First chapter of the new year, let's go!
Too bad it has to start with bad news, though...
So some plans have changed, and I'll elaborate more in the bottom AN: but it'll become apparent as you read the chapter. Also, stay tuned for special bonus content at the end of the chapter as well! Speaking of...
Enjoy the chapter.
Cover art by: Notgustiarp
Chapter 10
The darkness never left his dreams.
Even after all this time, they merely sequestered themselves in the corners of his mind. Waiting for the days, he was weak to strike and sap away his energy to crush him. Today didn't seem like one of those days, thankfully.
The darkness was for once replaced with a serene light and a comforting warmth from blankets he'd been tightly wrapped in. It made him want to just close his eyes and drift away….
"Jaune!"
The voice was warbled and disjointed, like it couldn't decide how it wanted to sound to his ears. Nevertheless, he understood it well enough.
"Wake up sweetie, breakfast's ready!"
Throwing off the blankets exposed him to the open air, yet he didn't feel any colder. He couldn't feel much of anything, actually.
"Coming, mom!" That was definitely his voice though the pitch was totally off.
Looking around only confused him more.
Darkness—an endless number of shadows covered the walls and floor like a cancerous tumor. Each broke the assumed reality of the world, spreading and consuming everything, yet he didn't question it. Even as he stared at pictures hung on the walls with the faces inked out or the entire closet filled with clothes caked in inky blackness, he didn't question it.
It even seemed that the spread was coming from something buried deep inside the closet itself, speeding up the erasure of this world. Still, he couldn't bring himself to care.
Making his way out, he was immediately transported to what he could only assume was the dining room. Assume, being the right word as entire sections of the room were being consumed by the shadows creeping ever closer.
Am I alone…?
Looking around showed otherwise. Instead, he was surrounded by faceless people crowded around him as the center of attention. The mob of creepy figures didn't fill him with dread though, only an unexplainable but familiar calm—like he was at home.
They began chanting in unison, their voices distorted and broken so heavily it came to sound like static. Even then, he could only feel one thing at that moment.
Indiscriminate love.
It was only when the inky nothingness that had been growing in the background began consuming the figures—erasing them from the world did he panic. But by then, he was too late to save them.
Just like before.
/-/
Swords clashed as a struggle ensued over who would give in first. The grip dug into his calluses, rubbing the skin raw as the blades struggled. Sweat trailed down his muscles as he flexed—pushing with all his might while digging his heels into the floor.
Speaking of the floor, it actually seemed to be coming closer—His face struck the ground before his mind could fully process what even happened.
"Come on Jaune, we've been over this. You've made this mistake before, remember?"
Memories of a titan of flesh and muscle baring down on him replayed in his head faintly. More importantly, the memory of him surviving only by luck in the same situation surfaced too.
"Clashing swords isn't realistic that kinda stuff only happens in movies and comics. You're just asking to get baited. Again." Summer lectured.
Or his feet swept same difference, really.
"Noted—ugh." He responded, choosing to wallow in crippling defeat. Again. "So I'm gonna guess that's a no on lighting up on my training?"
"Nope."
Worth a shot. He'll wait and see if Tai has better luck talking her down. What kind of home school teaches combat anyways? Well, it's supposed to be just a simple and light self defense class, but…
Rolling on his back, he paused his wallowing to stare at the open sky above. White clouds drifted lazily in the clear sky as the sun had risen up an hour or so ago. The slight breeze felt all the better on his sweat soaked body, and it was times like this he was glad they chose to train on the roof. Plus, it gave him a bit of privacy when getting his butt kicked on a daily basis.
A hand interrupted his gazing and following it up revealed his very own slave driver herself offering a bit of mercy. There really was a first for everything.
"Need a hand?" Even if she wasn't smiling, it didn't mean he couldn't tell she was teasing him.
"Wow, first corny joke of the day. Maybe you have gone soft after all..." Taking her hand he was hoisted up, and though shaky, he didn't lose grip on his wooden sword. A big accomplishment in his state.
"Nah, ill leave those to Tai." She said, making her way to the bench next to the stairway leading down.
She definitely wasn't tired, but it did mean he'd be getting a much needed break. Rushing as fast as his bruised body could, he dropped down onto the spot next to her and eagerly took the water offered.
They both took the time to just sit back and admire the city and its horizon. They'd only moved here a year or so ago, but the view felt so different from the one they got at Beacon's faculty housing. It felt more real somehow. It helped that they were actually in Vale instead of overlooking it from miles away.
"Still can't believe Ozpin was able to get us a place this nice. No busy roads but still close enough to walk wherever we need. Plus a bunch of friendly neighbors yet tons of privacy? It's perfect."
He even got his own room! Not to mention this view, of course.
"Perks of knowing the right people, I guess. At the very least, we'd have still gotten a nice place without him, even in the city. Hunters always get special treatment like that. With kingdoms offering things like higher loan availability, grants or even—never mind." She'd cut herself off.
Her shoulders tightened slightly, and the air turned just the tiniest bit tenser.
Crap got onto a weird subject again. Gotta steer it away somehow…
It was usually like this after training. Something about it always makes her a little looser than usual. It's pretty good when you need to ask for something or break bad news to her—but sometimes it led to situations where the conversation wandered onto touchy subjects.
Why does she always get like this when it's about being a Huntsman, though? At least always when I'm around…
"Um, speaking of Tai-" Nobody said anything about him, moron. "W-where is he anyway?" Not his smoothest moment, he'll admit.
It seemed to work though since she felt looser at the mention of the man—and wasn't that heartwarming? Her eyes returned to the sky, no doubt trying to remember where he went.
"He's just out running errands. You know, groceries and all that..." Errands?
Oh, I get it! More supplies for their secret training~
He didn't want to admit he knew about it, but he couldn't stop himself from sporting a dumb grin just thinking about it. It was just way too cute.
"What's that smile for, hmm?" Oops, she was definitely suspicious now.
Busted. Well, he was nothing if not quick on his feet—he learned from the master herself after all. Just gotta make sure not to make the situation worse.
"Just thinking of that one story I heard of you—I mean no reason!"
…to be fair, that master was Summer, and she wasn't that much better anyways. But maybe she won't think too deeply about it?
"Oh alright—wait, what story?"
Well, it was a nice life while it lasted. Might as well own it and go all the way.
"J-just an old one from your Beacon days-"
"Like?"
She'd cut him off, looming closer and closer in his peripherals by the second.
He wanted to stay scared, honest. But just picturing the Summer now and the one from the story being the same person was way too much to handle. They just kinda sat there waiting to see who would break first. But when he sensed just a hint of nervousness bubbling up in her? He lost it.
"Hmm, hard to remember...something about there being three bandits on your team? I think one of them was actually called the—what was it again?"
"Oh no-"
"Oh ya! The Cookie Bandit~" He was pretty proud of his smug smile. It was definitely worth practicing in the mirror, and he had Ozpin to thank for it.
It somehow managed to make her feel that much more embarrassed.
"I-It was one time, and I went back in tears to apologize! When did you even—ugh, so that's what you two were laughing about over breakfast…."
Wait, what? He was only told that story once, which was a whole year ago —wait a minute.
"You were listening in on us!?" Wait till Tai hears this!
"N-no! I just happened to overhear some of it from my office…."
He really did try to keep from laughing, but when the Summer Rose covers her face in embarrassment? Well, that's just the definition of a losing battle, isn't it?
He'd spend the better part of the next minute howling with laughter, only lasting that long cause Summer actually joined in near the end with her own chuckles. So there they sat, giggling as the brisk wind nipped at their exposed skin with the sun halfway up the sky. Just sitting there soaking it all in, enjoying the peaceful air.
She broke the silence first. "We should head inside before you catch a cold. Plus, I have a little birdie's neck to pop when they get back..." She didn't wait for him, choosing to head for the stairs to plot a homicide.
"Sorry Tai, sometimes sacrifices have to be made…."
Who was he kidding? It was a lamb to the slaughter. He'd have to make it up to him later.
"Eh, I'm sure when he hears about her little eavesdropping, he'll forgive me." He mumbled, stretching his sore body to follow her down.
/-/
She was fighting a losing battle.
Her grunts echoed off the walls as she battered her newest foe. It put up a good fight absorbing her blows yet never losing its stiffness. It retaliated by caking her hands in sticky residue every time she went in for more.
This went on for what felt like hours but was probably only about thirty minutes. What with that timer going off a while ago—wait, that timer was supposed to ding when they were done…
Throwing down the dough, she lunged for the oven. Ripping open the door, she promptly slammed it shut again when a plume of smoke puffed out. It was safe to say the cookies were ruined…
She was done. No need to waste any more of her dwindling reserves. Better to wait till Tai got back with their supplies then.
"I'd better clean this all up then don't want him or worse Jaune to see any of this—"
"See what?"
Instincts flaring, usually she'd have reached for the kitchen knives. Instead, she scrambled to cover up the evidence.
"Nothing!" She threw out her arms, trying to block his view. "I-I mean, what does it look like I'm doing?"
Jaune had really grown in the last year, having come out of his shell to show the more playful side they all thought lost with his home. She wasn't a very open person anymore, but when he started to laugh and smile like a normal kid his age should? Even she was moved.
Too bad he also started taking after those he interacted with, including a certain headmaster…
"Well, from what I'm seeing, it looks kinda suspicious. I mean, don't get me wrong—love the apron~"
Heat crept up her neck when she realized what he meant. At some point, she'd put on that ridiculous gift Tai had given her. While it did its job being completely covered in flour, she didn't get why it also had to be hot pink.
Nor why it also had stitched into it a single cookie surrounded by hearts...
Ugh, so that's why they were laughing when he gave it to me.
Jaune's face carried the barest hints of her old man's posh features. Add in a little bit of Tai when he told the absolute worst puns, and her embarrassment turned sour real quick.
She'd have to fix that with a bit of extra training tomorrow.
For now, she settled for ripping off the article and tossing it aside. One problem down all she needed was to—
"Are these your practice cookies for today? Or are you just warming up for when Tai gets back?"
…
"Dang it, Tai."
She couldn't help rubbing her head. "Spill it. When did he tell you about all this?" She'd need to think of a way to get back at him later.
He looked confused at first, but panic soon set in. As it should.
"Wait, he didn't tell me anything!" She'd have to tell him later that flailing hands didn't help sell a guilty person's case any better.
"Then how?" She asked.
"Uh, I mean you guys weren't very secretive about it. You know, with all the loud pots and pans banging around in here? Plus, you both spend a lot of time in the kitchen too…." His foot kicked around nervously as he dropped eye contact. "...But I think it's wonderful you guys are spending more time together."
"Oh. T-Thanks, I guess." The heat growing on her neck died down and instead seemed to migrate closer to her heart.
Like I thought, he's really grown. But maybe he's not the only one who has…
That warmth seemed to spread all throughout her chest to the tips of her ears. Brothers, she had gone soft.
"Hey, how's about when Tai gets back, we all cook something." She looked around at the mess she'd made. Like she always did when she went at it alone. "...Together?"
It wasn't like they hadn't eaten together before. On the contrary, they usually did lately, especially after giving those gifts to each other. It was just that Jaune got the sweetest smile whenever they talked about doing it. Like no matter what, these small moments meant everything to him.
Sorry, Tai, I know you love being here when he shows it off, but… I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot of it tonight.
Most twelve year old boys try to hide their emotions. That teenage angst starting to kick in, she guessed. Not their boy.
"When's he getting back!?"
He was positively shaking with pent up excitement! She'd definitely have to calm him down before they started cooking.
"Hmm, good question. How's about we go looking for him?" The prospect of going on an adventure got him nearly jumping off the walls.
"Does that mean I can wear that?!"
She wondered if he could feel her smile's warmth, what with it feeling so overwhelming now. Even she knew it was sweeter than the ones she usually gave.
Maybe he could cause for a moment it seemed that Jaune was committing it to memory before turning and bounding up the stairs.
Dummy…
She gazed at that now empty space for a brief moment before beginning to clean up her mess. She tried her best to focus, but her eyes would still steal glances at that same spot.
Despite that, she'd still made good progress. At least until something caught her ear.
"…And later tonight, major leaders of each kingdom pay their respects as today marks the anniversary of a truly dark day in world affairs..."
Did she have the tv on this whole time? Maybe her perception was getting a little too rusty.
"…Your absolutely right, Lisa! As your aware, today marks the third anniversary of the assassination of Menagerie's beloved head priestess Kali Belladonna..."
It couldn't be helped. She hadn't been on any real hunts in at least a few months. In the back of her mind, she thought it time to head out again—at least to check up on her informants.
"On related news, the story of the worldwide manhunt continues on the assassin himself!"
She wouldn't let any other end up like Ansel.
"Yes, it seems each kingdom has reaffirmed their commitment to hunting down the most wanted terrorist know as—"
A chill ran up her spine.
Her scroll blared out, causing her to flinch. Glancing over, she spied who was calling.
"Ozpin…" She mumbled. "It's late. Why would he…."
She froze as her dread mounted, simply staring at the phone. Her instincts were screaming now. The feeling in her stomach grew heavier as the ringing grew and grew.
Her hand drifted towards the knife rack as the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.
They needed to leave. Getting her family away was all her mind could think— "Jaune!"
White knuckling the kitchen knife, she bolted from her spot, beginning a dead sprint. Out of the kitchen, she ran through the living room lined with framed photos of her, Tai, and Jaune.
"...I think it's wonderful you guys are spending more time together..."
They only served to make her sprint that much faster as the smiling faces of her family seemed to jump out and push her onward. Jumping the banister of the stairs, she skipped the steps altogether and violently leaped over them all.
Making it up, she slammed and rebounded off the wall into the narrow hallway dividing the three rooms.
"Jaune!" She hissed out as he stood frozen in the doorway, terrified. Something or someone was in his room.
Memories of a hulking man obsessed with her boy flashed through her mind.
Latching onto his shirt, she threw him behind her, putting her body between the room and him. Knife at the ready, she only cared about keeping him safe.
"Jaune, are you—"
"Hey Sum, it's been a while."
Her mind froze. It wasn't the words said but who was saying it.
Stood in Jaune's room was a man she hadn't seen in years.
Dressed in a faded grey dress shirt and slacks, most of his body was obscured by the familiar torn cape draped over his back. She thought for a moment she was dreaming as he looked like he'd just walked straight out of her memories.
"…Qrow?"
There were differences, she noted. Subtle enough to be unnoticeable unless you knew him well.
The grey that once lightly lined his spiky hair had grown to almost engulf his sides completely. The slight stubble that had previously been there had become patchy and overgrown. But gods, his eyes…they were sunken in and so…so…
But the most concerning part was the hand clutching the hilt of his sword.
"W-what are you doing here?" Specifically in her—in Jaune's room. She wanted to add that last part. If only her mouth hadn't felt so dry all of a sudden.
He didn't acknowledge her. Choosing instead to continue inspecting the object in his free hand. A fishing pole that Tai had gifted Jaune—lightly used but filled with good memories. Why he was so interested in it was a mystery, but eventually, he set it down.
Methodically he began pacing around, seemingly taking in the whole room and its contents.
He seemed to pay special attention to the framed photos adorning the walls and shelves. Each one depicted a special moment they all shared together or just in pairs—either way, they showed at least one of them spending precious time with Jaune.
"Seems you've both been busy." He slurred out.
If she wasn't so out of it, she'd have noticed the stench that permeated the air or have caught the distinct wobble in each step he took. Either way, she was too stunned to honestly notice it.
Maybe Jaune did, and that was why he looked so concerned. Or perhaps it's because a stranger appeared in his room and was now dead eyeing him.
"Hope I'm not interrupting anything."
He never took his eyes off the boy.
Author's Notes:
Man, my first time skip. Now, this is epic.
Okay, so let me explain. I know I promised that this chapter would be the last transition chapter, but I ran into some...issues with that plan.
Hopefully, it's become apparent that my writing has become more focused with a tighter vision for the chapters. Thus, it's become evident that they have been growing shorter and shorter with that.
Of course, even if that hadn't happened when you hit over 5,000 words, and you're only about halfway through a single chapter, you realize you gotta make some corrections.
So instead, im splitting that one chapter up into its own separate chapters instead of boating that single one. Hope that's a good enough excuse for those false promises.
Just wanted to address a recent comment I got as well about how it feels like the story is just never ending amounts of mounting tension. I absolutely agree, and hopefully, this middle part of the story relieved just a bit of that pressure!
Short Story
Night came and went yet he was just as confused as before.
"You'll be living with us for the foreseeable future."
But why, though?
He couldn't really think of a reason to keep him around. He wasn't anything special, so did that mean he was in trouble or something?
That didn't make sense either since the only thing he could possibly think of was because he…
Memories of the hulking man whose very name sent shivers down his spine. Memories of fists flying and the raging inferno engulfing him sprang to mind. Would he get in trouble for that? Whatever did happen to that man—
"Your foods getting cold."
Those memories faded as he locked eyes with the unkempt man across the dining table.
"Hmm? O-Oh, thank you sir."
He absent mindedly scooped another spoonful of rice into his mouth. Robotically chewing, his appetite just disappeared the more he dwelled on his experiences.
The morning after being told he was apparently staying with the Hunter and Huntress couple was, in a word, awkward. Waking up in the master bedroom, he'd come to find out that the couple had opted to just let him have it. Both chose to sleep either on the couch for Tai or her own office respectfully.
While he didn't get why they let him stay, he felt comforted that at least one of them was seemingly okay with his being here. As an example, this morning he'd been shaken awake and asked what he'd wanted to eat for breakfast.
He was just grateful the man didn't comment on his tears.
It was too bad his mind just couldn't get out of this anxiety fueled funk he'd fallen in.
Is Hazel dead? If so, does that mean I'd be in trouble for murder—
"Stop dwelling. That type of stuff won't help anyone."
Apathy. The man's words were gruff and curt, as if the act of talking was a workout in itself. So empty and cold, it felt like all the warmth was sucked out of the air. The only reason he didn't shy away from it was what was buried deep underneath it.
Worry.
"I-Im fine, thank you mister." Fiddling around with the spoon, he couldn't help trying to avoid the withering gaze.
They continued to eat in silence after that. He fully focused on finishing his meal while the man—Tai, just sat in silence.
Even if the older man wasn't speaking to him, he could still feel eyes burrowing into him.
"Tell me something…."
Startled, he quickly nodded not wanting to disappoint them.
"…you said she was scared. How'd you know?"
Oh, that's what this is about.
"Well, I uh-" How did he know? "It's more of a feeling, really…."
He didn't know how else to explain it without going into detail about his weird ability. He glanced back up and met cloudy eyes lost in thought.
Ya, he definitely wasn't comfortable oversharing something even he didn't understand with this guy.
"She wasn't always like that, ya know."
Woah, that definitely got his attention. Summer wasn't always so…Summer like? He didn't want to interrupt though, since the man was so obviously lost in memories.
He was just staring at the barren white walls surrounding them, devoid of any personality.
"Back then, she was so much more open. More full of life—we all were really." Tai spoke so wistfully it was easy to see he was reminiscing.
"What happened?"
His eyes cleared, and the memories seemingly started fading, replaced with something much more bitter. "Nothing. Nothing happened."
A touchy subject…
"Then could you tell me what she was like before?"
Why was he acting so brazen? The guy obviously didn't want to talk about it, and pushing would probably just make him annoyed.
But to his surprise, something bubbled up that he didn't expect, and it wasn't just an emotion.
The old man actually smiled.
"One word, innocent."
"No way…"
Mind. Blown.
Now thoughts of an innocent Summer clashed pretty hard with his memories of the lady. He laughed maybe a little too hard at it, too.
Coming down, his now chuckle was surprisingly matched with a much more subdued one. It didn't last long, but it did clear the air a bit.
They stayed like that while simply enjoying the mood. He nibbled on his food while Tai seemingly enjoyed his company.
"You shouldn't let what you've seen or done weigh you down so much."
He paused mid bite, bewildered.
"Or that weight will crush who you are."
And then he'd end up like them. He didn't say that, but he got the gist of what he meant. Honestly, it was more of a surprise this stranger could notice his mood with just context clues.
He definitely wouldn't have noticed without his powers.
"How would I stop that? These thoughts...there overwhelming..."
Tai didn't hesitate. Like he'd thought of this same question before.
"Focus on what you have. That's all you really can do, kid."
Easier said than done.
"What do you focus on?" He asked timidly, expecting to be reprimanded for prying.
"...Not much, to be honest."
That honestly made him feel worse since he brought up these questions. But he had to know how to make these dark thoughts stop!
"What about the past? Like...the good memories. Could we focus on them?"
He was grasping at straws at this point. Hoping that he could just have an instant solution. Really, he'd need more than this to make it out of this rut. But he still waited with bated breath at the old man's answer.
"Maybe..."
It could be a start, at least.
"Do you have any stories? I-If you don't want to share, that's fine, though!"
It was Tai's turn to be surprised.
"Uh, none that come to mind but…."
He was trying desperately to not lock eyes. Still, the minute they did, it apparently gave him a bit of inspiration.
"Well, there was this one time, I guess."
He leaned in, not able to control his excitement.
"W-We'll do you know we didn't always call her Summer?"
"Huh? What'd you call her then?"
He could see the hint of a smirk growing through his patchy blonde beard. "Well—technically, I didn't come up with it. One of our teammates did."
"Your teammate?"
"Yup said he was glad there was at least one more bandit at their school."
Bandit? Wow...
He asked for more details, and Tai seemed to enjoy recollecting each one, especially the more embarrassing ones.
I mean Cookie Bandit? Oh, he'd have to remember that one!
Maybe Tai saw how disappointed he was and wanted to throw him a bone, either way he was grateful for the distraction from all the chaos around him. It meant more than he probably knew.
The laughs from him and the gruff chuckles the older man gave reverberated through the lonely residence. Enough so that he only barely registered the confused yet content emotions resonating in the office space just a few paces away.
I hope it's been pretty apparent how a particular RWBY author has influenced my writing, storytelling, and even how I format my chapters. Coeur Al'Aran has always been a massive inspiration standing shoulder to shoulder with even my heroes like Kentaro Miura—RIP.
Don't think anyone won't know him—but just in case, please check him out!
With that, I've always loved his old Omakes he used to write for Professor Arc and how it felt like a special treat after a full course meal. Always wanted to try my hand at a version of them.
Note: Future Holothuria here and as of chapter 16 I've gone ahead and re-named them as Short Stories instead of Omakes. This fits the theme of them better as you've no doubt seen.
Ill be using these to sort of plug up the hole that the 1 year time skip left in the development of Jaune and Summer/Tai's relationships. Think it's a good compromise to not slow down the pacing anymore than it already is. Feel free to skip them if you want, but they'll mostly just be short little pallet cleansers or extra bits of the past time skip.
Though don't expect them every chapter!
They'll only show up once in a while to show some missing/heartwarming events that brought them together as a family. Also, unless specifically stated otherwise, take each one as canon to the overarching story.
In the future, some might even contain different characters and not just focus on the Rose-Arc-Long family. Who knows...
See ya next chapter.
Date Published: 2022/02/14
