Chapter 6: Intention

They say that family is the most important thing to the individual experience. On a fundamental level, families help us to grow into mature adults. They are supposed to show you the rights and wrongs that follow acceptable behavior within society. They are expected to socialize you to conform to the standards of society.

Those are the social aspects of family. We obviously know that there is more to family than that…. Or at least there should be. We are expected to love our family unconditionally, and in return, they are supposed to love us unconditionally. We are expected to feel safe within the family. They are supposed to protect us as we are supposed to protect them. There is a give take relationship. One thing is true though, society expects you to love your family unconditionally.

However, what happens when there is none of this? Should we still love our family unconditionally? Should we still be able to forgive and forget trespasses? Again these are not things I try to answer, these are up to the individual.

Raven sat there, her mind filled with so many questions. His story was heart wrenching, the shit he had to go through. As he told the story, she could tell he was getting caught up, eyes watering, throat choking up, a tear falling here and there. Why. She asked herself. Jaune was a good kid, and yet he was thrown a real shit hand.

Jaune brought his knees up to him, not saying anything as he tried to wipe away what few tears he actually noticed, breathing heavy as he did so. "That's it. I'm sorry Mrs. Branwen."

"Raven." She gently corrected. "How's the shoulder? The ankle?" She eyed his ankle, frustrated that they needed to be checked on in the first place, but refused to let it show. She mentally berated herself for not asking in the morning.

"Ehhh…. It's sore but I'll manage." He rubbed his shoulder. Raven eyed the blonde sympathetically. The medical issue was addressed, briefly. Now it was time to focus on an entirely different matter. The two fell in silence sitting there as Raven debated how to proceed.

"How often?" Raven asked.

"Hmmm?"

Raven pinched her nose trying to calm her temper. She could feel the anger bubbling up which she tried to push down. She wasn't mad at Jaune, far from it. No, she was angry with this whole predicament. "How long has all this been going on."

A moment of silence settled over the room then a hollow voice let out. "All my life." Raven looked forward staring at the blackboard, hand balling into a fist as her temper began showing even more. "Before you say anything. I love him; I love her. They're really good people when they're sober. It's just rough seeing them out of it."

Raven nodded, understanding all too well. "Jaune…" was the only thing she whispered, shaking her head.

Another moment of silence as she thought to herself, So incredibly similar. Here goes nothing.

"I need you to listen to me carefully." The blonde boy looked at her. "I can get you out of this. I'm going to give you a choice I was never given. If you want, I can notify the proper authorities and get you out of there." She watched him as the color drained from his face. "You would be placed in foster care, close or far away from here, everything would change…. Or… we could pretend this conversation never happened. However, I want to stress this; you can come to me at any time to talk to me. You aren't the only one who experienced things like this." She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, sighing as her need to help overrode her emotional state. "I'm always here for you. Remember that."

Jaune sat there looking at his instructor, his teacher. The person before him was not the hardass or skilled trainer, no it was someone different. Her sincere smile, the warmth in her eyes, her confident hand. He felt safe, comfortable. "What would you do, given the choice?"

Raven sighed withdrawing her hand. "Honestly I don't know. I ended up in a worse spot than before, but I had Qrow." She paused for a moment. "Do you love your family?"

Jaune nodded hesitantly. He wanted to scream no, fuck no. However, something compelled him to say yes. "I can't say you should or shouldn't do it, but if you change your mind…" Jaune nodded. Jaune reached hugging Raven tightly.

"Thank you, Raven."

She froze. She couldn't comprehend why she was opening up to the boy. She was supposed to take a professional approach; there were rules for these kinds of things. Yet here was this boy confiding one of the hardest secrets anyone could bear. She patted his back reassuringly. While she did care for her students, but red tape be damned, those stupid rules and regulations were not going to ruin another life. If it costs her job, then so be it. "Any time Jaune." She patted his back. As Jaune pulled away. "What are you going to do? Are you go to head home."

"No, I have the next couple of days already figured out."

Raven nodded as she got up and went over to Qrow's desk and took a piece of paper and grabbed a pen as she wrote on it. She went back to Jaune handing the slip of paper. "Listen, that's my number, you need anything or just need to talk, don't hesitate to call me. Just make sure not to hand out that number. Alright?"

Jaune nodded as he took the piece of paper in his hand looking down at the paper. Why can't all people be like you, He thought bitterly to himself as he looked at the paper. That moment, Jaune felt something strange in him. Something he hadn't felt in a very long time, something that scared him, yet reassured him. It was something odd, hard to describe. Simply put, it was a bond between himself and Raven. A bond that showed that she did legitimately care about him and was willing to help him out with anything. But why though? She said she ended up in a worse spot than me. Is it because of pity? Does she pity me?

"Raven, Why are you doing this for me?" He asked suspiciously.

She rubbed her chin in thought trying to think of the best thing to say. "Jaune, you're a good kid. One of the best and brightest kids I had ever had in my class. You also had a lot of stuff happen to you to make you, well… you." She paused for a moment, slowly taking in a breath and exhaling. "I've seen some serious shit. Shit that no one should see, so has Qrow, and yet we pulled through. You know what I see in you?" She asked.

A weakling, a coward, a piece of shit.

'Shut the FUCK UP!' He mentally reprimanded himself.

He just shook his head. "I see a young me. Someone who was forced to grow up too early without the support of family, I assume?" How does she know?! I mean I have family. Yet Jaune's siblings were all out of the house and barely kept in touch. Except for Aubry, and that is pushing it. He was forced to grow up himself. He nodded.

"Well, it's just good to know that you have the support of someone who went through similar things. Like I said, I'm here for you, whatever you need." She pulled out another pair of drumsticks and offered them to Jaune.

Jaune just stared at her and the sticks. She pities you. She feels sorry for you. The dark voice returned

'No, she wants to help me because she cares about me.' He reminded himself

Because she pities you. There is no difference. The voice almost laughed at him

'There IS. NOW GO AWAY.'

"Take them." She gestured warmly.

"But the last pair…." He said hesitantly.

"Jaune. Take them." Raven gestured again. He reached out taking them into his hand as if they were a rare artifact from a long-dead society.

"Aren't you afraid they'll be broken again?" He sounded unsure.

She chuckled. "It'll be fine. You need to be able to practice. In fact…" She stood up, running down the tiers to her own bag, retrieving something, then running back up. "Here you go." She offered.

He looked at her disbelievingly. "What? Why?" He asked.

"Take the drum pad, I have a bunch." She handed to him which he graciously accepted.

"I don't know what to say…. Thank you."

"Not a problem, although I would recommend using the softer side, I don't want you to get into trouble." He nodded in agreement. "Now, who is picking you up? Are you going home."

Jaune shook his head. "No, I'm going to be spending a few nights with one of my sisters. She should be here any minute."

"I'm glad to hear. Like I said, if you need anything, please don't hesitate." Raven handed him a hand and helped him up to his feet. Jaune nodded and collected his backpack and slipped the drum pad into the bag. He didn't know why, but he felt compelled to wrap his arms around Raven embracing her as if she were a long-lost family member. "Thank you, for everything." Raven lips arched upward as she returned the hug. She could see looking up a Qrow, standing in front of the band room, himself having a smile. "Anytime. Now get, I don't want you to keep your sister waiting." Jaune let go and headed out of the band room noticing a smiling Qrow. "Have a good night Jaune."

"You too Qrow." He followed up as he left the band room. Raven sat down, resting her head on interlaced fingers.

"How'd it go?" Qrow asked.

"Good. Hopefully…." Raven trailed off.

He walked out towards the parking lot seeing the red Ford Escort parked. Jaune should be happy seeing his sister. It had been at least a month, but he couldn't bring himself to smile. He moved to the passenger side of the car opening up the car, as he could tell his sister smiled. "Hey there bud." She greeted with a friendly smile.

"Hey Aub." He said neutrally as he climbed, placing his bag on his lap and slamming the door closed. She started the car, backing out of the parking spot and putting it in drive. "So what's up?" She asked as she started to drive towards her apartment, two major towns away, in between forests and farmland.

"You already know." Jaune said as he looked out the window.

"Well yeah… but I want to hear it from you." She looked over at him concernedly.

"There's nothing to tell…." Jaune rested his head on the window. "He got drunk, there was a fight."

"Did he hurt you?" The question hung in the air. Silence blanketed the two as the car radio played. She gave a quick look over. "Did he-"

"No, of course not." He snapped back. This was a mistake. He thought to himself as he balled his hand into a fist.

"Jaune you don't have to lie. I'm here to-"

"I said I'm fine. I just need to get out of the house." He muttered. At that, the two sat in awkward silence, only the car engine breaking the awkward silence between the two estranged siblings. The car drove through the forests and hills of Colonel Fenning National Park, the park where his family used to spend afternoons camping, hiking, and when the family was still together. He let out a sigh, watching the sign fade away as if a brief glimmer of a fond memory was being plucked out of his mind.

They passed through several miles of farmland until they entered the suburban community of Camp Hill. Going through the numerous apartments and small shops they stopped by a small two-floor apartment building. Aubry got out of the car as Jaune followed suite behind with his backpack. Aubry held open the door as Jaune wordlessly entered, the two climbed the flight of stairs where Aubry unlocked the door.

"Make yourself at home, I'll make some dinner. Scooter should be here around a half an hour or so."

"Thanks." He said chillingly as he sat down on the long "L" shaped couch, sinking into the seat, enjoying the softness. He just wanted to lay down and fall asleep, he was tired and exhausted. He didn't know how he was still functioning.

The apartment was not of substantial note. It was an old building, old gray shaggy rug covered with stains, wall covered in drywall. The living room was cramped, with the L couch taking up a majority of the room. On a small glass stand sat a decently sized flat screen. Connecting the room was a hallway that led to the bathroom, bedroom, and guest room converted into work room. The kitchen was separately connected to the living room.

He could smell the aroma of bacon and burgers being cooked. It was clear that one thing his sister remembered was his favorite foods. After not eating dinner last night, having no breakfast, and sleeping through lunch, it smelled absolutely heavenly. The crackling of bacon sounded like fireworks, the sizzling of grease sounding like an orchestra of beauty.

The door opened up to reveal a tall, somewhat large, semi-muscular man with bronze hair matching his bronze beard. "Hey Jaune. How's it going."

"Hey Scooter." The blonde muttered, not bothering to look at his sister's fiance. He plopped down beside Jaune, placing a small wrapped package between the two. Jaune looked at it questioningly. His sister came out with two plates which a juicy bacon burger oozing cheese with a mound of fries.

She gave a plate to Jaune and another to Scooter. "Aww thanks honey. How was your day?" He asked as Aubry gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Pretty good, how was yours."

"Good." He smiled back fondly. Jaune rolled his eyes his plate sat on his lap looking zoned out while Scooter turned on the t.v. Aubry came in sitting down beside her little brother, eyes looking over him filled with concern.

"Scooter did you get it?" She asked trying to start conservation. He put his plate on the table. He picked up the box and held it to Jaune. What? What is this? He placed the plate also on the table. "It's yours." Scooter said with a friendly smile as Jaune, without a word, he took the box, opening it up.

"Think of it as an early Christmas present." His sister said with warmness and fondness that something that Jaune couldn't connect with. He looked at the box, then back to Aubry then to Scooter, who were both smiling at him looking at him expectantly. He looked down at the box, hands practically trembling. He opened the box to pull out his first ever phone, specifically a smartphone. He couldn't stop his hands from trembling, he gripped onto the box for dear life.

"In case you need to get ahold of us." Aubry gently laid on hand on trembling brother. He looked at her questioningly. "We put you on our plan, so you won't have to pay." Scooter chimed in.

"How much?"

"How much what?" Aubry raised an eyebrow, shifting her body to face him.

He stared at the phone in his hands with a strange feeling overtaking. His stomach lurching. Now they want to keep in touch? Now they feel guilty?! NOW THEY CARE?! He inhaled deeply, steadying his trembling. "How much does the extra line cost?" He mentally cringed hearing the sharpness.

"Don't worry, it's a gift. We'll pay for the line." Scooter smiled reassuringly while looking as his fiancee worriedly, their eyes met.

"Just let me pay." I don't need you to look after me. "Please." He almost pleaded, still not able to look at them.

"It's twenty dollars a month." Scooter answered noting that his love was wrinkling her brow, clearly now happy over the coldness of her brother and him relenting.

"Cool." Jaune stood up, turning around to face his sister. "I think I'm going to head to bed." Aubry stood up as he noted that Scooter went to take a sip from his cup, hiding the frown on his lips. Jaune felt his sister wrap her arms around him, bringing him into a hug. A little late for this, He bitterly thought to himself as he just stood there, arms at his side. His sister broke off.

"Get some sleep. You need it." Jaune nodded as he headed down the hall and into the guest room. He sat on the futon looking at the new phone in his hand. This doesn't make up for the years you left me behind in that godforsaken hellhole. His grip tightening around the phone to be where his knuckles turned white.

He inhaled deeply, trying to settle his nerves. Anger doesn't solve anything, you're just tired and exhausted. He exhaled slowly, steadying himself. He looked at the phone, figuring he might as well put it to good use. He turned on the phone and ran through the basic installation process. After a few minutes of tinkering, the phone was ready. He took out the paper that was crumbled up in his pants. He unballed it and entered Raven's number as a contact. Should I? He hesitated. I should.

He tapped the contact and went down to send message.

J: Raven, this Jaune. Letting you know this is my number.

After a few minutes his phone vibrated. R: Hey Jaune. Everything alright?

J: Yeah, just wanted to say thanks.

R: Not a problem, everything will look up.

Jaune couldn't but scoff as he rolled his eyes at the message. At that he decided to leave his teacher alone, she did have a life after all. He felt his eyes grow heavier and heavier as he laid on the futon. He could help but smile yet feel a little resentful. A stranger, a teacher, jumped in to help him unconditionally more than anyone in his family. That was beyond fucked up to Jaune. However, Jaune was still thankful that someone jumped in none the less.

*TUESDAY*

Jaune felt the rays of sunshine cracking through the shades of the room as his eyes opened up. He looked at his phone. Shit. He slept in. More importantly, no one woke him up. He noted one miss call, but that wasn't important right now. He rushed out of bed to be greeted by the note on the door. Mom and Dad are coming by please don't be mad. Please don't be mad- Aubry.

Don't be mad. Don't be mad. DON'T BE MAD?! He ripped the paper off of the door shredding it up violently as he stomped through the apartment throwing the paper. No this was utter betrayal. It was just one day. One day and his sister left him out to dry.

*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*

He rolled his head back whispering "Shit." He closed his eyes, standing still, mentally bracing himself for the fight that was coming. Let's get this over with. He walked over to the door, lifting his trembling hand up and grasping the door knob. With an almost defeated sigh, he opened the door.

He felt two arms instantly lurch out and grab him embracing him in a hug. "JAUNE!" His mother, Josephine Arc called out, her slightly graying blonde hair draped over eyes. "I WAS WORRIED SICK!" She embraced him tighter. For her petite and frail looking form, she had the strength of a bear.

"Honey, we probably shouldn't be out here…." Jaune instantly flinched at the voice. The deep, baritone voice that could only come from his father, Anthony Arc. Still feeling the embrace of his mother, Jaune squeezed his eyes shut hearing the voice as if to ward him away. He opened only to see his father looking at him, who was deeply saddened, with his mouth being pulled downward as if weights were holding them down, his shoulders sagging.

"Of course." She broke away, ushering Jaune back into the apartment, followed by his father who closed the door behind him. Jaune sat on the far side of the couch while his parents sat on the other side.

"Jaune we were worried sick about you." His mother voice matched the anger in her eyes. "We thought something happened to you."

It's not like you would care when you're plastered. Jaune stared blankly at them, staring at them, frozen as if he was a statue.

Anthony let out a defeated, almost exasperated sound, shaking his head, looking at the ground. "Jaune, I'm so sorry. There is nothing that can excuse my behavior. I didn't mean anything I said."

Bullshit. Bull FUCKING SHIT. He nodded, still impassive as ever.

"I just had a rough day at work and I needed to unwind."

Unwind by getting drunk?! Unwind by abusing your son? "I took my frustration out on you, and I shouldn't have done that." The pleading eyes were almost too much to make Jaune feel sorry for him. To be able to forgive him. However, this was not different. "I'm so sorry. Can you please forgive me, forgive us?" He dropped to his knees looking up at his son, hands intertwined. A new ploy? Jaune thought cynically.

"Please…." He practically groveled at his feet, his voice cracking. "Say something-anything."

Pathetic. You brought this on yourself. He mentally spat.

'He's sorry, just let him be.'

Why should I? I should be enjoying this moment.

'Well isn't that fucked up? Don't turn into your father.'

Don't turn into your father.

The thought resonated in him. As if it struck chord, a tuning fork, it reverberated throughout him. He straightened himself out. He looked at his father on the ground before him, practically begging. His mother eyes were filled with tears.

"Alcohol." He said coldly. His looked right at him, as if not getting the meaning. "Get rid of it. Stop drinking…" He looked at his mother coldly. "Both of you." He narrowed his eyes.

"Yes. Yes. Yes. We can do that!" Anthony took his son's hands into his hand. "We can do that, we'll stop drinking. Just please don't be mad at me- us."

Jaune wanted to scream at the two. Begging for forgiveness, it made him sick. His parents shouldn't have to beg for his forgiveness. Usually, it was the child who did something wrong who would then have to apologize, but in this strange universe, it was the other way around.

"Jaune, I promise I'll stop." His mom stood up and made her way over to him, hugging him as if he was a life savior. His father joined in hugging him. Maybe there was still hope. He thought to himself. For once, he felt hope, that things may end up better, heck, even improve That people could be sincere, that people could keep promises.

*TUESDAY AFTER SCHOOL*

Raven sat at her desk, grading her papers. Such a time-consuming thing, but it was something that kept her focused. She couldn't help but to worry. Jaune wasn't in class today, which she would think nothing of it. However, things just didn't add up. He goes missing after confiding to her, after being picked up by his sister.

When she and Qrow pulled the same stunt of running off…. No, block it out. Don't remember any of it. However, it was something that she couldn't stand to let happen to Jaune. She knew she had crossed so many lines and rules that she could be fired. However, this was for the welfare of a student. A student she cared about. She heard footsteps down the hall, and was greeted by an unhappy Qrow.

"Still no word?" He asked gloomily, leaning in the doorway.

She ran her hand through her hair to soothe her nerves. "Nothing." She finally confirmed, the worry filled her answer. Qrow slowly straightened himself out, walking towards his sister.

He moved towards the back of the room, sitting on a student desk facing his sister, silence between the two, as Qrow looked at the chair his feet were resting on, deep in thought. In a way Raven could tell that he cared just as much for Jaune as she did, he just never lets on.

Raven brought a hand up to her mouth, hoping it would cover up the worry in her voice. "I…. just hope it doesn't end up like what happened to us…." She trailed off.

Qrow looked up, looking rather annoyed, his hands stuffed in his pocket hiding his balled up hands. "Listen. I'm sure he's fine."

"Qrow, he wasn't here…"

Qrow rolled his eyes. "Kids get sick, kids miss school after big things, this is no different. Our situation was different, he's fine."

Raven let out a sigh as her phone vibrated. She pulled it out of her bag. Three missed messages.

One from Taiyang asking if she could stop by and pick up some cheese for the spaghetti he was making. Such a clown, but a clown who can cook. 'Can do.' She texted back.

A message from Yang asking if Raven was still able to pick her up from her soccer match. She quickly texted 'Of course.'

A message from Jaune. Her heart froze, did something terrible happen. She quickly read it.

J: Sorry I wasn't able to make it school today, I had some family stuff. I won't be able to make it to practice. I won't actually be in school till Friday.

Had some family stuff happen?The worry overruled her common sense. R: Everything alright? After a couple of nail-biting minutes, a response came back.

J: Yep, Looks like I'm going to be in the band still. Parents said they're done drinking. Raven, thank you for everything.

She straightened up in her chair, rather surprised. R: Not a problem, glad to hear. Let me know if you need anything. She put her phone down to be greeted by a Qrow leaning in staring at her expectantly, she noticed she was smiling unintentionally. It was good to see one of her students finally piece things together. Things were starting to look up for Jaune. "He's doing well, he won't be able to make it to practice though."

"Not a problem." Qrow leaned back, hands behind his back releasing the stress. "I'm glad to hear everything is working out for him. Really glad to hear." Qrow said as he stood up and made his way to the door.

Raven nodded sincerely as she packed her bag, internally relieved. "I'll meet you in the band room in ten minutes."

I want to raise a valid point. Good intention. My family had good intentions. I can respect that looking back, am I thankful? That remains to be seen. I had to deal with the same things my siblings had gone through. The only difference, they had each other. I was the youngest, By the time I was ten, I understood how truly alone I was. Aubry was going to graduate that year and be moving in with her Fiance. The rest of my sisters were out living their lives, barely keeping in touch. Looking back, I can only assume it was to bury the past. At the time, it felt like they wanted to bury me with it.

My parents, God bless them, made my life a living hell. They truly loved me, but alcohol tends to throw wrenches into things, especially when your parents are alcoholics. They had good intentions that day to give up alcohol in order to save their son, to have him return home.

Raven, that is an odd case still. She had the best of intention and she followed up with them on a consistent basis, still a stranger willing to reach out. She reached out, a stranger, as if she was a family member and I was a member of her family.

Others would come and go with the best of intentions. A cautionary tale: Good intentions can only go so far, for they must be followed up by action.

A/N

Hi guys! Got a new chapter here! Hope you all like it.

So I know you guys might be thinking…. Well gee that was quick of his parents to come back? True, but let's keep in mind, that they are very good, caring parents when sober. So when they find out that Jaune isn't around, they start asking around. Aubry, being a kind hearted person, and wanting to reunite the family, would be like I got him…

So I'm excited, next chapter will be mainly Weiss, and it'll be during a football game where we will see some character development along with Velvet, and some relationship building between Jaune and Weiss. After that, we have a two parter to mark the half way point of Year 1. Think of each Year as an arc….. Kind of…

Does Brandon have anything to say?

Brando: A happy ending to a chapter Yay :) Now I want to be crushed emotionally and for you to trigger my crippling depression in the next chapter. And remember kids a meme a day keeps the depression at bay.

Sauron: Omg that escalated really quickly pinche boi… well I'll have you know that we're only going up from here…. Or are we….. I don't know *shrugs innocently*

Anywho if you enjoyed the story, please leave a fav, follow, review, or pm. We absolutely love to hear what you think. Ideas, suggestions, reactions, criticisms, opinions, questions, We absolutely love them.

Reviews!

AlNation: I wouldn't call it a beauty, hopefully this nailed the emotions as well. I'm trying to show the conflicting sides within Jaune's mind. Hopefully it's a thing xD For real though, glad you're enjoying, I hope you keep enjoying!

CoNViX: Glad to see you around mate! No worries, I totally understand. No comments on White Knight at the moment. Don't worry, there will be plenty of Weiss chapters!

Guest: Glad you like the chapter!

Lemoncakes: You sly devil you! Like I said I love my intros and outros. They will definitely help to give perspective looking back as you read them. As for Raven, all I'mma say is I love my Raven xD

Cpt Lynx: Heyya buddy! Glad you liked the chapter! To be honest if there are different perspectives, it'll be related to Jaune somehow, not some randy stuff so never fret!

Yukas: Thanks for the review as always glad you enjoyed it. However as for ships: No Comments at this time! xD

Thanks for reading everyone! It's super appreciated.

-Lordxsauron