So I found out this week is part of 9 Days of Lancaster? I don't know what that is about except people post a lot of Lancaster fics and art. For this update to fall into this time frame was by complete coincidence. My Beta's were busy and only managed to get to this recently. Otherwise it would have been updated earlier. They work hard to get it out as soon as they can, even with their hectic lies and they are the real MVPs. Special thanks to Nbappo for his help.
This chapter is a little more light hearted after the fun of the last two. With the Grimm defeated, it's time for a little R&R. Jaune can't be a Chad too often.
If you continue to enjoy my stories, feel free to check out my p a treon.
P a treon . com (Slash) Darkbetrayer
Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.
"Are you going to get up?"
Jaune wearily blinked away the lingering traces of exhaustion that clung to his eyes, gradually bringing the room into focus. Slowly, he lifted his gaze from the comfort of the bed, his senses alerting him to a joyful presence lingering above him. A radiant smile illuminated the face that hovered in his line of sight, framed by a cascade of vibrant, ruby-hued locks that cascaded like a fiery waterfall.
The silver irises of Ruby's eyes glistened with mirth, a playful twinkle dancing within them. Her contagious laughter spilled forth in gentle, melodic giggles.
"Is it morning already?" The boy grumbled.
"Yep!" Ruby gracefully reached for the cords, opening the blinds to their tiny window and inviting in a radiant flood of daylight that bathed the room. "I even let you sleep late because I'm such a nice person."
"You sure it's not because you were tired too and overslept?" Jaune mused, propping himself up on his arms. Not that he blamed her. Last night took a lot out of both of them.
Sienna had swiftly dispatched a message to the town guards, alerting them of the subdued Grimm and prompting the troops to immediately converge upon the location. Considering that most of them lacked the protection of Aura, they were specifically instructed to maintain a safe distance to ward off any potential possession by the Chill. With urgency, Tobias was gently lifted from Jaune's arm and promptly taken to the medical station for a thorough examination.
While Ruby had the desire to continue working throughout the night, ensuring the safety of their surroundings, Sienna, in a manner that indicated no room for negotiation, strongly suggested that the two return to their quarters and wait until morning. Being too tired to argue, Jaune obediently pulled Ruby along, which turned out to be a good decision on his part.
Even though they were both exhausted, Ruby had hugged him tightly, praising his plan, before they crashed into blissful slumber in each other's arms.
"Please, I was fine." Ruby scoffed. "I'm worried about you. Unlocking someone's early is a pretty taxing thing I've heard."
"Is it?" Jaune tilted his head.
"You literally pushed a large chunk of your Aura into someone to boost their locked Aura outwards," Ruby explained. "When Uncle Qrow did it for me, he had to rest for a while, or maybe that was an excuse to drink a bit." Ruby rubbed her chin as she thought about it.
As Ruby's mind wandered through memories, Jaune's thoughts also drifted back to a significant incident when his own Aura was first unlocked. It was during Beacon Academy's initiation that his naive and foolish past self decided it was a brilliant idea to enroll in a Huntsmen school without any prior training or knowledge of Aura. Looking back, he realized it was a clear indication that his parents weren't exactly thrilled about him becoming a Huntsman.
The pivotal moment occurred when Pyrrha, in a heroic act, saved Jaune from being launched off a treacherous cliff. It was then, amidst the chaos and danger, that she unlocked his Aura in the middle of the forest. Jaune vividly recalled the expression on Pyrrha's face as she mentioned that he possessed a considerable amount of Aura.
The memory brought forth a mix of emotions for Jaune. On one hand, he couldn't help but feel embarrassed and foolish for his lack of preparation and knowledge. He had been driven by a sense of recklessness and a desire to prove himself, but the reality of the situation hit him hard. However, at the same time, he felt a deep gratitude towards Pyrrha for not only saving him but also unlocking his dormant potential.
Unlocking Aura was tiring and yet she never complained.
Pyrrha just kept going, fighting Grimm with everyone else.
"I guess it was tiring," Jaune admitted, his voice laced with a hint of reflection. "But I was too focused on what I was doing to worry about that. And I was boosting myself, so that might have helped."
"I'm beginning to think Uncle Qrow was right about your Semblance being a cheat code." Ruby pouted. "You can just keep going and going."
"Coming from the girl who is one step shy from being able to teleport."
Laughter filled the air as they rose, basking in the morning's radiant glow after their triumphant victory over the Grimm. However, the lightheartedness swiftly faded when Ruby's gaze turned towards a nearby building, which was the closest thing to a hospital, a sobering reminder of the battles fought and lives forever changed.
"We should go check on Tobias." The girl said.
"Way ahead of you." Jaune was pulling on his shoes. "That boy was brave. Braver than someone like him should have had to be. When I had to leave him, he was trying not to cry."
"I'm glad we didn't have to resort to Sienna's strategy." Ruby nodded, rubbing her arm. "Killing a kid… I don't think I could have lived with myself."
"I feel the same way," Jaune murmured, his arm naturally finding its place around her shoulders as she tilted her head to meet his gaze. "That's exactly why I exhausted every possibility, even if they seemed unlikely. But dwelling on the negatives won't do anything productive, right?" Qrow and the late Manny's words resonated within them, urging them to focus on the brighter side. "The town has been saved, Tobias is alive, and those whom the Grimm took can now receive the farewell they deserve, a proper funeral."
"If only we had arrived earlier…" Ruby muttered.
"Stop, Ruby," Jaune interjected gently yet firmly, his unwavering gaze meeting hers. He refused to let his friend succumb to despair, just as she had always been there to uplift him. "You're an extraordinary Huntress, but you can't carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Please don't dwell on the things that are beyond our control. We may not be able to be everywhere at once, but what we can do is make a difference right where we are, helping people in any way we can."
A sniffle followed his words and Ruby wiped her eyes.
"Since when were you so good with words?" Ruby muttered.
"Your uncle and I talk a lot, mostly when he's drunk and he spills everything." The boy leaned down. "Don't tell anyone, but he gets really sappy when he's drunk. I think he said he loves me once."
Ruby snorted loudly and then delivered a playful punch to Jaune's arm for making her do that. However, she seemed noticeably more cheerful as they left their room and exited the building. The brilliant sun beamed overhead, its rays cascading through the open sky as if nature itself sought to cleanse away the shadows of the previous night. The atmosphere was noticeably less tense and people were out and about. Two guards stopped as Jaune and Ruby passed, waving to them.
The stark contrast in their initial treatment wasn't lost on them as they made their way towards the hospital. Jaune couldn't help but wonder aloud, "Are we popular now?"
Ruby playfully elbowed him, a smirk tugging at her lips. "After last night, you probably are. But don't let it get to your head, or I might just have to spill the beans about those times you tried to ask Weiss out."
Chuckling at the memory, Jaune replied, "You've become quite vengeful lately. Who's the bad influence on you?"
"Probably our mentor," Ruby quipped, a hint of mischief in her voice. "He's known for his drinking and colorful language." Although they both understood it wasn't the real reason, Ruby chose not to mention a certain woman's name, not wanting to remind Jaune of their intimate moments. It was best for him to forget her, as they occupied separate worlds. Jaune needed someone like himself—someone driven to do good and help others—rather than someone who would deceive or harm them.
They eventually stopped in front of the large building and looked up.
"Do we just… walk in?" Ruby asked, unsure of proper procedures out here.
"Umm, let's knock." Jaune proposed with a hesitant tone, gesturing towards the door, his knuckles tapping lightly against the wooden surface. After a brief pause, the door cracked open, revealing an older woman with oversized glasses peering curiously through the narrow gap.
"Huh?" She blinked. "Oh, it's you two. Did you need something? Were you injured last night? I was told you both left after the Grimm was defeated."
"No, we're fine!" Ruby shook her head. "We're here to see if Tobias is okay."
"He's currently asleep, but he was awake earlier." The doctor's warm smile graced her face as she addressed Jaune and Ruby. "Rest assured, the kid is doing well. He may be a bit tired, but his appetite has certainly returned, so he's feeling better."
"What about his mother?" Ruby remembered, the memory of the bullet lodging itself into her arm, throwing blood everywhere, swimming to the front of her mind. "The Grimm nearly got her killed."
"She was a little worse due to blood loss, but a Dust Injection boosted her system right back up." The woman put a hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to worry. I've been doing this for longer than you have been alive. She'll be bed ridden for a few days, but then will be up and moving about like normal."
"When Tobias wakes up, can you let him know we stopped by?" Jaune asked.
"I'm sure he will be excited to hear that." The doctor nodded and looked at him curiously. "Thank you for all your help. It's not often we see people willing to risk so much to help the people here."
"We're Huntsmen, it's what we do." Jaune assured her and turned to Ruby. "Well, that's a weight off my mind."
"Let's go get some breakfast then, I'm starving." Ruby replied, looking bright.
Eager not to impede the ongoing medical treatment and recognizing the importance of allowing Tobias and his mother to rest and recover, the two teenagers silently departed, their steps filled with consideration. It brought immense relief to know that both innocents caught up in this chaotic situation were on the path to recovery. However, Jaune and Ruby's peace was short-lived as the resounding crash of the medical building's door being flung open shattered the tranquility. In an instant, a man sporting bear-like ears, clad in a guard uniform, emerged; his gaze immediately fixed upon them, propelling him towards them in a determined sprint.
The heavy thud of approaching footsteps jolted the youngsters, causing them to swiftly turn around, startled by the sudden intrusion. Instinctively, their hands reached for their weapons, only to freeze abruptly as the realization dawned upon them—unleashing their weapons in the middle of the town would be the last thing they needed. Moments later, the man's large hands came crashing down upon Jaune's shoulder, his gaze locked intently with Jaune's own as he emphatically uttered two simple yet heartfelt words:
"Thank you!"
"Huh?"
Jaune didn't expect a large man, let alone a guard, to grab him so strongly that he nearly collapsed as his body went limp.
"You saved my wife and son... I can't express my gratitude enough." The man's eyes welled up with tears as he spoke, and his voice choked with emotion. "I was stationed on the wall, but without Aura, I was not allowed to get closer. When I heard that my house became the battleground..." His knees trembled uncontrollably, and he collapsed to the ground, clutching onto Jaune's shirt with desperation. "I could have lost them both, and it was you two who saved them. Two humans... I am so sorry for ever doubting you."
The weight of the man's words hung heavily in the air, echoing the profound impact their actions had on his life. Ruby and Jaune looked at each other.
"Hey, no need for all that." Jaune patted the man's shoulder awkwardly, it was a bit uncomfortable. "They're fine and the Grimm is dead. Now's not a time to be sorry, it's a time to celebrate."
"Yeah!" Ruby agreed quickly. "We were more than happy to help. It's what we signed up for when we joined Beacon. Kicking Grimm's butt and helping people. Besides, what kind of person wouldn't save a kid in trouble."
"You'll be surprised…" The man stood up and wiped his face with his sleeve. "But you two are right." Taking a deep breath, he seemed to have regained his composure. "I'll never forget this. Anytime you're in the area, you always have a place to stay. I owe you two a debt I will probably never be able to repay."
"You don't have…" Jaune started to say.
"It seems you two are quickly becoming the heroes." An amused feminine voice interrupted.
"Kali!" Ruby spun around. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine," The woman smiled back. "You two were the ones who did most of the work last night." She turned to the man. "Mind if I take these two? You should be with your family."
"No, go ahead." The man stepped back and headed back to the medical building. "Thank you all again!"
"You're welcome!" Ruby waved.
"So what all happened last night after we left?" Jaune asked, as he and Ruby accompanied Sienna on a stroll through town.
"Oh, mostly things you probably would have found boring." Sienna yawned. "All the guards did a thorough sweep around town, checking each house, and making sure no one else was missing. That's why everyone knows what happened."
"You could have just said we all worked together to stop it." Jaune pointed out. "Did you have to tell them what really happened?"
"I did." Sienna stopped and turned around. "I take credit when credit is due, but I don't fake my accomplishments. You were the hero last night, kid. I was prepared to end it in the only way I knew how, but you managed to fight on and find another solution. Now I know there is another way if we ever encounter another Chill. I'll make sure it's passed on personally."
"It was a gamble." Jaune admitted, rubbing his arm. "I never did it before and could only keep the Chill still due to my Semblance."
"Yes, it was perfectly fine destroying its host if the situation called for it." Sienna's voice was bitter. "That creature thrived in tormenting its victims, using loved ones to kill their family. That's low."
"I'd rather fight a hundred Beowolves than that again." Ruby agreed, her hand clenched in a fist. She then realized something they hadn't learned about yet. "Did you find out why the Chill possessed people then led them out of the city? Wouldn't it have just tried to use them to kill other people?"
"We don't know for sure, but we have a few guesses." Sienna answered. "Somehow, it was locked away in a cave years ago and recently broke free during an earthquake. I'm not sure how they sealed it, as it should be able to pass through the rocks. But after decades, or maybe even a century or more, it must have made that place its home. So after possessing people, it went back. Though long-term exposure to Grimm essence decayed the body quickly, which left only bones."
"That seems unusual for a Grimm." Jaune pointed out. "You sure that's it?" The woman shrugged.
"Grimm aren't intelligent like humans and Faunus. Older ones can learn a few tricks, but they tend to fall into patterns. Like waiting to attack injured individuals or those with powerful Aura. After spending so long in that cave, its habit was to stay there. By bringing people back, it was tormenting the town while also killing people. It found a pattern that fulfilled all its desires."
"Do Chills enjoy torturing people?" Ruby asked reluctantly. "Other Grimm just try to destroy, but this one did it in a roundabout way."
"This one did seem to, but it's the first Chill I've seen." Sienna shrugged. "I can't tell you what the rest of them are like. We encountered an older one."
"It's gone now, so no use thinking about it, right?" Jaune elbowed Ruby lightly.
"Hey, stop that!" Ruby pushed him back, laughing.
"It's actually a good thing you two showed up." Sienna crossed her arms. "Now that we know for sure you are who you say you are. I was still suspicious of you even after our talks. Some of my men were even assigned to monitor you, just in case."
"Can't say I disagree with that." Jaune admitted, sighing heavily. "We're wearing bandit clothes, showed up out of nowhere, and we're humans in a predominantly Faunus populated area. I bet we were suspicious. Thank you for not shooting us on sight."
"I considered it." A smirk tugged on her lips.
"Please don't. Gunshots hurt."
"Speaking from experience?"
"She's shot me multiple times." Jaune pointed toward Ruby.
"Hey! Context!" The girl fumed, waving her hands around. "We were training!"
"I still have the bruises." Jaune grinned. "She doesn't hold back."
"Stop making me sound like a bad guy!"
Sienna couldn't help but feel amused by the comical antics of Jaune and Ruby. Seeing humans who selflessly assisted Faunus without expecting anything in return provided a refreshing break from the instances where Faunus had suffered at the hands of their kind. Sienna believed in fighting for equality, despite the challenges it presented. While some argued that Faunus should rule over humans due to their enhanced senses, natural weapons, and agility, Sienna recognized the danger in such an approach. It would only lead to another rebellion from the humans, repeating the same cycle with the roles reversed.
Unless they wanted to completely commit genocide.
Sometimes, that seemed like a good idea.
"See, look how violent she is!" Jaune protested, protecting himself from Ruby's rapid fists.
"It's good to have close friends," Sienna told them, snapping back to reality from her dark thoughts. "Make sure you stick together. The world isn't always kind, but it's important to remember what you're fighting for."
"You sound like you're about to leave." Ruby stopped thumping her friend and looked at Sienna.
"Observant aren't you?" Sienna shook her head. "Yes, my group is moving on. Supplies have been delivered and the Grimm threat has been taken care of. There's no reason to stick around any longer. Other places require our attention."
"Ah… we'll miss you, Kali." Ruby shook her hand. "Thanks to you we were able to get here and contact my Uncle to pick us up."
"Speaking of, the Chief says you're welcome to stay here as long as needed." Sienna informed them, after Ruby let go. "As thanks for saving her grandson."
"Tobias was her grandson?!" Jaune gasped.
"Didn't you notice they both had the same tails?"
As Jaune found himself immersed among a community of Faunus, he had gradually become desensitized to their animal characteristics, much like noticing someone's hair color without giving it much conscious thought unless prompted to do so by a specific reason. However, Sienna's remark about Faunus traits drew his attention, and he couldn't help but observe the similarity between the Chief's tail and Tobias's, albeit that the Chief's had a touch of grayness that time had etched upon it.
"Well anyways," Sienna continued. "She's more than happy to allow you two room and board until your mentor shows up. It will probably be a few days at least?"
"Most likely," Jaune confirmed. "He's up at the Atlas Lumber Yang last time we saw him before Raven captured us. Based on the maps we saw, we're pretty far south. For him to get down here will take a while."
"Guess I won't get a chance to meet him." The woman sounded almost disappointed. "I'm curious to know what kind of man he is to raise such interesting students."
"You sure you can't stick around for a little while longer?" Ruby asked, almost half pleading.
"Heh, sorry, no." Sienna shook her head. "Too much work to do. We're leaving first thing in the morning. Right now, we are packing up and some of our men are scouting to make sure we didn't miss any other Grimm activity. Once that's done, we'll be off. There's multiple stops along our route of other towns needing our help."
"We understand," Jaune assured her, tugging on Ruby's purple cloak. "It's impossible to be everywhere at once and the more we delay, the less places we can help out."
Boy, did he know that now. People died when he and Ruby weren't around, and while it wasn't their fault, there was always a small part of him that wondered if they could have done something had they gotten here sooner. It was a stupid thought, as they had no idea something was even going on in the town, and there were other guards and Huntsmen on Remnant. They needed to realize what they were capable of and not get themselves down when they couldn't solve every problem.
"Good, I know you two had a decent head on your shoulders." Sienna crossed her arms and nodded. "It was an enlightening experience meeting you two. Maybe our paths will cross again someday."
"We'll probably be back in Vale once our apprenticeship ends." Ruby informed her. "We'll be at Beacon Academy, but if you're ever in the area, feel free to look us up. We can show you around."
"I doubt I'll have any free time, but if I do, we'll see." Sienna replied, not willing to commit to anything. She doubted she would be in Vale for a while. There were people she knew there, but asking them to check on a couple of humans would lead to a lot of awkward questions. Especially from one very angry bull. "There's no doubt you two will end up being a pretty popular Huntsman and Huntress. I'll be watching the news to monitor your exploits. Don't disappoint me, right?"
"Nope!" Ruby shook her head eagerly. "My team is participating in the Vytal Festival this year. We'll definitely win."
"She means her team will get second after mind." Jaune politely corrected her, but for some reason he earned a slap on the arm.
"A little healthy competition never hurt anyone." Sienna laughed. "But anyways, I have to go and monitor my group's packing."
"We'll see you off tomorrow then, Kali!" Ruby promised, waving.
Sienna gave them a small smile and waved back before turning and heading off. Jaune and Ruby left to continue their walk and discuss other things. They would soon find out how popular they were after their actions last night. Sienna hadn't lied when she said she wouldn't take credit for herself when she didn't do anything. The credit for her organization? That was another matter entirely. She made sure to spread the truth that the White Fang had been there and worked with passing Huntsmen to kill the Grimm haunting the town.
"Did you finish saying goodbye?" Laz asked, stepping out as Sienna passed him.
"Those two really want to see us off." Sienna huffed, not looking at him. "Why are they so clingy?"
"They were pretty honest about why." Laz counted off his fingers. "You helped them get into town, allowed them to contact their mentor, worked with them to protect people, you kissed the boy..."
"Say that again and I'll castrate you too." Sienna growled. "That was an unfortunate accident and that rumor needs to be quashed. If someone like Adam heard that, he would use it as a reason to rebel, calling me a human sympathizer."
"Those two are the types of humans we want to be in charge though." Laz reminded her. "People who understand our problems and are willing to help Faunus just as easily as humans."
"Don't you think I know that?" Sienna snapped. "But those two are still young. There's plenty of time for them to change."
"Then wouldn't it be better for us to work with them so they don't?"
Sienna paused, her footsteps faltering.
"You sure are taking a personal interest in those two." The woman accused.
"Because the boy saved my niece." Laz answered flatly. "Regardless if he's human, Faunus, or even a Grimm. He saved a member of my family and that alone is enough to earn my respect when he risked his life to do so."
Silence followed his statement.
"You have a point." Sienna finally admitted, crossing her arms. "Since you have contacts in Vale, do you think they would be interested in monitoring the situation there? Keeping their heads down. Adam can not know about this."
"I know one or two people who might be willing." Laz admitted slowly. "If I tell them they saved my sister's kid, I'm sure they would."
"Vale has been improving, but there's still a long way to go," Sienna explained. "Ozpin has been working towards equality, or so we are made to believe. There are rumors that racism still exists within Beacon's walls. If he's only providing lip service, then we have a bigger problem."
"Do you really think Ozpin isn't serious about fighting against discrimination?" The man raised an eyebrow. "After seeing his students like those two?"
"That's what's been bugging me." Sienna's frown deepened. "Those two kids are pretty exceptional in their own rights. Why would they be sent out on an apprenticeship during their first year at Beacon? Pyrrha Nikos attended Beacon, that made the news all over Mistral, and she's a prodigy. If this training expedition was for top students, why didn't she make the cut?"
"What are you implying, Sienna?" Laz asked, a little confusion in his voice.
"I could understand sending racists out in field training," Sienna explained coldly. "A lot of wealthy idiots think that if you teach racists about the groups they are discriminating against, it will change their mind. It doesn't. It just makes us seem like zoo animals to those bastards. But if you have those people risking their lives side by side with Faunus, it changes them."
She turned her head and looked backwards, though Jaune and Ruby were long gone by now.
"They don't have a single racist bone in their body. So why are they out here? What could the reason be?" Sienna looked back at Laz. "I don't want to admit it, but if Ozpin is keeping their ideals away from the general populace at Beacon…"
"Wait… you actually think that guy… the headmaster who preaches for Faunus equality… is keeping skilled students who believe that away from everyone else?" Laz looked incredulously at her. "You can't honestly believe it."
"No, it sounds too preposterous to be considered, but I did think about it." Sienna rolled her eyes. It had always been in the back of her mind. "I'm wondering if Ozpin sent those kids to Mistral to contact us? Knowing they would work with Faunus. It seems kind of farfetched, but I'm trying to consider all possibilities. Ozpin has always been a bit of an enigma."
"If he did send them to contact us, they hardly seem to know anything." Laz pointed out. "Though I guess their timing was… coincidental."
"Yeah, too much if you ask me." Sienna didn't look happy as she considered this. "But I don't believe for one minute that those two know anything about it, so I'm not going to press them for answers. I want your men to watch Ozpin's movements, and when those two return, keep an eye out to see if they do anything noteworthy. He might be grooming them."
"Is this paranoia the reason we're leaving early?"
"Call it what you want, but it kept us alive multiple times." The woman scoffed. "And yes. I don't want to meet their mentor, so it's best we get out before he arrives. Those kids might not recognize me, but no doubt a fully licensed Huntsman will."
"No problem on our end, because we do have a lot of shit to get done." Laz agreed. "Did you hear? There are a couple of Faunus businesses being terrorized by human gangs. Normal intimidation tactics. Random threats, false claims, graffiti."
"We'll make sure they understand what they're doing is wrong." Sienna's grin didn't portray happiness, but dark amusement. "For every good human, it seems like there are dozens of bad ones." She cracked her knuckles. "I'm sure people won't mind if some of them disappear."
"Do you think those two kids will be glad to hear their new friend 'Kali' is saying that?" Laz mused.
"Do you want to be castrated too?"
"Just saying. Look, those two have their own way of doing things and it seems their honesty and sincerity really helped them fit in this town." The man gestured a hand to the buildings. "The people here all have had their problems with humans, and yet those two are now welcome with open arms."
"We judge humans on what they do, not what they say." Sienna huffed. "Come on. We have packing to do. I don't want to meet their mentor and confirm my suspicion."
Things don't always work out how people want them.
The next morning, Jaune and Ruby received good news from a messenger knocking on their door.
"A human is approaching the city and appears to be a Huntsman. We want to verify he's with you."
Jaune jolted awake, instantly springing to his feet, but Ruby had already swiftly dressed and dashed out the door at a speed that seemed almost supersonic. A sonic boom would hardly have surprised Jaune at that moment. Hastily changing his own clothes, he joined the messenger, who had been gazing into the distance, where rose petals vanished into the air. They wasted no time in hurriedly making their way towards the open front gate, guarded by several stationed personnel, prepared for any potential trap. Ruby was standing at the gate, her hands clasped over her mouth, her unwavering gaze fixed upon the path ahead. As Jaune reached her side, he beheld the sight that had captivated her attention.
A single man was grinning at them.
It really was Qrow. Looking tired and ragged, but it was undoubtedly him. He must have set off immediately without rest. Jaune didn't know how he caught up to them, since they had a four-wheeler, but he didn't care at this time.
Relief flooded through the boy and, from the expression on Ruby's face, through her too.
His legs suddenly grew weak as the stress and worry faded away.
"Hey brats!" Qrow grinned, raising a hand. "Miss me?"
"Uncle Qrow!" In a flash Ruby vanished from her spot in a flurry of petals and collided with her uncle.
"Woah there, squirt." The man grunted. "I've rushed here as fast as I could and I'm dead tired."
"He's with us." Jaune confirmed to the guards, who let him pass into the city with Ruby clinging to Qrow's back. "Thanks."
"Anything for the two who took care of the Chill." One replied.
"Chill?" Qrow raised an eyebrow, obviously interested.
"Long story!" Ruby beamed. "But Jaune went and tore it apart barehanded."
"That seems like a story I want to hear." Qrow glanced over at him with curiosity. There were dark circles under his eyes and the man did look exhausted. "But first, does this town have a place to get a drink?"
"You'll have to pay, but they have a small store." Jaune admitted, pointing down the road. "I'm sure they can hook you up with something that resembles poison."
"Great, then you two can tell me everything." Qrow noticed the guards saluting them. "And why do you two seem like big shots."
"Because we helped them with the Grimm problem." Ruby answered.
"Been busy then," Qrow commented, ruffling her hair. Ruby was so happy to see him, she didn't even complain. "Good to see even without me, you're still standing strong."
"We really have to thank Kali," Jaune admitted. "If it wasn't for her, we would have had a lot of trouble getting here." More so that the town probably wouldn't have even opened the gates for them.
"Kali?" Qrow raised an eyebrow.
"She's a really nice person who we helped fight off some Grimm when trying to find this town," Ruby explained in a rush. "She helped convince them we weren't a threat, even though we looked like bandits." The girl glanced at her purple cloak and shivered. "I can't wait to get back and get our real clothes! Are we going to stop by the Lumber Yard to pick up our stuff? Please say yes!"
"Yes."
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
"Relax, squirt." Qrow covered her mouth with his hand. "Can I meet this Kali? I really want to thank her too. Things spiraled out of control because of my negligence."
"I doubt even you would imagine Raven would portal into our room and kidnap us." Jaune snorted and Qrow couldn't refute that. "As for Kali, she was planning to leave this morning, but I think she's still here." He pointed to the vehicles at the edge of town. "Yep, they haven't left yet. We should hurry if you want to catch them."
Filled with excitement, Ruby eagerly tugged at her uncle's sleeve, pulling him along without any resistance on his part. They swiftly made their way towards the caravan, where the final few boxes were being counted. Qrow's gaze narrowed as he scrutinized the vehicles, his instincts sharp and alert. There was something about them he recognized that the kids didn't. However, his attention was soon redirected as Ruby impatiently yanked at his sleeve, urging him to join her in approaching the tiger woman.
"KALI!" Ruby called out, waving. "Look who just arrived! It's my Uncle!'
Sienna took a deep breath, her gaze unwavering as she turned and locked eyes with Qrow in an instant. The intensity of their silent exchange filled the air, as they both assessed each other, gauging the other's intentions. Jaune and Ruby exchanged puzzled glances themselves, unable to comprehend the underlying tension between the two. Finally, breaking the silence, Qrow extended his hand.
"Good to meet you, Kali." The man smiled at her. "Names, Qrow. Thanks for taking care of my apprentices."
"Turned out to be a boon for taking them in," Sienna answered, shaking his hand. "They helped us out with a delicate Grimm problem. Here we thought they would just be causing trouble. You're not going to cause trouble, are you?"
"Not as long as there's alcohol around." Qrow laughed and let go. "My job is to train these two brats, kill Grimm, and help people in trouble. Anything outside of that isn't in my job description. Unless you're the one causing trouble. Are you, Kali?"
"Wouldn't dream of it," Sienna gave a short faked laugh. "Tell Ozpin I said hi and that I'm impressed with some of his students. Beacon must be an institution worthy of being called the top Huntsmen Academy. I might have to check it out next time I'm in Vale."
"I'm sure he'll be happy to hear you think so," Qrow's smile seemed fixed. "Don't take too long to visit though. He might forget. Age is a terrible thing you know."
"I'll tell him you said that."
"Don't and I'll buy you a drink when you arrive."
This time, the two of them shared an actual laugh.
"It was good to meet you, Kali." Qrow told her seriously once he stopped. "These two may have some survival skills, but this far out would be a bit much for them in the long term."
"As I said, it was a good thing we ran into each other," Sienna assured him. "They really helped us out. Sorry, I can't stay and chat longer, but we have places to be. I'm sure you understand."
"Don't let me keep you then. I'll get the full story out of these two later."
"Really hope we get to see you again." Jaune shook her hand.
"Make sure to watch us during the Vytal Festival later this year!" Ruby begged, also shaking her hand.
"I'll try to if I have time." Sienna replied dismissively. "Good luck on your journey."
"You too!" Jaune and Ruby said together as she left to join her Caravan. Finally accepting she was going, the two kids looked slightly depressed. Goodbyes were never easy for anyone.
"Don't look so down, brats." Qrow told them, glancing from one to the other. "You really bonded with her? What, did Jaune here ask her out?" The last part was a joke of course, but what happened next confused the hell out of him.
"He kissed her once!" Ruby blurted out.
"R-RUBY?!" Jaune spluttered. "We talked about this!"
"Well, it's true!"
"It was an accident!"
"But it's true!"
"Knock it off you two." Qrow put his hand on both of them and separated them like the children they were acting like. "I am too sober to be listening to this. Show me the bar, let me start drinking, then I want to hear about everything that has happened since Raven took you two."
The 'bar' they entered was a modest general store that primarily sold inexpensive beer. Qrow, perhaps paying more than necessary, then joined Jaune and Ruby as they made their way to their room. The cramped space accommodated the three of them, with Qrow finding a spot on the floor while Ruby and Jaune settled on the bed. Once everyone had found comfort, the young pair eagerly began to divulge their story.
They commenced by recounting their encounters with Raven and Vernal, detailing the grueling Branwen training they were subjected to. This involved constant battles, enduring frequent beatings, and even being coerced into stealing supplies from a nearby town. Jaune took a particular moment to highlight his ability to employ his Semblance to heal some of the wounded warriors within the Branwen tribe, which piqued Qrow's interest. Eventually, their escape hinged on Jaune's persuasive skills, which convinced Vernal to allow him to commandeer a four-wheeler. Ruby, filled with enthusiasm, took pleasure in recounting the intricacies of their plan, providing vivid descriptions of how she expertly disabled the enemy vehicles during their adrenaline-fueled high-speed chase.
"She never saw it coming!" Ruby puffed out her chest. "Serves her right for all the pain she put us through. I still have bruises in places I didn't know existed!"
"I do feel a little bad for her." Jaune admitted. "I tricked her into letting me go and she actually was opening up a bit about her life there."
"You can't be defending her, Jaune!" Ruby gasped.
"I'm not defending what they did, but I at least understand how they got to where they are." Jaune elaborated quickly. "Living out in the wilds? You have to be strong and willing to do whatever it takes to survive. I think the training they were giving us was real, Ruby. They really wanted us to join the tribe."
"He's right, Squirt." Qrow added. "That's pretty standard. You both already have the basics, so it was mainly pounding combat experience into you. If you want to stop getting hurt, you grow stronger." Unlike what Jaune's dad did to a novice, those two actually had some foundations to work off of. "It's still unusual for Raven to attempt something like that. Usually the tribe picks up strays who lost their towns in Grimm raids or someone seeks them out."
"Is it because of my Semblance?" Jaune asked, thinking back. "That's what Ruby and I came up with. Who wouldn't want a healer out in the middle of nowhere."
"Could be?" Qrow shrugged, but again, that wasn't like Raven. She would accept Ruby since the girl was extremely skilled for her age and could use her to keep Jaune under control, just like using him as shackles for her. The two kids wouldn't abandon each other. Healing Semblances were rare, so it was possible Raven wanted that. Did she also see the potential in them? Jaune was learning things extraordinarily fast for anyone his age.
Maybe he was overthinking it.
"So how did you meet Kali and her group?" The man asked instead.
"Since we had the map of the area, we were heading toward this town." Jaune explained. "Though we had no idea if it was still here. Gunshots alerted us something was happening and we went to check it out. Her caravan had been attacked by Grimm, so we helped them out."
"They almost shot us afterwards." Ruby giggled nervously. "Thinking we were bandits."
"I would have too if I was in their position." Qrow admitted with a small nod as he sipped the weak beer. "That's actually a pretty common strategy. Get one or two bandits pretending to be civilians lost or traveling, slip into a city, then open the gates at night."
"Kali explained all that to us already." Ruby confirmed. "It makes sense, but we managed to convince them we weren't."
"So they got you into the city, then what?" Qrow gestured for them to continue.
"There were disappearances," Ruby answered. "For the past month. It wasn't like with the slave traders, though. People were disappearing in the middle of the night. It had to be some kind of Grimm, so we joined in the search. We found an old cave with weird human bones. They weren't…" She struggled to find the word.
"Natural." Jaune provided.
"Yeah, they were too clean and smooth to be new." Ruby shivered as she remembered it. "So it wasn't a Siren leading people out of the city. No one knew what happened, so we came back. Jaune and I couldn't sleep. With nothing else to do, we took a night walk and discovered a boy that looked like a Grimm." Qrow raised an eyebrow. "It wasn't a human Grimm, nope!' Ruby shook her head frantically. "The kid was possessed by a Chill!"
"A Chill?" Qrow blinked and looked confused. "You mentioned that before. Like the one in the fairy tale?"
"It was even scarier!" Ruby shivered again as she remembered the soulless eyes, the pale skin with black veins, the creepy repeating words. "It possesses people and repeats the last thing they say. Plus it doesn't care about them and will destroy their body trying to kill others. And if the body gets too injured, it just hops to the next one. Jaune was the first one to realize it couldn't possess people with Aura."
"Impressive deduction." Qrow acknowledged, nodding toward the boy.
"You're the one who taught us we have to be flexible in how we handle Grimm." Jaune reminded him.
"Heh, I am pretty awesome, aren't I?"
"Jaune even came up with a way to save a boy who got possessed," Ruby puffed out her chest. "Since the Chill couldn't possess people with Aura, he went and unlocked the boy's Aura to force the Grimm out."
"You unlocked someone's Aura?" For the first time Qrow seemed unnerved. "How did you do it?"
"I used my Semblance to constantly send Aura into the kid so the Grimm calmed down and didn't struggle," Jaune explained. "Ruby, Penny, and I did some experiments back in Atlas with that. Then I felt for the… light? Energy? Whatever locked Aura is called inside someone. I found it and pushed my Aura into it, forcing it open like mine was when it was unlocked. The Chill was pushed out, and since I was amplifying my Semblance to the limit, I reached up and grabbed its shadow body and squeezed."
"He tore it in half barehanded." Ruby added, gesturing with her hands as if she was tearing a piece of paper.
"You're lucky it worked out." Qrow admitted softly. "It was smart, but unlocking someone's Aura is dangerous. You use up a significant chunk of your own Aura in the process, and there can be side effects for some people. There have been reports of people being unable to contain their Aura or having negative reactions to it. It could have damaged the boy even further."
"R-Really?" Jaune spluttered. "I didn't know! Really! It was the only idea I could think of at the moment. Kali was planning to kill Tobias and there wasn't any other option. Besides… My Semblance made sure the Aura I lost was regenerated, so I was in the best situation to do it if it didn't work."
"OP… BS…" The man muttered under his breath.
"Sorry, what?" Jaune asked, missing it.
"I'm not trying to diminish your deeds," Qrow said quickly. "In that situation, you did what you had to do, and I'm impressed. That was your first time unlocking Aura right?" The boy confirmed that with a brief nod. "And there wasn't any other choice, so I'm not upset. I'm just warning you now not to go around randomly unlocking other people's Aura since you can do it easily."
"It wasn't something I planned on doing."
"Kali was super impressed though he managed to think of that." Ruby pointed out. "It didn't even cross her mind, but now if she ever meets one again, she'll know what to do."
"Chills used to be something of a myth, kid." Qrow chuckled. "The odds of meeting one, let alone two, is pretty low. Even I'm not that unlucky, and that's saying something."
The man grinned up at them.
"No, you both did great and I'm proud of you. Not just escaping Raven, but everything you've done up until now. It's one thing to teach skills, but you two managed to apply all of them to not just survive, but thrive."
"Aww, you're making us blush." Jaune gave him a small wave as Ruby covered her mouth and snickered.
"Don't go getting a big head." Qrow stood up, his eyes twinkling. "That just means I don't have to coddle you two anymore. Extra training for everyone. You've had a couple days of resting in bed. Your vacation ends now. We're leaving first thing in the morning."
"Isn't it morning now?" Ruby grinned knowingly. "We could leave now if we wanted to."
Qrow's eyes narrowed and he growled under his breath, making her giggle.
"I need some time to rest." The man admitted. "I've been rushing over here nonstop for days." A large yawn escaped him. "Been worried sick. Your dad would have killed me." He glanced over at Jaune. "And probably half your family. Saphron looks like the type of girl to snap."
"Yeah, she's always been pretty protective." Jaune reminisced fondly, remembering all the times she went out of her way to help him. Sometimes she went too far, but he knew she did it out of genuine love. "How did you get here so fast anyway?"
"Yeah!" Ruby's eyes widened in revelation. "Raven's portals are one thing, but for you to get here in only a couple of days… Did you have an Atlas Bullhead nearby?"
"They dropped me off near Raven's camp," Qrow explained simply. "Based on their attack patterns on neighboring settlements and my own experience with them before joining Beacon, I knew roughly where they were. Atlas dropped me off as close as they could, and I headed the rest of the way. I got there a day or two after you ran off, so thanks for that."
"If we had known, we would have stuck around!" Ruby gasped in horror. "We didn't mean to make it harder for you to find us! There was just no way to contact you."
"I'm not casting blame here." Raising a hand, Qrow stopped his niece's panic. "All in all, you did the right thing. The Branwen Tribe values usefulness and strength over all others. If you didn't fall in line, they would have disposed of you. Finding the map, planning your escape earnestly, was the best thing you could have done in that situation. A reckless escape would have just made Raven decide you two weren't material. There's a good chance she let you escape."
"Let us escape?" Jaune blinked in surprise. "Why?"
"Who knows?" Qrow shrugged. "She's a huge, raging bitch that I don't understand anymore." Ruby nodded in agreement, not even flinching or looking annoyed at her uncle's cursing.
Jaune, however, was quiet.
There was something he knew that Ruby and Qrow didn't. It was the private discussion he had with Raven that now began to push its way to the front of his mind. All that information about her and Summer's last mission to face the Queen of the Grimm.
Salem.
Salem, a monstrous entity whom Raven had claimed possessed immortality. It was this malevolent being who had transformed Ruby's mother into a twisted version of herself, an agonizing truth that Jaune struggled to comprehend fully. The magnitude of Salem's powers eluded his wildest imagination, making her seem unbeatable. Yet Jaune remained uncertain about the veracity of that claim. While he had never truly believed in the existence of a Grimm leader before that day, Raven's expression conveyed the presence of a formidable force. Even if it didn't align precisely with the notion of an immortal or true Grimm Queen, it remained abundantly clear that this entity posed a grave danger. Ruby had suffered the loss of her mother to it—or so the narrative went. However, a small voice in the recesses of Jaune's mind cautioned him, hinting that Raven's revelation might potentially be a cunning ploy designed to manipulate him into a certain course of action.
What exactly that was, he didn't know.
He needed to talk to Qrow alone.
"But we have to leave soon," Qrow continued. "Ozpin tried to contact me, but we were too busy chasing after Raven to answer. When we get back, I'll have to see what he needs. An Atlas Bullhead is waiting in another town north of us, which actually has a small airport. From there, we'll head back to the Lumber Yard, resupply, and decide where to go from there. So finish whatever you need to do."
"We'll let you rest then," Ruby knelt down and hugged Qrow. "I'm so glad you're back uncle."
"Heh, glad to see you're safe too, Ruby." Qrow patted her on the back softly.
"No hug for me?" Jaune held out his arms.
"Extra training for you. That's how I show I care."
"I saw that coming." Jaune admitted as Ruby laughed. The banter between them came back so easily, almost as if they were never separated. Ruby and Jaune left the room, letting Qrow crash on the bed. He really did look exhausted. Something Ruby was quick to comment on.
"He must have rushed here straight for days without sleep." Ruby realized.
"Looks like it." With those bags under Qrow's eyes, Jaune couldn't disagree, but something was bugging him. "How did he catch up so fast, though? We were literally driving for days away from Raven's camp. For him to reach us in what, two days? Does he know how to fly?"
"Uncle Qrow has always been able to travel super fast." Ruby thought back to their adventures. "Like when we were chasing you when you fell into the river? I used my Semblance to rush down the side of a mountain, but he was already at the bottom following your trail. I don't know how he did that."
"Must be experience traversing rough terrain." Jaune shrugged, as he couldn't think of another explanation. "What's his Semblance anyway?"
"Being awesome." Ruby blurted out and then instantly covered her mouth. Her face grew red, and she pulled the purple cloak hood over her head. If the girl could shrivel up and vanish, there was no doubt she would be doing just that.
"Really…?" Jaune tried to keep the amusement out of his voice. Seriously, he tried. But after hearing that? No one would have the self-control not to at least be entertained.
"It's what he always told me when I was younger!" Ruby cried out, her voice slightly muffled as she refused to come out of her hood. "I've asked lots of times."
"Maybe he doesn't like it?" Jaune knew some people didn't advertise their Semblance power. "Or it's dangerous?"
"Maybe, but I doubt he'll tell us unless he absolutely has to." Ruby muttered, still ashamed she actually said that out loud to her friend.
It took a good ten minutes before she finally left the safety of her hood. After that, the two of them pretty much just mulled around town. They didn't want to leave, as they would be traveling the next day, and there was no reason to tire themselves out prematurely. At the same time, it was hard to stay still, and they couldn't chat in their room while Qrow slept. It was nice just to get some fresh air—no real goal required—and bask in the lightened atmosphere now that the Chill was dead.
One could say a fog was lifted over the small town.
Since the curfew was removed and parents weren't afraid for their children, a lot more people were running around and enjoying the good weather. Men and women noticed Jaune and Ruby. Before, they would just be mostly ignored; now they were smiled and waved at. People actually said hi and wanted to chat. Compared to before, they might as well have been celebrities. Then that afternoon, Jaune got a pleasant surprise.
"Jaune! Ruby!" A voice called out from behind them.
"Tobias?!" The two teens turned around to see the young Faunus boy running at them, with several of his friends trailing behind him.
"I was… afraid… you… ah… might have left already." The boy panted. "But they said you were… hah… still here."
"They let you go already?" Ruby asked, eyeing him closely.
"Yeah!" Tobius puffed out his chest as he took a couple of deep breaths. "They just released me. I was fine yesterday, but they wanted to monitor me. It was really boring. But guess what?!" His demeanor changed instantly to full-on excitement. "Grandma said I could start training to be a Huntsman now that my Aura's unlocked! Dad even agreed after talking to you!"
Ruby and Jaune shared a look of surprise, remembering their brief conversation with his dad.
"That's awesome!" Ruby quickly told him. "You'll make a great Huntsman."
"If he doesn't give up halfway!" A girl called out. "He sometimes flips the board when he's losing!"
"Shut up!" Tobius yelled at them.
Jaune instantly felt pity for him. The road to becoming a Huntsman was a long and difficult journey. He tried to cheat on that road himself with fake transcripts, and it was only due to dumb luck and talented friends that he got this far. Being a Huntsman or Huntress wasn't for the faint of heart. As a kid, he wanted to be the hero, but it wasn't until he started Beacon and then trained with Qrow that he fully understood what they were responsible for. Jaune wasn't going to discourage him, but he wanted Tobias to understand what he was getting into.
"Being a Huntsman is a lot of hard work." Jaune knelt down so he could look the boy in the eyes and then at his friends. "When I was young, I thought I could just decide to become one, but my parents didn't want me to. I'm where I am because of friends like Ruby here who believe in me. The training is tough because the creatures we face are strong. You saw what they are like, Tobius, so if any of you can understand what it's like to face Grimm, you do."
The boy's friends shut up and looked a little ashamed. Ruby felt bad for them because she could tell they were like Yang. Trying to tease him to keep the mood light.
"I know…" Tobius slowly nodded, and Jaune noticed his hand was shaking. "I remember what happened before I was possessed." He smacked his cheeks. "But that's exactly why I want to fight! I don't want my friends to be attacked by Grimm. Now that I have my Aura unlocked, I have the means to fight them and protect my home!"
Jaune felt a smile grace his face.
"Couldn't have come up with a better reason myself. What do you think, Ruby?"
"Me either." Ruby was smiling brightly at him. "Wanting to protect people is probably one of the best reasons to be a Huntsman."
"I think he'll make a great one too." Jaune agreed. "He was really brave that night against the Chill."
Tobius' face was reddening as he tried not to look too pleased at himself.
"You'll have to work hard," Jaune reiterated. "Training every day, doing the basics over and over, having your body ache all the time. We've both been there. But the important thing to remember is why you're doing this. As long as you remember what you're fighting for, it keeps you going. Along with having friends by your side." He looked at the others. "I hope you'll encourage him. We all need a little bit from time to time."
"Of course we will!"
"Tobias is our friend!"
"I want to be a Huntress too!"
"Looks like you're on your way then." Jaune laughed, standing up. "I expect great things from all of you."
"It seems my grandson has indeed become quite enamored with you." Everyone turned to see the chief walking toward them. The old woman was smiling herself. "After hearing that little speech, I can see why."
"Jaune's pretty good at speeches." Ruby agreed with a giggle.
"Only when I'm being honest." Jaune rubbed the back of his neck.
"I know my son told you this, but I wanted to reaffirm it," The Chief looked between Jaune and Ruby. "You two always have a place here if you ever need it. I know you're planning to leave soon, but if you're ever in the area, feel free to stop by."
"We will!" Ruby shook her hand. "We made new friends here and we'll never forget you guys. Even when we're back in Vale."
The following morning, Jaune felt a little heavy as he packed up what little supplies he had and headed out with Ruby and Qrow. They had only been here a couple days, but so much had happened in such a short amount of time. Meeting new people, making friends, and helping solve Grimm problems. Now they were leaving as fast as they arrived. Jaune knew it was part of being a Huntsman, but he was still a little sad waving goodbye to everyone. Tobius and his parents were there, his mother's arm in a cast, town guards who were seeing them off, and even Celosia showed up.
The Chief provided them some supplies including food for their trip back. Qrow had offered to pay, but they refused. Just like how Jaune and Ruby refused payment for helping them kill the Chill. It was a way for them to help each other out. They also left the four-wheeler as they didn't have fuel or knew of nearby recharging stations and it wouldn't hold three people. The supplies were minimal, but there was one thing missing that Jaune really felt somewhat naked without.
"I really wish they had a hammock," the boy sighed, his words trailing off as he marched alongside Ruby down the side of the road. They maintained a slightly faster pace than usual, striking a balance between swift progress and avoiding exhaustion. Qrow's urgency to contact Ozpin weighed heavily on his mind. "It saved my life, but I had to leave it behind."
"I'm surprised they didn't consider it a vital Huntsmen item," Ruby agreed, her voice tinged with a hint of regret, unintentionally causing Qrow to flinch. "Mine's still back at the lumberyard. I never had the chance to grab it before Raven kidnapped us."
Jaune pondered the situation thoughtfully, his mind wandering to the possibilities. "Maybe the next town will have one. It would be nice to have a new one. After all, as Qrow told us, it's a versatile tool. Like I didn't have to waste time tying it up to use it as a rope."
Qrow's voice carried an air of experienced wisdom as he spoke without turning around. "Yeah, there's a reason I guide you to what you need. Trust in that. It saved your life, Jaune." He knew he was in far too deep to back down now, and it was best to keep moving forward. Besides, who would dare question his judgment after witnessing the hammock's life-saving potential? "Now, let's pick up the pace. We have some lost time to make up for."
"Yes, sir!" Ruby saluted and rushed forward.
The hours flew by unnoticed, and Jaune found himself pleasantly surprised by how effortlessly the trio fell into their rhythm. While he and Ruby had grown accustomed to traveling together, there had always been a tinge of nervousness and occasional uncertainty. But with Qrow's presence, everything seemed to fall into place, completing the puzzle. They were back to what they had initially signed up for: embarking on daring journeys without the constant threat of imminent danger. The sun beamed brightly overhead, casting its warm rays, while a gentle breeze brushed against their skin. The tranquility of the surroundings and the absence of any imminent attacks infused Ruby with her characteristic cheerfulness and radiance now that her beloved uncle had returned.
There wasn't much more Jaune could ask for.
Until that night, when he would finally have to have an uncomfortable talk with Qrow.
"Alright, this is as good of a spot as any." Qrow told them, tossing his backpack on the ground as the sun was just about to finish setting. "We'll be at the next town in a couple of days, two if the weather holds up."
"Here's fire wood." Ruby had zipped along the trees and picked up some sticks.
"No fire tonight." Qrow told her. "No point. Just get some sleep so we can leave first thing in the morning. We won't be sparing in the morning either due to time constraints. We'll make it up later."
"Jaune and I were sparring in town when we could." Ruby informed him. "We didn't want to get rusty."
"Huh, I'm impressed. Used to brats slacking off when they can."
"So does that mean we've been promoted from brats to something else?" Jaune joked as he rolled out his sleeping bag.
"Nope, you'll always be brats." Qrow needled him back.
"Hey!" Jaune and Ruby protested as the man laughed.
Late into the night, Ruby peacefully snoozed in a cozy ball within her sleeping bag, while Jaune remained awake, lost in his thoughts. Having spent nights together, including clinging to the four-wheeler, the absence of Ruby by his side made the sleeping bag feel empty. His arm longed to embrace someone beside him. Yet the main reason for his wakefulness was his intention to wait until Ruby had fallen into a deep slumber. With caution, he emerged from his sleeping bag, careful not to disturb the tranquility. Qrow sat at the campsite's edge, calmly carving a piece of wood, adding a serene touch to the night.
"What's up, kid?" The man asked as Jaune approached him.
"I have a few things I need to ask you," Jaune replied. "Before I can say anything to Ruby about them."
"Must be pretty important if you waited for me to confide in instead of her." Qrow dropped the shaved stick and looked at him.
"It is." Jaune sat down on a rock. "When we were at Raven's camp, Raven called me to her tent… not like that!" He added that quickly as Qrow opened his mouth. "She wanted to talk to me about a few things. I was even allowed to ask her a question and she would answer it."
"Bet she lied to you." Qrow chuckled darkly. "Though her even offering you that is pretty unusual. What did you ask her?"
"What secrets did Ozpin keep to make her turn against him and her family."
Qrow's expression darkened and he didn't say anything. Jaune knew he was about to step into dangerous territory, but he needed Qrow to verify what was true. They both believed Raven probably lied to him about some of the details at the very least. Her reaction made Jaune question just how much wasn't though.
Taking a deep breath, the boy continued.
"Qrow… who is Salem?"
Feel free to leave a review, comment, suggestions, or ideas, I love reading them. If you have a question you wish I ask and would like a quick answer, feel free to message me directly. I try to respond to those within a day or two. Comments, I tend to respond to in the next chapter.
nBappo: This was very fun to edit and improve on and I'm enjoying the story very much. I am also glad for the opportunity to contribute to it so there's that. The chapter was a nice read and I'm happy with the reunion with Qrow. Can't wait for the next chapter though. Damn cliffhanger.