Hey! RGQC here again with another chapter for you to enjoy just before Christmas, and yeah. Merry Christmas! We're approaching the end of this year and the beginning of 2024! I think I'll keep doing what I'm best at, and that's enough for me. And as I always do with my chapters, it's time for reviews to be addressed!

BrimazKing: Yup! I wanted to expand on Melo as a person and his motivations and thoughts. In addition, all I can say is that Harl might make his reappearance in a future chapter or something along those lines. No spoilers is all I can say. And yes. I do love making fluff content between Jade and Blake. So cute! As for whether Jade will be a merc, well… again, spoilers, Brimaz. I have big plans when the time is right.

Fenrir's Fang96: Yeah, I find that sometimes in fanfiction, writers seem to forget about the parents at times in reincarnation stories and I want to give a shot to make them actual people and not background info. As for the whole Amranth's family thing… Well… You'll just have to watch and see.

Wearedeadpool: Glad to see you're enjoying it, as there's more to come in the future!

And I am done with that, as with all my other stories. I do not own RWBY, only my OCs in this story. RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth.

"Blake, know this. Eventually, you will be required to do wrong no matter where you go. It is the basic condition of life, to be required to violate your own identity."

- Jade Grayson to his best friend, Blake Belladonna -

Days in Menagerie pass by like leaves in the wind. And days become months. Amranth's pregnancy has progressed substantially, and she is now in the third trimester. Her belly had swollen up to the point that it was clear as day that she was now heavily pregnant with another child. Melo and Jade have both been busy doing everything they can to ensure that Amranth is comfortable, though both have to deal with her hunger cravings and emotional swings, which got worse as the months progressed.

They weren't alone, of course. Kali and Ghira offer their assistance and even buy numerous baby supplies that are quite expensive to import into Menagerie, but to their surprise, both simply write it off as helping a friend. Of course, neither Blake nor Jade have been idling by. Both have been working on their studies and sparring against one another for the past few months.

However, not all was well. Velvet and her family had recently departed to return to Vale so she could attend Pharos Academy while her father returned to Atlas, much to both Jade and Blake's surprise and glum reactions to her departure. Of course, all three swore that they would see each other again in the future. Or at least, they hope.

And with a final goodbye, the Scarlatinas make their departure from Menagerie with the friends they made, sending them off well.

With Velvet gone, Blake and Jade try their best to move on with their lives and their ever-growing confused feelings for one another. In spite of that, neither had the courage to speak to the other about it, thanks to the constant teasing of their parents and the self-conscious feeling they got should it be brought up.

Currently, Jade stands by the beach with Blake by his side, missing their third friend, who had to leave weeks ago. Yet despite the short period he knew Velvet, it felt like a lifetime to the both of them, and the cat Faunus could only wonder to himself if he would see his friend again in the future, just as that memory shows.

"I miss her…" Jade murmurs as his best friend agrees wholeheartedly.

"Yeah. I miss her too." It was as if some of them broke off and disappeared in the endless tides of the sea. Never to be reclaimed for now. "Do you think we'll see her again?" Blake then asked while a frown quickly found its way onto his face. It was mainly because of the memory of an older Blake and Velvet wearing the same uniform that made him conclude that it was possible.

"I like to think we'll see her again." The cat Faunus smiles before footsteps coming from behind catch their attention.

"Oh! Am I interrupting something?" Kali asks before the two children shake their heads and resume staring out into the sea. "You missed Velvet, don't you? I'm sure you will see her again in the future." Kali says as she stands behind them and rests her hand on the shoulders of her daughter and her friend's son.

"I'd like that." A smile grew on Blake's face as all three stared out for a moment before an idea struck the Belladonna matriarch.

"Oh! I have an idea! How about all three of us go for some swimming lessons?"

"Swimming?" Jade raises an eyebrow. He'd seen countless Faunus types swim in the ocean, and to be honest with himself. He never once bothered to try. Jade never liked his skin feeling sticky after taking a dip in seawater. And partly because he can't actually swim to begin with. He never practised swimming before.

But it appears that his best friend sees it completely differently. "Swimming?! Yes! Jade, can you come along?" Her eyes glow like the stars above as Jade gives an awkward grin.

"Yeah… but I don't have a swimsuit."

"I can settle that for you." Kali smiles before the grin on the cat Faunus's face fades.

"But I uh… can't swim." His cat ears sank, as did his head, while his best friend and her mother stared at him in stunned silence. Yes, both have occasionally had their mother and daughter time together swimming in the seas, but it never struck either of them that Jade had never ever swam before!

Buckling under the strain of his best friend and her mother staring at him with awe, Jade began to feel extremely self-conscious and brought his eyes away from them while rubbing his arm nervously. Yet, the staring lasted for a whole another minute before Kali broke out into giggles.

"I see… Then how about my kitten and I teach you how to swim instead?" Kali smiles with an ulterior motive while her daughter enthusiastically agrees with her.

"Yes!" Blake cheers as he jumps on the spot enthusiastically. Jade, how about that? Does it sound good?" She says while clutching onto her best friend's shoulders. He gives an indecisive look as if he is thinking about it.

"I… uhm… I guess it's okay." Jade concludes before finding himself in a tight hug from Blake, who squeals joyfully.

"Yes!"

"But I think I should tell mummy and daddy first about this," Jade added with his cheeks flushed as Kali gave a knowing smirk.

"Of course. I'm sure they both will be happy and wouldn't mind hearing about this."

An hour later, after settling on the final details of what kind of swimsuit Jade should have and informing his parents of his plans for today, the cat Faunus finally settled on a simple forest green swimming trunks with white stripes going down from the side. He also bought a pair of arm floaties, much to his dismay at his best friend's request for him.

After that was done, the next few hours involved mainly Kali and Blake doing their best to teach Jade how to swim. It took a while, but eventually, he started to get the hang of it and understand how to do it. However, he did complain about how cold the waters are and how much he hates it with his life. Another funny thing that Kali spots while working with her daughter to teach Jade how to swim is her daughter's apparent flustered look over Jade's physique.

While it is true that Jade still looks relatively childlike until puberty hits him a few years from now. The rigorous training he had undergone under his father made him look healthier than anyone else close to his age. His body was slightly toned, and while hard to spot, he had a few small scars from his training, mostly on his arms and legs. Kali could only wonder how Jade would look all grown up if he kept going at this pace.

No doubt he would be quite the looker and attract attention to himself with his developing looks in the future.

Jade POV

"Ah… I'm tired…" Those were my thoughts while I shuffled through the night streets after my swimming lesson and dinner with Aunt Kali and Blake. It feels nice to have people looking out for me, and to be honest, I got a sense of Deja Vu from earlier while I was swimming. Even more so was my apparent ability to catch up and learn fast.

A part of me wants to write it off as something not worth thinking about, but the other part of me suspects that I learned fast because of muscle memory or the flashbacks I seem to get once in a while. My eyes then face towards the numerous lit torches that glow in the night, almost like stars.

And speaking of stars, the night was filled to the brim with them. All sparkling like shiny gems in a sea of black and I found myself staring in awe for a moment before snapping out of it. "Focus. I gotta get home. It's getting late." I mumbled before speeding up my pace, and it didn't take long till I made it home to see mummy wearing loose clothing with her hands holding her swollen belly and daddy next to her on the couch.

"Ah, kiddo! There you are! We were getting worried about you." My father called me up as I closed the door and ran towards them. I got so much to share with them on my first lesson!

"Sorry Daddy! Aunt Kali invited me for dinner with Blake after my swimming lesson!" I yelled out before I bounced onto the couch next to Mummy as she giggled at my enthusiasm.

"Did you have fun swimming, at least?"

"Yeah! It took a while to get it, but I think I can swim in no time." I answer honestly while Mummy giggles again before pulling me into a hug. "I wonder how much longer it will be before I get to see my little sibling?" My thoughts wander a bit as I rest my head on my mother's belly after breaking my hug from her.

And I can hear a soft heartbeat inside!

"How long before I get to see them?" I ask before my mother gently brushes my ears with her hand as they flicker in response. I'm simply excited at the idea of having a little brother or sister to take care of! "It's been months already! When are they coming out?" I pout while my father sighs.

"Jade, your mother's pregnancy usually takes months from start to finish." I heard his explanation. "Though I know one thing for sure is that you won't have to wait long. If things go well, I believe in a month or two."

"I wouldn't worry about this, my dear," Mummy says as I break away from her belly. "I know you'll do your best to be the best big brother, and you're just excited to see them, correct?" She smiles knowingly at me.

"Yeah!"

"Speaking of which, honey." I silently watched as my mother turned towards Daddy. "Did you teach our dear kitten about the birds and bees?" Birds and Bees? Is it the naughty thing to have children? I tilt my head, with some part of me feeling all grossed out, but I never show it on my face. Daddy on the other hand, his face turned a shade red before he looked at me and back to mummy.

"Not… exactly…" He admits while mummy stares at him before rolling her eyes. "I have to admit, I was so concerned about your health and our kitten's training, dear, that I've forgotten to tell him about it." Oh… daddy forgot about it. But I think he's lying.

"You might as well do that while I go get some sleep. It's getting late." Mummy yawned before she got up from the couch and walked straight to her room without looking back. Leaving me and Daddy behind on the couch. And the silence between the both of us got increasingly uncomfortable, not for just me but also for Daddy. I don't think he wants to talk about it.

"So… about the birds and bees, kid."

"What about it?" I ask back. I think it's going to get weird if this goes on.

"It's about uhm… Uhh…."

"How do you and mummy have a baby?" I ask with my head tilted to the side.

…

…

"Something like that."

Yup. This is going to get more uncomfortable. I just know it.

There are many things Jade has regretted over the years. The events of the previous night were one such example. Never in his entire life have he felt so… disgusted and fascinated at the same time! Yet it didn't help that a part of him seemingly knows these facts and the implications behind them in full detail. Much to his ever-growing horror and wish to have it scrubbed off his mind for good!

"Jade? Are you okay? You're dozing off again." Jade blinked back to reality to see his best friend beside him, looking concerned over his sudden lack of response while in the library. "Did something happen last night?" She asks before his cheeks turn into a shade of red, and he begins nervously scratching his head.

"Yeah uhm… I'm good. Just have stuff in my mind at the moment."

Curious about what could make her best friend act like this, Blake leaned closer and asked. "Really? Wanna talk about it?"

"No! It's, uh, something I don't wanna talk about now!" Jade blurts out before bringing his focus back onto the book on the table, but Blake is not ready to drop it off yet. "Trust me! You don't wanna know!" At this point, Jade's face becomes a shade of red similar to the tea on the table left behind by Kali, while Blake sighs with a pout and resumes doing her homework.

As for Jade, he let out a sigh of relief internally and resumed his homework on Perimeters with a pencil in his hand. Due to the lack of availability of proper technology, both he and his best friend have to rely on an Abacus. Which is basically a wooden hand-operated calculating tool that the people of Menagerie have been using for a while instead of the other kingdoms with a proper calculator.

At least, that is according to Jade's dad.

Of course, being somehow familiar with the curriculum of his studies, Jade easily solves questions like a duck to water. His best friend, on the other hand, well… she's struggling and stumbling through with it. But Jade's willing to lend a hand to ensure she understands them as he had helped her before for years.

An hour later after having their lunch, the two cat Faunuses soon found them back on the path and on the way towards the market since both have some time to spend and they want some juice as well. But it was then that they stumbled across an assembly of tens of Faunuses with the same dark-skinned women with tattoos all over her arms on a wooden platform.

Sienna Khan.

Uncle Ghira's lieutenant when he's leading the White Fang overseas.

Jade had heard tales of how she was one of the more vocal parts of the White Fang that advocates for the use of violence. But what is she doing here? Isn't the White Fang staging another protest in Mistral right now? It's part of the reason why Uncle Ghira has been away for some time now. Jade could only frown at the sight.

His father has been quite vocal in warning of Sienna's attempt to bring the masses into supporting violence before Ghira and how it's getting more intense, but due to the chains of command, he couldn't control her as much as he wished to.

"What is she planning now?" The little cat Faunus could only wonder silently before gazing over to his best friend. "I think we should get out of here. I don't like this." Jade thought to himself before tugging his best friend's arms.

"We should get going now," Jade whispers as his best friend's ears perk in response.

"But why?" Blake could only whisper back while her best friend shook his head with a frown.

"I don't like where this is going. Trust me on this." With reluctance in her eyes, Blake nods her head as she and her best friend make their departure through the crowds. Or at least that was before she heard the audience gasping and earning her attention. Confused about the sudden reaction of every other Faunus near her, Blake turns her head to see a young bull Faunus with red hair and horns walking onto the wooden stage and next to Sienna Khan.

However, what she saw on his face sent horror and disgust through her body. Blake's eyes widened at the sight of horrible scarring on his face as if someone branded the left side of his face over his eye with an SDC logo! Even more so of how… recent it looks despite the bandages covering portions of his face. She felt bile rising in her throat, and with her hand, Blake managed to stop the urge to puke on the spot.

"Blake? What's the hold…" Jade asks only to fade out once he too sees what is happening before gasping in horror. "Oh gods… How could anyone do this? This… This is cruel…" He murmurs out and feels his body shivering at the sight.

"Don't you see?" Sienna announces out to the crowd with passion in her voice. "How much more must our people suffer? This young man I have here was once part of the Faunus labour force that served the Schnee Dust Company! And he earned this brand all by raising concerns for his people, and look what they did to him!" Murmurs of concern and agreement went around as Blake and Jade nervously glanced at each other.

"She is right! How much must we suffer at the hands of Humanity?" The young man on the platform spoke up. His voice was tainted with hate and rage at what he had suffered before he began ranting to the crowd. Yet, seeing this young man makes Jade suffer through another flashback while everything becomes muffled to his ears.

The very same man, now slightly older than he is now, in a black outfit, a terrifying mask on his face and a blood-red single-edged sword in his hand. Attacking a train… Willing to kill innocents… Seeing how he fell into his rage… Cutting a blond girl's arm off…

And most horrifically of all, him stabbing an older version of his best friend through the gut…

Like all the previous flashbacks, it disappeared as fast as it came, and Jade couldn't retrieve them. But even a short glimpse of it terrified him to the core. And to make it worse, he doesn't even know why those memories make him suddenly hysterical. "Let's get out of here… please…." He shivers while grasping his friend's arm for comfort.

"Jade?"

"Please! Let us go already!" Jade cried out and looked as if he was about to have a panic attack. His best friend could only be stunned by Jade's sudden reaction change. Never in the times together had she seen her friend react this horribly to a situation. Nodding silently, both children ran as far as they could until they found an empty alleyway before Jade collapsed onto the floor and curled up into a ball while hyperventilating with tears brimming from his eyes.

"What happened?" Blake calls out to her best friend, but he fails to answer her as he is still hyperventilating at the moment with his ears flat against his head. With Jade failing to answer her questions, Blake kneels before him with her hands resting on his shoulders. "Please… tell me. What happened back there?"

"I… I…" Jade tried to speak, but… nothing came out, and with his whole body trembling in fear, he could only open his arms to his best friend. She immediately knew what needed to be done. Slowly, Blake took her best friend into her arms and into a hug. She could hear him heaving for breath momentarily before his breathing finally began to stabilise.

They ended up remaining in this position for minutes straight before Jade slowly broke away from the hug with relief in his eyes. "Thank you… For helping me." He could only smile, not just that he had a friend who cared about him, but the sheer fact that it was now his best friend's turn to confront him.

Usually, it is the other way around.

"You needed it." Blake immediately gave an earnest smile before her face became serious again. "But what happened just now?" She asks, though Jade only furrowed his brows before shaking his head.

"I don't know…"

"You… don't know?" It was not Blake's turn to be confused with the tilt of her head.

'Yeah… I just suddenly became terrified when we were there. I don't know why I did that, but I just wanted to be away from that area." Jade explained. While it's technically the truth, it wasn't the whole picture. And as much as he wants to tell his best friend everything, it just doesn't feel right to tell her about these memory flashbacks he's been suffering since birth.

Perhaps in the future.

He would reveal it all.

"Oh…" Blake blinks before her face scrunches up. "But. I never knew the Schnee Dust company did that. It's so…" Jade could only shiver at the sight of that scar on the young man's face as he finished her sentence.

"Bad." His best friend nods at him. "I don't see why they should do that. It's too cruel. He doesn't deserve to be branded like that. No one does…" A moment of silence passed quickly before Blake finally chose to end the silence.

"Should I tell mummy about this?"

"I don't know…" Jade shook his head with uncertainty as he stood up. "I think I will leave it up to you. But we should get going. A drink does sound nice right now." Blake immediately agrees with her best friend, and so both cat Faunuses quickly make their departure. Though Jade never shows it out, he is still terribly shaken even after recovering from his meltdown.

The very thought of that man hurting his best friend like that makes his soul quiver with a mixture of terror and vigilance every time he thinks of him. Though thinking through it all made the cat Faunus wonder. "Why? Why am I getting these flashbacks? Are these warnings of the future or something? I… I need time to think about this. Perhaps writing it down in my journal may help?"

"What juice do you want?" Jade's thoughts were quickly interrupted by his best friend calling out to him. Glancing at her, he just shrugs his shoulders.

"Mm… How about watermelon with berries?"

"What kind?" Blake's ears twitch with curiosity. "Blackberries? Strawberries? Blueberries?"

Jade thought for a moment as a small smile grew on his lips. "How about all of them?"

"All of them?"

"Yes. All of them. I think they will taste great together!" Blake giggles at the sight of Jade's goofy smile as they both continue onto their day. Though their minds still linger occasionally on what they'd seen.

And we are done! I feel that it is about time that I speed this story up a bit and foreshadow the coming future. But yeah, here is more foreshadowing of what's to come in the future. In addition, Velvet and her family make their departure from Menagerie, Adam makes an appearance and many more!

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

With that, I'll see you all in the next chapter and do let me know what you think of this one!

RGQC out!