LEMON WARNING! Skip to { I } to avoid!
A gasp escaped her as he pinned her down to the bed. He went for her neck, biting lightly and eliciting an excited moan. He kissed his way downwards, leaving a trail of marks from her collarbone to her breast. His lips latched to her teat, earning a groan of approval as he began to suckle from her bosom.
"Yes…" She hissed. "Gods, yes!"
One hand kept her arms pinned above her head as the other went to her other breast, pinching and rolling her erect nipple between his fingers. His hands, so large and rough, encompassed the entirety of her breast, kneading it in slow circles. He switched teats, leaving a long trail of saliva from his first conquest to his next as he repeated the same process.
After a moment, he turned his attention lower. He kissed his path down again, crossing her navel and further still past her shaven womanhood. His path could easily be traced, leaving bright red marks against her pale skin. Her breath hitched as he parted her folds, tasting her ever so slowly. His royal blue eyes stared directly into her own icy irises, boldly stating his desire for her flesh. Her thighs reflexively tried to close as his tongue hit a particularly pleasurable spot, but his powerful arms forced them open.
She cried loudly as she reached her climax, grabbing fistfuls of his golden blonde hair and pushing him further into her. He didn't stop his ministrations, and, emboldened by her reaction, went a step beyond. He slipped one digit into her, her eyes widening in shock as she let out a breathy moan. A second joined the first, causing her grip on his head to tighten. His fingers curled, and she was brought to climax again.
"Please…" She begged him. "Please, I need you!"
He raised himself upwards so that they were face to face. Their tongues entwined, letting her taste her own fluids. With one hand, he blindly lined himself up with her entrance. Her gaze was drawn to his manhood, biting her lip in wanton desire. He pressed his head into her, stretching her beyond what she ever experienced.
"Gods, you're going to ruin me…" She groaned as he pushed further, inch after glorious inch. When would it stop? Would it ever stop? She felt so full, but she was still hungry for more!
She clawed at his back, her nails creating furious red furrows in his skin. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she felt him at the very end of her. He could go no further, for she had nothing left to give. She felt the heat in her core, melting her from the inside out. She could barely breathe, reduced to shallow pants.
"Take me." She whispered; her voice heavy with desire. "Make me yours."
"You were always mine." He replied huskily. "I'm just reminding you of that fact."
She felt him pull back in an agonizing fashion, retreating from her fleshy vice and leaving an empty void in his wake. She whined, legs wrapping around his waist in a vain attempt to stop him. Just as his head was about to escape her womanly maw, he slammed his pelvis downwards, bottoming out and punching her cervix. Her insides clenched and spasmed, her own teeth grit tightly as she came right then and there. It took all she had not to scream his name as she became a quivering mess, legs quaking and toes curling with the pinnacle of ecstasy. His muscular arms draped her legs over his shoulders as he pressed his weight down on her, putting a nearly unbearable pressure on her womb.
She grunted like a beast as her insides were gouged out with every single thrust, her proud upbringing completely abandoned in her pursuit of pleasure and comfort. She pulled on his neck so that she could taste his lips once more, even if it meant her knees would be bent behind her ears.
"I was a fool," she moaned past his cheek. "To have chosen duty over you."
As she rode wave after wave of climax, she had realized she had reached the point of no return. She could not go back to her cold, empty bed. She could not endure the weak and loveless embrace of that man again.
She was firmly his now: mind, body and soul.
She felt his body tense up, the throbbing of his erection pounding and synching with her heart. "Do it," she pleaded needily. "Do what should have been done long ago."
His pace quickened as did his breathing. Her nails dug into his skin as she felt the mother of all orgasms approach. Knowing she would not be able to contain herself, she latched onto his mouth to muffle her impending screech of ecstasy, to which he readily obliged.
Their Auras flared as he finished inside her, filling her with his seed. It pumped in an unending deluge, his essence flowing into her and making her tremble with happiness.
As she lay there, teetering on the edge of consciousness and eyes half lidded with the haze of lust, she just barely heard the door creak open.
"Mother?"
{ I }
As the early morning rays shone down into the dorm of Team AWBN, Weiss distinctly noticed the absence of Jaune's comforting warmth. Reluctantly, she opened her eyes and sat upright. It appeared that she was the last to stir from her slumber, as the rest of her team was already dressed in their uniforms. She spied Jaune by the bookshelf, stowing away his issues of X-Ray and Vav.
He noticed her from his periphery. "Good morning sleepy head!" He greeted with a grin.
"Why didn't you wake me up?" She asked groggily.
"You looked like you were having a nice dream." He stood up to face her. "Besides, you didn't miss much. We're just unpacking our things."
Jaune shared the bookshelf with Blake, who was stocking her own volumes on the opposite end. Pyrrha was hanging her outfits in the closet on their side of the room. She glanced to their wall, where her own luggage was neatly stacked and waiting to be unpacked.
"Your uniform is in the closet." Jaune added. "You can take your time. We still have an hour and a half before lessons start."
With a nod and a yawn, Weiss got out of bed, grabbed her uniform, then went to their bathroom to get dressed.
Blake scoffed once she was out of earshot. "You pamper her too much." She told her partner.
He frowned, remembering Weiss's words from last night. "I don't believe it's any of your business how I treat my friend, Blake."
"You're our team leader now, Jaune. You can't be giving out special treatment just because of your past with her."
His eyes flicked to her bow. "Is that right?"
"Tch." She clicked her tongue, turning away from his gaze as a hand went up to touch the accessory.
Pyrrha looked between the two with confusion and worry. "Is something wrong?"
"It's nothing." They said in unison, though with a tone that didn't exactly make the redhead believe them. A brief moment of tense silence fell between them before Jaune audibly sighed, gesturing to the door.
"Blake, can we please talk in private for a sec?"
She crossed her arms for a second, sending him a sideways glare but stood up to follow him. He turned to Pyrrha, noting the concern on her face. "We'll be right back. I just want to bury the hatchet before this turns into a problem."
The A and B of Team AWBN exited their dorm, leaving Pyrrha to stare after them with a plethora of unease. The bathroom door opened, revealing Weiss in their school uniform.
"Where's Jaune?" She asked, looking around their dorm.
"He and Blake stepped out for a moment." Pyrrha told her. "It seemed like they were having issues and Jaune wanted to resolve them before they got out of hand."
"Hmph," Weiss crossed her arms over her chest. "Of course she was causing problems this early on."
Pyrrha's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "Actually Weiss, Blake was bringing up a fair point. Jaune seems to be showing a significant amount of favoritism to you. She's concerned this might evolve into nepotism."
"Nepotism!?" She exclaimed with a furious look. "Just because Jaune and I share a bed does not mean he would unfairly favor me when making decisions!"
"He let you sleep in this morning while the rest of us were up." She offered, quirking a brow. "Is that not evidence to the contrary?"
Weiss scoffed. "While you were unpacking your belongings, you mean? I don't see why I would have needed to be awake for that. If it was for something actually important, I'm sure Jaune would have woken me up." She sent the champion a scathing glare. "I can't believe you of all people are taking her side."
Pyrrha frowned, crossing her own arms. "What do you mean by that, exactly?"
"Considering your celebrity status, I'd have thought you would have better sense than to judge someone for but a single action, or are you saying that one tabloid about how 'Pyrrha Nikos endorses childhood obesity by taking Pumpkin Pete sponsorship deal" is correct?"
The redhead recoiled as if struck. "Of course not!"
"Then why are you accusing Jaune and I of something as heinous as Nepotism?"
"I'm not!" She shouted. "It's just that the both of you seem to dislike Blake for some reason and I don't think it's fair that you're having Jaune deal with it for you!"
"He's not dealing with it for me!" Weiss growled. "We're not the problem here! She is!"
"How so?" Pyrrha demanded.
"Because she apparently hates me just because I am a Schnee!" Weiss nearly screamed, startling her partner. "Do you want to know what the first things she said to me were? I'll tell you exactly as it happened!"
{ II }
As Weiss carted her luggage back to her servants, a voice called out to her from her right.
"You said you are Weiss Schnee, yes? Heiress of the Schnee Dust Company?"
She turned, coming face to face with a girl with long black hair, amber eyes, and a large black bow atop her head.
"That's correct." She replied with a nod.
The girl glanced down to her bags, a thin smile on her lips. "I'm curious: How does it feel knowing all the dust you own was procured by Faunus laborers who are forced to work themselves to death in your mines?"
Weiss had to do a double take. "I'm sorry?"
The girl feigned surprise. "Wow, never once had I ever thought that a Schnee would apologize. I guess miracles do happen. Maybe next you would consider paying your workers an actual wage?"
"Can I help you?" Weiss asked incredulously, a seething fury building within her.
The girl shook her head. "No thanks. Your 'help' would probably require me to become your footstool. I'm sure you have quite enough of them, considering how many labor laws you trample over."
"I'll have you know that I have very little to do with the questionable business practices my father makes."
"But he's still your father." She pointed out. "Your entire company is built upon the sacrifices of the downtrodden who are all but slaves in your employ."
"Is there a point to this?" Weiss growled. "Or do you get your kicks off of harassing people for the sins of their parents?
"I'm just saying the apple may not fall far from the tree."
Weiss barely managed to keep herself from screaming. "I am nothing like my father." She grabbed her cart and strode away. "We are done here."
"Typical Schnee," She heard from behind her. "Always running from the truth."
{ III }
"That's…" Pyrrha was stunned speechless. Had Blake really said such things?
Weiss took a deep breath in a desperate attempt to calm herself. "I have endured many insults and accusations against my character for as long as I was in the public eye. When I was named heiress, I was expected to be another racist, corrupt businessman, just like my father; despite having only just been forced into the spotlight against my will.
"Do you have any idea how degrading it is to be held to such hideous expectations?" Tears threatened to spill from the heiress's eyes. "To be expected of the same sins as someone you absolutely loathe?"
Silence befell them, all quiet except the occasional muffled sob from Weiss as emotion overwhelmed her. Weiss turned away, ashamed of her tears and made to hide them from her partner.
She froze up as a gentle hand touched her shoulder.
"… I do." Pyrrha said softly. Weiss glanced back, finding a guilty and sympathetic smile on the redhead's face.
Pyrrha took a breath, thinking over the unfathomable amount of words she wanted to say. "I understand the pressure of expectations and how much one can hate them. I… I am the same, in a way."
A wistful look crossed her face. "When I won my first tournament, I was elated. I enjoyed being the center of attention. To be congratulated for my accomplishment." Her face fell. "But then I won my second tournament, and that's where my problems began. I had built up a reputation of being undefeated in the arena, that anyone who faced me would be better off forfeiting than go through the embarrassment of me utterly trouncing them. By my third tournament, I had gained the moniker of 'The Invincible Girl.'" She said that name with a notable amount of contempt.
"By then, my peers in Sanctum had begun to dissociate themselves from me. They would put me on this pedestal which no one could ever hope to reach. All of them would never dare approach 'The Invincible Girl' for friendship. How could they? Who would ever be good enough for someone of her talents? When my fourth tournament came around, I was simply untouchable. I became a figure for the cameras and news articles, with little personality beyond my martial prowess. Everyone forgot that I was once Pyrrha Nikos, a girl who used to love to win hard-fought battles. They forgot that I was once a normal girl too."
She sighed sadly. "I came to resent my fame. I hated being held to this impossible expectation, that I was too good for anything less than perfection. My life had begun to be nothing but a series of fake smiles and shallow relationships. I… I wanted out. That's why I came to Beacon. To start a new life, hoping that my fame wouldn't catch up to me.
"And then I met you. Someone who recognized my accolades, someone who knew who I was. I…" Her eyes filled with shame. "I hated you. I hated what you represented. To me, you were what I was trying to escape. I thought you would be like everyone else, someone who only saw 'The Invincible Girl' and not the girl behind that name."
She bowed deeply. "I was wrong. I was oh, so very wrong. You and I were more alike than I could ever have imagined. But I never gave you a chance, never wanted to give you a chance. I became a hypocrite who acted exactly as what she hated.
"I'm sorry, Weiss." Pyrrha didn't dare lift her head, too afraid of what Weiss's reaction might be. "I hope, in time, we can become friends. But if you don't, I completely-"
"Pyrrha." Slender arms wrapped her neck, surprising her and forcing her to pause. Weiss pulled the taller girl to her chest, hugging her close. "It's okay. I forgive you."
Her eyes widened in shock. "Y-You do?"
She felt Weiss pull away. She looked up, emerald eyes finally staring into tear-stained pools of icy blue.
Weiss nodded, a small smile on her face. "Let's start over." She backed away, cleared her throat, then proffered her hand. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Weiss Schnee. Would you like to be friends?"
Standing up straight and wiping the tears from her own eyes, Pyrrha eagerly clasped her hand around Weiss's. "Hello Weiss, I'm Pyrrha Nikos." A grin stretched from cheek to cheek. "That sounds like a grand idea."
{ IV }
Jaune found a small, secluded area away from any passersby, deliberately out of the way from any of the main routes to and from classes. He turned to Blake, who still held an irate look.
"This needs to stop." He said. "Whatever problems you have with Weiss, you need to work it out with her."
"I have no words for her." Blake responded with a glare. "However, I do have a problem with you enabling her spoiled attitude. The last thing we need is to deal with a fussy brat who throws a tantrum whenever she doesn't get what she wants."
Jaune quirked a brow. "Weiss doesn't always get what she wants."
"Oh please," Blake scoffed. "A Schnee doesn't get what they want? Next, you'll tell me that Grimm don't exist."
His eyes narrowed. "Oh, I see what this is now. It's not about Weiss, it's about her name."
Blake harrumphed but did not deny it.
The blond sighed. "Blake, just because Weiss is the daughter of Jacques Schnee does not mean she is anything like the man."
"The Schnee Dust Company is responsible for the deaths and injuries of thousands of Faunus laborers every year! Considering she has done nothing to change that, how am I to discern that she isn't just as complicit to the SDC's wrongdoings as her father?"
"What can she do, Blake?" He countered. "She may be the heiress, but she holds no sway over her father! Her mother is trying her damnedest to change things, but Jacques is too ingrained and making the shareholders too much money for it to matter! You're putting the sins of a single man unto his entire family! How is that fair?"
She made to argue, but no words would come out. She crossed her arms and looked away.
"So this is the daughter of Ghira Belladonna, former High Leader of the White Fang and Chieftain of Menagerie …" Jaune remarked with disappointment, earning Blake's ire. "I wonder how he'd feel knowing his only child is lashing out with such mindless hate."
"You leave my father out of this!" She hissed.
"Like you left Weiss's out of it?" He pointed out.
She growled, face red with anger. "You're nothing like your grandfather!"
"That's right, I'm not." He agreed, surprising her with just how readily he said that. "Just like how Weiss is nothing like her father. Are you starting to get it, Blake? You can't judge someone based on who they're related to. You need to judge them based on their own actions, and so far, I'm not impressed with yours."
The morning breeze blowing through the decorative trees and bushes was the only sound between them. Blake said nothing, contemplating Jaune's words and reluctantly conceding his point.
"I'm not asking you to be friends with her." He told her, his tone softening. "I'm just asking for you to give her a chance to prove that she isn't what you think she is. We're a team now, Blake. We need to try to get along with each other, even if we don't necessarily like each other."
"… I'll try." She replied after a moment.
"Thank you. That's all I want." Jaune said with his trademark smile. "Come on, let's head back."
"Wait." She caught his shoulder. "Jaune, about my secret…"
"What secret?" Jaune asked. "That you're a Faunus?"
"Not so loud!" She hissed, eyes darting around for any passersby.
"Blake, anyone who knows anything about the old White Fang or Menagerie's leadership will know who you are. You didn't exactly do yourself any favors by using your real name." She flustered at that, clearly embarrassed.
"Still…"
Jaune sighed tiredly. "I won't tell anyone. You have my word."
A wisp of a smile crossed her face. "And an Arc never goes back on his word." She recalled.
Jaune smirked. As they began their trek back to their dorm room in comfortable silence, he couldn't help but make one last remark.
"Hey Blake." He said, keeping his eyes forward.
"Hmm?"
"Between you and me, I think you'd look cuter without your bow."
The Arc scion pretended not to notice the deep blush that coated his partner's cheeks.
{ V }
Jaune and Blake returned to find Weiss and Pyrrha decorating their room. Several paintings have been hung up on his and Weiss's side of the room, including a portrait of them when they were younger. It was displayed proudly over their beds for all who entered the room, drawn in incredible detail by a famous artist Jaune forgot the name of.
Jaune noted the bright smiles between the two girls, which piqued his curiosity. "You two seem especially chipper. Did something happen?"
It was Pyrrha who responded first, surprising him. "Weiss and I finally had a moment to talk and bond. We found out we share quite a few interests."
"It was quite enlightening." Weiss added. "Are we to assume you've settled whatever dispute you two had?"
"We did, actually." He turned to his partner with an expectant look. "Blake?"
The disguised Faunus stepped forward, approaching Weiss and bowing her head slightly. "I would like to apologize for my words when we first met. They were unnecessary and baseless."
Weiss nodded, glancing at Jaune with a small look of surprise before meeting Blake with a neutral expression. "I accept your apology. Let us endeavor to coexist peacefully during our time here at Beacon."
Blake nodded in agreement, then retreated back to his side. She sent him a look that said 'That's all you're going to get,' which made him want to sigh. He supposed this was a good start, at least.
"All right." Jaune clapped his hands together, drawing attention to himself. "Now that we dealt with all the drama, we can finally start team bonding exercises!"
"Team bonding exercises?" The girls looked between each other in confusion.
"Yep! Namely, getting to class!" He pointed at the clock, which read 8:50 AM. "We have ten minutes!"
Team AWBN's dorm descended into chaos as they rushed to prepare their learning materials. They certainly didn't want to be late to their first ever class, nor come woefully unprepared.
{ VI }
They were wrong.
"Monsters! Demons. Prowlers of the night!"
They were very, very wrong.
Professor Peter Port paced as he began his lecture. "Yes, the creatures of Grimm have many names. But I…? I merely refer to them as prey!"
Regret filled every fiber of their being as the man droned on and on about his past accomplishments and impossible tall tales, wishing they had just slept in. Even then, Weiss, ever the diligent one, tried her best to record the small bits of advice she could decipher from his drawl stories. Pyrrha had attempted to as well, at first, but even she became dreadfully bored halfway into the lesson. Blake had pretended to pay attention while sneakily reading a book.
As for Jaune?
"Zzz…"
The leader of Team AWBN was fast asleep, having lost consciousness a few minutes into the lesson. In the row above them, their sister team was fairing no better: Nora was out like a light, Yang was barely hanging on, Ruby was distracting herself with doodles, and Ren was… perfectly fine?
"Zzz…" No, he was sleeping with his eyes open.
"Jaune…" Weiss nudged him with her knee, causing him to stir. "Wake up."
He lifted his head from the desk with a quiet groan. "Is the lesson over yet?"
"No." She flicked his forehead as he made to lay his head down again. "You need to stay awake. You're our team leader. Your actions reflect on all of us."
"I already did my leaderly duties today…" He whined.
"And for that, I thank you." Weiss conceded. "But you must keep it up! It is a full-time job."
He sighed, sitting upright and rolling his shoulders back. "All right, but only 'cause it's you."
She smiled at him gratefully, turning her attention back to the lesson.
Port's gaze scanned the room intently. "… Now, do I have a volunteer for today's demonstration?"
Weiss raised her hand immediately, eager to take a break from her note-taking.
"Ah, Miss Schnee!" The teacher exclaimed with a clap of his hands. "Wonderful! Go to the locker room and change into your combat gear. Do not dally!"
"Yes, sir." She rose from her seat and winked at Jaune, who returned an amused grin.
She returned promptly in her white combat dress with Myrtenaster in hand. As she descended the steps and past her team, she paused; surprised to see them holding small purple banners with AWBN written on them.
"Wooo! Yeah Weiss, represent!" Jaune whooped.
"Go Team AWBN!" Pyrrha cheered, giggling at her leader's antics.
"Fight well." Blake said flatly as she waved the flag in her hand, eyes not leaving her book.
"Where did you even-" Jaune thumbed behind him, where Ruby waved cheerily with her desk filled with arts and crafts supplies.
"Now Weiss," Jaune sat straight up, prim and proper. "You must put on a good show. You're a member of Team AWBN. Your actions reflect on all of us." The rest of her team, including herself, giggled as he threw her words back at her.
"Don't worry, my dear leader." Weiss grinned. "I'll make sure your nap wasn't interrupted for nothing."
She continued down to the front of the class, where she only just realized it was structured as a miniature arena. At the far end of the room, Port stood patiently with his blunder-axe in hand next to a cage from which a cacophony of growls resonated. It rattled as the Grimm within thrashed about, eager to escape its confines.
"Are you ready, Miss Schnee?" The professor asked. When Weiss returned a subtle nod, having fallen into her usual stance, he raised his weapon above his head and swung down on the cage's lock. "Then let the match begin!"
The moment the cage door dropped, the Grimm—revealed to be a Boarbatusk—was already tearing its way towards Weiss. With a smirk, Weiss laid Myrtenaster's tip to the floor, creating a thin layer of ice in the Grimm's path.
The Boarbatusk quickly slipped and fell to its side, skidding towards Weiss uncontrollably. She kicked the back of her heels, raising a few inches upward as skating blades popped out from the bottom of her boots. Smirking, Weiss skated forward gracefully on the icy floor. Using her rapier as an impromptu hockey stick, she guided the flailing Boarbatusk back towards its cage, sending it flying with a swift kick.
"GOAL!" Jaune jumped to his feet screaming as the Grimm crashed into the cage. The class erupted into laughter and applause, both from Jaune's spontaneous yell and Weiss's following bow.
The boar-like Grimm, able to stand on its feet once more, snarled with rage. It curled up and began to spin in place rapidly, creating an audible 'whirring' noise as it revved up to charge. Weiss, unimpressed, waiting patiently for round two. With a squeal of anger, the Boarbatusk launched out into the fray once more. Its spinning movement tore up the ice that had impeded it the first time, sending shards flying and creating an icy mist in its wake.
With a confident grin, Weiss put her rapier's tip to the ground in front of her once more. She skated away from the Boarbatusk, moving in a large circle as it charged after her relentlessly. Activating the chambered Ice Dust once more, Weiss created a spiraling ramp upwards, leading the Grimm up it. The spiral rose high, almost to the classroom's ceiling, when Weiss jumped off backwards. Just when the Grimm was about to launch off the ramp, Weiss created a solid glyph in its path. The Boarbatusk rammed into it full force, bouncing off of it with a loud 'thud' and crashed down through the spiral.
Creating another glyph platform behind her, Weiss pushed off it and lunged for the Grimm's exposed belly as it landed on its back. Myrtenaster pierced through several vital organs and came out the back, even digging into the floor beneath. The Boarbatusk's death throes ended in a weak squeal, falling limp as it began to dissipate.
"Yeah Weiss!" Her team clapped and cheered. Team RRYN followed suit, and soon the entire class was giving her a standing ovation.
"Bravo Miss Schnee!" Professor Port praised. "Bravo! It seems we're in the presence of not just a true huntress-in-training, but a spectacular entertainer as well!"
Raising from her crouch, Weiss retracted the metal blades in her boots and bowed, smiling all the while.
{ VII }
"That was awesome, Weiss!" Ruby said giddily. "The way you used the Boarbatusk like a hockey puck was hilarious!"
"It was rather inspired." Blake agreed. "If a bit flashy."
"Hey, after a lecture like that, I don't blame her for having a bit of fun." Yang said.
"I didn't know you could skate, Weiss." Pyrrha said. "Especially so well."
"I am a woman of many talents." Weiss humbly boasted. "I prefer using Ice Dust, so I figured it would complement my skillset nicely."
"I just didn't expect you to pull out your skates so early." Jaune said, bemused. "I'd have thought you'd keep them a secret for a bit longer."
"You wanted a show," She reminded him with a cheeky smirk. "So I provided. It is no big loss. It's not as if it's a major part of my strategy."
"Oooh, Renny! We should try getting something like that!" Nora exclaimed. "Maybe we can commission some special rollerskates- NO! Rollerblades!"
"Nora," Ren sighed. "We don't even know how to skate."
"That's why no one will expect it!"
"Hey, that sounds like fun." Yang chimed in. "I wouldn't mind learning with you."
"Oh, you're the best partner ever!" Nora said giddily. "There's this roller derby rink in the city I've heard about, we should totally go there this weekend."
Yang grinned. "Sounds like a skate!"
"Ughhhhh, make it stop!" Ruby groaned, as did Ren.
"Nora's been setting up Yang's puns since we woke up this morning." Ren explained. "It's getting severely out of hand."
"Aw, Ren, don't be such a derby-downer!" Nora laughed.
"Gods…"
"Enough puns!" Ruby ordered. She pointed to Jaune's head. "I've had it up to there with them! No more!"
Teams AWBN and RRYN conversed a bit more as they made their way to the combat arenas for their next class. They were forced to part with their male members as both teams went to their respective locker rooms to get dressed in their combat gear.
"How's the team so far, Ren?" Jaune asked as he slipped on his armor. "Besides the non-stop puns."
"It's fine, if a bit… excitable." Ren replied as he checked over his weapons. "Ruby is definitely easier to be around for longer periods of time, though even she has her moments. As for Yang and Nora, well…" He visibly shivered. "It's good that they were able to become such fast friends, but their combined energy can be… overwhelming at times."
"At least you're never bored?" Jaune offered.
"Trust me, sometimes I wish I could be." He sighed tiredly. "How about yourself? What's it like to be a team leader?"
"Eh, we had a bit of a rough start," The blond admitted. "But we're okay now. Being a leader sucks though. Too much responsibility, especially with Weiss on the team."
"You seem to be doing a fine enough job."
"Thanks." He said sincerely. "I'm trying my best."
"Hey, Arc." A gruff voice interrupted them. The only other person in their year who matched Jaune's height sauntered up to them with a cocky grin on his face. He was much bulkier than Jaune, with brown hair and indigo eyes. "Your little girlfriend put up a nice show in Port's class. A shame her talent is wasted on you."
Ren's eyes narrowed at the newcomer. He looked to Jaune, curious what his response would be, only to find him fixated on the boy's breastplate: A golden bird with its wings spread open. "You're a Winchester…" the blond murmured.
The brown-haired teen cackled. "Ha! Good to see you recognize the crest of your betters." He leaned in, bumping chests with Jaune. "I am Cardin Winchester, son of Hawke and grandson of Robin, scion of the Winchester family. You better pray to Oum that we're not matched together, because I will repay every ounce of humiliation your family heaped upon mine with interest."
"You have only yourselves to blame for your disgrace." Jaune returned, his voice low and dangerous.
Cardin growled furiously. "Your piece of shit grandfather betrayed our kind to those lowly animals for a romp with a filthy beast! All because no other human woman would have him!"
"Get out of my face." Jaune leveled a steely eyed glare directly into Cardin's soul.
The Winchester scion flinched back for a moment before smirking. He hefted a large, menacing mace over his shoulder, showing off his strength. "It looks like I touched a nerve. Does the Schnee know you're a half-breed freak?"
Jaune palmed the hilt of Crocea Mors, fingers clenching hard enough to turn his knuckles white. He took a threatening step forward, teeth grit and bared as a snarl escaped him.
Cardin chuckled. "You even act like an animal, braying at me like that!"
"Enough." Ren stated, stepping between them. He glared at the taller teen with a cold fury. "If you want to settle whatever problems you have, do it in the ring. Let your skill be your evidence, not some playground taunts."
The leader of Team CRDL scoffed but relented, turning his back on them as he left the locker room. Jaune's eyes watched him intensely until he was out of sight before he angrily slammed his locker shut. Ren placed a placating hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Jaune, are you okay?" He asked with visible concern.
The Arc scion let out a deep, frustrated sigh. "I'm fine. I just hadn't expected to meet a Winchester here."
Ren looked back to the locker room exit. "What was that?" he muttered curiously.
There was a brief moment of silence as Jaune stared angrily at his locker, leaning his forehead against it to cool his hot head. They heard the ring of the bell, signaling class was starting. He turned on his heel, carrying his helmet underarm and refusing to look at Ren. "I'll tell you about it later. Come on, we're gonna be late."
Ren followed Jaune with a worried expression, but did not press the issue. They reunited with their teams just as their teacher, Glynda Goodwitch, strutted to the center of the arena. The way she held herself silently called everyone to attention, with naught a single murmur to be heard. Her heels clacked audibly with each and every step, a quiet measure of how focused everyone seemed to be. She turned to face them all, the air of authority around her permeating throughout the entire room as her jade-green eyes seemed to hold their collective gazes with ease.
"Welcome students," she began, her voice booming clearly across the silence. "To the first day of combat class. The majority of our time here will be spent sparring with one another in one-on-one, two-on-two, and team-on-team battles to demonstrate your martial prowess and tactical and strategic thinking. My goal here as your instructor is to observe your combat capabilities and offer advice on how to improve, as well as to explain why certain actions failed or succeeded.
"Ordinarily, we would be rotating each combatant so that everyone will eventually have an opportunity in the ring. Everyone is expected to fight at least one battle here every week, though not multiple times in the same day. However, since it is the first day of classes, only the leaders of each team shall be competing today."
Her eyes narrowed as the presence she commanded became almost stifling. "That said, there are certain rules that must be adhered to. When your opponent surrenders, is below the acceptable Aura threshold, or I call for the match to stop, you will immediately lay down your arms. Failure to do so will result in swift and severe punishment. Additionally, these spars are meant to be a showcase of your skill as well as that of your opponent's. You will treat each other with respect and treat each bout as a serious contest of skill, or there will be drastic consequences. Am I understood?"
The entire room echoed with a near instantaneous, "Yes, Professor Goodwitch!"
Nodding in satisfaction, she drew up her scroll. A large holographic screen appeared behind her with two blank portraits on either side. She pressed a button, causing both portraits to spin rapidly, faces flickering past randomly. "This time around, the combatants will be selected via a roulette system. Our first bout will be between…" The leftmost portrait spun to a stop, revealing golden blond hair and royal blue eyes.
"Jaune Arc of Team Aubergine, and…"
The rightmost portrait slowed to a crawl. Jaune rose from his seat, fists clenched as the portrait changed to Cardin's…
Then stopped on a familiar face.
"Ruby Rose of Team Rubine."
Wide silver eyes stared into him, sparkling with anticipation.
A/N: Fingers crossed they the story doesn't go poof cuz of the lemon at the beginning XD.
Hope you guys enjoyed. See you next time!