Hey. Long time no see.
That's my bad.
Assignments
She was a bad sister.
Oh, she was a horrible sister.
Why did Jaune have to be so… Easy? The way her body molded to his, the feel of his hands on her hips, the warm scent coming from his body. All that and his eyes that just captured her attention, and just wanting to be better. Not boasting, parading, but actually trying. His gentle embrace and earthy lips keeping her rooted on the spot.
It was just so easy to fall for him.
She wishes she was stronger.
Their lips separated briefly, his cerulean gaze on her.
"This wasn't how this was supposed to go." Yang whispered. Jaune cocked an eyebrow.
"Then how was it?"
"You…" She struggled to find the words. "I…" How could she explain? 'Hey, your partner that's also my little sister likes you and that's kind of a big deal.' "It's…" Fuck, she was floundering. And the whole time she was stuttering, Jaune was patiently waiting for her. His hands gently stroking her sides and revving her engine with that unwavering gaze. Here he was wanting her, waiting for her, and she was being the indecisive one. Yang Xiao-Long couldn't make up her mind.
Fuck it, Yang wanted to be selfish.
Yang wanted Jaune.
Her resistance crumbling to nothing, Yang pulled him back in. This kiss was heavy and less chaste but still sent fire through her veins. One, two, three seconds passed before Jaune reluctantly pulled her away. "Yang?"
"I'm sorry." She said softly, placing her head on his shoulder. "Things are messy right now."
"Care to elaborate?"
"No…" Thinking better of it, she hugged him closer. "Not yet."
"Just tell me it's not another guy." Yang snorted at the comment.
"Gods, no. No other guy, just… Figuring some things out." Jaune hummed in understanding, the vibration setting her at while he gently rubbed her back.
"Whatever it is, I'm sure you'll figure it out." Gods, she really didn't deserve him, did she? Maybe it was time to start taking this seriously then.
"It is getting pretty late." Her eyes trailed over his shoulder, looking at the depleted student body. It was still crowded, but still noticeably emptier than before. Yang had no doubt in her mind that other students snuck off to either enjoy themselves a bit more away from prying eyes. She just hoped that there was at least a spare room she could find before they all became occupied.
Thankfully, she happened to know the place like the back of her hand.
"What do you say?" She asked, Looking up at him. "Wanna' get out of here?"
Cerulean eyes met hers. Pulling at his collar, he eyed the door. "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea." Yang was reminded that Mint manhandled Jaune not too long ago, spurning something angry and jealous within her. Next time she got her hands on that bitch, they'd have to scrape her off the walls.
Moving Jaune's hands into her own, she quietly led him away from the dancefloor.
Their path winded through halls, staircases, and students until they found a secluded part of the campus. Jaune may have asked her where they were going, her only answer being something she stumbled one when she and Coco were trying to find juicy details for gossip. The fashionista had experience when it came to digging up dirt, but Yang had force of will.
Scanning her Beacon I.D. and hip checking the door, she led them into the unoccupied office. Well, it was and office with a dorm addition attached to it. Complemented with a kitchenette, bathroom, and even a very small living room. It was both a blessing and a curse that Beacon was woefully understaffed, otherwise their little hideaway would be occupied already. Those thoughts would have to be put aside for now.
It was showtime.
Jaune was having a weird night.
The dance was fun, lots of people, more than he thought would be in Beacon. There was still the nagging thought of where Ruby was, but Pyrrha is with her and as far as he knew, nothing bad had happened. Plus, she's a huntress and can take care of herself. Mint was downright unwelcome, well, not wholly.
His hormones and body betrayed him for a moment before he got himself together. Pulling at his collar, he could feel where she bit him.
Mistral women were crazy.
Those weren't the weirdest parts though. The strangest thing tonight being Yang's behavior. Whatever it was seemed to be eating at her. She was in the bathroom right now, probably doing girl stuff, or figuring whatever it was out. His mind wandered about it as he scanned the room they claimed for themselves. Was this how the professors here lived? It made sense in a way; it would be hard to commute from Beacon to Vale every morning.
"Sorry about the wait." Yang's voice lulling him from his thoughts. "Had to make sure I looked my best."
Looking over to where she leaned on the bathroom doorway, he wondered how he got so lucky. Still in that criminally fitting black dress, he couldn't control his eyes from roaming over her curves. The fabric hugged the swell of her breasts, the abs of her toned stomach, and even her sculpted hips. For brother's sake, her golden hair framed her face like some angel. He couldn't tear his eyes way from her.
"Remnant to Jaune" Yang said, snapping him out of his daze.
"Ah." His metal fingers scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "Sorry. I couldn't help but stare." Really smooth Jaune. His sisters would've slapped him upside the head for that.
"…Well…" Strolling over to him, she pressed her body against his and linked her arms around his neck. Without thinking, his hands went to her hips, holding her there. Leaning close, she brushed her nose against his. "I think I can think of a few ways you can make it up to me." Her words brushed against his mouth, taunting him. Amethyst eyes were on him, waiting for him to make a move.
Capturing her mouth with his as an answer, Jaune felt satisfaction in the small moan he pulled form her. It was slow, deep, and with purpose. They could take their time and that's seems to be what Yang had in mind. Hands roaming, lips locked, they stumbled their way to the bedroom, hitting walls and a doorframe on the way in.
Calloused fingers fumbled with his buttons while he sorted out her dress. Hiking the cloth over her soft skin, it was hard to not let his hands rest to squeeze her thighs. He pulled the dress over her, reluctantly putting a pause on their make out session. Generous cleavage barely contained within a black bra greeted him. Gods, there was something hot about the simplicity of it. Trailing his hands down, his eyes followed suit, waiting to find…
Nothing.
Yang's bare sex was on full display.
"You…" Words were felt dry right now and his brain wasn't functioning well. "You were going commando?"
"I didn't want people staring at my underwear the whole time." She unbuttoned the last link in his shirt. "And a thong would be way too noticeable, so I thought to myself: 'You know what would be really wild?'" Yanking his shirt off and going for his belt, she nipped at his ear. "What if I didn't wear anything at all?"
The fire was lit, and there was nothing Jaune could do to stop it as his pants hit the floor. As suave as it would be to deftly undo her bra, his metal arm thought for him, nearly tearing it off.
"Hey!" Yang chided. "Believe it or not that waaagghh…." Her complaints turned into a throaty moan when Jaune attacked her bare nipple, his mouth latching onto it. "Aahhh." She sighed, his hands grabbing her firm ass and lifting her up. "I'll just put it on your tab." Wrapping her legs around him and tangling her hands in his hair. Body fueled by lust and Aura, Jaune threw both of them onto the bed.
Yang flexed and bucked beneath him. Her taste, smell, heat, sounds, and just her being an aphrodisiac he didn't know he needed. He felt wetness where her core grinded against him, and he could feel the heaviness starting to pool in the bottom of his stomach. He was hard, unbearably hard, his dick already slick from her arousal.
They stayed like that, for a moment, kissing and writhing against each other until one of them broke. He didn't know when, but one moment, Yang was grinding along his length, teasing him in the best way possible and the next, liquid fire enveloped him. A shuddering moan escaped Yang's bruised lips as he sank into her, strong legs wrapping around his waist to pull him in.
"Mhmmm. That's it." Yang rolled her hips, the pleasure causing him to breathe through clenched teeth. He stayed still, her walls clinging to him and her nails scratching his back. His head dropped down while she nuzzled into his neck, peppering the skin with kisses. Yang's movements stopped after a moment. "Jaune?"
"Yeah?" He grunted, her golden hair tickling his nose.
"Did Mint bite you?"
"Um…" Thinking was hard right now, but Jaune would do his best. "It was kind of sudden so I think so?"
"That Bitch." Venom laced her words, giving Jaune only a moment to consider if he said something wrong before she attacked him. Yang began nipping and sucking at his neck and collar bone with fervor.
"Gods, Yang." Jaune hissed, his own body moving in response to her ministrations. "Go a little easy, will you?" He was already excruciatingly hard and it was difficult to keep it together.
"You." Her hips rolled in such a way where she fully hilted him in her and locked the position with her legs. "Are." Lips trailed up his neck toward his jaw while he groaned, the tip of his dick being teased with her cervix as her body arched. Lilac eyes tinted with red captured his own. "Mine!" The ferocity of the statement surprised him.
It felt like she was staking her claim.
Jaune captured her lips and did his best to reciprocate. Heavy and with purpose, he moved, tangling themselves together. Returning the favor, he attacked the nape of her neck, bruising and marking the area. Her breasts came next, sucking, latching, and making sure to show his appreciation on every inch of her body.
Yang answered with bottomless appreciation, scratching his back, moaning his name, writhing underneath him. It was enough to make him fit to burst.
"Yang…" He groaned.
"N-" She stuttered, jerking beneath him at a frantic pace. "Not yet…" She shuddered again, movements becoming wilder by the second. He walls clamped, twisted, massaged and pulled him in, overwhelming his nerves. "A-Almost…"
"I can't-"
"You-" She gasped, embracing him. "Right th-" Realizing he wasn't going to last like this, Jaune went for broke. Capturing her lips and piking up his pace, he tried to overstimulate her before he blew. Then the tension in his groin snapped, the Arc Jewels heaved, and her walls clamped around him. Choking gasps escaped into his lungs as Yang locked up and vibrated as he came.
They rode through the climax, entwined together as Aura flared. Senses returned little by little. First it was the sweat on the skin, then the heat of their bodies. laborious breathes and the smell of sex came next. And finally, the fuzzy warm pull he felt in his chest. Their desperate clinging of limbs slackened to what you would call a loving embrace.
Shifting on the bed, Jaune found himself on his with Yang snuggling into him. She breathed into his chest while her golden hair tickled his nose. Relief and contentment flowed through him, his hand unconsciously stroking her hair. Jaune could feel her own limbs moving tenderly against him. It was comfortable, unbelievably comfortable.
He planted a kiss on her forehead. "Hey, Yang?"
"Hm?" Fatigue was taking the two of them quickly.
"I…" He had to stop himself from saying love. It felt instinctual, natural even. But he didn't know where Yang stood on the subject. Whether she saw this as fleeting or permanent or fleeting, he didn't know. "You're mine too." In the end, he chickened out. A smile was felt on his chest, a giggle escaping her.
"Jealous much?"
"You have no right to say that."
"Yeah." She finally looked up at him, those amethyst eyes sparkling with that easy smile. "I really don't do I?"
"No, you don't." Eyes heavy, he closed them and just basked in her presence. "And I don't think anyone else could deal with you."
"Rude." A hand lightly smacked his shoulder. "I'm a joy to be around."
"You're a lot." His hand blindly grabbed the blankets beneath them and covered their bodies. "And being a joy is one of those things."
"Aww." Yang cooed. "That's the sweetest backhanded compliment anyone's ever said to me."
"Yeah, yeah." His breathing finally slowed, and the comforting darkness started creeping in. He was well and truly exhausted. "Goodnight, Yang." Getting comfortable next to him, Jaune swore he could feel her gently kiss his chest.
"Goodnight, Loverboy."
The following morning, Team JBRW was summoned to the Headmaster's office. Each of them were groggy, on account of the previous night. Blake and Weiss were busy with cleanup while Jaune had to hastily get back to his dorm and get redressed. Yang grumbled obscenities at the speakers as he left, promising pain vengeance for interrupting her sleep. As if to add insult to injury, he wasn't able to figure out why Ruby had such visible bags under her eyes. Actually, he did have an idea. She left him after their dance so that probably had something to do with it.
That probably also explained her dodgy attitude around him this morning.
Or maybe it was Wiess' comment about the hickey on his neck.
Way to go, Jaune. Hell of a teammate.
His team stepped out of the elevator into Ozpin's office. The headmaster of Beacon was flanked by Qrow, and from what he could guess, Atlas' headmaster as well.
"Thank you for coming." Ozpin greeted them. "I know this is quite early after last night's activities, but this is important." Their headmaster said, gesturing to take a seat in the chairs in front of them. "If you haven't already heard, there was an incident last night at the CCT during the dance."
We stayed silent, either from weariness or confusion. Luckily, Ozpin thought it was permission to continue on. "The perpetrators are still at large, despite the efforts of Ms. Nikos and Ms. Rose confronting them." The whole team looked at Ruby in confusion, the younger girl not meeting their eyes. "However, that does not mean their effort was in vain. Recent intelligence from a… private individual lead us to believe that there is a White Fang stronghold nearby."
Ozpin set his scroll down on the desk, a holographic of a ruined city blooming before them. "Specifically, Mount Glenn."
"I knew it!" Blake blurted out, all eyes in the room immediately drawn to her. "Ahem…" She coughed, shrinking into herself. "My apologizes. Please continue."
"Why are you telling us this?" Jaune asked, a pit of dread forming in his stomach. Their team assignments were supposed to be today.
"You can refuse if you wish." Headmaster Ironwood said, stepping into the conversation. His hard eyes were upon them, and he could feel the general's judging gaze. "But this mission is of extreme importance. We need a reconnaissance team to assess and evaluate the information given to us. On the surface, we'd be sending you for your field assessment, clearing out Grimm in the hopes of eventually re-establishing a colony."
"In reality, we need you to go up there and see if there is, in fact, a White Fang base in operation beneath the ruins. Qrow will be coming with you and will be doing most of the work."
"Why not hand this to older students?" Weiss asked. "Surely, a team of fourth years would be better suited."
"Initially, yes, that was our first thought." Ozpin said, leaning back in his chair. "But we don't have many fourth years versed in White Fang code or their methods of operation. Luckily for all of you, there is a certain individual who meets those criteria." Our headmaster's eyes were looking intently at Blake. "One that happens to be on your team." Blake let out a low distressed whine. "You always did say you wanted a more active part in the investigation, yes?"
"Well, yeah…" Blake replied sheepishly.
"Splendid." Ozpin leaned forward and handed Qrow the scroll. "Qrow will have the rest of the details and will fill you in."
"What about my tracker?" Blake asked, waving her leg where the blinking anklet was attached.
"Ah." Ozpin acknowledged the issue. "One moment, please." With a few keystrokes on his desk, the device vibrated, gave and angry beep, unlatched itself from Blake's limb and fell to the floor. "Anything else? No? Perfect. You're dismissed."
"You heard him kids." Qrow came forward and started shepherding them towards the elevator. "We're going on a field trip! Move those little legs. I know you can move faster than that, Rubes." If Jaune was being honest, it felt a bit forced. The mission was too abrupt, and too sudden, especially with the level of importance they were giving it. And as the elevator doors closed behind them, he couldn't help but think there was something else going on.
The ceiling ticked by, filling the blessed silence. Not that it helped alleviate the tense presence of his friend.
"That was dirty, Ozpin." James stated.
"I'm not sure what you mean." He said, enjoying the taste of his brew. "They did agree to the mission."
"Belladonna agreed to her involvement. You didn't give them a choice." Ozpin waved off the concern.
"They are more than capable. Qrow is with them, and they've already 'bloodied' as you say. Whatever they face, they'll make it back in one piece."
"They're still kids, Ozpin."
"They're training to be Huntsman." He reminded him. "You know better than anyone how that road travels." Setting his mug down, Ozpin let out a weary sigh. "We can't hold their hands forever."
"So, you use them as bait?"
"Bait?" The term was odd. There was no reason to use them as bait. This was, after all, a mere scouting assignment if the information turned out to be true.
"Weiss Schnee. The heir of the SDC. The heiress you just sent." Ironwoods words began to sink in. Silence hung, as Ozpin's age-old mind turned like old gears of clockwork. He nearly forgot the trivial matters of race and prejudice somewhere along the way among all the frantic events. It seems stupid in hindsight that the White Fang is a Faunus terrorist organization and Weiss Schnee is not just a student, but still a political figure.
"Ah." Ozpin exhaled, coming to the conclusion that this might've been a bad idea. Though, the orders were sent, and they were already along. "I was hoping you'd miss that." He lied, running through contingencies in his head if and when everything went south. He drank heartily from his brew to hide his expression and to calm his nerves.
"You may be older and wiser than anyone on Remnant, but that doesn't mean we are blind. I understand the practical use of luring out the White Fang if they are there. They wouldn't be able to resist such a target." James continued on, analyzing how pragmatic the plan was. Ozpin stopped listening and let the man poke holes and find deeper meaning into his simple plan.
He was simply too busy imagining would happen if Glynda found out.
Gods help him.
"This is a load of bull." Yang made her resentment known.
"Sorry, firecracker. Thems the rules." Qrow tried to appease her, but only stoked her ire. "Besides, Oobleck is a great chaperone. You can talk with him about anything." Both of them turned to the professor, seeing him engaging Nora in some deep conversation while students around them mingled around the mission board. Lucky for them, Ren was right next to Nora, relaying what was being discussed with his facial features.
The man's eyes were glazed over, and his mind was long gone.
"Absolutely anything." He assured her.
"Jaune, I want a trade." Yang looked past her uncle to see him conversing with his team. Hushed whispers and they all seemed tense, especially Ruby. A wave of guilt washed over her, but she made her decision. Question was, how was she going to break the news to her? Ruby's eyes glanced toward her, widened, then looked away while she fidgeted. Classic signs that Ruby was hiding something.
Okay, now she was concerned.
"What's going on?" She asked, tone laced with worry.
"Just a mission." Her uncle deflected, shifting his weight.
Yang raised an eyebrow. She'd known him long enough to know the movement was a tell. He was lying, and her gaze hardened. Crimson eyes flashed for the briefest moments. At least he had the guilt to look away.
"You're not going to let this go, are ya?" He said, rubbing the back of neck.
"Not likely."
"Damn, you're just like your mother." Qrow sighed. Yang had to bite back the barb in her throat. "We're headed out to Mount Glenn to sniff out some wildlife, if you catch my drift. Violent wildlife." Yang was confused for a moment before it clicked. Embers of anger creeped up her neck.
"No."
"Liste-"
"No, Qrow." Yang restrained her clenching fists, just itching to beat some sense into him. "Ruby has been through enough. They have been through enough. Her coming to Beacon was a mistake." She seethed, slowly exhaling a breath. "We're switching missions." Yang decided. "They can go with Oobleck. We'll talk to him, and he should be on board with it."
"Why, that would be a fantastic idea." A wiry hand grasped Yang's shoulder, the owner belonging to the bespectacled professor. "Mount Glenn has a lot to teach about how colonies can fail and how to avoid them… If we didn't already know. Cleaning out infestations is… I wouldn't say beneath my capabilities as a professor, because that would be arrogant of me, but your uncle is more suited for it than I am."
"Thanks, Bart." Qrow sighed. "Really know how to hype a guy up."
"It's not my fault your semblance would be perfect for attracting violent individuals. My apologizes, I digress. Ms. Xiao-long, I need your team specifically."
"The hell you do." Yang shrugged off the professor's hand. "Isn't just some investigation mission in a valley?"
"Canyon." He corrected. "And yes. Fortunately, what we're investigating are recently discovered ruins that have been long sealed, untouched by scavengers and grave robbers. Something that I am eager to study. Unfortunately, there's blockages from rubble and stone littering the site as well as Grimm. A need of high explosives and individuals who excel at close quarters combat would be excellent to have. Something Team Upsilon has in spades."
"Nora's claustrophobic." Yang lied. She had no idea. "And Jaune's team can do your dungeon crawl just fine."
"I understand your concern, I really do. There is no need to fret, though. Team Jabberwocky are Huntsman in training with the well versed, if not inebriated, Qrow Branwen."
"I'm right here, Bart."
"They will be fine. Trust us on this." Oobleck stood back and gave her an odd smile. "We're professors for a reason."
Her jaw clenched at the idea of letting this happen. It might be overprotectiveness, but Yang felt like she earned to be overprotective with Ruby right now. Not to mention she had no idea where she went last night. She'd have to grill Pyrrha later to get the details. Right now, though, there wasn't much she could do. Maybe cause a scene and throw a temper tantrum like a little kid, screaming about not getting her way, but what example of a leader would that make her? Or even a sister?
"Fine." The word came through gritted teeth. "But if anything happens," Her angry finger jammed into Qrow's chest. "Anything at all, I swear to whatever gods are out there, I will make sure your bloodline ends."
"Not much of a threat there, firecracker." Her uncle smirked. "I can still beat you handily."
Yang growled at the statement and pushed pass him towards Jaune's team. "Oi." She called out, grabbing their attention. "I heard from Qrow you guys are going Hunting."
"Ah…" Jaune met her eyes and gave an apologetic smile. "Yeah, sounds like it, not too excited about the whole thing."
"Please thank Blake for that." Weiss interjected, clearly annoyed.
"You cannot blame this on me." Blake retorted.
"You're the reason we're even going on this blasted mission!"
"Blame Ozpin! He's the one sending us!"
"Here you go, shoving the blame onto someone else. Again."
Yang could hear a tired sigh escape Jaune as the two bickered behind them with Ruby pointedly ignoring them. "Better to get it out of their system now…" He sighed under his breath.
"Yeah, I don't know what to tell you." Yang summed up her thoughts. She didn't know why they always seemed to fight, and it wasn't her problem. Instead, Yang walked up to Ruby and hugged her, earning a squawk from her sister.
"Yang! Umph- get off me!" Squirming in her grip, Yang tightened her hold on her.
"Nope." After Ruby gave up and hung limply in her arms did Yang slacken her grip. "Just stay safe for me, okay?" Pulling back slightly, Yang faced her. "If anything, and I mean anything not related to Grimm happens, call me."
Ruby's face was down cast and wouldn't meet her eyes. "…M'kay." The words came out mumbled. There was something off, Yang could feel it. When Ruby got into one of these moods, it usually took a while for her to snap out of it. Not good, especially before a mission. Fuck, now she was more worried. Great. Just great.
"I love you, aright? I'll see you when you get back."
"… Love you too." Knowing that was the best she was going to get, Yang begrudgingly pulled away. Bullheads were being loaded up and knowing her luck, theirs was next.
"Stay safe." Walking back to her own team, she stopped by Jaune for just a moment. Unconsciously, her hand drifted to his, their fingers momentarily intertwining. "Keep her safe for me."
"Ha." Jaune snorted at the idea, his thumb rubbing against the back of her hand. "I should be asking her that, but I'll do what I can."
"You better, or there'll be hell to pay."
The threat was empty, and they both knew it.
For the second time in his life, and probably not the last, Jaune was emptying his stomach contents into a trashcan. Or something vaguely trashcan shaped. Honestly, it could've been a mailbox for all he cared. Of course, there was turbulence getting here and of course they had to employ their landing strategies in a 'hostile environment'. Fancy word for jumping out of a perfectly good vehicle just to look cool landing.
He was starting to feel like he was becoming a bit more jaded.
Didn't really know how to feel about that either.
The heavy pack on his back started hurting from his hunched position, forcing him to stand up. Wiping his mouth clean from his recent breakfast, he wandered back to his team. Following the voices, he found them gathered in an abandoned general store, fully stocked with upturned shelves, ripped clothing, and the tasteful decorations of old posters and advertisements. Truly, a luxurious place for Huntsmen to camp.
"You done emptying your stomach?" Qrow asked from atop a counter, his pack laying on the floor. The rest of his team was milling about building, exploring the rooms, finding out where everything is.
"Yeah." He groaned out, dropping his pack with his teams near the far wall. "I thought I was over it."
"Trust me, kid, it hits you when you least expect it. Now that everyone's here, we can finally get down to business." Clearing his throat, Qrow took a drink from his flask. "We're looking for White Fang, anyone confused by that?"
"Nope."
"Not really."
"I hate this place."
Ruby stayed silent.
"Good enough for me." Qrow added. "We'll be splitting up to cover more ground. Two of you will be with Blake while she snoops around, and I'll take one of you as a tag along. Any questions?"
"Why don't we all just stay together?" Jaune stated the obvious. There was strength in numbers. And even though they were Huntsmen in training, it didn't hurt to be careful.
"Because we're selling the image of us being dumb students and an overworked professor. And to do that, I need to evaluate each one of you in the field while the rest of you hunt Grimm, gossip, or whatever the hell you kids do nowadays."
"Wow. I thought you were a reprobate, but this is just ridiculous." Weiss's insult came off a bit harsh. "How are you a qualified Huntsman again? Let alone a teacher."
Qrow let out an amused snort. "You should know better than anyone that it isn't what you know, but instead who you know, Schnee." Jaune could feel Weiss bristle at the statement from across the room. "Hell, your father practically cheated his way into money. Bribing diplomats and brown nosing his way to the top. Fuck, I bet the only reason Winter-"
"You keep my sister's name out of your fucking mouth." The heiress snarled, the words dripping in hatred. And just like that, the mission was already off to an awful start. Tension grew in the air as Weiss glared at the closet alcoholic.
"Damn girl, did you just swear?" Qrow asked, clearly brushing off the venomous threat. "I didn't think you had it in you, being fed with that silver spoon and all."
"The only silver spoon you're going to find is the one shoved up your ass."
"Enough." With fraying patience, Jaune put a stop to the argument before it could get any worse. "Both of you." Rubbing his eyes, he set his sights on Wiess and could see the barely veiled frustration on her face. "You and Ruby go with Blake to cool off and see what you can find." He jerked a thumb in Qrow's direction. "I'll deal with him for now. Maybe if we're lucky, I'll throw up on him."
The joke cracked the tiniest smile on her angry mask. Progress. "That sounds wonderful." She agreed. "Perhaps some fresh air away from human garbage might do us some good." Qrow merely shrugged, unaffected by her jabs. Jaune watched the trio go, giving them a wave as they ducked out of the story and into the streets. He could hear the distant conversation pick up the farther they went.
"Looks like it's you and me, Jauney boy." Qrow said, hoping off the counter.
"Why did you have to antagonize her?" Jaune asked once they were out of ear shot.
He answered him with a shrug. "Needed her pissed off. Really sell it. If there is White Fang, lookouts will pick up her temper tantrum a mile away. If not, well then there's less Grimm to worry about."
Jaune hummed in understanding. Weiss could be very vocal when angry and that's when there were people around. And true enough, Jaune could hear the distant explosion of Weiss's Dust concoctions and the howls of Grimm following it. "You could be a little nicer about it."
"Eh." Qrow waved off the notion. "I spent most of my life trying to figure that shit out. Too old to give a damn about it now. It's not my fault she's easy to rile up."
"Still. Just tone it down a bit." He felt like he had to make a stand somewhere for his team. "At least until the mission is done."
"Fine. I'll keep the insults to a minimum." Jaune followed Qrow out of the building and into the empty streets. "But if she starts up, I ain't holding back."
That's probably the best he was going to get.
They say that violence is sometimes what you need to relieve stress. To let loose and just give in. At least that's what Yang always told her. She understood, in a sense. Looking down from her perch on the second story of a ruined apartment building, Ruby could see where she was coming from. Weiss was down there, all ice and fury, tearing through Grimm with her Dust rapier. Blake was on the ground supporting her blind spots while Ruby picked off the odd Grimm from afar.
Cool Autumn air wrapped around her like a cold blanket, cooling her flushed skin. Thing funny thing was none of the action made her feel better. Sure, it was satisfying watching a Beowulf's head pop like a black gooey balloon, but the most she felt was the recoil. And that little pit of emptiness in her chest didn't go away. Seeing Jaune this morning filled her with dread, and she couldn't even look him in the eye.
Even the praise from Headmaster Ozpin didn't lighten her mood.
The image of Yang and Jaune together on the dancefloor would get itself out of her mind, no matter what she tried. Seared to the back of her skull whenever she saw them. And when Yang said goodbye? It just hurt so much worse. The jealousy, frustration and bitter resentment warring together. Who the hell does Yang think she is taking her partner? Always being better than her, always coming out on top, always beating her.
What if lil' old Ruby wanted a win, huh? What about her? She even told her she had feelings for Jaune, and this is what she does? Betraying familial bonds just to one up her again?
No.
Another round from Crescent Rose pierced through an Ursa's skull.
She was Ruby Rose. Someone who attended Beacon Two years early and had seen actual combat. Stopped the White Fang before and is on a secret mission by Headmaster Ozpin to do it again. All before Yang even graduated Signal.
Kali's words echoed around in her brain, telling her to not worry about what she can't do, and start focusing on what she can do. Well, Ruby was Jaune's partner, not Yang. She would be on missions with him, not her. She was the one that slept in the same room with him, not her. So, what if Yang stole her partner from her?
She'd just have to steal him back.
"That'll show her." She muttered under her breath. "Two timing, man stealing, hickey leaving sister. Nobody takes my partner and gets away with it."
Zooming in on a Beowulf creeping around a building, Ruby took aim at its ivory skull. Her finger gently squeezed the trigger, sending the round towards the target. The burst of Dust and the rifle kicking in her shoulder helped calm her thoughts.
"WHO THE HELL DOES HE THINK HE IS!?" Weiss's voice Echoed before an explosion of Volatile Dust followed. Ruby nearly forgot the argument that happened earlier. Not that any of that was new, Qrow did have a knack of pushing buttons and picking fights. You got used to it the more you were around him. He's still a big softy at heart, just a drunken, rude, disheveled, very unkempt teddy bear.
"THAT ASSHOLE!"
Sort of like Weiss, in a weird way.
Feeling better with a plan in mind, Ruby took aim at the next Grimm.
The Dust stove in the corner of the abandoned Livingroom gently hummed, filling the silence in the apartment. Low light filled the space while Qrow whittled near the window, the knife carving out the wood in his hand. It was odd to Jaune how untouched the inside looked. It made sense in hindsight, Grimm overrunning a city would go after any survivors first and leave everything else alone. All the damage would happen at street level while people evacuated while the rest remained unmolested.
And thanks to Ruby, they were able to find a cozier apartment with a vantage point on the second floor.
Jaune just made sure to duct tape the fridge so that no one would open it out of habit. He did that once at his Grandpa's old farmhouse and vowed to never have it happen again.
It was modest in size at least. The girls taking one bedroom while he and Qrow took the other. Not like it stopped them from taking shifts keeping watch. Taking the first shift, Jaune let his mind wander. His thoughts raced back and forth on how to improve. Yes, he was making progress, but it wouldn't be long before his team started to outpace him. They quite literally started ahead of him, with better training, understanding, and even equipment.
Jaune needed to find a way to even the odds, fast.
He refused to be a burden.
"Hey Qrow." He asked, piercing the silence.
"Yeah, kid?" His hands kept manipulating the wood and knife, not bothering to look at him.
"Were you always strong?" Qrow's hands stilled for a moment, something shifting in the air before he continued his work.
"Why do you ask?"
"It's just…" Jaune struggled to put it into words. "I feel… I don't know, behind? Compared to everyone else."
"Ah…" Qrow's voice was understanding. "That makes more sense. You're wondering if I have some secret training regime that'll give you the edge over everyone who toiled bit by bit, year by year, don't ya?"
A sigh escaped Jaune, accepting the mocking tone. He was essentially asking for a cheat, wasn't he? "Yeah, that's exactly what I'm looking for."
Qrow gave him a sidelong glance, studying him. His dull red eyes were looking for something in Jaune, something he didn't know if he had. "You know I have a sister, right?" He asked instead of answering his question.
"Yeah." Clearing his throat, Jaune shifted in his seat. Where's this coming from? "Wasn't she Yang's mom?"
"She prefers the term 'Egg Donor' but yeah, that's her." Qrow let a long beath. "That's my sister… See, our tribe is big on Self-reliance. Providing for yourself any way possible. Either that by violence, charisma, skill, or, and this is the big one, strength. Raven, the idiot, thought strength was the best way to do that. Strength to do what she wanted, when she wanted, how she wanted. Not that the tribe itself helped at all, most of them being outlaws."
"They sent us to Beacon to become Huntsman and to take what we've learned and give to the tribe. Aura is a hell of a blessing, or maybe a curse, but it made you stronger regardless. Something she wanted." His hand came up to scratch his stubble, deep in thought. "Long story short, after our years there, I didn't want to go back. I was 'honest to God' domesticated. Raven, though, thought it was our duty to go back to the tribe."
"It didn't help she was knocked up at the time. We argued a lot. All of us did and… Well, she's not around anymore, is she? Fucked off the moment Yang popped out." Shaking his head from the memories, Qrow fixed him with a look. "Point I'm trying to make, is that the 'Why' matters. Why do you want to get stronger?"
Jaune's mouth didn't open immediately, pride warring with necessity within him. "… I don't want to be a burden." The words finally came out, whether of his own volition or not.
It was after he said them that he was smacked in the back of the head.
"Stop being an idiot." Weiss's voice followed. "You're doing just fine."
"Ow." Jaune turned his head to look at her. How long had she been standing there? "Did you have to do that?"
"When my leader is acting like a dolt, yes." She shot back, her angry pale eyes piercing into his soul. "How you could think you're falling behind us is frankly asinine and insulting on so many levels. Have we done nothing to help you?" Weiss asked, making him cringe. "All the times we've trained, studied, or even work together, have you learned nothing? Are you incapable of fighting or Dust forbid, even leading?"
"It's not that." He had to dissuade that idea. "It's just, you're you. You're literally an Heiress to the richest company on Remnant, Ruby is a prodigy who's enrolled two years ahead over her class and Blake was a terrorist with more experience than any of us. What do I have? A fake arm and enough Aura to be a meat shield. That's it. No glyphs, broken semblances, or amazing gear to fall back on either." His breathing felt heavy as the frustration leaked through his voice.
"It's not I'm not grateful." He ran his hand through his hair, trying to organize his thoughts. "I know I'm blessed to have you as my teammates, but how can I not compare myself to all of you? How can I not see the gaps in our abilities? All of you have so much potential that it hurts. I need something, anything, to just keep up with you. Because I know deep down if I don't, I will not be able to help any of you when you need it, and I refuse to let that happen."
"Why do you think it will? You haven't let us down yet." She stated. "From what I'm seeing, it's your own self-delusion of your capabilities. And even though I'm flattered that you think so highly of us, it's useless to compare yourself to everyone. I'd know because I've compared myself to my sister too many times to count and I always found myself lacking."
"She is easier on the eyes." Qrow said off handily, drawing Weiss's wrath.
"Just worry about yourself." She said instead, glaring at Qrow. "It's that simple. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to find a bathroom that has plumbing." Stalking off into the building, Weiss left them. Her words gave his mind something to chew on. Was it that really that simple? It couldn't be. Jaune's expectations for himself were different. If he couldn't fight them on even ground, then how useful was he really? How could he protect them?
He had to be better. Needed to be better, despite what everyone else thought.
Otherwise, what was the point?
Thick smoke coiled in the air above him, the clouds ominous like his future. Taking another drag, Roman contemplated how long he had to live for the first time in his life. It wasn't hard to figure out where this was going to end, Cinder already had him on a suicide mission as is and expected more. She was going to kill him.
Soon, if he had to guess.
Ideas bounced around his in head. Schemes, cons, everything he could think of. First issue was that he was out gunned. Cinder, along with the annoying duo that followed her around were dangerous enough, not including the people she probably works for. Secondly, the bitch made him burn most of his bridges when she first got ahold of him. No one in Vale would touch him with a bullet from the three-hundred-yard distance.
Publicity tends to do that in the underworld.
And lastly, the big cherry on top, was that with his crimes he was forced to commit, there was now a nice big target on his back with Atlas gunning for him. And, in a few days, it'll probably be bigger. Roman did have to give the bitch credit though, she knew she had him played. He wondered if there was any way out of it. Thinking, his eyes wondered over to weapon, resting against the table.
It would be hilarious if he just blew his brains out here and now, wouldn't it? Throw the biggest Brothers damned wrench into her gears, she wouldn't know what to do. Just do it to spite the bitch. But as enticing the easy way out looked, Roman knew he wouldn't do it. His survival instincts wouldn't allow it, and he wasn't nearly as self-sacrificing for it to be a real concern.
Like he said, the bitch knew him played.
"You could at least throw me a bone here." The words came out, half plea, half prayer. He was willing to do anything at this point.
So back at square one it was, trying to figure out a way to save his skin.
Vacuo does look nice this time of year…
"Hey boss!" Pounding came from the door, interrupting his brooding and violating the sweet quiet of his only peace. "Boss, open up, we got something for you!" The idiot's voice sounded like… Matthew? Mateus? Something with a Mat in it.
"Fine." He sighed, putting out his cigar. "Bring it in." The door slammed open, irritating hm further. The lankier of the hired help came in first, swaggering like hot shit while the beefier of the two trailed behind, carrying a girl on his shoulder. "I'm flattered, boys. I really am, but rape isn't one of my 'relaxing' hobbies." Fucking animals, the lot of them. At least the one holding the girl had the good sense to look uncomfortable.
"Nah, not yet!" Mat assured him. "You know who this is? White hair? Ringing a bell?" Roman looked over, gave it a fleeting thought, then shrugged his shoulders. "Ah." Mat clicked his tongue. "This young piece of ass is no one other, than Wiess Schnee. Show him Kak." Grunting the man dropped her on the couch across from Roman, the heiress's signature white hair stained with blood, her clothes dirt stained as if dragged.
Now, Roman was a cautious man. Something like the Heiress of the SDC falling into his lap was either a brilliant stroke of luck, or a disaster waiting to happen. "Where did you find her?" He asked, poking her with his cane. A pained groaned came out.
"Ya see, we were minding our business, scavenging around like good ol' resourceful folk like us do. Plenty of Knick-knacks and valuables left from when the hummies skedaddled. So there we were, goin' through this uh… fuck what was it?"
"Jay Jewelers." Kak supplied.
"The shiny store!" Mat snapped his fingers. "We was rummaging when we heard gunshots and Grimm roamin' about. So I says to Kak here, 'Hey, maybe some tourists got got. Let's see if they have any loot!' Turns out, a group of Huntsmen caused it, just wandering about."
"Fucking what?" Roman interrupted, trying to wrap his head around the disaster coming his way. "You didn't think that maybe that would've been something I'd like to know?"
"They was mindin' their own business! Had no idea we were here. So we thought-"
"You thought." Kak interjected.
"That since they had no idea we were here; we'd just watch them." That weaselly look Roman knew all too well came over Mat's face. "No harm, no foul."
"Then how did you get her?"Roman gave the man a jab for good measure.
"They holed in an abandoned apartment building for the night." Kak explained, glaring at his partner. "For Gods know what reason, Jamus here snuck in damn near midnight. Came out not long after dragging the girl behind him." Huh, so his name wasn't Mat? Hard to tell with all the damned masks.
"Not answering the question." The thief stood and jammed the barrel of his cane into Jamus's neck. "That girl is a huntress. How?"
"I – Ack!" The man squirmed beneath the weapon. "I was sneaky! She was wanderin' through the halls till she entered some random flat. I followed her and found the bitch… Well…" His eyes shifted to his partner and the door, anywhere but Roman.
"Spit it out." He added a bit more pressure for his persuasion.
"AH! She was using the loo! I saw her, she saw me, I panicked!" The silence was choking, literally in this case. Roman had to have misheard. "So I took out me crowbar and just started swinging! Just making her go to sleep you know? Didn't need no unwanted attention. Plus, we got the damned heiress! You know what can of leverage we have now? Wait until Adam hears about this!" The fucker kept rambling but Roman couldn't hear him anymore.
This fucker just signed their death warrants. The second her team realizes she's missing this place is going to be swarming with Huntsman. Everything, fucking everything going to hell because of this damned creep. Oh, Roman was seeing red and wanted to give in, just crush this bastards throat. But before he could go through with it, an idea struck him. An opportunity of sorts. A long shot that's so fucking stupid, it just might work.
But he did need to vent his anger, if only for a second.
Handling his weapon like the seasoned veteran he was, he wound up Melodic Cudgel hit Jamus's face like an oversized golf ball. Blood and teeth flew, staining the far wall and finally shutting the animal up. It was satisfying. Kak looked on, muted panic on his face. "Take him out." Roman ordered, leaning back and taking out a cigar. "And tell everyone to get the train ready for delivery. Your friend here put us on a time crunch." The First thing to do was shift the blame to a sacrificial lamb. The second was to instill fear. "If they don't take you seriously, tell them the Huntsman are on their way because of him. And don't breathe a word about the Schnee to anyone."
He made sure to look Kak in the eyes to get the point across. "Got it?"
The big man swallowed his anxiety. "Crystal, boss."
"Good." Lighting his smoke, he inhaled the sweet narcotic fumes. "Now get this dog out of my sight." He watched as Kak dragged the gurgling man across the floor, blood smearing in his wake. The door shut shortly after, leaving him alone with one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, knocked out across from him. Taking another drag, Roman thought on it.
There was a joke in there somewhere.
So I know it's been a while, but hear me out. My computer sort of died when writing this chapter, the storage drive becoming corrupted and unsalvageable along with overtime at work.
Also my third kid is on the way and the house is the center of mayhem right now.
So I'm going to try and be better, and hopefully I'll have enough willpower to get this ball rolling again.
Until next time.