17 The Shining Beacon Part 1

Rinoa, Yang and Ruby were all on the Bulkhead that was heading to Beacon when Jaune started to come into the waiting room that they were all gathered in and Ruby's eyes filled with excitement. Using her semblence, she burst into rose petals and reformed in front of and above him, trusting Jaune to catch her.

He did so and Ruby wrapped her arms around his neck, sounding absolutely delighted "I miiiiisssssed you, Jaune."

Jaune chuckled, and returned the hug a bit until she finally let go of him "I missed you too, Rubes."

Jaune then tossed Ruby a bit up into the air, only to catch her when she fell again, this time in a bridal carry position. Ruby semed embarrassed, but he'd been careful so she hadn't flashed anyone

Yang had a huge grin when she approached the two of them with Rinoa "Sis, you're never enthusiastic like that when you hug me" she jokingly complained to Ruby. "I know. I should take a picture for dad!"

Jaune knew Yang was joking, but he still set Ruby down back on her feet in a hurry, albeit still carefully..

Yang then wrapped her arms around Jaune's neck to hug him and shoved his face down into her chest. Ruby snickered and rolled her eyes. She knew that Jaune and Yang had a platonic relationship, so she had nothing to be jealous of. Since he was not into Yang in that way, she could tease him in this manner without filling guilty, though her father would probably freak out if she knew.

"Maybe I should take a picture now." Ruby joked.

"Go right ahead, Sis." Yang called her bluff, then after several more seconds finally released Jaune, who'd been nearly suffocated.

As Jaune tried to regain his breath, Rinoa took her turn and gave him a normal hug "I'm glad to see you as well. We've all missed you, Jaune."

Jaune returned Rinoa's hug and nodded "I've missed all three of you as well." he reassured them once more before letting go of Rinoa.

Jaune noticed a number of guys on the Bulkhead glaring at him and he grinned "What, never seen such beautiful girls in your lives or something?" he asked the gawking young men, and saw most of them look at Yang.

That was about the reaction that Jaune had expected. They were jeaous that Yang nearly suffocated him! Or rather, they were jealous of what she almost suffocated him with.

Sure, Yang was a beautiful woman, but not Jaune's type "Sis Yang, your teasing apppears to have gotten me into trouble."

"Who cares? We both know that no one in our age group can take you on if you get serious, so let them be jealous all they want, lover-boy." Yang teased and playfully winked at him.

Jaune laughed in response. she wasn't wrong. Even though people may be stronger or faster then him, or even both, with the sheer amound of abilities he had, he was sure he could handle them these guys if he got serious, as long as he wasn't caught completely unaware or vastly out-numbered "You have a point."

"Glad we agree. so I can suffocate you a bit whenever I want too" Yang proudly declared "If you are going to date my little sister. you better be prepared to be teased a bit."

Ruby's cheeks flushed a bit, but she didn't deny it. Instead she got on the tips of he toes and kissed Jaune's cheek,

'Cuuuuuuuuute' Jaune thought internally, knowing that an awkward situation was coming when his three girlfriends met each other. He was syill mentally preparing himself for when that moment came. Of course, he had taught them all of the shadow clone jutsu, even though none of most of his pupils hadn't had a knak for it, but they did understood how it functioned, so hopefully they'dhe had that going for him and they'd understand how complicated he was feeling right now, having the knowledge and experiences of falling in love three times with three incredible young women.

One of the guys that was upset with the scene gave up and turned on a news program "The robbery was led by a mysterious red-haired man, pictured here in an artists rendering. He continues to evade authorities and still hasn't been identified. If you have any information on his whereabouts or his identity, you are asked to notify the Vale Police Department. Back to you Lisa."

"Thank you, Cyril" Lisa answered once the video transfered back to her "In other news, this Saturday's Faunus Civil Rights protest turned dark when members of the White Fang disrupted the ceremony. The once peaceful organization has now disrupted..."

Jaune thought that was someone familiar, yet startlingly different also.

The broadcast was suddenly shut down, and a moment later the projection of Glynda Goodwitch appeared "Hello, and welcome to Beacon! My name is Glynda Goodwitch. You are among a priviledged few who have received the honor of being selected to attend their prestigious academy. Our world is experiencing an incredible time of peace, and as future huntsmen and huntresses, it is your duty to uphold it. You have demonstrated the courage needed for such a task, and now it is our turn to provide you with the knowledge and the training to protect our world."

With her speech over, her peojection turned off and Ruby took hold of Jaune's hand. He gently squeezed her hand and she looked to be exrewmely happy. There were three things Ruby loved over all other things. Strawberries, cookies, and Jaune.

She had never said it before, but she'd always taken for granted that she could see him again whenever she wanted too, but after two whole weeks of hellish seperation anxiety, she now acknowledged her true feelings, even if it was just inside her mind, since if she tried to say it, Ruby feared she would bungle the whole thing up somehow.

Even without her saying the words, though, Jaune could tell. He knew well before she ever acknowledged it to herself. he didn't know what she was thinking, his instincts just gave him a general idea over time and observation. All that he was thinking right now, though, was how adorable she was acting with her shy assertiveness that was normally a contradiction, but he thought that it suited Ruby fine.

Seeing the man on the news, Jaune was sure that it was Roman Torchwick, but for some reason they did not know his identity? That was what had troubled him before. It seemed the butterfly effect had made some changes for Roman as well. He made a mental note to not assume anything when it came to Torchwick because it might be different now.

Jaune suddenly looked at Ruby, concerned "Did anything happen while I was gone?" he asked Ruby, then glanced back towards where the news had been projected before.

"How did you know?" Ruby asked with amazement.

Jaune sighed, thinking that this was a bad sign. If in spite of the butterfly effect, were some things were still predetermined to happen or something? He sure hoped that was not the case! Then he decided he'd just have to work even harder going forward to build a better future.

"Please, just tell me everything." Jaune asked while pulling Ruby into a hug "It's important."

Ruby blushed and nodded, then started to recount what had happened at the robbery, and he was left wondering who the heck the woman was that Ruby had seen, because he knew it couldn't have been Cinder.

It seemed that Salem really had found a replacement minion for Cinder. He guessed that the reason that they hadn't gone after Amber yet was because they didn't have someone like Emerald to arrange an ambush with. He definitely felt that he was right to be worried for Amber's safety. It was not a matter of if they would go after her, it was a matter of when.