One of Jaune's favorite classes was Survival and Navigation. It wasn't any surprise. Growing up on a farm and then learning how to hunt and fish from his father and the local hunters and fishermen, and then later learning how to track and slay Grimm, he had spent a vast majority of his childhood outdoors. To him, he was most comfortable when all he could see were trees for as far as the eye could see, a blanket of green stretching from horizon to horizon. The Emerald Forest was a dangerous place, and lush with greenery, but the forests around his home were old, dark places where many more Grimm called home, and fewer humans dared tread.

Foraging was something he was a practiced hand at. Old Lady Clementine ran the apothecary but was too frail these days to collect her own herbs and plants, pushing the ripe old age of ninety. It was up to the younger generation to collect these things for her, and Jaune often found himself searching for things like echinacea, feverfew and goldenseal, and even edible berries and flowers.

Professor Peach's class was made for him.

He wasn't alone. Blake was also quite adept at identifying plants and handling them delicately, and the raven haired girl had taken to teaming up with him when they were divided up into pairs.

"Jaune," Blake said, pulling his attention away from the mushrooms growing around the base of the pine tree he was inspecting. "I've found something."

That something was blackberries.

A blackberry bush was a woody shrub with long, arching canes covered in oval shaped serrated leaves, arranged alternately along the stems. Alongside these leaves were thorns, ranging from small prickles to larger spines. As Jaune knelt beside Blake, he saw not only the distinct white flowers that would one day become fruit, but also the fruit themselves; small oblong berries composed of many small drupelets clustered together. Some of them were red in color while others had already turned their more familiar dark purple and black, the skin glossy and smooth. Where there was one bush, there were several and looking around, Jaune lost count at ten, the bushes spread out across the forest floor where ample sunlight penetrated the canopy.

"Huh," Jaune made a sound of surprise, reaching out and plucking one of the ripe berries. Meeting Blake's eyes, he popped it into his mouth and chewed, humming in approval at the slightly tart, sweet flavor that crossed his tongue. "It's unusual for them to be ripening so soon."

They typically ripened in summer and they were currently only in spring, but perhaps the hotter temperatures here in Vale leaned towards an earlier ripening period. An old memory surfaced of buttery crust and whipped cream, the scent of a blackberry pie baking in the oven as his mother moved around the kitchen, worn apron tied around her waist.

Blake reached out and plucked off a berry of her own, lobbing it into her mouth and chewing. "Mm – these are good."

"We should take some back," he said, pulling a small container from his satchel. "Nora will like them."

Blake smiled slightly. "Right."

For their lesson today, they were supposed to be looking for a fungus called Grimmwort, aptly named for the black cap, white protrusions and red patterns across its surface that apparently held great detoxifying properties. According to Professor Peach, it was a key ingredient in many antidotes used to combat venom from a variety of Grimm species like the Deathstalker and King Taijitu. Antidotes that were manufactured at Beacon itself, and given freely to its students. They'd found it quickly, however, which meant that they had time to waste, time they were using to wander aimlessly.

They both collected a handful each before moving on, simply enjoying the cool breeze that rustled through the leaves of the trees, ruffling their hair and filling their lungs with freshness. Jaune closed his eyes, inhaling deeply as they walked.

It was calming here. Even if at any moment, they could be set upon by the creatures of darkness, in this moment he felt… free. Humanity might require the protection of the kingdoms to flourish but this was their natural state just like any other animal. To have dirt beneath your feet, and the scent of pine in your lungs, or oak, or any other such tree. To be unrestrained.

As much as he enjoyed Vale and being at Beacon, loved it even – this is what he loved most.

"Feeling better?" he asked lightly.

He couldn't see her but he heard her sigh well enough.

"...was I so obvious?"

Jaune opened his eyes, glancing at his teammate. Blake wasn't quite pouting but it was close, and the unusual expression on her face was a delight. Jaune smiled, something that she caught.

She scowled at him. "What?"

"Nothing."

Her eyes narrowed. "That doesn't look like nothing to me."

"I don't know what you mean."

His smile only widened and she scoffed, turning away, but he caught the way her lips wavered, wanting to return his smile with one of her own. She fought it, crossing her arms like a petulant child.

"You're teasing me," she accused.

"I'm just smiling," he said with a laugh. "How am I teasing you?"

"Well – I don't like it."

"Should I frown instead?" he mimed being angry, scrunching his face up in an exaggerated expression of rage and when Blake caught sight of it, she snorted, breaking.

"You're an idiot."

"So I've been told," he enjoyed the way her voice wavered with laughter, her amber eyes brightening. "So – want to tell me what's up? Or is it private?"

Blake sighed again, this time longer, her shoulders lifting and dropping.

"It's just… Weiss."

Jaune somehow thought that was the case. While they were getting along and tolerating each other, they still had their moments. Those moments had become more frequent recently when Nora had lit slip about the crate of weapons and masks that had been uncovered at his job.

Weiss despised the White Fang.

Jaune had already surmised that much. Once they'd begun learning about the Faunus Rights Revolution in History, her attitude had soured. Not so much because of the Revolution itself but because of what came afterwards. The formation of the White Fang. Whenever the subject was broached, it always placed her in a bad mood and she had some… particularly vitriolic things to say about the group.

Things that had gotten under Blake's skin.

They'd clashed more than once already over the topic. For whatever reason, whenever Weiss started disparaging the White Fang, it got Blake's back up. It wasn't the first time he'd seen this reaction from her. Whenever Cardin liked to share his horrible views about faunus, it similarly infuriated her. They'd gotten into more than a few altercations in class and only the presence of Doctor Oobleck maintained the peace.

Blake was an avid supporter of faunus rights and she simply couldn't abide by any type of anti-faunus sentiment. Cardin was a jerk, and Jaune shared Blake's views concerning him and his speciesist beliefs. It was clear as day that he believed faunus to be inferior and had outright called them animals more than once.

With Weiss, it was a little more difficult.

Jaune could see that her ire was directed at the group itself but when she got worked up about the subject, she was prone to generalize. Weiss never outright accused all faunus of being criminals but it wasn't hard to envision her doing so. The White Fang was more than a sore spot for her and while Jaune didn't know the specifics of it, it was obvious that it had something to do with her family – and the Schnee Dust Company at large.

They'd had some minor arguments on the subject but nothing serious – yet. Jaune and Nora were always around to make sure it never escalated more than some heated words, but he felt it was only a matter of time before things got out of control. As team leader, he felt it was his responsibility to intervene and try to find a solution.

Easier said than done.

It was complicated. Many of the things Weiss accused the group of being were factual. Blake struggled to accept those things, even when laid out clearly by their professor. Once upon a time, the White Fang had been an organization for peace and equality. Now? They had grown into one of terror. Jaune recalled the reactions of his co-workers.

They were faunus and yet wanted nothing to do with the White Fang. Their presence in Vale was unwanted. In fact, it repulsed them.

"Did she say something?" he asked.

Blake looked away, eyes on the ground. "You know what she's been saying."

"The White Fang, then."

"Mmm."

"We didn't even have History today. What brought it on?"

Blake huffed. "There was a news report. Someone in the dining hall was playing it on their scroll."

"Did something happen?"

"Mistral is claiming that there was an attack on one of its outlying villages and is blaming the White Fang," she didn't sound like she believed it. "People were killed and the place was stripped clean. They'd have no reason to attack such a place! But they're claiming that survivors said they were wearing Grimm masks. As if that means it has to be them!"

Who else wore those masks, though?

"And I'm guessing Weiss had something to say about that?"

Blake glared at nothing in particular. "She ate it all up like it was a fact. Her bias against faunus blinds her to the truth of the matter and she isn't willing to see reason. I shouldn't be surprised. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

He didn't like hearing his friends speak about each other like this. It made him feel sad.

"What do you mean?"

"Her father," Blake almost spat the word as if it were a vile curse, her feelings clear. "The CEO of the Schnee Dust Company. Ever since he took control, working conditions for faunus employees have deteriorated and they're treated like they're nothing more than statistics, not people! I won't deny that the SDC was once considered a world leader on safety and their diverse hiring practices were lauded, but that only shows how badly things have become! The days of Nicholas Schnee are well and truly gone."

Jaune frowned. "And you think Weiss views faunus similarly."

Blake hesitated. "I… don't know what to think when it comes to her. She is arrogant and infuriating, and sometimes I just want to slap her," she stopped walking, and Jaune turned to face her. "She is also intelligent and kind, when she wants to be. I don't understand how she can just… be that way! How she can believe what she does about faunus?"

"Have you ever asked her?"

Blake blinked at him stupidly. "What?"

"Have you ever asked her?" he repeated. "Why she feels the way that she does?"

Such a simple question and yet Jaune had rendered her speechless, her mouth opening and closing, but no words escaped. Finally, she managed to get out, "There is no acceptable reason to think another species is inferior, Jaune!"

"Weiss has never said that," Jaune said firmly. "Not once."

"She has implied it!"

"Her wording hasn't been great," he conceded. "I won't defend that. But her criticisms have been driven by and primarily aimed at the White Fang. Wouldn't you agree?"

The look on her face was of supreme disappointment, as if he had said something unforgivable to her. "How can you take her side? Do you feel the same way? I expected better from you."

"Blake," Jaune sighed. "Have I ever given you reason to think that I believe the faunus are lesser?"

She was silent because she had nothing to say to that.

"The village I grew up in, it was mostly humans – but there were faunus who lived there, as well. The farm next to ours was owned by a faunus family, and another family were fishermen. They used to bring us any spare catch that they couldn't sell, and we'd trade for it with meat," Jaune reached out and placed a hand on Blake's shoulder, and he felt how tense she was. As if at any moment, she would lash out or run away. "They had a son a little older than I was, and a daughter a little younger. Sometimes we'd play together growing up when we had time but not often, there is always something that needs doing when you live on the frontier. Then he moved away. He wanted to be an engineer, so he is attending university. Real smart guy," Jaune smiled, reminiscing. "His little sister takes after their parents; a great fisherman. Sorry, I'm rambling a bit but… Blake, they're just people to me. Faunus, human – none of that matters, you know?"

He released her shoulder after giving it a brief squeeze. He probably shouldn't have just grabbed her like that but it had been instinct, an attempt at calming her and showing solidarity.

"I know you feel strongly about faunus rights," he said. "And that is admirable. I feel the same way, Blake. We're all just people. We all feel sad and happy, anger and despair. We share this world. Grimm are the real enemy, not each other. Grimm don't care if you've got fox ears or not, they'll kill you all the same. We should be fighting them," he finished.

Silence fell between them, one that stretched longer than was comfortable. Now that he wasn't talking, Jaune felt a little embarrassed. He'd gotten a little preachy, hadn't he? But it was something he felt strongly about. Not the faunus stuff, though he did feel strongly about that.

His friends. His new friends.

He didn't want them to fight.

So if he had to get a little preachy, then so be it.

It was really embarrassing, though. Putting yourself out there like that. It wasn't something that came naturally to him.

"...you really believe that, don't you?" she asked quietly. Those eyes of her, twin pools of heated honey looked at him strangely, as if she couldn't quite figure him out. Exotic eyes that made him uncomfortable but not in a bad way.

"Of course I do," he answered. "People are people. It doesn't matter what skin color they have or what gender they are, or how many ears they have or if they have a tail. Everyone deserves the chance to be judged on their actual worth, not to be judged by things outside of their control."

That was something he believed one hundred percent.

Blake turned away for a moment, hiding her face, and Jaune thought he'd upset her somehow. But after a few seconds, she faced him, determined.

"I'm sorry," she apologized, bowing. "I shouldn't have implied what I did. You've never given me reason to doubt your character and yet what I did was unkind."

"Wait, Blake – it's fine, really."

"It isn't," she said firmly, straightening up. "I… know I can get worked up about these things, and it can't be easy to lead our team when Weiss and I are… being difficult."

"You make it sound worse than it is."

"Nevertheless… you're right," her face softened, a smile pulling at her lips. "And I'm sorry."

That had… worked out well, all things considered.

A sudden scream pierced the air.

"What was that?" Blake asked, turning.

That voice was familiar.

"That sounded like Ruby," Jaune said.

His hand fell to the pommel of his sword and then they were both moving, dashing through the underbrush. Branches whipped at their faces as they sped up, legs pumping as they sprinted towards the source of the scream.

Had she been attacked? He couldn't hear the sounds of battle – did that mean the Grimm had gotten her? Jaune felt his heart pounding in his chest as his adrenaline surged, and with a brief flare of his semblance, he moved even faster.

It wasn't long until they came across a river – and a very wet, depressed Ruby standing knee deep in the water.

Jaune skidded to a stop on the river's edge, Blake joining him a second later. "Ruby, what happened?"

"Someone pushed me!"

"What?"

"Some jackass pushed her in," a pissed off Yang came storming out of the trees on the other side of the river, her hair on fire. "They snuck up on her and pushed her in, then ran off before I could catch them. If I find out who did it, I'm going to break their necks!"

One look at her crimson eyes and Jaune knew she meant business.

"Who would do that?" Blake asked.

Jaune approached the water's edge and offered a hand, one Ruby took gratefully as she waded over, and he pulled her out. She was drenched from head to toe, her crimson-black hair plastered to her forehead and cheeks, her combat skirt wilted. Unclipping Crescent Rose, she unfurled it with a whirl, droplets flying everywhere as it shifted into its scythe form.

"Ruby, did you see who pushed you?" Jaune asked, frowning. She shook her head.

"I was crouched on the edge, running my hand through the water while Yang scouted ahead when they pushed me from behind," she told them. "I didn't hear a thing. I – uh, may have screamed."

"Yeah, we heard you," Jaune said.

Ruby flushed. "Well, it surprised me, okay? By the time I surfaced, they were gone."

"I bet you it was that asshole, Cardin," Yang snarled. "If he thinks he can pick on my little sister, he better think again."

"Yang, you don't know it was him," Ruby tried to calm her older sister down but she wasn't having it.

"Yeah, well – who else is that big of a dickhead in our class, huh?" Yang snapped, body taut with tension as she paced back and forth. "If it isn't him, it'll be one of those weasels he calls teammates. They're probably pissed that you schooled them in Combat Class the other day."

It had been a double's match – Ruby and Yang vs. Cardin and Russel. Ruby had done quite the number on the pair of them, decimating them right from the word go. Her extreme speed had been too much, and she'd swept the floor with Cardin – literally. He had been particularly pissy after the bout, especially because he had started to wrack up quite the losing streak against both of their teams. Cardin wasn't a bad fighter but sometimes it felt like there was something wrong with how approached his bouts, almost like he was unused to fighting the way he was. Awkward was probably the right word for it. He was strong and built like a tank, and yet even so, he took a lot of unnecessary damage. Pyrrha had made mention of it in passing, and it was something that stuck with Jaune ever since.

"They have the motive," Blake agreed. "But you can't just go knock his head off, Yang. Not unless you want detention."

"Fuck it, I'll take a week of detention to put those pricks in their place."

"Oh no~!" Ruby suddenly exclaimed, checking her pouch. "The Grimmwort – it's missing!"

Not only had someone pushed her but they'd stolen their classwork, as well.

"We're going to have to find some more," Ruby said dejectedly.

"Don't worry," Jaune said quickly. "You can have some of ours. We collected a bunch."

"Really?" Ruby asked tentatively. "You'd do that?"

"Of course. What are friends for?" he said, and Blake nodded.

The smile on Ruby's face was worth it, even if he hadn't been aiming for it.

When they returned to where Professor Peach had started their class, most of the other students had already completed their task – including Cardin and his teammates. Yang had calmed down somewhat by the time they arrived but one look at them, and she stormed across the clearing. After sharing a look with Blake, Jaune hurried after her.

"Woah, Yang, slow down," Jaune tried but she wasn't listening.

Cardin noticed them approaching and smirked, eyes only for Yang. "Hey Xiao Long, what's up?"

She reared back her fist but Blake managed to grab onto her, spinning them both around at the last moment as Cardin took a step back in alarm.

"What the fuck?" he swore, hands raised.

"Blake, let go," Yang struggled and Blake released her. "What'd you do that for!"

"You were about to do something stupid," Blake nodded towards Professor Peach who was watching them carefully, though she remained where she was, her weapon leaning casually against the tree next to her.

"Didn't I say I didn't care?" Yang snapped.

"What's your problem?" Dove asked.

"My problem?" Yang got in his face. "My problem is one of you pricks pushed my sister into the river, that's my problem."

Cardin scoffed. "We don't know what you're talking about."

"The hell you don't," Yang shoved Dove away and turned to Cardin. "You assholes pick on her again and you'll be catching these hands," she held up her fists, shaking them back and forth. "Got it?"

"Yaaang," Ruby moaned. "Stop it! I can look after myself."

"Yeah, listen to your sister," Sky said snidely. "She can look after herself."

"I'm warning you," Yang glared at Sky. "Fuck around and find out. I dare you."

"Fuck off, Xiao Long," Cardin spat. "We aren't scared of you."

She went to advance but this time, it wasn't only Blake restraining her, Jaune grabbed ahold of her other arm.

"Okay, I think we're done here," Jaune said, helping to steer her away. "Thanks for the chat."

"Keep that bitch on a leash, Arc, before she ends up biting someone."

That was the wrong thing to say.

Jaune felt the heat of her hair as it ignited, her arm tearing free of his grip as she spun around. Cardin's smug face shifted into one of apprehension as she launched herself with a snarl, only to flinch as a polearm slammed into the ground in front of her, the impact kicking up dirt. Professor Peach was still standing several feet away but her weapon had been launched with precision.

"That's enough," she said calmly, voice oozing authority. "Ms. Xiao Long, back off."

"But~!"

"Now," Professor Peach commanded.

It was strange how intimidating she appeared, even though she was shorter than half of her students and looked like she was about to take a stroll on the beach in her sun hat and summer dress. Her attractive face was stern, blue eyes slightly narrowed.

Yang glared at Peach, fists clenched by her sides before with a scoff, she marched away, her hair fizzling out.

"I won't tolerate violence among students in my class," Peach said clearly, addressing everyone. "Do I make myself clear?"

Everyone murmured their assent.

"Excellent," she clapped. "Now – when the last few students return, I will review your finds. Ah, here they are now."

Nora came skipping along, completely missing the tension while Weiss looked around.

"What happened?" Weiss asked at once.

"Huh?" Nora blinked. "What do you mean?"

She then noticed Ruby.

"Ruby, you're wet."

"Ah – uh, yeah," Ruby rubbed her neck awkwardly, giggling. "I sorta, mighta… ended up in the river?"

"What?" Weiss asked, appalled. "Whatever for?"

"Someone pushed her," Jaune explained. Ren and Pyrrha soon joined them, the last pair to return. He filled them in. "Yang thinks it was Cardin or someone from his team, but no one saw anything. She almost punched him but Professor Peach got involved."

Her weapon was still sticking out of the dirt and Nora pranced over, poking it with her index finger.

"Why does she think it was them?" Pyrrha asked before sighing. "No, that was a dumb question – sorry."

"There is a chance it was someone else," Blake said reluctantly. There were several other teams in their year, so it wasn't impossible. "But they certainly make themselves an inviting target for speculation."

Weiss scowled. "Yes, well – Yang needs to be smarter than punching another student in front of a teacher. That doesn't help anyone."

"It'll make her feel better," Nora pointed out.

"I won't lie, it'll make me feel good also," Blake piped up. "But you're right."

Weiss nodded. "Of course I am. When am I not?"

"She doesn't need to do anything," Ruby spoke up. "I don't want her to get in trouble for something so dumb. I can handle it."

But things only got worse.

If you wish to support me or have early access to any content, you can find me over at: w w w . p a t r(e)on . c o m (slash) erisedfiction

Thank you to all the generous people that have already subscribed.