Chapter 7: Dragon, Rose and Bull

The first blasts of fire Dust intermixed with scattershot flew past Adam with little effort on his part, impacting the ground and walls behind him with loud THUMPS before leaving smoking craters as mementos of their passage.

Evidently growing either bored or frustrated with her misses Yang leapt off the DJ platform, Ember Celica firing away the entire while and killing a great deal of her forward momentum as Adam continued to slip out of the way of her barrage.

"That's two mistakes right there."

The Bull Faunus' thoughts were less than complimentary as he darted forward at sudden speed, still easily avoiding her shots as he closed the distance, timing his approach so that he would arrive at her landing spot as soon as she did.

Yang had made two errors, three if one counted underestimation.

The first was that she jumped so high into the air, a lazy leap that gave her little speed and a great deal of hangtime. Contrary to what most combat schools or instructors taught there were some benefits to giving yourself such a vantage point, a risk versus reward mindset. You just had to be a good judge of when such a move was appropriate and wouldn't end with you blasted from about twelve different firing positions.

Yang hadn't done that.

Her second was a cardinal error that, unlike high leaps into the air, was practically inexcusable under any circumstances whatsoever. Namely, that she had slowed down and stopped moving in a battle between competent fighters. In combat movement was survival, forcing your opponent to abandon a desired comfort zone or move to engage you on your own terms, denying them a way to gather their bearings as they couldn't keep their eyes on a singular point. A far less excusable error than the first, in his opinion.

The third was one he supposed he could let slide...her assumption that she would have any chance whatsoever of hitting him with her projectiles was a fair mistake to make.

He had been trained extensively in the art of avoiding firearms, all Huntsmen and Huntresses were. The rules were simple, don't be where the barrel is pointing. Dodging the projectiles themselves was practically impossible, barring some kind of speed Semblance or absurdly fast reaction time and physical agility...but avoiding where the bullets would gowas a far more manageable task. In that regard Yang was at even more of a disadvantage than most gun wielders, since her weapons required precise jabs or swings of her arm to fire. No doubt they had pressure sensitive or kinetic threshold triggers.

In summation, all these factors led Adam to Yang's eventual touchdown location a second before she arrived, completely untouched as he reached out with a single hand, lilac eyes of the young woman widening as she realized what was about to happen-

-and with a lazy shove to her lower half the Bull Faunus turned what would have otherwise been a perfect coiling of legs and absorption of energy into a stiff and rigid faceplant.

THUD!

The few patrons still hanging around gaped at the sight, the young woman's impact no doubt smarting even through Aura as the young male thoughtfully mused, "Hmm, and here I thought that Humans always landed on their feet. Ah, wait. That's Faunus I'm thinking of. I certainly wouldn't have made such an embarrassing tumble to the floor like some rank novice just out of school."

Yang was dead silent as she regained her feet with boneless grace, false smile on beautiful features only marred by the tiniest of growing bruises on her forehead.

...A smile that only became all the more hungry for retribution as Adam smirked at her.

Maybe it was unprofessional and unfair of him to so childishly egg on a rookie...but in another time she had been the one to kill him and that stung his pride a bit. Some light verbal insults went a long way in assuaging that annoyance.

…

Not that Yang had any appreciation for that, Aura madly flickering with enraged flame as her smile began to show teeth, slowly and deliberately reloading her gauntlets.

Adam let her.

"You know? Funny story this, but I'm going to really enjoy punching your teeth out of your ass~!"

This time the Faunus openly laughed, deliberately turning his back on her in a disrespectful showing, calmly stating, "All bark and no bite. I suppose it was too much too hope for your skills not to be as superficial as your looks."

If he hadn't been fully expecting it Adam didn't doubt the rage fueled punch that approached his head at a blistering pace-literally, seeing as said punch was on fire-would have knocked him around rather badly, enhanced Aura or not.

Instead he lightly ducked under the hit, jerking his hip back so that it collided with Yang's as he yanked on her outstretched arm, flipping her over his back to land on the floor with yet another deafening THUD!

A single eye of icy blue glared into purple orbs of slowly darkening crimson.

"I thought it was Humans who fancied themselves above Faunus. Both figuratively and literally. This situation seems to be something of an outlier, wouldn't you say?"

Yang merely cocked her head, no longer smiling.

"...Yeah, it's decided. You're so dead."

A jerk of her midriff wrapped Adam's head between her thighs before throwing him across the floor, the Faunus smoothly rolling with his newfound momentum and regaining his feet-

-only to find his vision largely dominated by burning swings of metal and flesh, the pounding of shotgun shells and an onslaught of raging fury that he was confident would have felled lesser opponents in short order.

He wasn't lesser in any sense of the word.

"Stop-"

A double blast of projectiles that he sidestepped.

"-dodging-"

A leg sweep followed by jaw shattering uppercut that he first hopped and then leaned away from.

"-and let me-"

Powerful jabs that he either slapped away or backpedaled away from.

"-FREAKIN' HIT YOU!"

A haymaker that absolutely would have shattered bone barely mussing his hair as the Faunus ducked under it.

"You know, against opponents roughly your skill level-even a bit beyond-your style of fighting would be rather devastating."

A snarl left the female as she aimed a blast from her gauntlets at the male's balls, missing cleanly as he backflipped away, still talking as if there wasn't a care in the world he had.

"Relentless, powerful blows and a kinetically devastating weapon that enhances and meshes with said blows seamlessly. Factor in your impressive instincts and skills, of aiming for weak or unguarded parts of your enemy and anyone that falls on the defensive would be worn down in short order."

"STOP ANALYZING AND FIGHT ME, ASSHOLE!"

"But I am fighting you."

Just to prove a point the next punch Yang sent streaking for his jaw he knocked aside with Wilt's sheath, quickly reversing the blow and striking her on the temple hard enough to rattle her, eyes blinking in confusion for a moment...before the flickering flames abruptly became a roaring inferno, a growl less like a girl's and more like a Dragon's escaping her throat.

"Ah, right. Her Semblance."

A feral shout left Yang as she pounced forward, somehow moving even faster than she was before, prompting Adam to use his sheathed weapon far more liberally in redirecting her attacks.

…

Strangely enough, as the fight wore on...Adam began to enjoy it.

Or, more specifically, he began to enjoy the way the girl fought.

His was an economical way of battle, of swift and precise strikes that finished an opponent off with little fanfare, a consequence of his training where dealing death was the order of the day. Yang's was...exciting.

All raw emotion and instinct distilled through training and repetition, her form wreathed in fire and a Wyrm's snarl of challenge etched on her features...he couldn't get enough of it. It was like seeing through a mirror that had once been clouded, only for it to one day be clear and reveal a whole new world.

More pertinently...he wanted to see what it would look like if he could refine it, sharpen it. Push her already impressive skill through the filter of his harsh teachings? He would make of her a true Dragon, unstoppable and unbeatable in anything approaching a direct fight.

…

It was an unrealistic fantasy, one that surprised even him with its whimsy. Train her, a Human? A Huntress that, despite his ultimate goal, would still be his enemy?

Ridiculous.

With that thought firmly in mind he resolved to end the battle there and then.

A particularly strong charge left the young woman streaking toward him fast and hard enough to probably push him through a wall, the bull Faunus' muscles relaxing a fraction as he let her outstretched shoulder brush the hem of his shirt-

-and he spun to the side just as fast as she was moving, Wilt's sheathe lodging itself under her chin and against her throat, their opposing momentum throwing them off balance...but that was what he had been planning on.

His shift in direction had left him facing her back while she floundered in place, left arm grabbing hers and twisting, the young woman's domineering strength nullified by the simple physics of his hold. It was then a simple matter to pull her up and against him, toes barely touching the ground and head kept immobile by Adam's sword.

Completely at his mercy in less than two seconds and her awkward position not allowing her either a hard surface to spring from or limbs to work with-the Faunus' Aura ignoring her burning form with the occasional spark of conflicting energy-the young woman settled for an irritated growl, sourly asking, "You know if all you wanted was to cop a feel you could have just asked."

"What I wanted was for you to stop destroying this club. I just so happen to like it and you eliminating the security and trashing the architecture would have put a damper on that."

...He had no intention whatsoever of admitting he only subdued her because he liked the salad they served here.

"Huh, right. So what's your story, bub? You go around saving all the party places at night or is this just a one time thing? And look, I get that I'm pretty and desirable and all that jazz but holding a nice, innocent girl like myself in this position is just a little bit suggestive, don't yah think~? Care to loosen your grip a bit?"

Adam didn't falter in the slightest, cooly commenting, "Seeing as how there's no guarantee whatsoever that this 'pretty and desirable' girl won't immediately attempt to attack once I release her...I don't think I will. In fact maybe I'll just wait for the police to arrive and hand over an agitator and destroyer of private property. Witnesses don't lie."

A bluff on his part-like Hell he was going to remain anywhere remotely close to law enforcement-but his threat seemed to reach Yang, the fire covering her body flickering out alongside a petulant grumble.

"Urg, fine. Geez, way to go and ruin a girl's night. Can't you at least let me talk to Junior again, I gotta ask him something. And maybe this time he'll listen."

"Considering you just destroyed a significant part of his livelihood, you'll be lucky if he doesn't put a restraining order on you and charge for monetary damages. I'm ignoring the part where you physically assaulted him as well."

Once more appearing annoyed the blonde retorted, "It's important."

"And so is not aggravating the local law enforcement. Junior has friends, you know. And you won't have won any of them over with this little rampage of yours. Call it a night or face the consequences of your decisions."

For a few seconds Adam was fairly certain he was going to have to knock the young woman unconscious before getting her to leave...and the fight left her eyes, a disgruntled sigh accompanied by complaints of, "What a freakin' funsucker you are. Attitude like that I have trouble believing you were here for the party."

He had no desire to tell her just how right about that she was.

"I was, until a certain someone came and ruined it."

"Sure, whatever. Hey, are you finally gonna let me go now? Because I'm starting to wonder if maybe you really are getting a rise out of holding me dirty like this."

"I'm not interested in Humans."

Yang's voice took on a smug lilt.

"You suuuuure? Because that's not what I feel~!"

Surprising Adam in a wholly unexpected way Yang suddenly thrust her rear into his crotch, rubbing up and down his pants-

-and to the Faunus' dismay he realized something he hadn't noticed while negotiating with the Huntress in training, something the unexpected tightness in his groin as the girl dug her body into his highlighted.

He was hard.

Jumping backwards as if stung while simultaneously shoving Yang away Adam swiftly retorted, "Don't get ahead of yourself, it's just a normal reaction!"

A type of comprehension that he did not like appeared on Yang's face, features lighting up like a festival at night as she began to giggle, a giggle that turned into full blown hysterics as she doubled over, holding her stomach.

"O-oh my god! Y-you're totally a cherry boy, aren't you?! Hahaha! The badass, too cool for school fighter is a virgin who gets shy about popping a boner! That's freaking great!"

…

Leader of one of the most powerful militant organizations in Remnant outside of the Kingdom's standing forces. Master swordsman who had taken on Hunters and Huntresses in single combat and won. Charismatic commander who had a reputation for success and inspiring loyalty. And now chosen representative of Gods who had deemed him the most worthy to carry some kind of torch and avert one of the worst disasters Remnant had seen in recent memory.

This was Adam Tauros.

…

And right now, as the woman who had in one version of the future rammed a blade through his chest laughed and giggled at the fact that he had never once gotten laid...he mostly just wanted to crawl into a hole and die.

EXCUSE him for being a bit too busy with the liberation of his people to shack up with someone!

Gathering what shreds of his dignity remained Adam stalked away from the still cackling girl and through the backdoor of Junior's club, deeming his part in keeping the establishment intact finished.

He had better things to do, or so he insisted to himself.

In fact the Faunus was so wrapped up in frustrated and aimless musings that he didn't even register the second pair of footsteps until the owner of said steps was practically right alongside him.

"Would you be less mopey if I said, from what I felt digging into my butt, that you were hung like a, shall we say...bull~?"

Adam's teeth grit hard enough that he was fairly certain they chipped.

"Why are you following me?"

Yang popped a cheery grin, replying, "Well because I'm still a little pissed about getting beaten back there in the club and teasing you to tears sounds like a pretty nice helping of payback."

The Faunus threateningly raised his sword, coldly remarking, "I can finish what I started, if you're that curious."

Rather than be cowed or aggressive towards his words Yang merely cupped her chin, staring pensively into his one good eye.

"Hmm...nope! I don't think you're gonna do that."

Adam was caught off guard by her flippant comment, dumbly saying, "What?"

"You hard of hearing now too? Heh, get it? But seriously, you don't strike me as the type to go around killing people for slights. Probably for serious stuff, but definitely not a mass murderer. So I feel pretty safe in saying no, I don't think you're gonna make me leave by force."

The Faunus could only blink.

"There are several layers of irony, foreshadowing, truthfulness and mischaracterization in that one statement that I don't even want to begin to think about it."

Shaking himself free of those thoughts Adam instead stated, "Interpretations of my personality aside, I'm not taking you home with me."

"Aww, why not?"

"Because exposing a Huntress-in training or not-to a secret base full of criminals is a bad idea."

"Because I don't want you knowing where I live! You strike me as the petty and driven type and I'd rather not have your ire played out upon my living quarters."

"Now who's the one throwing out interpretations of personality?"

"The difference is I actually know hers, to an extent. Not that I can say so..."

Merely running a hand through his hair in mounting frustration Adam tersely replied, "Look, allow me to be as clear and blunt as possible. I'm not interested in Humans. I don't want you following me. There, now leave me be."

Losing most of her good cheer and flippancy Yang stood straighter, cooly explaining, "Then let me be just as clear. I want you to show me how or where you learned to fight like that. Sure, it sucks, but I can admit you had me outclassed in every possible way out there. I want in on that."

…

The Faunus felt himself at a complete loss for words.

Not more than a few minutes ago he had felt a completely misplaced and irrational desire to see what the Human in front of him could accomplish under his tutelage, how high the Dragon could soar...and now he was being gifted that desire on a silver platter.

It was making him jumpy.

"...I am no teacher."

"Now isn't that a blatant lie."

"If you're gonna lie to my face, at least have the decency to make it a good lie."

And he'd been caught in less than a second.

"Fine. I am a teacher but I don't want you as my student. And monetary compensation won't change my mind."

Appearing frustrated for a moment Yang scowled...before a sly and alarming grin pulled at her lips.

"Not interested in money, huh? Well how about...me~?"

Her playful tone coincided with a flick of her hair and bend of her waist, highlighting generous curves that caused Adam to avert his eye.

"Not interested in Humans. Especially not ones that offer themselves out so easily."

"Geez, what a prude!"

"There's an appreciable difference between being a prude and being a person with some measure of self-"

"Yang? There you are, Yang!"

Both Human and Faunus blinked at the sudden voice that called out, sounding inordinately happy for being in a dump of an alley.

"Oh, hey, Rubes! Yeah, sorry for not letting you know I was over here, just had to track down this stick in the mud here."

"Yang! Be nice to strangers!"

Adam could only stare, brain morbidly amused that he had somehow crossed paths with the two people he had fully intended on never crossing paths with, if only to make good on his deal not involve them.

"Hey, I'm Ruby! Nice to meet you, err...Mister...umm..."

Ruby Rose slowly faltered as she realized she had no idea what the Faunus' name was, casting a look that screamed, 'help me!' to her sister...who of course merely shrugged.

"Auros, since you clearly neglected to find out something so basic as a name."

"Yeah, I remember now! Ruby, meet Auros. He's the one who's going to offer me some extra lessons, riiiight~?"

"No, I'm-"

"HUH?! YOU GOT A PRIVATE TUTOR?!"

Adam bit back on a sigh and instead gazed at the newest arrival with a curious eye.

Ruby Rose had played prominently in his visions of the future and in all honesty he had briefly considered trying to bring her over to his side, either through force or argumentation.

He had quickly decided against it though, for a number of reasons. While her silver eyes would have been an incredible boon for his forces, her outlook on the world would have never meshed with his actions and ideals.

She was far too much of an idealist and innocent person to ever actually agree with him on anything, thus he had elected to let her do as she would, as per his words to her father and uncle.

Of course they would then have the misfortune to meet regardless.

…

She was a great deal smaller than he had first thought of her. He had seen images of the Human from the gifted memories, certainly...but the young woman before him seemed positively minuscule compared to the role she would later play.

Soft, pale skin with black and red hair that fell no further than her neck, a combat dress of the same coloration adorning her slim frame...and the eyes. The striking silver eyes that held within them the power to drive back the Grimm.

A shame he couldn't risk tutoring her in their usage.

"Yaaaang! Why did you get a super awesome guy to teach you and not invite me?! I'm the one who needs help, not you!"

"Heh, sorry, little sis. But it was just kinda a spur of the moment thing. But I'm sure Auros over there wouldn't mind taking on an extra student, right?"

Adam gave the two girls a dull glare.

"Yes, I would. I'm against taking on a single student. A pleasure meeting you two, goodbye now."

Quickly spinning on his heel the Faunus strode away-

-and an earsplitting squeal almost shattered his eardrums, the smaller Human practically teleporting to his side in a shower of rose petals as she stared with uncomfortable intensity at Wilt.

"Is...IS THAT AN OCKHAM BLADE?!"

Leaning away from the clearly deranged girl Adam slowly replied, "Yes. Why?"

"Oh, right. Weapons enthusiast. And I just confirmed that I'm currently holding one of the rarest swords on all of Remnant. Dammit."

The Faunus had to swiftly raise his prized blade high overhead, the tiny Human leaping upwards like a child with their favored toy held just out of reach, silver orbs manic and unblinking as she espoused, "How did you get one of those?! Rumor has it there's only a dozen or so in existence, did you buy it? Find it? Smith it? How sharp is it, the magazines say a powerful enough swing can cut even Atlesian steel composites but personally I'm not too sure of that but ohmigosh please just let me hold it!"

Now holding the squirming girl at arm's length by means of his palm over her face-now that it dissuaded her any-Adam turned to the highly amused Yang, biting out, "Are you going to help or watch?"

"Mmm, I think I'll watch. I mean, I could help if you agree to actually be a nice guy and show me your moves..."

"No."

Yang idly examined the back of her nails, musing, "Well I guess there's just nothing I can do to help you then."

"I could always just knock the two of you out and be on my way."

The blonde simply smirked, archly replying, "Oh sure, you could do that...buuuuuut-"

She cocked her gauntlet with a feral grin.

"I know you just so happen to like this club, remember~? Be a shame if a repeat offender were to pay a visit, don't yah think?"

…

"Am...am I being blackmailed?"

Staring in disbelief at the leering young woman Adam eventually gave a despairing sigh, still holding a rabid Ruby at bay.

"Fine. I'll agree to this idiotic deal if you get your sister to calm down and leave things at that."

"Done~!"

Yanking on the smaller girl's hood and causing her to sputter for air the White Fang commander had to wonder if he was getting too soft or letting his emotions get the better of him...first it was the damn salad and now it was acquiescing to some random Human's wishes. Wishes that would no doubt cause him grief further down the road.

Teaching the daughter of the man he had already showed his face too was a lit keg of fire Dust that he had apparently decided to stick his head into...and the worrying part was that he couldn't really feel all that regretful about it.

He was doing exactly what his teacher had always told him not to do, letting his emotions and whims dictate his actions.

…

He blamed Carl.

"Now Ruby, don't you have something to say to the nice man? Not to the weapon?"

Wrenching his attention back to the present Adam was greeted with the sight of a blushing Ruby scuffing the ground with her boot, shyly stating, "Eh heh heh...sorry about that. I'm not that good with people and I saw your weapon and I was like, 'ohmigosh, that's an Ockham line of blades!' and I kinda just, err...got distracted?"

Yang rolled her eyes and dragged her sister into the crook of her arm, adding, "She's a weapons geek and doesn't have much practice talking to strangers."

"Yaaaaang!"

Biting down a sigh Adam gruffly stated, "If that's all, I'll take my leave."

"Hold up there, horny~!"

Fighting down the wartime flashbacks to Neo's usual brand of horrific humor the bull Faunus gave Yang his best glare, the Huntress not faltering in the slightest as she pulled a slip of paper out from beneath her cleavage and handed it to him, playfully stating, "My Scroll number is on there. Call me within a week~!"

Glumly staring at it the Faunus replied, "And if I 'forget'?"

Yang tapped the side of the club with a bright smile.

"I know where to find you, and I know how to get your attention."

Locking what felt like the hundredth sigh that day behind a clenched jaw Adam tightly replied, "Point taken. Now goodbye."

"Uh, before you go can I see your...sword..."

Ruby practically deflated as the male stalked away at a rapid pace, leaving the two behind.

"Awww..."

Yang snickered and punched her sister's arm, remarking, "You really need to work on those social skills of yours, Rubes. You were totally freaking that guy out."

"Leave me alone...how did you even meet him anyway?"

"Eh, went to a club, got into a brawl, he put a stop to said brawl and now I bullied him into teaching me his skills! There's still some time before the Beacon semester starts so hopefully I'll have an edge up on everyone else~! Oh, and once I've learned what I can I'm totally gonna punch his lights out."

Wincing at her sister's puns and then frowning at the admission Ruby groused, "That's so not fair! Why do you get to spend time with the guy who has the super awesome unique sword and I don't?!"

Obviously unconcerned the blonde glibly replied, "Well, why don't you come along with me then? I still haven't even figured out what I'm paying him with so it's not a big deal."

Ruby's eyes widened upon hearing that admission.

"Y-you haven't even decided how you'll pay him?!"

A familiar argument sprung up between the two as they left the alleyway, the younger sister freaked out by the older's willfulness as the older laughed at the younger's rigidity.