Devil Slayers in Rwby (Fairy Tail/Saint Seiya x Rwby)

Hey guys, Novaflame6 here again! Hopefully you all enjoyed last chapter. To start with there will be some changes in this story just to differentiate it from the other stories I have going right now. Mostly small changes, so nothing that will imapct the direction of the story too much. Anyways who would you guys like to become a couple outside of the two main pairings that are locked in?

Mist x Cardin

Blake x Shoryu

Kauma x Weiss

Hon'oh x Sun

Neptune x Yukikaze/Emeryll

Toushiro x Gweyn

or

Blake x Toushiro

Shoryu x Weiss

Sun x Skye/Emeryll

Neptune x Gweyn

Leathe x Velvet

Tadashi x Nora

Ren x Hon'oh

Let me know in the reviews or leave a comment somewhere in the midst of this story. Anywho, onto the story!

Opening theme:

Opening theme: Burn by FLOW [Tales of Berseria opening 1]

Visuals: Camera pans down from the sky and across the grounds of Beacon, through the crowd of students, before coming into ground level within the forrest. It shows Koga fighting off some Grimm while training in the forest. It then pans to Ruby, Who's seen interacting with her team, diffusing an argument between Blake and Weiss before the girls then laugh with each other. The camera then pans to the different members of the main cast briefly before showing all of them as they stand at Beacon docks, surrounded by enemies. The chorus starts as each one of them begins fighting off members of the White Fang with Koga and Ruby charging towards Roman Torchwick. The crook is seen fighting off the two of them just before the screen pans back to the main cast walking towards Beacon Academy.

Chapter 6: Jaundice, The Stray, & ... New Beginnings? part 1

A/N: Starting off this chapter a little different than how the cannon episode starts, so bear with me lol

Days after the incident in Forever Fall, Mist found herself walking through one of Beacon's less frequented courtyards when she spotted an unusual sight: Cardin Winchester sitting alone on a bench, his usual swagger conspicuously absent. What caught her attention wasn't just his solitude – his entire demeanor had changed. Gone was the arrogant posture, replaced by slumped shoulders and a furrowed brow that spoke of deep contemplation.

For a moment, Mist considered walking past. After all, this was the same person who had tormented her fellow faunus students and made Jaune's life difficult. But something in his expression gave her pause. As a dragon faunus, she had learned to read people's auras, and something about Cardin's had shifted.

"This is a surprise," Mist said, approaching the bench. "The mighty Cardin Winchester, all alone without his faithful followers."

Cardin's head snapped up, and for a brief instant, Mist saw genuine fear flash across his face before it settled into something more complex – uncertainty mixed with... shame? He shifted uncomfortably but didn't attempt to leave or respond with his usual bravado.

"You know," Mist continued, settling on the opposite end of the bench, "I never thought I'd see the day when you'd actually look... contemplative."

"I..." Cardin started, then paused, seeming to struggle with his words. "I've been thinking about things. About what Arc did, about everything really." He glanced at Mist, then quickly away. "It's not easy, admitting you've been wrong about... well, everything."

Mist's tail swished thoughtfully as she studied him. "No, it's not. But recognizing it is the first step to changing it."

"How do you do it?" Cardin asked suddenly, catching Mist off guard. "Deal with people who treat you differently just because you're..." he trailed off, gesturing vaguely at her faunus features.

"Just because I'm a faunus?" Mist finished for him, her voice surprisingly gentle. "We learn to be stronger than their prejudice. But strength isn't just about physical power, Cardin. Sometimes it's about having the courage to question what you've always believed."

A uncomfortable silence settled between them before Cardin spoke again. "I was raised to believe faunus were beneath humans. That they – you – were different, less than us. But then I came here and saw how strong you all are, how capable. And then Arc... he wasn't even using his strength when he beat me. He used his mind."

Mist allowed herself a small smile. "And that challenges everything you thought you knew about strength, doesn't it?"

"Yeah," Cardin admitted, running a hand through his hair. "I thought being strong meant making others feel weak. But watching you and your brother, seeing how you protect others instead of bullying them... maybe I've been wrong about what strength really means."

"Trust isn't easily earned back," Mist said after a moment. "But recognizing your mistakes and wanting to change... that's worthy of respect." She stood, her tail swaying gently. "Don't expect everyone to forgive you right away, but if you're serious about changing, you might find that people are willing to give you a chance."

As she turned to leave, Cardin called out, "Why did you stop to talk to me? After everything I've done..."

Mist paused, looking back over her shoulder. "Because sometimes people need to be shown a different way. And sometimes, the ones who seem the most lost are the ones who need that guidance the most."

She left Cardin to his thoughts, a small smile playing at her lips. Change wasn't easy, and she wasn't naive enough to think one conversation would completely transform him. But she had seen something in his eyes – a glimmer of understanding, a desire to be better. And sometimes, that small spark was all that was needed to begin a journey of transformation.

The fuschia-haired dragon faunus made her way back to her team's dorm, reflecting on the unexpected encounter. Perhaps this was what being a Huntress was truly about – not just fighting Grimm, but helping others find their way to a better path, even those who might have once been enemies.

[Previous sections remain the same, then continue with:]

Mist had only taken a few steps when she felt an unfamiliar tug in her chest. Something about leaving Cardin alone in that moment felt... wrong. She paused, her tail swishing in uncertainty as she wrestled with conflicting emotions. This was Cardin Winchester – the same person who had pulled Velvet's ears, who had tormented Jaune, who had called her kind "animals." And yet...

She turned back, watching him from a distance. His shoulders were still slumped, his usual confidence replaced by a vulnerability she'd never witnessed before. In that moment, she didn't see the bully who had terrorized her fellow students – she saw someone lost, someone trying to find their way out of the darkness of their own making.

"I must be losing my mind," Mist muttered to herself, but her feet were already carrying her back toward the bench. "Mind if I stay a while longer?"

Cardin looked up, genuine surprise crossing his features. "You... want to stay?"

Mist settled back onto the bench, this time a little closer than before. "Consider it a gesture of faith. Everyone deserves a chance to change, Cardin. Even you."

A comfortable silence fell between them as they watched the sun begin its descent behind Beacon's towers. The light painted the courtyard in warm hues, casting long shadows that seemed to blur the lines between human and faunus, between past grievances and future possibilities.

"You know," Mist said finally, her voice softer than usual, "my father used to tell me that the hardest battles we fight aren't against Grimm or other warriors – they're against our own preconceptions and prejudices. Those are the victories that truly matter."

Cardin nodded slowly, understanding dawning in his eyes. "I never thought... I mean, I always assumed faunus would hate me. That they'd want revenge for how I treated them. But you're sitting here, giving me a chance I probably don't deserve."

"Maybe that's exactly why you deserve it," Mist replied, her crimson eyes meeting his. "Because you're willing to admit you might not deserve it. That's called growth, Cardin. It's not always comfortable, but it's necessary."

As the evening wore on, their conversation meandered through various topics – their childhoods, their reasons for wanting to become Hunters, their fears and aspirations. With each passing moment, the invisible wall between them began to crumble, replaced by something neither had expected: understanding.

When the first stars began to appear in the darkening sky, Mist realized hours had passed. Yet somehow, sitting here with someone she'd once considered an enemy, she felt like she was exactly where she needed to be. Sometimes, she realized, the greatest strength wasn't in maintaining walls between people, but in having the courage to tear them down.

"You know," she said, standing up as the evening chill began to set in, "same time tomorrow? If you want to talk more, that is."

Cardin looked up at her, a genuine smile – perhaps his first in a long time – crossing his face. "I'd like that. And... thank you, Mist. For staying. For believing that people can change."

As Mist finally made her way back to her dorm that evening, she felt a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with her dragon faunus nature. Sometimes, the greatest victories weren't won through force or fear, but through compassion and understanding. In choosing to stay with Cardin, in choosing to believe in the possibility of change, she had fought and won one of those battles her father had spoken about.

And perhaps, she thought with a smile, she had gained something unexpected in return: the beginning of what might become a genuine friendship.

The evening shadows had grown longer, painting Beacon's courtyards in deep purples and blues, when Mist found herself unable to sleep. Her conversation with Cardin earlier that day kept replaying in her mind, each moment carrying new weight as she examined it from different angles. She stood at her dorm room window, watching the shattered moon cast its ethereal light across the academy grounds.

Her scroll buzzed unexpectedly, displaying a message from Cardin: "Still awake? Could use someone to talk to."

Mist's finger hovered over the screen for a moment before she replied: "Meet you at the courtyard. Our bench."

*Our bench.* The phrase had slipped into her thoughts so naturally it took her by surprise. When had she started thinking of it that way?

The night air carried a crisp autumn chill as she made her way across the grounds. Her enhanced night vision picked out Cardin's form long before he could have seen her – he was pacing, his usual swagger replaced by nervous energy. She noticed he was still wearing his uniform, though rumpled now, as if he'd been tossing and turning before giving up on sleep entirely.

"Rough night?" she called out softly, announcing her presence.

Cardin started slightly, then relaxed when he recognized her. "Yeah, you could say that. Been thinking about... well, everything. About who I've been, who I want to be. It's not as simple as just deciding to change, is it?"

Mist settled onto their bench, patting the space beside her. "If it was simple, it wouldn't be worth doing. Real change is like forging a weapon – it takes heat, pressure, and time."

"Is that what your dad taught you too?" Cardin asked, a hint of his old sarcasm creeping in, though tempered now with genuine curiosity.

"Actually, that one's from my mom," Mist replied with a small smile. "She's a blacksmith. Taught me that everything worth making takes effort and patience. People included."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the way moonlight played across Beacon's spires. Finally, Cardin spoke again, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I've been writing letters. To Velvet, to Jaune... to everyone I hurt. Haven't sent them yet. Don't know if I should. But I needed to put the words somewhere, you know?"

Mist felt something catch in her throat. This vulnerability from Cardin was still new, still fragile as spun glass. "That's... that's a good start. Words have power, Cardin. Writing them down makes them real."

"Would you..." he hesitated, reaching into his jacket to pull out a folded piece of paper. "Would you read one? Tell me if it's... if it says what it needs to say?"

Mist took the offered letter with careful hands, noting how the paper was worn at the creases, as if it had been folded and unfolded many times. As she read, she felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. Cardin's words were raw, unpolished, but sincere in their remorse and determination to do better.

"It's a good letter," she said finally, returning it to him. "But you know the hardest part isn't writing it, right?"

"Living it," Cardin finished. "Being better every day, not just saying I will be." He looked at her then, really looked at her, and Mist saw something shift in his expression. "Thank you, Mist. For being here. For showing me that people can change, that we don't have to be defined by our worst moments."

"Just remember this feeling," she replied, her tail curling comfortably around her as she leaned back to look at the stars. "Remember how it feels to want to be better. That's what will carry you through the hard days."

As they sat there under the broken moon, Mist realized that something fundamental had shifted in Beacon's delicate social ecosystem. In helping Cardin find his way toward redemption, she had discovered something about herself as well – the capacity to see beyond past hurts to the possibility of future healing.

Tomorrow would bring its own challenges. There would be skeptical looks from her fellow students, whispered questions about why she was spending time with Cardin Winchester of all people. But sitting here in the quiet of night, watching the stars wheel overhead, Mist knew she had made the right choice.

Sometimes the greatest acts of defiance weren't fought with weapons or words, but with the simple courage to believe in someone else's potential for change. And maybe, just maybe, that belief could help reshape not just one person, but the very fabric of understanding between humans and faunus at Beacon Academy.

Ruby had first noticed the pattern during combat training. Mist would finish her exercises, but instead of joining them for their usual post-training discussions, she would quietly slip away with a vague excuse about "having somewhere to be." At first, Ruby hadn't thought much of it – everyone had their own routines and responsibilities at Beacon, after all.

But then Yang started noticing too. "She's been different lately," Yang had mentioned one evening as team RWBY relaxed in their dorm room. "More... contemplative? Like she's carrying around some kind of secret, but not a bad one. Her aura feels lighter somehow."

Blake, with her keen observational skills, had picked up on the subtle changes in Mist's behavior during their shared literature classes. "She's been taking more notes about themes of redemption and personal growth," she'd noted, her amber eyes thoughtful. "And she's been more vocal in discussions about character transformation."

It was Weiss who finally voiced what they'd all been thinking. "Don't you think we should... make sure everything's alright? Not that I don't trust Mist," she added quickly, seeing the others' expressions, "but as her friends, shouldn't we at least know what's occupying so much of her time?"

And so, one crisp autumn afternoon, team RWBY found themselves following Mist at a discrete distance. Ruby used her semblance to keep them hidden whenever Mist's dragon senses might have detected them, while Blake's natural stealth helped guide their movements.

When they saw her heading toward the courtyard bench where Cardin Winchester sat waiting, their first instinct was to rush forward, to protect their friend from what they assumed must be some kind of confrontation. But Yang held them back, her lilac eyes narrowing as she observed the scene unfolding before them.

From their hidden position behind one of the courtyard's ornamental hedges, they watched as Mist settled onto the bench beside Cardin – not with tension or wariness, but with the comfortable familiarity of a routine long established. They were just close enough to hear snippets of conversation carried on the autumn breeze.

"...and Professor Goodwitch actually smiled today when I helped that first-year faunus student," Cardin was saying, his voice carrying none of its former arrogance. "Didn't even realize I was doing it, you know? It just felt... natural."

"That's how you know it's real change," Mist replied, and team RWBY could hear the genuine warmth in her voice. "When it stops being something you think about and starts being who you are."

Ruby felt Weiss grip her arm tightly as they watched Cardin pull out a notebook – the same one they'd seen him writing in during Professor Port's lectures. "I've been thinking about what you said about leadership," he said, flipping through pages filled with what appeared to be notes and reflections. "About how true strength comes from lifting others up, not pushing them down."

Blake's ears twitched forward beneath her bow, her expression a complex mixture of surprise and something approaching hope as she watched the interaction. Yang, meanwhile, had gone unusually still, her usual energy replaced by intense focus as she observed the scene before them.

The four teammates exchanged glances as they listened to Mist and Cardin discuss everything from combat strategies to ethical leadership, from personal struggles to hopes for the future. The conversation flowed naturally, punctuated by occasional laughter and moments of thoughtful silence.

"I never thought I'd say this," Weiss whispered, "but she's actually helping him become a better person."

"No," Blake corrected softly, her eyes fixed on the pair. "She's helping him become who he could have been all along, if someone had just believed in him."

They watched as Mist used her tail to playfully swat away a leaf that had landed on Cardin's shoulder – a casual display of her faunus nature that would have been unthinkable just weeks ago. Cardin's response – a genuine laugh and a gentle comment about her "unfair advantage" in keeping bugs away – showed just how far things had come.

As the sun began to set and Mist and Cardin prepared to head their separate ways, team RWBY silently retreated, each lost in their own thoughts about what they had witnessed. Later that night, as they sat together in their dorm room, they made a unanimous decision: they would keep Mist's secret, allowing this delicate new friendship the space it needed to grow.

"Besides," Ruby said with a knowing smile, "sometimes the best way to support a friend is to trust them to fight their own battles – even if those battles are about helping someone else find their way."

Yang nodded, throwing an arm around her sister's shoulders. "And who knows? Maybe this is exactly what Beacon needs – proof that people really can change, if they're given the chance and someone believes in them enough to help them try."

As they drifted off to sleep that night, each member of team RWBY found themselves reconsidering their own preconceptions about redemption, friendship, and the quiet power of believing in someone's potential for change. Sometimes, they realized, the greatest victories weren't won in grand battles, but in small moments of understanding and growth, witnessed only by those who cared enough to pay attention.

The impromptu surveillance operation had grown considerably since team RWBY's initial discovery. What had started as four curious teammates had evolved into what Hon'oh jokingly called "The Dragon's Watch" – a gathering of concerned friends who found themselves increasingly invested in the unexpected relationship blooming between Mist and Cardin.

They had established an unofficial observation post in one of Beacon's many study alcoves overlooking the courtyard. Yukikaze, her black and golden-blonde streaked hair catching the afternoon light, often took point with her keen dragon senses. Her crimson eyes, so similar to Mist's own, missed nothing as she tracked the pair's daily meetings.

"Their auras are harmonizing more each day," she would report to the others, her tail swishing thoughtfully. "It's subtle, but it's there."

Gwynne, her lavender hair tied back in a practical braid, brought her shadow dragon's intuition to their observations. "The darkness that used to cloud his spirit is lifting," she noted one afternoon, her black and purple-tipped horns catching the light as she leaned forward. "Mist's influence has been like sunrise after a long night."

Hon'oh, ever the practical one among them, kept detailed notes of their interactions, her cerulean blue hair with black highlights often falling forward as she wrote. "Their conversations have evolved from simple reflection to deeper sharing," she observed, her blue eyes scanning her notebook. "They're building something real here."

Velvet and Coco had joined their watch group more recently, bringing their own unique perspective to the situation. For Velvet especially, watching Cardin's transformation held particular significance. "It's not just that he's stopping his old behaviors," she explained to the others. "He's actively working to make amends, to understand why what he did was wrong."

Pyrrha, who had witnessed firsthand Cardin's bullying of Jaune, found herself equally fascinated by the change. "This isn't just surface-level reform," she noted. "This is genuine transformation."

But nothing could have prepared them for what they witnessed that autumn afternoon. The sun was setting earlier now, painting the courtyard in warm golden light as they watched Cardin fidgeting nervously on their usual bench. He had arrived early, wearing what appeared to be a freshly pressed uniform, and clutching something behind his back.

"Is that... are those flowers?" Blake whispered, her keen eyes picking out details from their vantage point.

"Fire lilies," Yukikaze confirmed, a knowing smile playing across her features. "Traditional in dragon faunus culture for expressing gratitude and... other feelings."

They watched as Mist approached, her own expression curious as she noticed Cardin's unusual demeanor. When he produced the bouquet – a stunning arrangement of deep red and gold blooms – the collective intake of breath from the observation post was almost audible.

"Mist, I..." they could hear Cardin's voice carrying clearly in the evening air, uncharacteristically uncertain. "I wanted to thank you. For everything. For believing in me when no one else would, for showing me a better way to be. Would you... would you let me take you to dinner? To properly express my gratitude?"

The squeal that Weiss barely managed to suppress was echoed in the expressions of every woman present. Yang had to physically restrain Ruby from jumping up and down, while Coco's usual cool demeanor cracked into a broad grin.

"Did he just...?" Hon'oh breathed.

"He did," Gwynne confirmed, her lavender eyes wide.

"And he doesn't even realize..." Pyrrha added, covering her mouth to hide her smile.

They watched as Mist's initial surprise melted into a warm smile, her tail swishing with what they all recognized as pleased embarrassment. "I'd like that," she replied simply, accepting the flowers with gentle hands.

The observation post erupted into silent celebration, with muffled squeals and excited gestures. Yukikaze and Gwynne exchanged knowing looks, their own tails swishing in delight, while Hon'oh hurriedly noted down every detail in her notebook.

"Should we tell them?" Ruby whispered, watching as Cardin and Mist worked out the details of their dinner plans, both seemingly oblivious to the romantic undertones of the situation.

"Absolutely not," Coco declared firmly, adjusting her sunglasses. "Some things need to develop naturally."

"Besides," Blake added with a rare smile, "sometimes the best stories are the ones where the characters figure things out for themselves."

As they watched Mist and Cardin part ways, both wearing expressions of barely contained happiness, the group of friends shared knowing looks. They had witnessed something precious today – not just the potential beginning of a romance, but the continuation of a journey of growth and understanding that had already changed more lives than just those of its two main participants.

"Well, ladies," Yang announced with a grin as they finally left their observation post, "I believe we have a dinner to secretly monitor."

The collective groan that met her suggestion couldn't quite hide the fact that every single one of them was already planning how to discretely keep tabs on what promised to be a very interesting evening indeed.

The training room echoed with the sound of clashing weapons and controlled breathing as the group of young men finished their afternoon sparring session. Max Dragonblade, his flame orange hair slightly disheveled from training, was the first to notice Koga's distraction. His younger adopted brother had missed several obvious openings during their match – something highly unusual for the typically focused fighter.

"Your head's somewhere else today, brother," Max observed, his golden eyes catching Koga's emerald ones as they settled down for their post-training break. The white scales of his tail caught the light as he shifted to make room for the others joining them.

Kazuma, ever observant, had already taken up his usual position against the wall, his ebony black horns and tail blending with the shadows in a way that seemed almost intentional. His crimson eyes held a knowing look as he watched Koga attempt to deflect the implied question.

"Just thinking about upcoming assignments," Koga muttered, but the red and black tips of his horns seemed to darken slightly – a telltale sign of embarrassment that his brothers knew well.

Lethe, who had been practicing his defensive stances with Shoryu, paused in his movements, his lavender hair damp with exertion. "Assignments? Or perhaps a certain silver-eyed warrior we all know?" His golden and lavender horns caught the light as he tilted his head questioningly.

The temperature in the room dropped slightly as Shoryu chuckled, his frost dragon heritage showing in the slight shimmer of cold air around him. "Your aura spikes every time she enters the cafeteria," he noted, his cerulean blue hair and silver-blue horns creating an ethereal effect in the training room's lighting.

Ren, who had been quietly observing the exchange while helping Jaune perfect his stance, offered a small smile. "Ruby does have that effect on people. Her enthusiasm is... infectious."

"More like she has that effect on one particular person," Toshiro interjected, his silver hair and storm gray horns reflecting his amusement. The steel dragon faunus had been maintaining his weapon but looked up with interest at the turn in conversation.

Tadashi, who had been observing their training session with the keen eye of a visiting student, leaned forward, his frosty-tipped dark blue locks falling into his eyes. "I've noticed during my time here that she seems equally distracted when you're around, Koga."

Koga's tail twitched in agitation, its maroon scales betraying his emotional state. "It's not... we're just..." he struggled to find the right words, something unusual for the typically eloquent poison Balrog lord faunus.

"It's different with Ruby," he finally admitted, his emerald eyes taking on a distant look. "She sees the world in a way I've never encountered before. Everything is an adventure, every person has potential for good. Even when facing darkness, she finds light."

Jaune, who had been unusually quiet, nodded in understanding. "Ruby has that gift. She makes you want to be better, to live up to the potential she sees in you."

"Much like what Mist is doing for Cardin," Max observed thoughtfully, causing several heads to turn in surprise at the unexpected connection.

"You know about that?" Koga asked, momentarily distracted from his own romantic predicament.

Kazuma's quiet voice carried across the room. "We've all known. We simply chose to trust our sister's judgment." His crimson eyes met those of his fellow dragon faunus. "Just as we trust yours with Ruby."

"The question is," Shoryu added, frost crystallizing briefly in the air as he spoke, "what do you plan to do about these feelings?"

Koga's tail curled defensively around his legs as he considered the question. "I don't want to risk our friendship. Ruby's trust, her friendship... they mean too much to me."

"Sometimes," Ren offered quietly, "the greater risk is in not taking one at all."

"Besides," Lethe added with a knowing smile, his lavender eyes twinkling, "have you seen how she looks at you during weapon maintenance sessions? The way her silver eyes light up when you enter the room?"

The group watched as Koga processed this information, his emerald eyes widening slightly as he recalled countless small moments – shared smiles over weapon designs, quiet conversations about their dreams for the future, the way Ruby always seemed to find a reason to partner with him during training exercises.

"Perhaps," Toshiro suggested, running a hand along his steel-gray horns thoughtfully, "you might consider taking a page from Cardin's book – though unknowingly – and find a way to express your feelings through action rather than just words."

"Though preferably with more awareness than Cardin," Tadashi added with a chuckle, his indigo eyes dancing with amusement. "I heard about the dinner invitation. He still doesn't realize it's essentially a date, does he?"

The tension in the room broke as the group shared a laugh, though their eyes remained supportive as they watched Koga wrestle with his revelation. Unlike their female counterparts, they didn't need to squeal or plan elaborate surveillance operations. Their support came in the form of quiet understanding, shared glances, and the occasional piece of carefully considered advice.

"Whatever you decide," Max said finally, placing a supportive hand on his adopted brother's shoulder, "know that we're here for you. Just as we are for Mist."

As the group began to pack up their training gear, each lost in thoughts of transformation, growth, and the unexpected paths that love could take, they couldn't help but feel that Beacon Academy was witnessing the beginning of not one, but two remarkable stories of connection and understanding.

The morning sun had barely begun warming Beacon's courtyards when the carefully orchestrated chaos began unfolding. In one corner of the library, hidden behind towering shelves of combat manuals, Yukikaze and Gwynne were hunched over a detailed map of Vale's restaurant district, their tails twitching in concentration as they plotted optimal observation points.

"If they're going to Starlight Garden like Cardin mentioned," Yukikaze whispered, her black and golden-blonde streaked hair falling forward as she traced a path with her finger, "we can use the cafe across the street as our base of operations."

Hon'oh, ever practical, was already making reservations at said cafe, her cerulean blue hair catching the light as she discreetly spoke into her scroll. "Table for eight, please. Yes, the one by the window. For... research purposes."

Meanwhile, in another part of the academy, a very different scene was playing out. Ruby had been reviewing notes about recent White Fang activities when Koga approached her, his usual confident stride carrying just a hint of nervousness that only his siblings would have noticed. His emerald eyes held a mixture of determination and something softer as he drew closer.

"Ruby," he began, his voice carrying that particular gentle tone he seemed to reserve just for her, "I've been thinking about your investigation into the White Fang."

Ruby looked up, silver eyes widening slightly at his serious expression. The maroon scales of his tail caught the morning light as he shifted his weight, choosing his next words carefully.

"I want you to know that you have my support. Whatever you need, whenever you need it – I'll be there. Just call, and I'll come running."

The sincerity in his voice made Ruby's heart skip a beat, though she couldn't quite understand why. What she did notice was how the red and black tips of his horns seemed to darken slightly as she spontaneously wrapped him in a tight hug.

"Thank you, Koga! Having you on our side means everything!"

Unknown to the pair, their interaction had drawn an audience. Velvet, who had been returning books nearby, caught Coco's eye across the room. Blake, ostensibly absorbed in her novel, was watching over its edges with poorly concealed interest. Even Weiss, despite her attempts to appear focused on her dust calculations, couldn't help but smile at the scene unfolding before them.

When Ruby pulled back from the hug, she noticed the deep red tinge that had spread across Koga's face. "Are you okay?" she asked, genuine concern in her voice. "You're all red. Are you feeling sick?"

"I'm fine," Koga managed, his tail curling slightly in embarrassment. "Just... just a little warm in here."

From their various hiding spots, the girls exchanged knowing looks. Yang had to stuff her fist in her mouth to keep from laughing out loud at her sister's adorable obliviousness, while Pyrrha smiled softly at the familiar dance of unspoken feelings.

"They're as bad as Mist and Cardin," Gwynne whispered to her companions, her lavender hair hiding her amused smile.

"Worse," Yukikaze corrected with a fond shake of her head. "At least Cardin has the excuse of focusing on his personal growth. These two are just..."

"Adorably hopeless," Hon'oh finished, adding another note to her ever-present notebook.

As Ruby and Koga parted ways – Ruby to her next class and Koga to what he hoped was a dignified retreat – the girls quickly returned to their dinner surveillance planning. But now there was an added energy to their scheming, a sense that they were watching not one but two beautiful stories unfold.

"You know," Blake mused quietly to her fellow observers, "sometimes the best stories are the ones where the characters take their time finding their way to each other."

"True," Coco agreed, adjusting her sunglasses with a knowing smile. "Though a little nudge in the right direction never hurt anyone."

As the morning wore on, the girls returned to their meticulous planning for the evening's covert operation, their hearts warmed by the promise of not just one, but two blossoming relationships. In the quiet corners of Beacon Academy, love was taking its time, growing in unexpected places and between unexpected people, proving once again that the heart's journey rarely follows a straight path.

The shattered moon cast long shadows across Beacon's grounds as the expanded group gathered in an unused classroom for their final strategy session. Maps of the dock area were spread across desks while Sun, leaning against the windowsill with his tail swishing thoughtfully, filled them in on the details.

"The shipment arrives at midnight," he explained, pointing to a specific pier on the map. "Three full cargo containers of Dust from the Schnee Dust Company. The White Fang will probably try to hit it while it's being offloaded."

Max took point naturally, his flame orange hair seeming to glow in the dim light as he assessed the tactical situation. "We should establish a perimeter," he suggested, his golden eyes scanning the map. "The Sanctuary training emphasized containment first, then convergence."

"Agreed," Kazuma added, his black scales nearly invisible in the shadows. "We can use the warehouse rooftops for high ground advantage. The White Fang won't expect aerial surveillance."

Yukikaze and Gwynne exchanged glances, their respective black-gold and lavender tails twitching in sync. "We can take the eastern approach," Yukikaze offered. "Our Dragon Empress abilities work well in tandem."

"Lethe and I can cover the western side," Tadashi suggested, his frosty-tipped hair catching the moonlight. "Between his Gold Balrog skills and my Frost abilities, we can prevent any escape attempts."

Ruby watched in fascination as the Sanctuary-trained fighters naturally fell into strategic formation planning. Their movements were fluid, coordinated – the result of years of specialized training that went beyond even Beacon's rigorous standards.

"Toshiro, Hon'oh, and Shoryu can form our middle guard," Mist suggested, her crimson eyes bright with tactical focus. "Their Dragon King and Empress abilities give us solid coverage of the central area."

Blake leaned forward, amber eyes intense. "What about Torchwick? He's likely to have some tricks up his sleeve."

"That's where Koga and I come in," Max said, sharing a look with his adopted brother. "Holy Dragon King and Poison Balrog Lord abilities make for an interesting surprise factor. He won't be expecting that combination."

"Team RWBY will need to be mobile," Weiss added, studying the map carefully. "We can respond wherever the heaviest fighting breaks out."

Yang cracked her knuckles with a grin. "I like the sound of that. Hit 'em hard where they least expect it."

Sun nodded approvingly. "Neptune and I can provide additional support from the container stacks. Give us some height advantage, good visibility."

Koga moved closer to Ruby as they finalized the details, his emerald eyes meeting her silver ones. "I meant what I said earlier. Whatever happens tonight, I've got your back."

Ruby smiled up at him, missing the knowing looks exchanged between Yang and Blake. "I know. We've all got each other's backs tonight."

The group spent the next hour refining their strategy. The dragon and balrog faunus demonstrated some of their specialized Sanctuary techniques – movements that seemed to blend raw power with precise control. Their abilities would give them a significant advantage: Max's holy flames, Kazuma's reaper skills, Yukikaze's lightning mastery, Gwynne's shadow manipulation, Hon'oh's sea dragon techniques, Shoryu's frost powers, Toshiro's steel manipulation, and Tadashi's ice control.

"Remember," Mist cautioned as they prepared to move out, "our primary goal is to stop the dust theft and gather intelligence. We need to know why they're stockpiling so much dust."

"And maybe figure out why Torchwick is working with the White Fang in the first place," Blake added, her bow twitching slightly.

As they gathered their weapons and did final equipment checks, there was a palpable sense of anticipation in the air. This wasn't just another training exercise or sparring match – this was real, with real stakes and real consequences.

"One more thing," Ruby said, her voice carrying the natural authority of a leader. "We work together, we watch out for each other. No one plays hero alone tonight."

The group nodded in agreement, their diverse backgrounds and abilities united in common purpose. As they prepared to head out into the night, Max caught Mist's eye with a slight smirk.

"Sure you don't want to reschedule your dinner tomorrow? You might be tired after tonight's excitement."

Mist's tail whipped out to swat her brother's arm. "Don't you start. Focus on the mission."

As they moved out into the night, breaking into their assigned teams and taking up positions, there was a shared feeling among them all – that this night would mark a turning point, not just in their investigation, but in how humans and faunus could work together against a common threat.

The shattered moon watched silently as they disappeared into the shadows of Vale's dockyards, ready to spring their trap and face whatever challenges awaited them.

To be continued in Chapter 7: New... Beginnings? Part II; Black & White

Ending theme:

Ending theme: Akeboshi [Demon Slayer- Mugen Train Arc]