, arches her brows in confusion. "I don't have your sword." She stated, Jaune blinked as he saw the white sheathe, one he has been sparring with on her hip next to the black scabbard. "But you have it right there." He pointed out. "Hah? This is mine. I duel wield, besides what makes you think i'd give my blades as if they were for free." She continued the game, Jaune's brow twitched slightly. "You said it was my second gift.." he groaned. "I did, i did. But i didn't say it was permanent." She quipped with a grin. Now Jaune was lost, how the hell was he gonna fight without a weapon, he isn't trained for unarmed combat. "Oi." Sincere stopped the fooling, and called out. Jaune looked over to her. "If you want your sword, then ask him." She jerked her neck to their dad.

Now this did not make sense, because why would he have the sword? Cena Arc stepped forward and moved his coat while unclasping the scabbard before in two hands, pushes it towards Jaune. Jaune, who now was in disbelief only stared at the scabbard form. "Jaune. It seems that you've come quite far from the little boy you were, so this. Is the final gift from me. And the torch, from your great-grandfather." Cena told Jaune with great meaning. The young Arc only gazed at the historic blade, the blade that saved many, many people. And perhaps slaughtered just as many...

Yellow death. Crocea Mors.

"Dad i... Is it... Can i?" He didn't know how to proceed, his hands were shaking as he went to touch it. Cena merely placed it in his palms before moving away, near where Sincere stood. Jaune continued to be in awe, with his shaky hands he removed the blade from it's cover allowing the steel to reflect with the sun. He saw himself from the blade, he tighten his grip and came to terms. "I'm ready." He told Sincere, she then looked over at Yang who gave thumbs up. "Alright then, the combatants are set." At her tone Jaune and Yang took their stance, Yang's bracelets would shift into their proper form, covering her forearm and hand, the blonde male's eyes travelled to assimilate the shotgun-hybrid gauntlet. That is his assumption from the red shells, but where does it shoot from. "Then fighters." The rising rush with Sincere stringing the preparation further. The sound of mechanical cocks further revealed to Jaune that those were what he hypothesized. "Set." Jaune narrowed his focus onto the cocky grinning bombshell. "FIGHT!" Sincere bellowed.

A roaring-blast made Jaune flinched, but his eyes went saucers when he was face to face with Yang. She was fast, way too fast to even recover from with her fist cocked back she launches at him, Jaune felt it hit at his chest, and almost thought death had claimed him then and there. He gagged while being sent backwards, having to embed his sword to stop himself from going any further. Jaune coughed as his chest thudded with pain, gritting his teeth he looked up to see Yang who no longer had her grin but a more appropriate focus. He pulled the sword out of the ground, and steeled his resolve and nerves, he mustn't let it get to him. He's fought Sincere, she was much faster then his opponent. Yang threw her arms back, as the gauntlets flashed, Jaune's eyes widened when she fired, the loud roaring earlier had him distracted to see that she has propelled herself forward. This time however he saw it coming with his eyes, Jaune ducked under the wild swing of her arm, while setting his foot forward he vertically slashed at her flipped and falling frame. Yang fired another round to which having Jaune's blade coiling back due to the force. Jaune grinded his teeth at being pushed away again, Yang now landed, cocked her gauntlets and fired from afar. Jaune now had to use his footwork to evade the exploding shells, in her barrage Yang once more flung herself forward. Jaune who calculated, swung right at her mid-section. She used her gauntlets to block, but didn't anticipate him to use the scabbard as a weapon. It strikes right at her chin, knocking her head up. In the chain, Jaune swung with great-power that had Yang flying back, before crashing into the ground. Creating a sand debris cloud. Jaune panted zoning in at the debris however, he didn't even get to react when her gauntlet-covered fist moshed into his cheek, it sent Jaune into his own debris. "Nice hit." Yang droll, she knew her Aura took quite the hit from his earlier slash. But since Jaune doesn't have it, she saw him getting up with a few cuts and bruises. It's actually quite the sight, because of how everyone here had Aura they never really fought till they bruised or bled. So to behold her blonde alike, although bruised and slightly battered, standing up. Refusing to stay down, Yang respected that. "Yeah, you too." Jaune quipped back, his lip trickling with his blood.

Sincere's expression was impassive, but in her mind. She was impressed between the two. Yang was always known as the apt fighter, she was made for this and the way she fought told everyone how much she is above them, but with Jaune. He was inept, he had no real talent with actual battle, his body movement yell's amateur, but there is one thing she can delineate between this generation and her brother, and is that Jaune's will to never quit no matter how much pain he is in, no matter the quarrel in his heart, the doubt in his neurones, but his soul never wavered. Because it knew he was much, much stronger then that, and he's proving it every single time, improvement after improvement. "It's a sight to behold." She murmurs, Cena who was immersed in the battle. Too saw it in his eyes, those defiant and steeled eyes. It seemed as if when in battle he becomes a different person. "A sight to behold indeed." The blasts from Yang's gauntlets had their eyes set on the fiery-lioness, Cena was highly amazed at her talents of someone her age. Truly, she fought with grace and a hint of cockiness that fits her character, these new batch of huntsman and huntresses to be, are going to become more then legend, they will become history.

Yang fired barrages of her shots, forcing Jaune into sped movement. Yang fired in narrow spaces, meaning the explosions would effect small areas around where he stepped, forcing Jaune to make bigger leaps that had him far enough, Yang reloaded in quick succession. Before firing herself forward and swung with a hook for Jaune's face, Jaune blocked the blunt side of the blade, pushing her with what strength he had, Yang wouldn't pull back and used the pressure of her gauntlets to drive Jaune's foot down into the earth. Firing once more, it toppled Jaune off balance while Yang twisted her body while letting her soles land onto a large bark, now side-ways but her target locked she blasted off again, her arm stretched, as she aimed for his exposed back. But much to her shock, Jaune leapt upwards contorting his body into a side flip whilst in mid air. Sincere's eye widened, he was emulating what she had once done to him. His body did not move with the flexibility and finesse she had executed with, but the surprise value was enough for him to swing the Xiao-long down into a thunderous bellow.

Yang grunted, as her Aura flashed. But she quickly put her arms into a cross-guard when a glint became pressuring sparks of Jaune's blade. He used the momentum of falling as a way to attack. "You know, i'll admit you are pretty good..!" Yang grunted as she pushes Jaune back, using the shotgun to create space as it sent Jaune tumbling back slightly. Jaune coughed, looking up at his opponent before he felt himself freeze, Yang now who had flames emitting from behind her, eyes that glowed red. Slammed her fist together to create visual, those red eyes.. Jaune felt himself hyperventilating, his body cramping as it did with Sincere, as it did when he fought against the Ursa.

With a war cry, Yang charged forward. Her raging eyes set on Jaune, once close enough, she swung with the boost of her gauntlet that had her fist flying in blur, sending Jaune into the air before crashing into the tree-bark. Sincere tensed knowing that Yang now has her Semblance activated from every hit Jaune had landed varied to the power he put in, only fueled Yang further with kinetic energy absorption, that she'll then return double the force, she felt her eldest senses begging her to have this halt. But, she wanted to see, she wanted to see if he can overcome his fears. Can his heart... Can his fire disperse because of fear, or will it howl even more from it. Jaune thought his body was in half by now, he hissed as he tried arching his body into standing, he lifted his head to see Yang still with her eyes red. His heart gripped once again with trepidation, he saw her fist cocked back, before punching forward to release the shell. Jaune let out a scream as he rolled away from the explosion, his limbs shook but he fought it to stand. His back whining in agony as he did, he steadied his breathing. "Come on, come on.." his attempts to calm himself were put to the limit when he saw Yang firing forward, Jaune gritted his teeth to brace for impact. The shock of how she disarmed him with a single punch, only hollowed his fear further. He duck under her hook and sloppily rolled from an uppercut, Yang narrowed her eyes as she fired multiple shots. Jaune forcing his limbs to act, planted his feet much harder then needed. It's result being a sprained ankle, Jaune however did not bother with the new inflicted pain and kept moving to not be blown away. Yang gave chase, this allowed Jaune to slide under another wild swing, the Arc rolled over to his fallen sword, he brandishes it again. But his hands won't stop shaking, so he smacked his hands with the pommel, drawing more blood from himself. Yang's was surprised at what he did to himself, Sincere however remembered when he punched the wall to control himself. "Putting everything you learned to the table." She approved.

Jaune glared at her red eyes, her eyes that reminded him of his near death. His near demise, and he couldn't change that. He could not let the fear that has clawed him, to go. It will stick with him for the rest of his life, but.. but..! "I'm not afraid.." Jaune said between his teeth. Yang tilted her head, not understanding. "I'M NOT AFRAID!" Jaune roared, before charging forward at quite acceptable speeds. Yang managed to deflect his slash, however he did not falter. His swings had conviction of his earlier statement, Yang and Jaune danced in their parry and sparks as the two young warriors were tiring little by little. Jaune slashed in a horizontal arc that Yang quickly deflected with her gauntlet, but Jaune did not get thrown and instead with his entire body weight vertically slashed. Yang's Aura shattered, much to her chagrin which also had her Semblance cut off, her eyes returning to their lilac color. With a gutteral shout she let her fist fly, no matter the cost, Jaune felt it impact his shoulder which he was sure he heard a crack, but. It did not hurt as much, so he allowed the pain to fizzle, because it did not matter to him in the slightest. Yang's eyes were now open as she saw the expression of someone with wreck-less abandon. "THIS IS OVER YANG!!!" He screamed at the top of his lungs, while his blade soared. Before it stopped at her face. "Yield." Jaune panted, Yang kept her eyes on the blade. Before giggling, confusing Jaune. "Yeah, no." She smiled at him before grabbing him from his shoulder, and throwing him over her shoulder, then locking his arm into a submission. "GAUGH!" Jaune yelped at the transaction.

"Do you quit?" She grinned at him, Jaune looked into her eyes before chuckling. "Alright.. i yield." Yang hearing that, released his arm before kneeling beside him. She marvelled at his injuries, and cringed abit at the more.. colored marks, his hoodie was slightly ruined with dirt and a few cuts. But overall, he still looked cute. "You were definitely, my toughest fight yet." Yang admitted with a heavy sigh. "Honored." He droll, Sincere and Cena walked over to the two. "You lost Jaune." Sincere told him, Jaune looked up at Sincere before scowling. "So what?" He retorted, however Sincere's demeanor changed and she smiled. "You did good bud." She praised, Jaune's expression softens. "Thank you." He did not deny it, because for once. And in that clash, he felt proud of himself. "You came far Jaune, so you must keep going." Cena voiced. Jaune merely nodded, too fatigued and lethargic to have a proper response. "The winner is you Yang." Sincere declared, Yang grinned brightly. And as Jaune looked at that grin, one syllable slipped.

"Beautiful.."

[Tai-Xiao-Long Household]

"Ow! Oww!! Ow! Fuck! Shit, Sincere that hurts..!" Jaune pleaded with his sister who is currently cleaning his cuts and bruises with alcohol before covering him in bandages, and as much as he loves his eye-patch sister, she was way too rough, especially when that person had just came out of one hell of a fight. "Oh don't be such a baby, you'll live it's not that big of a deal." She finishes the fifth wrap on his chest to back, while also not being interested in his crying in the slightest. Yang stood in the spare guest-room with them, helping her teacher with whatever she needed. Yang herself had recovered to nobodies surprise except maybe Jaune whom was in too much distress to even be aware as he was cussing out Sincere, that just scoffed off his reprimands. Yang was looking at the squabble with a small smile, she too had these types of moments with her little sister. Speaking of...

Kaching kaching.

The sound of a jar filled with lien was shook infront of Jaune and Sincere. The person who did such action was a girl around the age of 13, she had short neck-length black hair that was styled in a bob, with red tips. Her gorgeous innocent eyes were of silver, she wore a black sweater that had red trimmings, she also had a makeshift red-hood on her that was obviously too big for her current stature. She shook the jar again, as Yang had a shit eating grin. "Swear jar." Her adorable voice said. Jaune blinked, not expecting something like a jar for people who swore, huh.. Jaune who had lien popped it into her jar without question. "You swore twice." She reminded him, Jaune felt a trickle of animated sweat on his head. But obliged and slotted another lien in the jar. The girl grinned in jubilant joy, hopping back abit. "Thank you!" She cheered, Sincere finishes her handy-work before standing up. "Alrighty the plan was for you to go back home with dad, but in the condition you are you may need to stay the night." She told him, Jaune just shrugged as he had no issue with whatever the plan was. "I don't mind." He said, Sincere nodded her head before turning towards the blonde female "I'll leave him in your care for now, i need to go talk with your dad and my father about this." She left the task to Yang, she accepted without argue, sitting down at the couch in the room. The silence of the room filled in, with Jaune resting, Yang relaxing, and the unnamed girl who stood still, her eyes just stuck on the blonde-male.

Jaune noticed the girl staring, and looked at her back. "What is it? I didn't swear again did i?" The girl shook her head. Fidgeting with her jar, Yang who noticed Ruby's socially awkward twitches, smiled. "Come on sis, it isn't nice to just stare, introduce yourself." She suggested. The girl in question seemed to panic abit, Jaune who took note of her character immediately can tell she was like him, perhaps a little worse but still they are boxed in the same category. The introverted, Jaune deciding that he should atleast make the first conversation. "I'm Jaune Arc, short, sweet, rolls off the tongue, and ladies run from it." He decided to throw in a self-deprecating joke, in hopes that it would atleast make it seem like he was approachable. The girl blinked, along with Yang, before she broke off into giggles and laughter. "Ladies run from it? Wouldn't that be counterproductive?" She spoke in giggles, Jaune just grinned at seeing her express. Yang who had acknowledged that Jaune made the first attempt at confabulating was thankful, she liked him, he was cool in her book. "Ahem! My name is Ruby Rose!" She exclaimed proudly, Jaune chuckles at her antic, but then it hit him. "Sister?" He looked over at Yang. Who nodded. "Different mother." She summarized, Jaune's mouth oh'd in understanding. "That explain's the difference, well nice to meet you Ruby." He offered a friendly smile. Ruby nodded giddily at making her first friend. "I heard you and Yang fought. You must be really strong to actually had Yang in the corner." She excitedly spoke, Jaune stuttered abit while shaking his head. "N-No, i was no match for her. She was incredibly strong and fast, i... I was just trying my best to keep up." He shook off the assumption, but Ruby would not accept it as anything but her belief. "No, really. You must be really amazing to actually nearly beat her. Yang is the greatest fighter in Signal currently, so for you somebody that isn't even from here to put her through the challenge is nothing but awesome!" She jumped in excitement, Jaune couldn't argue with the ball of sunshine that she was. He just had to come to terms that perhaps he was a little bit good.

"She isn't kidding. Seriously, for somebody who apparently just started not long ago you pick it up fast. You fought as if you had learned for atleast one year. Many would kill for skills like that Jaune." Yang told him without any sarcasm in her voice, Jaune would look at the blonde-lioness and felt himself blush slightly. "Ah... I think you are overestimating me abit too much.." he was starting to get flustered at being complimented so excessively, Yang couldn't help herself. "Oh and humble too huh? I kinda like that in a guy." She said with a purr, her eyes narrowing at Jaune who felt shudders on his back while the heart raced, his face lit on fire at how she altered her voice to make it sound so salacious. Ruby chided her sister who was guffawing away at Jaune's countenance, Jaune founded his composure and just kept his attention at Ruby and Yang having the classic sibling argument, that was very one-sided as Yang took everything jokingly. "Oh come sis, don't be so jelly that he likes me more." She teased at the fuming riding-hood. "I'm not jelly at all, I don't even like jelly!" She rebuttals in the literal sense. Jaune just watched it play out with an amused blush, his eyes did keep drifting to look at Yang. And the fiery blonde knew all too well he did, which is why she would wink his way to embarrass him further. Truly, her job was too easy.

On this day, Jaune made two friends, whom would only support him in his wishes to become what he had always wanted.

A hero.

'What about the harem?' SHUT UP!

End