Author's Notes:

Hello again!

Thanks for sticking with the story, this chapter's gonna finish up the first tiny section of the story and start the next so - before you read this chapter - place your bets on who the next kiddie Jaune'll meet! (Hint: read the first two words of the AN more carefully).

Additionally, I've rewritten the first chapter as it didn't sit well with me. If you would like to re-read it, go ahead. If not, keep scrolling!

Also, let me clear up a few things concerning the dreaded timeline of this story.

So Jaune is younger than canon, around 15, and also the third oldest Arc sibling in this story. The Arc household goes like this:

Nicholas: 41

Juniper: 38

Sapphire and Saffron: 19

Jaune: 15

Coral and Azure: 13

Hazel and Jade: 12

Lavender: 10

Amber: 6

That's a range of 13 years, ladies and gentlemen. the Arc patriarch and matriarch have been busy but at least they have hobbies to relax, amirite?

Most, if not all, of the RWBY cast are 8, which places Ruby herself at 6.

Shima is somewhere around 25, from Jaune's guessing.

The adults of the RWBY cast have been scaled with the children from the RWBY cast, so just take away a dozen or so years and you're golden.

I may or may not have withheld certain bits and pieces of information for myself, though...

With all that said and done, let's get onto the chapter, shall we?

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

Chapter 3: Between a Flower and a Hammer III

Jaune tilted his head toward the TV as he lay sprawled on one of the sofas that resided in the living room.

"You sure it's fine that I leave you guys to do the dishes?" the settled blonde asked.

"It feels weird having been asked to look after you two and then proceed to grow into a couch potato while the kids I'm supposed to be watching are doing the chores."

Lunch, by that time, had been a few hours prior. The ticking of the clock indicating the time was now somewhere in the late afternoon.

Ren chuckled softly as he began to clear away the used dishes and silverware, placing them in the sink carefully.

"Please, Jaune, you've done quite a lot already - let me do a slight bit more and make Nora do something," He said to the laying teen.

Nora made guttural noises of stress mixed with effort as she tried to stack as many dishes as she could ontop one another.

As Jaune looked at her quizzically, she was quick to reassure, "Ah - uh - don't worry about it, Jaune! I've - eep! I've haven't dropped a single one yet!"

A single plate fell from the wobbly stack and made a clamorous crash onto the wooden floor she stood on.

"Um... I've haven't dropped a second yet!" She quipped. Before sliding behind the kitchen door muttering apologies and promising to clean it up later.

"Nora..." Jaune offered a sympathetic glance to the boy as he continued, "Speaking of growing, if you would like to do something, could you please head out back and tend to the flowerbed? I haven't had much time to do it myself recently and would very much appreciate if you could look to it in my stead."

Ren smiled as he, too, followed Nora into the kitchen.

The young knight's attention once again turned to the widescreen that was across the living room table.

An advertisement played, one concerning his one and only favourite cereal brand. They got some competitive-fighting child prodigy to endorse his sweet sugary snack, one with red hair and bright green eyes.

She talked about how she 'couldn't have won her debut tournament without the great taste of Pumpkin Pete's cereal', before posing with a box of the crunchy goodness; her weapons drawn.

Jaune really could not have cared less who they sponsored to approve of his cereal, as long as when he went to the store shelves and he could behold the sight of those beautiful brown flakes - he was happy.

However, the thought of competitive-fighting had the young Arc think as he lay. Shima had told him she was willing to teach Jaune a thing or two about how to 'not die next time', but she never said he couldn't get a head-start, did she?

Pushing himself off the comfortable cushions of the couch, he made his way out of the front door - quickly returning to switch the TV off - before walking into the forest.

The young teen didn't stray too far away from the lodge, only a few hundred metres or so into the thick green forest that circled it. Jaune planned to find a nice, open area to practice with Crocea Mors in order to try get a better handle on her weight and balance.

His blonde hair wavered rhythmically to the light Mistralian breeze, too and fro. A few minutes pass and, lo and behold, an area of rolling green - small rocks and shrubs darted sparsely across the plain.

Drawing Crocea Mors, Jaune gave the ancestral blade a few practice swings before taking a one-handed stance to simulate a battle. Blue eyes drifted to the shimmering silver of Crocea Mors' unbreakable promise - her shield.

From using it a couple of days prior, the Arc found that it limited his vision and mobility slightly when constantly deployed.

To switch it from sheathe to shield, Jaune had to press a button on the underside of its surface - the mechanism being too far out of reach to do at a repeated rate.

If he could somehow figure out how to make the transition swifter and easier, Jaune may be able to place it on his forearm and have it shift at will to block incoming strikes - then to turn back to allow easier movement.

Perhaps it would be a problem to ponder for another time.

Raising his armoured arm, Jaune brought Crocea Mors down in a mighty swing and loved how she whispered in the wind. Again and again, he slashed against the free air as the gratifying gusts of force made the strands of grass at his feet shiver.

He redid the drills his father taught him: right downwards, left across, thrust, reset. Spin left across, thrust, reset. Parry upwards, parry right, parry left, counter thrust, reset.

Once more.

Another time.

Sweat shined and flew across Jaune's brow as he struggled to carry on. The blonde was at it for ten minutes straight, no end to the onslaught of disciplined method. His muscles screamed for an end, as his lungs were unable to, but as Crocea Mors now sang - Jaune had to think.

Sure, it was all well and good to have a firm grasp on established swordplay but what if it came down to an all-out brawl?

The blue-eyed blonde understood that Life waited for nobody, grabbing you by the balls at any time it wanted to. What if Jaune had to grab Life's balls back?

He quickly dismissed the thought with another set of slices and swings and a shake of his head.

For now, he'd rely on what he was taught. However, if - or when - Life decides to grab his balls... well, Life better be happy with the thought of having no children.

Jaune finally gave into his flesh's desires for respite, dropping his stance and breathing heavily. Panting in the cool wind, he looked to Crocea Mors and admired her fine edge.

Whatever it said about him, Jaune wasn't afraid to admit that an Arc couldn't truly be a Defender of the People without this blade. What could he ever do without it?

And didn't Ren say something about tending to the flowers?

He sheathed the brilliant steel and made his way back to where he came from, the intent of complying with Ren's request on his mind's forefront.

/*-*/

Amber Arc wasn't a scaredy-cat.

She was a big girl and not afraid of anything - whether it was spiders, heights, Coral or... well, anything!

Even when a black mass stalking the outside of her house with two hind legs and a mouth full of sharp, pointy teeth, looking straight at her through the glass of the downstairs living room window caught her eye - Amber was still a brave girl. But even brave girls scream sometimes.

Sometimes very loudly.

Sapphire was soon by her side, bursting through the wooden door to find the source of her younger sister's distress, "Amber, what's wrong?"

"T-there... outside... a-a Grimm!" The youngest Arc replied, voice shaking along with her body as she pointed weakly to the approaching monstrosity.

"Oh, Amber..." the oldest Arc took her sister into an embrace, holding her golden head against her bosom. "Shh. Everything will be fine."

Soon enough, Coral walked in - and where Coral went, so did Azure. The older twin held a book open with one of her hands as she tore her eyes from the paper briefly to assess the situation. "That. Is a Grimm."

"Yeah, looks like a Beowolf." Azure added.

Sapphire turned to look at duo harshly before addressing them, "Thank you for the astute observation, you two. Now can somebody please get Dad here to kill that thing?"

Hazel and Jade were at a classmate's house for today, somewhere in the nearby village safe while - unfortunately for Sapphire - her twin sister Saffron was out cruising across the sea to seek independence from the large family.

Damn it, why did the only other competent one have to want to leave?

"Uhm. I could go get Dad if you want," a quieter voice informed the four girls. The origin was Lavender, her blue eyes not meeting any of theirs from behind her large round glasses.

Sapphire's own eyes softened at the sight of the physically weakest sister. She was born frail and fragile, unable to so much as take part in a simple sport without something breaking or tearing. "Yes, please, Lav. Get Dad for us."

Lavender nodded as she rushed off. Well, rushing off as fast as she could without bumping into something and risking another injury.

Amber turned her head to peek outside the transparent glass once more, reeling it back into the safe chest of Sapphire after blue eyes met crimson. Sapphire shushed her and stroked her head affectionately, all while the remaining Arc sisters gazed at the Beowolf wearily.

"Don't worry girls, I'll take care of it quickly." Nicholas Arc stomped through the living room, Juniper and Lavender the following suit. "I'll just take out Crocea Mors for a little dance and we'll -" he stopped as he reached for the wall where the sword normally lay, realising it was taken by their one, and only, son in his rebellious phase.

Nicholas paused with his hand suspended in the air.

A second passed.

Another.

He brought it back to roughly scratch his beard in frustration, only to loosen the joints it was connected to before making his way out of the door - cursing a certain knuckled-headed son of his.

"Mom," Azure quizzed. "What's Dad doing?"

Sapphire was swift to add on, "Why is he walking towards that Grimm while stretching his muscles?"

The mother in question could only lift her hand to her face and lay her palm against her cheek in lost nostalgia. "Because he's your father," she said. "And it's one of the many reasons I came to love him so dearly."

"Ohohoho, I have got to see this. Might have to take some inspiration for my novels." Coral quipped as she snapped her book closed.

The other sisters had their mouths agape for the rest of the day as they watched their father rip a fully-grown Beowolf a new one with his bare hands.

Whoever said an Arc needed their blade to defend those he cared for?

/*-*/

Lie Ren was anything but a scaredy-cat.

He was extremely mature for his age, almost never feeling afraid of anything - whether it be Nora, Nora, Nora or forgetting to take the laundry in on a rainy day.

Really, he almost never felt too much of anything thanks to his Semblance keeping his emotions in check. It really came in useful when trying not to blush under praise (too much), keeping himself from tackling Nora in frustration and hiding from the occasional Grimm that threatened his very existence on Remnant.

"Mphhbrl!" Nora tried to communicate, her voice muffled by Ren's hand. His, now hard, rosy eyes tracking the coal-coloured beast that roamed the solitary log cabin, shaking the structure.

He held Nora tight to his chest, just like the night he lost everything, hoping the close distance would help the calming nature of his Semblance wash over her. Ren's hand kept clamped on his best friend's mouth praying she wouldn't do anything stupid with the help of his unique power.

All that hope came to an abrupt and disappointing end as he felt something warm and wet slither against his palm.

Drawing his hand back quickly, and very quietly, he stared at the girl in front of him incredulously. "Did you seriously just lick my hand, Nora?"

The girl in question turned her head to meet his eyes and confirmed, "Well, duh. You weren't letting me speak, I do know how to be quiet, Ren." Nora whispered. That's was a big milestone for Ren.

He was so proud.

Said proud feeling eventually was dragged down an alleyway and curb-stomped viscously as the bear-like Grimm stopped in its tracks and snorted horribly though it's snout.

The two children could see it's four legs through the doorway of the storage room. Huddled in the corner and surrounded by large oak boxes, the duo were out of sight due to both the obstacles and Ren's Semblance.

Unfortunately, Ren knew his Semblance couldn't hide their presence forever.

While, yes, he could suppress the negative emotions that both himself and anyone near him were feeling - it wouldn't stop a Grimm from pouncing if he stood in front of it without another source of negativity to distract it.

Double unfortunately, their home was somewhere in the middle of nowhere. No people in nearly a mile radius... apart from Jaune.

Jaune.

He left the cabin while Nora and he were cleaning the dishes, going somewhere into the woods to do Gods know what even though Ren asked for him to take care of the flowers.

Damn it, Jaune!

But he thought about it again, the injured form of the blonde in Shima's bedroom. That was the damage done by three Beowolves. The Grimm that broke into the house looked to be an Ursa, but bigger and with more bone things than the pictures Shima had shown them.

Perhaps it was better he escape instead.

An unsightly hole decorated the kitchen wall from where the larger Ursa had charged through. It's deep scarlet eyes pierced their souls as it's black body pierced the logged structure. Ren basically carried Nora to the storage room before masking them both with his Semblance in order to escape, albeit possibly temporary.

It had just... appeared.

As though it had been there for a while, just choosing to strike now. Nora and he were minding their own business, completing the chore they tasked themselves with. All until he met the gaze of the Grimm, just before it prepared to charge straight through the wall where he saw it.

Those eyes... it just struck the utmost amount of fear it could have, most of it suppressed by his Semblance - but enough to have a clear visible expression on his face.

Ren's eyes honed onto the Ursa, analysing the situation.

He couldn't make a break for it, he was too slow to outrun it - especially since he would have to guide Nora too - and there wasn't enough space to dodge the behemoth if it swung.

They sure couldn't fight it; they were just children! The closest thing he's had to a weapon was the parting dagger of his late father, which he left back in the wreckage of Kuroyuri.

The best course of action, in this case, was to wait and pray to whatever deity was listening for safety.

Hugging the orange-haired girl he'd become so close with, he closed his eyes to concentrate for now.

"Come on, Ren... Jaune'll save us. He has too."

"Of course he will, Nora. Of course he will."

But Ren wasn't so sure.

/*-*/

Descending, the burning sun left its post from above Jaune's head. It drew back into the horizon, letting her sister take over in her all her glorious, broken beauty. The royal orange of the sky is what had Jaune enamored as he returned past the tree border to see the flowerbed at the back of the house untouched and alluring.

It only highlighted the fact a massive cavity was present in the wall where the sink should be.

The blonde could feel his heart begin to pump, pump and pump. His breathing became more shallow and sharp while his muscles began to twitch in anticipation.

Ren!

Nora!

Where could those two have gone? It was possible that they were able to escape whatever caused that massive crater, running out into the forest somewhere safe.

Jaune's inner cynic punctually punctured whatever bubble the sentiment was contained in before it could float to a place where Jaune could have any confidence in the foolish thought.

If they were still inside, though, would that not mean whatever busted through the wall was also inside? Then the two kids he was supposed to care for were still in peril.

Jaune once more rose Crocea Mors from her steely slumber and this time, revealed her unbreakable word on his forearm in case he needed protection. And Jaune believed he absolutely did.

Blood pumped.

He rushed into the architectural fashion statement yelling, "Nora! Ren! Are you two in here?!"

His eyes surveyed the inside of the house. The majority of the inner walls were torn and broken in some way - all barely managing to stay upright. It was all once tidy and neat but now dishes lay broken on the floor and furniture turned over as if something was aggressively searching for something.

...or someone.

However what caught his eye was the black, bulking beast that was roaming the corridor.

Gods that was an... Ursa Major.

He'd only ever heard about them from his father's tales. Jaune had seen Ursai before, he had video games to thank for that knowledge.

But this... thing, it was substantially greater in size to what he always imagined them to be. Major-ly bigger than what he had always imagined them to be.

Damn it, brain. Not the time.

It's giant maw opened and closed, the blonde swearing steam came searing out before it let out an ear-rupturing roar and began barreling towards him - no thought for the hallway it was ripping apart in the process, tearing down pictures and paintings alike.

It's not like it had a reason too anyway, it sensed the intense distress and chased after it.

Diving back outside, Jaune narrowly evaded the devastating form of the Ursa Major. He struggled to regain his footing, the noise of animalistic bellows plaguing his mind with fear.

Exactly what the Grimm wanted.

Unexpectedly, the bear-like behemoth stood on its hind legs and set free another hellish roar before preparing to charge once more.

Steeling himself, Jaune readied Crocea Mors to somehow counter the impending assault in his direction - intending to cut the beast while it charged. There was no chance he was running away.

Not again.

Letting loose, the Grimm attacked again with its legs propelling the mass at treacherous speeds towards Jaune.

While the liquid in his veins boiled, the teen himself ran towards the Ursa Major and slid past its side on his knees.

It hurt, but not as much as when steel met coal flesh. Jaune brought Crocea Mors' brand to lacerate the Grimm's hind tendon as he slid, wounding it.

Granted, Jaune didn't know it himself and it was on complete accident but the target howled and cried in torment nonetheless.

Adrenaline coursed through his bloodstream, supplying him with enough vigor to regain his stance and prepare for another onslaught from the larger Ursa.

Thrashing in an uncontrollable manner, the Grimm swung and bit in Jaune's general direction causing mud and dirt to spit across the grassy field, some of it dirtying Jaune's vision.

Black blurred as the behemoth of a bear lashed out over and over.

One right swing fatally aimed at the golden-haired teen's head.

Unable to sense the oncoming claw, it's purpose to tear the hopeful Huntsman's jugular, a shrill voice reverberated across the viridescent pasture.

"JAUNE, NO!"

Unmistakably, the owner of it was Nora - who stood in the wreckage of the cabin clinging to Ren's green outfit with one hand and reaching out with the other. Ren, in as much anguish as his Semblance allowed, looked painstakingly at Jaune's helpless form.

His eyelids fluttering open, cerulean met vermilion as Jaune took notice of the attack.

If it connected, it would surely take his head off - the blonde thought. Even if he brought his shield up, the power behind it would probably crush him.

It couldn't happen again.

He couldn't be this weak again!

The blonde saw his entire life flash before his eyes.

Honestly, Jaune thought it was a myth - it didn't happen last time he almost died to a Grimm, so it couldn't have been true.

But unlike last time, he saw his family.

He saw Saphire and Saffron forcing their teachings of cooking and laundry onto him.

He saw Amber forcing him to tuck her into bed after a long day at school.

He saw Coral and Azure force him into a cat-maid outfit to simulate a particular scene for a particular one of her novels.

He saw Hazel and Jade at the arcade forcing him onto a dance machine.

He saw his father forcing him to take up music and his mother in bed, sick, as he willingly made her breakfast.

His heart clenched at the sight despite, in hindsight, the sustained theme of 'force'.

But the second chance he was given to fulfill his parting word was slowly sliding out of his grip.

What Jaune did not expect to see in the next vision was Shima, her encouraging smile beaming at him.

After, he saw Ren - the boy who opened his heart to him despite only knowing Jaune for a few days - looking at him with admiration and expectancy.

Light flashed once more, revealing Nora in all her excitable glory, cheering and jumping.

Was it all for him?

Jaune wasn't going to be weak.

Not again.

Because this time, he had a whole lot more to protect behind his unbreakable word than just himself.

An inferno rose inside of the knight; an inferno coloured white, all while his soul burned with determination - it's very presence creating a relentless glow around his body and weapon. Newfound strength allowed Jaune to tear Crocea Mors' shield through the air to meet the claw that threatened the blonde's life.

Another bright, blinding flash of white light - not inside Jaune's mind, however.

It rendered all parties sightless shortly, even a certain raven and orange-haired duo who now hid in the border of forest.

Ren had took Nora behind a tree after she cried Jaune's name in desperation, letting his Semblance wash over them both in order to conceal them.

No matter how much the two wanted to help Jaune, there wasn't much they could do to combat a monster over four times their height and probably weighing a dozen times more than both of them combined.

It just wasn't possible.

Which pained Ren more than he cared to admit.

But it appeared as though they would actually be able to help their blonde saviour as he skidded and scraped across the dirt and grass, conveniently stopping just in front of the two hiding children.

The Grimm faired no better, it being hurdled towards the log cabin and creating yet another hole in the same wall prior. The lack of support causing the structure to collapse, covering the creature in rubble and debris.

With the monster out of the count, Nora virtually lept to his side - breaking free from Ren's firm grasp - in order to shake the knight's shoulder roughly. "Jaune!" She yelled.

The blonde's attention slowly fixated onto the young girl, albeit wavering, and tried addressing her. "Nora..?"

The girl wrapped her tiny arms around Jaune's figure, who was more in shock due to confusion rather than pain.

Not to say it didn't hurt, because damn it hurt.

He communicated his uncertainty, hoping somebody would have an answer to satisfy him. "What the hell just happened?"

Ren, the ever helpful person he is, gave Jaune a reply. "That, Jaune, was your Aura. And you seem to have a lot of it," he complimented.

At least Jaune thought he did.

"Enough to send that massive Grimm flying backwards after contact with you."

As if it was supposedly called upon, the Ursa Major made its state of being known by rumbling the various debris that caved it.

A guttural snarl turned into a head-splitting roar as it broke free of its wooden prison. Bits of foundational wood and remains of furniture became airborne, some flying towards them that were too close for comfort. The flatscreen television was among the list of various flung items, Jaune internally wincing at the would-be cost of it.

Wherever they could have got it from.

Looking back to the children, Ren eyed the behemoth in caution and Jaune could feel Nora's arms becoming tighter around his midsection.

Gently prying her from his body, Jaune stood and placed her in Ren's hands. "Go on and hide, you two," he warned bravely. "I've got this."

Pink bore into blue, pupils meeting. "I know you do, Jaune. And this time..."

"...I'm sure." The green-wearing child said before taking Nora to the tree border once more, her hand in his.

That sealed the deal for Jaune.

The determination in those eyes resonated with Jaune immensely.

He couldn't lose.

Not here, not now.

Bearing a more confident smile, Jaune drew both halves of Crocea Mors - preparing for the Grimm's charge.

Its done the same thing twice now, no reason for a mindless beast to change its... mind now of all times.

Damn it, brain, focus! No time for silly coincidental wordplay!

As predicted, the burly creature once more launched itself at the steadied knight - it's hind left leg limping slightly from Jaune's previous attack. Stopping before it's body collided with the armoured teen's, it fell back onto it's hind legs to tower over Jaune.

A right paw came swinging under a roar, Jaune rolling to the side - not wanting to take the brunt of the force behind it.

However, Jaune was now behind the Grimm.

That meant it was vulnerable to being pierced by Crocea Mors.

Or so the blonde thought, just before the Grimm swiftly spun and whipped it's right arm backwards like a log.

It was fast!

The size of the Ursa didn't accurately represent it's agility as it's offending limb was about to catch Jaune off-guard on his sword arm.

Spinning himself, Jaune had to turn to face away from the Grimm in order to allow his shield to intercept the strike.

He buckled under the sheer weight of the attack and, dissimilar to last time, there was no explosion of white to interrupt their deadlock.

His soul burned even brighter and power coursed through his very being.

Releasing a roar of his own, Jaune pushed and pushed back against the might of the Ursa successfully - it staggering in surprise at it's prey's sudden strength.

Jaune saw his true chance here, turning again in order to spin attack the same leg he did before; aimed to gash behind the beast's knee.

Sliding for the third time across the dirt, he revolved himself to allow Crocea Mors to sing again to the intended target.

Shrieking, roaring - whatever demonic sound that emerged from its jaws - what mattered was it was now on all four legs, it's back left leg deformed from repeated mangling.

The behemoth's back was turned to Jaune this time, allowing Jaune to build both the speed and courage to drive himself upwards off of the Grim's boned back. As he soared, he steadied Crocea Mors to deliver the killing blow... straight through it's head.

Bone met steel, cracking under it's immense downwards momentum. Jaune, unable to keep balance on its head, rolled forwards kissing grass and grime on the forest ground.

With a final cry, the Ursa Major allowed itself to be taken into the wind - it's remnants floating into the, now night, sky. Crocea Mors stay plunged into the floor where the monster's head previous lay, her fine steel glimmering in the moonlight; her job done for now.

Ren and Nora came bursting from the bushes, Nora - and even, Ren - both coming in to warmly embrace their blonde hero.

Jaune sat up, propped by his arms, and panted as the two children expressed their worry (in Ren's case) and amazement at his 'super awesome swishy-slash-slash' (in Nora's case).

"OH. MY. GOSH. Jaune! You were amazing! How'd you even do all that?!" she shouted.

Ren pulled away from Jaune and looked at him with a raised eyebrow suspiciously.

"Are you sure you almost died to three Beowolves? Are you really Jaune?" the boy asked, kneeling in the grass.

Jaune laughed, sensing his teasing tone, "Pfft. The one and only, Ren. But it does make me wonder how..."

Nora pulled away next, sitting cross-legged next to Ren. Her wide smile was contagious, making Jaune grace a small smile despite what just occurred.

"It was probably thanks to your Aura, silly."

"I still don't have a single clue what that is, but thanks, Nora."

"You're welcome!"

"Aura," Ren said. "Is the physical manifestation of your soul. It has many uses and abilities, most primarily to shield us in a way. Do you remember that white glow around you?"

Jaune nodded.

That was your Aura, Jaune."

"That was my Aura..?" An awestruck Jaune whispered questioningly.

Nora nodded vigorously, "Yeah! It's like a forcefield! And yours is like a super forcefield!"

"Really?"

"...If you want to think of it like that, then yes. It is indeed like a forcefield."

"Hey, hey, Jauney! Did you know me and Ren also have our Auras unlocked?" The animated ginger said.

Jaune didn't even know if that was supposed to be impressive, considering he didn't even know what Aura was five minutes ago. How was one to even unlock their Aura? The questions kept on piling in the young blonde's head.

"We do indeed. However, I don't believe we could take the pressure of a fully grown Ursa's arm without coming out relatively unscathed," added Ren - gesturing towards Jaune's dirty, but all things considered, practically unharmed figure.

Jaune had to do a double take of himself, taking in the surprising lack of anything fatal or life-threatening on his body.

Standing up, he found himself back on the ground - legs seemingly giving up on him.

Ren and Nora also seemed a little stunned at the action, or failure to complete it.

Ren looked to Jaune before sighing. "In any event, I guess taking on a Grimm of that nature had your body put in over time. And the adrenaline is wearing off."

"Adrenaline..?" The blonde questioned. "Woah, Imma feelin'... a little... doozy..." Jaune completely collapsed, his back flopping onto the cold, hard ground.

...

"Renny, did Jaune just pass out?"

"Yes, Nora. Jaune did indeed pass out."

Nora picked up a stick, one she managed to somehow acquire out of nowhere, and prodded Jaune. And prodded him again.

"Wow, he really did pass out."

"...Yes."

"That. Is. Awesome!" She threw the stick in the air, synchronised with both her arms in a cheer.

"Nora..." Too exhausted to deal with his ginger-haired friend, Ren looked to Jaune's sword - still shining in the light of the broken moon above.

Jaune really did save their lives tonight.

That was something Ren would never forget.

The boy who he had only met no more than two or three days ago had saved both his and Nora's lives.

It was unbelievable.

His gaze wandered to the two structures that Shima, Nora and he had spent building over a couple of years, both toppled as a result of the battle.

Seeing her bestest friend looking worried, Nora piped her concern. "What's up, Renny?" She asked just after poking Jaune's unconscious body a few extra times. For good measure, of course.

He sighed again, closing his eyes and hiding his pink pupils from the cold night air. He pinched the bridge of his nose with one and hand and placed the other on his hip, wondering the answer to the real question. Ren hoped Miss Shima would forgive him for his use of language but...

"...Where the hell are we going to sleep tonight?"

/*-*/

Pyrrha Nikos was a patient girl.

She really had to be, considering all the extra baggage that seemed to come along with championship fighting.

Especially considering she had come out of her debut national tournament absolutely trouncing the competition and winning by a landslide.

But, as she stepped down from the bright part of the shooting stage - she confirmed something that had been on her mind ever since her first 'big' victory.

"Miss Nikos, good job out there! I'm right to assume we'll see you tomorrow for your next shoot?" Her agent, or whatever, questioned as she placed Miló and Akoúo̱ against the wall to the side carefully.

She confirmed that she did indeed hate it.

All of it.

The sponsors, the deals, the photo shoots, the politics.

Pyrrah shivered at the thought.

She lived for the thrill of a fight, the pumping of adrenaline, the singing of steel on steel - that's what made her happy!

Not all of this, this... crap that came with it!

But...

Her parents, they were happy with what their daughter could not be content with.

Alexander and Helena Nikos were not bad people at all. They had been nothing but supportive in Pyrrha's wish to take part in competitive fighting, particularly after they discovered her innate natural talent for combat and her keen warrior's prowess.

At first, it was all still small scale.

The red-haired champion, then still green in the arena, entered tournaments that nobody really cared about- but had cash prizes.

That, coupled with the earnings their family were using to barely get by, allowed Pyrrha to eventually afford equipment - better equipment - such as now beloved signature weapons: Miló and Akoúo̱.

Her spear-gun-sword and shield offered so much versatility; covering each other's holes and weaknesses, allowing both grace and power when used. Pyrrha loved her weapon dearly.

She knew the audience loved it too.

The young champion had heard of replicas and toy versions being sold as merchandise to her adoring fans from her agent. It didn't really feel right to Pyrrah, she felt Miló and Akoúo̱ belonged and resonated only with her. Letting others hold them, replicas or not?

A discomforting type sense bubbled in the pits of her stomach.

Emerald green eyes surveyed the recording area, looking for a certain door that led somewhere - anywhere - away from this place.

Lamentably, the voice of her agent stopped the red-haired girl in her tracks just before escaping.

The door half-opened, Mr. Matter(?) informed, "By the way, Miss Nikos, your parents are currently in our conference room liaising with our CEO."

Cupping a hand near his mouth in likeness to a whisper, "It seems that you may get us as a permanent sponsor very soon."

Pyrrah thought that sounded absolutely and utterly - "Grand! That sounds grand. I shall wait for my parents in the lounge, so if you would excuse me..."

"Of course, Miss Nikos. And again, good work today."

With a final wave, she exited the recording studio and sighed lightly so that nobody except herself could her the small exit of air.

Pyrrha couldn't care less about whatever sticker or logo they would slap onto Akoúo̱'s surface. In fact, she would very much prefer that brands and slogans stay off her shield, thank you very much.

Except Pumpkin Pete.

Pumpkin Pete's advertisement was surprisingly fun to film. Pyrrha was told to learn an entire dance routine with her weapons - performed with their trademark grey bunny mascot. The finished product looked wonderful on air, too - Pyrrah admitted.

As an added bonus, she got herself a generous amount of complimentary Pumpkin Pete's Marshmellow Flakes boxes as part of her contract.

And they were good.

Not for you, just good.

The young champion found herself now outside under the gentle breath of Mistralian wind. She wouldn't wait in the lounge for her parents - instead take a walk and return in half an hour to meet them.

Pyrrah wanted to clear her head and it was a reasonable action to take. Pyrrah took a few tentative steps through the forest border before taking stride into the wilderness.

A light brown path, coated in small pebbles and soil crunched satisfyingly under her heels while the warming sun above tickled the surface of her skin and hair.

The Mistralian forests always took on a blue-ish hue this time of year, it was bizarre but nevertheless beautiful. Her gaze wandered around the wildlife, looking longingly at the different forms of life buzzing.

So longingly, that in actuality, Pyrrha had been on the path for around fifteen minutes already - noticing the path had gotten smaller and smaller; narrower and narrower, to the point where it was so faded that it might as well not have been there.

Again, her gaze wandered.

Vivid and vibrant variants of flowers, hustle and bustle of joyfully twittering birds in the canopy and the rustles of bushes as people walked through them.

...Rustles of bushes?

...People? This far out in the woods?

The irony went unappreciated.

It could have been a species of squirrel or another rodent of some type darting through the tall shrubs. Gods forbid it was a Grimm that had strayed.

Pyrrha knew she shouldn't have, but her curiosity overwhelmed her sense of caution and logic - meaning she was now making her way to the bush that shook steadily just a moment before.

Voices had sounded faintly, the young champion leaning in to absorb the conversation as best she could.

"Hey, Perry, I don't know about this man," said the man to the left. He wore standard civilian clothing with the addition of a navy face scarf covering the bottom half of his features.

It didn't stop him from speaking clearly, however.

"What isn't there to get, Killin?" 'Perry' asked under clear exasperation.

Around his eyes were thick, cyclical glasses - his clothing much the same as his partner's in the way of being 'civilian'-esque.

What was more interesting were the respective scaly skins and tails of Martin and Perry respectively. "The boss lady told us to pull this off, so we pull it off."

Scratching his head, Marty turned away from his tailed-faunus brethren, "It's just... we've done things so differently until now. I don't know how Ghira would feel if -"

"Ghira is a nice man... too nice. We've tried his methods for years, but what's it resulted in? Baby steps? The boss lady, though... I think she's onto something."

"What do you mean?" The scaled-faunus asked.

"Look," Perry started, "if we take down the SDC storage unit that's in this town - that's gonna make a statement. That's gonna make them finally listen to us, once and for all."

An attack?

It was true, there was a relatively large - in comparison to the town she currently resided in for her photo shoot - Schnee Dust Company unit in the area. It's where she was able to restock her ammunition and weapon-related necessities, after all.

But why would they want to attack it?

To send a message?

What kind of message did they even want to send?

"I guess I can see where you're coming from..."

"See? Here, put this on," Perry requested from his friend, handing him a white porcelain mask.

"What is this?"

"A Grimm mask. Some kid back in Menagerie's starting the whole thing, it's pretty sweet."

"Huh," Marty said before sliding the ornament onto his face.

This is madness, Pyrrah thought. I don't really understand, but if an attack is to befall on that innocent town, I have to do something.

She knew she was but a child, but children were easily blinded by ideals.

Reaching behind her shoulder to draw Akoúo̱ and Miló, the red-head noticed the distinct lack of shape and weight of her weapons. It appears she had left them back at the studio after their long use as props left them sweaty and hot.

With no weapon, it would be safer to leave and report this to the authorities.

They would have her help, of course, however - she needed to escape for now to bring justice later.

One step backwards became two and two became three.

Three steps backwards became a resounding crack of a twig underneath the weight of her heels.

It was inevitable she would be found out after a noise such as that.

"Who's there?" The two faunus shot to their feet, eyes racing to find the source of the sound.

Pyrrha herself turned to blast herself across the forest green at full speeds, only to bump into something - someone - who stopped her.

She bounced off of the chest of a man, winged by two others, all having features of faunus in one way or another.

The central faunus looked at her amused, "Well, well, well, what are you doing all the way out here, little lady?"

His hand reached to grab her, Pyrrha - with all her training - stole the arm from the air and twisted it into an unimaginable shape which earned a yelp of pain from the obviously older man.

"Ah! God damn it! Hnngrh, a... little help, guys?"

His entourage looked to each other before throwing themselves at the girl before them, who had just arm-locked somebody twice her size.

She was able to dodge the first charge, after letting go of the man's arm before narrowly missing the second charge with grace.

Pyrrha tried to keep calm under the pressure of something that was potentially life-threatening but in the heat of the battle, she forgot all about the two other faunus from earlier - both of which rushed to her position in order to stop the girl who was kicking the asses of three men.

Said girl didn't even turn around to meet the metal pipe head on, it slamming into the back of her head.

And for the first time in her life, Pyrrah Nikos was knocked out in combat.

Ending Notes:

Aaaand that's a Pyrrha down. No, I don't find it realistic she could take on five grown ass men as an eight-year-old child. Trained, yes. Invincible? No. It's ironic, really.

Also, it's funny how I say that but then make Jaune defeat an Ursa Major. Alright, time to explain:

Aura = Soul / if Soul = Brimming with determination then, Aura = stronger / Jaune's Aura is already pretty big, let's just amp that to 11 / It's like when Cardin punched him but instead amped by 11 / Aura flows into weapons = really good swishy-slash-slash from our blonde knight.

Good? Great.

Thanks for sticking with The Babysitter Arc, see you next chapter!

Oh, and let me try my hand at one of these, all criticism is welcome.

Omake:

Nicholas Arc strode through the front door, blood of Beowolf fresh on his grey plates armour, gloved hands and various articles of clothing.

"Holy shit, Dad. That. Was. Amazing." Coral stated, a dopey smile on her face - no doubt inspired to write some sort of Grimm and human scene for one of her novels, where the humans are the ones dominating.

Juniper and Nicholas' eyes synchronously narrowed their blue eyes onto their daughter.

Noticing their glares, Cora opened her book once more to hide her face, "Ahem... haha. Sorry." she mumbled, making her way upstairs with a waving Azure in tow.

All gazes eventually trailed away from their questionably deranged sibling/daughter, instead this time Sapphire questioned their father.

"On a serious note, Dad, where did you learn to do that? The way you... ripped apart that Beowolf made it seem like you were experienced tearing down adult Grimm with just your hands."

"Well," Nicholas took and hand and placed it against his head before crossing his arms, "on the field, you need to be prepared for all things - such as losing your weapon. It's not uncharted territory for me."

"Ah, right." Sapphire made a sound of acknowledgment.

"It's not to say these hands haven't been in... never before seen places, though," chuckled Nicholas, looking knowingly to his wife.

Juniper stared back with eyes as wide as places before they narrowed predatorily onto her man, the blood on his chest already turning to dust and disappearing - escaping from the very scene unfolding before it.

The Arc siblings were not so lucky, however.

"Oh... Nicky..." Juniper sighed dreamily.

"Come on, dear, not in front of the children..."

"But," the Arc matriarch placed her hand on her husband's armour plated chest, "they'll have to learn somehow, right?"

"You're a naughty, woman, June.

"I'm your naughty woman, Nicky. Oop -!" The woman was interrupted as she was snagged into a bridal hold and subsequently dragged upstairs giggling about "big, strong, Hunstman hands".

Sapphire had her mouth agape, this time not in surprise but instead horror.

Her blonde head of hair slowly turned to Lavender who's eyes remained at the top of the staircase staring while lost in thought.

She herself had somewhat of the same sentiment but tried to remain cool-headed in an effort to play it off to the youngest Arc.

Amber's head slid around to face Sapphire's, still in her arms from earlier's predicament, before posing the question: "Is that how there are so many of us?"

Sapphire fainted.

I'VE MADE A BIG MISTAKE.

Looks like I've given Jaune an extra sister in the form of Azure... uh. Let's do him a favour and fix that really quickly...

Omake 2:

Azure looked quizzically at her twin sister, wondering what all the chalk circles meant in their room.

"Coral, what are we doing now?"

"Just some stuff for my new novel. It's gonna be a sci-fi thriller with supernatural elements. Wanna help out with a couple of scenes?" Coral replied.

"You never give me a choice anyway, so sure."

Coral pushed her small glasses up her nose before getting behind the confused twin and moving her into the circle. "Great! Just stand here for a second."

The aspiring novelist coughed before closing her eyes and focusing.

"Sis? What are you - "

"VENIT DIABOLUS ACCIPERE MEO OBLATIO"

A fash of the chalk circle turning a blood red engulfed the entire room, hands shooting up and clutching Azure. Before she could even scream, the hands had already dragged her down into the circle of deep crimson - leaving no trace.

Breathing heavily, Coral looked at the space that once occupied a white chalk marking. "Nobody will ever know you even existed, dear sister... muhahahaHAHAHAHA!

Two swift knocks on the door ended her maniacal cackling, prompting Coral to glare wearily at the wooden entrance.

"Coral, is everything alright in there?" Her mother, Juniper, asked.

"No problem at all, Mom..." she replied - looking around her room to find no trace of her sister or any of her belongings.

"...No problem at all."

I'm so sorry, Azure.