Wayward Son Chapter 4: Half Truths & Fake Smiles

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Beta: tabjoy13


Team RNJR rose early for a hot shower and free meal courtesy of the inn keep. Then, after they said their goodbyes to Port's twin, they set out for the village of Serith. There they planned to resupply with whatever they couldn't find in Dorrmy before passing through Marana and stopping in Ansle. A few days after their departure, Ruby and Nora revisited the debate to end all debates; Pancakes vs Cookies.


Ren couldn't help but roll his eyes as Nora and Ruby launched into THAT debate again. He was surprised they hadn't had to stop yet for the two to duke it out to decide the victor as they had the last five times the subject had been brought up. The score as of the last duel is Nora: 2 Ruby: 3, they have left many a wrecked clearing behind them since they left Dorrmy a few days ago. I wonder if people will think they were sights of epic battles against Grimm, not knowing they were spars about pancakes and cookies. Ren mused until Jaune interrupted his thoughts by tapping on his shoulder.

Ren turned to his leader, eyebrow raised. Jaune just flashed his trademark goofy grin before coating his palms in aura and slamming them together creating a small white shockwave to get the girls attention. Huh, never thought of that. A little unrefined but it could be a good distraction move.

Then Jaune spoke. "What about cookie dough pancakes?" He asked.

Wait, what?! Ren looked at Nora and Ruby's looked of wonderment as their eyes turned towards him. Curse you Jaune! Ren screamed in his head as Nora latched onto his left arm and Ruby onto his right.

"R-e-n!" Nora singsonged.

Oh no, he thought as her grip tightened.

"You are making Jaune's brilliant idea in the next village." She ordered.

He just sighed before shooting his leader the other male a glare. "Yes, Nora." He replied, in his usual flat voice, still glaring at Jaune.

Jaune just winked at him, grin still firmly in place. It's good to have you back Jaune. Ren was torn from his thoughts by Ruby's squeal.

"Look at the cute little bunny!"

Ren looked to where she was pointing to see a rather large black rabbit facing away from them. Ruby, approached it slowly placating hands outstretched. Then Ren felt something through his aura, a warning flare as he spotted a strange black mass protruding from the rabbit's back and down its side. Something is not right about that rabbit.

"Ruby, back away from the bunny slowly. I sense something off about it." He cautioned.

Ren and Jaune quietly drew their weapons as Ruby slowly backed up and Nora took aim. However, Ruby snapped a twig and the rabbit turned around to reveal a Grimm mask on its face and a tongue-looking appendage snaking out of its back and down its side into a large bush. The rabbit Grimm was suddenly pulled into the bush as the true Grimm emerged. It looked like a giant toad with the arms of a Beowolf. Protecting spines crisscrossed its back in a diamond pattern. The thing opened its mouth to reveal rows of teeth with the rabbit sitting in the center.

Well this is new. The rabbit dashed at Ren from the maw of the Grimm only to be pinned to the ground by Jaune's sword.

Without an order Ren, Ruby, and Nora began firing into the creature's open mouth. It roared in pain and gave a hard tug on its rabbit tongue, splitting it in half. Its cheeks puffed up and it spit a huge glob of acid in their direction, causing them all to back up while the Grimm hissed in pain.

I've never seen a Grimm like this before. Ren turned to Jaune.

"Have you ever heard of this type of Grimm before?"

Jaune raised an eyebrow "Why of course Ren! Its the rare rabbit-tonged Hipity Hop, how could I ever forget such a fine specimen."

Ren noticed a bead of sweat, and a nervous glimmer in Jaune's eyes accompanying his snarky answer, but chose not to comment.

"Any suggestions?"

Before Jaune could reply the frog-like Grimm launched itself at them with its back legs, paws extended to impale them on its claws.

They each dove a different direction. When they came up, Jaune started shouting orders.

"Ren, draw its attention from the front. Ruby, if you see an opening, cut off the tongue. And keep fire on the legs, there's no armor there. Nora, I'm going to try and clear some of the spines off of its back, help Ren distract, but if you see an opening to cripple it, warn me and smash this thing to paste."

The others nodded. Ren and Nora dove in front of the creature and drew its attention while Ruby jumped up into the trees and took aim. Ren immediately opened fire on the Grimm's face, drawing its attention away from the others. He watched Jaune circle behind the creature and hack at the spines, drawing a roar from the creature.

Nora took the opportunity to launch several grenades down the creature's throat. It stood up to swipe at them, exposing its unarmored throat and stomach.

"Ruby take off the head!" Jaune shouted, diving in alongside Ren to slash at the stomach.

Ren heard Crescent Rose discharge above his head twice before he heard the Grimm's head hit the ground behind them. He and Jaune stepped to either side as the body fell onto the head. Ren breathed a sigh of relief as they collected their packs and set out. He looked up, noting that they had lost a lot of time collecting themselves.

"We should get moving, we are going to want to find a better shelter tonight in case there are any more of those things around here."

The others nodded their agreement, still shaken by the strange Grimm, as they continued their trek.


As they sat around the campfire eating, Ruby turned to Jaune and asked him a question that had been bugging her.

"Hey Jaune, who is Amber?"

Jaune paused eating and cocked and eyebrow at her. "Why do you want to know?"

Ruby played with her stew trying to find the right words.

"Who is she to you? You almost attacked Emerald when she mentioned her, and the doctor from Dorrmy made it sound like it was just you and Amber traveling together."

Ren spoke up. "I've been curious myself as to why you attacked Emerald, and what you knew of them."

Ruby watched Jaune place his food down and look up at the stars just starting to poke out of the darkness. There was a moment of silence before he answered them.

"When I was a kid my village of Ansle was attacked by a large Grimm hoard. All seven of my older sisters were trained so they went out to fight with my mom and dad. The village just barely survived the attack, but my family didn't. My father's last act was to give me Crocea Mors and tell me to run."

Ansle...the fly by village. "That's why you marked Ansle as a fly by."

Jaune nodded and looked down into in the fire. "After the attack Cinder rescued me and whisked me away. I traveled with her for a year or two and her sponsor thought fit to gift me a weapon. I hadn't really used Crocea before in combat so I was fine with having my own. Shortly after we found Emerald using her illusions to hustle people, and Cinder convinced her to join us. We were ordered by her sponsor to find Marcus Black, an assassin. When we arrived, we found his house burning down and an injured Mercury walking away from his father's corpse. The four of us traveled together doing jobs for Cinder's boss until about a year before Beacon. I became disillusioned with our methods and goals and wanted out.

I lost my weapons on a mission but I still had Crocea Mors. So I left, and ran right into a hoard of Grimm. With no training and my current weapon, I thought for sure I was going to die. Then out of nowhere Qrow lands in front of me and starts tearing through the hoard. Then a column of fire melted through the rest of the Grimm. I watched my two saviors start arguing over 'cheating' and I tried to slip away. Suddenly there was a brown haired woman in front of me asking where I came from and if I was alright. I told them everything and Amber asked me if I wanted to travel with her."

"How did you get into Beacon then if you never went to combat school?" Ren asked.

Jaune smiled at that. "It was Qrow's doing actually. He gave me a set of fake transcripts and said if I wanted to be a hero so bad I should go. He's probably the reason Ozpin let me in too."

"So if this Amber is a fire slinging bad ass then where is she now?" Nora asked.

Ruby watched Jaune close his eyes. She knew the answer but she asked anyway.

"Jaune is she okay?"

He looked up at Ruby, tears in the corners of his eyes.

"She was injured by Cinder shortly after we parted ways. Then Cinder killed her during the Fall, only a few minutes before she killed Pyrrha."

Oh Jaune. Ruby got up and sat next to him wrapping her arms around him. "I'm sorry, I didn't know."

Jaune put an arm around her.

"It's okay Rubes you had no way of knowing."

Nora sat on Jaune's other side to hug him.

Ruby watched Ren and Nora share a pained glance. I guess we all understand losing someone important.


Jaune sat at his watch that night still shaken by the fight earlier. He had of course recognized the Grim they fought he just never thought he would see one in the flesh. After all who expects their mother to turn a childhood drawing into an actual Grimm. Jaune mused. He shook his head as he walked around the perimeter of their little camp. Jaune reached in the pocket of his sweatshirt as he sat back down and pulled out an old photo. He looked down at the smiling face of Cinder, holding his hand as she watched Mercury hanging off Jaune and Emerald's shoulders. It was just a silly photo they took years ago now, but even after everything he had learned and what had happened it was still one of Jaune's prized possessions. I wish I could tell my friends the truth but a half truth will have to do. I don't think they would look at me the same.

Jaune was snapped out of his musings by the sound of Ruby tossing and turning. He glanced back and heard her whimper in her sleep. {Another nightmare. Seems we all get them more often after Beacon.} Jaune got up and walked over to Ruby. As he reached down to touch her shoulder Ruby let out a wail. Her eyes snapped open and sliver light shot up into Jaune's face.

"No!" She screamed.

As he was thrown back, Jaune felt something deep in his aura scream at the contact before his aura broke and his skin began to burn. Jaune pressed forward anyway, holding his arms in front of his face as he felt that piece of his core still screaming in agony. Jaune removed his arms from his face and dove forward, grabbing Ruby in a hug and placing a hand over her eyes. He saw Ren and Nora getting up out the corner of his eye as he whispered in Ruby's ear.

"It's okay Rubes, I'm right here. It was just a nightmare."

Jaune turned to Ren and Nora.

"It was just a nightmare guys, I got this."

Ren raised an eyebrow but complied anyway. Jaune felt Ruby relax into the hug, and her eyes stopped burning his hand. Silence reigned for a moment before Ruby spoke.

"Jaune?"

"Yes Ruby."

"Why are you covering my eyes?"

Jaune took his hand off Ruby's face and let go of the hug to sit next to her.

"Your eyes started glowing because of a nightmare."

Ruby tilted her head at him. "What do you mean my eyes were glowing?"

"It's the same thing you did to Cinder and the Dragon atop the tower."

Ruby looked away from Jaune.

"I don't remember anything that happened after Pyrrha."

Jaune sighed, "You know what happened at the top of the tower wasn't your fault right?"

Ruby whipped back around. "How could you say that!? You trusted me to save Pyrrha and...I wasn't fast enough."

Jaune sighed again and ran his hand through his hair.

"What happened that night was a lot of people's faults. But Penny's and Pyrrha's deaths, the Fall, all the blame rests on Cinder's shoulders." And mine "You have nothing to be sorry for, Pyrrha chose to climb that tower knowing she most likely wouldn't come back. It's Cinder's fault for dealing the final blow, it's Pyrrha's fault for even trying to fight her, and it's my fault for not stopping her or helping her. I wasn't strong enough...She didn't think I was strong enough."

Ruby pulled her legs up to her chest and buried her head in her knees. Jaune reached a hand out to rub her shoulders and back to comfort her. They sat there quietly for a few minutes before Ruby looked up at the stars and spoke.

"I miss them a lot. I miss Pyrrha, I miss Penny, I miss my team. I know that I'm never going to see Pyrrha or Penny again, and I'm afraid I may never see Blake or Weiss again. Yang isn't in a good place after Beacon and she's not recovering any time soon."

Are any of us in a good place Rubes?

Jaune looked up at the stars and smiled before responding. "I'm sure you're going to see your team back together sooner than you think. Something tells me they just have to walk their own paths for a bit before we can meet them again."

"How are you okay with what happened. How can you just try to take the blame like it doesn't matter?"

Because I'm more responsible than you know.

"I should have done more to stop them, and I should have recognized the signs from your stories sooner."

Ruby opened her mouth to protest but Jaune cut her off. "Don't worry about it now, the past is the past. We have to learn from it and look to the future, now let's just watch the stars."

Ruby lay back down with a huff and Jaune sat next to her, gazing up into the sky, waiting for his friend to fall back asleep.


Yang looked up at the stars from her porch. It was a beautifully clear night, but Yang's mind wasn't on the stars. It was on her sister's quest across the world and who she was traveling with.

Jaune Arc, the 'Prince of Darkness' and the son of someone named Salem, that is if her mother was to be believed. Yeah that sounds like a title that lovable dork would pick. Still though, I gotta wonder if any of us even really know Jaune at all. He was acting kind of strange in the final days of Beacon. Yang's thoughts were interrupted by a stab of pain where her right arm used to be. She grabbed her stump and started taking deep breaths in and out to calm her heart. She closed her eyes to concentrate, but she saw a flash of glowing red hair and the pain intensified for brief moment. Yang jumped up from her seat and moved to ready Ember Silica out of habit, only to realize she wasn't wearing her left gauntlet and no longer had her right.

Yang shook her head and went back inside the house. Tomorrow I'm going to get the Doc to clear me so I can use Signal's facilities and get back in shape. Then I can ask my dad if Ironwood still owes him any favors. If Jaune is right about things getting worse then I need to be ready.

The Next Day

Yang sat on the waist high bed in a small corner room of Patch's hospital. She was waiting for the doctor's verdict on her bill of health while her father was out in the lobby. Yang looked up as the door opened and the doctor walked in, clipboard in hand. He smiled at her.

"Well Miss Xiao Long, it would seem you're in perfect health. Your aura has mended your injury nicely and if you choose to get a prosthetic attached there should be no complications."

"So I'm good to go back to my training?" Yang asked, hopefully.

The doctor's smile faded and he sat down on a small chair placing his clipboard on the counter.

"I'm afraid that won't be possible just yet."

"Why not?"

"You have to understand there is a procedure. You are a huntress in training who was injured in the line of duty, during an event that has shaken everyone to their core no less. I'm afraid you still have to be cleared by a psychiatrist before you can return to your studies."

Yang clenched her fist, closed her eyes, and forced herself to calm down. "How many sessions will it take?"

The doctor handed her a business card with an appointment time written on the back.

"That will all depend on your first visit. You can cancel the appointment if you don't want to jump right in. I have already set an appointment with doctor Letlier for this evening on your behalf. This is mandatory though, you are not to return to active duty until you are cleared."

Yang looked at the small simple card in her hand. The doctor's name and title were printed in thin elegant black letters. The doctor stood up and opened the door for her.

"I wish you the best of luck Miss Xiao Long."

Yang pocketed the card and held out her left hand to shake the doctor's.

"Thank you Doc."

She walked out with the doctor who handed her father a copy of the medical report, the name of the psychiatrist, and the time of her appointment that afternoon. The father daughter duo were silent for their walk home.

Yang heard her father prepping lunch in the kitchen while she sat down on the couch and picked up the remote and turning on the TV. "The City of Vale has been declared safe once more. The invading Grimm have all been cleared out and the wall repairs are well underway. Over the last few weeks, students visiting for the Vytal festival have been sent home with only the senior teams remaining to help defend the walls and get Beacon back on its feet.

"In other news, technicians from Atlas have begun the groundwork on a temporary CCT tower that will enable communication between kingdoms, but emergency failsafes will still be used for all other functions until the Beacon tower can be repaired. We go now to the ground work foundation site to talk specifics with the Atlas technicians-"

Yang shut off the TV. It's good that everyone will be able to talk again soon. I can talk to Ruby if she's in range of a tower. Yang was broken out of her thoughts by her father.

"It's good James prioritized getting the network back up, then people can start talking again. The only thing that worries me is what they will say."

"What do you mean dad?"

Taiyang sighed before continuing. "You were in the thick of things so you know how it really went down, but from the outside things looked bad on a lot of people kiddo. Someone was killed who turned out to be an infiltration android, then the last thing the world sees is Atlas robots turning on civilians as Grimm are carried over the wall in airships. I'm worried the that accusations will start flying and it will devolve into an argument."

The two sat in silence for a moment before Tai broke the silence.

"Anyway, lunch is ready. You should really eat something before your appointment in few hours."


Yang stood outside the psychiatrist's office, unsure if she wanted to go in. She reached for the doorknob and hesitated. What if he doesn't think I'm fit to return to duty? Yang took a deep breath. No, it doesn't matter. Nothing is going to stop me from helping my sister. She turned the doorknob and stepped into the doctor's office.

"Ah Miss Xiao Long, Welcome."

The doctor stood up and held out a left hand for Yang to shake. She gave the man a once over. He was tall and unassuming, dressed in black pants, with a tweed jacket over a purple dress shirt. Streaks of gray ran from his temples into his hair. Yang smiled at the man.

"Nice to meet you doc Doc."

He smiled and motioned for Yang to sit in the chair across from him. He picked up a large notebook and a pen before introducing himself.

"My name is Doctor Letlier, I will be evaluating your mental health before you can return to active duty. Please note that should you return to duty without completing our Kingdom mandated sessions, you could face a permanent suspension of your license and, depending on your actions, you could face jail time in high security prison. Do you understand?"

Yang nodded, "Okay I get it Doc, I'm ready whenever you are."

Let smiled and clicked his pen. "Then let us start off simple. Why did you chose to become a huntress?"

That was Oobleck's question too. Yang paused for a moment to consider her answer. She remembered the conversation she had with Blake and Weiss about their answers.

"It's funny you should ask that question Doc, last person to ask me that was one of my teachers at beacon."

Letlier smiled. "Yes I was given Dr. Oobleck's notes by the man himself when he sent a letter inquiring if I would be taking your case. He wanted the process to go as quick as possible and offered to retrieve whatever I felt I needed from Beacon to make this process faster and easier."

Yang blinked, she was touched by her teacher's concern for her wellbeing.

"Well than you know I originally said it was because I was a thrill seeker, but that isn't necessarily the whole reason."

The doctor made a few scribbles before waving her on and Yang continued.

"I've always been one to go with the flow, let adventure find me and take me where ever, and getting to help people along the way was just a bonus."

The doctor leaned in. "I'm sensing a but, Miss Xiao Long."

Yang nodded, "But after Beacon things changed. My partner left, I lost a friend, and now my sister is half way across the continent without me trying to find answers as to why it happened. I told her that sometimes bad things just happen. I've had a lot of time to think about Beacon and that conversation, and I've come to the conclusion that it's our duty to make sure that good things can happen too. Bad things will still just happen sometimes but that doesn't mean we should do nothing about them, we need to stop them or make them better in any way possible. If that means helping villages, slaying monsters, or tracking down bad people then I'm in."

Yang took a breath as the doctor continued writing her answer and making small notes.

"So you would say that before you sought only the adventure of the job, but now you understand the duties that come with it?"

Yang remembered Blake's words, There's too much wrong with the world to just sit around and do nothing, someone has to do something. She nodded.

"I learned from a friend that there's a lot wrong in this world, it's the duty of a huntress to defend the people from evil in all its forms."

The therapist smiled at her. "Good Miss Xiao Long, now would you say your original answer was at all inspired by the disappearance of your mother?"

Yang tightened her fist but tried to keep her voice level. "You mean when she abandoned me? Maybe it was, but not anymore."

Yang watched the doctor put down his notebook before leaning forward and asking another question.

"Do you know what gifts are within the context of a semblance?"

Yang was confused by the question. What does he mean by 'gifts'?

The doctor continued, "A gift can be considered a second facet of a semblance. As you grow older and change your semblance somewhat changes with you. Take your sister for example, most speedsters throughout the ages have been reported to have abnormally high metabolisms, or healing, and possibly accelerated brain function because of their semblance."

"So it's an extra ability that complements a semblance?"

"Correct, I believe you were to learn about them in your second year. Regardless, my semblance lets me induce and shift emotions. For some patients I hypnotize them, then have them call up bad memories. I can use my semblance to remove their fear or guilt. Along the way I developed low level empathy, do you know what that means?"

Great he's an empath. "You can read emotions, so I can't hide any emotions from you."

"Correct, so please express how you feel in our sessions regardless of how impatient I feel you getting. You won't be going back into the field until I say so."

"Okay."

Before the doctor could reply there was a beeping sound from his scroll. He pulled it out and looked at it before standing up.

"I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today, it's been a pleasure Miss Xiao Long. Same time in, let's say, two days? Will every two days work for you?" He asked, hand outstretched.

Yang stood up and took his hand. "Of course Doc."

Yang walked out of the doctor's office to find her father already waiting. He smiled at her.

"How did it go?"

"I'll tell you on the way dad."


Weiss rolled to the left to avoid the flare fired at her back. As it slammed into the training room floor, she turned to the AK-900's behind her. Weiss spotted one with a rocket launcher on one arm and shield, one with a standard issue service rifle. The remaining two had a pair of gauntlets, and two blade arms respectively.

Weiss threw up a glyph in front of herself as a rocket droid launched another round at her.

The one with a service rifle raised its weapon and began firing as the brawler charged at her. Weiss switched to her rapier dust and launched a dust attack at the rifleman. As the projectile threw the robot back she switched to ice dust and started running forward to meet the brawler. When they were about two feet from one other Weiss slammed the point of her sword in the ground, creating a sheet of ice under the brawler's feet. Its momentum carried it forward, impaling the robot's power core on the point of her rapier.

Weiss let the 'corpse' fall to the ground with a satisfied smirk. She heard a low whistle and turned but she was too slow to deflect the incoming rocket. It slammed into her side, sending her flying. Weiss managed to keep her grip on her sword but was dazed. She could vaguely see the sword bot closing in and rocket bot reloading. Weiss shook her and slipped into a guard position. The knight slashed at her with surprising strength for its small frame, sending Weiss skidding back. It followed up with an upward slash into her guard with its right blade, knocking her rapier in the air, and stabbing its left sword forward. As Weiss danced back, her scroll rang out. She stopped and pulled out the device.

"Combat scenario pause." She announced to the droids.

The AK-900's movements ceased immediately, its blade stopping inches from Weiss's chest as she looked at her scroll. It was a message from General Ironwood's secretary saying she was all set for her noon appointment with the general tomorrow.I'll get you what help I can, then I'll meet you guys in Mistral. Weiss thought with a smile as she turned back to the droids and announced.

"Resume scenario."

Weiss spun to the left, switching her sword to fire dust and setting the dispersion to maximum as the droid resumed its movements. With her back now to the bot, Weiss confidently spun her rapier and stabbed the bot in the chest. Hitting the dust dispersion a moment later made her sword glow a bright reddish hue as it melted a hole through the bot's chest.

Weiss turned around and summoned a glyph to block an incoming rocket as she faced the final droid. With a confident smirk, Weiss switched to ice dust and prepared two projectile glyphs on either side of her. Before she could finish off the remaining AK-900 a voice rang out behind her.

"End combat scenario."

Weiss dispelled her glyphs and turned to face her father. He was standing in the doorway of the training room in his white suit, arms behind his back looking quite displeased.

When does he look anything but displeased. Weiss thought as she sheathed her rapier and curtsied to her father before greeting him.

"Hello father, what can I do for you?"

Her father was silent for a moment, eyes tracing the carnage Weiss had wrought before he spoke.

"You can start by cleaning up your mess and hanging up that weapon, you will have no need of it anymore." Her father said, coldly.

Weiss blinked at the coldness in her father's tone. "But father, I need to keep my skills up if..."

"I said hang up your sword. I have indulged your foolish dreams for too long." Her father barked, cutting her off.

Weiss blinked as her father collected himself. He never yells at me. Weiss didn't know what was worse, the cold lectures or his anger.

"Now you will put that silly thing away and go find a more formal dress. We will be hosting a fundraiser for the Vale relief effort in a few days and I expect you to sing."

"Father I don't think I'll be up to singing." It just gives you another excuse to show me off.

Weiss looked into her father's cold eyes as he spoke, slipping back into the cold voice of her childhood.

"That wasn't a request, you are a Schnee and you have an image to uphold."

"You mean you have an image to uphold."

Her father's eyes narrowed. "What was that?"

Weiss sighed and closed her eyes. "Yes father."

"Good, now go put that toy away, you have no use for such things."

Weiss left the room without acknowledging her father anymore. She climbed the stairs just outside the door and walked the hall to her little tower. Her safe place away from her father and her brainwashed brother. Alone, the only place she could feel safe and find any peace.

Weiss sighed as she slid her weapon's case under her bed and moved over to her desk to sit down. She opened her desk drawer and pulled out a photo of her team. It brought a smile to Weiss's face to see her teammates. Yang dragging them in for a group hug despite Weiss's clear protest. Ruby was laughing with her sister and Blake had a small rare smile on her face.

I miss them. I hope Blake had the courage to stay.

Weiss wasn't a fool, she knew the Fang had a part in the attack, and she knew that Adam Taurus was there. Judging by Blake's remorse and Yang's injury, it didn't take a genius to guess that Adam was the mentor that Blake spoke about in Mountain Glen.

Knowing Blake, she probably blames herself for the Fang's involvement, and for Yang's injury.

Weiss looked out her window at the setting sun. She knew Ruby would be fine with the remainder of JNPR, but she was worried about Yang and Blake. They were both strong and skilled in their own right, but she feared that if Blake had run, their relationship may be permanently damaged.

Even if she ran away again, I hope Blake's okay, and I hope Yang gets back on her feet.

Weiss shook her head and began preparing for bed. After all, she had to convince a General to send specialists into a foreign kingdom that had historically rocky relations with Atlas.

Tomorrow may be harder than I thought. Weiss mused as she climbed into her bed.


Blake closed the door to her cabin and walked out onto the empty deck of the ship. She could see the coast of Sanus off to the left past the bow of the ship and to her right calm waters mirroring the heavens above. It's so peaceful, so beautiful. Blake leaned on the railing of the ship and gazed out over the ocean. She began wondering if she made the right choice to go home instead of staying. Maybe Jaune was right, maybe Yang needs me. If she doesn't hate me for what Adam did then she probably does now. Blake stood out there, staring at the stars before she was interrupted by another voice.

"Can't sleep?"

Blake turned to see Sun standing in the door of his cabin. She stayed silent and turned back to the stars.

"Yeah me neither." He said, walking over and leaning on the rail next to her.

"Sun?"

"Yeah Blake."

"Do you think I should have stayed in Vale with Ruby and Yang?"

Sun paused, considering his answer.

"After what happened I would say yes, the best course of action would have been to stay. With Yang's injury and Weiss's forced removal, they both could have used you there."

Blake closed her eyes. No matter what I do, I'm always hurting someone. She felt a hand on her shoulder. Blake opened her eyes to see a sympathetic Sun.

"I get that you feel responsible for what happened to your partner, and the Fang's role in Beacon. I get that, I'm not saying you made the wrong choice going for a tactical retreat when the Fang most likely has a target on your back. I'm saying the best case would have been if you stayed."

"People get hurt around me Sun. Whether it's by my hand, or because of my past actions, people always get hurt. I don't want to be responsible for any more of that."

Sun smiled at her.

"That's fine, it's your decision if you want to avoid your friends and hate yourself. Just like it's my decision to stay with you anyway to watch your back."

"Sun..."

"I'm not leaving your side until you've forgiven yourself and are ready to move forward. I think you underestimate just how tough your friends are." He finished with a grin.

I don't deserve someone like you. Blake thought as she smiled back, bid Sun a goodnight, and returned to her cabin. As she lay back down, her thoughts drifted back to the conversation she'd just had. Forgive myself huh? I don't think it will be that easy.


Dr. Letlier was packing up his notes for the night when his scroll began to chime in his pocket. That's odd, the tower shouldn't be repaired yet. Must be local. He pulled his scroll out only to see a stylized W on his screen, he answered immediately.

"Doctor Watts, what a pleasant surprise. How are you contacting me from all the way in Mantel?"

There was a pause on the other side.

"High frequency radio waves bounced off the CCT network, it's a little barbaric but it works."

The doctor sat in his desk chair. "I see, I take it this isn't a social call then? Does your protege need my services?"

"No this isn't about Mr. Arc directly. I heard from one of my contacts that Taiyang Xiao Long stopped by earlier with his daughter, is that correct?"

"Yes, Yang Xiao Long. I've gone over her records and they're quite impressive. Give her a few years and she'll be able to match her mother, and that's without her developing any gifts from her semblance."

"Yes, well we can't have that. I need you to sabotage her recovery. Mr. Arc and Ozpin cannot be allowed to gain any more powerful pieces. As it is, Mr. Arc and Miss Rose are bearing down on Mistral, which will make our efforts there hard enough."

"Summer's daughter is with Jaune? Shame she got mixed up with him, she seems like a nice kid from what I've heard."

"She is her mother's daughter. Now I need you to be subtle about your manipulations. We need Raven for Mistral to work and having her daughter there will complicate things. Just don't scramble her, the lady may have some use of her later and you wouldn't want to incur the wrath of Raven."

Doctor Letlier shuddered at the thought.

"I'll take care of things here Watts. Talk to you soon."

The doctor hung up before Watts could respond. He sighed, running a hand through his graying hair. He pulled open his desk drawer and took out a bottle of ice dust infused vodka. Ironically, it was a gift from Qrow Branwen for helping Taiyang and now he was about to twist the mind of Qrow's niece. Ain't that a way to show your appreciation for a gift. The doctor sighed again as he poured a shot. Not that I don't enjoy twisting people's minds and emotions like putty, but messing with Raven's kid. I hope she doesn't find out or else I'm dead. He tapped the glass on the table twice and downed the shot. He cleaned out the glass and returned it to his desk, grabbed his briefcase, and headed for the door.

As he locked the front door and began his short walk home, he pondered the best ways to break the young Xiao Long. She has clear dislike of her mother, perhaps some abandonment issues. He paused a moment. Her partner did abandon her to after her injury. Even if she doesn't possess abandonment issues I can definitely induce them. I will have to interrogate her father and fish for more information before I start though. The doctor smiled as he opened the door to his home. Oh yes this may be fun after all.


Well that was a bit of a sinister ending. The next chapter will feature more Weiss, and check in with Blake and Sun one last time before we let Blake and Sun follow canon for a little bit. I liked Blake's return home arc, I don't want to screw with that, so next chapter is the last we will see of the Monkey and the Cat until the battle of Mistral. For those of you wondering, yes, the next chapter will have Blake explain what happened at Camp Araminic, so look forward to more morally gray Jaune and better descriptions of his old weapons. Will Yang make it off Patch as the same brawler we know and love? And just what did the dear Doctor do to Jaune? As always, I hope you enjoy the story, and feel free to leave a review.