I'm a week late, I know. Mainly because I couldn't get things done during Carnival, too much noise for my liking. Ugh... I hate it. The truth is, I had this chapter done by Thursday but I decided to wait until today so... yeah. I had a bit of trouble with this chapter, but I ended up liking it. I hope you guys share my view.

acdc827 (chapter 8): Yay! You got one of them. That's one of my favorite quotes from her.


"Or would you rather be called Mr. Beauregard?" Ozpin continued, Jaune's hand firmly pressed against his.

"Beauregard, for now." The boy answered, receiving a nod from the headmaster. The professor released his hand.

"Very well. First of all, everything discussed within this wards…" He gestured to Glynda, who was emitting a purplish glow from her riding crop. "… will be kept under secrecy, are we clear?"

"Yes, of course. You have my word." Jaune said calmly.

"You seem very comfortable with this situation. I suppose you're aware of your situation?" Ozpin asked Jaune, who slowly nodded.

"I know about the Circle, but not much. I know it's purpose, to protect the world and keep powerful beings such as the Maidens and... myself safe. I know about my potential, my powers... I am the current Apprentice, headmaster."

"Are you aware of your responsibilities? One day, it'll be your duty to protect Remnant. Do you accept your burden?" Ozpin locked his eyes with Jaune's. The headmaster was eager for a positive answer but hid it well.

"I would rather not, but I can't see a choice in the immediate future. I already am the Apprentice, so I guess that's beyond my control. I guess, headmaster, your question should be if I'll allow you to use me as your weapon or not." The headmaster raised an eyebrow and Glynda hid a smirk.

"A bold choice of words. If there were any doubts about you being taught by Katherine, they are now obliterated." Ozpin said, clearing his throat.

"I may not have agreed with all of her teaching methods, but there's no way of denying that she's an excellent teacher." Jaune said, not unfazed. "I wouldn't be a fool to make the Circle my enemy, but I'm not ready. I know I'll have to, someday, but there's too much on my shoulders. First my legacy and now this? I don't know if Destiny is playing with me, or trying to aid me." He took a deep breath. "I will not be someone's tool, but that doesn't mean we can't be allies. I know my responsibilities but gladly were in times of peace. If..." He winced. "When this changes, we'll talk about my duties again, and I'll be the guardian you need me to be."

"Very well." Ozpin said, satisfied with the boy's answer. "I hope then, for our sake, that the time we need you is due many years to come. There are some people I have to introduce you to in the meantime, however."

"Sounds reasonable. Am I free to go?" Jaune asked.

"Yes, we ran into Morgan on our way here. You're free to go." Glynda said with a smile.

"Morgan?" Jaune asked, not recognizing the name.

"Morgan le Fay, Beacon's aura expert." Ozpin clarified.

"Oh." Jaune looked at his scroll. If he ran, he could still catch up with his team. "Well, if you need me, you know where to find me. I'm afraid I have three worried teammates to reassure."

"Of course. Have a nice day, Mr. Beauregard." Ozpin said, turning on his heels and exiting the room, being followed by Glynda a few seconds later. The metaphorical weight on his shoulders felt heavier, but he couldn't spare time. He had a team to meet.

Meet...

Jaune met with his team halfway to the cafeteria. They were happy to see him up, but he noticed how Ruby and Weiss seemed more worried, and perhaps a bit protective of him. If Ruby's hug was anything to go by, they didn't take what Blake said well.

"You're with us now." Ruby said softly, still firmly hugged to him. "If she even tries to do this to you again I'll..."

"I know you're angry, but she meant well." He said calmly, albeit surprised with how determined and threatening she sounded like. "Also, she apologized for it more than once. I understand why she did it more clearly now."

"Did she? Or did she just brainwash you again?! John, do you remember me?! Do you remember my name?!" Ruby was dramatically throwing her arms at the sky and making action figure poses. He made an effort to keep a straight face. Weiss sighed and Blake was amused by the sight.

"Of course." He said, grabbing her shoulders. "You're Sapphire Fire, right?" He said jokingly as Ruby's eyes widened.

"Oh no! Our leader is compromised! Weiss, do something!" They looked at the white haired girl, who was pinching the bridge of her nose and mentally counting to ten.

"John. Don't encourage her. This is not something to be taken lightly." The heiress took a deep breath, before clapping her hands once. "Well, let's go eat." The group continued their path, and at one point Weiss walked beside him and whispered loud enough for him to hear. "You do feel okay, right? There's no buzzing in your head or some kind of emptiness?"

He started laughing loudly at that point. Weiss whispered something about him being a dolt as Blake and Ruby just stood there confused. It was good to have these normal moments again, with no tension. Or, well, as normal as his team could be.

Normal...

Having classes made everything feel normal again. Having his team around was great. Craziness aside, team BWBR was closer than ever. He should be happy, and he was. But there was this voice in the back of his head, and he was not referring to Vladimir, that kept remembering him of everything he had to uphold. He had a kingdom to retrieve, a team to lead, grades to maintain and did he mention protecting the world? Oh yeah, that too. He became distracted in class and his teammates were aware of his state.

"John!" He heard Blake's voice when they were having lunch at the cafeteria. Barely a week after he got released from Beacon's medical center. He had spaced out again, having a talk with Vladimir Schnee, who had been advising and tutoring him the best he could.

"Yes, Blake?" He answered back.

"You did it again. You spaced out. I called you twice before you heard me." She said, making him feel guilty.

"Sorry. I was just lost in thought." He apologized and waited for her to continue talking.

"You've been acting like this all week." Weiss said before Blake could.

"Even when we train, too. We had to basically train by ourselves this week." Ruby added.

"I have a lot going on in my head lately. I thought you guys would understand why." He said with a tired sigh.

"Then explain to us." Blake said with no hesitation, causing him to look at her, so did Weiss and Ruby. "We're your team, we trust you. And is clear that you trust us too. And even if you can't tell us what's going on, tell us what we can do to help."

"We could go to Vale during the weekend..." Weiss said. "I was talking about it with Ruby yesterday, the preparations for the festival are starting. I think it would help to distract you from whatever you've been thinking about so much."

"I think it is a great idea! We never went to Vale together, as a whole team. It would be awesome!" Ruby said excitedly, and Jaune couldn't help but smile.

"I agree. It sounds nice." Blake said, looking at him. "What do you think?"

"Well, since you all want to go and I have a feeling you would drag me along even if I said no, okay. We'll have some team bonding time this weekend." He said, actually glad for them to suggest the outing. He needed to clear his head a little. Plus, extra team bonding time wouldn't hurt, right?

Wrong...

He was so wrong. Weiss dragged them into the docks, so she could spy on the exchange students. So much for some team time.

"You can't prove that!" Weiss said, as Blake just said what was in his head. Ruby giggled, but her laugh soon died as she saw the store she had saved a few months ago. The shop was once more a crime scene, and the group of students approached the area.

"Whoa. What happened here?" Ruby asked the nearest detective.

"Robbery. Second Dust shop to be hit this week. This place is turning into a jungle." He walked over to his partner.

"That's terrible." Jaune said. The group was heading back when they heard the conversation between the officers.

"They left all the money again." The first one said.

"Yeah, just doesn't make a lot of sense. Who needs that much Dust?"

"I don't know, an army?"

"You think it could be the White Fang?" Jaune's eyes widened as his body tensed.

"Yeah, I'm thinking we don't get paid enough."

"Humph! The White Fang." Weiss crossed her arms. "What an awful bunch of degenerates!"

"What's your problem?" Blake asked.

"My problem? I simply don't care for the criminally insane." She answered.

"The White Fang is hardly a bunch of psychopaths." Blake crossed her arms, things were getting serious. "They're a collection of misguided Faunus."

"Misguided? They want to wipe Humanity off the face of the planet!"

"Then they're very misguided!" Jaune frowned.

"Then how about Arkend?" He asked her, Blake stood silent for a couple of seconds before formulating her answered.

"You don't know what happened there, for all we know, they could be humans wearing White Fang masks! I didn't think you of all people would believe they're a bunch of psychopaths!" He was about to answer that he knew very well what happened there, but Ruby decided to intervene.

"Well, I don't think they did it." The little reaper said. "The police never caught that Torchwick guy, and he tried to rob this place once."

"Thank you, Ruby! Plus, why would they rob a store in mid-Vale?" Blake rhetorically asked. Jaune had to concede that it didn't seem likely they were responsible.

"Humph! Maybe, but that doesn't change the fact that the White Fang are a bunch of scum. Those Faunus just know how to kill, cheat and steal!" Weiss huffed, crossing her arms.

"That's not necessarily true." Jaune said while looking discreetly at Blake.

"Hey, stop that Faunus!" They heard someone scream before seeing a blonde monkey-Faunus guy running from the same officers they had seen at the dust store.

"And there goes our competition." Ruby said.

"Quick, we have to observe him!" Weiss said, running towards the altercation. Ruby went right behind her. Jaune waited for Blake, who was wearing a confused and surprised expression before both ran to meet their teammates. When they arrived there, they heard a collision. Weiss had collided with a redheaded girl. Jaune held a hand out for Weiss to grab.

"Thank you, John." The girl said, dusting herself.

"Uhh... Weiss?" The heiress turned her attention to Ruby, who pointed to the other girl, still on the floor.

"Salutations!" The strange girl said.

"Oh! I'm sorry! Are you okay?" Weiss asked the girl, who nodded happily.

"I'm wonderful! Thank you for asking."

"Do you want to get up?" Jaune asked, a little confused.

"Yes!" She said after a moment. She quickly got up. "My name is Penny! Is a pleasure to meet you!"

"I'm Ruby!" The red reaper said, introducing herself.

"I'm Weiss, sorry again for running into you." Weiss said with a quick bow.

"Blake." The raven haired girl crossed her arms.

"I'm John."

"It's a pleasure to meet you!" Penny said once again.

"You... already said that." Weiss said. Penny thought about it for a couple seconds before speaking.

"So I did!."

"Well, it was nice meeting you! Take care, friend!" Ruby said as we waved goodbyes and walked away.

"That was a thing." Jaune said, scratching the back of his head.

"I know... I'm so embarrassed." Weiss sighed. "What a weird girl."

"What did you call me?" Penny said, approaching them from the front. Weiss was confused on how did she get there that fast, so Jaune had to speak in her place.

"I'm sorry, I'm sure she didn't mean..."

"Not her, her!" She clarified, walking towards Ruby, who was now confused. "You called me friend! Am I really your friend?" Ruby looked at her team for support and nearly winced as Weiss and Blake gestured her to say no. Jaune was in the middle, clearly amused. Their eyes met and he shrugged.

"Um... Sure! Why not?" She finally answered. Blake sighed loudly and Weiss nearly feel to the floor as the redhead girl freaked out about her new friend.

"So... Why are you here at Vale?" Jaune asked, trying to divert her attention.

"I'm here to fight in the tournament!" Penny said proudly.

"Really? Forgive me, but you hardly look like you are capable of standing still." Weiss said.

"Says the girl who fights in heels." Jaune muttered, receiving a slap on his shoulder and a shush.

"I'm combat ready!" Penny said, making a salute.

"Wait a minute." Weiss grabs Peny by her shoulders. "If you're here for the tournament, does that mean you know that monkey-tailed... rapscallion?"

"The who...?" Penny asked. Weiss seemed about to scream.

"The filthy Faunus from the boat!" She exclaimed, causing Jaune and Ruby to wince.

"Why do you keep saying that?!" Blake snapped, making everyone look at her. "Stop calling him a rapscallion! Stop calling him a degenerate! He's a person!"

"But he's still a criminal! He clearly entered that boat by illegal ways." Blake made a motion to argue, but Weiss kept talking. "He clearly broke the law! Give him time; he'll probably join up with those other Faunus in the White Fang!"

"You..." Things were about to get worse when Jaune stepped in between the two of them.

"Okay, that's it. Weiss, Blake is right to say that you can't judge him like that. It's the same thing as saying that because some humans are murderers and thieves, all the species is the same." Blake seemed to calm down, but it was until he addressed her. "Blake, I see where you come from, but Weiss was right, he broke the law. She judged him prematurely, but he didn't give us reasons to think differently. He ran from the police. If he is a Huntsman in training, he could've shown his transcripts and he wouldn't be charged by taking the ship. It's just really incriminating."

"But even if that's true, you can't just associate this with the White Fang!" Blake retorted.

"I've never said..." Jaune was interrupted by Weiss.

"So you admit it! The White Fang is just a bunch of criminals!" Blake frowned and started walking away.

"That's not what I meant, and you know it!" She exclaimed. Jaune sighed as Weiss followed Blake with strong steps.

"We should probably head back..." He said to Ruby, who nodded.

"So much for a walk to clear our heads, huh?" She said sadly. They said their goodbyes to Penny once again, under the promise to hang out again before the tournament and tried to keep the pace of their teammates, who were still arguing.

"This is going to be a long walk..." He said, just wanting to go back to his bed.

Bed...

"You realize you are defending an organization that hates Humanity, don't you?" Weiss exclaimed, getting up from her bed. "The Faunus of the White Fang are pure evil!"

"There's no such thing as pure evil!" Blake retorted, getting up as well.

"Then how you justify the executions! The raids! Arkend?!" Weiss basically screamed. Jaune curled his hands into fists.

"It's because of people like Cardin, people like you, that force the White Fang to take such drastic measures!" She said though she hesitated after Weiss talked about Arkend.

"Don't say that." Jaune said, finally speaking since they arrived. "It doesn't justify what they did there. They had a choice, still, they not only caused a massacre but also did so backstabbing the only kingdom that supported them! They killed men, women, and children who had welcomed them with opened arms!"

"You don't know if..."

"I was there!" He roared in anger, silencing her and also Ruby and Weiss, who didn't even dared to breathe. "It was my kingdom! My family! Friends! Everyone I loved died in order to protect me from them! Stop saying that it could be people under disguise because you know that it is a lie!" He said, his voice cracking as he spoke. He sat down on the desk chair as the others waited for him to continue. After he calmed down, he spoke. "Why do you think Katherine took such desperate measures? There was so much blood... After my... After the King's murder, hell broke loose. There were gunshots coming from everywhere, piercing screams filling the night. I remember the blood on the streets, the explosions coming from the harbor. Katherine said it was attacked by an uncategorized species of aquatic Grimm. There was Nevermore raining death from the sky..." He closed his eyes. "I lost everything, everyone. Because of them. You may say whatever you want about the White Fang, but you don't have the right to try to justify what they did at Arkend as some kind of situation where they had no choice but to retaliate! Especially there, where they were accepted and safe!"

"John..." Ruby reached for his arm, her face tainted by tears. Weiss felt her knees weakening as she sat on her bed again. Her eyes were widened and watery, but no tears fell. Blake felt the worst, her breathing was faster and her chest tightened.

"See." Weiss broke the silence after a few seconds. Her voice was calm and collected. "The White Fang brings nothing but pain. Do you want to know why I despise the White Fang? Why I don't particularly trust the Faunus?" She curled her hands into fists. "It's because they've been at war with my family for years. War, as in actual bloodshed. My grandfather's company has had a target painted on his back for as long as I can remember. My sister lost her teammate at Arkend: Johanna Arc. She was her partner and leader. She knew the family very well. They had a boy that would be the same age as us today. They never found his body. My father was furious and would continue to be every day. Mother was devastated." She looked down. "Things only got worse after Arkend. I've watched family friends disappear; board members executed; an entire train car full of Dust, stolen. That made for a very difficult childhood." She felt a hand on her shoulder, looking up to see Jaune by her side.

"Weiss, I'm..." He began to say, but she didn't let him talk.

"No!" She stood up and walked towards Blake. "You want to know why I despise the White Fang?! It's because they're a bunch of liars, traitors, thieves, and murderers!"

"Well, maybe we were just tired of being pushed around!" Blake retorted, realization quickly filling her as she saw the surprised faces of Weiss and Ruby and the broken look on her partner's eyes that made her heart stop. "I... I..." Before they could react she ran and didn't look back, tears leaving her eyes and quickly being dried by the cold wind.

He was the first to react. Fighting the urge to drop to his knees, he ordered himself to follow her. He ran through the doorway at full speed, leaving Weiss and Ruby behind. He took the stairs, nearly bumping into a very confused Yang and Pyrrha.

"John, is Blake okay? We heard some screaming while we were downstairs..." Yang said, but he ignored her.

"No time! Gotta find Blake!" He said, going faster.

"I think she went outside!" He heard Pyrrha screaming out of his field of view. With a renewed focus, he ran.

Ran...

Blake ran. She knew that her secret would come out eventually, but after all, they had said... The White Fang caused so much pain to them. She had been expecting that from Weiss, but never from her partner. His words cut through her like a knife. She'd lost him now. He would never forgive her, not after all he's been through, after everything he lost. And the worst part was that she couldn't blame him. She knew he was right, but she didn't want to believe. That had been the turning point of the White Fang. That was when her parents left, and she'd called them cowards. When Adam took her under his wing when she was trained to trick, sneak and kill. She left her family, she left Adam and now her team. Three more people she disappointed, three more people she had to left behind. She was now in the courtyard and stood in front of the big statue in memory of fallen huntsmen. She took a deep breath before taking her bow off, wiping off a lonely year.

"Blake." She froze in place, recognizing the voice immediately. She didn't dare to look back, not because she was afraid, but because she couldn't bear to see his broken eyes again.

"Don't." She said, hearing his footsteps coming closer. "Just let me be. I... you was right and I'm sorry. I don't expect you to forgive me. You suffered so much because of my people, yet you still treat us as equals and you trusted me. You were betrayed so many times and now I've... I-I'm sorry. You'll never see me again, I promise." She paused for a second before speaking again. "Tell them I'm sorry."

She made a motion to run but was wrapped by two strong arms, she tensed immediately. His grip was strong, but not painful. It was tender and almost longing. He pressed his head against her back, and she no longer felt the urge to escape. She could easily leave a shadow clone behind her and run, but she couldn't hurt him again.

"I don't want you to leave. I... I won't lie to you and say that I'm completely okay with your past. It was in your past, right?" He asked hesitantly.

"Yes, I left them before..."

"That's enough for me. I-I can't blame you for my family's death. I doubt you could even hold a weapon properly when it happened to even be there. You're not the reason they're dead, you're not the reason why the White Fang did what they did to Arkend. I... You're important to me, Blake. You're my partner and my best friend here." He paused. "Don't tell Ruby I've said that." She chuckled weakly for the first time. It was brief, but it seemed to clear part of the tension away. "Seeing you go would hurt me more than accepting your past. So please, stay." He hugged her tightly. He sounded so desperate that she almost broke down. Almost. In return, she let herself relax in his arms.

"I would rather if you hated me." She admitted. "I would be prepared for that, I'd understand." She smiled. "Instead you come here, all comprehensive and supportive, and you forgive me without even knowing about what I did in my past." She sighed softly. "Always a mystery with you, huh?"

"It's a part of my charm, yes." He said, absent-mindedly petting her head and ears. He hesitated for a moment, but her silence was enough for him to continue. They stood like that for some time before she broke the silence.

"I don't deserve your friendship. I don't deserve your trust..." Her voice trailed off.

"Blake..." He was ready to argue when she spun around and pressed her hand against his mouth.

"But I'll do my best to be worthy of it." She said truthfully. He blinked twice before bursting into laughter. "What?!" Blake asked, partially offended.

"That was such a cliché. Did you read that in one of your smut books?" Blake blushed and smacked him in the arm.

"What?! No! Ugh... You prat!" He laughed more, and her mouth betrayed her into smiling.

"Watch out, your Weiss is showing." He said jokingly, before assuming a more serious tone. "Are you going to spend the night at Vale?"

"Yeah, I'll probably sleep in a motel or something, at least for tonight. I need time to cool off and so does Weiss." She said, shrugging. It wouldn't be the first time she'd have to fend for herself.

"I'd offer you my mother's house at Vale, but Katherine is there and, well..."

"Not a good idea, but thanks." She finished.

"Take your weapon with you." He sighed. "And for the love of Oum, be safe."

"I can take care of myself." She said, huffing. He had sounded just like Adam when he was worried about her.

"I know, but that doesn't mean I don't worry about you." She hid her blush, but it was dark and he didn't notice. "Do you have any lien on you?"

"Enough for renting a room." He then reached for his wallet, but she stopped him. "What, no!"

"For food and emergencies." He said, ignoring her protests. "You can pay me back later if you want to." By the look on his face she knew he wouldn't give in, so she accepted grudgingly. "We'll probably search for you tomorrow. If you get in trouble, call me."

"I will." She said. "You should head back, the others are probably worried."

"Right." He made a motion to leave but stopped. "Blake."

"Yes?"

"You look prettier without your bow." He said with a smile, leaving before he could see her reaction. He was long gone before she heard another voice.

"He's right, you know. You do look better without your bow."


Next chapter: March 25.