Chapter 9
"Not that I wouldn't want to date you. Because I would!"
"Not that I wouldn't want to date you. Because I would!"
"Not that I wouldn't want to date you. Because I would!"
The conversation from last night still won't leave Pyrrha's mind. It's in her dreams last night. And as dreams tend to do, they escalated from a single conversation into something more….. Hot. Thinking about it now makes her blush. Jaune and her sparring, then dancing, then his hands on her hips while hers are on his shoulders. Jaune leans in and says:
"Pyrrha."
The way he said her name in the dream still causes her to heat up and blush even more. She can still hear it even now, replaying in her mind.
"Pyrrha."
"Pyr.."
"...rha"
"...Pyrrha!"
"PYRRHA!" Nora shouts from across her at their breakfast table in the Cafeteria. All their friends, looking at the both of them.
"What's up P-money? You doing okay? You're not usually this distracted." Yang says from her side as Pyrrha blushes from the attention.
"She's been like that since she got back from training Jaune-Jaune last night." Nora answers for her.
"Nora!"
"Oooh, something special happened to P-Money? Should I call Jaune ladykiller now?" Yang interrupts seeing her opportunity to tease Pyrrha. Sensing the morning entertainment happening, Ruby, Weiss, and Blake all listen attentively while eating their breakfast.
"Nothing happened!"
"Lies! You've been sighing and smiling ever since you woke up Pyr-Pry! Something definitely happened to put you in this mood!" Nora replies, denying Pyrrha the chance to escape her predicament.
"I don't get it, what's wrong with Jaune doing something to make Pyrrha happy?" Ruby pipes up from beside Yang, wanting to know what's wrong with Jaune making Pyrrha happy.
"Nothing's wrong! We were just training for the Vytal Festival and I'm just happy that Jaune's come a long way!" Pyrrha answers, finally getting a plausible explanation for her mood.
"The Vytal Festival! I almost forgot about it! We should be preparing for it right now!" Weiss gasps out, surprised that dolt was already training for it.
"Relax Weiss-cream, we can start training next week, it's already Thursday today, we can relax for some time before going all-out in training. Still, VB's really committed to this huh, think he might actually be a threat?."
"Hmp! I suppose you're right, we could scout some competition first before preparing countermeasures. And we don't need to worry about the dolt, as if he could be strong enough to threaten us." Weiss concedes haughtily.
"Hey! don't talk about my male bestie like that, Weiss. He actually beat Cardin and Dove this week." Ruby rebukes fiercely from her position.
"I will admit that he has made some progress, but it is not enough to beat any of us girls here at our table. Besides he'd probably just throw Pyrrha at us, no offense Pyrrha but you are the strongest in our year." Weiss concedes but still puts down Jaune.
Oh full offense taken Weiss, full offense taken.
"I disagree, I think Jaune's coming along well. Underestimate him and he might just surprise you… he might even beat you in fact." Pyrrha says with a smirk, challenging Weiss to get her to apologize.
"That's a bold claim Pyrrha. You really believe he could beat me?" Weiss narrows her eyes in surprise and challenges Pyrrha back.
"Of course. I'm even willing to bet on it. Say… if Jaune wins against you in a spar before the Vytal Festival you have to apologize to him for your remarks about his strength and character.."
"Before the festival hmm? You're confident that he can grow that strong by the end of the year?"
"It's January now, and the Festival starts in December, that's nearly a full year of training. A lot can happen in that time. Why, do you wanna back out?"
"Of course not, I'm just saying 1 year of training cannot possibly surpass years of learning under the best Atlas has to offer."
"I'm still not hearing a yes Weiss."
"Fine! I accept, but if I win, he has to stop pursuing me once and for all. In fact, I'll up the ante, if he wins, not only will I apologize to him, but I will also go on a date with him!"
Surprised with Weiss's sudden challenge, Pyrrha could only open her mouth in astonishment. She isn't the only one because everyone on their table just stares at Weiss at surprise.
A date?! You're gonna lose a spar and go on a date with him?! That's still a win-win situation for you!
"Damn girls, I like the fire but let's save it for Combat Class alright? No need to ruin our breakfast." Yang tries to defuse the situation half-heartedly because she herself is enjoying the drama.
"I didn't hear a yes yet, Pyrrha." Yet Weiss will not be deterred, once a challenge has been thrown it needs to be finished. She throws Pyrrha's words right back at her.
"Guys… maybe we should talk about this later." Ruby tries to deescalate the situation seeing her sister fail.
"I…. We… We would need to ask Jaune first."
I can't let Jaune agree! It could ruin my chance!
"Hey guys! What's up? Ren and I just finished traini-" Jaune greets them with a smile as he approaches their table with Ren.
Why Jaune?! I'm always happy to see you but why now?!
"Jaune-" Pyrrha starts, before she is interrupted by Nora.
"Jaune-Jaune! Weiss says she'll go on a date with you if you beat her in a spar before the Vytal Festival!" Nora finishes in a single breath, excited by this situation. Hoping that with Weiss' challenge Pyrrha gets a fire lit up under her ass.
Nora, why!
—-
Jaune Arc is confused. That's been a common theme recently.
He was confused by Pyrrha's words last night. He was confused by Ren's explanation of his dreams. He was relieved by their following bro moment though so that was fine.
He went right back to being confused when Ren started to explain how to control aura, how to feel it, move it, and concentrate it in different parts of the body. Suffice to say they decided to get breakfast at the end and that Jaune should relax for today after classes.
And now that confusion just intensified because of the conversation he just walked into.
"...What?!" Jaune asks with a surprised expression.
"You heard her dolt, but if you don't manage a win, you would have to cease all your foolish efforts to pursue me." Weiss says as she looks at Jaune with narrowed eyes.
"I…" Jaune starts with uncertainty, not sure how this situation started.
What the hell is happening?
"I accept" He finally gathers his resolve and looks at Weiss straight at her eyes.
I don't know how this started, but this could be my chance to impress and land a date with Weiss.
"Damn…damn…damn! We have a bet! Ruby! We have a bet!" Yang shouts suddenly, confusing everyone except her sister.
"I know!" Ruby replies, bringing out a piece of paper and writing on it with a speed that looks like she's using her speed semblance.
"Bring out the contract!" Yang shouts, everyone slowly realizing what the two sisters are doing.
"I didn't expect you two to be meticulous about something like this." Blake finally breaks her silence from watching the entertainment happening in their friend group.
"Do you have any idea how many bets Yang and I have had?! Countless! We had to officially make a system based on contracts so we could keep track of the bets and stop take-backsies!" Ruby replies as she finally finishes writing the contract. She then hands it to Weiss for her to sign.
"Hmm, this is surprisingly detailed if a bit informal in language." Weiss says as she reads the contents of the contract.
"Thanks Weiss!"
"Yes yes, you have a surprisingly meticulous side to you. Fine, this contract will suffice for me." Weiss finishes as she signs it then hands it to Jaune.
"..What is happening?" Jaune asks as he reads the contract himself.
"Binding…. Will be enforced by… bet between Weiss Schnee, and Jaune Arc….the details are as follows….arranged by Pyrrha Nikos? And Weiss Schnee? What? Pyrrha what?" Jaune finishes as he looks towards his partner.
"Uhmm, surprise?" Pyrrha can only laugh nervously.
"Okayyyy. I think this is okay? You know what? I'm not gonna question it, give me a pen and I'll sign it." Jaune decides as he receives a pen from Ruby Rose. Jaune signs the contract, hearing a weird noise sounding suspiciously like "Nooooo….." from his partner.
"Yesss! And by the power of Rose-Xiao Long, we will be the enforcers!" Ruby announces proudly, holding the contract up high.
"Damn straight! This is the funniest shi- I mean stuff that has happened this semester! Hahaha" Yang laughs with a grin.
"Alright alright, just let us eat in peace, I haven't eaten anything since Ren and I woke up today." Jaune says finally getting started on eating his breakfast.
"Wow, you're really committed to this doing a new thing and getting better." Yang says in reply.
"Of course, I mean, I gotta live up to being team leader of the best team in Beacon right?"
That got all of them to react. Team RWBY, surprised that he's the one throwing down a gauntlet like that. Meanwhile Pyrrha and Nora are surprised at their leader for being so bold, while Ren nods supportively.
"Oi oi oi, those are fighting words on this table you know? Are you ready to get crushed in the festival?."
"You can try, after all you're looking at the future winners of the 40th Vytal Festival." Ren surprisingly announces from his seat while raising his hand.
"Damn straight Ren!" Jaune cheers, raising his hand and high fives his brother from another mother..
If they were surprised by Jaune taking the initiative, then call them shocked when Ren banters back! Ren! Who was usually just quiet and willing to listen to everyone's brand of chaos! That Ren!
" (Gasp)... Renny's throwing down and giving high fives?! Fearless leader, what did you do?!" Nora gasps, surprised at how proactive Ren is today.
"Hmm? Nothing special, we just had a heart-to-heart and bonded during training." Jaune smiles as he looks at Ren as they both chuckle as if laughing at an inside joke.
"Nothing special?! NOTHING SPECIAL?! I refuse to believe that! Ren doesn't just high five anybody! You must have done something!" Nora yells hysterically, in disbelief at what is happening.
Ren and Jaune look at each other again, then shrug at the same time. Yang, sensing an opportunity to tease again, interrupts.
"Oh my, not even going on a date with Weiss and you're already putting the moves on Ren. Oh Jaune, you bad boy you." Yang says coyly, throwing fuel into the fire.
Both Jaune and Ren almost choke with wide eyes on their breakfast but luckily manage to swallow their food safely. Pyrrha and Nora both look like they're gonna be sick.
Damn it Yang! I almost died from the food!
Not willing to back, Jaune resolves himself and doubles down.
"Not to worry Yang, my heart's big enough for more than one person." Jaune gives them a smile and a wink at the same time.
I mean it's not like I'm lying…. What kind of 17 year-old male would I be if I never thought about it at least once? Still though, it's not like there's multiple women in love with me. Hahaha. That would be ridiculous.
"NOOOOO! I refuse to accept this! Renny's mine! You can't have him!" Nora finally shouts, not willing to entertain this notion.
"Relax Nora, we're just joking. I'm straight as an arrow. No offense Ren, I love you, but only as a brother." Jaune laughs it off, successfully defusing the situation.
"None taken Jaune, I, too am straight as an arrow." Ren can only chuckle, trying to hide his blush because of Nora's outburst, not able to look the ginger in the eye.
Thank the Gods for that! I'm not sure I would survive Nora if you said otherwise. Everyone knows she likes you. Not together-together my ass! You can't even look at her without blushing!
Hearing that everything was just a joke, Nora can only blush at her reaction and try to change the topic.
"Ohh! That's good! So. Hm. What do you plan to do on the long weekend?" Nora says, hoping to put the previous conversation behind her.
"What long weekend?" Jaune replies while finishing his breakfast.
"There's been an announcement to team leaders on our scrolls earlier, you probably didn't see it because of you guys training. We have the whole Friday off tomorrow since they'll use the time to prepare for something. I already told Pyrrha and Nora earlier." Ruby responds as she finishes her own breakfast.
Huh, so Pyrrha and I can go to Vale a day early.
"Cool, thanks Ruby. Hey Pyr, Wanna go out with me to Vale tomorrow?" Jaune says, wanting to get the invitation out of the way.
"I would love to Jaune." Pyrrha automatically responds before she can even process the question.
The exchange from out of nowhere shocks the whole table. Ren just closes his eyes while Nora's jaws drop. Ruby and Weiss just stare incredulously at Jaune. While Blake and Yang are shocked that he just pulled that question out of nowhere.
"Okay, I know I was joking about the thing with Ren earlier, but Jaune, are you trying to two-time Weiss, my teammate, with Pyrrha? Cause if you are, prepare yourself for pain" Yang says while menacingly cracking her knuckles.
"What the hell Yang?! What are you saying?!" Jaune replies confusedly.
"You literally just asked Pyrrha out right in front of all of us!" Yang answers in response.
Looking at his partner with wide eyes, he notices that Pyrrha's not looking at him and has her face flushed red in embarrassment.
Crap! I did it again!
"No! No! No! It's not like that! Pyrrha and I were already planning to go to Vale!" Jaune tries to backtrack.
"You're not doing any better, Vomit Boy." Yang grits her teeth, while Ruby is also frowning at him. Only Blake has no outward reaction other than narrowing her eyes at him in focus.
"You don't understand! Pyrrha's just gonna help me look at dust and guns to help give me some range! It's for training! Training!" Jaune finally explains, to his relief Team RWBY slowly stands down from looking like wanting to beat him to death.
"Why didn't you lead with that?" Yang responds, now knowing the full situation.
"I didn't think I'd need to explain it! I mean Pyrrha and I aren't dating!"
Everyone cringes at that with Jaune not noticing Pyrrha's hurt, longing, then determined expression.
"Wait, if you wanted to look at guns, why didn't you ask me?" Ruby asks since it is well known in their friend group that she is a gun nut and if you wanted to know about guns you went to Ruby.
"We had it scheduled on the weekend, you know? We thought you had something planned with your team. It's just luck that we have a day off tomorrow, that's why I asked Pyrrha. But if it's fine with you, could I ask for your help?
"Of course Jaune! Here, I'd even give you Weiss' copy of Dust for Dummies to help you handle dust and dust rounds."
"Thanks Ruby, you're a lifesaver." Jaune smiles
"Alright alright, any more misunderstandings we need to sort out? None? Na da? Then let's go to class. Sheesh. I can't believe I got so tired of this that I'm the one suggesting we go to class first." Yang says.
With that end to the conversation, they all go towards their first class of the day.
Man, I can't believe how exhausting that was. Jaune thinks to himself, not knowing that he'll be a lot more exhausted in the near future.
—-
Blake Belladonna is a curious cat. Ha! See Yang? She can make puns too. Not that Yang knew that Blake is a cat faunus so the pun would be lost on her. But the point is, Blake Belladonna is a very curious person, she usually satisfies this curiosity by reading books in her spare time.
That trait usually leads her here to the library after classes and usually after dodging Yang's efforts at bonding. Don't get her wrong, she likes Yang. But sometimes her partner could be too intense for her. Which leads her to seek out the quiet isolation of the library.
Except this time, it's not quite isolated. You see, Blake Belladonna has a special table or area she likes to claim in the library. Currently, sitting at the edge of that table is one of her new curiosities, Jaune Arc.
Blake sees Jaune with his front turned towards her from his sitting position, she notices him reading the Dust for Dummies pamphlet handed him earlier at breakfast. She greets him as she sits across the table from him.
"Hello Jaune, hard at work I see."
Surprised that someone sat across from him, he looks at her with wide eyes before relaxing.
"Oh hey Blake. Didn't notice you came in. Yeah, Ren told me to relax and maybe read some books, and thus I am here." Jaune smiles at her
"Oh? You call Dust for Dummies relaxing?" Blake couldn't help but tease him with a small smile. Surprised at how easy it is to joke with him.
There's something about Jaune that makes it easy for her to let her guard down. She couldn't pinpoint it, it could be his warm smile, earnest attitude, or even his supposed lack of strength, regardless there could be numerous combinations or traits that Blake is subconsciously picking up on. Still, Blake can't help but compare him to another person in her life that she left behind.
Maybe I feel so at ease because of how different he is compared to Adam… Or maybe it's just because he's harmless.
"Ha, ha, ha. Laugh it up. I was actually looking for Ninja's of Love but I couldn't seem to find them." Jaune says to her in response to her teasing.
Blake's eyes light up at the mention of her favorite series, not noticing her bow twitching. She knows Jaune wouldn't be able to find them because she's the one who hid them in the first place.
"Come here, follow me. Let me show you where they are." Standing up, Blake leads Jaune to the corner of their section near the wall. She bends down to reach the lowest shelf and fish the boos from its hidden spot.
"I hide them here so no one else can borrow them and I always get to read them here." Blake continues as she hands Jaune the first book in the series.
"They were there the whole time?" He asks quietly, not willing to announce the location of forbidden treasures.
"Yes. You'd be surprised how few people look at the bottom shelf in libraries."
"Why don't you just borrow them and hide them in your room?"
"You really think I can read Ninjas of Love with Yang in the room?" Blake asks with a raised eyebrow.
"I guess not. Hahaha. I see your point." Jaune laughs at her predicament.
"You think it's funny? You should think about the possibility that Ruby finds the books in my room. Could you imagine how Yang would react?" Blake rolls her eyes at him with a playful smirk.
She sees Jaune shudder at that. Happy that she got her point across, she leads him back to the table.
"Come on, you promised me recently that we'd discuss the series together. Consider this a refresher and relaxation for you." Blake finishes with a smirk. Happy that she finally has someone to discuss her hobbies with.
—-
It twitches, it really twitches. I can't believe we fell for that ribbon disguise.
Listening to Blake discuss the finer points of their mutual hobby, Jaune can't help but recognize the ribbon she's wearing for what they are, disguises for Blake Belladonna's cat ears.
It wasn't that long that Jaune found out Blake is a cat faunus. In fact, it was just before she sat across from him that he accidentally discovered her secret. You see, Jaune Arc originally went to the library to relax, that was no lie, but what he did next was something he didn't tell Blake.
He started on Doctor Oobleck's assignment for him given two days ago, back when he argued with Weiss on some events in the Faunus Revolution Rights. At first it was just harmless reading of historical records, then came biographies of notable faunus, and finally he arrived at more recent history: The Formation of the White Fang and its early organization.
Tucked in the middle pages of Dust for Dummies is a folded newspaper, its front page showing Ghira Belladonna, Kali Belladonna, and their 8 year old daughter, Blake Belladonna, cat ears proudly displayed for all the press to see. White Fang banners flying behind them.
Listening to Blake finish her rant? discussion? On the finer points of Ninjas of Love, Jaune decides to give her a small test. He begins with:
"I think they should have focused more on the Faunus subplot."
"Oh? Care to expound on that?" Blake raises an eyebrow at him, face neutral, waiting for his opinion to be known.
"Some people might say that it would be too dramatic for a pointless direction the story might move to, but I disagree. It could be the make or break plotline that will set the tone for future books or even the ending of the series itself. Think about it, Kiroi's early friendship and budding romance with Kuroneko, who is effectively the Princess of the Feline Faunus Tribes would've been a great way to show and promote equality in the books. Not to mention it sends a positive message to its readers themselves." Jaune finishes, hoping to see Blake's reaction. His hope is rewarded when he sees Blake's bow twitch again.
"Jaune… What do you think of faunus in general?" Blake asks slowly, leaning forward to look him in the eyes.
Leaning forward himself to meet her eyes with his. He says with all sincerity. Because this is what he believes in.
"I think they're all wonderful, beautiful people. Wonderful and beautiful people just like all of us."
Jaune Arc grew up in a frontier town, where they know grimm will attack you regardless of your race, gender, social class, or skin color. The way people in the frontier see it, if grimm don't discriminate among us, then why should we?
Jaune Arc sees Blake Belladonna blush, and that causes him to realize how close he has already gotten to her. There's only about two feet between them, a distance too close for a male and female without any relationship.
He tries to lean back casually to increase the distance, but there's no helping the growing blush on his cheeks.
"Jaune… I want to tell you something."
Born out of instinct developed by living with 7 sisters that love to watch romantic high school animes, Jaune feels his heart rate increase, palms sweat, and lips dry.
Is she confessing her love?! No, don't be stupid me! She's gotta clarify she's a faunus and whether or not part of the White Fang still.
"Yes Blake-!" He squeaks out at an embarrassing pitch.
"I…" Blake starts while reaching for her bow.
"I'm… a fa-"
"There you are Jaune!" (Shhhh!). Ruby yells in the library, interrupting whatever Blake was going to say.
"Ooops, sorry. Ren told me you'd be here. I wanted to give you this primer for guns, so you and Pyrrha could have additional ideas on what you want to look for tomorrow. Oh hey Blake, didn't know you were here with Jaune." Ruby says, not knowing the monumental event she just interrupted.
"...Thanks Ruby." Jaune could only say quietly. Disappointed that he couldn't see cute cat ears.
Cute cat ears? Come on, be serious Jaune. Blake was starting to trust you with her secret, take her seriously. She could be part of the White Fang for all you know.
"...Hey Ruby, we were just reading." Blake continues for Jaune in response.
"Oh, that's good, anyway gotta go. Enjoy!" Ruby says as she leaves just as quick as she appears.
""..."" Both Jaune and Blake could only stare at each other quietly.
""Anyway…"" Both of them say at the same time as they stand up.
""Sorry.""
""You first, no you first""
""I…gotta go.."" They both continue as they gather their things
"Train with Pyrrha"
"Go find Yang."
Both teens say at the same time, needing to escape the awkward atmosphere created in that certain space in the library. Both of them acknowledging that they bonded over their shared hobby, their easy atmosphere, but also knowing the heaviness of a secret that was almost displayed.
One thing's for sure though, Jaune Arc now has confirmation and possible confession that Blake Belladonna is a cat faunus. A cat faunus who has ties with the White Fang. The White Fang that is currently robbing dust stores in Vale.