AN- Thank you reviewers of last chapter!
Astra- I think my stories are just intriguing to people, especially this one. I haven't seen any RWBY fanfics with a blind OC myself so that originality must be what made this story blow up with followers. Now for the tip you gave me, I think you are right, I did kinda have this mindset that everyone was going to get some development, and have an impact on the story, but let's be honest here. I'm not actually going to be thirty OC's, maybe mention some names and abilities, but having that many personalities in my head my actually make me go crazy. So i'm sticking to a certain handful, keeping the main cast and some side characters. Make some honorable mentions of other OC's, then have them come back maybe once or twice. Because shit, I think i'll be mentally turning into Orchid if I write that many, of course I might change my mind, that's just how I am. I've put the most effort into this story by far. If I had to make a list like yours, it would go like this (Excluding actual RWBY characters): Main characters- Kai, Orchid, Maybe Malikai. Side characters (So far)- Cyan, Rick, Brick, and Shea. Of course Yang kicks him out of bed, and you are exactly right to guess what Ruby does. I think I had her do that in a recent chapter. Flamingos mother is in the works, so you can look forward to that one. Cyan being bullied by the teachers may actually influenced by you, if I decide to have that be a running joke. As for the toothpaste nickname. Thank you for that. Orchid's personality condition is something I kinda made up myself, so if she gets too excited, depressed, etc she starts doing that. But they all know they are the same person, rather than calling themselves by different names, hence that one line she said last chapter. I can be pretty surprising, let me know what you think about this chapter about a certain thing that might happen in the Malikai fight. Summer is fifty fifty, I gotta see what happens in Volume six before I confirm anything. I'm glad you liked the extra, 'cause I am going to do more of them, I got way too many idea for shorts about Malikais time at Beacon. Thanks you for the review!
HaFschu- Thank you! I tried a little different style of writing last chapter and I am glad it worked out.
Now for the pairing Poll as it stands now:
Ruby (Yeah! Silver eyed lovers for life!)- 6
Yang (Im the original, and I can't lose Kai to my little sister!)- 4
Weiss (Im not even in the story yet… but I need some love.)- 3
Blake (Why am I here?)- 1
Pyrrha (Hello again!)- 1
Other (This one is pretty much Orchid)- 1
Well then, Ruby is on top with Yang as the runner up, and surprise surprise, Weiss is in third. The poll is going to get updated soon, I am going to add Orchid as an option since I can see those two getting together, and so far she is a popular character in this fic. So if you have another pick left, go ahead and use it if you want!
Now let's get right on to the story!
RWBY: The Blind Huntsman
Chapter 8- Volume 0, Episode 6
Intensity Rising
The fight Malikai has forced himself into is just heating up and reaching its climax. His aura is barely hanging out by a thread, his silver eyes and bright and leaving a trail behind him with every movement, enhancing his strength, speed and agility to just barely give him enough power to even get the advantage in this fight for a short time. Combine with his almost 360 degree field of vision with his seismic sensing. He is a very dangerous opponent to be up against.
Hazel has been cut up so much that he is literally dripping with blood. His black shirt is pretty much sliding off of his body. If the man could feel pain he would have died long ago, but his willpower and brute strength are the only things keeping this man alive.
Tyrian on the other hand, while showing signs of fatigue and slowing down drastically, is actually enjoying the pain and giggles like a madman with each strike landing on him. His stinger is not cut off, but has been rendered useless after being stabbed in the tail. Meaning that he can no longer use it as a weapon. But that doesn't stop him from trying.
Malikai is on his last reserves, he now knows how these two were able to take down Summer, his eyes are not nearly as effective on humans and faunus as he thought they would be, and he has spent many years of his life learning how to use it. Grimm are no problem but this… this is something he isn't sure he can come out on top of in the end. Hazel and Tyrian stopped fighting to incapacitate long ago near the beginning of this fight once Tyrian nearly lost his tail.
The house that he has lived in for the past twenty years is destroyed, the roof as collapsed in, and he actually wished it was set on fire so that he could use the flames as a weapon. He never cursed living in Vacuo where water is scarce and fire is limited more than he did now. He keeps trying to get something on fire, a spark or just an ember even, he could end this fight quickly if he did have either of his elements. He mentally thanks Raven for training with him as much as she did, it is too bad that he hasn't seen her ever since he tried to convince her to go back to Tai.
He slashes at Tyrans chest once again, this time cutting deep and wounding him. But his aura is completely drained when he gets stabbed in the gut with one of Tyrian's wrist blades. He kicks Tyrian away, and keeps himself up with his sword that has been downgraded into a mere walking stick at this point.
"This fight is over." Hazel said through gritted teeth, the electricity coursing through his body and sparking along the ground as he limps his way toward the weekend silver eyed warrior. "You will come with us, or you will die here."
Malikai pushes himself up and remains defiant, raising his sword to his chest and gets ready for a last stand. He goes through his own memories, apologizes to Summer for not being able to avenge her, and promise to haunt Tai, and Qrow if he didn't take care of his kid like he made him promise to in case something went wrong. Lastly he thinks of his partner, the man that has been by his side ever since they graduated from Beacon. They lost the other two members of their original team when they went off on solo missions, and when the two were trying to catch up, Jaden through himself in front of Tyrians stinger, and died from the venom hours later. Malikai was forced to leave him behind so he could get to his wife in time before they did.
He mentally slaps himself, knocking some sense back into his own mind. He can't fall here… he needs to get back to his family, he needs to raise Kai, he needs to see him grow up and start a family of his own. He needs to see his son just one more time at least.
So, he does something he promised himself to never do again.
"I'll never surrender… I made a promise, and I am going to keep it!" Malikai dropped his sword and screamed in rage. He pointed both hands at his attackers, and forced them both to their knees with the last scraps of aura he has, along with his silver eyed magic.
He is manipulating their blood.
"Agh!" Tyrian gurgled as the blood in his body forces him down on his belly.
Hazel grunted as he was forced to his knees, unable to resist the force of his own blood.
"Damn you two for making me do this!" Malikai started to blackout, but keeps himself up barely, slowly twisting the neck of Hazell first, much to his horror. He tried to speak, possibly to curse him or to plead for him to stop, but was unable to use his voice properly as the blood kept forcing his neck to turn.
"You brought this upon yourself." Malikai growled as he slowly turned over his left arm.
But right as he was about to finish them off, a fireball connects with his back, draining of the last scraps of aura he got back from pure willpower, and his silver eyed dimmed back down until they returned to their normal color.
"I said you two would have needed help with this one." The young raven-haired woman with a single flaming eye scolded as she sauntered her way toward the now unconscious warrior.
"We… underestimated him." Hazel said as he massaged his neck and took in deep breaths.
"Cinder! I knew you cared!" Tyrain cooed as he looked up to the young half Maiden from the ground. He is much too exhausted to even stand up at this point.
"I don't," Cinder corrected. "Our Queen ordered me to assist you after I took part of the Fall Maidens powers."
"Part?" Hazel asked.
Cinder sighed angrily as her flames die out. "That damn Branwen intervened just as I was stealing the rest of the power."
"Hm," Hazel sighed but nodded in understanding, it was expected of someone to intervene. "And those two kids you took into your care?"
"In Vale, waiting for my return with very specific instructions. Now stop it with the questions before I finish you two off myself." Cinder snapped, her short temper showing itself once again. "Let's get this fool back to the queen. Unharmed." She quickly added after remembering that Tyrian is still there.
"Awe." Tryian whined as he finally pushed himself up, while trying to keep the blood in his body from bleeding out of his chest. "Can I at least stab him one more time?"
"No, you can not." A different woman's voice speaks up as a red and black portal rips itself into existence.
Cinder and Hazel immediately ready themselves for another fight. While Tyrian just groans angrily, and curses himself for not being able to join in on the fight.
A woman wearing a Grimm mask and with long black beautiful hair jumps out of the portal and in front of Malikais body. Holding out a red almost glowing blade and pointing it toward his attackers.
"He will be coming with me." The woman's blood red eyes are visible through her mask, they narrow dangerously as she slowly crouches down to grab Malikai from his shirt and pulls him up to a standing position.
"Raven Branwen." Hazel calls her out, recognizing her as one of the members of Team STRQ. "If you do this, you will become a target. Leave him be, you're good at leaving loved ones behind anyway aren't you?" Hazel growls out, he does not like this woman very much. In fact, he hates her. Anyone who would abandon their family for selfish reasons do not deserve any kind of respect.
"Not this one." Raven retorted, actually surprising the group with her declaration.
Malikai cracks an eye open, his vision is dark, but he can feel a familiar presence right next to him. A presence he hasn't felt in many years.
"R-Raven?" He weakly calls to her, barely able to stand up on his own and the burning pain in his back almost putting him into shock.
"Quiet, you are very weak right now." Raven said as she threw him behind her and into the still open portal.
"You have no idea what you are doing!" Cinder shouted at her. "I will make sure your whole damn tribe burns for this!" She threatens as one of her eyes regain their flames.
Raven smirked and scoffed from underneath her mask.
"You can try. Half Maiden." Raven said as she backed up and entered the portal.
None of them can stop her. Cinder didn't even know if she could stop her, out of all of STRQ, she was always acknowledged as the best fighter, with Qrow being a close second. Qrow was fast enough to blind side all of them, and get away with a person in his arms before she could even try to stop him.
Hazel and Tyrian would have been too hurt to help, but all three of them together she is certain that they would have won. Damn that silver eyed warrior for putting them in such a sorry state.
"Oh dear… My Goddess is not going to be happy about this." Tyrian whimpered and pointed out the obvious.
"Shut up Tyrian."
"... and that is how you kill an Boarbatusk." Tai finished his last lecture of the day before the sparring matches began.
It has been a few days into the first week of school, and Kai has been waiting for his chance to test himself against the other students. He makes sure to lightly slap Orchid on the back of her head to wake her up from her boredness induced slumber.
"I'LL RIP YOUR FUCKIN- Oh hey Kaizy, what's your name again?" Orchid yawned and stretched her arms tiredly, her little outbursts are things the rest of the class is used to by now, and no one dared to even think about asking her why she has been doing the things she does.
"Orchid- wait what? You just called me by my-"
"What are we doing here again?"
Kai sighed, and took a deep breath to regain his composure.
"Orchid. You can't keep falling asleep like that and screaming when I wake you up." Kai said with a small shake of his head.
"Sorry Kai…" Shy Orchid feels ashamed of herself. "I-I'll try to be better."
"It's fine, have you been getting sleep?" Kai asked worriedly, suddenly getting back into his usual mood.
"Eh." Orchid tilted her hand side to side in front of Kai's face.
"Still blind Orchid." Kai pointed out for the umpteenth time, but no longer sounds irritated since it is his partner he has been dealing with.
"Oh yeah, It's been getting better. Thanks for asking." Orchid smiled. She told her partner that she has been having trouble sleeping, due to her personalities not quite being as sleepy as she is.
"Good." Kai smiled. "If you keep asserting yourself as the original - which I really hope you are - then they should listen to you. Or as you would say it, 'I will listen to me'."
Orchid and Kai's relationship has really kicked off, the two have become closer friends and since they live close to each other - or as close as you can be when you live in a forest - they have been able to spend more time together. Orchid helps him study, they train sometimes, nothing intense enough to make either serious, but Kai has yet to meet Orchid's mother, who is single as he has been told. He wonders if she is a hunter, and curious to see the similarities between the two. This curiosity is too much for him to bear, and he needs to ask the question.
"When am I going to meet your-"
"Kai! Since you feel like talking, you can go up against two people at once." Qrow shouted up to him from his chair off to the side. While also interrupting Tai from calling down any of the other students.
"Yay! Matsu finally gets to fight!" Ruby cheered. They really need to get a babysitter for her or something.
"Yes si-, Qrow." Kai accepted his punishment that isn't really a punishment since he would much rather fight than not be able to see the fights that have been going on for the past several days. Of course he has been able to sense their footwork, and is somewhat able to reach up into the rest of their body like he has begun training himself to. But come on, Kai has just been itching for a spar. He is like his father in that way, eager to spar and show his stuff to a crowd. At least that is what his mother Marron told him.
"Qrow, we're not putting two other kids up against him." Tai sighed disappointedly. "And no, we're not subjecting Cyan to more spars just because his hair looks like toothpaste."
There were some snickers in the room after that little comment, and Cyan slumped his head against the desk and groaned loudly. Yang rubbed his back soothingly and muttered another apology while also snickering herself.
"Looks like you won't be able to brush that one off."
The class stopped snickering and groaned at the pun. Even Cyan would have rather to continue listening to the snickers rather then have to hear that atrocity.
"Fine, get that Winchester kid down here or whatever." Qrow shrugged, a little disappointed albeit just a bit. "What was his name again? Robin?"
"You heard him Cardin, it's your turn to shine." Tai decided it would be best to not argue with his partner on this matter. The last time they argued they pretty much tore apart the arena that the kids were supposed to train in, and it took almost a full day to repair it. Tai made yet another note to himself to never touch Qrow's flask again.
"Yes! I finally get that monkey kid." Cardin Winchester, much like his future self, he still has that racist arrogant personality. He still wears the same armour, but without the wrist guards or a long sleeve undergarment. Believing himself to be strong enough to show off what he believes to be his goods. He takes his two handed mace, and strides over to the center of the ring, being in the front row he made it faster then Kai could.
"Kill him!" Shea, and Angry Orchid shouted at the same time.
Kai was blocking everyone out, and focused on his opponent, he ignored that little quip he overheard with his enhanced hearing, but noticed a shift in the larger teens body that indicated that the phrase was forced out. He arches an eyebrow and smiles softly at the suspicion that he had just thought of in his head.
"You're Cardin right?" Kai asked with a smile as he entered the ring, letting his tail flow freely behind him.
"That's right, and you're that blind monkey kid that somehow snuck his way into Signal." Cardin snapped back.
Kai's POV
I frown at the way I was addressed, but once again I feel something shift in his system. Does he actually not want to treat Faunus this way? I've overheard him trying to bully Shea, but was quickly shut down when she cut his face with on of her claws. Yeah, it wasn't the smartest thing for him to do.
"Why do you hate Faunus?" I ended up asking out of curiosity as I did some ballistic stretching, and sensing out the arena with my feet to get a feel for the area.
"Hm? Why wouldn't I, you lot are nothing but untrained animals." Cardin snickered. Even his little posse laughed along with him back up in the stands. I didn't bother to remember any of their names.
"What did I do to you though?" I felt the need to ask, I cross my arms and lean on one hip, actually more invested with a conversation then I am getting ready for the spar. "This is the first time I've spoken to you, yet to you it is like I hurt you in some way, besides being a Faunus what did I do wrong?"
The class whisper amongst themselves as they witness the way I am solving this little problem. But my goal isn't to put the bully in his place. I sensed some discord in each and every rude comment he has made so far.
"W-what? Stop being a smartass." Cardin said angrily. I could sense his heart squeeze for just a moment, usually an indication that someone has been caught doing something they are not supposed to, or when they are caught in a lie, among a bunch of different factors that could come into effect. I remember when I caught Ruby trying to take off my blindfold while she thought I was asleep, the way her heart fluttered when I grabbed her wrist and turned my head to face her was priceless to me that I couldn't even get mad at her, instead we just hugged it out and let it be a thing of the past.
Now back to the impending spar, I can't use any stone lest I really wanted to destroy this ring and then be forced to repair it. There is no water or plants nearby, and fire would be too dangerous to use in this mostly wooden arena, and there isn't even any fire around anyway. So the only element I have access to right now, would be air.
This is also a good time for me to practice my dodging. Qrow has been secretly giving me extra training for a reason he won't tell me, but the training has helped me enormously with dodging and reacting. He said that I am just like my father in that regard, able to pick things up and master techniques quickly.
"It was just the truth." I say with a shrug. "But I agree with you, it has been far too long since I was able to test out my abilities."
"Are you two done bonding yet?" Taiyang interrupts just as I thought Cardin was going to retort with something unintelligent. "Good, you two will fight until one is unable to anymore or their aura is in the red. Kai, in your case if you're aura gets too low, I'll stop the fight. Begin!" Taiyang shouted and jumped out of the ring.
I immediately enter Focus mode, and can sense the jump in Cardin's body as he lifts something heavy shoulder level. I plan to keep moving and not get hit by whatever he has.
I sense his heavy, loud footsteps as he charges toward me, roaring with a comically high pitched voice and I predict a horizontal attack coming from the left.
I crouch down and to the left, I feel the metal of his weapon go through my hair, but do nothing to damage my body, and leaving himself wide open to a counter. I do so by palming the side of his hip and blasting a small puff of air into him, forcing him to twirl on one foot for a few seconds before barely catching himself before he got rung out.
The laughs in the classroom are directed at him this time, and I can feel Cardin's heart beat get faster.
"Tch, I'll get you for that!" Cardin charged my way again, I feel the same footsteps and roar as before.
Really…? Is this it? I mentally ask as I redirect his strikes with air and even slip through his own legs once or twice. My small yet powerful frame is flexible enough to perform such maneuvers. I haven't been hit once, so I can make the assumption that my aura is still very much full, or as Taiyang would say it, in the green. Whatever that color is, it must be pretty.
I actually surprise myself a bit with how I am moving, being able to sense his movements properly. The smell of his sweat, the sound of his heavy raspy breathing and heavy armour clanging against itself as he moves around. Honestly, this matchup is terrible for him, anyone who can sense like father and myself would be able to toy around with this guy, and I am holding back since I can only use a quarter of my semblance.
As the spar drags on, I start to overhear some comments made about what is going on so far.
"Wow, I wonder how long it took for Kai to learn to fight like this."
"That's a cool semblance, it's like he can control the air."
"I bet the kid can still see, there's no way he can move like that and not be able to see."
"Go Kaizy!" That one was definitely Orchid.
"HAHAHAHAHA." I don't know who that was but for some reason I am glad I don't.
The comments mean next to nothing to me, except for the cheers coming from Yang and my partner. But I can sense that the little quips they are all making are getting to Cardin.
"Stay still you damn monkey!" He screamed yet again as he slammed what I know know is a large blunt weapon into the ground.
He is strong. I sensed the ground crack and even shift slightly as his mace connected with the ground. Luckily I am able to dodge his attacks, but these rude derogatory nicknames are just getting out of hand at this point.
"My name is Kai." I say as I cross my arms. He is too tired at this point to even lift his mace properly and we both know that.
"I don't care what your name is," Cardin growled. "All I am thinking about right now is slamming this mace into your face, and then we'll talk about who is the inferior one."
"I mean… at this point I think everyone knows that the inferior one is you."
I should have thought that through before I said it…
The class vibrates into laughter, and I instantly realize that what I had just said was probably not the right thing to say given this guys evidently very short temper fuse. I can sense him tense up either out of embarrassment or even more anger. I can only imagine how this guy must feel right now. From the short time I have known him I can gather that he must one of those guys who needs people to tell him that he is good at something to actually feel like they are good at something, hence his little posse that I always sense the presence of around him.
"Y-you…" I hear him say through what must be gritted teeth. "How are you so good at this? You can't even see right?"
Oh, I thought he was going to say something else entirely.
"I've trained pretty much every single day ever since I was five years old. In time, I learned how to use my body to see rather then my eyes, and you my friend, are heavy." I explain simply, you can only be jabbed in the gut with your own sword enough times before you start to learn. Also, the heavier you are, the easier it is for me to sense you, unless you're an ant traveling on the ground then it starts to get difficult, this is why fast opponents like Ruby and trained huntsman are my biggest weakness. But most aren't that fast. Really freakin fast yeah, but the training I got from my father helped out with that.
"What is your aura at? I haven't hit you too much so it should still be pretty high."
"Tch, as if I'd tell you."
"Mr Winchesters aura is in the yellow." Taiyang said with a sigh, ignoring the indignant protest that came from the heavy teen. "But clearly I can see the winner of this bout, and you two have talked more than you fought. Kai Matsuoka is the winner."
What!?
"What!?" Cardin pretty much summed up my thoughts on that declaration. "No, I can still fight!"
"I'm sick of seeing a blind kid dance around you Winchester." Qrow spoke up sternly. No one ever dared to talk back to him. I can sense the sorrow building up in Cardin, and I feel bad for being the one who inadvertently caused this. Even if the guy deserved it.
"Pick yourself up, and stick around for some extra training sessions." Qrow basically gave him detention without actually saying the words. But everyone knew what he meant by that. It's strange, he has been training me back at the house nearly every day now, even Tai has backed off a bit. I make a mental note to ask him about that later, if I don't forget of course.
"... This isn't over." Cardin whispered to me as he walked past.
"I guess it's not…" As Yang would say, I have just made my first enemy, but I have intentions that I hope would steer him toward a more friendly acquaintance in the future at least.
"Kai, since you're still at about ninety eight percent." I lost the two percent due to using my semblance. I nod at his words in his direction to give him the confirmation that I am okay to go again, not that he needed it of course, he probably would have done it anyway even if I was tired. "You're going to go another round, with…" Taiyang ponders his choices for a moment, "Any volunteers?"
"I'll do it!" That was Shea's voice, I am actually very curious to see how she fights.
"Great! Get down here Stripes." Shea really hates that nickname, but after having to drag herself up from the ground multiple times after trying to convince Taiyang to stop calling her that, she finally gave up on it.
"Mmm." But it doesn't mean that she is completely content about it.
I can sense her light feet step onto the stage, and make her way to the center across from me. I've never actually heard her weapon, but judging from the fact that she is a Tiger Faunus I can make the assumption that she could have some pretty sharp claws that I should watch out for.
"Alright, same rules as before, fight until surrender or when someone's aura gets in the red." Taiyang repeats the same words as before. "Begin!"
Right away I can sense Shea dash toward me, her feet barely touching the ground and the next thing I know I am on the defense, forced to use the bracer on my left wrist to block whatever I can, but some of the attacks that come from both her claws and something sharp hit home. In a matter of seconds I am already pushing my senses to the maximum.
With a small grunt, I parry her clawed hand and strike her in the chest with my palm, while also blasting air to further increase the impact of the attack. I can sense her stop herself by stabbing her weapon into the stage, while also clawing through the ground to give herself more friction. Then as soon as she stopped, she starts dashing toward me at incredible speeds, this time zig zagging in an attempt to disorient my senses.
But after training with Ruby for a good amount of time now, I can adapt and act accordingly.
I blast hair out of one of my feet, and use the momentum to twirl myself around and crouch as soon as she gets within striking distance. Her weapon, which I now know has a jagged edge like sawteeth, still catches my on the ear, my aura being the only thing that stopped it from cutting it clean off. I grit my teeth from the pain and swiper her legs out from under her, but I feel her hands on the ground before she pushed herself into the air.
I predict that she is going to throw her weapon, and luckily I was correct. I jump back just as I sense the blade stab itself into the ground. The vibrations that climbs through the weapon tell me that it is a short one handed staff. An interesting choice of a weapon, but I have no time to think about it at the moment. Just as fast as the blade was imbedded into the ground, it is yanked out and I hear the whistle of the blade flying through the air, getting louder and higher pitched as it grows near.
I fall back clumsily just in time to avoid the thrown weapon, and I raise my bracer just in time to deflect the follow-up attack. But I mispredict the path she took, instead of coming from above like I expected, she came from below, and I felt her clawed fingers swipe up into my chin, sending me up into the air and truly makes me blind for a moment.
Time travels slow for me as I hear the gasps come from the crowd, and the satisfied hum Shea makes as I fall toward the ground.
Not yet!
I blast hair from my hands just before I hit the ground, and fire myself straight toward where I think she should be standing. I can hear Shea gasp as I tackle her to the ground and we wrestle with each other for a few moments. This is one of the most intense fights I have taken part of for a long while. She kicks me in the stomach and away from her, but as I skid back I punch a small blast of air back at her as a counter attack.
I kick off one leg and shoot air out of that foot, and I sense Shea tense herself up I assume she is getting ready to block.
Neutral POV
"Wow, those two are really going at it." Headmaster Albedo says as he watches through the window into the combat class. Where Kai and Shea are fighting intensely in a very even manner, even he can't tell who would be the winner of this fight. "Though, I wonder how this would if Young Matsuoka had access to all of his elements."
Albedo scratches his mustache and ponders all the possibilities on how this boy can grow into quite the powerful huntsman. In his case, inheriting both of your parents semblances is incredibly rare, and one can only wonder how he wasn't accepted into any of Vacuo's training schools.
As the fight begins to reach its conclusion, with both Kai's and Shea's aura being in the orange, the headmasters of signal scroll begins to ring. He digs into his pocket, finds it through all of the empty packs of his favorite gum, and holds it out in front of his eyes.
-Headmaster Ozpin-
"Ah, about time you called." Albedo said as he answered the phone. "You'll never believe what I found!"
"...?"
"What? How did you find out?"
"..."
"Ah of course, the dusty old bird. Well, what do you think then?"
"...!"
"Haha, as do I old friend, as do I. When will you be coming down?"
"..."
"I shall make preparations for your arrival, goodbye for now." Albedo hangs up the scroll, and reaverts his eyes back to the screen. "Ah, it seems the end of this fight is near."
Both Kai and Shea are on their last reserves, both of their auras are in the dark orange, both one hit away from going into the red and losing the fight.
"Ha… ha… you're really good." Kai compliments with a competitive smile.
"Yeah… You to." Shea said as she gripped her spear with both hands for the first time.
The crowd has gone dead silent, they have been cheering for both parties for a large person of the spar, even Cardin pitched in a bit from time to time. Despite the fact that both of the combatants are Faunus, which is surprising the teachers even.
Ruby has screamed so much that she lost her voice, but claps excitedly every time Kai manages to land a hit and get the advantage momentarily.
"You're still holding back." Shea accuses. Much to the surprise of Kai. "I know that air isn't your only ability right? I heard that you fought Grimm using rocks, water and even fire. Why… are you holding back?" She growled, getting angry as time goes on.
"W-wait, it's not what you think-" Kai cuts himself off as he feels Shea kick off the ground so hard that it breaks the stage apart where she once stood, a battle cry roaring from her mouth as she closes the distance.
Kai feels something he hasn't felt before, he senses the way Shea's body is shaped, and sense her weapon cut through the air like a hot knife through butter. Kai leans back, and dodges the attack almost expertly. Much to the surprise of his teachers, and peers.
Shea widens her eyes as she finds herself defenseless to a counter attack, and Kai's aura empowered fist drives itself into her gut, and throws her away off the stage.
Yes! I won! Kai thought to himself as he sense Shea land on the outside of the ring.
"Double knockout! Both contestants are out of aura!"
WHAT!?
"WHAT!?" Yang, Ruby, Orchid, and a few others from the class all echoe Kai's thoughts.
"In a tournament setting, this would be a draw." Tai said as he points toward the overhead screen, showing both Kai's and Shea's aura both being in the red at the exact same percentage. "This wasn't a real fight, this was a spar. The only reason you should be fighting to another hunter until their aura hits zero is if you are aiming to kill them, which I am sure neither of these two wanted to do." Tai explained sternly.
No one dared to argue this. Kai accepted it, reluctantly, but accepted it. He didn't sense the killing intent within his sparring partner, and he knows he wasn't fighting to kill.
"Tch," Shea mutters a curse under her breath as she pushes herself up while holding her hip to lessen the pain in her side.
"Stripes," Tai gets the Tiger Faunus' attention. "You did fantastic, you took advantage of your opponents weakness, and you almost won. You surprised me today." Tai said with a thumbs up and a warm smile.
Shea flushes at the praise, ignoring her dreaded nickname for once and tries to hide the fact that she was please with the praise despite the loss she knows she would have taken.
"Kai," Tai turns to his pupil. "Your adaptability continues to surprise me, you fought at an disadvantage, and a handicap-"
"What? Handicap?" Most of the class room think to themselves on that crazy statement.
"-that limited your semblance, but I suggest that you return to using a weapon. Your semblance is a great weapon in within itself, but if you find yourself out of aura, then you'll be left with just that bracer as your only means of defending yourself."
"Hm." Kai actually planned to return to his sword 'Silver Ebony', which was a sword made out of a very rare black material that shined silver when sunlight hit it. Malikai insisted that he bought the sword from a friend, but at this point he didn't know that Kai could sense lies. But he never brought it up since it seemed that his father really wanted to keep the origins of the blade secret. But now that he has been without it for so long… he misses it. "I already have one in mind, in addition to what we have to build here."
"Good, other than that, great job." Tai praised with a small smile. "Anything to add Qrow?"
"Meh, work on your footwork." Qrow groaned as he looked up from whatever he was looking at in his scroll.
"Thank you for your input." Tai's voice was thick with sarcasm. Qrow's only participation in the class was going one on one with some of the students, insulting while giving them advice at the same time, that sat in a chair just outside the stage and played with his scroll.
It's a wonder how he managed to keep this job for as long as he said he has.
"You all know the drill, go eat and then come back, by then we'll have the room set up for the quiz. Kai, Qrow will take you to a seperate room to give you a vocal test." Tai quickly added after glancing toward the blind boy. "Dismissed for now."
"Damn Kai, I never knew you could fight like that, makes me think you were holding out on me." Yang said as she stuffed her face full of mashed potatoes. One of her favorite side dishes.
"I got better." Kai simply states as he finds the plate full of food with his spoon. Orchid helps him eat sometimes, and by help she means feeding him herself while talking in a soothing disturbing voice. But today she is a bit calm. You can never predict what she is going to do next because of her dozen personalities she has stuck inside that head of hers.
"Yeah? Well maybe I need to see some proof."
"I think you just did, I just had a draw earlier with a very skilled opponent who I am sure would give you a run for your money."
"Kai, you won that fight, everyone thinks so."
"Not officially." Kai raised his voice a bit, an uncharacteristic bursts of temper that no one is really used to. "Sorry." He quickly adds after he realizes his own outburst.
"Is something wrong?" Cyan asked with a bit of worry in his voice.
"Nothing just… I have a bad feeling about something, I can't quite place my finger on it though." Kai has been feeling off lately, for the past couple of days in fact. He doesn't know what is wrong, but he really needs to find out. He is going to ask Qrow or Tai to take him to the CCT tower in Beacon to make a call to his parents, it has been far too long since he has spoken to them. Even if it had only been barely a month so far.
Two arms wrapping around him a pulling him into a hug is what breaks him out of his stupor. The smell of his partners strawberry scent fills his nostrils to let him know exactly who it is.
"Hugs are nice." Kai doesn't even know what Orchid this could be, but accepts the hug easily. He has gotten used to surprise hugs thanks to him living in the same house as Ruby.
"Heh," Kai chuckles as he leans into the hug. "Thanks partner."
"Of course!" Excited Orchid exclaims in excitement. "Anything for my partner… anything." Flirty Orchid speaks up for a moment but is quickly replaced by Shy Orchid.
"Ah! S-sorry Kai, I didn't mean to be so spontaneous." She said as she returned her arms to herself.
"Orchid, there's nothing to be sorry about." Kai kindly said with a smile.
"Aww~" Yang cooes.
"Yang, please stop." Cyan pleads.
"No! It's fun when she does this." Brick covers Cyans mouth while Rick pins his arms to his sides.
"Let it happen." Rick whispered into Cyans ear as he began slowly pulling him away from his own partner. "We'll take care of you big brother."
"Mmph!" Cyan struggles to release himself. "MMPH!"
Yang just smiled and waved as her partner was taken against her will, a little payback for all of his mean quips when all she did was try to be nice to him. She only punched through several packs of Grimm while dragging her partner along by the ankle for a few hours, why can't he just take a joke?
"Haha, those three crack me up." Yang stifles a laugh.
"I honestly forgot those two were there." Kai admits with a shameful chuckle.
"Dude they sit next to us all the time," Yang pointed out. "You really must be out of it, and I know exactly how to cheer you up! Ruby!" Yang cupped her hands and shouted to the cafeteria, making some heads turn to see what the commotion is about, and then understand when a red blur dashes through the cafeteria and into the waiting arms of her elder sister.
"Hi Yang! I was looking for you!"
"Hey lil' sis, Kai isn't feeling too good." Yang said with fake sadness that made Kai raise an eyebrow, even Orchid snorted a bit. "Help cheer him up?"
She needn't ask twice, for Ruby has hopped over to the other side of the table and snuggled up into Kai's shoulder.
"Ruby this isn't necessary." Kai said as he patted her head. Even as Orchid 'Awed' adorably.
"But there's so many people… and they're all looking at me." Ruby whined as she hid herself in Kai's sleeveless shirt.
"How can you go from being so excited to so shy?" Kai laughed out of amusement. He felt something warm from behind his eyes, but passed it off as a blush that he has become accustomed to because of Yang's teasing and Orchids… spontaneousness. That is one way to put it.
"You wouldn't understand, it's a girl thing." Kai's multi- personality partner defended the young silver eyed girl. "Just let it go."
"I guess…" Orchid is doing that thing again where Kai is forced to just agree with her to prevent any incidents.
"Right! Study time." Bubbly Orchid said as she pulled out a fairly large book and slammed it on the table, crushing what was left of her lunch.
"What was that?" Kai wished he didn't ask.
"Material… now what are the names of all the huntsman academies?" Nerdy Flamingo said as she put on glasses that came out of nowhere. If only Kai could react to that, Yang just laughed and just watched the show go on.
"Beacon, Atlas, Shade… Heaven?"
"HAVEN!" Angry/Nerdy Orchid slapped his hand as punishment. "Now say it after me… H-A-V-E-N."
"Orchid I get it, it's Ha-"
"DO NOT QUESTION THE FLAMINGO!"
"H-A-V-E-N." Kai repeated out of fear, he doesn't want to deal with any of that right now, and ignored Yang's teases.
"Yeah Kai, don't question the Flamingo."
"I hate you both."
"Nah you love us."
"Regrettably."
"Is that a proposal!?" Yandere Orchid shouted as she gripped Kai's hand and held it up to her chest.
"Next question!" Kai dodges the question.
"Darn. What is the color of the Forest of Forever Fall?" Nerdy Orchid returned after saying that first word.
"I don't-"
"Red." Ruby whispered in his ear.
"Red." Kai echoed before whispered a thank you to his fellow silver eyed warrior.
"Great job! Now, I think we have time for one more." Orchid flipped a few dozen pages, before flipping back and somehow getting on the same exact page and then fooled herself into thinking it was a different one. "Ah! Who are the current Headmasters of the huntsman academies?"
Oh, this should be an easy one. "Uh, Beacon has Headmaster Ozpin, Haven has Headmaster Leonardo, Shade has Headmaster… skipping that one for now."
"Flamingo finds this acceptable."
"Atlas has Headmaster General Ironwood, and Shade has… Headmaster… Uh…" I've massively overestimated my intelligence for this question.
"'Uh', is not a name Mr Matsuoka." Nerdy Orchid pointed out in her teaching voice.
"I know Im just thinking." Kai crossed his arms, even as Ruby whined slightly at the loss of the shared body heat. "Headmaster Rivers?"
"Correct!" Bubbly Orchid exclaims, holding Kai's hand up and high fiving that hand.
"Yes!" Kai whispered loudly.
"Those are all the harder topics, besides the continents, you should be able to get that one though. Sadly Miss Flamingo has run out of time for this teaching session, you may tip as desired."
"What would I even tip you with-"
"A kiss?" Flirty Orchid suggested, even puckering up her lips.
"I think a firm handshake would suffice." Kai denied respectfully, it's not how he wants to give his first kiss anyway. "But who knows~ Maybe in the future." He teases, surprising Yang and Ruby and even every Orchid personality.
"I'm proud of you." Yang swells up with pride.
"Ubajewha?" Ruby does that thing where she makes up words.
Orchid gasps loudly, and her whole face turns red as her mind races with a dozen different responses.
"There's a chance!" A mix of Bubbly and Flirty Orchid exclaims finally. "W-wait, Im not ready for this kind of commitment!" Shy Orchid stammers. "I am flattered by your compliment." Nerdy Orchid said next.
"Orchid." Kai called out to her as he slapped a hand on her shoulder, stopping her from going into another argument with herself.
"Ah… that's better." Orchid sighed in relief. "Thanks Kaizy!" She hugs her partner with one arm.
"Of course." Kai nodded and smiled.
"You!" A certain Tiger Faunus said as she slammed her hands on the table where Cyan once sat. "I knew you were holding back! Why!?"
"Shea?" Kai said bewildered at the sudden appearance of his earlier sparring partner.
"Don't Shea me." She seethed. "Why did you hold back? I know you did." She accuses, and itis rather justified if you knew the full extent of Kai's abilities.
"Woah, listen Stripes." Yang places a hand on her forearm, her eyes red. "Lets not do anything we might regret."
"Tch, as if I came here for something as petty as that." Shea swatted her hand off of her arm. "I want answers. That's what I came here for."
"I wasn't in a good enough environment to use any more of my abilities. It's not like I wanted to hold back nor did I intend to." Kai quickly added as he sensed her tense up. "You pushed me hard, I look forward to sparring with you again." He compliments.
"Psh." Shea plops down on the seat, much more calm then she was before. "You two I guess, despite the bullshit rules of this place. You won that fight, but I intend to even the score one day, so watch yourself." Kai doesn't know if that is a threat or a challenge, but accepts it either way.
"I'll take you up on that challenge one of these days." Kai said with a competitive smile.
Shea stared into where his eyes would be with her own deep orange orbs, she smirks and shows a single elongated sharp cat-like tooth. Already relishing in the challenge.
In all honesty, Shea was also holding back. She didn't use her semblance one. She actually wondered why neither of the teachers questioned her about it. Her semblance is one of a kind, it enhances her Tiger features, such as her claws, some teeth, and agility. Technically, it is always active, but she can enhance it herself to make her body more powerful and agile. While also making her have to fight on all fours, she needs more practice on it so she can better control herself in such a form. But she already knows who is going to be her guinea pig when she masters it.
"I know you will, if you don't, then I'll hold it over your head for years to come."
Looks like Kai has found himself an interesting rival.
But then an interesting question comes to mind. Shea must have a partner right?
"Say, since we're on the topic, maybe we can have a two on two one of these days. My partner and I against you and your partner. Sound fun?" Orchid surprisingly was the one to suggest this.
"Who is your partner anyway?" Kai asked afterwards.
"Hell yeah I'm down for a two on two, as for my partner…" Shea took a second to remember her name.
"I think her name was Emerald."
AN- Oh boy, what a way to end a chapter! I was going to write more, but this will be continued right after this line was said, and you guys get to see how Kai will take quiz and tests since he can't write.
Things are getting Spicy! I am thinking about the looks on your faces after that last line. And to be 100% honest? I literally JUST came up with that on the spot and was like, "You know what? Fuck yes."
So as you can see, things are going to be different from the main cannon. Though not too different. The same events are probably going to still happen with some distinct differences.
Also, Malikai is NOT dead. Just pointing that out.
And now for another short!
"Summer, why does your partner want to train with me instead of her own team?" Malikai asked as he pulled on his combat shoes and tied his blindfold.
"Because Matsu," Summer ruffles his hair after calling him by the nickname she gave him a few weeks after they met. "Can't you tell? I know your not blind."
Malikai sighs and shakes his head, knowing exactly what she means.
"Yeah, I get it, Im strong enough to fight her evenly, and that is attractive to her. By the way the headband is totally see through." He added as he walked past his best friend who once again pulled him out of his own room to get ready for another sparring match.
"What!? Then why do you wear it?" Summer pouts after realizing she was being fooled this whole time.
"Eh, fashion choice I guess." Malikai shrugged.
"There you are." Qrow slurred, still recovering from a hangover from the night out with his very reluctant partner. "My sister doesn't like those who make her wait you know. Watch out drinking buddy number two."
"I'm sure I will be fine." Malikai waved off with little concern for his own safety. "If someone didn't stop to talk to some random blonde girl then I wouldn't have been late."
"Hey! Don't talk about my new friend Glynda like that!" Summer whined.
"Anyway, where is your sister?"
"I am getting increasingly worried what you two do together other then training, but at the same time I realize I just don't give a shit." Qrow shrugged, and received a slap on the arm from Summer because of the curse. "She is in the same spot as always." Qrow pointed to a secluded training area.
Raven was like that, willing to show off her strength yet for some reason not wanting anyone to see those two training together. Though their training would often cause the building to shake, even when they were outside. Things got really intense when those two fought.
Malikai huffed and prepared himself. "Alright, if she kills me this time tell my partner he owes me a drink."
"Remember to wear protection!" Qrow shouted just as he got out of earshot.
"Im wearing my bracer." Malikai, as his future son would, completely misses the innuendo.
"They still think we're training together don't they?" The red eyed girl that looks more like a woman then even some of the female teachers purrs as she pulls him into a bed room and wraps his arms around her waist. "It's not polite to make me wait like that." She hissed threateningly as she pushed him away.
"Summer," Is all Malikai has to say as an explanation.
"Tch, of course it is her fault." Raven hissed lightly.
"Eh, she's pretty much my best friend, so I have a duty to defend her and say you're right."
"Haha," Raven laughed, "You always know what to say~" Raven pushes him down on the bed and straddles him.
One hour later...
"We've been doing this for a couple months now Ray," Malikai said to the woman in his arms. "Do I have to ask the dreaded question or do you?"
"We're a secret, I've told you that plenty of times."
"Poor Tai, he has no idea you're already taken."
"Psh, as if I'd ever fall for him…" Raven leans up and kisses her lover, who is still wearing his blindfold by the way.
"I KNEW IT!" Summer screeched as she bursts through the door, and immediately scrunches her nose up and backs away, but still points and accusing finger at her two besties in bed together. "Aha! Caught red faced!"
"SUMMER!" Raven got dressed faster than anyone has ever seen before, and the chase lasted for hours…
So… that was a thing. In case you are wondering, these shorts are in fact Cannon to the fic unless I specifically state that it is not. So yes, Malikai and Raven were together in the past, but obviously, it didn't end up working out since Yang is still around. Then of course there is Kai.
I've decided to put these little shorts at the end of each chapter with whatever crazy idea I manage to come up with. I don't really know what exactly Summer is like, so if she is OOC to you, then so be it.
So yeah, that basically confirms that one line in the beginning of the chapter. More shorts showing the past of STRQ and Malikai will come in the future, and of course, I decided to throw Glynda in there because why not.
I have a request to ask of you all! I am not patient enough to draw a full picture myself. So, to any of you talented artists or just someone who wants to give it a go, I would like for any of you to draw some cover art for this story, of Kai of course.
If you want to give it a go, PM me and I'll send you a description of Kai.
Of course, he will be wearing that blindfold still. Just in case any of you are wondering.
Thank you all in advance!
Please review and let me know what you think of the story so far! If you have any ideas, please do share.
Disclaimer- I do not own RWBY in any way, shape, or form.