Howdy Folks,

preciate the reviews. Damn, ya'll hate Blake huh? rise up hate gang. all my homies hate Blake.

Nah but I'm not trying to slander her character or anything. a lot of the RWBY cast are just dumb little teenagers after all. (plus, they all got their own issues)

(I don't own RWBY)

VOLUME 1 CHAPTER 9 - Whatever You Do to the Numerator Must Also Be Done to the Denominator

Her circadian rhythm was kaput.

One minute she's sleeping soundly, not a care in the world. And then recently, the last few days to be precise, it was like her habits in the Fang were thrown to the Grimm. In fact, she hates how she became the one that's last to wake up for classes.

Even her two racist 'teammates' wake up at better times. The Schnee has been getting on her nerves, more than usual anyway. The way she's been glancing at her, like she's torn on what to think. As if it means anything to Blake. Think what you want, Schnee.

Thankfully, Jack isn't here to glance in just the same way. Not like it would matter, he was just a little pissant who somehow conned his way in Beacon. She can't believe she was nearly on the cusp of actually helping him, but she held out, listening to the niggling doubt.

She thought there was something about him and she was right. That gut feeling, that instinct when there's something, or someone, nearby that you can't trust. And it's because the guy is beyond unhinged, and would take the first opportunity he can in a secluded alley to beat a faunus child if she had let him. Thankfully, she was there.

"Yeah, look, Weiss-" Yang's annoyed tone pierced her brain fog. Blake looked up from the two pairs of feet shuffling in front of her towards combat class, Yang's face turned to her white haired partner beside her. A fleeting swirl of red lit in her eyes and for a moment Blake thought she saw a few sparks roll off the brawler's hair. "Maybe acting like a stuck up little princess makes you feel important or like you have standards, but to the rest of us it just makes you an uppity fucking bitch."

The little princess herself snappily turns her head to Yang, wide-eyed and pissed. "I'm an heiress you bimbo! Watch your tongue when speaking to me! Some respect for your betters might get you a long way."

"Ooo~ you're right! I'd definitely wanna get places with high-class wannabe killjoys. Also, I think you mispronounced brilliant." Yang's attitude rolled off into something more akin to amusement.

Blake couldn't suppress an eye roll. How could she have got to this point? How could this have happened?

"I swear to the GODS if Horus doesn't show up to class..! Our team's reputation is already spiraling!" Weiss spoke through clenched teeth. Her rage permanently contracted her jaw.

Blake didn't know and she didn't care. If he wanted to fail by skipping classes, that was his prerogative. The last time she saw him was in the wee hours of the morning when he slipped out of the room. Maybe he ran off to join a human supremacy cult. Seems to fit his bill, the way he was talking to that kid he had cornered yesterday…

"He'll be there. Seriously, Weiss, are you constipated or something? Where the hell do you get off on being irritated all the godsdamned time?" Yang exasperatedly crossed her arms in a huff after she spoke.

"You'll see! He won't be there! And when he isn't, I'll laugh in your face while proclaiming how right I was about him. He's nothing but a dolt who got lucky. There's already a cornucopia of that in the world." The words escaped Weiss's lips in an almost self-congratulatory way. Yang groaned.

"Can't believe I'm stuck with you."

Stuck. Yeah. That's a good summarization of how Blake feels right now. A girl that ditched the only other person besides her parents who was decent to her. Well, was is the important part there. Adam is far too gone and far too angry, she can see that now. It doesn't mean the ache isn't still there.

Jack, for some godsforsaken reason, just struck her as someone who was deeply lost with his place in the world. All he did was flirt, say raunchy things and act like an asshole. And after his apology and holding off on lending a hand? Turns out, he's even more of an asshole than she thought.

After she left Adam, she wasn't in a great head space. No real idea where to go or what to do next. It was just gloomy day…after gloomy day…after gloomy day…

It had to be better to throw herself into something, right? Something to give her a chance at fixing…whatever it was. The way faunus are treated, the corruption, the generally depraved things that take place in the world. Especially the way corporations like the SDC use slave labor. But of course, those who reach for the stars often find themselves blinded in the clouds. An old Mistrali saying…

Blake sighed.

She should have thought about it more. Being a Huntress. Because while she knows the only way for bad things to slide is the absence of good people stepping in, she doesn't really know what stepping in actually means. She spent her life protesting and when that didn't work she started getting a little more rebellious with Adam. The problems are complicated. Interdependent. And it's easy to feel hopeless. But there's too much darkness for her not to try and bring in a little light.

Being a Huntress? Well, it's a step. It's gotta be.

The Schnee was prattling as usual when they reached their class, Yang hip checking the door open and stepping in like she owned the place. A competing energy between her and the Schnee in some ways. Although, it seemed like she was actually cool whereas the Schnee was just cold.

As the gazes of all of them swept around, to the surprise of no one except Yang, Jack was nowhere to be found even in combat class. A three hour class only to be had on Wednesdays and Fridays, taught by none other than Professor Goodwitch. Class starts mid-afternoon, so typically after students hit the showers everyone books it to the cafeteria for some dinner.

It's understandable why Jack would skip this one, because of his situation he's only allowed to sit and observe, Goodwitch personally quizzing him and Jaune at the end of class. Speaking of…Blake could spot the blonde boy, sitting boredly next to his team. Blake couldn't remember their names. They stayed quiet in classes for the most part, which struck Blake as odd. The bigger one seemed like a loudmouth to her, the way he carried himself screamed arrogance. Hell, she remembered him taking his shirt off in the ballroom when every freshman was bunking there briefly during initiation. Presumably for the express purpose of basking in the attention some of the girls gave him.

Jaune's head perked up a little for a moment as the three of them moseyed in. Blake lagging behind a bit in an effort to remain discrete. Yang slowed as her eyes roved the class in disbelief. The combat class itself takes place in a room similar to the amphitheatre but on a smaller scale. An elevated stage acts as the arena for sparring.

"Why the fuck isn't he here…?" Yang mumbled to herself. A mock laugh from the Schnee erupted as she stuck her perfectly manicured finger (almost annoyingly so) straight into Yang's face.

"I told you! He wouldn't show! He can't handle the dedication it takes to be a Hunter, not like the rest of us. It's mystifying how quickly you got chummy with him. He's a mere civilian for heavens' sake." Yang smacked the Schnee's dainty hand away with a squint.

"He isn't like that. He tries. I don't get why you and Blake gotta make everything so much harder for the guy. Like, sure, he's a bit of a dick sometimes. But he knows when he fucks up and, more importantly, he's trying to do better…I think."

"And you think not showing up to class is doing better?" Blake couldn't help but interject calmly. She could feel a phantom of a snarl just barely pushing the angles of her lips into pointed tines.

"Thank you, Blake." The Schnee said, her chin upturned. A small smug smile on her face. Blake immediately regretted saying anything and scoffed, rolling her eyes. Yang didn't seem to pay much mind to what she or the Schnee were saying anyway, far too focused on scanning classmates in what Blake assumed was an effort to find Jack.

Blake knew he wasn't here. He had a distinct way of standing out among their peers. Besides, there's been no trace of him all day on Beacon grounds.

"Hmph, I'd think by now you would learn to listen to me Xiao-Long. But of course, you insist on making poor choices." Yang sighed at her words. Before stomping over to Jaune, who startlingly looked up from tying his shoes. Blake stayed where she was, leaning against the far wall, but couldn't help but to strain her faunus hearing to listen in on the conversation.

"Yo, Vomit Boy."

"C'mon…I hate that name." Yang giggled a little, her peppy attitude coming back quickly.

"I know, Jaune. I'm just teasing." She lightly punched Jaune's shoulder, a little nervous chuckle escaping him as he rubbed it casually.

"Who's this Jauney boy? Your girlfriend?" The big one, one of Jaune's teammates, asked. A bit of a smirk on his face. Yang couldn't help but return it.

"Nope." She said, popping the p. "Just friends." Jaune nodded.

"Really? First time I've seen any woman walk up to you, pal." The big one, Blake remembered now, team CRJL. Jaune partnered with Sky and their other teammate was Russel. Along with the leader…Cardin. He had an underlying vibe to his voice, like he was implicitly letting everyone know with just the timbre of his larynx that he did not like having Jaune Arc on his team. It was a feeling with which Blake could empathize with.

"Uhh…" Jaune nervously glanced away and rubbed his arm.

"Hey now, lay off big guy. We're just pals." Yang spoke, casting him a bit of a warning look. He looked at her with a slight frown. In a flash and some rose petals, Ruby was stationary next to Jaune with a small smile and her hands folded behind her back. Cardin grunted in surprise and just returned to his business when Yang shot him yet another glare. Like a flare of protective instinct burned up in her at the sight of her little sister, and she wanted Cardin to know his place when speaking to or about either of them.

"Hey Yang! Jaune!" She said happily, rocking back on her heels a bit.

"Hey Rubes." Yang ruffled her sister's hair, a long whine of displeasure erupted from Ruby as she tried a few times to angrily smack her sister's hand away.

"Dang it, Yang! I spent all morning brushing it!" Ruby tried in vain to fix her messed up hair. As Yang covered her mouth and tittered.

"You?! Brushing your hair!? I'll believe it when I see it sis…" Ruby growled at Yang with a look that even Blake had to admit was still too adorable to even consider taking seriously.

"H-Hey Ruby…" Jaune said, waving his hand in an awkward hello and another nervous chuckle. Ruby turned to him, the smile returning to her face.

"Jaune, hey! Wanna get dinner later?" Ruby asked.

"Sure thing. That sounds good…" He glanced at his team members nearby to see if they were listening or even caring. They weren't from what Blake was seeing.

"Hey so…have you two seen Jack about? I haven't seen him all day. I mean morning makes sense since today was his first day at that new job he got, but he wasn't in the library or meditating with Ren or doing anything else on campus later so...I called him once but it just rang…" As Yang spoke, Ruby's face gradually turned a little more serious.

"No…I haven't seen him all day. I mean, he and Jaune hopped on a call late last night but I think all they did was talk about...conspiracy theories?" Jaune groaned at Ruby's words.

"He kept bringing up that the 'Rothschilds' were paying women not to talk to him, and that was why he was single." Yang snorted at Jaune's words.

"The fuck?! What even is that?" Yang chuckled out.

Blake frowned. Feeling her cat ears strain against the bowtie. Before sighing and turning her gaze away, her eyes suddenly widening at the Schnee present next to her and observing the same scene she was. Blake scowled and quickly averted her eyes from the heiress of the SDC, the worst enemy of her people. Or one of them, at least.

"Figures. Our partners are the most halfwitted people, I swear…" The Schnee said casually. Blake didn't respond, after a moment the Schnee glanced at her for a split second. Her expression turned a little more displeased. "Is it so hard to be a little friendly for once, Belladonna? Or is glaring and making glib judgements the only thing you can do?" Blake could feel a steady boil in her blood. Her skin itched. Her ears flicked beneath her bow, and it ached from being constrained day-in and day-out.

"It's a wonder how you don't have any friends with that attitude." Blake stated dryly. Trying to keep a cool demeanor. She could see the Schnee's jaw clench in annoyance.

"Yes, well I can actually make an effort. Unlike you, who sits around in libraries and hides away from everyone instead of training or endeavoring to make the team look a little better." Blake finally gives the Schnee a black look.

"Says the Ice Queen who can't go a minute without throwing a tantrum when something doesn't go her way. Maybe try not bossing people around like a bitch all the time."

"I have standards to uphold." Weiss said, her gaze roving up Blake like she was nothing but a piece of meat. "Something that you lack, clearly. For the Gods' sake, is it too much to ask for some reasonable etiquette from all of you? You act like animals."

The word. Animals. It stoked a fire of rage in her. A Schnee is calling her an animal to her face. Jack belittles kids and calls them animals to their face just for trying to survive. How in the fuck did these people get into Beacon? Oh, she knows why the Schnee did.

"And you act like you're Queen Shit of Fuck mountain all because Daddy bought you into Beacon. You're just a spoiled whore." Blake hissed out. Her ears ached even more, like she was straining them on instinct. If she wasn't wearing the bow she would think they would be pinned back. Blake could see the Schnee's knuckles turning white. Fists clenched like she was about to sock her, and Blake couldn't resist a smirk at getting her so furious.

"I've worked hard! I've sacrificed a lot to get here! You can't just buy your way into Beacon, you moron!" She sneered at Blake, her eyes narrowing in fury. "And how dare you call me a whore when you're the one who shows your midriff, dressing like a slut." Blake bared her teeth as she stomped forwards. The Schnee showing a smug simper at getting her to lose her cool. Blake probably would have hit her, that's how angry she was. But…

"Ms. Belladonna! Ms. Schnee!" Goodwitch's stormy yet feminine bellow stopped Blake in her tracks. She felt her brain going stupid for a moment before trying to compose herself. They both had turned to the approaching professor, the clicking of her heels drawing the attention of the other students standing nearby. She stopped near them and took a moment to drift her gaze over the students.

"Where is your team leader?" The Schnee's expression changed from one of arrogant satisfaction to one of slight alarm. Scared at the mere prospect of even being associated with someone who doesn't take their academics seriously. Blake crossed her arms and nearly rolled her eyes, a grim shadow of a snarl yet compelling her face to twitch downward.

"Uh…well you see, Professor Goodwitch, we haven't seen him all day, and we've been struggling to get a hold of him." Goodwitch sighed momentarily, pinching the bridge of her nose before muttering to herself quietly.

"Of course he would skip eventually…" No one but Blake would have been able to hear that. Yang and the others briskly appeared after noticing and hearing Goodwitch's inquiries. She tried getting the professor's attention.

"Ms. Goodwitch! H-He's just running a little late! He has to be. He'll show up! It's fine!" Yang spoke.

"It is not fine. Even if he does show up he is still tardy…as leader of your team he should be here with you." A twinge of almost dejected disappointment intruded into her voice. Ruby grimaces, turning to Jaune and sharing a look.

Blake wasn't feeling it. As far as she's concerned, the guy reaps what he sows. He was never cut out for this in the first place and he's a raging asshole. The Schnee is a raging asshole. Hell, Yang to some degree pisses her off as well, granted to a much lesser degree.

"Class is starting now. Everyone find a seat while I call up the first two to spar-"

"I'll go first Ms. Goodwitch." The professor arched a brow in intrigue as Blake spoke quickly. "And I'll spar with her." She pointed at the Schnee, who blinked and gaped at Blake like she was casted even further slander than she was earlier. The Schnee made a noise of surprise before Goodwitch cut her off, addressing Blake directly with a stern look that almost made her hesitant.

"While you are allowed to volunteer yourself, you realize that I match you against students of other teams for the express purpose of learning adaptation in the midst of battle. Fighting a teammate with whom you have learned a little of their fighting style, I would hope, over the last week is hardly conducive to this learning objective. It would be better for you to spar on your own time." Blake grit her teeth, almost letting out a hiss as she tried to reign in the very obvious glare at her white haired teammate, who still gaped at her speechless.

"Like you said, professor, it's only been a week. Admittedly not many opportunities have come up to see my teammates in action aside from initiation. And I've already seen many others fighting during initiation." Goodwitch narrowed her eyes. "I would like to spar against Weiss." She had to consciously prevent herself from saying 'the Schnee'.

"Hmm." Goodwitch looked between them. "Is this also something you agree to, Ms. Schnee?" Weiss stuttered for a moment and looked between them. Before settling a look back at Blake with a small frown.

"Yes. I'm fine with it." She said, steadily. The professor hummed and let a quiet moment pass before she spoke.

"Normally, this isn't something I'd do. But since this is the first week and Ms. Belladonna brings up a lack of knowledge about her own teammates fighting styles…" Blake tried suppressing a wince at that, the way she had said it made it sound bad. But well…it wasn't untrue either. "...I'll allow it. Now, both of you get ready in the locker room and be out here and ready in five." With that, Goodwitch adjusted her small glasses and turned, her heels clacking as she made her way to address another group of students.

The Schnee's gaze had followed Goodwitch, and when she had turned back she let out a surprised grunt at having been moderately shoulder checked by Blake when she pushed past her on her way to the locker room.

"Guess we'll have to see just how much you earned your way into Beacon, Schnee." Blake walked with purpose, a small feeling of catharsis washing over her.

"Woah…Weiss, what was that about?" Blake could hear Yang ask slowly.

"It's nothing, Xiao-Long." Blake heard a disbelieving hum from the brawler, followed by Ruby mimicking her.

"Are you sure, Weiss? She looked pretty mad…" Jaune asked.

"It's really none of your business Arc! Now, excuse me while I go change and grab Myrtenaster…" Blake marched off to do the same.

"Damn, I wonder if my teammates are being retarded."

Libero stuffed his face with a hotdog he stole from a gut truck. His voice was muffled.

"Is your team retarded, umano?" I sighed, leaning my head back against the brick building.

"No…I guess not. They're all neurotic or maladjusted in their own ways. Me included. I guess that's one of the generational requirements of being a huntsman." I rubbed the back of my neck and yawned. "Now, are you just about ready? I'd like to get this done as quickly and gainfully as possible."

"Hold on, hold on…" The kid said, clapping the crumbs off his hands and clearing his throat. He turned back to me. "So, a gun?" I nodded in confirmation.

"I need a weapon. Doesn't have to be anything fancy, but you mentioned being in a…competitive business yesterday…" He raised a brow and put his hands on his hips, wiping mud off his ratty oversized boot on the edge of the sidewalk.

"So?"

"So, I'm asking if a street kid like you know any arms dealers or something that will accept this as payment for their goods." I hold out the two fire dust crystals I kept for myself. Libero raised a brow and looked back and forth between me and the two red-orange crystals.

"..."

"..."

"No offense but are you fuckin' whacked, umano?" I groaned at him.

"C'mon! Don't give me shit! I'm sticking my neck out here and I'm willing to make it worth your while." He crossed his arms as his coyote ears flicked around atop his head.

"Hell no! Ain't nothin' worth getting involved with those guys. I mean, sure, the Xiong family has got some big papas. But they're ruthless, man."

"I didn't really ask for your personal opinion. I just need you to set me up with someone who can get their hands on a gun. Not mecha-shift weaponry, not military grade rifles or whatever the fuck. I just need a handgun or something." Something of an addition to my hand against Ozpin and his 'requirements' of me. Perhaps I could even negotiate with him a little about the requirements for me to stay in Beacon if I show him I at least have a weapon. I just need more time to unlock my Aura. It's taking too long.

"Make it worth my while, and I might…" He crossed his arms and smirked. I scowled at the little shit.

"I'll work something out for you at the Dust shop I work at."

"Like what?"

"I could…get you free Dust." His ears flicked around in marginal interest.

"Keep talking…" I gritted my teeth. I didn't like the idea of risking my newly acquired job, but if I wanna stay in Beacon I have to take the risk…

"I'll get you free Dust vials. But it's gotta be a reasonable amount. Nothing that would get me noticed." The young shyster cupped his chin with a smirk I didn't like the look of.

"Alright…tell you what…" I bucked up a little, getting ready to hear his offer. "I can show you to a guy I know who trades weapons…and in return, you'll give me five vials of Dust. The powdered stuff." I sighed and tilted my head upwards, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath.

"Alright. Fine. Deal." He stuck his hand out, pleased with himself, and I shook it. Clamping down on his hand for a moment as I looked at him. "Now, tell me about this guy." I motioned for him to start walking. He scoffed and led me through the streets, his hands hooked in his baggy shorts.

"He's in the Xiong crime family. Met him when I was out and about redistributing property. Now…Xiong family controls most of the crime, so, I give fences the take and they cut out a bit for fleecers like me."

"So you're not angry they're stealing your spoils?" He scoffed.

"They say the only thing guaranteed in life is death and taxes…may not be fair, but that's life. I'd rather bite my pride and pay up a little than have the godsdamned Xiong crime family on me, umano."

"Seriously? They'd kill a kid over not forking over a few extra bucks? Come on…if they're an organized crime family they'd probably have more lucrative means of earning money then the lint in a pickpocket's…well…pocket."

"Hey! I don't get it either! I mean, these guys? They're coo coo! Even more than you, racist boy. But even more than that, they have no reservations on killing. Even if it's a charming little pup like me. Besides, the way I see it, it's never just one process to earn money. They always strongarm the little extortions, no matter how small they might seem. And over time? Well, it's no wonder they own that big ass Treszker hotel in the middle of the city." My eyes widened a bit.

"You're telling me the most notorious crime family in Vale owns the biggest eyesore in the city?"

"Yep."

"How come no one stops them?" He bursts out laughing.

"Because they're all bought and paid for, dipshit!" I slap the back of his head and he glares back at me. "I mean, I heard the big boss Xiong has connections to the council, the chief of police, and even that makeup wearin' fairy Torchwick, so…"

"But what about Hunters?" He snorts.

"He's got plenty under his thumb, believe it or not. And still, what the hell would they do? Arrest him? He'd be out in a picosecond!"

If that was such an issue why didn't Hunters just kill him? I left the question unasked, and more so just kept quiet as I walked alongside the cool as a cucumber street urchin.

"Where are you from anyway?" I asked.

"What? I'm from here."

"A Valean huh?" He rolled his eyes and kicked a pebble.

"Yeah. So? You got a point you're making, umano?"

"No. Just making conversation. Do you have any family?" He tensed slightly and glanced at me.

"Sure pal. We all do."

"I don't think that's entirely true, but I guess at one point we all do."

"My mom and my brother. She came over from Mistral, met my dad here and she had me just before he left to get the milk. Probably dodged a bullet not stayin' in Mistral though, I hear the age of consent there is fourteen or some other pedo shit."

"Gah, what is it, the Alabama of Remnant!? Next thing you'll say is incest is encouraged to keep the gene pool pure."

"Nah, that was Atlas like forty years ago I think?" He scratched his furry ears. "I dunno. Haven't had a history class with Pastor Albus in a while…Say, since we're talkin' about each other what the shit happened to your hand?" I snapped my gaze down to my hand, still partly bandaged and hurting less and less every day.

"Grimm bit my finger off. I lost it while fighting off a few hundred at a time, no big deal. I'm basically a war hero, just without the war and with the badass scars to show for it." He deadpanned at me.

"Scars by themselves ain't as badass as you seem to think, human. And if you're such a badass who can fight off a hundred Grimm off at once, how come you couldn't even defend yourself from that faunus chick?"

"Wha?" He rolled his eyes again, latching onto a street pole and swinging around it as I stopped in confusion.

"That hot chick! Your partner, remember? She punched your lights out yesterday."

"Oh yeah, her." I shrugged. "I just didn't feel like unleashing my full anime superpowers that I get from leveling up on her. I'm a gentleman like that…" My eyes squint in realization. "Hang on, how'd you figure out she was faunus?"

He groaned in exasperation.

"Bro, c'mon. I think I'd recognize my own kind. She's a catgirl too, I mean she's hot so I don't judge if you're into her, just not my type."

"You're like twelve, animal boy. You don't have a type and you shouldn't for a little while yet."

"I'm fourteen, ya racist schmuck!" He waved his fist up at me. Huh, so I guess I was off about his age. Damn, he looks younger than he is.

"Well, she isn't my type either." I continued walking again and he flung off the pole in front of me.

"Really?"

"Yeah. She's got one too many skeletons in her closet, Stevie Wonder style. That's just a textbook red flag. Besides I'm pretty sure she's got an alt-boy ex or something that has a bone to pick with her." He snorted and chuckled for a moment, shaking his head in amusement.

"Alright alright, I get ya…or, whatever it is some of that meant."

"Quick question, who's Pastor Albus? You mentioned him earlier." He blinked and his ears flicked a moment.

"Oh yeah! He's the pastor in this district's church. Lotta of our number bunk there when we can." I make a noise of confusion. "I mean, street rats like me. He's a good man. Takes us in, gives us food, cots and tries to teach us shit. You know, like the maths and the history and stuff…"

"Ok."

"Speaking of, we're here." He turned right and I looked up to see a small church snug between two much larger buildings. The bricks worn from red to a dull lifeless brown. A few symbols depicting two humanoid figures, one shining brightly and the other more reminiscent of a shadow, was on the stained glass of a circular window just above the entrance to the church.

I used to go to church when I was younger, my aunt was catholic. Not anymore though, I'm not religious. It wasn't really something I thought about. I shook my head.

"What're we doing here? Shouldn't you be leading me to this weapons dealer you know?" He waved me off as he walked up the steps to the entrance.

"I'm just makin' a quick pit stop, Jackson. Don't get your nuts twisted." With that he opened the door slightly and slipped in. I sighed and followed him, pushing open the door and stepping into the church.

Yeah, those extra long chapters aren't going to be a 'thing' fyi. lol

anyways, thanks for readin, leave a review if you feel so inclined.

Catch ya next update.