Path Of Blood - 97 Special

The Springtime of youth, the most wondrous and tumultuous time for a young teen. A mix of emotions confusing yet satisfying. A time for new flowers to blossom, where everything is bright and new. Each day brings new things to pursue in life.

Such as love…

Such is the young man named Jaune Arc, A dashing youth full of vigor in pursuit of the woman of his dreams. It has been a long time coming, a much needed character development you may say. It is Jaune’s Arc…

Thus we find ourselves watching the young man try to woo the girl he wants. With the help of his friends, they would either help him lose it or he would lose her…

It was one fine Monday Morning, they would normally go and eat lunch at this hour, but they opted to just have a strategy meeting. They were hungry but they were bribed with good food as long as they help Jaune with his troubles.

“I want something that rhymes with Prime Rib.” Before Jaune even started talking about anything, Haruki immediately stated his demands.

“But nothing rhymes with prime ri- – oh… You greedy fuck! I don’t even know if your advice is gonna work!!” He screamed at Haruki, enraged by his high demand.

“I guess Just do the dishes when it’s my turn for a month or something…” Ren shrugged his shoulders as he stated his demands towards Jaune.

“Oh! Oh! Hey, Neptune! what was that fancy looking restaurant we saw on the way two weeks ago?” Sun tilted his head towards his friend.

“You mean Beryl Botanica? yeah… but I feel like they only serve salads. We should get Meat! I like Haruki’s suggestion better.” Neptune said as he leaned on a nearby table.

Haruki nodded approvingly, but sun was frowning, “C’mon guys! This new vegan diet sound pretty spry if you ask me. It’s all over the net!”

*Cough!* “You guys? Don’t you think that you’re robbing me already before I even land a date? Where the hell do I take her when I got no money!?” Jaune said enraged because the whole crew ignored him.

“Take her fishing.” Sun said.

“Make her pay.” Neptune said like a total goof.

“Create something from the leftovers in the fridge. A nice and simple date.” Ren said.

“Netflix and chill my dude.” Haruki said without even thinking.

“First of all… Sun, that was a pretty great idea, but I feel like it would be extremely boring if all we did all day was fish and talk sitting down under the glaring sun. Heh…

Neptune, I’m going to be honest with you buddy… your idea sucks ass. You let women pay?” Jaune said as he squinted his eyes glaring at Neptune.

Neptune just shrugged it off and gave Jaune a confident smile, “Dude this day and age it’s equal opportunity for everyone! Don’t be so old school.”

“Ren, Buddy, Nora ate all the leftover food.” He said as he patted the shoulders of his friend.

Jaune exasperatedly looked towards Haruki, “And you? Is that supposed to be a euphemism for something? What the hell… You know what! I’ll just do this myself! There’s a party later and I’ll just ask her out later.

The question is… Am I really ready? No I’m going to do my best!” He said as he hyped himself up for this massive task.

“You’re best? Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and fuck the prom queen.” Haruki held Jaune’s shoulders as he gave him advice.

“Coco was the former prom queen…” Jaune did his research as he answered Haruki.

“Now… Are you ready?” He asked Jaune once more.

“Let’s do this!!” He ran off into the distance to prepare.

Neptune and Sun were staring at Haruki, “Uhm was that an obscure reference to something? What the hell was that kind of advice?”

Haruki just smiled, “Trust me it works.”

The Very same Night…

Beacon held an after exams party before the end of semester. To make the students relax and unwind before they go back for the semestral break.

Most of the students went home already, It was mostly the freshmen who stayed and a few sophomores to mingle. A lot of them went and partied there were a few rebels who tried to sneak in alcohol, but glynda found out about it so she made Team CRDL stand outside and watch the party from a distance while standing strapped to a nearby pole.

Haruki incited those fools so that they wouldn’t ruin the fun. As he was celebrating his victory Jaune on the other hand was searching for Coco.

“Would she even be here?” Jaune looked around worriedly.

“I don’t know only a few sophomores are here.” Ren said as he followed Jaune closely from behind.

“Gaah! since when were you behind me?” He asked Ren.

“Since the start? You dragged me here…” Ren narrowed his eyes.

“Uhm…I thought Nora would have dragged you away by now…” Jaune said, but when he looked behind Ren was gone.

“Oh my God… It’s true…” He covered his mouth.

So he asked around and found Fox Alistair, he was dancing along with Yatsuhashi Daichi. Jaune approached them both, as they were Part of team CFVY.

“Hey guys! Have you seen Coco? Did she say anything about coming to this party?” He asked them disrupting them from their dance.

“Yeah She’s over there!” Fox pointed at the stands where the punch was served. Jaune was about to thank fox but then he realized, wasn’t fox blind? When he looked at him he found fox smirking at him.

“Chill Arc, it’s just a joke. Why are you looking for her? Oh! Planning on asking her out?” He crossed his arms as he and Daichi were amused by the whole situation.

Jaune scratched his head embarrassedly, “Yeah, so is she around?”

Daichi nodded his head, “Yeah she’s over there by the stage I think? Are you sure you’re up for this? She’s pretty hardcore.”

Fox was about to mess with Jaune but he has already sprinted in to Coco’s direction. The two prayed for the brave young man’s soul.

Jaune was looking around and he finally saw a lone girl drinking punch as she leaned on a nearby wall.

‘This one girl…’

He thought to himself.

She was wearing her staple Coco outfit. Fashionable and fits her to a tee. He was enamored by her confidence and coolness.

He leaned at the wall clutching his drink, “Hey! What’s up?” He quickly scooted over to stand beside her.

Coco stared at him and sighed, “Nothing…”

Jaune smiled awkwardly, “Hey, you know Pac-Man?”

Coco took a sip of her drink, “I know of him. It’s one of those games Haruki introduced to velvet right?”

“Well, Pac-Man was originally called Puck-man.” He said then paused awkwardly, “They changed it because… Not because Pac-Man looks like a hockey puck.

Paku-paku means flap your mouth, and that they were afraid people would change… Scratch out the P and turn it into an F, like… Hehehe…*Sigh*”

He explained awkwardly. Coco on the other hand breathed exasperatedly, “Yeah, that’s amazing.” She replied sarcastically.

*Cough*

“Umm… Am I dreaming?” He asked after a fake cough. Coco furrowed her brows as she stared at Jaune.

“I’ll leave you forever now…” He looked away and moved along.

“Thanks.” Coco tilted down her shades as she thanked him.

And then He stalked her until she left the party.

He dashed towards Fox and Daichi who were talking to some girls, “Hey you two! What do you guys know about Coco?”

The two smiled towards Jaune, “Not bad Arc After all that you still want to pursue her?”

“What!? you two were watching?” Jaune said, his eyes opened wide. Fox chuckled, “Yeah, I saw the whole thing.”

Jaune narrowed his eyes towards him, “Really dude?”

“I heard you were asking around for Coco?” A voice came from behind Jaune, it was velvet. She was smiling kindly towards Jaune.

“Yeah! If there’s any info you could share about Coco I’m willing to ask for advice oh wise velvet.” Jaune begged Coco’s close female friend.

“Well, she kicks all kinds of ass.” She said as her eyes sparkled.

Daichi coughed, “Velvet… Language.”

She covered her mouth, “She’s on another level! She has men dying at her feet!” She said energetically.

“She’s got some battle scars, dude. I’ve seen a few myself.” Fox said to Jaune. Which in turn he got slapped in the head by daichi.

“Inappropriate!” Fox glared towards daichi’s location and pointed at his eyes.

Daichi’s face burned from embarrassment as fox laughed his ass off.

Jaune sighed, “well this was helpful.” Velvet held his shoulder, “Relax, Jaune it’s okay. Just be genuine in your approach.” she advised him gently.

Jaune nodded his head and slowly walked away, on his way he bumped into Haruki loitering with his women and Team RWBY.

“How’s it going Jaune?” Haruki approached the down trodden young man.

“How come Team CFVY is closer to you than with me? we’ve hung out the same amount of times…” He said dejectedly.

“Are you talking about the time I lent that game to velvet? Did the Pac-Man line work?”

Jaune shook his head, “It failed miserably, and how come she remembers you and she can’t even remember me? Also in what scenario would that stupid Pac-Man line work?”

Haruki smiled, “It works all the time! It worked with velvet, she found it funny.” As he said that he felt a strong force grasp his shoulders, and he could sense a very menacing aura.

“Oh? really?” Neo said menacingly.

*Gulp*

Haruki gulped loudly, but before Neo could do anything Weiss interjected, “Haruki, if your life had a face I would punch it.”

“Yeah… wait, what?” He stared at Weiss inquisitively.

“I mean are you really that friendly or are you really evil?” She said as she narrowed her eyes.

He looked around and stared at her with his eyebrow raised, “Like, do I have ulterior motives or something?

I’m offended Weiss.”

She scoffed, “Wounded, even?”

“Hurt, Weiss.”

Yang smirked, “You? Hurt?”

Haruki looked at Jaune as he sweated profusely, “Jaune you were saying how enamored you are with her?”

Jaune smiled like a fool In love, “Yeah, she seems awesome.”

After talking with his friends he went outside to get a breath of fresh air. When he stepped outside he found Coco staring at the Moon. She was beautiful, yet her expression seemed so desolate. Filled with worries.

She noticed Jaune struck by her as he stood there motionless as he stared at her. Adel saw his expression and found it funny, “Hey! I’m not some kind of goddess you know? Plus if you keep staring I’m gonna start charging for fees.” She giggled and waved her hands in front of his face.

Jaune was snapped back to reality as he scratched the back of his head, while laughing awkwardly. “Sorry, the moon tonight just looks so beautiful.”

Coco smirked, “Hehehe, Fine you win Arc. I’ll let you entertain me tonight.”

Her words didn’t immediately register in Jaune’s head, he was stunned even, “Por favor que?”

Coco laughed, “What? what the hell does that even mean? Whatever… so Arc are you up for the task? Are we gonna hangout or not?”

“uuhh…Yes! leave it up to me! I’m great at getting lost.” He puffed up his chest confidently.

She smirked, “I like the confidence Arc.”

“Please, call me Jaune.” He motioned to Coco like a gentleman.

She put her finger on his nose and booped it, “Not yet Arc.” She winked at him and walked ahead.

They were walking on a long strip of the concrete bride that extends towards the bay. Where the Private Airships usually lands.

“So how’d you end up attending here on beacon?” He asked her as they strolled under the silent and beautiful moon.

“Just needed to escape I guess… The pressure to always meet expectations is soul crushing.”

“I heard that beacon was one of the finest Hunter schools, so I just went along with the flow and just went here.

Who knew that even here I still have to meet expectations and maintain a certain image.” She showed Jaune a lonely smile.

Jaune listened to her quietly, “It’s just that being a leader of a team plus keeping the image of the confident and sassy big sister for them, can be a little jarring.”

“I agree with that, although I can’t say the same for me, my friends help me alot. Leading them has been quite a tantamount task but since they’re so good and strong all I have to do as formulate a strategy and they’d soon follow it easily. Sometimes I doubt that they even need me you know.” He said towards Coco who was staring at him.

“”Like I ask myself, am I really doing a good job as a leader? I’m not pushing the wrong buttons am I?”” They said at the same time. Coco giggled, “Yeah exactly! Sometimes I get really tired and just want some space. Something or someone to lean on, but I can’t. Since I’m Coco Adel…The fashionista, the strong independent type.

I’m only human you know… I get tired too. I’m not some kind of superhuman. It’s strange, we never really hung out like this and yet I feel comfortable telling you all of these things.” She said as they sat down near the edge of the bridge overlooking the beautiful reflection of the moon in the bay. She hugged her knees, “You know it’s really liberating to talk about these things. From a fellow leader to another.”

She stared at Jaune, “So? how about you? How’d you end up here?”

“Well, where I come from is a long story filled with sighs.” He said as he stared at the dark skies.

“I know plenty of those.” She said.

“Is that why you went here?” He asked her.

“Pretty much, it was just time to move somewhere more relaxed. But boy was I dead wrong.” She gave him a self deprecating laugh.

“Isn’t that fine? If you didn’t go here. I wouldn’t have this chance to talk to this amazing girl.”

She furrowed her brows, “You know of all the guys I have met, too many of them actually, think I’m just a concept or I complete them, or I’m gonna make them alive…”

She stared at the distance, and showed him a lonely look, “I’m just a fucked up girl who’s looking for a peace of mind. Don’t assign me yours…”

Jaune folded his hands behind his back and laid on the concrete, “No, I’m not, I still think you’re an amazing leader. In turn an amazing woman. The fact that you could say that to my face makes you better than most really…”

Coco smiled at Jaune’s remark, “You know most people assume that I have a lot of experience in dealing with men. Truth is I haven’t even dated anyone. I have never even kissed a guy.” She said as she stared into Jaune’s blue eyes.

Jaune Slowly held her thin shoulders, grasping it softly, because it seemed that it would break on how fragile they looked.

He stared straight back into her beautiful dark brown eyes.

“Hey, Me, neither.” He said to her with a straight face.

They both burst into laughter as they walked back. This time they both took it slow, matching with each other’s pace.

Suddenly small droplets of rain fell on the ground around the two, pulling them back to reality.

“Hey we should move faster!” Coco said as she held his hand to pull him to the dorms faster.

“This is ridiculous, isn’t this like the first week of July?” Coco said as they sprinted towards cover.

“I know right? I could barely see you. This whole thing is an unmitigated disaster.” He said as he slowly caught up to Coco’s pace.

“I think act of God is a pretty decent excuse for a lousy date.” She said as she giggled.

Jaune stopped in his tracks, “So this is a date?”

Coco slowed down and looked behind, “Did I say date?”

Jaune nodded smiling. Coco went a little red, “Slip of the tongue… Anyway nights not over yet just a little more we could get to our room.”

When the two reached the room, they immediately went and dried off their clothes. Separately of course. Coco called Fox to let jaune borrow some clothes, which fox teased her for it. In the end though he gave the okay, they’re buddies anyways.”

After Jaune finished changing his clothes they both sat on the bed and laughed. They talked about their childhood, how much of a naughty kid Coco was. Jaune shared the reason he got into beacon, which earned the respect of Coco.

They spent the night getting closer with each other.

When The rest of Coco’s team got back, Jaune was already sent back to his room. All that’s left is a smiling Coco.

When Fox saw this he was smirking, “Looks like someone had a fun night.”

Coco kicked him in the but, but she couldn’t hide the small tinge of red on her cheeks, “We just hung out. And talked about stuff…”

Velvet on the other hand, started sniffing around like a bunny trying to find some food.

“Uhm velvet what are you doing?” Daichi asked her.

“Neo said when I get home I should search for a unfamiliar scent permeating in the room. I don’t know what she means though.” When velvet said this Fox rolled on the floor laughing and Daichi looked away embarrassed. Coco on the other hand decided that if she and Neo ever meet in the practice grounds she’s dead…

Jaune skipped merrily straight to his room, He found his teammates fast asleep, he snuck inside and went to bed satisfied.

The Next Day…

He was surrounded by his friends asking how it went, “Dare I say, Great. It was the best night of my life! Plus I get a second date tonight! We’re gonna hangout in the room later, so if you guys could do me a favor and skedaddle… that would be great.”

The others shrugged their shoulders, “It’s okay it’s game night anyways, since there’s no classes were gonna play games all night! So you could do whatever you want.” Nora energetically said.

Jaune then pulled Haruki on the side to ask some advice, “Dude, it’s a make it or break it situation I need your advice.”

Haruki nodded, “If you want something bad, you have to fight for it. Step up your game, Jaune. Break out the L-word.”

Jaune raised his eyebrows, “Lesbian?”

Haruki shook his head, “The other L-word.”

He tilted his head, “Lesbians?”

“It’s “love” Jaune I wasn’t trying to trick you. Hey, Bro, look, if she really is the girl of your dreams, you have to let her know how serious you are.”

Haruki held his shoulder and said, “Just make sure to clean up afterwards.” He leaned in closer, “Use protection.” He handed him a box of you know what.

Jaune was frozen in place when he heard Haruki say it and kneed him in the stomach. He threw the box in the trash can. Neo patted Haruki’s shoulders, (This one’s kinda on you.)

Jaune went straight to their room and spruced up the place, he cleaned and rearranged the furniture. To make it a little more fashionable.

Coco Arrived at Team JNPR’s room. Jaune immediately welcomed her and made her sit down.

“So how’s dinner coming along?” She asked him.

“Yeah, good, good, good.”

12 minutes later…

They were sitting on the carpet floor eating garlic bread that Jaune baked.

“This is actually a really good garlic bread. Garlic bread is my favorite food. I could honestly eat it for every meal. Or just eat it all the time without even stopping.” He chuckled.

“You’d get fat.” Coco addressed his insane remark smilingly.

“No, why would I get fat?” He said, not believing a word she said.

“Bread makes you fat…”

“Bread makes you fat!?” He said as his eyes opened wide.

The two had fun, Jaune played a song on a guitar he borrowed from Neptune. He had no idea how to play so he begged Neptune how. They had lessons for two weeks so that Jaune could play the guitar for this very moment.

The two got cozy enough to sit side by side as they talked, shoulders touching and pulling away, like an awkward game of tug of war.

Then when Jaune saw an opportunity he stared straight into Coco’s eyes to ask for confirmation. She closed her eyes, and when their lips almost touched, Coco suddenly pushed Jaune away and ran outside.

When he saw her face it looked afraid and frustrated at the same time.

Jaune baffled by what happened could only sit there stunned, but he quickly got his shit together and Ran after her.

He saw Coco sitting on a bench where they first went on a walk. The long concrete bridge.

He slowly made his way towards Coco, he stood in front of her panicking, “Look… about what happened I’m sorry I didn’t mean to- -”

Coco interrupted him and shook her head, “No, it’s my fault. It’s just I got scared… that’s all.”

She wiped the tears out of her eyes and Stared at him, “I don’t know what happened it’s just that when I closed my eyes, suddenly the walls were closing in you know. Remember when I told you about my claustrophobia? It was just like that moment. It just seems like we’re rushing into things.

You see my father left my mother when I was really young. I was just afraid that it would happen again…

I know you’re not that kind of guy. You seem dorky at first glance but the truth is you’re a really sweet guy. I’m frustrated at myself for being afraid for no reason.”

Jaune smiled at her, “I know… I’m sorry I acted on impulse and I’m very sorry for that.

I know you play Sassy and aloof because you want to avoid getting hurt. I know you have your reasons to be afraid. I want you to know I don’t care about any of that stuff, because…

I’m in lesbians with you.”

Coco raised her head quizzically, “What?”

“I really really mean it.” He said.

Coco just laughed, “Hahahaha, what?”

“Oh shoot! I fumbled my line…*Cough* I really love you okay? I mean it.”

Coco just smiled, She stood up and pulled him close, “I came here to get a new life. Even after all this I honestly just want a fresh start away from it all. Thank you for being the nicest guy I almost dated…”

Jaune just stood there, “That’s kinda sad.”

Coco smiled, “So bye and stuff…”

Jaune smiled, “Yeah, bye and stuff…”

Coco silently walked away, Jaune stared at her departing back before giving chase.

“Hey.”

“Mind if I tag along?”

Coco stopped on her tracks and looked behind her. Smiling, “You want to come along with me?”

Jaune shrugged his shoulders, “Yeah… I thought that maybe, we could try again. A fresh start.”

“Are you really sure? I’m a girl that has a lot of problems and stuff. I’m not really the confident and fashionable girl you like you know?” She said.

Jaune shrugs his shoulders, “That’s what makes you… you. Your beauty, Your cute smile. And all your insecurities. I love them all the same.”

Coco couldn’t help but give him a loving smile. She extended her hand, “Very well then. Coco Adel, aspiring huntress.”

Jaune gave her a wide grin, “Jaune Arc aspiring Hero!”

He took her hand and shook them. He grasped her hand tightly as if he was afraid to let go.

“Friends?”

“Don’t tempt me Jaune.” She said as she winked at him.

“Hey! You finally called me by my name!” Their laughter echoed throughout the night.

The two held hands and walked straight down the path they took once more. Together this time. Two lonely shadows, but they slowly blended into one. Under the beautiful moonlit sky.