White Knight Errant
A RWBY fanfic by Andrew Joshua Talon
DISCLAIMER: This is a fan based work of prose. RWBY is the property of Rooster Teeth and WB Animation. Please support the official release.
The trip back to Beacon was relatively short and easy... But Jaune's stomach did not care. He staggered out of the Bullhead first, and stuffed his head into the first trashcan he spied. Any food he might have had left in his stomach went right into the trash. He felt a strong arm wrap around him, holding him up. He took deep, slow breaths.
"It's all right, it's all right," the person murmured.
Jaune pulled his head up. JNPR was looking at him in concern, and half of RWBY. The other half... He glanced over at Yang, who was holding him tightly. Ruby was hovering nearby.
"We've got him," Yang said, "Go on. Go grab breakfast. We'll catch up."
"Are you sure?" Pyrrha asked, her eyes fixed on Jaune. Jaune shook his head, and waved his hand weakly.
"I'm sure... It's fine," he said. "Go on. I can't even think about food right now."
Pyrrha hesitated. She locked eyes with Yang and Ruby for a time. As though some kind of understanding came between them, Pyrrha smiled (albeit a bit tensely) and turned to head off. Blake's stare also lingered. Weiss was already hurrying up to catch Neptune, who was trailing behind the rest of Team SSSN, Penny, and Glynda Goodwitch. Nora grinned and gave Jaune a thumbs up, while Ren had an almost pitying look on his face as he turned and headed off.
"Haa... Geez," Jaune muttered. Yang helped him over to a nearby bench. Ruby sat on the other side of him. She worried her lower lip as he got himself back together.
"H-Hey, Jaune?" She asked.
"Yeah Rubes?"
Ruby smiled, and hugged him tightly. She drove her head into his chest, and nuzzled him.
"Thank you," she said softly, looking up into his eyes. Jaune blinked.
"For... For what?" He managed.
"I thought I was going to fail, I thought I was going to lose everything, but..." She smiled at him warmly. "But I didn't. I... I'm able to be a team leader. And a lot of it is because of you."
"It's mostly you, Rubes," Jaune said, reaching up to rub her head. She sighed happily. "I just... I just helped a little."
"S-Still... Thank you," she said. She looked at Yang intently. Yang smiled, and winked. Ruby beamed... Then stole a kiss from Jaune's cheek.
"Thanks!" She zipped off with her Semblance, vanishing in a cloud of rose petals. Jaune watched her go, all the way through the central park of Beacon and up to the door. He turned and smiled at Yang, who tightened her grip on his waist.
"So uh," Jaune said, "What... What did you want to talk about?"
"That obvious, huh?" Yang asked. Jaune nodded.
"Kind of."
"First, here," she said, pulling out mouthwash from her belt pouch. Jaune took it, and raised an eyebrow at Yang. She smiled shyly.
"Hey! It keeps you nice and fresh!"
"Thanks," Jaune said, sipping it and gargling noisily. He spat it out on the other side of the bench, out of Yang's sight. He turned back to her.
"So...?"
"So," Yang began, "Well... Thank you. For getting Blake back."
Jaune shook his head.
"I didn't really-"
"You did," Yang said firmly. "Her looks at you? They say a lot. You also went toe to toe with a monster for us... For me..." She beamed. "That... That means everything."
"You got loose-"
"With your help," Yang said softly. "I'm... I'm not used to being saved. I don't resent you doing it or-or anything, it's just... It hasn't happened to me a lot."
Jaune slowly nodded again, blushing at her proximity.
"Yang... I-I meant it. I will never leave you. Not if I can help it," he said softly, "I'll never abandon you. Not ever."
Yang nodded.
"I know... And uh, well..."
Jaune leaned in.
"What?" He whispered.
Their lips were mere inches apart. He traced the faint freckles on her cheeks with his eyes, the swell of her lips as she licked them. The details of her lilac-colored eyes.
"I uh... You mean a lot to me," she murmured, "To me... And-And Ruby. And I want..."
"Yes?" Jaune asked.
"I-I want us to be... Closer," she managed, her eyes darting to the side. She coughed.
"I know, that that's uh... I mean it's kind of lame, I just..." She turned her eyes back to his. Jaune gulped.
His heart was racing. His face was red.
"I just... I don't want to imagine life without you," Yang murmured, "I-I want us to do things together. To be close. To be..."
He could feel her breath washing over his face. He licked his own lips.
"Y-Yeah...?"
Yang's face went bright red.
"I... I..." She turned away. "Fucking damnit!" She cursed.
"What? What is it?" Jaune asked, alarmed. "Yang?"
"I just..." She closed her eyes and scooted away. "I can't say it."
"Say what?"
"It..." Yang sighed in frustration.
Jaune felt he was missing a lot. Sure, certain possibilities arose. Certain romantic possibilities. After Pyrrha's behavior, it was hard not to think about those kinds of things. But with Yang...?
No... No. It can't be... I'm not going to... Shit…
His arms wrapped around her in a hug. She started, and looked into his eyes again.
"Whatever it is," Jaune said quietly, "You say it when you're ready, okay?"
Yang stared at him for a while in silence. She then smiled. His heart pounded in his chest.
Shit shit shit... This is the part where we kiss, right? Do I want to kiss her? Does she want to kiss me?! What about Pyrrha?! His brain shouted. WHY WOULD SHE WANT TO KISS ME?! WHY WOULD THEY?! No, no, it's fine, it's fine, she doesn't want me to kiss her-
She leaned in and pressed her lips against his. His eyes went wide.
She's kissing me. SHE'S KISSING ME?!
It was a peck. Light, warm, and short. She pulled back, her entire face as red as his felt.
She kissed me?!
"S-So," Yang managed, "Uh... I-I mean..."
Jaune opened his mouth. Nothing came out.
Come on mouth, you're ruining everything for me! Say something! ANYTHING!
"I-I just... If... If you're fine with... With hanging out," she said quietly, "Having fun... Together...?"
Jaune slowly nodded.
"I... I would like that-"
"It's not dating," Yang said quickly. Jaune blinked.
"Huh...?"
"It-It's just two friends, who are very close, going out and having fun and-and it's nothing serious!" Yang said quickly. "Nothing to freak out about or-or run from! That... That was... Y-Ya know, just making sure the mouthwash worked!"
... Huh? Jaune's brain managed.
"S-So! Uh... You cool with that? Friends? Just... Doing friend stuff?" Yang asked, almost pleading with him.
... Shit... Did... Did I just get friendzoned? He thought.
"For Ruby's sake?" Yang pleaded again.
Jaune managed to pull together the wherewithal to nod, stunned.
"S-Sure," he said.
"And uh... If anything changes," she said. She trailed off, again with that pleading look.
"... It will change," Jaune managed. Yang sighed in relief... And hugged him tightly.
"And we'll face it together... Right?" She murmured.
Jaune nodded.
"Always," he said.
Yang beamed. She stood up, pulling away slowly.
"So... You good?" She asked.
"I'll uh... I just need a minute," he said. "Save some food for me?"
Yang laughed.
"Don't worry. I'll get you some flapjacks. Keep your stomach from doing flipflops, huh?"
Jaune actually managed a laugh.
"Holy crap that was awful," he chuckled.
"Still made you laugh," Yang shot back. Jaune beamed.
"Yeah... You always do."
She hesitated for a bit longer... Before turning and walking back towards Beacon. Jaune watched her go, his face all smiles. As she vanished into the school proper... He held the sides of his head with a groan.
"What the hell was that?" He muttered.
Unbidden, a mental Gato clucked his tongue in disappointment.
The senorita has made her intentions clear, Juan.
OH LIKE FUCK SHE HAS! Jaune mentally shouted.
Breakfast had been more than a little awkward, and Yang was glad to be done with it. She'd sat far away from Jaune, sticking close to Sun, Blake and Ruby. Blake had looked almost as awkward, but Sun had done his best to lighten everything up. Ruby looked concerned and tried to probe her in her not-so-subtle way. When that failed, she headed off to the other table to talk with Jaune.
Not that that was easy, given how his team clustered around him. Especially Pyrrha.
The whole time she had to watch Pyrrha hanging all over Jaune, who shot her concerned and confused glances and tolerated the champion's attentions.
Not that Yang cared. Nosiree bob, not her. She wasn't concerned, not at all. That fork was bent for other reasons.
When they were done, she got up and intended to go and sleep forever... But Goodwitch was standing in the way.
"Time for the Team Leaders to do their paperwork," she stated. "Teams included."
"Huh?" Yang asked, "But the Team Leaders-"
"The Team Leaders will need all the help they can get," Glynda stated, her tone promising pain. Much groaning ensued. Yang saw Jaune trying to catch her eye, his face so concerned... Shit...
She managed to keep Team SSSN between herself and JNPR as they headed out first. Jaune was getting the evil eye something fierce from Goodwitch. That was categorically unfair, Yang thought: It was hardly his fault Blake roped him into thwarting international terrorists. Mostly.
Team RWBY followed the others. Goodwitch went on ahead, her glare promising pain for any who tried to escape. They made their way through Beacon, to the meeting rooms. Goodwitch then turned the final corner to where they would be imprisoned... And Ruby grabbed Yang's shoulder.
"We'll catch up, stall," Ruby said.
"Of course!" Weiss giggled, still enraptured with Neptune.
Blake nodded silently. They both vanished around the corner, and Ruby looked up into her big sister's eyes.
"Yang... What happened?" Ruby asked. "I mean, you and Jaune... I asked him and he said that you just wanted to be-To be friends!"
Yang coughed, and looked aside.
"I-I mean... Wouldn't that be better? For you?" Yang asked, laughing nervously, "I-I'm not gonna leave you Yanging, Ruby! You should-You should take your shot! You-"
"Yang!" Ruby scowled, "Why are you lying to me?"
Yang stared Ruby down.
"I'm not lying-"
"You totally are!" Ruby insisted. "I always know when you're lying! I-I mean, about important stuff! Not like who ate all the cookie dough!"
Yang smiled thinly.
"I guess I'm a roller pinhead about that, huh? Heheh..."
Ruby stared intensely, gripping Yang's elbows.
"Yang! We had a plan!" She whined. "I know I can't catch Jaune's eye! But you can! So why aren't you?"
"W-Well... Uh..."
"You're super experienced with guys!" Ruby insisted, nodding her head up and down like an excited bird, "You were always the most popular girl in school! You were always the one everyone liked-!"
"I... May have exaggerated things a bit," Yang coughed, looking to the sides for any means of escape. Goodwitch showing up would actually be nice right now.
Ruby kept moving with her gaze, staying in the line of sight. She couldn't escape her.
"How much? I-I mean, you've... Gone all the way, right? Carbo in Signal used to brag you did that!"
Yang's eyes flashed red.
"I'm paying Carbo a beating when I see him next," Yang growled. She noticed Ruby's concerned look, and shook her head.
"No Ruby, I haven't. I've never gone all the way with anyone."
"Oh..." Ruby's eyes widened. "Ohhh..." Her pupils shrank.
"Ohhhh... B-But... Uh... I mean... You've kissed, right?"
"Yes," Yang said with a nod.
"A lot?"
Yang sucked in a heavy breath.
"... A few times," she admitted.
"You did kiss Jaune, right?"
"Uh, sure! Sort of."
"What do you mean, 'sort of'?" Ruby asked in disbelief.
"I...Well-"
"Why?!" Ruby demanded. "I-I mean... I know it's a lot to ask since you don't like him like that, I know I'm asking a lot-"
Yang turned to her little sister and hugged her. She felt her breath come less steadily, but still she filled her lungs and looked Ruby right in her silver eyes.
"You're not asking a lot, Ruby," Yang whispered, "That's the problem. If I... If I get close with Jaune? ... I don't think I can let him go."
Ruby stared up at Yang. A lot of emotions passed over her face-Confusion, then shock, some anger, then sorrowful disbelief. Yang's heart hurt at every one.
"You-You mean... You really like him?" Ruby whispered back. Yang managed a slow nod.
"Y-Yeah..."
"Like... How much?" Ruby asked.
Yang closed her eyes and let out her breath as a hiss before she answered.
"Like... I'm thinking of baby names like him," Yang admitted. Ruby stared. She bit her lower lip.
"I-I know... I know, I'm sorry," Yang murmured, head bowing in her shame. "I just... I didn't think he could do it for me but he does. All right? I don't know how to do this, it's all mostly... Mostly bluff. It's easy with a guy I just want to have fun with, but with a guy I... I really care about? One you care about?"
She shook her head.
"I-I won't stand in your way, Ruby. I'll help you get him-"
Ruby shook her head. A determined look emerged in her silver eyes as she looked right into Yang's.
"No... No Yang," she said firmly, "No. We're not doing that."
Yang blinked.
"I... We're not-?"
"As team leader," Ruby said, pulling away slightly, "I have to look out for my team, right?"
Yang nodded slowly.
"Yes? I mean, I guess?"
"And," Ruby continued, "I managed to get Weiss to agree to talk to Blake. And we're a team again."
Yang blinked again, raising an eyebrow at her little sister.
"Uh... Yes?"
"That was a 'command decision'," Ruby said, and Yang could picture the quotation marks she put around those words, "Those are tough. So... I'm making another one."
Yang slowly nodded, now getting a little irritated.
"Okay, and that is...?"
Ruby smiled.
"A strategic one," she said, "We'll both go after Jaune!"
Yang's jaw dropped, and she tilted her head. She kept staring at her softly smiling sister, waiting for a punchline. Praying for a punchline.
"What?!"
Ruby nodded.
"If neither of us try... We lose Jaune to Pyrrha," she stated, "Or some other girl! If we both work to do it, one of us has to get him! And... And I mean, it would suck if you got him but..."
Ruby's eyes shone.
"We'd be a family. A proper family! Isn't... Isn't that what we both want, Yang?"
Yang stared in amazement at her little sister. She was deeply touched.
"I..." She nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, it is."
Ruby beamed.
"So... We fight fair, and we get him. One of us does? We... We don't hate the other. Ever."
"Never," Yang said with a beam. It was... Strange, but she could see Ruby's reasoning. Still, it was amazing how far she'd come since coming to Beacon.
"You're really growing up," Yang said, a proud smile on her face. Ruby giggled.
"Not too fast though!" She beamed.
They shared a comfortable silence and hug.
"And uh..." Ruby blushed, looking aside, "If we... Have to... Two girls can't be beat, right?"
"... In what sense?"
Ruby blushed heavily.
"W-Well... If it came down to it... We could... Both be his girlfriends?"
Yang's eyes went wide.
"What?!"
"Well that's what Blake's books say!" Ruby insisted.
"BLAKE SHOWED YOU WHAT?!"
Yang's Scroll buzzed. She pulled it out and gaped at a message from Blake:
They're not even the hardcore stuff. And hurry up. Goodwitch is getting impatient.
"How-?!"
I have very good hearing and you're loud.
Yang grit her teeth as her eyes flashed red.
"I've been too lenient on her," Yang growled.
"Forget it!" Ruby insisted, grabbing Yang's hands, "Come on Yang!"
"But-But-!"
"Later!"
They were gathered in a meeting room, around one long desk. It was the same room that Jaune and Ruby had come to after they were first selected as team leaders, decorated in the same white walls and wood trim and paneling as pretty much everywhere else. Right now though, it felt like a prison to Jaune. One meant to crush and break their very spirits.
The piles of paperwork now littering the tables before them were the means for their destruction.
He held up one of the forms in utter exasperation, staring at Goodwitch in complete disbelief.
"I'm sorry... How am I supposed to fill this one out, Professor?"
"It's very simple," Goodwitch stated, with infinite patience, "That is a Form 177TT: When a Huntsman-In-Training strikes something or someone with a bladed weapon."
"But it...!" Jaune waved the form. "It's asking me if I A: Cleaved the Target, B: Hewed the target, or C: Hacked the target!"
"Yes... And your question is?" Goodwitch asked.
"What the hell is the difference between those three?!" Jaune demanded.
"It's very simple, Mister Arc," Goodwitch said, her eyes shining even as the rest of her face remained professional and stoic, "To cleave a target is to cut them along the grain, a natural line of cutting. To hew a target is to cut them into a new shape deliberately. To hack them is to strike rapidly and irregularly, without forethought."
Jaune stared at her in a moment of silence.
"That's bullshit."
"I assure you, it is not," Goodwitch said, her lips twitching suspiciously.
Jaune groaned and slammed his face into the pile of paperwork before him. Pyrrha patted him on the shoulder.
"I can't even figure out what the hell this form is supposed to mean!" Sun groaned, holding one form up to the light. "These aren't words!"
Silently, Sage reached up, took the form, and turned it right-side up. Sun coughed.
"I uh... I knew that," he muttered.
"Of course," Sage nodded.
Scarlet and Neptune began coughing into their fists suspiciously. Nora nodded.
"I have trouble reading things upside-down too," Nora said. She held up a sheet of paper folded via origami into some kind of shape. "Look! I made a squirrel!"
"A crane, Nora," Ren said gently, filling out another form with his beautiful handwriting. Jaune found it in himself not to hate Ren for that.
"It looks like a squirrel to me," Nora pouted.
Weiss was sitting next to Neptune and dreamily filling out her paperwork. Blake was on the other side of the table across from Sun, and smiled softly in sympathy.
Ruby and Yang ran into the room, Ruby leading with a bright, nervous smile.
"S-Sorry for being late, Professor!" Ruby said cheerfully. Goodwitch glared.
"I trust whatever you needed to resolve is resolved?"
"Yes ma'am!" Ruby said. Yang nodded, grinning a bit nervously.
"Yep. Just some family matters."
"Good," Goodwitch said with a nod, "I have other things to do, but will be checking in on you periodically. In addition, my assistant will be by to help as well. Do not leave until you have finished all the paperwork."
She strode out of the room, Neptune watching her go.
"She can be a bit unfair, but she's an amazing teacher," Weiss gushed, "Don't you think Neptune?"
"Oh yeah, absolutely," Neptune nodded, his eyes below Goodwitch's waistline.
Ruby pulled up a chair next to Jaune... Then pushed Yang to sit in it. She then took the chair next to Yang, and pulled up her paperwork. She sighed as she looked it over, but brightened when she looked over at Jaune.
"So, how's it going?"
"I think I need a law or English degree to figure some of this shit out," Jaune opined. "At least hospital paperwork wasn't designed by a sadist."
Ruby nodded. She elbowed Yang. The two sisters seemed to communicate silently for a bit, before Yang sighed and nodded. She turned back to Jaune, smiling without nearly as much enthusiasm or cockiness. It was reserved... Almost cute.
No, no, don't go there, Jaune thought, She wants to be friends... I think...?
"Jaune," Yang said quietly, "I'm... I talked with Ruby. And... And I want to go on a date with you."
The room went quiet. Jaune looked at her. Yang flushed.
"I'm sorry. I was scared before, I... I mean an actual date. With romance."
"And the possibility of kissing!" Ruby added with a smile. Yang elbowed Ruby. She looked into his eyes.
"Is... Is that okay?" She asked quietly.
Okay... So... She unfriendzoned me... She was scared for Ruby... They talked... Well, I mean, this isn't a problem but-
Pyrrha leaned forward and shot the most terrifying smile at Yang Jaune had ever seen her make.
"Sorry, he's taking ME out on a date," Pyrrha stated. Yang's eyes flashed red.
"You didn't ask him!"
"He'll say yes!" Pyrrha growled, grabbing his arm and yanking him closer to her.
"ACK!"
Yang grabbed Jaune's free arm and yanked him back towards her, his chair's squeaky wheels screeching.
"Let him answer first, P-Money!"
Pyrrha was shaken and blushed. In a far more normal tone, she asked:
"Jaune? I'm sorry for my overreaction, wouldn't you like to go on a date with me? Instead? Please?"
That would have been sweet and all... If she wasn't still using him for a tug-of-war.
"HEY!" Ruby cried, joining her sister and tugging him back, "He can go on a date with both of us! Two dates! Beat that!"
WHAT?! Jaune thought in shock.
"What?! You too?!" Pyrrha gasped. Ruby smirked.
"Yeah! You can't beat us both!"
"Watch me," Pyrrha growled, her slasher smile wide.
Weiss, gaping at this entire exchange, finally spoke.
"ARC! You did it! You finally did it!" She cried angrily, "You-You scoundrel! You barbarian! You drove half my teammates crazy!"
"I didn't-HOLD IT!" Jaune shouted, standing up and extricating himself from the three girls, "Hold it! All right? Just...!"
"S-Sorry Jaune!" Pyrrha cried, blushing, "I-I just had a moment-I lost control..."
"I uh, I might have gone a little overboard too," Yang said, waving her hands.
"We don't want you to think we're crazy!" Ruby said cheerfully.
"Yes, I'm certainly not planning on beating you all to death with your own weapons!" Pyrrha said, still polite and kind as ever.
"And we're back to violence being on the table," Yang said, her eyes glowing red.
"Was it ever off?" Ruby asked.
Jaune found himself praying to the Gods for some kind of salvation.
"Mister Arc! Miss Nikos! Miss Rose! Miss Xiao-Long!"
Everyone jumped when Glynda Goodwitch leaned into the room, glaring.
Oh shit, they were listening?! Jaune thought.
"Yes ma'am?" Jaune managed.
"I expect you to resolve your romantic issues like adults," she stated firmly, "You're Hunters, not children. Act like it!"
Jaune looked at the blushing girls around him... And sucked in a deep breath.
Okay... Well... Now what, Team Leader?
You have three lovely ladies who want you to take them on dates? Oh no. What a tragic life you lead. Take them you fool! His Inner Gato voice shouted.
I can't date three women at once! Jaune protested.
They already know, boy! If any of them have a problem with it, then cross that bridge when it happens, his Inner Gato said.
But won't it cause problems?!
His inner Gato sounded even more sarcastic, just like he always had when Jaune was being stupid.
What, like being pulled apart like a wishbone? You already have problems! Move forward! Face different problems! Perhaps in doing so it will solve a few!
Jaune took a deep breath. He pointed to Yang.
"Yang... You asked first, so yeah. Let's go on a date." he had to admit, seeing her light up in joy and triumph did some amazing things to his heart. He then turned to Pyrrha, just as her face fell (and boy didn't that do other things to his heart? Horrible, painful things).
"After that? Pyrrha? You're next. Just… Let's take it easy, and see what happens, okay?"
Pyrrha's face flitted through several emotions before settling on a determined excitement that worried Jaune slightly. Her blushing grin didn't help in that regard.
"N-No... You're right, that's perfectly fine," Pyrrha said with a beam.
Jaune turned to Ruby.
"And... After that? You and I can have a date," he said, "All right, Ruby?"
Ruby nodded with a bright smile and a wink.
"Yay! A big romantic date, with kissing and dinner and-"
"Let's start with dinner and see where things take us?" Jaune said quickly.
Ruby paused, then shrugged. "I hope it takes us to kissing."
Jaune sighed. "Perhaps. Is that okay? Everyone good now?"
The girls eyed each other, mostly the sisters eyeing Pyrrha and vice versa, Jaune noticed, but they all nodded.
He turned to Glynda.
"I think things are resolved, Miss Goodwitch."
"Hmm. I agree," Goodwitch said, her lips twitching again. "Ah! Simin!"
The tall, redheaded leader of Team SLVR appeared, wearing his reading glasses. He smiled cordially at the first years.
"I'll be helping you all take care of your paperwork," he said, "Shall we begin?"
The upperclassman walked in and took charge. The paperwork went a lot more smoothly after that, as Simin was very patient and understanding. Jaune focused on his work, though it was hard not to feel everyone's eyes on him.
Nora grinned and gave a big thumbs up. Ren looked faintly amused. Sun was giving him a thumbs up when he thought Blake wasn't looking. Sage was stoic. Scarlet couldn't stop laughing into his fist every time he looked up at him. Blake stared intensely at him, blushing every so often. Weiss glared in contempt, while Neptune glared in envy. Weiss glanced at her new boyfriend and patted him on the hand.
"Oh, don't you mind him, Neptune. You're nothing like that scoundrel!"
"No, no I'm not," Neptune grumbled.
Oh sure buddy, envy me, Jaune thought, See how well that works out for you!
Still... The smiles on the faces of the three women (who he wasn't related to) he cared about most in the world did make him feel a bit happier. Though his low self esteem and his trauma kept fighting him, he was able to maintain a bit of peaceful clarity.
Sort of.
Holy shit I'm really doing this, Jaune thought to himself. Three actual dates.
He saw their smiling faces... And the dark looks they bore for one another. Though not so dark between Yang and Ruby. Jaune mentally sighed.
Fuck... Yeah, I am doing this... I'm not worthy. Don't know why they're trying, but... Fuck it. I'll take this on... And keep them happy.
Somehow…
Wait. Do I have to plan three dates?
Shit!
The rest of the morning and afternoon was spent just doing paperwork. They were allowed bathroom breaks and even lunch and dinner, but it was still a grueling, arduous process. Jaune was half-convinced Goodwitch threw in some of her own paperwork for them to do as additional punishment.
What, like she had never blown up a dockyard when she was young?
Simin Megister was a big help, but Weiss kept monopolizing him with eager questions about Dust research. Seems that despite Neptune's request, she still had plans for the teaching assistant.
Well, that was all on her. Not Jaune's problem.
Though he did enjoy Neptune's scowls at the handsome young professor. The guy just kind of seemed to ask for it, in Jaune's humble opinion.
After all, if Weiss was one of Jaune's sisters, he would have given Neptune the shovel and shotgun talk by now.
Given how he kept eyeing him in envy, he might still do it.
Still, by sunset, they were done. Jaune finished the last sheet of paperwork with a soft sigh, and set it into the right file amidst dozens of files stacked neatly upon the table. He rubbed his wrist, and hit some pressure points to relieve the soreness.
"Oooh," Ruby groaned, "I think my hand is gonna fall off... Jaune?"
She held out her hand to him. Out of instinct, Jaune took her smaller hand in his and pushed on some pressure points, warming his fingers with a flash of Aura. Ruby sighed happily.
"Thanks Jaune!" She said cheerfully, leaping up to hug and kiss him on the cheek. Yang and Pyrrha's eyes could have bored holes in the little reaper, but she smirked at them without any care. Jaune sighed, and lightly bonked her.
"Ow! Jauuuune," Ruby whined.
"Don't be smug," Jaune scolded her, "You're a team leader, remember?"
Ruby smiled gently.
"I am," she said, with a strange look in her eyes. "Come on! Let's go!" She locked onto Weiss. "Weissy!"
"In a moment," Weiss insisted, her Scroll out with Neptune, "There, that's my number, add it in!"
"Of course, Snow Angel," Neptune said with a grin and a wink, "Can't wait to while away the hours to your voice."
"Oh! Oh, uh, I-I have performed several concerts!" Weiss said, bright red, as she fumbled with her Scroll, "I-I would love to share them with you-!"
Goodwitch cleared her throat.
"You can all handle that later, I believe," she said, "Mister Wukong? Kindly take your team back to your hotel, you're not allowed on campus yet."
"Yes ma'am," Sun said. He grinned and waved at Blake. "Later Princess!"
"Sun," Blake said with a nod and a soft look.
Sun saluted, and pulled Neptune away. Scarlet and Sage followed as Neptune waved at Weiss.
"Can't wait to see you again, Snow Angel!" He cried with a grin.
"I-I look forward to our date, Neptune!" Weiss cried back with a sappy smile. Ruby made a face, as did Yang. Blake grimaced.
"If you're all quite finished," Goodwitch said, "All of you out... Except for Mister Arc and Miss Belladonna."
Pyrrha and Yang looked concerned, as did Ruby. Ren stared at Jaune, and gestured outside. Jaune smiled and shook his head.
"I'm good. Go rest guys. You've earned it."
Ruby looked to Blake.
Blake shook her head.
"I'm not going anywhere," she said softly. Ruby grinned, and gave Blake a quick hug. Something the catgirl tolerated, for once. Then Ruby was dragging the lovesick Weiss and concerned Yang off. Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora headed out as well, Nora smiling a bit nervously at Jaune while Pyrrha gave him a gentle look.
"Miss Goodwitch," Simin said quietly, "The meeting is soon. Do you want me to wait for you?"
"No," Goodwitch said, "Go on ahead. I'll join you shortly."
Simin nodded, smiled at the students encouragingly, and headed out. He shut the doors behind him. Goodwitch shook her head slowly.
"Miss Belladonna," she said quietly, "Your entry into Beacon was... Shall we say... Unconventional. But the headmaster has assured me you have changed your ways. I expect you to live up to the trust he has shown you."
Blake nodded.
"I will. I-I promise," she said quietly.
Goodwitch then summoned a Scroll from seemingly nowhere, and handed it to Blake.
"A direct link to Kuo Kuana's chieftain's residence," she said quietly.
Blake slowly nodded, holding the Scroll as though unsure of what to do with it.
Goodwitch turned her formidable stare onto Jaune, who did his best to look her in the eyes.
"Mister Arc," she said, "You too have an... Unusual background. For instance... That Aura blade technique. Why have you never demonstrated it in class?"
Jaune held back a laugh.
"Because I can't really control it," he said with a shrug, "I mean, I'm not busting out a lethal technique for combat class."
Goodwitch nodded slowly.
"A wise decision," she said, "However, you should have shown what you could do sooner. That you can do it at all indicates you have great potential, but it must be trained to be useful for anything other than a last resort. We will work on it with you. I expect you to put in your all, understood?"
Jaune nodded.
"Yes ma'am," he said.
Goodwitch waved her riding crop, and the doors opened up behind them.
"Get some rest," she said quietly, "Finals are coming up, after all."
Blake and Jaune thanked her, and headed out quietly. They walked together in silence for a time, the nighttime sounds of the Academy soft and quiet. At length, they approached their dorms. Blake stopped, and so did Jaune. He looked over at her in concern. She sucked in a deep breath.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly, "If it wasn't for you... Sun and his team might be dead, and I might be..." She slowly shook her head. "I... You didn't have to go with us-"
"I did," Jaune said, just as quietly, "I wasn't going to let people get hurt or worse if I could go with them."
"Even... Even after everything I've done?" Blake asked.
Jaune nodded.
"Yeah," he said, "Because well... It's what my parents would have done. It's what Gato would have done."
Blake closed her eyes. She was fighting a lot of emotions. She sucked in a breath, and stepped up close to him. He instinctively backed up, confused and a little anxious.
"Uh, Blake?"
"Jaune, I..." She stared into his eyes intently. She even smiled. It was a pretty smile indeed.
"Uh... H-Hey," Jaune managed, nervously laughing, "You're uh... Not going to ask me out on a date too, right?"
Blake was silent.
"What if I was?"
Jaune's jaw dropped as Blake set a hand on his chest.
What the fuck?! HER TOO?! OH GODS I AM AN OBLIVIOUS HAREM LEAD-!
Blake's smile became coy. She pulled back, just a little.
"I don't think I'm up for romance right now," she said, "My last one was..."
She shook her head as she trailed off. He saw a lot of hurt in those eyes. He nodded slowly.
"Yeah... I get it," he murmured softly.
Blake smiled again.
"But with friends like you? Maybe... One day... I'll be able to again."
She winked.
"Maybe even with you. I have read a great deal about harems. It might be fun."
Jaune scowled at her, crossing his arms over his armored chest.
"Not funny."
Blake again smiled mysteriously. She stood up on tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
"Maybe it wasn't a joke," she whispered in his ear. Jaune gaped at her as she continued her smile. She turned away and headed for the door to RWBY's dorm.
"Goodnight, Jaune," she said, "And thank you again."
"Just... Thank me by calling your parents already," Jaune sighed, shaking his head, "You crazy catgirl."
Blake's smile became sad, but she nodded.
"I will."
She opened the door, slipped in like a shadow, then shut the door behind her. Jaune stared at the wood paneling for a while, and then rubbed his face with a soft groan.
"I swear, it's a conspiracy. They're all trying to drive. Me. Crazy," he muttered.
He was just about to go into his own dormroom, when his Scroll rang. He looked at the number but didn't recognize it. He shrugged and answered.
"Arc speaking."
"Mister Arc," an unfortunately familiar voice filled his ear. Jaune grit his teeth, but forced his voice to stay calm.
"Mrs. Nikos."
"I'll get straight to the point: How much do you want?"
Jaune blinked. He opened his mouth.
"Huh?!"
"How much do you want to stay away from my daughter?" Athena Nikos asked, "What will it take you to leave her alone? To convince her to come back to me?"
"I didn't convince her of anything the first time," Jaune said harshly. Athena snorted.
"You're telling me my loyal, obedient, good daughter just decided to embarrass us both in public? To break with me? To threaten legal action if I didn't back off? You had nothing to do with that?"
"Well, I mean, sort of, but I didn't tell her to do any of that," Jaune insisted.
"You're lying," Athena sneered, "You're a skilled manipulator, I'll give you that! But I know you're lying! How much will it take for you to leave her alone? To stop playing this game?"
Jaune's patience at long last ran out.
"Look lady, I don't know what the hell you think is going on, but Pyrrha is my friend and I care about her," he growled, "And the hour you spent grilling me and my friends showed me just WHY she's so socially awkward! She was absolutely terrified of you! I don't know what kind of hell you put her through, but I'm glad she finally realized she'd had enough! If my friends and I helped her do that, then good!"
"You don't get to talk to me like that-!"
"Well maybe someone should have!" Jaune shot back. "Despite how weird she can be, she grew up into a good, heroic, kindhearted person! One I'm proud to fight alongside! And I'm not going to forsake her! I'd die before I would ever let her come to any harm! And that includes being with you!"
Dead silence. Then...
"I'm going to make you regret this, Arc," Athena seethed, "You're going to give my daughter back!"
"And if you were an actual mother, you wouldn't have to make threats to get her back!" Jaune shot back. He ended the call, and blocked the number. He took deep breaths to calm himself down.
Geez... No matter how things with Pyrrha turned out, he was never letting her mother get her claws back into her. No one deserved that!
He sighed. He then turned to look out at the stars, and thought for a while, continuing to calm himself.
He then pulled out his Scroll, and tapped out a message.
Dear Mom,
I'm doing well. I'm sorry for running out on you. I'm sorry for the argument. No matter what our differences may be, no matter what horrible things I said to you that night, I love you. I always will. And I hope that the next time we meet? You can be proud of me.
Love, Jaune.
He sent the email. He sighed.
Jaune turned to finally head into his dorm... When his Scroll buzzed. He opened it back up in alarm.
Had she already replied?!
But no. It was a different email address. An unfortunately familiar one. Jaune read it through.
Hey Kid, your Uncle Alex here. Sorry about everything. I was confident you'd pull through though. I'll make it up to you, promise.
Our mutual friend will be joining you after break. She'll be hard to miss. Mint's gonna be there too, so you'll have more backup. Just try not to make me a grandpa before my late thirties, all right?
Jaune snorted in disbelief.
One last thing: Don't worry about ol' lizard lips. We'll take care of him.
Jaune very slowly nodded. He sighed, and entered his dorm. Nora and Ren were cuddled up together, as usual. Pyrrha had moved her bed closer to his, and was sound asleep with a smile on her face.
Things were going to get a lot more complicated, and potentially a lot more dangerous soon, but he still felt a warm smile come over his face as he looked over his team and thought about the future.
He pulled off his armor, slipped into his PJs, and fell into the bunk next to hers in exhaustion.
For now? He'd done more than enough...
The broken moon shone brightly upon the cliff, casting shadows from the trees and boulders that surrounded the precipice, forming a natural fighting ring. The roar of the river below the cliffs became a dull white noise-Something that might have been comforting, if not for the sounds of Grimm bellowing and steel clashing.
Jaune was standing at the edge of the clearing. Grimm covered the area like locusts, but he could still see so clearly.
There he was, dashing and striking through the Grimm like a ghost. His cape swirled and waved like a battle flag, his grin savage as he darted and dashed through the monsters like they were standing still. His rapier glowed with the power of his bright orange Aura, cutting down the Grimm like they were nothing...
"Gato!" Jaune shouted, drawing his blade and swinging it through the nearest Beowulf. More Grimm appeared, multiplying in front of him as he slashed and bashed his way through the horde. "Hold on!"
"Haa! Face me, if you dare!" Gato challenged the monsters, who roared and charged. He clashed with them, a bright point of orange light in a sea of darkness, his blade lashing out in precise, perfect strikes as he danced through the dangers thirsting for his blood.
Yet at some point, the old master swordsfaunus began to slow. Began to feel his age. A bite got through his expert defenses. A claw slashed at his side as he turned too late. His Aura faltered.
Jaune kept fighting, but his movements were slowed. The Grimm pushed back, becoming more like an avalanche of darkness than individual monsters.
"GATO! HOLD ON! I'M COMING!" Jaune shouted. "GATO!"
He was driven back, slowly but inexorably, back towards the edge of the cliff. He glanced down at the falls below for only a moment, before turning back to the glowing red eyes of his foes. He smiled as a small chuckle left his mouth, along with a trail of blood. Despite his weakened, shaking hands, he held up his sword proudly.
"Well... I knew we would meet again one day," he said quietly, "My old friend."
Jaune surged his Aura, tried to unleash Golden Lion's Roar, anything-But he could not get past. He couldn't MOVE!
"GATO! GATO!"
A monstrous Alpha Beowulf lunged for him. Gato was too slow to dodge and had no room to maneuver. He roared in defiance and thrust his blade through the Grimm's chest, even as the monster's sheer bulk sent them over the cliff. They tumbled, the silent stars and moon witness to their struggle. From a distance, it looked like a burning orange star was falling from the heavens.
"GATO!" Jaune screamed, reaching out desperately as the darkness threatened to drown him. He screamed, he flailed, and yet he couldn't get any closer, he couldn't do anything...!
Even in midair, bloodied, on his last legs, Gato grappled with his gigantic foe. He pulled a knife and plunged it into the Grimm's face with a defiant grin, just as they hit the water-!
Jaune's eyes opened, his heart pounding in his ears. He was bathed in cold sweat. He sat up, holding a hand over his chest.
"Haa... Haa... Haa..."
He shut his eyes. He could still picture it perfectly. As if he hadn't been drifting away on a log on the river, staring helplessly as his mentor and friend fought his last battle. A battle he had never seen, and yet that kind of final battle... He couldn't imagine Gato going out any other way.
Godsdamnit...
His fists clutched at his bedsheets.
Godsdamnit...!
"Live your life, Juan. Live it well..."
Was he doing that? Was he really? He'd won some battles, he'd protected people he cared about. He'd met kind people who cared about him, but... If all he could see when he slept was his failure...?
Jaune's heart slowed. It no longer pounded in his ears.
He could hear... Sobbing?
He sat up. He saw Ren and Nora-They were also awake, still cuddled together on their pushed-together beds. Nora gave him a frown, while Ren remained stoic yet concerned.
Jaune checked Pyrrha's bed. The redhead was nowhere to be seen.
Jaune tossed his blankets aside and stood up. He walked into the bathroom, following the source of the noise. He sucked in a small breath.
Pyrrha was sitting in the bathtub, curled up with her arms around her knees, trying to muffle her weeping. In this state, she looked so much younger and smaller.
"Pyrrha?" Jaune murmured. She shakily almost looked up at him, before she buried her face in her knees.
It was a scene he was familiar with. He knew the play. He had seven sisters, after all.
He sat down in the tub with her and wrapped his arms tightly around her. Pyrrha let out another shuddering sob and buried her face in his chest. She gripped onto him tightly, fingers bunching up his Beacon Athletics T-shirt.
He stroked her back gently, making soothing noises with his mouth as she cried.
"I... Jaune..." She sniffled as she looked aside, cheek pressed against his chest, "J-Jaune... I'm the worst...!"
"No you're not," Jaune said softly. His hand found her hair and he stroked his fingers through it comfortingly.
"I'm the worst... The worst daughter ever...!" She continued to sob. "I hate her so much but I love her and-and I just... I cut off from her... Everything she's done...!"
Jaune heaved a small sigh. He kept patiently stroking her hair, and rested his chin on the top of her head.
"No. No you're not," he said softly.
"I-I am... I am...!" Pyrrha hiccupped. The lights went on. Jaune looked up as Ren stood in the doorway, Nora clinging to his back like a concerned sloth. Jaune shook his head, and their teammates backed off a bit-Though they stood ready to help, just in case. Even Nora was silent, tears in her eyes.
Gods, I really don't deserve them, he thought to himself.
"I... I couldn't... I couldn't take it anymore, I was so scared of losing you..." Pyrrha babbled, "But-But she's my mother and I-I love her..." She sobbed again.
"Why couldn't she... She love me back...?" She mumbled.
Jaune sighed.
"She does," Jaune admitted, "But she's... Really messed up about it. It's okay to feel like this, Pyrrha. Really, it is..."
"I-It is...?" She whispered.
"Yeah," Jaune murmured, "I felt the same way when I left my mom. We had the worst fight... I said some terrible things... Walking away, I just... I wanted to turn back and apologize so many times."
Pyrrha managed to force herself to look up at him in wonder. Gods she was still so pretty, even after crying her eyes out-
NOPE! Nope, none of that, none of that! His mind declared.
"You... You still went on...?" She murmured. Jaune nodded, stroking her long hair.
"Yeah... Because she... She was wrong."
He'd survived six months on his own fighting Grimm, bandits, and who knew what else? Fighting for survival. If Uncle Qrow thought he could hack it? Then he could hack it.
He had to, for his friends.
"And so is your mother," Jaune stated firmly. "It's okay to love her, but it's also okay to... To be angry with her. Because she is fucked up." He shook his head. "She called me, and offered me money to leave you alone."
Pyrrha stared in amazement.
"And... And you...?"
"I said no," Jaune said, rolling his eyes, "Of course I did. I'd choose you over money every time."
Pyrrha's eyes lit up and she glomped him, slamming him against the bathroom wall.
"Oh Jaune~!"
"URK!" Jaune grunted as she snuggled him, crying happy tears. "It-It's no big deal-!"
"Jaune, Jaune~!" She was now squeezing him hard enough he was having trouble breathing.
"Cut that out!" He gasped, more harshly than he intended.
Pyrrha flushed and coughed. Jaune grimaced as she drew back, looking miserable. He sighed and pulled her into a hug, stroking her back in apology.
"It's okay... Just, ya know," Jaune said quietly, "Let's work on controlling our emotions, okay? Not that you have to act like that... That creepy plastic robot your mom wanted you to be! Just uh... You know... Be natural."
"Y-yes... Thank you," Pyrrha murmured softly. "After all... We're having a date."
"Outing."
"A date," Pyrrha insisted softly, her eyes narrowing, "After you have one with Yang... Before you have one with Ruby..."
Jaune held up a hand to the bridge of his nose and pinched it.
"We... All agreed," he said softly.
"Y-Yes," Pyrrha said with a quick nod, "After all..."
She smiled scarily again.
"We agreed to win you fair and square..."
Jaune sighed.
"We'll... Work on that later," he decided. He helped her up to the sink, and helped her wash her face. He turned off the light and headed out into the dormroom proper... Where Nora and Ren had apparently pushed all four of their beds together. They were already sleeping on one side of the mega-bed, leaving an obvious opening for them.
Pyrrha smiled softly... Jaune sighed.
"Fuck it," he muttered. He pulled Pyrrha down with him, and Nora reached out in her maybe sleep to hug them both tightly.
He was too damn tired to protest, and hugs were nice. His heart beat slowed and his sight grew dim.
He would have no more nightmares.
"Oh Jaune~," Pyrrha moaned in her sleep, "Take me and make me yours-!"
Unfortunately, he was going to have a very different sort of dream tonight, oi...
Omake: Meanwhile, With Cardin and Velvet During Class...
Combat Class was both Cardin's favorite and least favorite class. Favorite because hey, he loved to fight. The surge of adrenaline, the wielding of power-It was a rush, and a big part of why he'd chosen his path. He genuinely enjoyed it!
Least favorite because Goodwitch inevitably set him up against Arc. Sure, fighting Arc could be a challenge-Despite him looking like a hobo who just rolled out of a dumpster in their first match, he'd beaten Cardin. Then proceeded to set him up with his girlfriend!
Yeah, Cardin was still trying to figure that one out. Though he felt a lot less animosity towards Arc as of late, the guy still pissed him off with how he fought! Last time he'd just danced around Cardin! LITERALLY! The godsdamned troll!
Still, he would admit that training against smaller, faster, trickier opponents was a good thing. He was a paladin, built to fight like a tank. Small, speedy enemies were his biggest threat. Learning how to counter them was paramount.
Even so... Did it always have to be Arc?! He would take fighting Rose for her speed and range, or Ren for his agility and precision! Why was it always Arc?!
He saw Goodwitch look at him as the students finished assembling in the classroom. She opened her mouth.
"Mister Winchester," Goodwitch said primly, "You will be up first. Your opponent will be..."
A black clad arm went up.
"Professor," a smooth male voice said, "I would like to fight Winchester."
There was some hushed chatter. Cardin glanced at Arc. The blond looked back, and shrugged. Cardin looked at the volunteer as he stood up and walked into the light.
He was a Rabbit Faunus, shorter than him but lean and muscular as evidenced by the black bodysuit he wore. His head was covered by a sleek, motorcycle-style helmet whose chin angled down like the beak of a bird of prey. His black ears stuck out of his helmet, but so straight and sharp that Cardin could have sworn they were horns. On his back was a circular, black chakram, lined with silver.
Goodwitch nodded slowly.
"As you wish. Mister Skvader," Goodwitch said. Cardin shrugged, and headed to the ring himself. If someone else wanted to fight him, why not? It's what he'd been hoping for.
His eyes went to Velvet, as they often did. Usually she'd be wearing an encouraging smile as she sat with her team and his. Now though, she looked worried, and shot anxious, unhappy looks over at Skvader.
Cardin tightened his grip on Executioner as he hopped into the ring. Skvader faced him, unreadable due to his visor, yet there was an angry tension to his shoulders. He reached back, and unclipped the chakram. Another click, and he pulled them apart, wielding both in his hands. His Aura surged, as Dust activated on the edges of the charkrams-Green, Wind Dust. For cutting power. They hummed like chainsaws as Skvader got into a fighting stance. Cardin did the same, Executioner at the ready.
"The match goes until one fighter's Aura is in the red or forfeit," Goodwitch stated in a bland tone, like she did for every match, "Begin!"
Cardin charged, swinging Executioner down on the slim Faunus with a bellow. The Faunus leaped up, and a translucent hexagon formed under his foot. He flipped off it as it vanished, then formed another above him under his feet. He leaped down at Cardin, chakrams wailing for his throat!
"GAH!"
Cardin blocked the first strike with Executioner, but Skvader's second fist drove into his neck. Cardin lashed out with his free fist, hitting nothing but air as Skvader backflipped away. The paladin gritted his teeth, holding his neck. His Aura had protected him but that had hurt.
"YEEAH!" He shouted, swinging Executioner down and unleashing his Semblance. The sand vibrated powerfully as the shockwave shot for Skvader, but the rabbit Faunus just leaped up, forming other hexagon shaped platform to bounce off of and dive for Cardin.
Cardin grit his teeth, held his ground... And pulled back, slamming his hand down into the floor with another Shockwave! Miraculously though, Skvader landed in a split, holding his body up over the narrow shockwave by his toes. Cardin gaped in disbelief.
Oh come on, how is that fair?! He raged. He swung his mace and fist for Skvader, but the nimble rabbit faunus twisted and maneuvered around like he was made of paper, and struck Cardin several times in quick succession with his chakrams.
"ARGH! GAH!"
Skvader kicked Cardin, and a hex platform materialized, blasting Cardin away. He stumbled backwards as Skvader backflipped out of range again. The rabbit faunus threw his chakrams, and Cardin swung Executioner like a baseball bat. He knocked one back at Skvader, which he caught.
Where's-?!
A sharp pain to his back got the point across, and he staggered forward.
"Ugh-!"
He looked around for Skvader. Where-?!
"ABOVE YOU!" Dove shouted. Cardin looked up just in time to see Skvader diving on him like an avenging angel feet first. His boots slammed right into Cardin's face, and the much taller paladin staggered backwards.
I just... Need... Contact...!
His Semblance lashed out through his face, and Skvader was blown back by the shockwave. The Faunus tumbled, and Cardin charged up Executioner.
"YAH!"
A blast of Fire Dust lashed out at Skvader. The nimble rabbit Faunus took the shot head on, and was blasted right out of the ring. Cardin stood up, breathing heavily, as Skvader got up off the clear floor around the fighting ring.
"Winner, Mister Winchester," Goodwitch observed.
"I demand we continue," Skvader stated. Goodwitch shot him a look.
"You demand, Mister Skvader?" She asked, her tone dangerous. Skvader held his ground, his visor locked onto Cardin. Cardin had a feeling the rabbit Fanus was glaring hatefully at him.
"I... Request to continue," Skvader rephrased it, his tone still rough. "A ring out is not an accurate measure of combat ability. Certainly not for a lumbering ape like Winchester-!"
"I run Combat Class, Mister Skvader, not you," Goodwitch stated coldly, "Now come up so you can receive your assessments!"
Skvader hesitated, but slowly walked up to the ring. He didn't look at Cardin as they stood together in the center, in front of Goodwitch.
"Good save at the last moment, Mister Winchester," Goodwitch observed, "Have you been able to use your Semblance from your face before?"
"Ah, no, just my hands, ma'am," Cardin said quickly.
"Well, I trust you will train in that ability," Goodwitch stated, "Mister Skvader was dominating the fight from the start. Your Aura and armor protected you from the worst of it-You only just hit yellow. But had it continued, Mister Skvader would have won. You got lucky. Luck is not something you can rely on in the field."
Cardin nodded slowly.
"Yes ma'am."
Goodwitch turned to Skvader.
"Your rudeness notwithstanding," Goodwitch stated, "Excellent use of your strengths and Semblance, Mister Skvader. However, you still lack significant attack power and defense-That one hit from Mister Winchester sent your Aura into the yellows and your strikes did not do significant damage. Your fighting style relies heavily on stealth attacks, to hit vital areas, but in a prolonged fight you must remember to end it quickly."
Skvader nodded curtly.
"Next pair," she called out. Skvader headed off to his team in the back of the classroom, while Cardin marched over to sit with his and Velvet's. He sat down next to Velvet, who gave him a worried look.
"Are you all right?"
"Yeah, fine, just my pride," Cardin admitted. He shook his head. "Guy made me look like a chump out there."
"Two or three hits would have taken him down though," Dove observed.
"Yeah, but that's the trick," Coco smirked, "And he definitely didn't make it easy, did he?"
"No," Cardin muttered. He watched Skvader. The black clad rabbit faunus was staring across the classroom at him...? No... At...?
He looked at Velvet, who winced a bit. She forced a smile, and squeezed his hand.
"You'll do better next time," she said, "Fox fights in a similar way. You and he should train!"
"It would be nice to fight a tank other than Yatsuhachi," Fox said, his arms crossed as he reclined in a chair a row ahead.
"Or you could spar with him, Bun-Bun," Coco said with a grin, "A man who can vibrate all over?"
Velvet eeped, and turned bright red. Cardin was not much better.
"COCO!" Velvet hissed. Her team leader snickered.
"Huh," Sky said, "I guess that might come in handy-"
Cardin glared, and Sky coughed.
"For... Other things..."
After class, Cardin changed to his uniform and stepped halfway out of the locker room. He looked around for Velvet. He spotted her... Back to the wall, glaring. A familiar black rabbit faunus was standing in front of her, looming over her. Cardin pulled back a bit into the locker room and listened.
"...can't believe you're dating that human," Skvader said, "Is he blackmailing you? Using you-?"
"He's not doing anything like that," Velvet hissed back, "We're dating! That's all!"
"Oh? Is that all?" Skvader scoffed, "The scion of the Winchesters fell for a rabbit faunus girl with nothing but pure intentions-?"
"That's exactly what happened, Hex!" Velvet growled.
Skvader shook his head. Cardin's fingers gripped the locker room door, hard enough to make the steel creak.
"I don't buy it. Your team... I should have protected you-"
"I don't need your protection, Hex," Velvet shot back, "I don't even know you-!"
"We're rabbit Faunus, we stick together, especially against humans," Skvader sneered.
"I'm not just a rabbit Faunus!" Velvet retorted. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'll-!"
He reached out his hand and took hold of her wrist. Cardin saw red.
"If you want a romance, I can provide that," Skvader stated, "Better than any human. Especially not some racist looking to use you for a fetish-!"
"Let go of me-! Don't-!"
That did it.
Cardin stormed up to Skvader. The rabbit faunus looked up in surprise, finally letting Cardin see his face. He looked like some kind of smooth pretty boy out of a Mistralian comic, with his pointed chin, large black eyes, and pointed nose. Or at least he did, just before Cardin's fist met his face.
"URGH!" Skvader grunted, tumbling back. He got right back onto his feet, as Cardin pulled Velvet behind himself.
"Piss off, you bastard," Cardin snarled, "Her business is her business."
Skvader growled, wiping blood from his nose.
"Think I'm gonna let some human filth use her?"
"You're the one grabbing her, Pointy Ears!" Cardin growled back, "Now beat it before I beat you. Again."
Skvader held his glare, even as his nose bled. He turned and stormed off. Cardin watched him go, before he turned to Velvet. She didn't meet his eyes.
"... Is this the first time he's done this?" Cardin asked. If it wasn't, he'd have words with Coco. If someone was harassing any of his team, he'd deal with it himself.
"The... The first time he grabbed me, yes," Velvet said with a nod, "I-I mean, I'm usually with my team so he keeps his distance. But not the first time he's... You know..."
"Why not tell Coco?" Cardin asked.
Velvet scowled.
"I'm not weak! I... I want to handle things on my own. Especially when it comes to... To faunus."
Oh. Yeah. There it was. Honestly, Cardin had been so wrapped up in his own worries about what his parents would think, he hadn't even thought what other faunus might think about Velvet being with him. Fuck, he felt like a louse right now.
"I... I see," Cardin managed. And he did. More than he liked.
She shook her head.
"You didn't have to-"
"I'm not letting my girlfriend get roughed up by some asshole," Cardin stated.
A pause. Velvet's cheeks went red.
"So... I... I'm your girlfriend now?" She asked quietly.
Cardin's own cheeks went red. He cleared his throat and tried to bluster, as he always did.
"We go on dates and I don't like other guys messing with you, so yeah, you... You're my girlfriend!"
If she wanted to. He really hoped she wanted to... More than anything he could remember.
Velvet smiled, and took his arm.
"I... Yes... Yes I am," she murmured.
Cardin let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
"Good," he said, "Let's get to the next class."
"R-Right!"