Title: The Bonds of Life
Genre: Adventure, Friendship.
Characters: OC, Jaune A., Team RWBY., Team JNPR.
Desc: Post-Salem AU. In a secret past, 'The Rusted Knight' had slain the great Evil Witch Salem with no one else the wiser; Not Ozpin, not RWBY, and not (J)NPR. They were all left wondering what they should now become. Now in the present, a young girl navigates the world her Rusted Knight of an uncle had sacrificed in silence so much for his beloved friends… one that barely needed them.
A/N Okay, finally moving on to the Beacon stuff. Mostly character introductions, and we'll get into Initiation properly next chapter.
And as for review responses, here they are!
To wearedeadpool, thank you!
To Midnight49, I've actually never watched the series, so I've got no idea to catch what you mean, so sorry! But if you're worried about Cinder betraying Jaune, then let me say that I don't have that in the cards. Thanks for reading!
And with that done, let's get on to the chapter!
Chapter 4: The Cradle
Killing the runt had been Leonardo's prerogative. It was supposed to be easy, for he had done it against much more skilled Huntsmen before. A trap, a combination of Grimm and a bandit raid, and the runt would die with none the wiser of their plans.
Tonight, Cinder cursed herself for ever letting herself trust the old fool.
He had underestimated the Arc, had elected to send less forces than usual. And as a result, he had survived, had crawled his way back to Mistral. And now, the runt was resting in one of the Kingdom's many hospitals under critical care, the fact he was passed out being the only saving grace that hadn't made their secret blown open.
They had a leak; and now, Cinder had to once more deal with another's incompetence.
Cinder scoffed as she blitzed through the Kingdom's rooftops. While she was quite miffed that this would endanger their plan, she was more annoyed that no one could seem to do anything right. That she had to do everything by herself, down to the last. Minute. Detail.
It was infuriating. And served as a constant reminder as to why she served who she did.
For power, for the ability to not be dependent on anyone.
With a controlled breath, Cinder arrived at the hospital's rooftop and took a moment to collect herself. Leo's contacts had told him that the boy was being housed at the 10th floor, with a window view overlooking the south side of the Kingdom. Overlooking Haven.
Cruel. She liked that.
The window would prove the best way for her to… deal with Arc. She would slip in, plunge her sword, and that would be the end of that. Sloppy, but the boy had been in those underground fights. They could spin it as a vengeful opponent, as criminals taking out other undesirables, and that way the public wouldn't much care.
With that thought in mind, Cinder withdrew her sword and began descending the hospital's walls.
Her black clothing proved instrumental in keeping her undetected. There weren't many lights this high up, and even if one did spot her, she would merely be an indistinguishable black dot. And besides, the proverb often rang true; people rarely looked up.
Scaling her way down to the proper floor, Cinder smirked when she saw her target in clear view through the windows. As the old fool had reported, he was passed out, hooked up to several IVs, and his weapons had been stored away by the hospital staff.
And the window, while closed, hadn't been locked.
Cinder couldn't have asked for an easier assassination.
Holding back a chuckle, Cinder opened the window and slipped in the room. She drew her sword and prepared to close their little leak.
And yet, she startled when she noticed something move. When something – no, someone – slipped into her view from behind Jaune's bed.
It was a little girl. Barely more than a toddler, with red eyes and blond hair, shivering as she stood between Jaune and her with her arms raised by her sides.
Protecting him.
And yet, what struck her wasn't the foolish bravery that the girl showed, nor how it was all fake. What she noticed was the state the girl was in. Wounded, malnourished, thin, frail…
It made her pause.
And the pause gave the girl bravery to speak up.
"W-who are you?! You're not one of the doctors!" The girl yelled, fear in her eyes. And when her eyes had roamed over Cinder, she gulped loudly, but stood her ground even more. "W-what're you gonna do with that sword? What're you gonna do with Mister Jaune?!"
Cinder felt her breath hitch, and yet she didn't know why. It should've been easy; another body added to her count wouldn't have been a big deal. She'd just kill the girl and the runt too and be done with it.
And yet, a small, miniscule part of her didn't sit right. Told her how those scared eyes, those thin bones, those weak, trembling legs…
…that part of her that thought those things were familiar.
That pause grew longer and longer without her consent. The more she stared, the more that part grew, and the more the girl's lips trembled, the more her eyes began to water… the more Cinder grew annoyed that she somehow couldn't move!
And eventually, something reached a breaking point.
"SOMEONE!" The girl finally yelled, "THERE'S SOMEONE IN HERE! SOMEONE JUST BROKE IN!"
With that single call, Cinder could hear, could feel the shouts of alarm from the hall outside. She heard footsteps rapidly approaching the room and knew that her chance was slipping quickly from her fingers.
At this rate, even if she did kill anyone that came, it would be harder to spin, and harder to keep under wraps. And while she was wearing her disguise, it would still raise questions that would be much harder to answer.
Not to mention her Queen's questions of her ability to stay discreet, when she had yet to even infiltrate Beacon.
And so, with no other choice, Cinder went back out the way she came from and aborted her mission. And along the way, as she ran back across the rooftops, as she made her way to return to Haven, Cinder once more cursed herself for ever hesitating for just a moment.
This was exactly why she had sold herself to Salem. For power, for control, so she would never be scared again. So she would never hesitate again, so she could be able to live and have what she wanted!
But then, after all the people she killed, after the villages she razed, after condemning herself to depths she never even knew existed…
…Why?
…Why did those scared eyes remind her so much of her own?
"We're here, Chairwoman."
Wordlessly, Cinder stood up from her seat and pocketed her Scroll. Exiting her limousine, Cinder breathed in fresh Vale air and looked upon the compound her subordinates had delivered her to.
A stronghold she owned in her old target, a foot in the king's nest. The Gokudo's headquarters in Vale.
The building was as grand as it was traditional. The land it stood on was vast, spanning a whole block in the middle of the city. Admist towering skyscrapers and technological marvels, the Gokudo's building was primitive in comparison, made of mahogany and exquisite stone and sneakily reinforced with the strongest of steels.
Exactly how Cinder wished it to be, as if she brought a piece of Mistral with her to Vale.
And as Cinder stepped into the compound, the large gates opening before her and greeting her to its massive entrance garden, Cinder felt herself smile when she saw her adjutants line up by her sides and bowed before her might.
"Welcome to Vale, Chairwoman."
And Cinder merely strutted past them all, her head held high as she focused her eyes on the entrance. These were men and women who knew their place, who swore loyalty to their cause after seeing the benefits that they could and would gain. They were soldiers she had stationed here to scout out, to secure a place they could call their own, and she was pleased that this first visit had gone off without a hitch so far.
After this came the hard part. The actual work… putting down the threats that lurked in the shadows.
One of her adjutants came up to her – one of the senior ones, she recognized –and with a wave of her hand she told him to follow her.
"Chairwoman. We've heard back from Hanawa." The adjutant said, his head lowered. "He says that the target is heading towards Mistral proper."
"Hm, good." Cinder nodded. She reached the HQ proper and opened its wide mahogany windows, smiling as she saw the familiar décor so similar to that of Haven's. "Anything else?"
"Well… it seems that he was accompanied."
"By whom?"
"From his reports, one Yang Xiao-Long."
The name made Cinder pause. She stopped in the main hall of the HQ, a large chandelier above them and red carpets beneath their feet, intricate wall designs around them, and Cinder tapped her foot.
This… was unexpected.
She knew who Yang Xiao-Long was of course. The Y of RWBY, a travelling Huntress who fought with her fists and gauntlets. She had made frequent stops around Mistral over the years, having even been known to the locals to help free of charge should the situation require it.
She was also undoubtedly a member of Ozpin's inner circle, and that little fact was more important than a thousand reports on her proactivist nature.
Had… had Ozpin figured it out? Had he realized why exactly the Grimm were extinct and who made it s ? Was that, perhaps, why Yang had met Jaune, all having been a ploy by the Headmaster?
…No, he couldn't have. If he did, then he would've declared it a victory for the Huntsmen. Would've used it to bolster their reputation, especially against people like the LIFE Group. He would've taken advantage of the fact immediately.
And if he did, Cinder would've known.
That thought managed to put her slightly at ease. She turned to her adjutant, "Tell Hanawa to keep an eye on their movements. Did he say where they were headed next?"
"He says that they're heading to Mistral proper, Chairwoman. After that, whether ror not they will remain together remains uncertain. But Beacon does seem to be an end goal for both."
"Keep your eyes on him. Anything happens, we need to know." Cinder stressed. If nothing else, to assuage her own worries… not that Jaune couldn't handle himself.
The adjutant bowed. "Understood, Chairwoman."
"And while you're at it." Cinder ascended the spiralling stairs that lead to her office with her adjutant following her. As she opened the final doors to her office, she fished out her Scroll and showed her adjutant a picture of Akane, "I need you to find this girl and keep an eye on her. Her name's Akane, and she's of great importance. I don't care how, but I want updates on her 24/7."
The adjutant hesitated, looking away, and Cinder raised an eyebrow.
It wasn't like her subordinates to doubt her; she had instilled in them better than that. The men and women that surrounded her were vetted, trustworthy, and obedient. And more than that, they knew what costed them should they betray her.
And so, her silence was self-explanatory. If you have something to say, say it or I drag it out of you.
The adjutant sighed and looked back to her. "The thing is… we've already found her, Chairwoman. And… she's been taken under Ruby Rose's wings, and on the fast-track for Beacon's Initiation tomorrow."
Cinder did not flinch. She did, however, felt her lips twitch. "And how does Rose know of her?"
"Apparently Miss Enko stopped a robbery before police or Huntsmen could arrive to the scene. And after that, well…"
Cinder sighed.
Ruby Rose was renowned for her skill, and even more renowned for being a young prodigy who was accepted early and deployed even earlier. And she had also heard the story of how she got to Beacon from the best second-hand source she could get.
Then it was best to assume that Akane was already in Beacon's care. She wasn't averse to the Academy – she wouldn't have spared them if she had still hated them – but that didn't mean that she liked it either. And with its current Headmaster still being Ozpin, well… that was reason enough for her to not get into contact with her.
But a promise was a promise. In maintaining power, deals had to be honoured no matter the cost.
"Then keep an eye on her at a safe distance. If I recall correctly, the students should let out to Vale after a week or two… inform me once she's spotted outside grounds. I'd like to meet her when the time comes, and I'd like all the preparations to be ready."
"Chairwoman." The adjutant nodded, and after bowing, turned around and left Cinder to her office.
Once he was out, Cinder closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. "What have you done, little girl?"
"Family problems?" A voice piped up.
"With that family, I swear to god." Cinder opened her eyes and looked at the person who spoke, who stood beside her desk with a knowing grin on her face.
"Emerald." Cinder smiled back, "How long have you been there?"
"Long enough."
"Did you cast an illusion so none of us could see you?"
"You know me so well." Emerald chuckled. She stepped to the side, and with a motion of her hands, Cinder could see the neatly stacked reports and documents that laid on her desk. "Just as you've requested. LIFE Group's movements in Vale over the course of the past three months."
"Thank you, Emerald. There's a reason I chose you to lead the Vale expansion." Cinder expressed, quickly going to the desk and shifting through the reports. She hummed as her eyes scanned them over, the information being quite worrying.
Crimes such as robberies, brawls, and murders were increasing in Vale, but they were still easily handled by Vale PD and Huntsmen. It did have the effect of increasing public trust, in a way, because even they could see that the authorities were trying their best, and that was a good thing. No, what was worrying were the increasing amount of protests, stretching the Huntsmen and police thinner than they already were.
The worst part was that people could see that they were thinning out the authorities. The amount of protesters also never changed much, the same people having been reported to go to the protests over and over again.
And that had often been the cause of frustration, what caused so much of it to turn to brawls and clashes. In the end it became a net negative, and the Huntsmen looked bad for ignoring it and not stamping them out sooner.
But Cinder knew that if they did, then the LIFE Group would then have ample ammunition to say that the Huntsmen were 'arrogant enough to think themselves above the law' and that they had 'targeted innocent, law-abiding civilians'. And that left them able to gain a loyal following, either slowly by constant protests or quickly when and if the Huntsmen snapped.
And now he had a little girl – a girl he knew since she was just a tiny little thing – running around Vale whose first action upon reaching Vale was stopping a robbery in progress. A robbery that the reports in her hand strongly indicated had the LIFE Group's work all over it.
Cinder groaned as and slammed the stack of papers on her desk. "Just like his father."
"He did raise him." Emerald pointed out. "So then, what're we going to do about it?"
"…She'll be fine as long as she stays in Beacon." The place was still locked tight in terms of security, Cinder was certain. But she still needed to meet her too, if not to confirm with both her eyes that the little girl was doing well.
Cinder decided. "We'll move forward with operations as is. Keep looking into the LIFE Group, especially the movements they left back in Mistral. We'll lend a hand to any Huntsman that requests it… but only if they do."
"Ma'am." Emerald nodded. With a fist to her chest, she cast another illusion on herself and vanished from Cinder's sight.
Once more, Cinder was left alone in her room. Now with time on her hands, Cinder shifted through the papers more closely, taking in every detail she could. And among the stacks she had to deal with, a particularly important report had caught her attention.
Beacon Initiation – Tomorrow.
Vytal Festival – at the end of the semester.
Two important events at the horizon. One she had a feeling wouldn't be held as peacefully as it usually was.
There were already talks about including normal Huntsmen in the Vytal Festival's Tournaments, but put in a separate division, to attract more viewers and attention to the Huntsmen. The Beacon Initiation would be unique too, and without any Grimm, she wondered how exactly one would go around holding it…
But in the bigger picture, there was just too much to account. The LIFE Group's discreet crimes, their protests, the strange feeling she had whenever she walked through one of their facilities… There was a strange pull there. A call to darkness, a pull she hadn't felt since she had a Grimm parasite inserted inside her.
And now, her little girl was in the middle of it all.
With that thought, Cinder gained new vigour and began to scan the papers even more thoroughly.
She wasn't exactly mother material, she knew. There were just too many problems, both out there and in herself, and her constant work demanded she moved around practically every week. She was a fighter, a power-seeking maiden. Not the caring and loving figure that a girl needed.
But still, she dropped by and saw little Akane anytime she could. A lot of the old crew who dealt with Salem did, from Uncle Sun to Miss Emerald. She preened a little as she remembered the way her little girl had so often reached out and called for only Auntie Cinder's hugs.
And that made it all the more frustrating. Her determination to become like her father? That was all Jaune. But finding a way to head to Beacon by herself? Adapting quickly to different Kingdoms and somehow worming her way into more powerful people's hearts?
That was all her.
Cinder coughed. Well, at least she hoped so. It wouldn't do to presume…
But still…
Cinder resisted the urge to sigh again. "What am I going to do with you…"
Well, if anything, she was glad that at least she managed to rub off something on Akane, and in this case preparing herself for unknowns. To plan and achieve, to observe and execute, and to not forget any tiny details.
Cinder's lips quirked upwards. First impressions were important, especially in Beacon, and it wouldn't have been good for Akane if she had forgotten to pack her motion sickness pills.
She at least had confidence that her little girl could do that at least.
"Bleeegghhhh!" Akane poured out her breakfast on a trash can aboard Beacon's Bullhead. Damn motion sickness-!
Her stomach rumbled. 'Oh no, it's coming again-!' "Egggghhhh!"
More stomach contents spewed out of Akane's mouth. She felt several gazes burning on her back. Aw, come on! The humiliation!
She couldn't believe that this was how her first day at Beacon was going. On top of that, tomorrow was Initiation! From what little she had gleamed for Uncle Jaune and her aunties, it was also when she would be assigned a partner.
She remembered what Auntie Cinder said – first impressions were everything, and she knew she needed to show her best to get someone who'd last her four years.
She couldn't do that by throwing up all over the plane!
Please, make it stop!
After what seemed like an eternity, Akane finally, finally felt the Bullhead land on Beacon's entrance. And as soon as the Bullhead's doors opened, she rushed out of the aircraft and straight to the nearest trash can outside. And once she was there, she continued her internal escape.
Akane groaned as she felt the contents of her breakfast finally ceased their escape. Oh, she shouldn't have eaten so much this morning! And- wait, was that a trace of dinner?!
"Ew, gross!" Akane quickly stumbled back and pulled out a water bottle. She quickly washed her mouth with what little water he had. If only she hadn't left her motion sickness pills back home…
...Auntie Cinder would be killing her if she saw her now.
She wiped the water on her lips with her sleeve. "Oh, man…" A quick glance around showed that the other students were looking at her strangely, shooting her looks from disgust to amused. Either way, not the respect nor friendly gazes she had hoped for.
Akane sighed. Now how was she going to make an impression?
She heard footsteps approach, this one distinctly going towards her from behind and felt herself freeze. Oh no, she wasn't ready to see anyone else yet! Please let whoever it was just walk by!
Or worse... was it someone who was going to yell at her?! Someone who was going to give her an earful?! Report her to the Headmaster, make him retract her application?!
Please let it not be someone who wanted to talk with her!
The footsteps stopped directly behind her, and a male voice with a a distinct Valean countryside accent addressed her. "Hey, miss! Y' okay over there?"
Oh no, he was talking to her!
Okay, deep breaths. No need to panic. Put on your best smile – remember what Uncle said! All you need is confidence, right?
"O-oh, I'm fine!" Akane turned around and gave the boy behind her best, put-together smile. "Ay-okay!"
"You sure? 'Cause you looked pretty sick back there on the Bull." The boy said. "I've got some motion sickness pills if you'd like-."
"You do?!" And with that, all Akane's previous hesitance was gone. She swiftly turned around and faced the boy behind her. "Gimme gimme gimme!"
"Heheh. All right, sure…" Akane's eyes tunnel-visioned to the boy's hands as he shifted around his pockets. "Should be around here somewhere… aha!"
The boy pulled out the pills from his pockets and showed them Akane. "These are the ones, right?"
After a quick check, Akane broke out with a smile. "Sure are!" She quickly snatched them from the other boy's hand and gulped them down with her bottle of water.
"Ah, that's great!" Akane wiped the water from her mouth with her sleeve. She looked at the boy that gave her the pills and gave him a thumbs up. "Thanks a lot for that!"
"Aw shucks, it was my pleasure, miss." The boy tipped his hat and gave her a slight bow. "Always happy to help."
It was then that Akane took a good look at the boy who helped her. He was tall, over 185 centimeters, and towered over her relatively smaller 15-year-old body. He had bright purple eyes, auburn hair, and a calming aura paired with a smile on his face. But alas, he seemed to dress a bit peculiar...
...And Akane couldn't help but ask. "Are you- are you a cowboy?"
"Sure am, miss!" The cowboy put his hands on his hips and gave her a thumbs up. "Nathan Redslinger, at your service."
But Akane wasn't impressed. Instead, she snorted behind her hands, giggling to herself. "Slinger? As in 'gunslinger'?"
"Hey, don't diss the name!" Nathan responded, but he still had a smile on his face. "I'll have you know Mom and Pop love the theme a lot!"
"So that's not your real name?"
"Er... no." Nathan laughed nervously. "It's actually Gemstone. B-but that doesn't sound as cool!" Nathan whined out the lats part.
Akane sniggered.
Nathan's eyes grew wide with panic. "B-but ya can't go around telling anyone. Come on now, miss!"
"Um... I don't know~!"
"Aw, come on! I'm beggin ya here!"
"Well, since you were so nice..." Akane waved her hand. "I'll keep your secret – snrk! -It's just, so- so obvious! Hehe!"
Nathan smirked. "Well, at least I'm not the one who threw up on the Bullhead and at Beacon."
"Hey, you take that back!" Akane shouted, but she still had that playful smirk on her face. "I'll let you know that motion sickness is a common sickness!"
"Is that why you forgot to bring your pills today?"
"Engh…. Fine. You win this round, mister. But I'm getting you next time, remember that!" Akane smiled.
The conversation felt good. She never had much chance to interact with people her age, and the chance to do so with people that were around it had driven her to a nervous wreck before. It was part of the reason she had her onset of motion sickness – she only had it when she was nervous, unlike her Uncle who had it constantly.
Talking with Nathan felt good. It felt natural, and managed to bury her doubts ever so slightly. Was this what having friends felt like? All she had for reference were her uncles and aunts, and while they were close, they didn't spend all their time with each other.
No, most of the time that Uncle Jaune had was spent on raising her.
And seeing Akane's smile, Nathan smiled back. "Sure, sure." He waved his hand. "Anyway… we're alone now, aren't we?"
"Huh?" Akane looked around as well. Huh, he was right. The courtyard was empty now, save for the two of them. "Where's everybody?"
"Probably to the auditorium." Nathan remarked. He turned to Akane, "You know where it is?"
"Oh yeah, I've got the campus map memorized." She tapped a finger on her head. "Just last night."
"Then... d'you mind showing me the way?" Nathan laughed nervously. "I... I aint good at rememberin stuff, and, well, you're the only friend I got here..."
Akane's eyes lit up, and her heart hammered in her chest. Friend?
Friend?!
"I... I'm your friend?" Akane whispered, her eyes sparkling as red met purple.
"Ah? Well, 'course ya are!" Nathan said, "I mean, that's what we are, nah?"
Akane bit back a squee. She- she did it! She made a friend! Her first ever! She never had a friend before! Seemed Uncle's advice was right on the money!
"Y-yes, that's what we are." Akane recovered and nodded eagerly. With a burst of speed, she grabbed Nathan's hand and ran with him to the auditorium.
"W-whoa, you're stronger than you LOOOOK!" Nathan yelped as he was dragged away. "Missy, slow down, aight- slow dooown!"
But his pleas fell on deaf ears. Akane continued running with all her Aura, rushing so she could get a seat with an empty one beside it. No matter what, she wanted to spend as much time as she could with her new friend.
As. Much. Time. As Possible!
Oh, this was so exciting! And who knows, maybe Nathan could be her partner in the end! Everything was going perfectly, and she could barely see any way anything could go wrong!
"...And that's the last of the students in." Ruby peeked from behind the stage curtains. She turned to Ozpin, "Stage's all set. On your command, Headmaster."
"Thank you, Professor Rose." Ozpin smiled. He swirled a cup of hot chocolate he was holding, "Though I still hear some commotion. Perhaps we should wait until they settle down, hm?"
"You know that's never going to happen." Ruby said, "These are teenagers, Oz. They're not going to settle unless we make them."
"Oh?" Ozpin raised an eyebrow. "Speaking from personal experience, I take it?"
Ruby's cheeks turned dark red. "W-When you put it like that..."
Ozpin chuckled. After so many years, she still had the same quirks. A simple soul...
"Speaking of which," Ozpin took a peek through the curtains himself, "I believe you had someone you wanted to look out for. Perhaps you would want to take a look before I start?"
"Hm? Ah, yeah." Ruby did as recommended and sighed in content when she saw Akane settling in well with a friend – who also happened to be a cowboy.
"Well, she's gotten off on better footing that I did, at least."
"True." Ozpin took a sip, "Though need I remind you that you and Weiss turned out all right in the end?"
"No need." Ruby chuckled, "Who do you think keeps the lights running, Oz?"
"Hm. Remind me later to send her my thanks for the latest donation." Ozpin said. "It certainly helped us prepare initiation much faster this year." He noticed that the crowd had seemed to quiet down just a bit, and decided that that was his cue. "Well then, Professor Rose, wish me luck."
"...You're just going to mumble off mumbo jumbo in front of them, are you?"
"And that's exactly why I have you all around."
Ruby let out a long-suffering sigh. Thank god Pyrrha was the Deputy Headmistress and not her.
Akane had sat through a lot of speeches in her life.
Her first recorded memory was her Uncle rallying his allies, keeping their spirits up even when he had doubts. The next was Auntie Cinder's... outbursts, so much as they were speeches too. And then there were others like Miss Emerald's pleads, and then those she saw on TV and her Scroll.
But none of them had felt so... off.
As Ozpin talked on the stage about continuing the legacy of Huntsmen past, protecting the future, honing their skills to be the best, securing the future that the past Huntsmen sought so desperately to achieve... Akane couldn't help but feel as if the man wasn't there. Like there were layers to the man before her, and she wasn't talking about the normal depths that people had.
Like he was channeling something beyond himself...
Akane whispered to Nathan, "Hey... is it just me, or does the Headmaster feel a bit off?"
"Eh? Ah, I don't feel anythin' bad from the man, if that's what'cha wanna know." Nathan looked at her with his eyebrow furrowed. "Somethin' wrong? I don't know where the infirmary is, but I'm sure someone ouhgta help us if you feel a bit dizzy..."
"What? No no, never mind then." Akane sighed. She pressed a hand to her head as Ozpin began to wrap up his speech. What was this? She just... didn't feel right when she looked at him...
And wrapped up his speech Ozpin did. "...And that is why we must always remember our purpose." He said with his hands behind his back.
"Our enemies may be gone, but that does not diminish our objective. The world may seem bright, but we must always be ready for darkness. Should we let our guard down... then what little peace we already have will disappear from our grasp."
"Enjoy the present. Embrace and protect the future. But most of all... do not forget the price that those earlier than us have paid." Ozpin let a solemn silence reign the auditorium for a moment, his face deathly serious, before he clapped his hands and smiled at the audience.
"That is all I have for today." Ozpin said, "Our staff will lead you to where you will all be sleeping for the night. Thank you and see you in Initiation tomorrow."
The audience clapped as Ozpin went backstage, Ruby replacing him and speaking to the mic. "Deputy Headmistress Nikos will lead you all to where you will be staying for the night; you will find her once you exit this room. Get a good night's rest... you're going to need it."
Akane narrowed her eyes, still focused on the stage, even as everyone began to rise and head to the exit. There was something strange she was feeling... something that didn't add up.
Nathan elbowed her side. "Akane, still with us? Ey, Remnant to Akane...?"
Akane shook her head. It wouldn't do to wonder too much – after all, they had given her this chance, right? They couldn't be all that bad.
"Nothing, nothing." Akane brushed him off. She turned to him and gave him a strained smile – one she was glad that he didn't seem to notice. "I'm alright. Let's get going."
And so the two of them stood up and headed to the exit, the last of the students to head to the exit. And if anyone noticed the way Akane's eyes kept shooting towards the empty stage, then no one commented on it.
Especially not when they were at the very back, far from the view of Deputy Headmistress Nikos.
A part of her often wondered why she took this job.
That part often got the answer 'because this was what her life led to.'
...And yet, she couldn't feel like it was somewhat empty.
Pyrrha Nikos led her students to the Great Hall where they would be sleeping for the night. With sharp eyes she watched as one by one they settled into their sleeping bags, or in the case of those that didn't bring any, took one from the desk to the side.
Once she saw the students settle down, Pyrrha took a less obvious spot and stood near the edge of the hall. It gave her an overseeing view of the place, yet not one that kept her at the forefront of the students' minds.
They needed to relax, after all, and her presence would only prove as a reminder of the looming Initiation tomorrow.
An unexpected yawn hit her, and she struggled to keep it to herself. She hadn't had a lot of sleep lately; doubts kept plaguing her mind, her dreams interrupted by memories of her own and not, all the more exacerbated with the fact that they barely managed to fill this year's application quota.
Her eyes found the one who managed to fill that slot out – the one called Akane, the one Ruby had a special interest in.
Personally, Pyrrha viewed all her students the same. They were here to study, they had all proven themselves, and they deserved to be treated equally. No one deserved favoritism, no matter how deserving of such one might be.
After all, she didn't need the field death of her students on her mind.
But sometimes, she found herself faltering – found herself not being able to help giving special attention. Sometimes it was to the dead lasts, the ones who tried their hardest but couldn't seem to keep up. Other times it was to those who were alone at the top, the ones who needed someone to bring them down because their teammates certainly weren't doing so.
Pyrrha's eyes roamed the halls once more, and she found her current focus of the night.
And sometimes, the ones she treated differently were because they and their family had a personal bond with her.
Pyrrha walked over to a particular student, resting on her sleeping bag on the girls' side of the Hall. She made sure to keep her presence discreet, ignoring the way some of the students pointed at her. And when she reached her destination, she was delighted to see the girl snap her attention to her.
"Hello again, Kelly." Pyrrha smiled, "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
Said Kelly – blond hair, blue eyes, and the spitting image of everything the Arc family looked like – gave a smile back.
"Hello, Miss Pyrrha." She giggled at the nickname; one she gave her when she was just a little thing. And by some luck, it had stuck, even now years later. "It certainly has."
"Hm... I take it your father allowed you to enroll?" Pyrrha asked.
"It took a lot of convincing... but he gave in at the end."
"Well, considering none of your sisters ended up trying, I suppose he wanted someone to take a crack at it." Pyrrha chuckled. "In any case, I'm glad to see you again. I admit, I was surprised when I saw your name on the applicants' sheet. But then again, I suppose you must've asked for tips for some reason, hm?"
Kelly blushed. "I'm sorry. Not to disrespect Dad, but he's... not the best teacher."
"No, he is not." Pyrrha agreed.
Because Pyrrha knew that Nicholas Arc was many things – a great Huntsman, a caring father, a provider for his family, but the clearest of teachers he was not. Pyrrha had seen it herself, in the brief instances she came over to the Arc family household, on the off chances he was training Kelly.
His strikes often came too rough. His advice came out clipped. And his eyes would often wander to memory, to imaginations... to regret. Regret Pyrrha knew that he felt that he deserved.
It was little wonder that Kelly reached out to her for advice. She had known Pyrrha ever since she had first come over, got along with her the best whenever she returned, and had been the most ecstatic when the Arc family had practically unofficially adopted her.
"Hey, Miss Pyrrha..." Kelly's words knocked Pyrrha out of her thoughts. When the redhead's gaze returned to her, Kelly dared to ask shyly. "Um... I was wondering..."
Pyrrha noted the undercurrent of uncertainty in her tone and took a seat beside Kelly. It was to her relief that the rest of the student body had fallen asleep – that way, none of them would treat them differently for this.
From the sound of it, Kelly needed her help, and gossip was the last thing she needed.
"What is it?" Pyrrha asked.
Kelly's eyes darted away. "Since this is the night before Initiation..."
"Uh huh..." Pyrrha didn't understand where this was going. Why had she become nervous suddenly? Kelly wasn't the type.
"I was just wondering..." Kelly sighed, "What... what was my brother like?"
Ah.
"W-well..." Pyrrha looked away too, recalling the memories as best she could.
She knew now why Kelly had been nervous. Her brother – Jaune – had been the entire reason why Pyrrha had met the Arc family. Kelly might not remember him much, having only been 6 when her brother disappeared, but she still had vague memories of him. And most of all, she had always admired him, one of the few who supported his decision to become a Huntsman when no one else did.
It was also a sore sport for her, because the entire reason the Arc family and her had bonded was because of his disappearance, and then, presumed untimely demise.
Evidently, Nicholas had changed his mind by now regarding one of his daughters becoming a Huntress. But then, time changed, people too. It ate away at their memories, and Pyrrha wasn't the same person she was eleven years ago.
She loved him, always would, and it was her greatest regret that he never got to change. That he never could change with her... that he would always remain as the 17-year-old she could remember him as.
But Kelly was her second chance. And this time, she would not mess it up.
"Your brother... well, he was quite oblivious." Pyrrha giggled. "If I recall correctly, he had a Beowolf onesie on around this time and didn't understand why people pointed at him... and then he then forgot where he put his weapon the next morning too."
"Wasn't that also the time when first he met you and Miss Schnee too?"
"Ah yes," Pyrrha sighed, her cheeks red when she recalled the memory. "At that time, Weiss was a... different person."
"And you, Miss Pyrrha?"
"W-well..." Pyrrha coughed shyly, her blush dying down. "I'd like to think I was different, but Jaune did start hitting on her the first time he met her."
"That... doesn't sound very smart."
"Social cues were never his strong suit." Pyrrha said, and by god she knew it better than anyone else. But then, she scooted close to Kelly and gave her a comforting hug; a hug Kelly leaned into as well.
"If you're worried about this, then I understand." Pyrrha whispered. "Jaune was too, even if he didn't show it. But rest assured that we will be watching. That I will be watching. We would never let harm befall you."
"You mean it?"
"More than anything in the world."
"O-okay then." They pulled away, and Kelly had calmed down much more. "I'm just worried. I'm the youngest, and I'd be lying if I said that Dad wasn't expecting a lot out of this. I need to do well. I have to."
"Perhaps he is simply learning from past mistakes." Pyrrha said softly. "It would be better if he believed in your potential too much rather than not believing you had any at all."
"Hm," Kelly looked to the side, still unconvinced, but let the matter drop. "I guess."
Pyrrha placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her slight comfort. "Get some rest, Kelly. You have a big day tomorrow. Like Ruby said, you're going to need it. And we'll be supporting you all the way."
"Okay." Kelly nodded. She began to tuck in, and before she closed her eyes, she gave her mentor/role model a wry smile. "Then since you're here... any chance that you can tell me what we're up against tomorrow?"
And to that, Pyrrha laughed softly. "Those puppy dog eyes don't work on me anymore, Kel."
"Aww..."
Pyrrha ruffled her hair fondly. "Now now, it's time for bed. Sleep well, dear. Goodnight."
Kelly closed her eyes with a warm smile and turned away. "Goodnight, Miss Pyrrha."
Pyrrha pulled her hand away and scooted aside, her eyes locked in on Kelly until she heard the soft breathings of someone who was asleep.
With that said and done, Pyrrha hefted herself up. A yawn almost hit her again, and she felt that perhaps it was about time for her to hit the hay as well. Initiation was tomorrow, and she'd have to wake up much earlier than the students to prepare.
Especially with Ozpin's... eccentricities...
Pyrrha inwardly sighed. Glynda Goodwitch was a lucky woman, calling in her five-year-long, backlogged vacation. At first, when Ozpin had requested that she fill in her shoes, Pyrrha had gladly accepted, seeing it as another step in a journey she didn't know where would end. But after dealing with the man for three, now going to four years soon, she knew why Glynda had gone off on holiday to Patch's beaches.
Well, at least she inherited Glynda's drinks cabinet...
Pyrrha didn't know it, but she made a face when she recalled last year's initiation. 'If he tells me to change it to something that convoluted again, I will have his head!'
And of course, the moment she let her guard of a reputation down, someone chose to comment on it. "You're weird."
"E-eh?" Shocked by the blunt statement, Pyrrha turned around and was met face-to-face with one of the students. Blonde hair, red eyes, and on the younger side. One she recognized as Enko Akane... funny, wasn't she the girl Ruby had an interest in?
...Wow that came out wrong.
And Akane kept staring at her with those red eyes, analyzing her deeply and coldly... or at least the best that a 15-year-old with baby fat on her cheeks could do.
Honestly, it was kind of cute how hard she was trying.
When the girl didn't say anything more, Pyrrha took that as her cue. "And in what way, Miss Enko?"
"Eh, I don't know..." Akane scratched the back of her neck. A nervous trait, perhaps? "There's just... this air around you..."
"I can assure you that I am perfectly normal, Miss Enko." Pyrrha said, a sly smile growing on her lips, "And on that topic, most of your classmates are already asleep. Shouldn't you be as well?"
"Uh... well..." Akane looked around. "Truth is, I just... can't."
"Oh?"
"This is the first time I've been away from home, Professor, and...is just gonna take a while is all."
"Hm. Then you can relax. We're here to keep you safe, Miss Enko."
"...Really?"
Pyrrha suppressed a giggle. Such doubts, from such young eyes. The way she pouted... oh she could just pinch her cheeks! Instead, Pyrrha suppressed her squees and put on her most comforting smile. "Miss Enko, we're just happy to be here."
And that seemed to set something off in Akane's brain. Her eyes widened minutely, and her frown turned to something inquisitive. "Huh... have I seen you somewhere before?"
Pyrrha's smile strained. "You are from Mistral, correct? Then I assume you must have."
It wasn't as if the deals and sponsors had died down as the years went on; if anything, they only increased. She had gotten used to it now, somewhat. After all, at least she had Beacon and the Arc family to return to.
But what Pyrrha mentioned didn't seem to be jogging Akane's memory. "Hm, I mean I am, but I don't think that's why…"
"Perhaps you're a fan of the regional tournaments, or some movies and magazines? Or Pumpkin Pete's cereal?"
"Nah..." After several seconds of thought, Akane seemed to realize her intense stare and crawled in on herself. "I... I guess I won't be figuring it out tonight. Sorry to disturb you, Professor."
Pyrrha giggled again. Well, it seemed that Ruby certainly did pick an interesting one.
"It's no problem." Pyrrha said, standing up and giving her a kind but firm look. "Just remember that you'll have Initiation tomorrow. Prepare yourself properly, Miss Enko."
"I will!" Akane chirped. And with a silent nod of approval, Pyrrha turned around, cast one final glance over the Hall, and then proceeded to make her way to her quarters.
And along the way, she couldn't help but analyze how Akane had looked at her.
That girl... she was strange as well.
Because the way she looked at her wasn't the typical recognition that came with her fame. It wasn't the adoration she gained from acting, the jealousy earned from her deals and celebrity status, nor was it the fleeting respect begrudgingly given to her from her Huntress career record.
No, there was something deeper there. She looked at her as if she knew her, and not the Invincible Girl. Those eyes had analyzed deeper than any fifteen-year old should be able to, as if reaching out to a memory long buried.
And she didn't know if it was Akane's own or her own memory that the girl was reaching out to.
The thought unsettled her. It kept her up as she entered her room, adding another concern on top of the mountain of things that already always kept her up at night. Being a teacher wasn't easy, she knew that from the beginning. And sometimes, she wondered why she even took the job in the first place.
But then she remembered the last glance she took at that Hall. Seeing her them all sleep soundly, hopeful for a future brighter than today, willing to protect what they already had... it filled her heart with the same purpose that she first felt when she began helping Kelly.
Pyrrha rolled over her bed and stared at a picture she kept on her nightstand. A picture of her team the last time they were truly together, complete with who should have led them in the middle, smiling through tear-stained cheeks.
Sharing one last glance at the end of day had become somewhat of a routine for Pyrrha. Because she found that starting at it, at him, helped her sleep.
"I wonder what you would've thought about the latest crop, Jaune." Pyrrha sighed.
And as usual, the picture didn't answer.
"Your youngest sister is here with me now. She doesn't remember you all that well... but she carries on your spirit."
He didn't answer.
Pyrrha's eyes began to close. "Wherever you are, don't worry. I'll... make sure to keep her safe."
Her eyes drooped fully, and she felt as if a warm Aura was still out there, soothing her... giving her warmth she so dearly missed. And all the while, as consciousness left her, Pyrrha couldn't help but think one last thought, one she thought every time this time of the night came, one thought that she couldn't bury beneath denials and compromises.
A truth she sometimes was too scared to admit.
She had changed, sure. Found a new purpose, one that fulfilled her.
...Yet one that didn't fulfill her as much as she had hoped.
Curse her.
It seemed she hadn't changed as much as she had thought.
"...Goodnight, my love."
Perhaps she'll meet him again in her dreams, as she sometimes did. And then she can ask, and then she can cry, and then she can laugh and love. And most of all, she can find out the answer to her questions... and be blessed should she remember the answer come morning.
What would he have thought, truly?
"It's official. I hate your bike."
"Suck it up, VB. You're not getting a better deal than yours truly."
"And that's exactly the Greek tragedy playing out here." Jaune sighed as he and Yang disembarked her newest motorcycle. The engine's whines died down, gas and air stopping their reactions as the braps slowly disappeared from his ears.
Jaune sighed as the ringing in his head finally stopped. "I'm going to have to see a doctor at this point..."
"You'll get used to it." Yang punched his arm lightly, and she only laughed when he scowled. "We'll be here for three days. You'll have plenty of time to enjoy some more rides!"
"Bah, fine... and remind me why are we here for three days?"
"Because Blakey will be coming over." Yang grinned. "And you need someone else to talk to other than me, mister."
"And that being Blake?" Jaune asked incredulously. "Miss 'Don't disturb me while I read my smut' Blake?"
"Hey, she's changed!"
Jaune's stare remained.
"Okay she still hides it under her bed, but that's not the point!" Yang stomped her foot. " 'Sides, she was going to stop over anyway. You did mention you wanted us to meet at some point, right?"
"I suppose I did." Jaune sighed. "Well, I guess it won't be that bad. I do owe you, Yang."
"You damn right, Jauney." Yang punched his arm again. She looked to their surroundings again; they were at Mistral proper now, having ridden the day – and night – away to get here as soon as possible. The guards at the gate had been surprisingly lenient with checks, either because Ozpin had informed them earlier or because it was the crack of dawn, Yang didn't know.
And upon entering the Kingdom, Jaune had made a request of her to stop by a place before they settled in.
She had obliged, of course. From the way Jaune had described and directed her, it was barely ten minutes off their destination, and they weren't that strapped for time anyway. And if Jaune had grown comfortable enough to ask her for something, wasn't that to be encouraged?
But even so, she didn't expect Jaune to have led her to this.
Getting off her bike as well, Yang popped out its stand and looked with crossed arms at the scenery in front of her. It was a massive garden, filled with trees and flowers and an intricate stone pathway in the middle, one that led to... somewhere, some kind of structure she couldn't see from here. It was surprising that such a large piece of land was undisturbed, maintained so well in its natural beauty, in the middle of Mistral's Kingdom, and it only added to its beauty.
"Pretty place..." Yang muttered. "What, you taking me out on a date?"
"Hmph." Jaune let out a small laugh, "Not exactly. I'm just here to... talk with some old friends."
"Oh?" Yang wiggled her eyebrows. "Someone you're sweet on, maybe?"
"Oh shove it." Jaune smirked, "I'm almost thirty, Yang. I think I'd get it if someone showed an interest in me."
"I really think you wouldn't." Yang mumbled. Part of the reason she was here too – god knows Pyrrha was going to need a wingman; or wingwoman, in the case.
"What was that?" Jaune asked, having genuinely not heard her.
"Nothing!" Yang gave him a smile; one he returned uneasily. Well, at least he bought it. Yang shook her head. Enough about hypothetical matchmakers. "So, care to introduce me to those friends of yours?"
"Just follow my lead." Jaune said softly. He turned around, and once he was away from her, Yang noted how he seemed to stiffen the longer he stared at this garden. And then, after what Yang noticed to be some kind of hesitation, Jaune took a breath and began walking down the pathway, motioning her to follow suit.
Strange. What was with the sudden drop in atmosphere...?
Yang fell to step beside him not a second later. She tried to keep her eyes on Jaune, on how far-off he seemed to look, but a part of her couldn't pry her eyes from the beauty of the garden. Red trees and white flowers seemed to surround the pathway, circling and mixing in a beautiful symphony of blood and purity. The fact that it was barely the end of summer added to the elegance; how did they get these trees to autumn this fast?
Eventually, Jaune and her found themselves at the end of the pathway. Yang gasped as she found her eyes staring up against a massive, circling wall, as if shielding them, made of bronze and gold.
But what caught her breath wasn't the expensive materials that it used, nor was it the way it seemed to radiate safety.
No, what caught her were the names etched in those walls.
Names and dates and final partings of people deceased.
"A memorial..." Yang whispered.
Jaune's friends; Yang understood now.
At the top of the wall, beneath the rising sun, the name shone brightly upon its knight.
Haven Memorial
To Those Who Fell for their Loved Ones,
May you be entered into the halls of the greatest of legends.
Yang's eyes seemed to scan at a rapid pace at the names etched; and she couldn't hide her horror at the fact that most of them were barely twenty years old. And some of them she even recognized.
Reese Chloris, 2412 – 2422
Nadir Shiko, 2414 – 2422
Bolin Hori, 2415 – 2422
Scarlet David, 2415 – 2422
Sage Ayana, 2415 – 2422
Arslan Altan, 2415 – 2422
Some of them had gone to Beacon, had been preparing to compete in the Vytal Festival in their first year. She had been friends with them, had got to know them somewhat, at least before they were suddenly recalled to Haven for... something.
At the time, no one knew what happened, except that Headmaster Lionheart had been so insistent that not even Ozpin was able to deny him. The Vytal Festival had then been delayed, something had happened over at Haven... and then, radio silence for years, until the next Vytal Festival came around, and Haven re-emerged with a new Headmaster in charge.
But by that time, the Grimm were already gone.
Nobody truly knew what happened in the end, because the Grimm Wipeout had ended up taking priority. To know that- that half of Team SSSN was dead! That that Arslan girl that insisted about her rivalry with Pyrrha wasn't even around anymore...!
An autumn leaf fell from the trees, and it was then that Yang noticed Jaune begin to shake.
And a wind blew around them, moving the trees and the flowers, as if nature itself despaired... as if commanded by Jaune's own.
Yang knew it; she felt it, the way the gardens seemed to be ducking under his command. Her friend's eyes were stuck at each and every one of the names, etching them into his memory with a gaze filled with regret and sorrow.
Had... had Jaune been there? Was this why he never returned?
Jaune shook again, and so did the trees and flowers. A single autumn leaf fell from the nearest tree, and Yang saw reach out and pluck it from the air.
Jaune closed his eyes and let out a sad hum. And then, to Yang's shocked eyes, she saw that single leaf transform itself to a bouquet of white roses, the very flowers that surrounded them all, tied with a bow made of the red leaves that fell around them.
Jaune opened his eyes and knelt down before the wall, placing the flowers at its feet with his head held low.
And Yang could see the despair in his body, the grief in his closed eyes, the guilt in his shoulders... and could hear his whispers, even with the howling wind around her.
"None of your sacrifices were in vain." Jaune whispered.
Yang stayed silent as Jaune choked, as tears threatened to leak from his eyes, as his breath began to grow unstable. Yet still, he pushed through.
"I'm going to take a look at this world... a Remnant that's all thanks to you." Jaune teared up. "I'm... I'm sorry for everything."
"I'm sorry for not being a better leader. I'm sorry for not warning you sooner. I'm sorry I couldn't save you. I'm sorry for not dragging you into something none of you were ready for."
"...And- and... and I hope that wherever you are, you're resting in peace... knowing that all of us are safe and sound." Jaune took a deep breath and got to a bow.
"Thank you, my friends..." Jaune whispered with finality, "And until we meet again."
Jaune got up, turned around, and the winds around them stopped. He gave Yang a curt nod and walked past her, leaving the garden behind and heading to where her bike was.
Yang followed him not a second later, the two of them heading to their accommodation for the night soon after – a hotel near the Bullhead ports – with Yang giving Jaune his due space.
All the while, her mind couldn't help but wander.
No one, no one knew what happened at Haven all those years ago. Mistral's council was tight-lipped about it, the current Headmaster was too, and no one in the public dared to mention anything regarding the incident. Over time outside interest waned, especially with the growing amount of more pressing matters to concern to.
But if Yang's memories served her correctly, then the event would've happened around ten to twelve years ago. Exactly the time that Jaune had mentioned being retired for. And with how tearfully he had interacted with the memorial, how he seemed back then... was that the reason he had put down his sword?
Yang knew she was still lacking essential pieces. They didn't know what happened there in the first place.
Just like they didn't know what had happened to Jaune.
And what was that about their sacrifice, again? 'a Remnant that's all thanks to you'?
Suddenly, things didn't appear as simple as they once seemed.
It was those thoughts that kept bugging her all day, no matter what they did, even as night descended, and the next day approached. They planned to stay three days in Mistral, and yet... that single stop-by had derailed all the plans Yang had had to coax Jaune out.
And it was with those thoughts that Yang found Jaune that night, leaning against the rails on their hotel's rooftop and staring blankly to the empty sky while smoking a cigarette with his back to her.
Yang walked up to him with her hands in her pockets. "I didn't know you smoked."
"I try not to." Jaune sighed. He puffed an air, and once savored, quickly put his cig out under his heel. "Doesn't put off a good image."
"For your daughter?"
"For Akane, yeah."
"I understand." Yang said softly. She moved to stand beside Jaune, and relaxed when he didn't turn away. "I've always liked drinking and going to clubs, but I try to keep Rubes out of it whenever I can."
"Isn't she an adult, now?"
"She's still my little sister, the one that I raised." Yang chuckled. "I'm not letting some floozy spike her drink."
"Hm. I guess it's hard to see some things differently, huh..." Jaune closed his eyes and sighed. "Look, I'm... sorry, Yang. I know you had plans for today, plans for us to have fun while we wait, but... I just wouldn't have been into it."
"I get it." Yang said again. "Rubes never had much energy after we visited Summer's – that's our Mom – grave. Oh she'd still smile and stuff, but she'll also turn in quicker in the evening."
"Is that so..." Jaune trailed off. A comfortable silence passed, one that neither dared break. For Yang, she wanted to let the words sink in, knew that forcing Jaune out wouldn't have been the best way.
And for Jaune, he simply didn't know what to say. There were a million thoughts running through his head, faces and smiles and laughs that would only remain in some form of memory.
Eventually, Jaune decided that even he had his limits.
"...I'm guessing you want to know about the memorial."
"Only if you're up to it, Jaune." Yang said softly.
This was a good chance for her to collect information as it was to help a friend. Ozpin always had been interested in whatever had happened. And more than that, her friend was clearly involved in some way. She knew that grief was a delicate thing but perhaps airing it out would be a good thing.
He was in the company of a friend. That was what Yang wanted to express to him, the most important of all.
"Okay then, okay... so, back then, there was an attack on Haven." Jaune began.
Yang's eyes focused on her friend, the way it seemed to dim as if lost in memory. She noted the way his hands clenched the railing hard, but not enough to bend. Only to remind himself of where he was.
"I was lucky enough to get a glimpse of it before it began." Jaune said. "I tried to warn them but convincing them wasn't easy. And by the time the attack came..."
Jaune's breath hitched. "I tried my best. I really did. But sometimes, the best isn't enough."
"We took a heavy hitting, but we survived. But... we didn't want to survive. We wanted to live. And for some... well, there wasn't a point without their friends by their sides."
"In the end we managed to track down who was responsible. Dealt with her too. And reconstructed Haven. But a single kill doesn't solve everything." Jaune looked down to the bustling streets below. "It may for many... but not for others."
"And..." Yang scooted ever so closer. She put a hand on his shoulder, and felt relief wash over when he didn't push her away. "...For you? If what you're saying is true, then did you want to live?"
"I have to." Jaune sighed. His eyes turned to her, and she was struck by how deep they had suddenly become. She felt relieved when the answer came, knowing that she wasn't dealing with a suicidal friend.
But Jaune's next words didn't ease her heart one bit.
"Because I didn't deserve to die."
Wait.
"...what?" Yang whispered.
Jaune continued, regardless of the shock that seized Yang's heart. "I wasn't the one who lost everything, Yang. I had Akane to look after. I had their sacrifices to bear. I had the ones that remained, still looking at me."
"And more than all of that..." Jaune's eyes locked in. "I had to stop them from hurting all of you."
Yang was shocked to silence. For what could she say?
And, oblivious to this, Jaune continued. "But that's all in the past, Yang. That's why I had to go see them. I had to- to say goodbye." He whispered. And with that, he turned back to the skies, taking out another cigarette and lighting it.
Yang closed her eyes and counted from one to three. When she opened them back, an aura of certainty had descended on her.
"We would've helped if you reached out to us." Yang said softly.
"I know." Jaune said equally soft. "That's exactly why I didn't."
They stayed like that for a long time, a new, heavier but still slightly warm silence descending on them both. After what seemed like hours, eventually, Yang broke the mood the only way she knew how.
By moving on.
"Blakey will be coming over tomorrow." Yang said, "I'll be heading over to Vale with her the next day."
The silent question was asked. Are you coming with us?
And one more, how are you going to deal with her?
She might've been smart enough to decipher who Jaune was on first glance – well, it wasn't like he had made it hard for her in the first place, but still. The others, though, with how much Jaune had changed... she doubted that it would be as easy for them.
Perhaps it was a miracle then that she did find out about him. Heavens knew what would've happened had he not had her to show this side of his. Because she knew he wouldn't have ever showed it had she not taken the initiative in cracking who he was first.
And now, she could only hope that this little moment had meant something.
Jaune sighed when he saw Yang's questioning gaze. The entire reason he had visited the memorial was to say farewell. He had not been in the better part of the decade, and while he knew that it would always remain well kept – Magic insured it – he had also intended it to be the final time he visited, at least for a long time.
But he had to go there, he had to. They had been his friends, had laid their lives in their efforts to defeat Salem. And as such, he wouldn't dare face the world without paying them their due respects. No matter how much it opened old wounds, no matter how much it hurt him to remember...
Jaune shook his head. At least Yang was there; to be honest, he had needed her presence. He was glad that out of all his friends, it was Yang who he had met first. From what he knew, she was the only one who knew what it was like to raise someone. To shoulder responsibility when you weren't yet ready... to grow up quicker than you were meant to.
He doubted he would've opened up this quickly to anyone else. And so, he voiced as such.
"Blake won't even know I was here." Jaune said softly. He turned to Yang and felt his eyes crinkle, "After all, Jaune Arc never entered Mistral."
Yang caught the double meaning quickly, and her smile returned as well.
"If that's so, then we better make it convincing." Yang smirked, "So, got any plans for the night, June?"
"I was thinking we could hit up the markets. See if they've got any street food I haven't tried." Jaune said, "And save some tuna for Blake."
"Hah! Good idea. She'll love that."
"Why thank you." Jaune laughed. "But seriously?"
Jaune leaned in closer to Yang, to the point where their shoulders were touching. "I- I'm not sure I would've been brave enough if I didn't meet you." Jaune whispered.
Yang froze at the attention, at the contact, at the trust; and yet, she didn't pull out of it either. Eventually, she closed her eyes and put her arm around him.
"You'll get over it." She whispered too. "You're strong enough now, and you'll only grow as time goes on. As you meet more of us."
"I hope so." Jaune closed his eyes. "Thank you."
And Yang held him close; kept a close friend from falling apart. "Anytime. We're here for you now... only if you let us."
"... I know, Yang. I just- I just still need time."
They both knew that he was holding out some secrets still. She still remembered the words he spoke. He had been a leader of some sorts during Haven's incident. And he had 'dealt with' the woman who was responsible after. It was little tidbits she knew, but prized information that no one else in the world knew.
But she wasn't one to betray a friend's trust. If Jaune trusted her – and she knew he did – then he would tell her in time.
"We have all the time in the world." Yang said softly. After all, with the Grimm gone, what else did they have? Time was the one thing change required the most, And lucky for her, they had that in abundance.
Jaune asked her once more. "Really?"
"Yeah." Yang nodded back, and she felt relieved when his shoulders relaxed. "No need to rush, Jaune. We're here for you."
Sorry if not a lot actually happened here. I actually planned to do Initiation here but I felt that doing so would be rushing it a bit too much. Next chapter: proper Initiation stuff, the formation of Akane's team, Blake arrives.
Thanks for reading, lemme know what you thought, and see you next time!