Author's note: And we're back! Needed to take some time off to finish off the Vergil DLC campaign on DMD mode. Talk about power and motivation. But anyway, here's a new chapter for you all. There's not a lot of action happening in this one, but bear with me. Things are coming, just give it some time.

I'll also take this chance to make an announcement: a new fic will most likely happen, centred around either Vergil or V, most likely the latter, since I think he's too interesting and cool of a character to not have a story focusing on him.

Chapter 14: Happy Endings

"No, that ain't right. Try again."

Yang frowned.

"I am trying. You're not telling me how!" she growled. Standing in a slightly lowered stance, knees and hips bent, she had her hands up, palms open, similar to her usual combat guard, but slightly different. She glared up at the tall, silver-haired man in front of her.

Dante lightly tapped the side of her head with his palm.

"I'm telling you, but you're not listening. It's like your head's always on fire."

"What did you say about my-"

She received another tap on the head.

"See what I mean? Stop being such a hothead. With all that anger in there, you can't fill it with knowledge, ya know?"

Dante smiled, slightly happy at having said something that sounded master-like.

The gold-haired brawler gave him a deadpan look.

"Yeah, that line wasn't as cool as you think it was."

He waved off her words.

"You're focusing on all the wrong things, kid. Why do you think you've taken all these hits?"

"It's because you won't stop running around!"

As the exclamation left her, she swung a vicious left hook… which connected with thin air, Dante having seen it coming from three miles away. Growling, Yang followed up with several more angry blows, all of which missed as the man leaned, ducked and slipped out of their way with ease, the smile on his face never leaving.

"Grrrrrr… damn it! Why can't I hit you?"

Dante went to tap her head again, and she raised an arm to guard, only for him to reveal it was a feint, and sweep her legs with a low kick instead. Before she could fall flat on the ground, however, he reached out a hand and caught hers.

Yang blinked, looking up at his face.

"You ready to listen now?" he said kindly.

While there was plenty that seemed to be in common between the combat instructor and her own uncle, Qrow, the two were actually very different. Most of Qrow's effort had gone towards training Ruby. Yang had sparred with him occasionally, but most of those sessions had ended with her getting led around and beaten, with the hunter dropping a one-liner, joke or cryptic hint at the end. Her real training had come from her own father, Taiyang, which was why she was a hand-to-hand specialist. While he had been a good teacher, quickly getting the basics across to her, their later years together were marked by Yang developing her own style, and him watching over her. Being a natural pugilist, she had taken what she had been taught, and blended it with her own natural aggression and confidence, turning Taiyang's efficient, compact style into a dynamic, brutal way of beating down her enemies.

There was no denying it had been effective.

She was almost unbeaten at Signal.

But that was precisely the problem.

Those used to winning lack adaptability, never having met situations that forced them to try new things. Indeed, Yang had never questioned her own approach, which was why it was so deeply embedded in her, and why she was having such a tough time now.

It was hard to blame Taiyang for it. Having gone through two different losses in his life, he had, under the circumstances, done the best he could, without being too hard on her. And that was why he had been great as a teacher for beginner and intermediate Yang, but not so much for advanced Yang, who had some experience under her belt.

In contrast to Taiyang's way, which was to let her do whatever she wanted, and Qrow's, which was to give hints that she could never figure out, Dante was both more involved, and specific. As she had seen in his regular classes, and in this one-on-one lesson, the laid-back hunter could be surprisingly serious, and very demanding as a teacher. It had reached the point where he had decided her temper, and the resulting sloppiness, just wouldn't do, and he was going to bring out her potential by correcting her errors.

As she looked at him, she could see that despite how tough his training method could be, he was patient. Put another way, it was because he was patient that his training was so demanding. Unlike Qrow, who was more focused on someone else, and her father, who was too lenient, Dante had the desire to help her, the ability to do so, and no qualms about pointing out her mistakes as many times as it took.

While it was infuriating to have him avoid all her attacks as though she was an untrained street fighter, she found herself appreciating that he was taking the time to do something no other combat teacher had done for her in a long time.

She allowed him to pull her up to a standing position before letting go of her hand.

Exhaling, she nodded.

"Fine. I'll try it your way", she said.

Dante smirked.

He got into a flicker stance based on boxing and Jeet Kune Do. This was what he used if any of his encounters allowed the chance for a prolonged one-on-one fight, or the opportunity to exchange standing blows. Based on attacking with blinding speed, or seeing an attack about to come, and striking first, this style was a fantastic way of using his strength, power, speed, reflexes and senses to their fullest, by seamlessly blending offence and defence, turning one into the other where needed.

It also happened to be the origin of his Royal Guard, though that incorporated principles from Karate as well.

In front of him, Yang took up her own stance, and the two faced off.

"Don't just think about rushing me and beating me down. That just doesn't work on opponents who are on your level. Doesn't work on me either."

Yang nodded. This much was abundantly clear.

"Your style isn't bad. Overpowering the targets that can't match you is a good way to clear out battlefields during group encounters."

This, of course, was how Nero did things.

His sheer, overwhelming strength made it very effective.

But Nero could also be brilliantly calculating and ingenious in a fight. While his berserker-like sword swings and pro-wrestler-like grappling hid it, each of his moves was carefully picked and timed.

Nobody beat Vergil by rushing in blind. The Dark Slayer may have been holding back, testing his son, but a test from him was one of the hardest tests to pass in existence.

This was the quality Dante was planning to imbue in Yang.

He had it, as did his brother and nephew.

The ability to think calmly, and analyse opponents, even when angry. Especially when angry.

He looked at Yang, and continued.

"Targets against which it doesn't work."

He threw out a jab, and Yang sidestepped it, feeling like she had dodged a bullet.

"Those with superior power."

He threw out a leg kick, vastly lighter than he normally would, cutting off Yang's attempt to circle around.

"Those with superior speed."

He rushed into close range with a jab-cross combo, following up with a knee that caught her, pushing her back, only to fall into his grip, since he had dashed behind her. He secured a sleeper hold on her, but let it go and pushed her away, creating distance again.

"Those with superior technique and skill."

Yang rubbed her neck slightly. Dante had not tightened the hold, but if he had done so, her Aura would eventually have been drained, and she would have been rendered unconscious due to blood no longer reaching her brain.

He got that too easily.

This time, she initiated the attack, but keeping what he had said in mind, did not attack blindly.

Each of her moves was measured, precise. Never overreaching, never leaving her open.

The combo of punches and kicks forced Dante to take a step back, once again putting the two at a safe distance just outside each other's hand-to-hand range.

"And finally," said Dante, "Those who are able to read you. So here's the question, kid: you run into an opponent like that, how do you beat them?"

Yang considered the problem.

If she couldn't overpower, blitz, or beat them in a clean fight… then she had to find a way to land attacks somehow.

Find a weakness, and hit them there, to do major damage.

So far, her solution to that requirement had always been to use her Semblance and go for a one-hit finish. But the fight at the docks had shown that there were those out there who could simply shrug off her full-power, desperate move.

"I'd want to hit them with something big, something that hurts," she said. "Find a way to land that. Maybe trick them into taking it? But…"

She looked at him uncertainly.

"... That didn't work against you."

Dante waved away her doubts.

"Not to brag, but there aren't too many people out there as tough as me. So you're on the right track. Yes, you do need to find a way to hurt an opponent like that. Yes, a single move can be used to do it. The part you're making a mistake in is where you telegraph that move. Which shouldn't be happening, since you already said the answer."

"Which is…?"

Dante grinned.

"You need to trick them into taking the attack."

Yang blinked.

"Well yeah, but that didn't work against y-"

"It's because I've been doing this a long time. Listen, you're a hundred years too early to pull one over on me. But on the bright side, that means I can show you how to land that ultra super special move of yours… on anyone else."

The brawler stared at the devil hunter, her complete and undivided attention on him. She already knew that the way she had been using her power wasn't effective. Wasn't reliable. If Dante could show her how to make that punch count, then she would learn it. She would learn it gladly.

"There's a rhythm to fighting," said Dante.

"Right," said Yang. "Everyone has natural timings of attack and defence. It's like a personal clock. You throw some shots, then back out again and defend."

"Exactly. That rhythm is important. It keeps you safe, right? By periodically backing off, you give yourself time to reset. But here's the thing: safety can be misleading. You start to feel too safe in a fight, and you'll make mistakes."

Yang's eyes widened.

"Wait, you're not telling me…"

Dante nodded.

"Let that superior opponent get into their rhythm. They know they're stronger, faster, better, right? They'll think it's only natural they're in the flow. And right when they think they're winning, land the counter. Things like feints, distractions, or baiting out responses won't work against more skilled opponents. But using their own confidence against them? That will."

Yang thought back to the two times she had fought Dante.

Once, when he had tested all the first years.

The other time, at the docks, with the rest of her team.

Both times, Dante had seen her desperation use of her Semblance coming. Both times, it had come to nothing. In the one-on-one fight, she had telegraphed it by charging up and rushing right at him. With the rest of RWBY by her side, she had depended on them being able to distract him from her while she prepared the attack. Both times, he had seen it coming.

Of course he did. Did I really think such a basic strategy wouldn't be seen through? Besides, even when I landed it, it didn't do anything. He really is on another level.

Dante's voice broke her out of her thoughts.

"With all this in mind, we'll start part 1 of this special training."

Yang nodded, raising her hands, ready to go.

Dante smiled slightly.

"For part 1, your task is simple. You'll be sparring with me, but there'll be a limitation on you."

"A limitation?"

The devil hunter nodded.

"You aren't allowed to attack at all."

The blonde brawler tapped her own ear a few times, wondering if something was wrong with it.

"Uh, Teach, I'm not sure I heard you right, but it sounded for a moment like you said that I'm not allowed to attack at all."

"That's exactly what I said. There's nothing wrong with your ear."

Yang frowned, puzzled.

"What am I supposed to do then? How do I fight if I'm not attacking?"

To demonstrate the answer, Dante attacked. Not so fast that the move would land. Not so slow that she would be able to avoid it easily. Just at the right speed that she instinctively backed away, barely dodging the punch.

He followed up the attack with a roundhouse kick, which Yang ducked, knowing it was too heavy for her to block.

To drive the point home, Dante followed up with a low sweep, exaggerating the movement so that Yang would see it coming, and raise her front leg to avoid it.

Completing the spin gracefully, Dante stood to his full height.

"That," he said, "is how you fight without attacking."

Yang stared at him. It was so obvious, she hadn't thought about it.

Movement. Defence. Evasion. These were the fundamentals of combat. She had learned them all. But she was so focused on attack, she didn't even think about them anymore.

She glared slightly at him.

"So I'm going to be running away?"

Dante knocked her on the head again.

"Ow! What was that for?"

The man looked uncharacteristically serious.

"There's no shame in running away from a fight you can't win. Learn to value your own life a little more. You rush at some army of Grimm, or a Devil you can't beat, and you die for nothing. How does that help anyone? Live, and find a chance to do something useful."

Unbidden, a memory flashed in Yang's head.

Of her as a child, leading Ruby into the forest, to look for the mother who had abandoned her.

She clenched her teeth.

Hadn't she told herself to be strong? To never again put those she cared about in danger like that again?

Or maybe I just didn't want to be helpless again.

Is that why I wanted to be a huntress?

So that she could seek out danger. To prove to herself that she could overcome it.

It stung her pride whenever she was reminded of that time. Any time she wasn't on top, in control. Because she knew what it was like to be helpless, and she didn't ever want to feel that way again.

Even the thought of running away felt insulting to her.

As if reading her thoughts, Dante spoke, a sharp edge to his tone.

"Don't be a fool! Is being a badass in your own mind really the most important thing to you?"

Once more, that memory flashed in her eyes.

Ruby, whom she had almost gotten killed.

And a grieving Taiyang, who would have been destroyed if the two of them had died.

She wanted to be able to take care of them.

But maybe… biting off more than she could chew wasn't the way to go about it.

If I overestimate myself… and I die… what would it do to Ruby? To Dad? To Uncle Qrow?

She shook her head.

It wasn't even just that.

Yang constantly used an attitude of not caring to shield herself, to avoid looking at things she didn't want to.

And Dante, who had, for the longest time, used stylishness as his own shield for the very same purpose, had seen that tendency in her.

It wasn't in the middle of a training session that Yang had expected to gain the clarity and courage to face the things she avoided.

But she did so now.

And she realized.

I don't want to die. I don't want to leave them behind.

"Value your life," said Dante. "The one who has a healthy amount of fear, the one who is trying to protect himself, is far stronger than the idiot who risks dying with every attack. Did you think for a second that someone with something to fight for, something to live for, would be weaker?"

Yang's throat was dry, and no words were coming up, but she nodded.

Dante's gaze softened slightly.

"While knowing when to back off and retreat is important, the first part of the training is not about running away. It's about defending yourself, without attacking. It's important, because without this, you can't master what comes next. I know this probably won't be fun for you, and I can't force you to learn. So I'll ask you: do you want to go ahead with this or not?"

Yang looked up, into his eyes.

If facing her own weaknesses was the path to being strong enough to protect what she really cared about…

"I'll do it," she said.

Dante nodded with approval.

"Then let's get started."

The next hour was spent having two minute rounds of sparring with breaks in between. Dante restricted his speed, offensive movement and power to a level just above that of the first years. Enough that Yang was having to do her very hardest to dodge or block the attacks, but not so much that she was overwhelmed.

By the end of it all, the brawler was exhausted, both physically and mentally, and especially the latter. Simply having to devote so much of her focus and brain functioning to seeing the attacks coming and reacting, was tiring.

With the training session over, the two hunters sat side by side, taking a drink of water to cool down. It was a rare quiet moment for the both of them. Both constant show-offs, the two of them dealt with the ups and downs of living that way. While riding the high could be incredible, it came with incredible pressure to match. The jovial brawler of Beacon, and the wisecracking devil hunter were kindred spirits.

Yang snuck a glance at him.

As she had spent more time around the teacher, she had learnt to see him as more than just a hot older guy who could fight. Past the point of what Dante was, she was now interested in who he was. She remembered that she didn't know anything about his past. Yet, in the few months since his arrival, he had become a part of Beacon. It was now impossible to imagine life there without him. He would always be around, teaching, joking, doing crazy things.

"Hey, Dante," she began.

The older man looked at her.

"What's up?"

Yang wondered for a while if she should ask him.

In a strange way, it was harder to ask him about himself now than on their first meeting, when she had demanded answers.

That was just how actually getting to know someone changed things.

Somewhere, Yang felt like they weren't close enough for her to actually ask.

She shook her head.

"Never mind. Say, teach, you have a thing for Professor Goodwitch, don't ya?"

Dante's eyes flashed, and he grinned slightly, a massive change from how uncomfortable he had been with discussions about him and potential partners in the past.

"Word gets around fast, huh?" he said.

"No. It's just that it's impossible not to see how you look at her."

The devil hunter laughed slightly.

"That so? Well, guess there's no use hiding it then."

"You going to ask her out?" Yang asked seriously, much more so than she was when teasing people about things like this.

"I kind of did," replied Dante.

"And? What'd she say?"

"Nothing. She's… kind of been avoiding me. Whew, women are a mystery-"

"Don't just leave it like that!" Yang exclaimed. "Just ask her for a proper answer. You're both stuck in limbo this way. Find out who she feels. That way, you can both move on, you know?"

Dante blinked.

"Woah. Didn't you take you for the serious type. What brought all this on?"

Yang looked away, face slightly red.

"I-it's nothing. I just wanted you two to have a win, you know? Hunters have a hard life. I know that. I've seen my Dad and Uncle. I thought, if anyone can get a happy ending, they should."

Dante smiled. Not his usual playful grin, or the one reserved for taunting opponents. A real, proper smile of happiness.

"You're a good kid," he said.

Happy endings, huh?

"Heh."

Without turning around, he spoke to Yang.

"If you ever feel like your happy ending is under threat, give me a shout."

SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS

Elsewhere at Beacon:

Coco Adel looked around her dorm. Everything was just as she remembered it. A slight smile on her face, she nodded.

"Feels good to be back."

While she and the rest of the team had been back in training for a while, they'd had to undergo some physiotherapy initially to complete their recovery, and had also eased back into combat and resistance exercise gradually. They'd attended fewer lessons per day, and continued to stay in the Medical Wing, where they were monitored until doctors were sure they were back to 100 percent.

Next to her, both Alistair and Yatsuhashi had similar smiles on their faces.

It had taken a while, but they were back, and ready for action once more.

"Still," said Alistair, the jokester of the group. "Who'd have ever thought, huh? Demons exist."

"That they do," said Coco. She remembered the encounter with the high level Devil, Orion, who had put them out of commission for so long. It was a miracle they had survived. But survived they had, and she wanted payback.

"Round two's going to go differently," she said, fire in her eyes. She turned to the Faunus member of the team. "Especially since Velvet's been learning how to take them on. Their strengths, their weaknesses, how to beat them; you've been learning all of that. We'll be counting on you."

Velvet looked at Coco, unsure how to respond. After a moment of thought, she decided to be direct.

"Well, about that, it'll come down to Dante," she said. "He's the one who picks those who get to learn demon slaying and accompany him on those missions."

This information did not come as a surprise to the trio. Velvet had never stopped spending time with them or keeping them informed on her training, and from what they had heard, the apparently light-hearted combat instructor could be quite serious when it mattered.

"Dante… I'm sure he won't mind letting us have a crack at them," said Coco. "What do you think, guys?"

Alistair groaned. "I never understand why we're in a rush to die. Oh well, I know you'll end up going after them anyway. I might as well tag along for the ride."

Yatsuhashi, the cautious one of the four, was wary of facing a demon again as well. But he didn't plan on running from a fight either.

"We can't just pretend they don't exist," he said. "If creatures of darkness are out there, then a hunter must face them."

Coco grinned.

"Now that's what I'm talking about! But more of that later. I'm starving. How about we hit up the dining hall and celebrate being out and about?"

In spite of herself, Velvet smiled slightly. It felt good seeing her team… her friends, happy.

As the group exited their dorm, they happened to see a familiar figure walking by in the hallway.

"Ah, Professor Goodwitch!" Coco called out.

Glynda stopped, slightly surprised to see them, but very happy about it. She had been training her favourite students during their recovery, and knew they were supposed to resume full activity from the day.

"Team CFVY. Congratulations on completing your recovery. I look forward to seeing you back in regular combat classes."

The extroverted leader of the second year team smiled. Having a near-death experience does different things to different people. For Coco, it had convinced her: she needed to live every moment of her life to the fullest. Maybe that could start by showing a little more appreciation for a teacher who had done a lot for them.

"Ah, come on, Professor. You've been with us every step of the way. We'll be there, you know it!"
Alongside her, the rest of the team's gazes conveyed the same feeling.
Glynda stared for a moment, not expecting the sudden earnest display.

It's happening more and more often these days, she noted mentally.

Just another way in which things had started to change since a certain man in red had showed up.

She found herself smiling, and in complete contrast to her usual stern demeanour with students, replied with a quip of her own, showing that she understood.

"I'm counting on it," she said.

With a nod, she walked ahead, leaving the second years with their jaws hanging open.

"Hey, did you guys see what I just saw?" asked Coco. "Did Professor Goodwitch just smile?"

"She knows how to smile?" said Alistair. While he hadn't seen it, the change in her Aura had been something he had sensed.

Even Yatsuhashi, generally not one for wisecracks, couldn't help but speak out.

"A lot has changed in the time we've been gone."

Velvet, who actually had been right there, and seen the gradual changes happen, said nothing.

It was no secret among the first years, or the demon hunting class, that two of Beacon's teachers might have a thing for each other.

The Faunus wondered whether she should mention that. But ultimately, she decided against it. It would be more entertaining to watch their reactions when they found out by themselves.

As the four of them made their way towards the dining hall, Coco couldn't help but muse aloud.

"Still, Dante though. He turned out to be different from what we all thought, didn't he?"

"Hey, I knew he was all right from the start."

"You can't judge someone just from their sense of humour, Fox."

"I beg to differ."

Velvet once again remained silent. Dante was indeed a great deal different from what everyone believed. But having spent more and more time with him, she had come to a conclusion.

Maybe even a demon can have a heart capable of caring for others.
Human, demon? Does it matter?

The Dante who was their teacher; the Dante who could struggle with using his Scroll one moment, and casually do the impossible the next; the Dante who had saved her team…

He was, and would always be Dante.

"Hey, Coco. Do you believe in happy endings?"

The short-haired fashionista stared at her Faunus teammate, surprised at the question.

"Woah. Where did that come from?"

"Oh, just wondering."

Coco raised an eyebrow.

"Happy endings, huh? I sure hope they do."

SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS

Dinner was always a lively affair at Beacon. Being involved in combat works up an appetite, and everybody at the school ate heartily during meals. Students and teachers alike would load up their plates. The former would talk animatedly discussing upcoming tests and assignments, while the latter would converse with each other about their subjects, or potential missions, among other things.

While pizza was amazing, there was a lot to be said for a lively environment instead of a lonely office. Dante could most often be found with other members of faculty, who had by now accepted him as one of their own. And he rather enjoyed it.

That being said, this evening found the legendary Devil Hunter with a slightly different goal in mind. Loaded plate in hand, he looked around, searching for a particular face. Spotting her, he decided to make his way over to her. One of the benefits of Beacon's dining system was that it allowed takeaway, a method of helping out those who wanted to eat in their dorms or rooms while working, studying, or doing whatever else they were doing.

Glynda Goodwitch had started taking liberal advantage of this facility since the incident in the Forever Fall.

Dante had a feeling it was to avoid him.

As he walked towards her, she sped up, packed meal in one hand.

Really?

Dante increased his own pace, and caught up to her.

"You're going to a lot of effort to avoid me, aren't you?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about. If you'll excuse me, I'm in a bit of hurry."

Taking a quick step forward and to the side, Dante stood in front of her.

"How about we stop beating around the bush then?"

Glynda glared at him.

"No one is beating around the bush, Dante. I don't see what is so important that you need to talk about it immediately."

"It was immediate about a week ago. Which is how long you've been walking the other way whenever you see me. Come on, are we not going to talk about what happened?"

Glynda sighed.

"Nothing happened," she said.

"So we didn't kiss?" he asked.

Right away, Glynda blushed a bright shade of red, the memory playing out in her head as clearly as if it was happening right now. Looking around, she quickly checked if anyone had overheard that. When she was sure that no one had, she whispered furiously.

"Idiot! Don't say that here! What if someone hears you?"

Dante smirked.

"Aha. Gotcha."

Glynda's blush grew a shade or two brighter.

"Th-that's- anyway, come with me!"

Without waiting for an answer, she grabbed one arm and pulled Dante along with her, out of the hall, trying to ignore the fact that more or less everyone had stopped whatever they were doing, and were watching, in awe.

The blonde witch said nothing, simply leading Dante in silence, until they stopped well down the corridor leading out of the hall.

Here, the two faced each other.

Glynda was still slightly red, but had, to an extent, regained her composure.

"About time," said Dante. "I was starting to think you were mad at me. I did go a little too far that time."

She shook her head, mumbling something about not complaining.

Dante, of course, heard it, and a confident smile spread on his face.

"You do know that there's more to it than just the one time, right? Well, only if you want it though."

The witch closed her eyes.

She was well aware of it. As a matter of fact, she'd spent the week thinking of it. Extensively. Relationships between hunters generally didn't work out. The life was too risky, too demanding. Sooner or later, work got in the way. Or worse, someone died. That was just how it was.

Then, of course, there were her duties at Beacon, which could not be ignored.

As if all that wasn't enough, there was the fact that she had tried this once before, and failed.

That, of course, had been with Ironwood.

But, as she looked at the silver-haired man in front of her, she knew that he was not the same as the General.

Dante would always be… Dante. It was precisely why she was drawn to him. Why she was afraid when she saw him enter the portal, thinking he was gone, either back to whatever world he had come from, or somewhere else, never to return.

Something about him made her overcome her caution, and she nodded.

Face still red, she managed to stammer out a reply.

"T-there is an order to these things!" she said. "I fully expect you to follow it. Furthermore, don't use this as an excuse to neglect your work-"

"So that's a yes?"

Glynda looked at Dante. At the infuriating smirk on his face.

He was simultaneously the best and most annoying man she knew.

Smiling sweetly, she answered.

"It's a yes. Incidentally, you should brace yourself."

Dante, mentally celebrating, didn't quite take her warning immediately.

"Brace myself? For wha-aaaaaa!"

A telekinetic force slammed into him, pushing him through several walls.

Glynda sighed in relief.

She'd wanted to do that ever since he first began his teasing.