RWBY: Innocence

Leadership

There had been no big celebration when Kenzo returned to the camp, nor any ceremony or a visit from royalty. All Kenzo received was a pat on the back from Ozpin, a few cheers from the students and a medal as a reward for his efforts. Kenzo didn't mind; he was just happy that he had received the recognition that he was hoping for. There were offers to throw a party, but Kenzo politely declined as he wanted some time alone. After saying goodbye to Yang so she could go see her own team and putting his weapons back in his tent, Kenzo took a little trip out into the woods to build a campfire and relax in peace.

As Kenzo sat on the smooth dirt by the fire and watched the flames lick and spit up at the air, a wave of guilt washed over him when he thought about the rest of his team. Indigo, Laura and Raphael had been supporting him from the beginning, but he had just left them in the dust without any gratitude. Kenzo could only imagine how betrayed they must have been feeling.

And as for Yang, Kenzo had no idea what to do.

How was he supposed to tell her that he would be leaving? Could he really leave her when all he wanted to do was to be with her as much as possible? Was it truly possible for him to bare not being able to give her all of his support? But most importantly, what would her reaction be?

But there were other things on his mind as well. Who was the man in the Black Coat? Why did Qrow leave when the battle was just beginning? How was he able to wield his weapons with ease when he had barely begun to use them? What exactly was Lazarus?

"Is this a bad time?"

Kenzo snapped out of his daze and turned to see Indigo, Laura and Raphael. He paused for a moment before letting out a soft chuckle.

"Nah, come over and sit..."

Raphael lumbered over and sat down next to Kenzo with a thud. If he had sat down any harder, Kenzo thought it might have caused a small earthquake. After shuffling away a little, Raphael removed his vest, exposing his gargantuan torso and impressive muscular build. Indigo sat a few feet away from Raphael whilst Laura sat a few feet away from Kenzo. The four sat in a circle around the campfire, taking in the heat. There was an awkward silence...

Laura then turned to Kenzo:

"Is everything alright? You do seem rather troubled..." she asked.

Kenzo sighed. This was the right time to apologise.

"Guys," He addressed to his teammates, "I'm really sorry. I was supposed to be a proper leader, but I left you behind. I took you for granted and...I'm just really sorry. I promise you that I'll be a better leader..."

Indigo and Laura looked at their leader with a confused expression. Raphael looked up at Kenzo, quirking his brow yet keeping the same mundane expression.

"What are you talking about!?" Laura exclaimed, "You're a great leader and I wouldn't trade you for the world!"

Indigo nodded in agreement.

"Utter nonsense! You are a good leader and I refuse to listen to such hogwash!" She added.

Raphael lifted his hand and patted Kenzo on the shoulder with nearly enough force to bury him in the dirt.

"A true leader would never abandon his team. You never abandoned us. You always kept us in mind."

Kenzo could scarcely believe it. How could they honestly believe that he hadn't abandoned them?

"But...I barely talked to you! I didn't ask for your help! I just-"

He was stopped by Laura:

"Ridiculous! I refuse to listen to it! Silence!"

Kenzo looked at his teammates, slack-jawed. He had only just realised that he was sitting next to the most loyal friends he could ask for. It was at this moment that Kenzo was actually getting a little bit emotional. He didn't consider himself an emotional person, but this was something that got to him.

"...Thanks...You guys are awesome..."

And for a while, the team just talked and laughed together. The main conversational subjects were Kenzo's victory over Torchwick and their classwork. But eventually, Kenzo drew the conversation to his teammates.

"I was meaning to ask: what are your Semblances?"

Indigo was the first to respond:

"Well, I've been blessed with the magic of Spell-Casting. I can use ground-up Dust to create spells that can alter reality or matter or whatever I want to do. It does take a lot of Dust to cast bigger Spells, but as long as I have some Dust with me, there's no limit to what I can do!"

To show off her ability, Indigo removed her Top-Hat, reached inside and pulled out a Rabbit. After a short applause, it was Laura's turn:

"I like to call my Semblance 'Power-Stealing'. I can draw Aura from any living creature and add it to my own. With that kind of strength, I could wipe out entire armies, but there is just one problem. If I want to take someone's power, it can take a long time."

Laura decided not to give a demonstration as that would take too long, so it was time for Raphael to talk. At first he seemed reluctant, but he eventually spoke:

"I have the ability to hypnotise Grimm. Once under hypnosis, the colour of their eyes changes from Red to Blue and they will obey my every command. But it does take a lot of Aura to hypnotise them and it can leave me exhausted..."

Kenzo was especially intrigued by Raphael's ability; It just sounded to good to be true. He looked around in hope of spotting a nearby Grimm, but to his dismay, there wasn't one in sight.

"Well guys, that's freaking awesome!" Kenzo enthusiastically praised them.

Team KILR, now more knowledgeable about each other, spent the rest of the evening relaxing together, until Raphael had the absolute gall to ask:

"How is the romance with Yang? In the bedroom?"

Even though he wasn't drinking anything, Kenzo almost spat out in shock. Laura and Indigo were rendered speechless. There was a tense silence before Kenzo began laughing.

"It's all good man, no need to worry!"

Indigo and Laura let out a nervous chuckle whilst Raphael nodded slowly.

"Is there anything that you struggle with?"

Kenzo was quick to respond:

"I think I'm good! I mean I guess I have problems with kissing her neck. I just can't seem to do it right..."

Slowly leaning in, Raphael began to whisper into Kenzo's ear and Indigo and Laura watched awkwardly as Kenzo went Red with embarrassment. However, a smile began to spread across his face...

"Oh...I see...So...Like that? Oh...Right..."

Without another word, Kenzo leaped up, turned on his heel and ran off back to the camp shouting:

"Thanks guys! See you tomorrow!"

Indigo, Laura and Raphael watched their leader run off. The two girls looked at each other, unsure as to what had just happened.

"Raphael?" Indigo asked, "What did you tell him?"

Raphael exhaled heavily through his nose.

"I cannot tell you all the details. It does involve Careless Whisper..."

Indigo and Laura burst into fits of laughter whilst Raphael continued to gaze at the fire with a smile spreading across his face...