A new story for all to read. If you like it, cool. If you don't like it, leave a review and tell me how I can improve.

Chapter 1: Normal Knees

"Someone who seems normal can be the most unpredictable."

Unknown

Jaune Arc was normal. Nothing more, nothing less.

He has plain looks. Not ugly by any means, but he wasn't going to get any modeling contracts in the near future. He was tall. His muscle mass wasn't at the standard of a Huntsman, but he was not lanky by any means. He was lean, with enough muscle to impress girls his age who didn't surround themselves with Hunters in training. His grades were average, as was his social standing. He lived with a large family where every other member was exceptional. For Jaune, what made him stand out was being the only son in a family that had eight children.

Jaune Arc should be going to a public school, studying to go to a decent college and eventually live the life of a middle-class worker. He was an everyday man, which was fine in his books despite the social hierarchy in today's society.

So why was he on an airship on route to Beacon Academy, the famous institute that shapes the future generations of Huntsmen and Huntresses?

Jaune still doesn't know why, and he had been trying to figure that out ever since he received his acceptance letter. Signed by Headmaster Ozpin, he was admitted to the prestigious academy and became a student immediately. The requirement to take the entrance exams was also null and void. All for someone like him who had never shown any talent to others.

It doesn't make sense. For a prodigy who has shown promise since they were born, sure. But Jaune did not show such aptitude. The only thing that made him stand out was his aura reserves, the same thing that determined your path of life.

Aura, the manifestation of the soul, and the power that shields humans and faunus from physical damage. It didn't matter how sharp the edge of a sword was, or the caliber of a bullet. Everything becomes blunt in the face of aura.

That's why aura is a Hunter's greatest asset and the reason why children from the day they are born will have their aura unlocked. Their reserves would be measured to determine the life they walk. Meet the minimum requirement, and that child's fate would be sealed by a contract signed by the guardians of the child. They would train to be a Hunter, to protect humanity from the creatures of Grimm, beasts born with the most dangerous instinct. The need to feed. And there was only one kind of meal Grimm liked, and that was people. Human and faunus alike, it did not matter if you had a second pair of ears, or a tail or scales imbued to your skin.

It's all fair game to the beasts of darkness.

So to produce Huntsmen and Huntresses is the most important project the four kingdoms have. A single person trained in the craft could slay hundreds in a short career. A great Hunter could do the same and live to be middle-aged if they were lucky.

So one would think that Jaune Arc would be a prime candidate to be a Huntsman. He had high aura reserves, higher than most.

But throughout his studies at his prep school, he failed every physical examination. The essential written and oral exams that tested his knowledge never had a passing grade at the standards for Hunters. His overall score was exactly fifty. Average intelligence and average physical talent. Hunters could not settle for such results. To survive out in the wilds against the Grimm, you had to go beyond your physical and mental limitations.

Jaune never did that at his reputable school, so they dropped him. Now, while it is important for the kingdoms to produce more Hunters, to spend more lien on someone who could never harness their potential would be a waste of resources. So he was given a letter of notice, stating that his training would stop. As is protocol, there was a signature from every teacher, and the headmistress from his school to terminate his contract.

The last thing needed to put an end to Jaune's chances of ever becoming a Huntsman was at least one signature from one of the councilmen of Vale. It came close to happening. He couldn't help but smile at the memory.

And yet here I am, on a Bullhead heading for Beacon. His smile died, also bringing out a sigh he didn't know he withheld. Then a sharp intake as the taste of acrid bile flooded his throat. Quietly, and slowly he started breathing through his nose, closing his eyes as he sought his inner power to counteract the sickness in his stomach that this damn airship caused.

Warmth flooded his body, and no matter how much he hated to admit it, the sensation was always addicting. Like a heated bath that while inside you can't help but fall asleep. He made sure not to project the light of his soul, however. Any attention that would come his way would be unwanted.

Despite the awful taste in his mouth, he swallowed it, both figuratively and literally with a stone face. Being on this flying deathtrap was a mistake. This whole situation was a mistake. Why would the headmaster accept him?

He should be going to a school where the most excitement he would have was working up the courage to ask a cute girl out. But now, it seems that it would be a luxury even to find the time to like anyone.

Jaune shouldn't be here. He didn't want to be here. This life chose his father and sisters. It may have chosen him too.

But he didn't choose to live that life. He rejected it.

Unfortunately, it seems that the path of a huntsman clings to him like his persistence with girls. Which unfortunately means one thing for Jaune Arc.

I am royally screwed.

Ruby Rose may not be the most socially adept of people.

But at least she knows that being a total jerk to people you just met is not cool, no matter how big the explosion your sneeze caused! That stuck up princess— heiress, whatever she wants to call herself should learn to be nicer!

If it were up to her, Ruby would give that Weiss girl a piece of her mind!

Despite the bravery of her inner voice, Ruby's knees sink to the ground, as did her spirit when she realized one fatal flaw to her plan. She would have to talk to the crabby girl again, and the thought of doing that convinced her of accepting total defeat to her greatest nemesis.

Socializing.

Why can't talking to people be as simple as weapon tuning, or eating cookies?

"Um, you okay?"

In typical Ruby fashion, when she heard a boy's voice she didn't know (or any stranger's voice for that matter), she would fumble her words trying to respond.

"Would you believe me if I said yes?"

Today was an exception, considering she exploded only a minute ago.

Ruby heard a snort of laughter, which brings out a smile from her that she did not know was possible given the start of the explosive day. Great, now Yang's stupid puns were getting to her. Becoming an even bigger social outcast was the last thing she needed right now.

Stupid puns put aside, Ruby's silver eyes finally look to see who owns the voice. He was a blonde like her sister, though the shade was darker than Yang's golden hair. He was tall, so tall that her head could probably only reach to his chest. Which was not that uncommon seeing as her stature was small.

Ruby didn't care, though! She was just a late bloomer!

"Would you believe me if I said yes?" The boy countered with the same words.

She sighs in defeat. "Nope."

Another laugh, even longer than the last. Then an open hand catches the young girl's eyes, inviting her to grasp it.

"Can't stay on the ground forever," he said, smile still going strong. "The name is Jaune, by the way. Jaune Arc."

"Ruby." She said, taking the offered hand with the best smile she could muster.

When Jaune's hand enveloped her's, the first thing she noticed was the callouses on his hand. It was normal for everyone their age to have them given their training to become the coolest thing on Remnant. But for whatever reason, the ones Jaune had felt different, more comforting which was a weird thought. It felt familiar, even.

Despite the roughness of his hand, he helped her up gingerly instead of a quick pull that might have strained her arm.

Bringing a memory she almost forgot, of red eyes that did not belong to the scary Grimm, but of family. A look of amusement from seeing the small girl flat on her butt after being knocked down. A quick wisecrack that also brought insight to what Ruby did wrong. After a swig from his flask, he would offer her a hand, and even though it wasn't smooth, it was always comforting when he helped her up.

He's like Uncle Qrow. Ruby didn't understand how that is, or the reason why it matters that a boy she just met had callouses like her uncle.

But what Ruby did know, is that the person in front of her was much nicer than Weiss.

Her smile felt more natural as she came to that conclusion.

Author's Notes

I had no idea how I wanted to end the chapter. The one thing I was certain of, was that I did not want the chapter to be too long. Now for those of you who know me, you may be wondering. What happened to Black and Jaune(ish) White? Well, let me tell you. I scraped everything! For the longest time, I was trying to incorporate multiple different ideas that could all be in different stories. I realize that I need to narrow my vision for one story.

So Black and Jaune(ish) White will be rewritten under a new title. No buts, my friends I have made my decision. On the bright side, there's this little piece you just read. So what is it about?

Well, in this story the world of Remnant has a significant difference from the original. Children have the capacity of their aura measured to determine their future. I thought this would be an interesting twist, as it would make sense for there to be such a law.

I would explain more, but I think you guys are better off just reading the story.

One last thing, the pairing for this story is a secret. I already have the pairing planned, so make all the suggestions you want, but I'm not changing my mind.