Interviews and Thank Yous
A/N: Hey everyone we are back with this story. I will be honest with you all, making a story like this one, and instead of crossovers, is harder. The reason I find making crossovers easier is because, there is a template that already exist, and it makes it easier for me to work with. But with stories like this, I need really wrack my brain with being creative, so it comes out sloppy and rushed.
So with a lot of this, I truly do make things up as I go. So things are a little shaky.
But this chapter may be shorter than the other chapters in this story, because I do want to make to have Jaune's friends to talk to him individually. Well at least in small groups, to make things a little easier for them.
So without a further ado, let's go!
Jaune was surrounded by joyful and grateful people. They thanked him for saving Kali, and protecting the city from grimm. He tried to just tell them he was doing his job, and that he didn't do it alone. The news broadcasters asked Jaune questions about what happened.
"Mr. Knight, how were you feeling when you saved Mrs. Belladonna?!"
"Do you think that this will cause rift with other faunus and humans?!"
"Are the Elder grimm a lot more dangerous than you originally reported?!"
Jaune felt somewhat overwhelmed, Temari just started to growl at them slightly, but he put his hand on her head. Team RWBY decided to get in between them, and him.
"All right back up, he just got done in a big fight, let the man breathe." Yang insisted with her eyes turning red. She didn't like them crowding him, and she knows that she hated it when she and Blake were hounded with reporters and…..admirers.
She always gained attention for her beauty, but now because she is famous, no thank you.
She truly does feel bad for Pyrrha now.
Jaune then put a hand on Yang's shoulder, he took off his helmet, and smiled down at Yang, and he gently pulled her aside, he will at least throw them a bone.
"In order, I am very happy that I saved her life, even though I was just doing my job, I love to help others, and she is no exception. She and her family, are amazing people, they fought for equality and they earned it, I will not let them die before they can at least live through what they wanted." Jaune said about the first question.
Blake listened on and smiled at Jaune. She was so glad to have someone like him in her life. And it just made her feel even worse that she didn't fight harder to find him, and to talk to him more even before Beacon fell. She will make it right.
Yang had a similar mindset, she was very grateful that he saved Kali when she couldn't. She will be kicking herself for days to come. She was all kind of her mother in law even though they aren't married. And he saved her family, and he deserves better and a proper thank you and a reward. And, she will forge a better relationship with him, a true friend officially, he will always be in a place in her heart.
But she never let it grow, now she can see it growing, and she will not waste it!
"For the second question…..no things will not change with that." Jaune said to them. He paused for a little bit.
"We all came here for celebrations, and to witness the biggest history in Remnant since the gods came back down and Salem's defeat." He said in a proud tone. But then he gained a serious look.
"Of course there will be those idiots, like that man I just brought down, and other racists who refuse to let go of their hatred. And I will say this, hatred and racism go hand and hand, and so does racism." Jaune spoke up. This caused a lot to pause with that statement.
"Racism will only happen, when someone hates the other because of what they look like or come from. Be it faunus, or human, we are all equal in hatred and racism." Jaune said looking down a little sad. The other people wanted to refute him.
Saying that faunus are the victims so they couldn't be the racists. Only humans can because they hate them first.
"And I know what your thinking, you suffered so you have a right to be like this." Jaune started. "But as you saw with that old White Fang man, he was what racism can become if we don't allow ourselves to let go, and push forward." Jaune spoke up. "And I will tell you this too, racism and prejudice, your not born with it, you are taught it, either from the people around you, your environment, or from a bad experience." He said to them, telling them the truth.
"Most humans hate the faunus due to what some have done to them, and viewed them as rapid animals that need to be brought down. The White Fang, caused pain to everyone, and that caused a rift between everyone. They were repaying hatred for hatred, and it almost destroyed everyone." He said to them pausing for a little bit.
He could see some were looking down in shame, and remembrance. They remembered how the White Fang attacked the Belladonnas, how they helped with the destruction Beacon Academy, and how they almost destroyed Haven Academy. And for what? Not for equality, but because they did it out of hatred. They wanted death and blood shed, not equality.
"And that hatred of the White Fang, caused humans to look at them wrong, and it would have caused an all out war between us all. We all would have died, and Salem would have won." Jaune spoke up. This caused everyone to look up to him again, and their breath hitched. But it changed when Jaune was smiling now.
"But, we chose to not let our hatred consume us, and decided to work together. We stood up to an evil threat that wanted everyone to die because of essentially a temper tantrum. And we all wanted to be more than we were in past." Jaune spoke with conviction.
"Do I think this will cause rift, honestly I don't believe so. Of course there will be those who can't let go, but as a majority we will keep forging on, and continue to advance. The signing in Menagerie is the biggest step we made, let's continue to do this right!" Jaune said to them with authority.
Everyone roared with approval, and cheered.
Ruby and Weiss looked on with wide eyes, and blushes on their faces. When was Jaune able to give such good speeches?! Then they made a realization. They didn't know what he was doing while they were focused on other things. They could chalk it up on keeping the new SDC, and Atlas running. But they remembered how they would always be focused on each other.
They would go on dates, doubles, and group dates even. But they never wondered about Jaune. That just made them feel….disgusting. Their blushes went away and turned to sadness. They truly didn't know anything about him now. He was fighting the hardest out of all of them. From training with Pyrrha, essentially torturing himself with the video Pyrrha left him, Atlas' training, and finally him waiting for them for years. He was fighting.
And they were just getting by, thinking that they were the invincible ones, they fought and beaten powerful people, because they were prodigies, and always had each other.
That was it…..they had each other, while he was always on his own. He probably learned things that they didn't, and he had to adapt, and fight the best way he was able to. By using his head, learn, and strategize, who knows what he picked up over time?
He fought hard to get where he is now, and was forced to gain confidence in himself, with almost no one there pick him up when he fell.
For Ruby, she felt like the worst friend ever. And she agreed that she was.
In truth she was livid, to the point of hating Jaune, for killing Penny. But after they got out of the Ever After and her time in Vacuo, she didn't even want to look at Jaune, but she would at least work for him, and she put up a face of her being friendly with him.
But in truth she didn't like being around Jaune for a time. She knew that is was Cinder's fault for Penny's demise, but Jaune, she blamed him for her death, for of course killing her, she felt that Jaune should have done more to protect her, and she hated him for it.
But, as things went on, and how he and her had a heart to heart. She forgave him, and she asked him to forgive her, for hating him, for blaming him. And how she called the paper pleasers his fake friends, that was so uncalled of her for that. And he apologized to.
For blaming her, for everything on her, and that everything was about her. But Ruby stopped him at that time.
She told him that "It was always about me, Ozpin recruiting me, allowing team RWBY do anything as they please. How we didn't share the info to Ironwood in Atlas. We always did things that we thought that would be better for us, rather than everyone. We should have been better than that. We didn't trust anyone with the truth about Ozpin and Salem, and we assumed that they would react like we did. Hopeless, and confused."
So she apologized profusely with what had happened, they shared a hug that lasted for a while, and they cuddled and fell asleep together.
But afterward near the final battle, she and Weiss decided to get closer like usual and they confessed that they liked each other. Jaune didn't really see the signs at first, and seeing how they were with each other, the pain of seeing them together hit him so hard, it was almost like he was alone all over again.
But he was happy for them, happy that they found love.
Weiss and Ruby knew that now. They both assumed at first, and especially now, he told them that he was glad for them. But, he was hurt, and they did nothing. They looked at each other, and swore mentally that, they will make things right. They listened to him answering the last question.
"And finally. The Elder grimm are all dangerous." Jaune said to them.
"The ones I have encountered were usually more on the ends of a Beowolves and Ursas. There are others out there, but I haven't discovered them all, I don't know what they can all do." Jaune said to everyone.
"From what I have seen so far is they are much more smarter than an Alpha, and tougher of course, but they can communicate, and order the grimm for the most part, as we seen today." Jaune said, with the reporters jotting down what he said, and his friends taking mental notes more of the elders.
"For now I haven't seen anything extreme out of the ordinary, with elders having tougher bone armor, and more of it. But today I have seen that some can possibly look different from their regular and alpha counterparts, so that could be easy to exploit and look out for." Jaune said sharing his information. Everyone was intrigued with his findings today.
None more than his friends.
Nora and Ren looked on in awe. Seeing that their leader became even smarter over time. Nora still wanted to get back in her leader's good graces, so she will be around him more often, screw her responsibilities to the village, they are doing good so far, it was time to help her fearless leader!
"So yes, I agree that the Elders are more dangerous than I thought." Jaune said to them. The people looked a little disturbed. But Jaune gave a determined look.
"But, let me tell you this, I am still here, I survived the current elders, and came back to report everything. And you all seen, they can be beaten, so don't lose hope, we were able to beat Salem because we kept our faith that we will win. Hope that we can continue the fight, and have a better future. And today it will not go away, stay strong everyone, we are all in this together, and we still have hope, that this peace and that Menagerie, no, all of Remnant will continue to grow!" Jaune yelled out in the end. Everyone cheered at that. The hunters all grew a smirk, they were ready for whatever is thrown their way.
"Everyone when you face grimm, have more than one person with you, just because you powerful, doesn't mean your unbeatable!" Jaune said to them, and he put his helmet back on not taking any other questions.
An hour has passed since the incident, and a big party is going on, along with fireworks! Jaune was standing near the end of the village watching over the celebration. He seen Kali and Ghira Belladonna walk up to him.
"Do you need anything Mr. and Mrs. Belladonna?" Jaune asked, ready to help out if he needs to. The two stopped and just smiled at him.
"You are our daughter's friend, just please use our first names Jaune." Kali said to him with a kind smile. Ghira nodded with this. Jaune just smiled under his helmet at this.
"Ok then, Ghira and Kali, but do you two need anything?" Jaune asked them again. Kali stepped up to him crossing her arms under her bust, and looking at him with a slightly stern look.
"First please take that damned helmet off, I want to look at the eyes of the man who saved my life." Kali practically demanded. Jaune flinched at this demand, and he looked at Ghria giving a slight chuckle, and rolling his eyes. His wife is a real go getter, and she knows when to be intimidating. And he blames her being a mother that it has increased over the years, a parent is scary when they want to be after all.
Jaune just sighed, and took off his helmet, and sighed with content for taking off his helmet. Even though his aura could regulate temperatures, it's how he, Yang, and Ren, survived the cold of Solitas when they tried to rescue Oscar the first time, the heat is no exception. But after a while, it get's uncomfortable. So it's good to take it off every now and then. He looked at them with kind smile, which the both returned.
"Good now….for a reward for my hero." Kali said getting closer to Jaune, and got on her toes and kissed his cheek. Jaune blushed big time looking like a tomato, and he looked at both Kali and Ghira. They just laughed at his expression. Jaune on the other hand was utterly lost.
"Uhhhhh?" Was all Jaune could muster. Temari was still on his shoulder and if she could laugh at him she would have. Instead her eyes became more mischievous. When animals unlock their aura, they are more intelligent, and Temari has a lot more free thinking now. As time went on, she was getting stronger, and she became more of a…..brat, he could say about her. Almost looking at him with a teasing look, the little vixen.
But back with Jaune, he felt like he did something really wrong with what Kali did to him, he looked at them, and Ghira just gave a belly laugh, and Kali just giggled into her hand.
"You don't have to worry Jaune, my wife and I already talked about this, and I would be upset if she didn't reward you." Ghira said to him. And Kali agreed with a proud nod.
"And I would have been pissed if Ghira didn't let me." Kali said to him a proud smile on her face.
Both Ghira and Jaune sweat dropped at this. Sometimes Kali can be crude, but she doesn't do that all the time. When it comes to something this important she will sometimes get vulgar.
Jaune decided to move forward this little awkward situation, he cleared his throat, to fight down the blush, that he still had.
"Ahem, thank you for that Kali, in truth, it was really nice, and made me feel very happy with that." Jaune said not looking at them, with a sad look on his face, and a happy but sad smile.
True he always helped people and they thanked him. But, they weren't close to him. They would give him food sometimes and a place to rest, but he never really gotten that kind of "intimate" reward all like that.
Sure there were some women who would try to throw themselves at him, but they were just doing out of gratitude, or lust. He wouldn't mind doing that with someone, but he wants it to be real, and have at least a good friendship after. Not like a one night stand. And he felt that, he may never have that, still believing, he will always be hurt in the end, and that he will cause others to be hurt, just by being close to them.
But to get a kiss from someone who he knows of, it felt amazing, and he felt sad, he may never have that kind of closeness again.
Kali saw the look, and gave him a firm yet gentle hug.
"Thank you so much for being the hero people need, and I know you may feel that love can't be a concept to you, but you deserve it. She will come, and she will love you, even if you feel like you are a curse toward everyone, your are not." Kali said to him breaking the hug, and placed a hand on his cheek, the one she kissed, and made him look her in her beautiful golden eyes.
"You are blessing towards all that you meet. My Ghira here is my blessing. And, I believe that you are truly a blessing to my little girl, and all your friends. Don't give up on yourself." Kali said to him, giving him a warm motherly smile.
Jaune just teared up a little and hugged her gently one that she returned in kind. Ghira came and hugged them too. The young man needed someone, and he believed that his wife helped him.
Standing further away was Blake hiding behind a small building. She was about to go talk to Jaune, and thank him for what he has done, but her mother beat her to it. Blake put a hand up to her mouth and let her tears come out slightly. She seen the pain on Jaune's face when her mother gave her speech to him, and the thank you kiss.
Jaune was truly suffering deep in his soul, and she needed to help.
Near her, but closer was Ruby, and Weiss. They wanted to thank Jaune too, and apologize for not having faith in him. They always had that mindset that, he was not…..up to par as them. Granted they know how much stronger he has gotten, evident for facing Cinder and Salem, but they still had that lingering doubt.
The more they thought about it, since meeting him again. They realized that they were trying to put him up to their standards rather than what he could bring. And that caused them to choke, and cry silently. They truly felt the worst. He traveled for a year with Ruby, suffering alone and did nothing to comfort him, she didn't know what to do at the time.
And he had saved Weiss' life, but he was never given a thank you afterward, just a simple good job. No kiss, no hug, no pat on the shoulder, to show gratitude of thanks, no, just a good job. While she just hugged her team grateful to be back together. They had a lot of work to do, and they will take the first step, here.
After a minute of the group hug, and Jaune collecting himself. He noticed how Temari was still wrapped up with them giving he own version of a hug. Kali looked at him with a kind smile.
"The other reason of us coming here is essentially, we want you to relax, other hunters and warriors here are keeping a stern look out, you don't have to worry. So please enjoy the celebration." Kali said to him. Jaune was about to disagree, and essentially say "I still have a job to do", but Ghira stopped him and put a hand on his shoulder.
"We insist Jaune Arc, you have done this new kingdom a great service already, so please enjoy it to the fullest." Ghira said in kind voice like his wife. But then he gained a slight mischievous gleam in his eye.
"But if you want to see it as a job still, and we hired you, consider this as an order, to relax, and enjoy yourself." Ghira said in a kind, commanding, and playful way. Kali giggled at her husband but blushed at this, and gave him her bed room eyes. She loves to see this side of her husband. She hopes Blake and her friends don't mind the noise later on.
Blake felt dread in her soul for some reason.
'Why do I feel that mom is going to embarrass me….again?' Blake thought to herself in slight fear.
Jaune was about to say something, but Ghira stopped him squeezing his shoulder more this time.
"Trust me, you don't want to see what my wife will do if you say no, she can be very…convincing." Ghira said in a playful warning.
But Jaune felt real danger, when he looked at Kali, when she gained a "catty" smile that showed he fang. Oh boy he knows that look, his mother, and most of his sisters are the same way. So he decided to cut his losses.
"I will take you up on that offer." Jaune said to them. This caused the two to smile joyfully at him.
"Great, please join in the festivities soon, you will love the seafood here, trust me." Kali said. With Ghira nodding. They walked away. But Kali looked back at him over her shoulder, gave smirk and winked at him.
He noticed how her big, shapely, and amazing hips and butt would sway back and forth as she walked away. Ghira seemed to pick up on this, and tickled her side a little. Causing her to giggle and hug him.
Jaune was just standing there red faced.
That was the other award she wanted to give him, and a little show.
"Now we know where Blake get's her beauty from, she truly takes up after her mother, they both have amazing." Jaune didn't finish feeling a look on him. He looked to the side to see Temari giving him a playful look.
He will admit, at times he would look at Blake. Ok not just Blake but all his female friends sometimes, it was hard not to. They were drop dead gorgeous. Now that he thought about it, all the girls he met in his life were just…..wow.
Meanwhile team RWBY felt flattered, blushing, and almost gushing for some reason.
Nora felt, flattered and blushing, for some reason.
"Oh shut up, you would probably do it to in my position, but I don't leer, and linger, it's respectful to them." Jaune said to his companion. She just seemed to roll her eyes, and just laid down on his shoulders. He just pet her head.
"Come on, they are right let's relax. Let's go by the beach and watch the sunset more, before we try anything to eat, ok?" Jaune asked his companion, which she yelped in agreement.
Jaune went down close to the shore, and just sat at the beach. He looked out at the waves and just watched the sunset. He could hear celebration and music going on behind him, and just smiled contently. After a few seconds, that content turned somber, sitting here reminded him of waiting for team RWBY to fall into the Everafter.
He remembers how he waited. The long days waiting for anyone to show up. Having no one to talk to. Having no one to keep you company. Having no one to love. It was…..rough to say the least. He doubts that he will truly get over that time being there. But he knows this, that things will get better for the world, it will take time, and bad things will happen. But they will get better.
Jaune reached into his pocket and grabbed a canteen, and unscrewed it. It wasn't alcohol, he tries to stay away from it, it just brought him to darker places sadly.
This is just a drink that tastes good and refreshing, it's not water, but it was fruity. He lifted the canteen up to the sunset, to make toast.
"To all those who have fallen. And to all those who can't be hear." Jaune said proudly. But then he became sad afterward.
"To you Alex, and Lucas." Jaune thought of the girl who gave his youth back, wanting to make amends. And to the boy who told their story, and inspired others to be brave, and to be hunters.
"To you Penny." Jaune said to the girl who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect everyone. The girl who truly knew what it meant to be human. He was crying at this point, when he thought of Penny. But he wasn't done yet.
"And finally to you….Pyrrha." Jaune said now sobbing a little. To The girl who loved him, to the girl who truly wanted to do good in the world, to the girl was the first one to ever believe in him, and to the one who made him who is today. She made the ultimate sacrifice along with Penny, so they can have tomorrow. He hopes to make them all proud!
He chugged his drink, stopping when he felt Temari licking his cheek and cuddling him. She decided to use her semblance to truly comfort him, almost like how Juniper did. Gods he misses her so much too. It was quiet for a little while, but then he heard foot steps and voice that always made him happy.
"They would love to hear you say that Jaune. I know we did." The voice of Ruby said to him. He looked behind him seeing his friends standing there. Nora was in tears, and so was Ruby. The others has small ones but they were feeling his pain.
"I just truly hope that, things will continue to get better." Jaune said looking forward again. He felt multiple arms around him. Belonging to his friends. Temari moved to let them in. They all came around him for a group hug with happy smiles, yet, crying themselves. Jaune squeezed the ones closest to him, which were Ruby, Weiss, and Nora.
"We love you Jaune, and we will not leave you alone again, never again." Ruby said to him.
"Yeah….you dolt." Weiss said with a slightly trembling voice.
"Yeah fearless leader." Nora said to him, with an equally trembling voice.
Jaune just chuckled a little.
"I know, and I will try not to again, ok?" Jaune said crying still, but with a smile on his face.
He felt someone kiss him on his mouth, rather two someones!
It was Ruby and Weiss.
They broke it and leaned on him. Both Yang and Blake kissed him his cheeks, but he felt their tongues a little. Nora kissed his forehead, and Ren his brother, just hugged him hard. Jaune just relaxed and looked at the sunset, with some of the most important people in his life.
A/N: This isn't the end of the story, I still got some ideas. I don't want to leave it off with none of them not talking to each other. True a kiss signifies things, but there is more.
I truly do hope everyone liked this chapter, because I felt the heart in it after the interviews. But don't worry there is more to come, so please be patient.
With all of that said Please everyone, stay safe, and stay blessed.
And finally, May God Continue To Bless You All!