The Heat

By wildstraydog

Beta: Super Saiyan Cyndaquil

Chapter Twenty-three: On the Precipice.

Here we are, the beginning of the collapse of everything Jaune knows. I know some people are concerned about events being solved by chapter thirty, but that was an original estimate. I predict this story might go to thirty-five or forty chapters depending on how everything unfolds. If it needs to extend to improve the flow or end the story on a proper note, then by all means I'll increase the chapter count.

Is anybody still reading these? Haha, I took a long break during the holiday, which is my fault. But at least I got to work on my novels.


The pencil in Weiss' hand clacked against the wooden desk in her dorm room and rolled to the edge. Weiss released a low grunt of frustration, taking a sidelong glance at the drips of water trailing down the glass on the window pane. A steady rain pelted the grounds of Beacon Academy, casting a blanket of muggy gray clouds in the sky. Rows of tents were being set up in the fairgrounds in preparation for the festival, leaving the room empty for her to bask in her melancholy.

Jaune's relationship with her sister consumed her thoughts on a daily basis. When she saw them in the hall with bright expressions it twisted her stomach; the light touching and gestures stirred a whirl of emotions she almost couldn't keep sealed. She felt so wrong for condemning their relationship, looking upon it with distasteful gazes as if she were her father.

Ruby was the first to notice her shift in attitude. The excitable girl tried many attempts to pry the secret from her. She even bribed her with fresh chocolate chip cookies at one point... crazy girl. Again, the thought of telling Pyrrha first rose to her mind. Every time she considered the option her consciousness screamed at her to examine the pros and cons of letting slip such disreputable news.

No, that was idiotic. This issue was between her and Jaune. There was no sound advice an adult could provide in such a precarious situation. The circumstances were unique and sensitive to her family... perhaps the reason her latest thoughts were so biased.

She hear the door's lock click, and from the hallway Pyrrha emerged with a gallant smile. Her red locks glistened under the dim light and fluttered against her pace as she walked over to her bed. Weiss was embarrassed to admit that she had always been envious of Pyrrha's muscular physique, the muscle tones across her body forged by years of practice and fierce competitions. In contrast to her fragile doll-like form, Pyrrha was the embodiment of perfection.

"Is something wrong?" Pyrrha softly voiced as she undid her luminous ponytail, the volume of locks unfolding across her silken bedsheets.

Weiss let out a tired breath and shook her head, the off-tilted tiara bobbing along her ponytail. "No, I'm just preoccupied with my thoughts lately." The champion's eyes shook. A quick wave of apprehension filling her expression.

"Does it have something to do with Jaune?"

She found her nails cupping the hem of her skirt in anxiety, her icy blue eyes flashing with bewilderment at Pyrrha's accurate judgment call. Weiss found herself embarrassed at how obvious her feelings toward Winter's constant association with Jaune must have come off to the others.

"Is it that obvious?" She chuckled.

Pyrrha's full lips curled into a lovely smile. "Ever since Jaune returned from his... well, his trial with the council, you've been distant." Winter was always close, replacing her alcoholic mother and power hungry father as the helicopter parent. But when Jaune was around, she changed.

When she was younger, Winter used to brag about Jaune in passing. Her pale face would lit up with a rosy expression and unravel tales of his progress in their training. It was all obvious now as to why, but now at Beacon whenever she approached with Jaune in some diplomatic manner to bridge a friendly relationship, she eyed her like a hawk; every tonal shift and narrowed gaze were judged.

It wasn't like her at all.

"Your sister, she was originally Jaune's mentor, right?" Pyrrha brought out a bright green brush and pressed the bristles against her red hair, carefully running it through her thick locks that hung over the girl's broad shoulders.

"Yes, since he was very young," she quickly stated. "Do you know I once engaged Jaune in a spar? The battle was quick, he easily overpowered me with brute strength." She remembered the incident quite well.

"That's not surprising, he's very skilled."

"I did okay, but when the sparring was over, Jaune received all the praise. Only later did my sister rain congratulations on me when he disappeared... it made me feel, second-rate. She didn't do it on purpose, I know she loves me dearly but." Pyrrha had no idea how much her words connected to Winter's current relationship to Jaune.

They were lovers now, a bond that she could never expect to fill. She hoped to share the same passion with another individual, but now Weiss felt lonelier then she had in a long while. Her friends were the only stability now in her life that remained constant.

Even annoying little Ruby.

"Have you thought about confronting Jaune about the matter? Maybe if you speak, you'll both come to a better understanding." Pyrrha suggested.

A calm discussion? She tried to remember the last time she actually sat down with the stoic boy and exchanged pleasantries. Since Beacon, Weiss had been too occupied with other matters, relying on simple mentions to each other whenever their team lunched together. She wasn't the only one among her friends who found Winter's closeness to Jaune off-putting. Yang's friendship with Jaune had grown, but whenever her sister entered the room, the air became thick and heavy.

Yet, Pyrrha's suggestion seemed the most optimal solution to her troubles. She could have an opportunity to let Jaune know how she felt about the relationship, and to perhaps even reconsider with everything that occurred in Cthorili. Maybe that sounded a little conceited, but it was worth a damn try.

"Thank you, I think that's actually a good idea." Weiss removed herself from the desk and stood up with a long stretch, popping her back joints with a satisfied yawn.

She been sitting at the desk twiddling her thumbs for over an hour.

"You're going now?"

"Of course," Weiss answered with a little pep. "This has been bothering me for a whole week, I need to get it off my chest." She gathered Myrtenaster and attached it to her thin waist, flattening out her skirt with a hum.

"At least your spirits have been lifted." Pyrrha chuckled.

The door slammed open and ricocheted off the painted wall, leaving a small dent into the plaster where the handle for the door was located. Weiss released a sigh and observed the goofy expression on Nora Valkyrie as she announced her entrance. Ruby stood close behind with an equally cheery look, letting out a hesitant smile when she gazed over at Weiss.

"So what did we miss?" Nora questioned.

"Not much, just having a small girl chat." Pyrrha answered, her weak smile barely passing Nora's investigative skills. For such a hyper girl, she was oddly in tune with other's social interactions.

"Boring," she drawled. "Little Ruby and I just came back from Yang's room! Pyrrha, you wouldn't believe the plans Yang has for the dance; I'm talking smoke machines and loud speakers!" Wait a minute...

"And plenty of sweets, I hope!" Ruby added.

"Wait, since when did Yang have reign over the Vytal Festival dance? Those duties are reserved to second-years." She originally planned to contribute until the fiasco with Winter and Jaune started.

She was kind of jealous.

"Umm, we don't know." Nora giggled.

"Ugh, of course you don't... I'll ask Yang later. Can you hold down the fort until I return Pyrrha?" She blinked in confusion but nodded.

"Wait, where are you going?" Ruby tugged on her sleeve. She of all people knew how conflicted she been this week. The young huntress had an inkling of why; she always wanted to solve each problem head on, but Weiss closed her off.

"I promise to tell you later, for now, I'm going to speak with Jaune." Ruby, for whatever reason, formed a tight smile with her petite lips.

She released her grip on Weiss and allowed for her to exit the room in peace. When the lock clicked in place, she released another sigh; it was her hope that Jaune was still in his room with Yang and the others.

"Hey, ice queen." A familiar gravelly voice called out from across the hall. Ruby and Yang's uncle, Qrow Branwen, approached with both calloused hands in his pockets.

Weiss did a double-take, taking an extra sniff as the grown man grew closer with balanced steps. The smell of alcohol that usually permeated around his slumped figure was gone, overtaken by a gentle scent of vanilla. The lids around his seasoned red eyes were devoid of the black tresses and haze, giving him an unusual air of professionalism. His weapon hung limply on the back of his waist, the blade jingling with each footfall.

"Glad I caught ya, needed to quickly have a chat." Weiss knit her brows, finding it very strange that Ruby's uncle would have any business with her.

"I guess... but can we make this quick?"

"Just like your sister, always impatient-but that brings me to our little discussion. It's about Winter." She flinched at the mention of her sister's name.

"What about her?"

Qrow leaned against the hall and adjusted his collar. "I'll be honest with ya kid, I'm a little worried about her, she's been acting strange." He didn't suspect...

"How so?" Weiss almost stuttered. Her throat was dry, and she found her gaze shifting to anything but Qrow's inquisitive stare.

"Since her arrival, she's been spending a lot of time with Jaune Arc. I know he used to be her pupil, but I find some of their interactions a little questionable. I wanted to ask if you noticed or knew anything." She was right, Qrow suspected something amiss between the two.

"Not that I know of, I haven't really spoken with my sister too much since she arrived-is there something wrong?" Qrow held a strong fiery gaze that melted her icy exterior, his furrowed brows expecting a slipup from the heiress.

"Nothing, just a little concerned," Qrow pushed up from the wall and continued down the hall. "Have a good day, little ice queen." She released an audible gulp and clutched her beating heart.

She had to talk with Jaune right away.


Jaune rolled over in the bed with a pant and released a flurry of breaths as he released Winter from his tight grip. His whole body was clammy with sweat; the tickling of hot breath caressing his neck grew as she closed the distance. It was still early in the day, but somehow with her alluring ways, Winter convinced him to have a little fun.

The moist, silken white sheets barely veiled her curvaceous figure, the full hips on her hourglass body and plump bosom spilling out for his gaze to study. The light reflected off her creamy white skin, but what he adored more was the unfathomable crystal blue eyes that stared back.

Winter released intermediate breaths and shot him a bashful smile with her glossy lips. She reached out her slender fingers and massaged his scalp gently, brushing his blonde tresses with precise care. These moments were what he looked forward to the most in his monotonous days under Beacon's care. Not being able to attend classes made each morning dull, leaving him to carelessly wander the halls without any true objective.

She was the only light in his absent life now.

"What's troubling you, Jaune?" Her caring whisper tickled his ear with her hot breath.

"My days have passed listlessly, I feel like my purpose has been snatched away-once I return to Atlas, I'm not sure what I'll do with my life." He released a sigh and shifted in the bed to face her.

"Qrow is going to start training me tomorrow," Jaune watched for any reaction, knowing their brief interactions were always filled with tension.

"Qrow, is a notable warrior, you'll learn a lot from him." He expected a rebuke on how drunk the man was. Perhaps she was just glad someone offered to train him.

"Why can't you train me?" It was a simple question, but he needed to know the true reason. Would it be too suspicious if they interacted alone during school hours?

Winter sat up in the bed and allowed the sheets to fall, revealing her supple breasts in plain view. "I would do anything to help you Jaune... right now, it's too soon after what happened in Cthorili." She rested her warm hand onto his chest and traced the lines of his abs.

"Is there nothing we can do? The White Fang are still out there, and we still don't know who they are working for." He vented with a frustrated growl.

She placed a finger on his lips and giggled. "For now, we remain patient and wait for the White Fang to make their next move." He nodded, admonishing himself for lashing out at her like that.

"By the way," Jaune slipped from the warm covers and grabbed his boxers. "Have you thought about talking to Weiss... about us?" Winter, with the puns aside, froze as she pulled up her leggings on her uniform.

"No... I haven't spoke to her since she caught us in the hotel. Weiss already knows how I feel about this, I won't change who I care for just because society looks down upon it." Winter adjusted her pristine white hair and attached her bra around her breasts.

"Perhaps... I should speak with her, it's my fault this is happening-you're sisters, probably the only true family Weiss has." Winter lowered her gaze at the comment, her white locks brushing her cheeks.

"I'm not sure that would be wise."

"Just give me a chance, maybe I can convince her that it wasn't just your decision. She'll listen to me." Winter finished securing her uniform to her waist and crept over to his shirtless form.

"You would do that, for me?"

Jaune leaned in and pressed his lips against her with a chaste kiss. "I love you, of course I would." He enveloped her in a deep hug and took in the relaxing scent of pine trees that wafted through her hair.

There was nothing in his agenda for the day, so he figured he could approach Weiss in-between one of her classes. She ignored him for the last few days, pretending he didn't exist when their gazes met. He was sympathetic, realizing how embarrassing it was for her to discover that in a hotel room. But, they were adults and it could be solved with a leveled discussion between the two of them.

It also didn't help that his team was becoming suspicious of his activities. Yang was always questioning him on his extended absences when he spent time with Winter. They would need to come up with a solution.

Life wasn't fair.


Cinder played with the dwindling flame in her slender fingers that warmed her resistant skin. She was lounging on an ottoman in a high-class hotel room waiting for Mercury and Emeralds latest report. The window pane that separated the balcony lit up her reflection as the sun bared down through the cloud its powerful rays against it, casting a massive shadow over the luxurious velvet carpet in the room. The operation with Adam would take place in a few days, and so far, no one suspected a thing.

General Ironwood's top specialist was neutered of her command, reduced to a guard dog at Beacon Academy. That was a problem to settle later, but advantageous for Adam and the assassins. Within the chaos she would slip through Beacon's defenses and claim what is rightfully hers, a power so grand that it dwarfs any measly semblance.

A light rap interrupted her delighted thoughts. "You may enter." The lock clicked, revealing Mercury's cocky smile and Emerald's annoyed expression. She would think that after working so long together they could just tolerate their odd personality traits.

"Mistress, we bring news." Emerald voiced her loyalty and took a knee in front of Cinder, bowing her head and concealing her face with bright green locks that danced with every movement. Mercury, in a sign of juvenile defiance, leaned against the wall with his arms folded.

"How is the school's security?"

"The same as yesterday, they haven't shown any sign of being suspicious of an attack. Vale police also have yet to increase their forces for the upcoming festival." As she expected; the full extent of the operation was only known to her and Adam's top subordinates.

"Once that Azzuro bum goes on his suicide mission, we'll be free to move about as we please." Mercury added with a husky chuckle.

"Actually, there's something else we discovered that you may find valuable." Cinder quirked her brow at Emerald's remark and snuffed out the flame in her fingers.

"Go on."

Emerald released a tedious sigh and tried to conceal her rising blush. "In our investigation of Winter Schnee, we discovered startling information." Cinder narrowed her lit eyes in confusion. Why was she embarrassed?

"Just tell her Em," Mercury prattled.

"While trailing the Schnee, we discovered that she and... Jaune Arc, General Ironwood's disgraced son, are engaging in an illicit affair." Cinder's luscious lips that glistened against the light curled into a devious grin.

She was very aware of Jaune Arc's tutelage under General Ironwood's best soldier. The information they dug up implied they held a close relationship, molding him into an acceptable candidate for the Atlas Specialist program. The news was delicious, the implication of it leaking potentially causing a scandal within Beacon Academy and Atlas' ranks. If true, this information would prove valuable to her plans.

"You're positive of this information?"

"I'm afraid so," Emerald paused. "We followed them to Winter's personal quarters in Beacon and... they met several times throughout the week at unexpected times, sometimes in the dead of night. They were very secretive of it."

"That's far from solid evidence," She pointed out. "However... regardless of its truth, we can use this to our advantage." Emerald perked up and gazed at Mercury with an uncertain stare.

"How so...?" Emerald hesitated to ask.

"Be imaginative, Emerald, should the news spread through the ranks of the Atlas military, a scandal would erupt. Winter Schnee would be stripped of her current rank and stationed in Atlas for further inquiry." Then her presence would be absent at Beacon. One less pawn to worry about.

"How should we handle it?" Mercury chuckled.

"Leave that to me."