Chapter 14: The Gathering Clouds.
The sky was clear across Vale as the sun shined with no issue. Within the streets, a motorcycle's engine was heard as a flash of blue flew by.
In a few days prior, Aoihi had brought Blazing Azure to a garage to have it's functions checked, as well as be upgraded with a detachable sidecar. As he drove about he smiled and looked at his puppy, Sunlight, who was having the time of his life riding in the sidecar. He soon stopped at a pet store and parked his motorcycle as he then got off of it.
"Sunlight!" He called. Sunlight immediately obeyed and leaped onto the sidewalk. "Good boy!" Aoihi soon said to his puppy as he scratched Sunlight's ear. "Good boy! Good boy! Good boy!" He then attached a leash to Sunlight's harness. "You've been a VERY good boy, Sunlight. Listening to commands behaving in the sidecar, being patient so people can come to you. I think you'll be more behaved than even those famous dogs from dog shows. Just don't get cocky, okay? You're a golden retriever, not a cocker spaniel."
Sunlight barked in response as Aoihi just smiled and walked his puppy into the pet store. The kind Faunus woman in her mid 20s gasped in shock as she saw him enter.
"Oh my goodness!" She remarked. "I remember you! You saved me and my son from being attacked by the Human Purity in Atlas a while back! Thank you for doing that."
Aoihi smiled at the cashier. "No problem. I wanted to do what's right and defend innocents from such horrific attacks."
Sunlight, not understanding the conversation, simply sat and looked at the cashier in interest as he tilted his head in curiosity.
"Aw!" The cashier remarked. "I didn't take you the type to have a puppy."
Aoihi chuckled. "I got him relatively recently. Through the mail, oddly enough. Good thing his aura protected him. He's a bit excitable, but a very good boy. Especially today, listening to the commands I've been teaching him, behaving in my motorcycle's new sidecar, not to mention being patient and waiting for people to come to him for pets."
The cashier smiled more as she then walked over and petted Sunlight.
"Oh! I don't disagree. He definitely seems to be happy with you."
Aoihi gave a curt nod.
"I hope so. I actually want Sunlight to be happy with me. He's a good dog. He deserves to be."
"I agree." The Faunus woman replied. "It's sad that so many sweet animals are being abused and neglected all because people misunderstand them. Don't get me wrong, as a Faunus, I am still a human, but is it wrong of me to use my animal traits to help pet owners understand their pets better?"
Aoihi thought for a moment.
"No. It's not. As a matter of fact, I'm actually glad that you found a good cause to use your Faunus traits. Believe it or not, I am actually autistic and I've learned to use my heightened sensitivity in my senses and aura to aid me in fighting Grimm and the Human Purity. If there is a way to bring a positive usage of our differences, I don't think it's a bad thing at all. For it shows you took the time to think about what positive changes you can do."
The Faunus woman smiled as she took in Aoihi's words.
"I'm glad." She replied before exhaling and smiling more. "Now then, how about we get Sunlight some freshly baked treats and a new toy for his efforts of being a good boy."
Aoihi gave a curt nod in agreement as he followed the cashier towards some suggestions of her's.
Some time later, Aoihi stepped out of the pet store, with a bag of dog treats in one hand and a new squeaky Grimm plush toy in the other, that looked just like a Beowulf. He gave the toy to Sunlight who was immediately enjoying it.
"Load up!" Aoihi soon commanded Sunlight as he unleashed him. The puppy, with his new toy in his mouth leapt into the side car, before Aoihi gave him a treat. "I can't believe that Faunus and her son are doing well." He remarked to himself. "Not to mention they are taking self defense classes. I'm very glad they are doing alright."
He was about to board his motorcycle and drive off, when his scroll began to ring. He pulled it out of his pocket and saw that Glynda was giving him a voice call. He swiftly answered, as Sunlight squeaked his toy loudly.
"Hey, Glynda!"
"Aoihi!" She began. "Uh! What's that noise?!"
"Sunlight's new dog toy." Aoihi replied. "I stopped by a pet store on my way back from the garage that was giving my motorcycle its new sidecar and double checking the additional functions of it. I mean, can you blame me? He's been a REALLY good boy today. Listening to the commands I taught him, being patient when he sees friendly people. That kind of stuff."
Glynda couldn't help but smile at this.
"I understand. And that's good your dog is being so good." She then frowned. "However, I need you to return to the campus and meet me in my own office in Beacon Tower. There are some things I need to talk to you about."
"Does it have anything to do with the Atlesian airship fleet hovering over Beacon?"
"A little bit." The huntress replied before scoffing. "James Ironwood certainly goes OVERBOARD when it comes to being cautious."
Aoihi sighed.
"Judging by your tone, you seem to have a problem with him."
"A little bit." Glynda admitted. "Just, hurry back to Beacon, okay? Obey the traffic laws and be careful. There might be very concerning enemies about."
"I will." Aoihi replied, before ending the call and boarding his motorcycle.
With a roar of the engine, Aoihi drove his motorcycle back to Beacon. Parking it in the same area Where students and even Yang parked their vehicles, Aoihi walked on Beacon's grounds towards the Beacon Tower. However that is when his aura flared as he saw three suspicious students from Haven Academy.
"Hey! Who are you three?!" He demanded in an authoritative tone as they sprung back in surprise.
"Whoa! Take it easy man! We're just chatting!" Said the single male student with grey hair and grey eyes.
"Calm down, Mercury!" The girl with a dark complexion, short mint green hair and red eyes spoke, before facing Aoihi. "My apologies. The name is Emerald, that grey headed guy is Mercury, and that over there is Cinder."
When she pointed to the woman with yellow eyes and black hair, Aoihi felt his aura REALLY flare as she looked at him with interest.
"Hmm… you're a charming young man." She spoke with almost a sinister grin. "Perhaps we can talk later."
Aoihi just rolled his eyes.
"Tch! No thanks. I already have my eyes set on someone, Cinder." He said with a flat voice. "My name's Aoihi Moreuhi by the way, and I'm not the kind of guy who's easily swayed by someone's looks."
Without a second word, Aoihi walked off, leaving Cinder a bit surprised that Aoihi turned her down.
Within the Beacon Tower, Aoihi arrived at Glynda's office. She gestured him to a seat, before pouring him a cup of Atlesian coffee.
"Good to see you, Aoihi." She remarked.
"Good to see you too." The boy replied as he soon took a sip of the coffee. "May I ask what you wanted to discuss to me about?"
Glynda exhaled and gave a breif nod before opening her mouth to speak.
"Not long after those twins were arrested, more signs of the Human Purity's presence started to appear in Vale. Faunus citizens brutally attacked, anti-Faunus graffiti being sprayed onto Faunus rights government buildings, and even some murders of Faunus families that were brutal and horrific."
Aoihi sighed solemnly.
"That's troubling."
"Indeed." Glynda remarked. "Furthermore, we have some suspicions of new enemies hiding in the shadows. Ones that are REALLY dangerous, Aoihi. So, please, whenever you go out again, keep your guard up and have your weapon at the ready, okay?"
Hearing the concerned motherly tone of Glynda, Aoihi nodded and gave her a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry. I will, and I'll make sure I am with one member or all of my team too. I can count on them to assist me when things are too much."
Glynda smiled at this and nodded in approval.
"Very well. Thank you for understanding, Aoihi. I greatly appreciate it."
"Of course." Aoihi replied as he placed his now empty cup on the desk. "I better get going now. My team's at the library, and I can't exactly bring Sunlight with me there, so I'm dropping him off at my dorm."
Glynda nodded as she watched Aoihi started to head out the door. With a final wave to her, he exited the office and made his way to the dorms.
After dropping Sunlight at his dorm, he walked into down the hallway leading to the library. He sighed as he saw his team and team JNPR now walking from it.
"Ah, darn! Looks like I missed it!"
"Yeah, you sure did." Ruby replied. "Jaune kicked out butts."
Aoihi then glanced over at the seven teens, realizing that someone was missing.
"Hey, where's Blake?"
"She left." Yang replied.
"And a GOOD thing too!" Weiss soon chimed in. "Ugh! Neptune was there, trying to flirt with me, AGAIN. Doesn't he know that I am NOT interested in him?!"
Aoihi sighed.
"Some guys never learn. I'm sorry for not being there, Weiss. I would've gladly knocked Neptune out for annoying you so much."
"I would've GLADLY see you knock him out!" Weiss stated with a prideful tone, before softening some. "But, still, don't blame yourself, Aoihi. I know you wanted to get that sidecar added to your motorcycle so, Sunlight could safely ride with you. I think it's sweet you love your dog so much."
Aoihi smiled at this as he took in Weiss's words.
"Thanks." He then faced Ruby and Yang. "Mind if I hear all that happened in the game as we're heading back to the dorms?"
"ABSOLUTELY!" Ruby replied enthusiastically as she, and Yang walked with Aoihi, explaining everything that happened. Weiss on the other hand, stared at Aoihi as she watched him walk away with the rest of her team.
"He's gotten close to everyone, hasn't he?" Jaune remarked, as Weiss nodded.
"I… I… i… haven't been able to set these feelings for him aside, Jaune." Weiss admitted. "I can't help but fall for Aoihi. He's kind, sweet, strong, charming, not to mention he's got so much love deep down inside that tough exterior."
"I know." Jaune replied. "I saw how affectionate you both are to each other more than once." He then sighed. "Weiss, are you EVER going to confess to him? Because it's CLEAR as day that he loves you as much as you love him."
"I… I… I want to! But… I want the time to be right, Jaune. I want it to be perfect."
Jaune shook his head.
"Stop procrastinating behind the need of perfection, Weiss! You're only wasting more time!"
Weiss froze and thought for a moment. And considered Jaune's words.
"Alright," she replied with a nod. "Soon! I'll confess to him soon! Sometime this week."
"Good." Jaune replied with a nod of approval.
"You do the same, Jaune." Weiss then spoke. "It's clear that you and Pyhrra like each other as well."
Jaune looked away and blushed in embarrassment.
"Um… are you sure?"
"Yes, you dolt!" Weiss soon spoke firmly. "And none of that overly chivalrous nonsense okay?! Just… be you. Be TRULY you. The you that she supports so much and that is going against all odds to lead his teammates fairly and bravely."
A smile cracked between Jaune's lips.
"Alright. Thanks, Weiss. And I'm here if you need a friend."
"Same here." Weiss replied with a smile. "Now, let's hurry and catch up with our respective teams."
With a nod, Jaune ran towards team JNPR while Weiss ran to catch up with Aoihi, Ruby and Yang.
In the dorm of RWBYA's girls, Blake was sitting on her bed, thinking deeply about White Fang and Torchwick. Though it had been some time since the battle at the shipyard, she was still worried.
"I'm telling you!" Yang said as she, Ruby, Weiss and Aoihi entered into the room. "We should have NEVER let him play!"
Ruby smiled in amusement.
"Aw, come on Yang! You're just upset because you lost. Now if you attacked when I told you to, none of this would have happened."
As she saw two of her teammates bicker on the game, Blake prepared to walk out of the door. However, Weiss caught sight of this.
"Stop!" She commanded as she pointed at Blake. "Lately you've been quiet, antisocial and moody!"
Yang scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Have you met Blake?"
Weiss quickly waved her hand at Yang to quiet her.
"I get that being quiet, antisocial and moody is your thing Blake, but you've been more so as of late." She then sighed and looked at the Faunus in concern. "You promised to come to us if something is wrong, Blake. So please. Tell me. What's wrong?"
Hearing the concern from Weiss caused Blake to sigh and gather her courage to speak the truth.
"I… I don't understand how everyone is so calm."
Ruby sighed upon in realization as she walked towards her friend. "You're thinking about Torchwick, aren't you?"
Blake's expression only intensified with worry. "Torchwick! White Fang! All of it! Something big is happening and nobody is doing a darn thing about it!"
Yang tried to comfort her. "Ozpin told us not to worry. Between the police and the Huntsman, I'm sure they can handle it."
Blake frowned even more. "I'm not! They don't know the White Fang like I do!"
"She's got a point." Aoihi stated flatly as Weiss sighed.
"Okay! Let's be honest here! Even with Aoihi and Blake's own knowledge, we're NOT ready to simply go out and stop whatever this THING is! We're still just students! And in our FIRST year."
"And we may never be ready!" Blake soon argued with desperation. "Our enemies aren't just going to sit around and wait for graduation day. They're out there, somewhere, planning their next move, and none of us know what it is, but it's coming! Whether we're ready or not!"
This was the winning argument as Ruby decided to pull the final decision.
"Okay! All in favor of becoming the youngest Huntresses…"
"Ahem!"
"And Huntsman," Ruby soon corrected herself as she heard Aoihi clear his throat. "To single-handedly taking down a corrupt organization conspiring against the Kingdom of Vale, say aye."
"Nothing new to me." Aoihi replied with a sigh. "I fought the Human Purity, remember?"
"Don't care! Don't mind!" Yang spoke enthusiastically as she pumped her fist. "Oh! I love it when Ruby's feisty!"
Weiss considered Ruby's words for a moment.
"Alright. I suppose it could be fun." She simply said as Ruby shrunk in disappointment.
"Aww! NONE of you said aye!"
"Regardless of that." Blake soon chimed in. "Team we're in this together." This cheered Ruby up.
"Well! Okay then! Let's hatch a plan!"
"Oh yeah!" Yang replied with a smile as he did the double finger gun gesture at her sister. However, a realization shook Ruby with Horror.
"Oh no! I left my game at the Library!" She soon darted off as the 4 remaining teens face palmed. However as Aoihi sighed and looked down the hall, he saw that Ruby had run into Cinder, Mercury and Emerald.
"What are they doing here?" He asked himself in his thoughts as he watched them in suspicion. Something felt off from these three visitors, and he didn't like it.