Disclaimer

RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum, may he rest in peace.

Authors note

This is inspired by some RWBY fanart I started stumbling across. I forgot who made them but I believe each one was not made by the same person. Though I could be wrong on that but. Jaune x Harem essentially.

With some changes to certain things. Especially some personalities to a degree If you don't like them. Don't read the story. You have been warned.

Also welcome to the reboot. More info on this at the bottom.

To the story.

Mistral

Jaune Arc.

A young blonde haired human boy with many sisters and from a long line of heroes. He was not exactly the spitting image of a hero. Just an 8 year old boy on a shopping trip with his family. Why Mistral? Mainly because they had rather unique styles of everything. Which was why he was here with his family. They liked their style.

Well not exactly with his family.

Jaune was alone. Thankfully that was how he prefered it. Having 7 sisters, most of which were older than him, was nothing short of stress inducing. Yes he loved his family, but sometimes he needed time to himself. This was one of those rare times in life.

Normally they would be driving him insane right about now. Thankfully most of them scattered upon arriving in the shopping district, and Jaune could not be happier.

At the moment he was wandering around the city. Just enjoying the peace and quiet that he rarely got nowadays. So much so that he took a sigh of relief as he walked through the shopping district. Completely oblivious to his surroundings.

However it was when Jaune was wandering around on that particular day that something out of the ordinary happened.

One moment he was walking in the market. Just minding his own business while passing some empty stalls, and the next he was suddenly pulled behind one of the empty stalls. Whoever it was just latched onto his hood and pulled him by it.

Jaune, believing it to be his sisters, as this wasn't the first time they did this, didn't panic.

"Haha. Good one all of you." Jaune stated as he turned around. "You really surprised m-"

Jaune turned to see that it was not any of his sisters. But a girl with red hair and green eyes who looked to be wearing some kind of gold and red dress of sorts.

Jaune was pretty surprised by this, and she also looked surprised as well. She couldn't look him in the eye and was fidgeting in place. She was struggling to say something, or maybe trying to figure out what to say.

"Uhh… errr….. ummm…." Then she snapped her right hand fingers and pointed said hand at jaune. "Saved your life!"

Jaune looked around. Unsure of what she claimed to have saved him from. When he didn't see anything out of the ordinary he asked her.

"From what?"

At that she seemed to freeze up with wide eyes. Which were now darting in every direction as she tried to figure out what to say next.

"Well… um… you… were lost! Yes I saved you from the streets." She said and crossed her arms proudly, as if she had done some great deed.

"Do I look like I am lost?"

She froze up again with wide eyes, as if trying to think of some other excuse for her actions.

Before she could reply there was a series of loud footsteps in the market, and the girl suddenly pulled Jaune down behind the stall. Her hands on his shoulders. He couldn't really resist. She was very strong.

Before he could ask her what was going on she shushed him. He would have still asked her but she gave him a fierce look. Plus she seemed rather strong. So he chose to comply and stayed quiet lest she do something.

A few seconds later several figures, all in red and gold suits, passed by. They looked around and, from what Jaune could perceive, they were asking random people questions. Stall workers, shoppers, etc.

What they were saying Jaune could not make out. Thankfully no one was around the area Jaune and the girl were in. So they didn't ask around them.

After about a minute this group split up into different areas of the market. Going either in pairs or alone. Continuing their search and talking into their Scrolls.

The girl behind him sighed in relief once all the people were out of sight. She had a rather tight grip on the shoulders of his Pumpkin Pete hoodie.

"Who were they?" Jaune asked once it looked like they were in the clear.

"My bodyguards." She stated ratherly plainly and in an exasperated manner. As if annoyed.

"Bodyguards?!" Jaune exclaimed, wondering just who exactly this girl was. "Why do you have bodyguards, and why are they looking around?!"

"I um.. ran off." She said and smiled sheepishly. Letting go of his shoulders and rubbing the back of her neck with one hand.

"Why?" Jaune asked. He just couldn't really fathom why someone with body guards would run off. Or why she needed bodyguards. As far as he could tell she was kind of strong.

"Well my name is Pyrrha Nikos, you've probably heard of me before." She said and at the last bit she looked away to the side. As if saying her name wasn't a good thing.

The name didn't ring any bells in Jaunes head. Not one, not a single one.

"Who?" He asked while tilting his head to the side in confusion. Pyrrha looked at him with a very surprised look.

"Pyrrha Nikos." She stated once again and the name came up blank in his head again.

"Nope, not ringing any bells." Jaune said and she looked at him dead serious. So much so that she once again grabbed his shoulders tightly.

"Do you honestly not know who I am?" She asked as she leaned up to his face as if trying to see if he is lying. He felt his face heating up from her face being inches from his. So much so that he had to lean back a little.

"Y-yes. I don't recognize the name one bit." Jaune managed to utter out. His face very red.

Then something else unexpected happened. She pulled him into a tight hug. Which actually made his head bang against the table of the stall they were under.

"Thank you!" Pyrrha said while holding him tightly. It was unclear just who she was thanking. Not that Jaune really thought about it, as he swore that he felt the bones of his body cracking from this hug.

"Why…. are you….. hugging me?" Jaune said with a very strained and pressured voice. The redness in his face was drained away from the pain. It was like she was hugging his soul out of his body.

She suddenly let him go and he fell onto his back. Giving him the chance to recover. Catch his breath. He started to slowly sit up.

Pyrrha also had a flushed face, and was looking to the side. Seemingly embarrassed from the hug. After a moment she explained. Still not looking him in the eye.

"Well you see… I am... a prodigy of sorts." She said smiling but then her smile turned sad. "I have been training for as long as I can remember. It was my duty to my family after all. Like most I struggled at first, but I got better. And I discovered my semblance which… is very useful in most fights." She stated and then took a breath. "I have been winning nearly every sparring match that my parents have arranged ever since. As good as that sounds my friends started to distance themselves from me. I heard them say that they think that I am above them now, that I don't need them now. That they should move on." She said while looking down. Sadness in her voice.

Jaune… needed a moment to take that all in, he was not expecting her to tell him so much. Really it was like she was venting to him.

When she was done he spoke after a few quiet moments.

"So… why are you running?" Jaune asked.

"I… just needed to get away for a day. That's all." Pyrrha said. "I was supposed to spar with someone from Mistral today, but I saw a chance to slip away and… well here I am."

"Won't you just be recognized once you go into the streets?" Jaune said and she nodded, but then smiled a little.

"That's where you come in." She said and Jaune raised an eyebrow.

"How am I supposed to help?"

"Your hoodie." She said pointing at said object.

"What about it?"

"Can I… borrow it?"

"Why?"

"Well... I can use it to cover up my hair and most of my dress. Those are the recognizable features. If I do that I may be able to get through today without being found. So please can I borrow your hood." She said, practically begging him.

Jaune sat there and was very conflicted. He didn't know what to do, he could give her his hood or he could not. Jaune may have been young, but she had bodyguards. No telling what they would do to him if they found him with her. What's more no telling what could happen if they found out he was helping keep her hidden.

The risks just seemed to be too much. He was going to say no, but then he looked into her pleading bright green eyes. She looked really hopeful, and Jaune was just too good a person.

"Fi- fine." He said closing his eyes, looking to the side.

"Thank you." She stated as she suddenly grabbed and held onto his right hand. "Oh I never got your name."

"It's Jaune Arc."

"Well it's nice to meet you Jaune Arc." She said as she stood up and helped pull Jaune up from the ground.

After a minute of Jaune taking off his hoodie and Pyrrha straightening out her hair, so that the hoodie would fit no problem, Pyrrha was set. She had his hoodie on and the hood up over her head.

"Just make sure you give it back to me before you leave." Jaune said, a little peeved that he had to give up his hoodie. He had to turn in a lot of box tops from cereal just to get it, but this seemed like a good cause. So he let it go.

"I will." She said, smiling, and Jaune turned away. About to walk out from the empty stall.

"Well I should go no-" As Jaune took one step out of the stall he was suddenly pulled back into the stall.

"Wait!" She grabbed him by his hand this time. He turned to face her and saw that she closed the distance between them quickly, and was not letting go of his hand.

"Ye- yeah?" He asked, his face heating up from how close she was, and the fact that she was holding his hand.

"I was wondering if you could… show me around?" She asked rather timidly "You see I am not used to exploring on my own, and I have never been to Mistral on my own either. So I don't know where I should go or what I should do."

She looked at him pleadingly, again. And again he was conflicted. If they traveled like this then the odds of him getting caught by her guards were only worse. But then he looked into her eyes again, and he submitted.

"Okay I will show you around." He said, sighing under his breath. She smiled at him and he took the lead.

She still held onto his hand as the two walked. She seemed very happy. It was a rather cute scene. Like childhood friends off on some grand adventure.

They ended up spending the whole day together. He showed her around and they got ice cream and snacks every now and then. At first he would have used his pocket money, not much, but Pyrrha insisted that she should. And as it turned out she had a lot of money on hand. Like a lot. More than Jaune could hope for in his life.

They also had a few close calls with Pyrrhas bodyguards who were still searching for her. They ended up hiding and blending in whenever the bodyguards showed up. Jaune didn't realize it but nearly the entire time they were still holding hands. He had just gotten used to it.

They had fun at an arcade and some street vendor games. Like throw the ball at some cups, throw a ring onto some bottles, a pinball machine, which Pyrrha seemed to easily win, etc. Jaune's peaceful day turned into a fun day. He honestly forgot about the reason why he was here in the first place.

Then came the time for Jaune to go when his parents called him on his scroll. At the same time Pyrrha decided that she should go as well or the search for her may get more intense. At that moment they were outside on a balcony overlooking Mistral as the sun was slowly setting in the distance.

"My mom says it's time for me to go." He said putting the scroll in his pocket. Pyrrha looked pretty sad.

"I see, well I should go as well. My parents are probably worried. I'm going to be in for quite the lecture and training later." She said and there was a moment of silence between the two.

"Hey Jaune." She said facing him. He turned to face her as well. "Promise me that… if we meet again you will treat me as a normal person." She asked and Jaune didn't quite understand what she meant, but he nodded. He didn't really understand her situation, but he felt sympathy.

Before he could move or respond to her she suddenly leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. It happened so fast that before he could say anything, or even blush, she was running off back into the market. Leaving a dumbstruck Jaune with a now red face. It took him a moment but he got moving. Walking rather clumsily to where he was to meet his family.

Thankfully by the time he found his family that clumsiness had passed. His parents boarded a wagon as did his sisters.

"Jaune." One of his older sisters, Saphron, who was sitting in front of him called to him.

"Yeah?" He said absentmindedly. Thinking about today.

"Where is your hoodie?" She said.

Jaunes eyes went wide as he put a hand on his chest. He didn't feel the familiar cloth. He realized that he had completely forgotten about it, and now there was no getting it back.

Vale, Island of Patch

It had been some months. Jaune and his father were on the island of Patch.

Why?

Jaunes' father thought he should go see an old friend of his from his days at Beacon. Not a teammate, but an old friend. His mother stated that he had a choice. Stay home and do chores with everyone else, or go with his father. He made the less work inducing choice. At least he thought it wouldn't be work inducing.

He was wrong.

It was a lot of driving, walking, waiting on a boat, and then walking some more. He wondered why his father said to bring some spare clothes. Well now he knew.

Jaune didn't even realize his father's friend lived on an island. He thought it was going to be a casual stroll, but nope. A long journey and tiring journey. He was really out of shape.

They were on the final stretch according to his father. They had to walk on dirt roads to traverse the island. As they did Jaune couldn't help but constantly look around for Grimm. He was a little scared. Forests, as far as he knew, were Grimm infested.

Jaune's father on the other hand was not scared. Not one bit. He explained that due to the islands small size Grimm are not a very common problem. And though there may be a few here and there, his friend was a very skilled Huntsman. So they shouldn't have an issue.

After a long walk they arrived at a rather nice looking house.

Upon approaching Jaune heard what sounded like a lot of shuffling on dirt. He could actually see dirt being kicked up as they got closer. Eventually they got close enough to see two individuals. A tall light blonde man and a smaller girl with rather bright, and long, blonde hair.

From the looks of it they were fighting or sparring, in hand to hand combat. Despite her size the girl seemed rather aggressive. Charging, punching, kicking, and doing all manner of fighting. But the man was able to outmaneuver her every punch and charge. Which only seemed to make the girl even more aggressive. Seemingly getting angry.

Suddenly a small voice called out from Jaunes left. "Go Yang!" Looking to his left Jaune saw a little girl with a red hood and cloak on her. She had a cookie in hand and a small corgi by her side. Sitting diligently. As if guarding her. Said Corgi turned to look at Jaune and his father. Barking once and then scratching its neck.

A frustrated cry made Jaune look back at the match. It came from the blonde girl who Jaune could only assume was Yang.

She was clearly getting frustrated at the man's constant dodging and parrying. So much so that, for a second, Jaune swore he saw her in flames and with bright red eyes. But then, just as quickly, the eyes were normal and the fire was gone. As if neither had ever changed or manifested. Jaune rubbed his eyes quickly. Trying to determine if that was just a hallucination

"Yang, I told you." The man said to the girl. Dodging another strike from her "You have to think outside the box. Look for another way around the pro-"" She kicked him in the groin while he was talking. He gasped, gripped his groin, and collapsed face first in the dirt.

"Like that dad?" She asked while smiling. Her hands on her hips triumphantly.

"Yes… exactly like that." The man managed to utter those words out, between pained breaths, while face down in the dirt.

Jaune's father started to laugh loudly and approached, causing Yang to step back out of surprise and take a combat stance. He didn't look at her as he kneeled down by the man. Still face first in the dirt.

"You okay Tai?" He asked and Tai turned his head to him, clearly dazed.

"Yeah…." Tai stated as he started to sit up. "I just… need an ice pack. Even with Aura this is going to be sore for a while" He said as Jaunes father helped him get up, then he had to basically carry him into the house. He stopped before going inside.

"Jaune how about you get to know Tai's daughters while I catch up with him?" He stated.

Jaune wasn't actually sure he wanted to. One of his daughters just kicked her dad in the groin. He didn't want to know what she would do to him if he made her mad, but he didn't think he had a choice.

"Okay dad." He said rather nervously. Not looking at Yang.

Jaunes father walked into the house. Dragging Tai in at this point. Jaune turned around to face the girls only to find Yang in front of him. Right in front of his face.

"Want to fight!?" She suddenly asked. Eyes wide.

Before Jaune could even answer she threw a punch straight at him. His instincts kicked in and he managed to just barely duck. He felt the punch just run over his hair.

Then he did the only thing he could. He screamed in fear and started to run around the yard. Yang gave chase. Trying to punch him while running. It was taking everything he had to stay out of her reach, but she was in much better shape than him.

At some point the Corgi joined the chase. Running right behind Yang. Barking playfully all the while.

"Zwei come back!" The girl in the red hood yelled while chasing this Zwei.

They had basically formed a train. Jaune was running from Yang, Zwei was chasing Yang, and the Red Hooded girl was chasing Zwei.

It stayed like this for a few minutes. The four of them just running around like crazy.

Eventually they all tired themselves out. They all had to lay down on the ground and catch their breaths. Jaune was the first to catch his breath, and the first to speak.

"Can I…. at least have your names... before you try… to punch me?" Jaune asked while laying down panting. While he knew one of their names it was best to be polite. Especially since Yang was clearly prone to acting first and thinking later.

"Sure!" Yang suddenly stood up. The exhaustion from seconds ago just gone. As if she was never tired to begin with. "I am Yang Xiao Long, this is my sister Ruby Rose!" Yang picked up the Red Hooded girl by her hood with one hand. "Oh and this is Zwei our corgi." She held Zwei in her other arm. "We just got him a few days ago."

"Hi." Ruby said as she was held up by her red cape with a cookie suddenly in her hand. Oddly enough she didn't have one a second earlier. Zwei merely barked upon being mentioned and while being held in Yang's arm.

"You are?" She asked, dropping Ruby and Zwei. The two yelping upon realizing they were being dropped.

"Oh, Jaune Arc." Jaune stated as he started to get up. Dusting himself off.

"What brings you to Patch?" Yang asked him. Dusting herself off as well. Focusing especially on her hair. Getting every piece of dirt out of it.

"My dad is visiting your dad." Jaune stated and then had one important question. "Why were you fighting your dad?"

"Dads teaching Yang to fight." Ruby stated as she chewed on a cookie.

"Why?"

"Oh well some time ago I took Ruby… out for a walk. We got attacked by some Grimm but our uncle saved us." She seemed rather upset by what she said. "Since then they didn't want to take any chances and started to teach me to fight." Yang explained.

"Uncle Qrow says he will teach me how to use a scythe when I get older." Ruby said with another cookie in her hand. Where did she keep getting them? "I want to be a Huntress when I get older, just like the heroes in our stories." Ruby said joyously, Zwei now on her lap and the cookie gone. As if she had eaten it in a split second and moved Zwei onto her lap at the same time.

"You still have a long way to go sis." Yang stated and rubbed her sisters head with her fist. "We both do. So-" She suddenly turned to look at Jaune "-want to fight and not run away?" Yang said and pounded her fists together. Jaune, again, swore he saw fire around her when she did that.

"But I don't know how to fight." Jaune stated in a scared voice. Slowly stepping back with his hands up in front of him.

"Then I will teach you, Ruby doesn't want to learn from dad or me. She wants to learn from Uncle Qrow and no one else." Yang said and put her fists up. Jaune regrettably put his fists up. He knew that if he didn't she would probably just chase him again. This time he would rather face her bravely than run away.

He wished he ran.

Jaune had dirt all over his body while Yang had none. She wasn't even tired. He tried to block, dodge, and punch as she did but failed miserably. She easily ducked, countered, dodged, and sometimes even tripped him when he charged.

Ruby laughed the whole time and even Zwei seemed to mock him with an almost smug look. Jaune sat on the ground slightly dazed. Trying to collect his senses and rubbed the back of his head.

"Want to try again?" Yang said while holding out a hand. He took it and she helped him up to his feat.

"Nah…. I am good." He said, trying to tough out the pain. It didn't really work. He was wincing from aches all over his body.

She shrugged and turned to Ruby. Jaune saw his chance and tried to grab her but it was like she knew what he planned to do. Or maybe she heard his feet scrape against the dirt. Either way Yang stepped to the side, Jaune missed his mark completely. But his hand got a hold of something and he pulled. Believing he grabbed onto her shirt he tried to pull her down. Only he pulled whatever it was right off Yang.

Jaune staggered forward a little, but managed to keep himself from falling. When he regained his balance he saw a few strands of golden hair in his hand. Realizing what he did, his eyes going wide, Jaune snapped around to apologize profusely. Only for everything to go dark and seconds later he woke up flat on the ground. The right side of his face in absolute pain.

Jaune couldn't remember what happened, one moment he was standing and the next he was on the ground with Yang walking away angrily with Zwei behind her. Again it looked like she was on fire.

Ruby was standing by him, cookie in hand.

"Yang really likes her hair." Ruby stated. Jaune didn't really register it, he was too dazed. She then held the cookie out for him with a smile. He weakly took it in hand and took a bite.

Some time later…

"Now Yang, apologize to Jaune." Tai said with his arms crossed while staring down Yang.

"No."

"Yang."

"No."

"Now."

"He pulled my hair while my back was turned." Yang said defiantly. Arms crossed.

"A clever move, he found a way to attack you. Sure he failed, but I would probably have done the same. But I would not have messed with your hair." Tai said, speaking from experience.

Jaune was sitting right next to her. Getting an earful from his own father.

"Apologize Jaune." His father said with arms crossed.

"But she beat the life out of me!" He stated. Trying to defend his case, but only got a glare from his own father.

"True, but you pulled her hair. Never pull a girls' hair." His father stated sternly. It went on like this for a while.

After some arguing and convincing on both sides both were ready to apologize. Though both likely did it just so they didn't have to deal with their parents.

"Sorry for pulling your hair."

"Sorry for beating you senseless."

"Now shake hands. Make peace." Tai said and they did.

"Now hug." Jaunes father said and both kids looked at their respective parents, both nodded.

Yang sighed and pulled Jaune into a hug much to his surprise. Then immediately let him go.

"Good now sit down and talk while I get some tea ready." Tai said while smiling and then walked to the kitchen.

"I will go help." Jaunes father said and walked to the kitchen as well. That left Jaune, Yang, Ruby, who was sitting by Yang with a cookie, and Zwei in the living room.

It was a bit of awkward silence. Neither side knew what to say. Jaune tried to break the ice. "So…. where is your mom? She at work or something?"

Jaune asked both of them. Ruby stopped eating her cookie, Yang seemed to tense up, and there was an even tenser few seconds of silence before Yang spoke up.

"Well…. we have different moms." She said and Jaune was actually able to notice the differences pretty quickly. Yang had bright blonde hair and violet eyes. Whereas Ruby had black hair with silver eyes. He didn't pay attention to the differences before, too busy running and blacking out. After a moment she went on.

"We were raised by Rubys mom, her name was Summer. She was the baker of cookies and slayer of monsters." She said the last bit with a smile. "But then she went on a mission and never came back."

Yang said sadly and Ruby pulled her hood up and over her eyes. Yang put her arm around her sister with a sad look on her face. "Then I found out that she wasn't my actual mother. She was Rubys, but she still cared for me like I was her daughter. So she was my actual mother in my book." Yang said holding Ruby close.

"Sorry I asked." Jaune said sadly, but Yang looked at him and put on a smile.

"It's alright, people always say that talking helps people with things like this. This does feel like it is helping." Yang said.

The awkwardness between the group seemed to fade away. The grudge from what happened earlier also seemed to fade away. Although Jaune was sure not to do anything to Yangs hair. He didn't want to black out again.

Things went smoothly after that. They talked, laughed, played some board games, some video games, and talked. They drank the tea which tasted gross, but that was tea. Most of it just tastes bad to begin with.

They were actually about to start leaving until it was realized how late it was. They would have to traverse the forest at night, and that was something deemed a little too dangerous. So it was decided Jaune and his father would stay the night.

Not that any of the kids were complaining. Jaunes Father would sleep in one of the spare bedrooms, and the kids would sleep in the living room. They had blankets and pillows spread around, and pajamas on. Yang did kind of laugh at Jaune for wearing a onesie, but he was actually used to this due to his seven sisters. Not fazed one bit.

"It's like a sleepover!" Little Ruby shouted as she stood atop the couch in the living room. "Not that I've ever been to one!" She stated and then munched on a cookie that seemed to materialize out of nowhere before laying down on the couch. And seemingly going straight to sleep. She must have spent all her energy playing today.

"Where does she keep getting those cookies?" Jaune asked as he sat on the floor across from Yang. The two were playing chess. Mostly because they ran out of the fun board games to play. Plus it was late and playing anything too loud would be a nuisance. Chess was all they had left.

"Don't try to figure it out." Yang said with her hand on her chin. Trying to figure out her next move. "And don't ask how she can eat so many and not get sick. Cause I don't know." Yang moved a piece. "I don't even know how she can reach them, or find them. Your turn."

Jaune looked at his side of the board. Trying to think of what to do. Of course now that Ruby was asleep he decided to try and ask Yang a question about their mothers. He didn't ask her before as he didn't want to upset Ruby. She seemed pretty upset when he asked about their mom.

"So Yang… can I… ask you a question about your actual Mother?" He asked rather nervously. He did feel like he was treading on thin ice.

She was very quiet at first. Seemingly thinking and glancing around. "...well you already know a lot. So no point in keeping you in the dark." Yang stated after thinking for a long moment. Jaune took that as a yes.

"Well you said that Summer was Rubys mother, and that her mother still took care of you. So… who actually was your mother?" He asked. He didn't really know why he wanted to know. Maybe it was because earlier she said talking about it made her feel better, or maybe he was just being too curious. Either way he asked, and after a few seconds she spoke.

"Well… I don't actually know much. Just that she and my dad were together and then split. I was born at some point, and she left me with him." She stated and actually looked kinda sad. "I was… really shocked to hear this. Especially since it was after Summer didn't come back. It was like one of those books where the main character finds out they're adopted, and goes on a whole journey to find the truth. I didn't really understand why people would do that at first, but after learning the truth I really wanted to know why she left. Why she wasn't there. Only no one really talked to me. Not Dad. Not Uncle Qrow. No one. There's not even any pictures of her around the house." Yang explained and then looked over to her sister. Sleeping soundly on the couch. Zwei had come along at some point and was laying next to her. "And that… want to know almost got me and my sis killed. I'm just… so driven to know that I put us at risk. I… I… " She looked like she was about to cry. She was looking down with her hands on her head. Very distressed.

Jaune didn't know what to do. He shouldn't have asked. He shouldn't have been that insensitive. He had to do something. He didn't want to just let her cry. This was his fault after all.

So he just leaned over and hugged her. Knocking over the chess pieces in the process. It was all he could really think of doing. And she didn't struggle or pull away. In fact she pressed her head into him. Silently crying into his shoulder.

Without really thinking he just spoke. "It's… ok. I understand." He stated and just rolled with what he was saying. "I… had a grandfather who served in the Great War. In fact a lot of my family served in the Great War. He always had this… mean look about him, and had these scars that really scared me when I was younger." Jaune explained. "I never really spent time with him. Then he passed one day, and then I learned from veterans who served with him that he was a great man. He served in many battles. Protecting his friends, saving civilians, and even saving wounded and dying foes. He was just that good a person. Even after the war, even with his scars, he stayed the same. Always being a good person. He just looked mean cause he was old. They told all these great stories about him, and..." Jaune sighed sadly. "... I wish I talked to him before he passed. I wish I got to know him, and I wish he could have told me his stories himself." Jaune stated. It was true. He came from a long line of heroes. Not bigshots who got statues made in their honor, but people who did what was right. "So I understand wanting to know. Having regrets. Losing someone and finding out that not everything is as it seems."

At some point during all this Yang stopped silently crying, and after Jaune finished talking she pulled away, holding onto his wrists as she did, and had a small smile. "Thanks Jaune. Thanks for listening and… telling me your story." She seemed much happier now, and Jaune understood what she meant when she said talking helps. As telling someone else about his grandfather felt relieving.

After that there was a brief few moments of the two sitting there. Looking at each other. Both clearly relieved to have gotten some things off their chest. Of course the two soon realized how close the two were, and the fact that Yang was holding onto his wrists, and the fact that he held her, and everything else started to sink in. She let go of his wrists and turned away. Her face turning red and Jaune did the exact same.

"I think I'm going to sleep now." Yang stated, still not facing Jaune, and scooted over to the couch, carefully hopped on it, and laid down next to Ruby. Still not facing Jaune.

Jaune himself went over to his spot, by the TV, and layed down as well. Facing away from the two.

After a few minutes of trying to figure out what just happened he managed to fall asleep.

Early next day…

Needless to say it was an awkward breakfast. Jaune and Yang kind of ended up not really looking at each other, or talking to each other the whole time. Whether or not anyone noticed Jaune didn't know, as he was trying to wrap his head around why he did all that last night.

Of course the two didn't really get a chance to talk further as Jaune and his Father had to get going. They had to leave as early as possible if they wanted to get home soon.

Jaune and his father walked down the dirt road. He was kind of worried that he left with an awkward friendship. That is until he heard Yang and Ruby calling out. He turned to see that the two were waving goodbye and calling out to Jaune.

"You better come back to visit Jauney boy!" Yang shouted out.

"Bye Jaune!" Ruby called out next to Yang. Waving with cookie in hand.

Jaune waved goodbye. Happy that they left on good terms. He hoped that what happened would help Yang, and that Ruby would be okay. As he walked away he wondered what it would be like the next time he came to see them.

Back and Tais' house….

"You like him." Ruby said to Yang as soon as Jaune was out of sight.

Yangs face immediately turned red and she turned to face her little sister. "No I don't! What even made you say that!" She said all that very quickly.

"You told him about mom and everything, you never like to even mention anything that happened. Not even to your friends" Ruby said matter of factly. "Plus after what happened last night there is no doubt in my mind. What happened was romantic after all. It even pulled at my heartstrings."

"You were awake the whole time!" Yang nearly shouted out and picked up her sister by the hood.

"Yep. I am the master of deception." Ruby stated smugly.

Yangs face was only getting redder as she angrily looked at her sister. She would have to get back at her somehow. Thankfully she quickly thought of something.

"Well you must like him as well." She said smugly. "Cause you gave him a cookie, and you said it yourself he pulled at your heart strings.

Ruby suddenly started to turn as red as her cape. And was in a fit of denial. "No! You're wrong! I was just being nice!"

"Ruby you never share a cookie with anyone else, not even me, and you were also clearly moved by him. So just admit it sis. Admit it or you are going for a ride." Yang said with a devilish grin on her face

"Ride?" Ruby asked. Confused as to what she meant. And without warning Yang started to spin Ruby around like a helicopter blade. Spinning her by the hood. Ruby screaming out in terror, or maybe excitement, all the while. They stayed like this for a long while.

A few hours later…

Jaune and his dad were on their way home. First they took a look through Vale to pick up some souvenirs for his sisters. They would nag and torture him if they didn't bring them something.

Thankfully his dad decided to do the shopping and let Jaune rest at a small cafe outside. His father left him some money so he got some food, a drink, and just had to wait.

A simple thing to do. Nothing could really happen out of the ordinary here. Plus after the craziness of last night, and yesterday as a whole, Jaune felt like he deserved a break from all the craziness. First that day with Pyrrha all that time ago, and now Yang and Ruby. He just hoped that today would be a calm day.

It seemed that was not the case. For suddenly there was some kind of commotion down the road. Jaune leaned his head from behind a wall to see that there was some kind of protest. The protestors were Faunus of all kinds.

These were actually very common in certain parts of Vale from what Jaune knew. Vale was a relatively fair city, but like most places there are always a few areas that refuse to change. Refuse to serve Faunus. Jaune, and his whole family, were people who accepted Faunus. So he had nothing against them.

Even so he wondered what they were protesting about. He was about to try and get a better look until someone walked out from behind the wall Jaune was looking from. He actually leaned back in surprise and nearly fell out of his chair.

"Let me do this with you! I have as much right to be here as everyone else!" It was a rather large man with a beard, and looking down Jaune saw that he had some kind of Feline feet. It was a Faunus evidently, but in his arms was a small girl with golden eyes, black hair, and cat ears.

"No Blake. Please just stay here." The man said as he sat her down on a chair nearby. Just one table away from Jaune who was trying not to be noticed. This just seemed like an awkward thing to suddenly be a part of. "Standing up for your kind and taking part in these protests is admirable. Especially at your age." The man stated and knelt down in front of her. The girl, Blake, wasn't facing him. Rather she turned her back to him. Arms crossed in defiance. "But you're young. Don't let your life be defined by one cause. Please dear. Just stay here until I can get everyone under control. Especially Adam. You know how reckless he is. I just can't believe that he started all this. Especially since he suggested we come here."

Blake didn't acknowledge him at first. For a long while it looked like she would just ignore him, but then she spoke. "Fine. I will stay here."

"Thank you Blaje. Just wait and…" He noticed Jaune in the corner ot his eye. Just silently sitting there wishing that he didn't notice him. This was awkward. Only her father seemed to smile and turned back to Blake. "...try to make a friend."

"With a human!?" She turned to her father. "He could be anti-fau-"

"We don't know that." He cut her off and then spoke to Jaune. Who winced when he did. "Young man?"

"Y-yes?" Jaune said while sheepishly turning his head to face the two.

"What do you think of the Faunus?"

"The Faunus? Well… I'm alright with them. You're just doing what you have to in order to get equal rights." Jaune stated, but due to the nervousness and suddenness of all this he sounded pretty unsure of himself.

"See Blake." He turned to his daughter with a smile and then stood up. "There are good humans. Now please don't make a scene and just try to socialize. You don't have to be friends. Just please try to get to know each other." Then he turned to Jaune. "Can you do that for me?"

"Y-yes. No problem." Jaune said while nervously scratching the back of his neck. He didn't know what else to do or say. So he just had to roll with it.

Her father smiled and quickly walked back over to the group who he had to try and calm down. Leaving Jaune alone with this Blake girl.

It was a tense several seconds of the two saying absolutely nothing. Jaune was nervous as heck as he was basically thrown into the deep end. Why did life keep throwing crazy things at him?

As for Blake she was just sitting there, arms crossed, with a very passive aggressive look on her face. She wasn't so much as looking at him, and just looking straight ahead at… nothing. A wall pretty much.

Jaune finally decided to try and brake the ice.

"So…" As soon as he spoke her head snapped to face him. He nervously tried to put on a friendly smile. "... my name is Jaune. Jaune Arc."

He said and waited for her to respond. For a tense few seconds she said nothing. He felt like she wouldn't even say her name. Thankfully she did. "Blake Belladonna."

Was all she said before going back to looking straight ahead.

"So…" Where did he try to go with a conversation? This was what he was trying to think of. In the end there was only one thing he could really think of. "... what's the deal with that protest over there?"

"It's a small shop that doesn't serve Faunus." Was all she said. She didn't seem to want to elaborate. So it was up to Jaune to try and keep a conversation going. Cause he would rather not sit there awkwardly for who knows how long.

"I see… do you normally help your father out with protests?"

"Yes. He is the leader of the White Fang after all. It's his duty to do all he can. Unfortunately he isn't willing to do what it takes." Blake stated. She suddenly seemed to get very aggressive. "That's why Adam is always starting these protests. Because father is too we-" Blake suddenly stopped talking, and glared at Jaune. "Why am I even telling you this? You're just another human who could get us arrested."

"Uh…" Jaune was really surprised by all this. Of course Jaune didn't want to unwittingly make an enemy, and he didn't want to just ignore her. That would probably make things worse. So he just tried to say what he felt was right. "...well… how many humans do you actually know?"

"I don't usually talk to humans."

"Zero then…." Jaune tried to think of what to say next. "...well maybe you should try and… get to know us humans?" He suggested.

"And why should I do that? Adam told me that there are two kinds of humans. Those that hate Faunus, and those that stand by and do nothing."

Okay. It sounded like she really looked up to this Adam person. More so than her father it seemed.

"Well…" Jaune began yet again. "...maybe you should try and… find the humans that will do something?"

"Like who?" She just had more questions to add.

Without really thinking Jaune said the first thing that came to mind. "Me." Crap. Why did he say that? Well it was too late to go back now.

She looked at him rather inquisitively and with a blank face. "You don't look like you could do much."

Well that hurt his pride more than anything. Plus she wasn't exactly wrong. Even so he just had to roll with it. "Well… maybe the ones you should be looking for… aren't the ones in power. Rather… the ones who will listen." He wasn't quite sure where he was going with this, but it seemed to be getting somewhere.

For Blake raised an eyebrow and actually seemed to be thinking. Her eyes looking down and then left to right. After a moment she looked back at Jaune. "And who will listen?"

"Well… me. I have been listening to you after all, and I may not be able to do much now, but hey maybe one day I will be able to." Jaune stated, and he actually believed it himself.

"And how do I know you will…" She said, but before she could continue the Cafe Owner stepped out. Speaking to her.

"Sorry little miss, but customers only. I'm afraid you can't be here." He stated.

Jaune looked to Blake, who's back was facing the owner, and it looked like she was getting angry. Maybe she thought he was only doing this because she was a Faunus. No matter what the reason it looked like she was about to go off.

Jaune acted quickly. Again just doing what he felt was right. "Actually she's with me." He stated. Causing both the owner and Blake to both look at him. Blake had a surprised look on her face. "She's a friend, and I was actually about to ask her if she wanted anything."

He said while looking at Blake, and hoped she would play along. She seemed to think for a moment and then spoke.

"Yes." She said. Looking to the owner. "Just some tea please."

"Ah. Sorry for the intrusion. I'll get that for you." The owner stated before going back into his cafe.

When he was gone Blake immediately asked Jaune a question. "Why did you do that?" She stared at him rather inquisitively.

"Well…" Jaune scratched the back of his neck. "... we are having a nice conversation, and there is no reason why we can't be friends."

Blake seemed taken aback by this. She actually seemed to lighten up. "I suppose there isn't a reason we can't be friends." It looked like she was trusting him.

She stated and moments later the owner came out with Blakes tea. He set it down and she thanked him. Then he went over to Jaune and presented the bill.

It wasn't that much, and Jaune had some Lien left over. He payed for it and the owner went back inside. When he did Blake spoke again.

"You didn't have to pay for my drink." She said, but didn't sound all too displeased.

"Don't worry. It didn't cost that much." Jaune stated as Blake then took a sip of her tea.

After a few moments she was the one to speak. "So... where are you from?"

Jaune was rather surprised. Up till now he was the one asking the questions.

"Some ways away from Vale. Not necessarily the wilds, but out there. Of course it might as well be the wilds thanks to my seven sisters." Jaune stated and Blake had a surprised look on her face.

"Seven sisters? I can't imagine what that is like."

"Believe me when I say that it is crazy. They outnumber me, and they always find ways to mess with me. Especially when I least expect it." Jaune stated and at this Blake actually seemed to laugh a little.

"Yeah." She said. "You do seem like someone who can be snuck up on easily."

Jaune actually put on a pouty face and lowered his head in response to her words. It didn't help that it was true.

She actually laughed some more. "Even when you're mad you look funny."

Even though it was laughter directed at him Jaune actually felt like she was opening up. She was laughing and smiling. Whereas before she was just looking passive aggressive and not really striking up conversations.

"Well…" Jaune tried to think of a retort. Only he had nothing. "Yeah ok you're probably right."

"Don't worry, Jaune." Blake said. "I'm sure one day you will be able to get your sisters back."

Before either one could really talk some more a familiar voice approached.

"I'm back Jaune." Jaune turned his head to see his father. Carrying two full bags in his arms. Full of all kinds of stuff aside from souvenirs. Hair clips, flower seeds, clothes, etc. "Time to g-" He moved yhe bags down below his face and saw Blake. "Ah. Pardon me. Didn't realize you were talking to someone."

"It's ok." Blake said. "We were just finishing up. I'd hate to keep you waiting." She sounded much more polite when his father came along.

"Well if you're done talking we best get going. I managed to book us a flight near our home. We have to get going now to catch it on time." He stated and Jaune nodded.

"Well guess this is goodbye for now." He said to Blake as he stood up.

"Yeah… it was nice to meet you Jaune." Blake had a smile on her face.

"Hopefully we see each other again."

"I hope." She stated as he walked over to his father.

As he walked over a thought popped into his head, and without really thinking he just turned his head and said it. "Oh, and if we ever meet in the future I will help you get the Faunus equal rights everywhere."

Jaune stated with a smile. Blake actually looked like she believed him, and Jaune himself believed as well.

"Well hero." Jaunes father said suddenly with a smile. Causing Jaune to turn to him. "First you need to help share the load."

"Share the loa-" Before Jaune even finished speaking his father suddenly handed him one of the two full bags he had. Due to the bags height it actually blocked his face. Meaning that he couldn't see straight ahead of him.

"Come on. We gotta get this stuff packed up and then get to the airport." Jaunes father stated and the two started down the road.

Jaune actually had to walk sideways just to see where he was going.

"Bye Jaune." Blake said as he walked away.

"Bye Blake." Jaune spun around to face her to say that, and then turned back to his father. The two walked briskly to their destination, and Blake took a sip of her tea.

Of course the turns Jaune did actually caused something to fall out of the bag he was holding. It must have been very light as he didn't hear it fall out, and the wind blew in that moment. Causing it to actually fly over to Blake.

It was something black and it landed by Blakes feet. She noticed it, and by the time she realized it fell from Jaunes bag they were already long gone. She didn't want to make it look like she ran away so she stayed there.

Of course Blake picked up the item that fell and saw what it was. A black ribbon. Something you would tie in your hair from the looks of it.

She looked at it and only one word could come to mind. "Cute."

Later that day…

"I can't believe we rushed here just for the flight to get delayed." Jaunes father groaned into his hands as they both sat on a bench in the airport. Indeed their flight got delayed due to weather conditions, and would not be here for another two hours. "We won't be back till dark by this rate."

Jaune himself sat there and was pretty bored. All he could really do was think on all the stuff that happened. It was all that kept him from getting completely bored. Namely the times he spent with Pyrrha, Yang, Ruby, and Blake. He found it crazy that all this stuff had happened. The crazy first meeting with Pyrrha, the chaos and heartfelt moments with Yang and Ruby, and the talk he had with Blake.

It was all definitely good times. Fun times. Maybe even life changing.

Of course he felt that he had enough crazy times for now. All he wanted to do was go home and relax. Oh wait, his sisters would be on him like a pack of Beowolfs. So he would relax like a deer in the forest trying to avoid getting attacked.

As he thought about these things his father lightly tapped his arm to get his attention. "Take a look at that." His father said. Looking at an airship that was coming into port.

It wasn't like any of the airships Jaune had ever seen before. It was elegant looking. Very advanced.

"Atlas." Jaunes father said. "Looks like a bigshot too. Wonder who it could be." Then he got up. "Tell me what they look like when I get back. I gotta use the can." His father walked away to find a bathroom.

Jaune was very curious. He had never seen Atlesion ships before, and he only heard about what Atlas is like. The only time he ever saw the place was on TV. Usually during the Vytal Festival when it was Atlas's turn to host it.

What's more it was a bigshot according to his father. He wondered who it could be. It didn't look like he had to wait long. For the ship was actually docking right now, and in a matter of moments the passengers would be offloading.

Jaune watched and waited. Eager to see what exactly this bigshot looks like.

Soon the doors leading to the airship opened, and out stepped several individuals. Six in total. Four looked like security guards. The other two looked like the bigshots.

The first was a man with white hair. Combed back hair on his head, a moustache that covered most of his lips, and he was wearing a white suit with a red handkerchief on the left side of his chest. He walked with his hands behind his back and with a very dignified manner

The second person to disembark was actually a girl. Maybe around Jaunes age from what he could guess. She also had white hair, only it was in a ponytail, and wore what Jaune could describe to be a very elegant blue and white business dress. Now the first thing Jaune actually thought when he saw her was that she was pretty.

The two walked together. Side by side. The group didn't really stop for anything or anyone. In fact most people in the airport actually stepped aside or avoided them all together. The two seemed to be discussing matters. Jaune caught a little of it as they walked nearby.

"Remember Weiss. Meeting your buyers is always a matter of business. No matter why you meet." The man stated to the girl.

"Yes, father." The girl, Weiss, replied. She didn't seem very talkative. Not even very observant as she wasn't really looking around. Rather she was just looking straight ahead.

From those few words alone Jaune was able to pick up why they were here. A meeting with some buyers. So business. Jaune knew that Atlas was where Dust was primarily mined and exported to the other Kingdoms. He wondered if that was why they are here. Jaune wasn't really able to pick up much more as they passed. They really didn't stop for anyone.

In fact it looked like this whole scene would go by without anything happening. That was until Jaune turned to look at their ship only to see someone who stood out. Someone who was walking towards them.

He couldn't tell who it was. This person wore black and gray clothes that covered their entire body. They even wore a hood and kept their head down low, and that covered most of their face. They were a good distance away from the man and Weiss, and yet something seemed off. He was moving rather quickly. Straight for the two. Jaune couldn't help, but notice something more off. This person was holding something in their left hand. Something that looked… sharp.

The person looked up and Jaune saw that this person was wearing a mask. One of those Grimm Masks sold in stores. It covered their entire face, and this person was picking up the pace. It was when the person got near Jaune, when he was about to get passed, that he saw what was in their hand. A curved knife was pulled out of the sleeve, and Jaune quickly realized what was about to happen. This person was about to sprint straight at the two.

Jaune did something that was absolutely reckless. Something that just happened. It was either very brave, or very foolish in this moment. Either way what happened next Jaune didn't think he could ever do.

He stood up, lunged forward, and grabbed the person's left arm. As he did Jaune shouted at the top of his lungs. One word.

"KNIFE!"

Jaune suddenly heard screaming and running. He couldn't tell what was going on around him as he was too focused on keeping his grip tight. He wasn't strong enough. Not nearly enough. Suddenly he got shoved away, he lost his grip, and fell back onto his back. Jaune sat up just in time to see this person suddenly slash straight at his throat.

Fear and terror filled his soul and Jaune could not move. He couldn't even cry out or beg. It looked like his throat was about to be slashed wide open. Only at the very last second Jaune composed himself and raised up his right arm to protect his throat.

His eyes went wide as a sharp, deep, and agonizing pain went into and along his right arm. Shock took hold and he couldn't even scream much less whimper. Next he saw blood dripping out from his arm and onto his shirt. Absolute terror filled Jaune and he blacked out from it all. Blood pouring out from his arm onto the floor.

The attacker snapped their head to where the Schnees were. Only to see them fleeing with two guards while the other two had their batons out and were closing in. Before they could get close the attacker got blindsided by Jaunes father.

"Bastard!" He shouted as the attacker fell to one knee and slashed the blade around. Trying to hit Jaunes father.

Only he was an experienced Huntsman. He stepped back and then kicked. His foot landing square in the attackers mask. Cracking it a little. The attacker stood up and staggered backwards only to then charge at Jaunes Father. Attempting to slash him in every way possible.

Only he kept dodging. Avoiding every blow. Every slash and stab. It was only when he ducked under one if the attackers wide slashes that he was able to do an uppercut. Sending the attacker staggering backwards from the blow, dropping the blood covered knife in surprise, and straight into the two Atlesion guards, one of which batoned the attacker in the back of the head. Dropping the attacker in an instant.

"Jaune!" Jaunes father was by Jaune in an instant. He picked him up and called for help.

Later…

Stinging in his arm. That was the first thing Jaune felt when he woke up. A deep pain in his right arm. He slowly opened his eyes and heard beeping. He looked around and noticed that he was in a hospital room. Monitors and all kinds of stuff were scattered around.

Looking to his right he saw his father. Who was sitting in a chair right next to Jaunes bed. Sleeping. Jaune actually couldn't even remember what happened at first, and then it all came back. His eyes went wide as he looked at his arm. Bandages were wrapped tightly all around it. Some red was seen where the deep cut along his forearm. It went all the way from his wrist to his elbow.

Jaune started breathing heavily and raggedly. Shaken by the fact that if he didn't raise his arm he probably wouldn't be here. He would have likely died. He was actually about to cry out of pure fear at what could have happened.

"Jaune." His father said his name, and he looked up to see his father had woken. He got up quickly and stood next to Jaune. "It's ok. Calm down. You're safe. You're alright."

Jaune didn't even realize it but the monitors were beeping loudly. This was in response to Jaunes heartbeat which had quickened when he started to think of how his life could have ended. He didn't even notice they were beeping.

Jaune took a few deep and slow breaths. Calming his heart down. The monitors were going back to a steady slow beat. "W-what happened?"

"Don't worry. I helped take down the bastard who did this. It was someone who had beef with the Schnees. That's all I know." His father stated. "I'm glad your safe son, and so are the others."

"Others?" Suddenly the door to the room was sprung wide open. All Jaune saw was a blur of yellow and red before he felt himself get basically tackled. Thankfully he was laying down and the bed cushioned his back. He gasped in surprise as whatever did this wrapped around him.

"Jaune!" Two voices called out simultaneously from the blurs that were now latched onto him. Jaune immediately recognized the voice.

"Yang!? Ruby!? What are you two doing here!?" Jaune tried not to gasp in pain during all this, as the two basically rammed themselves face first into him.

"Why else would we be here!?" Yang said with her face buried in Jaunes shoulder.

"Yeah stupid!" Ruby, who was in Jaunes other shoulder, said after Yang.

Both were hugging him very tightly, and Jaune was sure to keep his right arm out of the mix. As surprising as this was he was actually happy these two came to see him.

"They found out what happened." Jaunes father said. "It was on the news, and they recognized you. I had to kick them out of the room to make sure you got rest, and don't worry. I already called your mother and sisters. They know you're ok."

Jaune could now only imagine what would happen to him once he got home. His family would probably be very protective of him for a while. On the upside they might leave him alone and not annoy the heck out of him. At least not like they normally do. Even so he hoped he didn't worry them too much. He could only imagine what they would do if he… died.

For now he could not worry about that. For now he just had to calm Yang and Ruby down. Mainly because these hugs were very… constricting. "I'm alright. Please let go. Your hugs are crushing my bones."

To be specific it was Yangs hug that felt bone crushing. Rubys hug was not nearly as crushing. "Just a little longer." Both of them said simultaneously. Jaune didn't really have a say in the matter, but as bone crushing as these hugs were they were very comforting.

Not a second later an exasperated Tai came into the room. "Jaune…" He said while falling to his knees by the door. In between breaths he managed to say. "Please… try not to… get hurt… in the future. These two… are… so much trouble… when they are worried…" He said and then slowly got up. Using a table to support himself as he did.

"They were that worried?" Jaune was taken aback by what Tai said. The fact that Yang and Ruby, who he only knew for less than two days, at best, were that worried was… well enough to make him put his good arm around the two of them as best he could. It was a nice comfortable moment that Jaune didn't want to end.

However their hugs were starting to get unbearable. To the point where it felt like he was actually being crushed. Thankfully, Tai managed to catch his breath and save Jaune.

"Ruby… Yang… let him go. You're crushing him." The two of them noticed how tightly they were hugging him, thanks to Tai, and let go. Both scooted back some to get off the bed, and it looked like their faces were red. They both got off the bed, but stayed right by Jaune. Their hands tightly gripping his bed sheets.

As they got off his bed Jaune silently mouthed Tai a thank you, and he nodded in return. Then one thing came to mind. He looked around at the room and wondered about his treatment. It all looked pretty expensive.

"So… what about the bill?" Jaune asked. Turning to face his father. He was worried that it might be a lot, and they didn't bring that much money with them.

What his father said next surprised him.

"Someone paid for it, and for our flight. First Class. Expensive stuff. Don't know how they found out, but you get three guesses as to who." Jaunes father stated.

He already knew.

"The… Schnees? If I remember correctly that's who you said they were." Jaune stated. He remembered that he protected those Atlesions, but he was still uncertain as to who they were.

"Bingo." His father said.

"Looks like you have friends in high places Jaune." Yang stated.

Jaune himself was surprised that they did that for him. Maybe they were just paying him back, but from what he heard most Atlesians were rich snobs. Though now he was inclined to believe that not all of them were that bad. Which reminded him of his conversation with Blake, and how he said not all humans are bad. Funny how he was getting a taste of his own words right now.

As for what happened next Jaune was cleared rather quickly. Apparently the Schnees had also paid for top class medicine and treatment. At this point he felt like he owed them a lot.

As for his wound it would scar up. No detrimental damage that would affect his growth. Just a scar along his right arm.

Also the Schnees. They never paid a visit. Which was weird. At least to Jaune. He thought that they might want to see him after all they did for him. He wanted to thank them personally, but that didn't seem to be the case. Plus they apparently concluded their business in Vale and left. They went back to Atlas as quickly as they arrived.

Soon Jaune and his father were at the airport again. Only this time Yang, Ruby, and Tai were with them. To see them off, and possibly to be bodyguards. His father was actually on edge the whole time. Constantly looking around and looked ready to act in an instant. Same for Tai, and even Ruby and Yang.

Honestly it felt… embarrassing. Sure it was comforting, but at the same time this much protection made him feel small. Weak. Maybe that was his pride making him think that. He didn't know. Whatever the case it just felt wrong to him to be looked after this much.

Soon they were at the very luxurious looking airship that was fully paid for, and only Jaune and his Father would be on it. Completely reserved for them.

"Well this is goodbye for now." Jaune stated and turned to Yang and Ruby. Only to then get immediately hugged by the two of them. He put his arms around the two of them. Once again Jaune felt happy that he had two friends who cared for him as they did.

"Stay safe Jauney boy." Yang said and let him go. He didn't actually see her face as she immediately turned around upon letting go, and he swore that she had a red face. But decided not to push his luck.

"Stay safe." Ruby said and held up an entire pack of cookies to Jaunes face. A whole pack.

"How did you get these past security?" Jaune asked. It was the immediate first thing that came to mind when he took them in hand.

Ruby merely smiled at him. Refusing to surrender her secrets.

With that Jaune and his father boarded the airship. It was honestly the best looking ship he ever saw. It had… everything. Beds, a full bathroom, a loaded up kitchen, everything.

Jaune took a seat by the window and waved goodbye as the airship took off. After all this craziness he was finally on his way home.

Little did anyone actually know the group had another person who was saying farewell to Jaune.

Blake.

It was pure chance that she saw him among the crowd. She was here with her father, Adam, and everyone who came along. They were going to catch a boat back to Menagerie, but when she saw Jaune enter the airport she just... snuck off.

Her bright eyes watched, from the shadows, as Jaune said his goodbyes. She didn't really know why, but she just had to see if he was ok. She recognized him in the news report, and when she did dread overcame her. She feared that her first human friend would have died the day she met him. Thankfully that wasn't the case.

Now Blake would have approached Jaune… but she didn't. Mainly because of the two girls with him. A girl with really bright blonde hair, and a smaller one wearing a red hood and cloak. She didn't quite know why, but seeing them with Jaune made her feel… anxious? Mad? She didn't really know.

This feeling was amplified by the fact that the two girls hugged him, and they all seemed rather close. It… hurt her? She didn't know what this feeling was, and she hoped it would fade quickly.

She also hoped that Jaune would look her way. Hoped that he would see her. He didn't. Probably because she was pretty well hidden, but she wished that somehow he saw her.

Soon he left. Going to wherever his home was. She sighed rather sadly. Without really knowing why.

"There you are Blake." A familiar voice called out her name. Her father found her. "What are you doing here? We are supposed to be outside. Where the docks are. Not the airships."

She turned around to look at her father and then glanced at the airship Jaune left in for just a second. Then she spoke.

"I just… wanted to see the airships." She stated.

"I like that you're exploring Blake, but unfortunately it will have to wait for another day. We have a boat to catch." He held out his hand to her, and after a brief moment she took it. The two walking together back to the outside. "Also where did you get that ribbon Blake? It really suits you."

Blake looked up to her head. Where said black ribbon, the one that Jaune lost, was tied into a bow. She didn't know why, but she unpacked it and tied it like that on top of her head. It perfectly covered her cat ears. She passed for human quiet easily because of that.

For a moment she tried to think of what to say. She didn't want it to sound like she stole it. Which she technically did.

In the end she came up with an answer that was technically the truth. In her head at least. "A… friend gave it to me." She stated, and upon hearing this her father smiled.

He believed it was that boy who changed her. Indeed after he calmed down the crowd and got his daughter she was different. More considerate and didn't really talk back when it came to things. She was still hanging with Adam though. As much as he liked the boy and his devotion he felt that it could be dangerous.

Even so the two walked together. To join the others.

One week later...

Jaunes family nearly hugged him to death when he got back, much like Ruby and Yang almost did, but thankfully they let him go before that could happen. Of course the next few days they kept a close eye on him. Just to make sure he stayed safe.

Really aside from some small nightmares, which faded quickly, he was ok. A little shaken and even over cautious, but ok.

At this moment he was sitting under a tree near their house. Just thinking about all that happened, and all that he had met. It was crazy and fun, but he was glad that he was home.

Of course the recent events made him think on how... weak he is. Sure he was able to act and speak when he needed to, but when it came to his life he was barely able to save himself. That moment of near death stayed on his mind all this time, and after sitting there, and thinking for the longest time, he decided what he was going to do about it.

He was smart and brave, but weak. He needed to get stronger. He needed to be sure he could help all the friends he made, and he needed to make sure he didn't worry them. After everything that he learned about all of them he wanted to be able to help them. He felt obligated to help them, seeing as pretty much all of them, save the Weiss girl, told him… well everything. Their problems and issues. Which was weird. Why did they trust him, a complete stranger, so easily? Questions for later.

With conviction in his soul he stood up and looked at the sky. Silently he told the world that this was what he was going to do. That he was going to become a Huntsman. That he was going to help the people and his friends in any way he possibly can.

A confident smile came to his face, and he was about to walk back to his house. He was going to ask his father to train him.

Only crow landed on low branch right next to Jaune. It surprised him so much that he actually jumped back a little. He didn't yelp or anything. Just gasped and moved away. He didn't know why but this crow felt… different. It was staring straight at him. Looking him over. As if analyzing him. Judging him. It did this for a short, and oddly agonizing, while. After letting out one very loud caw it flew away. Vanishing into the forest.

"Huh. Weird." Jaune said. Watching the bird go. It was definitely a strange experience, but he didn't think about it.

Jaune took one step forward and heard a loud snapping noise above his head. He stopped and looked straight up. Only to see a large and thick tree branch come down onto his head.

Then there was darkness.

"Oops." Qrow said as he watched from a tree that he flew into. He turned back into a human once out of sight. He honestly meant it when he said, oops.

He didn't mean to use his semblance, not that he gets a say in the matter, but he lingered too long and let his emotions take hold.

He was actually here to judge this Jaune kid that his nieces told him about. Qrow got back not too long after Jaune left on the airship, and he learned from his nieces who he was.

Of course that wasn't why he was actually here. Yang and Ruby seemed… lovestruck by Jaune, and Tai seemed ok with this.

Qrow on the other hand… well his role as uncle, for whatever reason, made him track down Jaune. Sure he should focus on Salem and reporting back to Ozpin, but hey he was due for one day off. He deserved it, was what he thought.

Qrow came here to judge Jaune. To see if he is worthy of his nieces. He was not impressed. He was scared when Qrow just landed by him, and he didn't seem like a warrior at all. Just some kid.

Sure he sensed some great level of conviction from the boy in his observation, but when he landed by him and saw how weak he was he imagined terrible things. The things he saw. The things Salem creates… this Jaune kid could not possibly help protect his nieces, not that they would need protection due to their training, but one extra hand would be appreciated. Jaune was not that hand. Not to Qrow. His mind actually turned dark as he thought about about these thing, and he unwittingly enhanced his semblance (fun fact, he can actually enhance it when he wants, but that is all the control he has. At least thats what the Cast said.)

He realized what he was doing, screamed, cawed really as he was a crow,and then flew off. Next thing he knows there's a snapping noise, the kid is down with a tree branch next to him, and here he is.

"At least he didn't die or something." Qrow said to himself. Watching as Jaune stirred awake. After that he felt that he should get back to work. He looked at Jaune one last time. He wondered how bad his semblance could have made this situation, but he didn't have time to find out. "I'm sure he's fine. I'll check on him later."

Qrow said to himself as he took a drink from his flask, put it away, and then turned into a crow. Flying away as Jaune came too.

His head hurt. Why did it hurt? What happened?

He opened his eyes, sat up, and rubbed his forehead. It was sore as heck.

"Ow…" He looked around. He was in a forest, not too far away was a large house, and right next to him was a large tree branch. "Where am I?" He said and then a thought crossed his mind. His eyes went wide. "Who am I?"

He asked himself. His mind was a blank slate. He didn't know… anything. Not even his name. He tried to think. Tried to remember something. Anything. Nothing. Absolutely nothing came to mind.

Slowly he got up and rubbed his head some more. Grimacing at the pain. He looked to the house, just down a dirt road, and could only think of one thing.

"Maybe they can help me." Jaune said, rubbing his chin, and walked over to the house.

Completely unaware of what was about to happen.

There you all are. Thanks for waiting for this. Sorry this took so long to update, and whatnot. As you can see I have added and/or changed a lot.

For those who are new to this story I had a lot of chapters posted, but I made this a long time ago. I came back after a period of hiatus, college, and saw what I had. I had no idea where I was going with this. I'm back a better writer and have decided to basically reboot this.

Thanks to MKFire for posting those suggestions in the reviews. Shoutout to you! They really helped me, and will continue to help me further down the line.

Thanks to all who stayed with this, and came back. I'll be here. Through the good, the bad, and the really bad I will persevere. Like Thanks covid2020 said in the reviews let the haters hate.

I will delete the two update notifications to kickstart this. Although I may not be able to upload frequently. Due to life, and covid being in my town, I will be slow, but hey like thegermankaiserreich said, quality over quantity.

That is all.

As always, until next time. Hopefully this time I don't vanish again.