I should probably warn you, this is a pretty dark chapter in this ff. Well actually, it is not all that dark but a friend told me that I probably overdid it a bit with the dead love interest stuff, so if you take everything together it becomes quite dark, I mean, 3 dead love interests is a lot.

So I thought I should explain my reasons for that. For the idea I had I needed two dead love interests but seeing how I want stuff to stay the same until after the fall of beacon for this story one dead love interest was already there from the start, so I couldn't really use Pyrrah. The other reason is that I kinda need Yang to be the one to die because of reason you may notice during the chapter, so I assure you that this whole thing is not just meant to cause Jaune pain because of reasons(I want to point that out because many authors seem to have their characters suffer hard without any real reason for it).

Now, some may wonder, why not just make her just a friend like she is in canon, after all a dead friend sucks as well. I thought about that for a bit but in the end decided that the scenario I did have in mind for that just didn't have the punch behind it I want so I quickly gave up on this idea.

.

.

.

Jaune and Weiss looked concerned at Jasper, when he asked them if he could ask them a question, Jaune had to chuckle at that thought, he had looked very nervous. He really hoped that it would be nothing to bad. He looked over at Weiss who just shrugged with her shoulders. In the end he turned back to his son and waited for him to ask his question.

Jasper stayed silent for a while, as if he was not sure if he should really ask before he finally came out with it.

''Father, do you remember the talk we had last week?''

This did not help put his mind at ease at all but he still answered calmly

''The one about my time at Beacon?''

His son nodded, before continuing with his question.

''I know that those stories bring up painful memories for you, for both of you but I wanted to know if you could maybe tell me a bit more?''

Jaune mentally relaxed, true, he did not like to bring up those memories but he feared that his son had another problem that needed to be addressed, he glanced a Weiss, who nodded at him before turning back to his son.

''Well, I guess I did promise you some of those stories, what do you want to know?''

Jasper thought for a bit before finally deciding on a question.

''When we were talking about Mothers team you mentioned someone named Yang, who exactly was she?''

Hearing his Sons question Jaune closed his eyes, this was not a story he would enjoy telling. Jasper noticed his fathers extreme reaction.

''I mean, you do not have to if you do not feel like it.''

But Jaune had made his decision.

''Yes, I have to, you should know about her. Yang, she was, well, she was your aunt.''

That was not what Jasper had expected to hear.

''My aunt, did I never meet her because she does not want to be remembered of mother's death or is she...? he let the question hang in the air.

''Dead, she died years before you were born.''

The bitterness with which his father said those worse shocked Jasper, he carefully asked.

''How did she die?''

Jaune was about to answer when Weiss interrupted him.

''Jaune, you do not need to talk about that, I can do it, I know what happened, you do not need to do that to yourself.''

Jaune just shook his head.

''Yes I do, I can't just run from the past because it suits me after all. Also, even you only know part of the story. Let me think for a bit, how to best start, well, I guess it all started a while after we had joined up with James when...''

Flashback:

Jaune, Ren and Nora had just finished eating after their daily training, Jaune once again being reminded of the difference in skill that still existed between them, when they meet team Rwby lead by Qrow, all geared up. This woke Jaunes interest, he didn't remember a mission being scheduled.

''What is up, do you guys have a mission?''

Qrow looked over to him, Jaune flinched back slightly, he had always felt uncomfortable under the gaze of the older Hunter. Qrow proceeded to take a swig from his flask, how much did he have in that thing anyways, before finally answering Jaunes question.

''Jup, the tin man got fresh information about a White Fang hideout, we are gonna bust them.''

Jaune couldn't understand how the older huntsman got away with being so disrespectful to General Ironwood in his own base but didn't really have time to ponder about it because Ruby started speaking.

''Hehe, they won't know what hit them, we are gonna kick their assess and make sure they are locked up for all they did.''

Qrow looked skeptically at her.

''Look, I am the last person that should warn you about recklessness but you shouldn't take them too easily, the White Fang are not just some small-time criminals... they are also not criminals with which we can allow ourself to hold back enough to take them all alive.''

At this Ruby looked down a bit and answered her uncle in a slightly sad voice.

''I know that, I just want to prevent as many people from dying as I can you know? I am sure many of them are just like Blake, good people that are just mislead.''

Hearing that Blake looked surprised but happy with what Ruby had said and thanked her softly. This made Ruby look completely happy again. Qrow still did not look entirely happy, then again Jaune had never seen the man look entirely happy.

''I am not trying to put you down, I just want to make sure you understand what we are going into.''

At this Weiss raised her voice.

''Of course we know what we are getting into, we will make sure that these criminals won't ever hurt anyone again.''

Yang gave her opinion as well, hanging her arm around Ruby's shoulder and grinning confidently.

''Yeah uncle Qrow, don't worry your old bones about us, just make sure to not fall too much behind.''

At this Qrow just shook in resignation complaining about ''cheeky brats'' before addressing the entire team again.

''Well then, seems like this 'old' Huntsman has to show you youngsters how it's done, come on, let's kick some White Fang butt.''

But while most of them turned to leave Yang send a glance over to their team. Jaune could have sworn she was looking at him but nah, that couldn't be, could it?

''You know what, you guys go on. I am coming later, I first want to say goodbye.''

At this Qrow suddenly send a sharp glance at Jaune that made him gulp in fear, he couldn't remember having done anything wrong, before looking over at Yang's determined expression. After a few seconds he just sighed and began to leave, Weiss and Blake turned to follow him but Ruby stayed.

''Good idea, I want to say goodbye as well.''

Hearing this Qrow snorted before grabbing her by her cape and dragging her along.

''Come on shorty, let Yang say 'goodbye' in peace.''

Ruby just looked at him confused while being dragged away.

''But I just wanted to do that as well, Jaunes my friend as well, hey, why are you smirking? Don't ignore me, tell me what is going on uncle Qrow.''

The last thing Jaune heard of them was Weiss telling Ruby that she was still a dunce, he wondered why.

Nora just looked with beaming eyes between him and Yang, which honestly scared Jaune, an excited Nora was never a good thing. Yang just stared at her and Ren with pointed eyes, until Ren finally took Nora's arm and started dragging her away, though he had a decidedly harder job then Qrow.

''Come on Ren, I have to see it, don't you want to see our fearless leaders big romantic moment?''

''That does not matter, the point is that this is not something we should spy on.''

Nora grinned

''So you do want to see it.''

Ren just facepalmed and dragged her around a corner, wait, what had she meant, big romantic moment?

Jaune had no clue what the hell Nora had been talking about, Yang just wanted to say goodbye after all, probably. He turned to Yang.

''So, why did everyone go away when you just wanted to say goodbye?''

Yang looked at him astonished for a few seconds before starting to laugh loud out loud, okay, now he was sure that he was missing something. This worried Jaune, had he gotten food on his clothes? After a few seconds Yang finally managed to calm down before once again putting on a more serious expression and looking him in the eyes.

''I did not stay to say goodbye, I wanted to speak with you about something.''

The serious expression she had on her face worried Jaune, had he done something to offend her?

''Ehm, your hair looks very good?''

This caused Yang to grin

''You are not in trouble Jaune, the complete opposite actually but the compliment is appreciated none the less.''

Now Jaune truly had no clue what was going on anymore. Yang looked at him for a few more seconds and gulped nervously before finally speaking up again, okay, whatever it was it had to be big, Yang never was nervous.

''I wanted to talk with you because I wanted to make sure I would have nothing to regret, you know, in case something happens.''

Jaune didn't like how she said that.

''What do you mean by that, is there more to the mission then what Qrow told us?''

Seeing his concerned expression Yang understood and quickly reassured him

''No, no, no, not like that. It's just, with all that has been happening life seems a lot more fragile you know what I mean? And now when I think about that mission I just feel strange, what if I won't make it back someday? I just wanted to make sure that I said what I wanted to say. To tell you what I feel.''

Jaune became confused

''But why me, not that I have any problems listening to your feelings but wouldn't you be better of telling them to Ruby or Qrow?''

To his astonishment his words actually caused Yang to blush and look down a bit and quickly mumble

''Not really, it kinda has to be you.''

For some reason this sight caused Jaune to become very nervous, gods, had his heart always beat that loudly? He just continued to stare at Yang until she looked up again, her gaze filled with determination.

''What I mean is that I have fallen in love with you, you idiot.''

Jaune just stared at Yang reactionless, no, he had to have misheard her, she couldn't have said that, he was still dreaming, in a few seconds Nora would shake him awake demanding them to get food, that must be it. But Yangs nervous words ripped him out of his thoughts, her eyes were shooting him nervous looks.

''Why aren't you saying anything? Please Jaune, at least say something.''

Jaune could only shake his head.

''That can't be true.''

Yang continued, her head lowered

''I know I am not Pyrrah and I am not trying to replace her, I just want to be something to you.''

Jaune finally decided that he was definitely not dreaming and could only ask a single question

''Why me?''

Yang now looked him in the eyes again, clearly confused

''Why not?''

Now it was Jaunes turn to be confused, wasn't that clear?

''I am not like guys, I am not a real huntsman, I am just some guy who lied himself into Beacon and got lucky enough to be dragged along by far better persons than himself. I am just a coward who thought he could be a hero.''

This caused Yang to look at him in sudden understand before suddenly smiling gently

''You shouldn't make yourself down that much. I mean yeah, you kinda sucked when you came to Beacon, like seriously sucked but does it really matter now?''

Of course it did, he just dragged them all down, when he opened his mouth to tell Yang as much she interrupted him

''So what if you didn't know how to fight, you learned, didn't you? Sure, you are still not as good as us but you get better every day. I have certainly seen worse, I mean, have you ever seen Dove fight? I can assure you that your fighting ability is more than passable by now. Just like I can assure you that you are not a coward, have you ever looked back at what you have done, what you are doing? We are fighting a War Jaune, a war against monsters trying to destroy everything that humanity has built for itself, monsters we have no real plan to stop. And yet here you are, fighting. How could such a person possibly be a coward?''

This caused him to look down ashamed, she thought too highly of him, he opened his mouth and saw Yang about to interrupt him again.

''No Yang, I must say this. You think too highly of me, I am not fighting for some noble reason, all I wish is to leave this war behind and be somewhere safe, away from all this pain and death. I fight because I do not want my Sisters to die, my parents, you guys, it's selfish. And that is not all that drives me, I want revenge, revenge against those that have taken my partner from me, that have taken our friend from us, revenge for Pyrrah. Those are hardly the most heroic goals.''

Yang clearly did not agree with him.

''What, that is what concerns you? That you just fight to keep your loved ones safe? That you want revenge against those that have taken them from you? What about any of that is bad you need to feel ashamed for it? You fight because you care for those important to you too much not to, it's admirable.''

He didn't know why but he found it very easy to believe every word of her. Still, he had to know.

''But even so, why me?''

Yang now looked him in the eyes again

''Well, you certainly did not make the best first impression. ''

Jaune groaned, did she have to remind him of that?

''Oh relax, I am just Yanging your chain.''

He couldn't help but snort at that, this seemed to make Yang happy.

''I know, it's brilliant, right? Still, that doesn't answer your question, does it?''

Right, he kinda lost track there.

''No, it really doesn't.''

''You really want a pretty lady praising you, don't you? Well, luckily for you I came Xia Long.

Okay, now she was the one who was losing track of what was going on.

''Yang, Please.''

She was looking down, a blush on her face, and Jaune couldn't help but admire how beautiful she looked.

''I know that this isn't really the time for jokes, I am just not sure how to say it. I mean, how do you say something like that? Dad never told me and I sure as hell won't ask Qrow for help. And my mother is well, you know. I am not sure when it started but I started looking at you differently. I just like the way you act, the way you smile and even your cheesy lines. When I am spending time with you I just feel happy, warm, content. It feels like I want to stay like this forever, together with you.''

Silently mumbling she added.

''It also helps that you look very easy on the eye.''

By now Yang's entire face was red and he was sure that he wasn't faring any better himself. But despite her obvious embarrassment, she continued with her confession.

''Don't worry about me, I did not just make this decision on the fly you know, confessing I mean. I first wanted to be sure of my feelings. I did not want to say anything before I was sure that I would mean it. These feelings are not just some passing fancy of mine, I am not that kind of person, I know how hard it is to be left by people, so I do not want to do that to others. I know that you probably are not sure how to answer me just yet but please give me a chance.''

She closed the distance between them and placed a soft kiss on his lip.

Jaune did not know how to react to that.

''Yang, I-''

''Shhh, don't worry about it, just give me your answer when I come back from the mission.''

And with that she left to join on her team but not before shooting him the brightest smile he had ever seen on her. He laid his hand on his breast, his heart had just skipped a beat.

He didn't know how long he had been walking around the base, thinking about what had just happened.

Did he like Yang like she did him?

He had never really thought about it but the words Yang spoken touched his heart, they made him feel warm, content, it felt nice.

Suddenly Pyrrahs face flashed in his mind and he felt guilty for those feelings. Is that really what she would have wanted tough, that he would feel guilty for developing feelings for another girl?

Of course not, his mind knew that but his heart was another matter. He did not know how long he was wandering around until he suddenly bumped into someone and lost his balance, falling onto his butt. He quickly started to apologize.

''I am so sorry, I was not looking where I was... Ren?''

He looked up to see who he had run into and was surprised to look into the face of his Teammate and best friend, Lie Ren. Ren just smiled and reached out his hand to pull Jaune up, he gladly took it.

''Do you want to talk about?''

Jaune was not sure how Ren had known that he needed to talk but he was grateful for his friend. He started to explain what happened and how it made him feel. After he was finished Ren just thought for a few seconds before speaking up.

''I understand where your reluctance comes from, you feel like you are betraying Pyrrah and are not sure what exactly your feelings for Yang are. All I can tell you about Pyyrah is what you already know, she would just want you to be happy. But you have problems to completely accept that. With the other part I can be more helpful I think. Those feelings you describe sound a lot like you like her. I am not saying that you have fallen in love with her but feelings clearly exist, act upon them. I am sure if you give Yang a chance and spend more time with her your feelings will grow, just as hers will, together. You should not throw away this chance of happiness because you felt unsure, grab the chance and make the best out of it.''

Jaune thought about Ren's words for what felt like forever before speaking up again.

''I have made my decision, as soon as Yang comes back from her mission I will take her out on a date, or the closest thing to it I can put together in this Place.''

Ren smiled at him but Jaune was not finished yet

''But I have one condition.''

''Condition?''

Asked his best friend confused.

''Yes. Your words really helped me, without them I made have made a mistake I would forever regret, so now I am going to do the same. Go and talk with Nora, don't throw away this chance of happiness because you felt unsure, grab the chance and make the best out of it.''

Ren just stared at him shocked for almost a minute before he finally responded with a small blush, it was the first time Jaune had seen his friend blush like that.

''I will... and Jaune, thank you.''

Jaune just smiled back

''Always my friend.''

But Ren just shook his head

''No, not friend, Brother.'' and with that he gave Jaune a long hug before letting go and turning towards their quarters, he had a confession to make.

Flashback end

Seeing that his father had grown silent Jasper finally opened his mouth again, choosing his words carefully.

''I am not sure what to make of your story father, I mean, don't get me wrong, I really want to know what happened but why are you talking about this? All I know is that Yang was my aunt and that there apparently was something between you but why are you telling me about that, especially with you know...''

He didn't finish his sentence but from the way he was looking at Weiss, Jaune knew exactly what he meant. Before he could explain himself she opened her mouth.

''I know what you want to say but do not worry about me. it's not like I didn't know what was going on between them. Yes, hearing everything so directly may cause the slightest bit of jealousy but I knew that beforehand. Also more important then a bit of jealousy is hearing how happy she had been in the end, she was my friend as well after all.''

Jasper noticed her wording.

''In the end? Did the mission fail?''

Jaune closed his eyes for a moment before speaking up again.

''Sadly yes, that is the reason I have been telling you all of this. After I had made my decision to accept her feelings I was slowly getting impatient, I was so nervous about meeting her again when suddenly...''

Flashback start

He was currently getting interrogated by Nora, who was now together with Ren, as in, together together, her words, not his, about his talk with Yang when Jaune suddenly received a call on his scroll. The caller was identified as general Ironwood himself, quickly he picked up.

''What can I do for you sir?''

''There has been an emergency, team Rwby has run into trouble, Adam Taurus was at the location, we walked right into a trap. They need reinforcements and they need them quick. Get your team to hangar 7, I have already given orders to prepare ten bullheads for liftoff. For this mission you will take command of the troops, do everything to get team Rwby and Qrow out of there.''

Panic began to fill Jaune but he knew he had to stay calm, his friend's lives may rely on it, quickly he replied to the general.

''I understand sir, we will make haste at once, I swear I will do everything to make sure they are saved.''

''I know that you will mister arc. I will send all the information we have to your scroll. Good luck, you will need it.''

And with those words he ended the call. Jaune didn't have to explain the situation to his teammates, they had listened in. They made their way to the hangar in record time and arrived just as the last Bullhead was finishing its preparations. As soon as he saw them a soldier walked over to them.

''Follow me sir, I will take you to your bullhead.''

Jaune nodded thankfully at him and they followed the soldier into the rightmost Bullhead. In it were already 3 more soldiers who saluted him as soon as they saw him. He heard the Soldier that had escorted them call the Pilot.

''They are in, bring us in the air.''

And with that they were in the air and Jaune desperately tried to suppress the nausea that was building in him, he couldn't allow himself to be distracted now. He turned his head to the cockpit.

''How long until we reach our destination?''

''About 2 hours sir.''

Good, that should be enough time and quickly he pulled up the information they had about the situation on his scroll, the files had been sent to him right after Ironwoods call. Ren and Nora used the remaining time to get a bit of rest but he couldn't afford to. Around 90 minutes later he finally looked up from his scroll again and walked towards the pilot, he needed to give his instructions to the Soldiers.

''Can you patch me through to all Bullheads?''

''Of course sir, only a moment... and you are on''

Jaune took one moment to steady himself, he needed to appear strong now, the soldiers trusted him to make sure they would come back alive, he couldn't show weakness.

''Attention all Soldiers, here speaks Jaune Arc, commander of this operation. We will reach the distress call location in approximately 30 minutes. We cannot expect to find a safe landing position so we will go in hot. The bullheads carrying robots will go in first and drop them into the middle of the enemy formation, then our bullhead and the two carrying Paladins will follow. My team and the Paladins are able to jump out of the Bullhead without requiring it to land first. After that we will try to secure a provisional landing zone in which the rest of the troops can be landed. As soon as a Bullhead is finished unloading its soldiers it is to provide cover fire for the rest of us. We do not expect the White Fang to have any real anti-air weapons but if this should turn out to be wrong the Bullheads are to retreat out of range until the ground forces are able to take them out. We have information that terrorist leader Adam Taurus himself is leading the White Fang troops but our first priority is to save team Rwby and Qrow. Locate them and provide them with medical attention if necessary. This is all, I wish every single one of you the best of luck and that we may all return alive.''

Jaune let out a relieved sigh, he hoped he had done well enough. He needed to mentally prepare himself for what was to come. This would not be pretty, war never was but he still disliked the killing.

But he couldn't worry about that now, it would only cost the lives of the man he was now responsible for. Furthermore, team Rwby would surely need quick help, what if they were already... no, he couldn't think like that, they were going to be fine, they were just in a bit of a bad situation.

The last minutes it took to reach their destination felt like forever, Jaune now understood why the soldiers said that the waiting was always the worst part. Suddenly the pilot spoke up again.

''We are almost there sir, get ready.''

With a nod to the Pilot Jaune stood up and moved to the rear of the Bullhead, he knew that Nora and Ren were just behind him. Nervously he stepped from one foot to the other until he suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder and the nervousness just disappeared. He turned his head to the side right and gave Ren a thankful smile, he had needed that.

Looking to his left he could Nora give him a thumbs up and he nodded to her thankfully when suddenly the rear opened, it was time.

Looking down he could see the ground about 10 Metres below them and took out his sword before jumping down. When he had almost reached the ground he rammed Crocea into a tree stopping his fall abruptly, he would feel that in his arms for some time.

But he had no time to worry about that and so he quickly pulled out the sword and let himself fall the to the ground, right behind two White Fang soldiers that had been too busy shooting at the already deployed robots to notice Jaune before now.

At the sound of Jaune hitting the ground, the soldiers quickly turned around to shoot at the new threat. But Jaune was already one them and quickly he used his shield to knock out the first Soldier while swiping his Blade at the other one, cleanly cutting off his head.

He had no time to feel bad about that and so he quickly moved towards the center of the base, an old abandoned military facility. Suddenly he noticed about half a dozen White Fang soldier getting ready to shot at him. Before they could do so however most of them were crashed by a Paladin dropping down from the sky. It quickly grabbed the last remaining White Fang soldier, the voice of its pilot distorted by the machine.

''I have come to destroy you.''

Everywhere he was looking Jaune could see White Fang soldiers fighting against Atlas troops, quickly being overwhelmed by their sudden attack. While this was good, the fact that they faced so much resistance in the first place was a bad sign, either they had begun to regroup to make sure team Rwby couldn't get reinforcements or they had already... he didn't even want to think about that option.

Entering the base with Ren, Nora and half a dozen Soldiers by his side, the rest were securing the outside, Jaune made his way deeper into the base. What they found was an empty base, the White Fang nowhere to be seen aside from a few corpses they came across. Ren raised his voice.

''Adam probably decided to retreat when he was notified of our arrival.''

Jaune had to agree but did that mean they had come in time or had Adam already done what he had wanted to do?

Seconds later Jaune got his answer and he had to stop himself for screaming in desperation, in the middle of a big room Ruby, Blake, Weiss and Yang were lying on the ground unmoving. Kneeling beside them was a heavily wounded Qrow desperately trying to stop the worst of the bleeding. Ren quickly reacted, once again touching Jaunes shoulder and calming him down.

''You need to help them, quick.''

This shook Jaune out of his shock and he quickly ran towards the downed bodies of his friends, the two medics of the soldiers following him. He noticed that Yang and Weiss looked to be the most injured and kneeled beside them, laying one of his hands on each of them and letting his Aura flow while the medics quickly began to work on Blake and Ruby.

Seeing Weisse's wounds slowly closing he sighed in relive, he made it, he could save them, they were fi... why was his aura only flowing into Weiss? Desperately looking around he found Qrows gaze, empty eyes staring back into his own, no, this could not be, this had to be some bad dream, this just couldn't be real, Yang couldn't be dead. But no matter how hard he tried, Yang's wounds would not close, her body lying still on the ground. She almost looked peaceful, if it wasn't for the big slash across her chest, almost cutting down to the bone.

''ADAM!''

Jaune had never hated anyone as much as he did that man, no this animal, in this very moment. The only one even coming close to this had been Cinder. He would find him and he would make him pay and if it was the last thing he would ever do and that was a promise.

And an Arc never went back on his word.

Flashback end

Jaune had finally stopped speaking but Jasper was couldn't say anything, he did not know what. Suddenly Weiss started to speak, her voice filled with regret. Jaune was surprised at that, she had never told him what had happened to them herself, she hadn't been able to bring herself to.

''It was a trap from the very beginning, we were completely caught off guard, we fought back with everything we had but it was not enough. I was the first to be cut down, Adam probably feared my power, and I quickly lost my conciseness, I can't say what happened after that, I do not even know if Yang died instantly or if she had time for last words.

She needed to know, it was only right.

''She had, Ruby later told me.''

Hearing the pain in his voice Weiss nodded at him in understanding, now was not the time to rip open yet another wound.

Finally Jasper spoke up again, looking at his father he asked the question that was on his mind.

''Did you? Make Adam pay I mean.''

Hearing his sons question a small amount of satisfaction filled Jaunes voice.

''Yes, or rather we did, Ruby and I, she killed him with his own sword just as he was about to end me, the man was a monster but he was also as strong as one, the world is better of without him.''

The cold tone in which his father spoke the last part of it surprised Jasper, he had almost never heard this tone of him. After this, they sat in silence for a long time until Jaune decided to speak up wanting to get rid of the sad atmosphere that had enveloped them.

''Well then, my story is over, time for yours. How do you find Beacon, what friends did you make, can you keep up with classes?''

Thankful for his fathers switch of topic Jasper quickly answered, he had almost never called his parents during his stay at Beacon after all, he would have a lot of stories to tell.

''Well, it all started when...''

.

.

.

Well folks, that was it for this chapter. I am honestly not sure about the outro of it but I was not sure how else to end it. If anyone has any suggestion I would be glad to hear them. I must say that this chapter was a good deal harder to write than the others I did as of now. Especially the romance part I am kinda unsure about because it coming over properly is necessary for the chapter to work. As always any reviews are welcome, even harsh critic. When someone criticizes anything about this chapter explains his reasons then I will do my best to correct any mistakes I have made.

This chapter has not been beta read yet