I planned for Jaune to have only one chapter like summer, but the amount of development I put into him that I felt was needed it was getting so long I just embraced it and made it a two part.

"Jaune! Get in here now!"

I was still dead tired, but from the tone of Ruby's voice I could tell it was urgent. I lifted myself out of bed and headed in the direction she called from.

Ruby was standing outside the door to Summer's room. In her hand was a piece of paper crumpled up in her fist, while she glared at it with enough intensity that you would think she could set it on fire.

"What's wrong?" I could guess it had to do with the paper, but I wanted the full story.

"Cinder was in Summer's room." Her voice seething in anger.

"Cinder Fall? How do you know it was-" She answered my question by shoving her fist with the paper in my face.

What a beautiful girl you have.

I looked up from the note. It was certainly a threat directed at Ruby, but didn't prove much. Ruby has made plenty of enemies over the years. Cinder being sentenced to life in a maximum security prison made her the least likely of people.

"How do you know it was Cinder not someone-"

"Summer saw her! Black hair and gold eyes."

I was going to put logic forward again to calm her, but she spoke first.

"If that… Bitch even looks in Summer's direction I'll fucking gut her!" She softly shouted to herself while taking back the paper and crumbling it up in an attempt to vent her anger.

"Ruby, clearly she wants you not Summer. Don't let her get to your head." I still didn't think it was Cinder, but I wanted to focus on calming Ruby at the moment.

"But what if she comes back! What if-"

This time I cut her off, placing a finger on her lips to force the point.

"If you're concerned then just stay in her room. I think I can survive one night without you next to me."

She took a deep breath before pulling me into a hug.

"I wonder how you can be so level headed at times. I can see why Ozpin wants you to replace him."

"Why do people keep saying that? He hasn't said anything to even hint that."

"Yeah he has. You're just so dense at times I doubt you would need your aura to stop bullets."

"Goodnight Ruby." I said, ending the conversation there.

"See you in the morning."

She pulled me down the inch she needed to crush her lips on mine.

I watched her hobble into Summer's room while I returned to ours.

The night remained quiet after that. Still, I found it hard to sleep. It was strange not having my rose next to me. My mind couldn't rest, and I rolled back and forth trying to get some form of comfort. I was concerned about the intruder and their threat, but there was also a pinging feeling in my head. After a few minutes of contemplation, I figured out what it was. The realization of just how big this bed actually was, and the fact that Ruby still manages to push me to the edge of it in her sleep almost every night.

:::::

I slept soundly once I finally did go under, despite what had happened last night. The alarm clock on Ruby's side rang and woke me up. Normally, she would wake up before it even started, but she was down the hall this morning.

I threw my arm off from over my eyes, but kept them closed. I didn't want to get the alarm, I wasn't annoyed by the blaring alarm quite yet. After only the fifth beep, that fact changed, and I gave a soft groan, knowing I would have to get up early today.

Silence finally came to the room, save a small pop. A slight movement shook the end of the bed, and I peeked an eye open to see Ruby staring at me as she hopped along, using the bed as support. I closed my eye, glad to know I didn't have to get up.

There was a click from my nightstand, but before I could inspect it, a pair of warm lips crushed on to mine. I instinctively returned the affection for a moment before we parted.

"Sorry about that, I forgot I was in Summer's room."

"You'll have to try harder then that if you want my forgiveness." I teased.

"I think I can to that." She joked, going along with me and placing her lips back on mine.

I felt a slight tug, as her lips wrapped around my bottom one and inclined to sit up. She broke the kiss and I finally cracked my eyes to see the morning sun shining through the window, making her skin glow in a beauty I've yet to find anywhere else.

"I have to head to the forge early for a delivery, so I'll have to earn your forgiveness in the shower."

Ruby's alarm was thirty minutes before mine, and she normally liked to spend that time in the tub 'till I woke up and needed to clean myself; even after in some cases.

I pulled myself out of the bed, not bothering to fix the sheets this moment was Ruby stood and started pulling me toward the master bathroom. I let her hand pull mine as she limped along, using me for support every time she stepped on her bad leg.

Normally, she opted for the tub so she could lay down and take the stress off her leg. Today though, she grabbed her stool and placed it in the shower. I stepped into the shower with her while she took a seat, falling the last inch after visibly wincing from the pain in her leg.

I knelt down in front of her and ran my hand along her calf. I could see the simple motion was already causing her great relief, and brought my other hand to resume the motion while the first went up to the back of her knee. Her scar was very rough, yet sensitive, and it only took a little to get Ruby to let out a deep breath from comfort. Normally she couldn't walk on it for more than a few steps, and could only stand on it for a little over a minute, but today must have been one of those days when it was really bad.

I stood back up and ran my hands along her sides, then over her head, as I removed her tank top and tossed it out the shower door; and on the floor. I leaned forward and rested my head in the crook of her neck. Her hands rolled down my back then returned how they came as she pulled the shirt I had worn yesterday over my head. I stepped out to grab a pair of towels, and heard the sound of the shower turn on, and a small yelp from Ruby.

"Forget the cold water?" I joked while I threw the towels on a rack, and removed my pajama pants; throwing them next to Ruby's own already on the floor.

Steam was just starting to rise from the water when I stepped back in. ruby sat under the stream as it crashing into her face before running down her body. I stepped up behind her and wrapped my arms around her sides.

"So how was your night?"

"Peaceful thankfully, though Summer is still a cuddler and a kicker."

"Sounds like another red head with silver eyes I know."

"I do not."

"Well maybe kick isn't the right word, but you know what I mean."

She held her hand up like a cup, and after a moment to let the water pool in it, splashed it in my face. I moved my hands from her sides up to her shoulders. I felt tension in her shoulders and pressed my fingers into her soft skin, making a circle movement. She let out a moan that could probably be heard from outside the bathroom. Her neck went slack for a moment before snapping back to attention.

"Your muscles are so tight, you need to relax. You can't let Cider get to you, otherwise she's practically won."

"It's not just her. Work has been stressful for the last few weeks. Some dust baron wants me to make a sword that he can pass down through his family line."

"He doesn't just have his own weapon?"

"That's what makes it so bad. The jackass doesn't know how to fight, and half the things he complains about I'm sure he doesn't even know what they mean."

"How so?"

"We spent an hour arguing about if it was perfectly balanced or not."

"An hour?"

"The idiot thought you balance it at the midpoint of the blade, not next to the crossguard. I wanted to punch him in the face so hard."

"The customer is always-"

"No they're not! 'The customer is normally stupid' is what that expression should be!"

"Ok calm down. I was just trying to make a joke."

She took a deep breath, and I could feel the knots start to melt under my fingers.

"It's not like I'm short for work, I'm backed up by like thirty orders. It would really help, if you came by this weekend and helped me out a little."

"Sure. And why don't you drop this guy's order if you hate it so much?"

She let out a second breath, causing her muscles to relax even more. "As much as the idiot pisses me off, he's asking for all the bells and whistles; gold trim and decoration, fine detail, gemstones; and he's paying more than double what I would normally ask for. Plus the last time I had something as challenging as this was General Adulfus's order when I first started. The difference between this one and his, was he knew it would be a decoration and just wanted something to tie together his collection."

I reached a point that felt like I had gotten all her muscles loose enough and gave her a small pat on the side to get her up.

"Alright, out. I still need to shower and get ready."

She gave me a confused look before realizing I was still almost completely dry still. I hurried her out then went about cleaning myself finally.

:::::

I stepped into the kitchen fully clothed with my hoodie and jeans. Actually looking on it, my appearance hadn't changed much since my days at Beacon, except for my new set of armor in the closet. Ruby was in her regular work clothes, a snug pair of black jean pants and a tank top. She also had on those red arm bands summer made for her, for her birthday last year. I came up behind her and let both my hands fall on her tush while my head fell into the crock of her neck.

"Mmmm, what 'cha making?"

"Eggs, bacon, and a happy husband."

The mentioned things were true, and the smell of breakfast filled the air with its wonderful scent. She reached up for the pepper above her head, but was slightly too short to reach. I reached for it in her stead, but my hand was knocked away by her own. She immediately followed up by softly swatting at my face.

I let go and left her to get the pepper on her own. She knew what her limits were, and would ask if she needed help with something. Unfortunately that also means she doesn't like getting help if she could do it herself, even if it would be more efficient to have some help. I watched her jump on one foot trying to get it, and after a few attempts finally managed to jump high enough to get it. I heard some footsteps on the second floor and guessed Summer must have just woken up.

I fetched the cereal, milk and dishes while Ruby continued cooking. We had just finished loading our plates when she came running into the kitchen.

"Dad! Dad! I did it! I woke up every day this week before my alarm did!" She near shouted.

"What? No you didn't." I joked, feigning ignorance.

"Yes I did! Tell him mom."

I looked to her while she counted down the days. Sure enough she reached the last, and I told Summer I would get her some ice cream. She jumped for joy before scrambling into her seat while Ruby poured her a bowl of cereal.

Me and her finished our food, at the same time and I told her to go brush her teeth and get ready. While she ran up stairs I pulled over her bowl and poured myself a few extra bits to eat as well.

"Good luck with what's his face." Ruby joked, knowing why I was eating the sugar breakfast food.

"I swear I'm going to kill that kid one day" I said, taking my first bite, and instantly feeling the sugar flow through my system putting a small smile on my face.

"Well now you know how your teachers felt."

"What?"

"Oh come on. From what you've told me, he's a mirror image of you."

"I didn't sleep in class."

"You were normally so zoned out, you might as well have been."

"I didn't argue with the teacher every time they told me to do something I didn't like."

"At least he's interacting with the class."

I gave a growl in defeat as I finished the last bite of cereal and put it on the pile Rube was taking to the sink.

I walked over to the closet next to the door and pulled out my suit of armor. The breastplate and pauldrons were the same, save a few extra pieces to the first so it covered my chest fully. I had also added a salot, gauntlets and greaves among other parts over the years, via holidays and birthdays. Unless I knew I was going to need the rest of it, I normally just stick with the breastplate and pauldrons; to keep it simple.

Next, I grabbed Crocea Mors and tied it to its well worn spot on my belt. I contemplated bringing the others, but like my armor I normally left them at home. Still though a prick in the back of my head told me to bring a few of them. I tied my shortsword Speculo Mortem to my opposite side, and put Lamina Tonitrui next to it so I could easily grab either if I needed too. I looked at at my saber Ventus Dromonem which would normally go next to Lamina Tonitrui, and Gladius Viri the greatsword that fitted on my back. Having all five would probably be overkill, and decided to leave the two in the closet for next time.

The sound of metal knocking on wood came up behind me, and I turned to see Ruby limping toward me, with Crescent Rose tucked under her arm. I gave her a goodbye kiss on the lips upon her arrival.

"Be careful, ok?"

"Yeah, I wouldn't want to hurt them too badly." I joked, but the silence that followed was louder than anything else that could have happened.

"Jaune, please. I know you don't think it's Cinder, but can you just humor me for today?" pulling me into a small hug.

"Alright, I'll be careful." I whispered into her ear.

I was about to walk out, but decided that I couldn't leave the house with such a depressing departure.

"And besides, you have nothing to worry about," I told her as I took a step backwards, "Because I have not one, but two swords crafted by the great Ruby Arc." Pulling out Speculo Mortem as if showing it off to a stranger; making sure to flash the rose emblem on the blade near the crossguard to bring attention to it's authenticity as one of her creations.

She couldn't help but laugh as walked out of the door frame, calling out, "Seriously, be careful." just as I closed it.

It was a short wait for Summer to finally come out. Dressed in her regular black stockings and skirt, with a gray shirt. The red scarf she liked to wear flapped in the wind as she ran for the backseat of the car. Once inside I waited for her to buckle in before I turned it over.

I drove through the subdivision with relative ease, surprisingly very few cars were on the road today.

"So how are Mars and Grey? You haven't talked about them in a while." She met the two boys about two weeks ago and after the first few days of being excited about having new friends she hadn't mentioned them at all.

"They're nice, they play with me during recess, but a kid named Vang Lionheart has started being mean to us." Instantly I felt my grip tighten on the steering wheel

"He has? What's he doing?"

"He hogs the swings all recess, or goes around calling people names."

Well at least it's just schoolyard bullying, maybe they can just work it out themselves.

"Does he have any friends?"

"No, he's mean to everyone and shoves anyone who's mean back to him. We tell the teachers, but they never see him."

Typical. Bet that bitch Mrs. Ash would punish her too, excuse it as Summer having provoked him somehow.

"Maybe he's lonely and wants to play, but doesn't know how to ask." I said the word and made them sound genuine, just like my mom did when I was young, but like her I doubted it would fix the problem; but it was worth a try, at least it wouldn't make it worst.

"No, he's just a big meanie." I couldn't help but let out a sigh, images of Cardin entering my mind.

"Can you make me a promise?"

"What?"

"Next time you see him during recess can you ask him if he wants to play with you?"

"I don't want to!"

I know you don't honey, but I need you to play nice till I can figure out a way to properly stop him.

"Please? I think you might be surprised how nice he can be if you give him a chance." It actually felt a little revolting to say those words aloud.

Honestly I would tell her to just punch him till he promised to be nice to everyone. Ruby would probably do the actual punching herself. A shiver went up my spine at the thought of Ruby finding out and made a mental note to not bring it up around her.

"Fine." I looked into the mirror for a moment to see her with her arms cross and her cheeks inflated into a cute pout that only Ruby could replicate.

We were almost there, so I decided to change the subject so she wouldn't start class in a sour mood.

"So how are classes?"

"They're fine. I have 'A's in every single one."

I smiled, glad that she was working so hard, before pulling to the front of the school.

"Have a nice day!" I shouted as she ran from the car, shouting, "Goodbye!" In return.

The moment she was gone, I pulled away from the school and took the fastest route to the highway. Flipping the radio on to my favorite station, I was greeted with what was becoming my new favorite song.

"You have to prove your own worth. To friend and foe alike. This weak display just will not DOOOOOOOO!"

I popped a small pill in my mouth as I walked aboard the airship. The second semester was just starting today, so the kids who were off campus for the week were all crowded on the airship.

"Hello Jaune."

I looked over to see Ren skillfully weaving his way through the crowded ship. it was strange how the crowd seemed to part for him, without even realizing they were doing so. His hands tucked into the opposite sleeve of his green and black hanfu as he approached. He always looked like he had a sense of purpose, even when he was just with me at the bar getting a drink after school.

"Hey Ren, how's Nora?"

"She's out on a mission, so she should be entertained for the next week or so."

The airship lifted off, and I hand to hold onto the side railing to keep myself from falling.

"I don't think those motion sickness pills work very well if they cause you to lose your sense of balance."

"It's what the doctor prescribed, and it's better than throwing up on a kid or something."

"True."

I could feel the ship starting to pick up speed, and I slid down the wall till my butt finally touched down on the floor.

"Here." I heard Ren say as he hovered his hand over my face. I could feel his aura pressing into me, but instead of pushing me back like one would expect, it felt like it was flowing into me. He moved it to the side of my head, next to my ear for a moment before moving it back. It only took a few seconds, but by the time he was done I felt much better.

"You need to show me how to do that trick."

"Ancient family secret."

"Your family suffers from motion sickness?"

"No, but rebalancing your ear fluids is simple when you know what to do."

"I'll take your word for it."

I could feel my sense of balance had returned to me and with a little help from Ren got to my feet.

"Excited for the new semester?" I asked, wanting to start some proper conversation.

"I have been please with my student's growth over the last few months. I am looking forward to seeing they grow even more in the coming months."

"Well you got it easy. Fourth and third year 'Combat Training' sounds like a piece of cake."

"From what I hear from your students, they enjoy your 'Logistics' class."

"I have to bribe them with soda and cookies most of the time. If not for that I'm sure they would treat it just like all their other lecture classes."

"Sounds like our school days doesn't it." He said chuckling to himself.

"Ruby made a similar comment today."

"Oh right you have Kanel today."

"Kind of hoping grimm attack the city or something."

"I doubt you'll get that lucky" He waved his hand so we could walk through the airship together.

I took a few steps when the intercom stated we were only five minutes from arrival. A number of students most of who I recognized said hellos to us while we neared the exit door.

"Also Ren, how is your schedule this week?"

"I was planning to go enjoy a night on the town, since Nora is gone. Why? Do you require me for something?"

"Yeah, can you keep yourself on ready for the next few days?"

"What is the strife?" He eyes narrowing quizzically, and his voice filled with concern.

"Someone broke into Summer's room and left a threat for Ruby."

His eyes flashed with worry, but he quickly composed himself as the door to the airship opened.

"Do you know who your adversary is?" He asked as we walked onto to the cobblestone pathway on our way to Beacon.

"I still reserve some doubt, but Ruby believes it was Cinder."

"That thesis is very unlikely. Cinder was sentenced to life in a maximum security prison."

"That's how I feel, but Ruby seems convinced."

"Very well, I will keep myself ready to assist at a moment's notice if I'm needed."

"Thanks Ren, I'm glad we can count on you."

"Might I suggest you speak to Ozpin? He might be able to provide additional assistance, or maybe confirmation as to Cinder's being."

"I was planning to do that after school. Right now we need to hurry if we want to get to our classes on time."

He raised his eyebrow before gazing at the clock on Ozpin's tower.

"Yes, lets." He said, cracking a small smile.

He started running almost full speed, while I made chase through Beacon's grounds. Dodging through students, who gave "Good Morning Professors" if they recognized us. I stopped in front of my classroom to see it was only half full so far. Ren gave a quick wave back as he kept going, heading toward the main building where the sparring arena was.

I looked outside the window, to take in the view and observe the weather for later, before retreating inside my classroom. In the distance could see a large black cloud on the horizon, still out at sea, and clearly making it's way toward Vale. Seeing it filled me with an ominous feeling, and I felt I would be needing Ren's help sooner rather then later.

Sorry for not updating anything lately. I have finals and other crap going on, so almost all my writing has come to a stand still. I'll keep working, but I can't promise you'll see anything for a bit. I'll let you know though when I'm done and production can start full swing. If you just got to get more of my stuff, you can go over to Overpowered by Challos. I'm his cowriter, I put just as much my own into the story as he does, and though I'm technically not the cowriter for Gifts of War, I'm pretty much am too. (He doesn't want to admit it though.)

Thanks to Challos for editing, cheers.

Review + Follow; end of chapter pandering here.