The Hybrid chapter 8

Author's note: I am so sorry this took so long, it's just that this chapter had me plagued with writers block. In any case, thanks to everyone who left comments, as you guys succeeded in giving me some good ideas that I plan on adding into the story later on. Alright, I'm going to stop rambling. Now, on with the story.

Disclaimer: I still don't own jack s**t.

"Jaune."

"Jaune, wake up."

"WAKE UP!"

Jaune's eyes shot open. He quickly did his best to register his surroundings.

"Where am I!" Jaune said frantically.

"We're at home, dummy."

Jaune turned to the owner of the voice, as he did his eyes widened.

"M..M..Miriam?" Jaune barely managed to stutter out.

"Your acting really strange lil' brother, well stranger than usual I mean." Miriam joked.

Jaune now sat up, realizing where he was. He was sitting under the tree in his family's backyard. A place he often liked to take short naps. "What happened." Jaune asked, now clutching his head.

"You've been sleeping here for the past few hours, Mom told me to come wake you up, dinner is almost ready. You must've been having quite the dream."

"Could it really have been nothing but a dream? It seemed so real..." Jaune thought to himself

Seeing her brother's distressed face, Miriam continued, "Do you want to talk about it?"

Jaune looked to his sister, "It was just a nightmare, it's over now."

Miriam gave her brother a curious look before flicking his forehead.

"Ow! What was that for!?" Jaune complained.

After laughing a bit in amusement his sister responded, "I've been watching out for you ever since you were a baby. I know when something is bothering you. But that can wait until later, dinner is ready and everyone is waiting for us, so c'mon."

Hearing his sister's gentle voice made Jaune's distressed look started to shift in to a small smile, as he followed her into the Arc house.

When the two entered through the back door jaune had expected to see his family, but all her saw was a man in black. He wore a black coat and white dress gloves, his hair slightly gray. "Welcome home, son."

Before anything else Jaune looked to his side, only to see his sister had vanished.

"SIEGHART! What the hell did you do!? Jaune shouted towards the man who stole everything from him.

Sieghart just smiled, before he gestured for Jaune to look out the window beside him.

When he did he saw that which he wished he hadn't. Arondight, his home was being consumed by flames while Grimm were roaming about, but worse than that were the numerous bodies scattered around. Neighbors, childhood friends, all of them were lying dead on the ground.

"The funny thing is..." Sieghart began, "...this really was all your fault."

Jaune tried to punch him in response, but managing to pass right through him.

"What brought the first Grimm here was your family's grief over losing you. Had you never left that night, I would've never found you, and this would never have happened." Sieghart said.

Jaune scowled and clenched his fists as he starred towards the ground. In truth he had considered the possibility that his disappearance was the trigger event of this attack, but he would always prefer to push the thought aside.

"Relax, son. The best part is about to start."

Jaune looked to him confused, and then peered out the window. A look of distress then washed over his face.

Outside the window, Jaune saw a man with similar blonde hair that was slightly gray in certain areas, fighting hordes of Grimm. However, what made Jaune recognize the figure, was the fact that he held Crocea Mors in hand. He was watching his father's last moments.

When he realized what was happening Jaune reached for the door. But when he tried to open the door, it wouldn't budge. He did all he could, even trying to beat the door down, but nothing would work.

Jaune beat on the window, desperate to gain the attention of his father. However after what seemed like hours, a Beowolf managed to strike Jaune's father causing him to fall to his knees. In the next few moments he was completely surrounded by Grimm.

At this point, tears were now rolling down Jaune's face as he screamed one last time as the Grimm pounced, and then there was nothing but darkness.

"It's just a dream, you need to wake up."

(Dream end)

In a cold sweat, Jaune awoke, his eyes snapping open as he shot up. His eyes were frantically scanning the room, but after realizing it was just another nightmare Jaune allowed himself to just fall back into a laying down position. "Third time this week." Jaune said softly to himself so he wouldn't disturb his team.

Checking his clock he noticed it was already 3:00 AM. "Chances are I won't get back to sleep any time soon, might as well put something in my stomach." Jaune complained as he got out of his bed. Throwing on a snug white shirt and a pair of sweatpants Jaune headed to the cafeteria, still barefoot mind you.

He walked down the halls in absolute silence, until he rounded the corner only to see Ms. Goodwitch, preparing a pot of coffee. Jaune found it strange seeing her in casual clothing. Instead of her normal attire, she was still in her sleepwear.

"Professor Goodwitch?" Jaune asked, no doubt surprising the teacher.

She quickly spun around, her eyes slightly widened, "Mr. Arc? What are you doing out of bed at this hour?" her tone sharp, and Jaune could tell she wasn't very happy being seen so unpresentable.

Jaune shrugged, "Nightmare. I figured that it would be pointless to go back to sleep at this point, so I came here instead." Jaune explained.

She stared at him as if to test if he was lying, and Jaune met her gaze with his own.

She nodded slightly, "Very well, I suppose I can overlook the fact that your awake at this hour."

Jaune took a look at the pot in her hands, "Don't suppose you have any to spare."

In response she poured him a cup. He nodded his thanks, and proceeded to sit at one of the tables, Glynda would soon follow suit.

The two sat across from each other in silence for at least thirty minutes. The only sounds came from the two sipping from their cups, and Jaune nibbling on his bagel every now and then.

"You make good coffee." Jaune said simply, as he finished his cup, only for him to fill it back up.

"I've had a lot of practice." She said. "By the way, have you notified you team about your mission?" Glynda inquired.

Jaune froze, but then shook his head no.

At this she seemed slightly surprised, "It's next week, is it not?"

Jaune's eyes narrowed, "Yeah, that's right."

(Flashback)

"You requested to see me? Jaune asked Beacon's headmaster.

"That's correct Mr. Arc. Due to your team being the highest ranked among the first year, and even some second year, teams, you're being given an early mission. With a senior huntsman's supervision of course." Ozpin explained as he passed Jaune a file he pulled from his desk.

The moment Ozpin said "early mission" Jaune was already suspicious, but began reading the file regardless.

Mission: Recon

Rank:B former village of Arondight Grimm activity has spiked over the past three months. Within the same timefra

Details: 3.2 kilometers from theme 12 missing children have been reported from surrounding areas, meriting an investigation. Do not engage hostiles unless absolutely necessary.

As he read further his eyes continuously got wider. When he finally finished he closed the file calmly. Only to shoot up and slam said file on Ozpin's desk. "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?! Jaune shouted violently. During this outburst Jaune's eyes actually shifted to gold, but only for a moment. However it failed to go unnoticed by Ozpin.

"With everything you've gone through, I'm sure you realize what's going on, what ever is happening is incredibly reminiscent of your own situation. That's the real reason I need you to do this." Ozpin responded calmly after sipping from his mug.

Jaune sighed, and seemed to calm down quite a bit. "Very well headmaster, I'll be sure consult the team. I'll have your answer within the next few days, is that all? Jaune asked coldly.

Ozpin nodded and Jaune began leaving his office. Only when Jaune was completely out of the room, and the doors shut did Ozpin's face significantly change. His eyes narrowed and his mouth became a very visible frown. "Why did his eyes change? I believe this may merit an investigation of its own." Ozpin thought to himself.

(Flashback End)

Breakfast was abnormally silent due to the lack of a certain busty blonde. Finally Jaune asked the big question, "So where is Yang?" He inquired curiously.

"I think you put her out of commission with your little drinking contest last night." Ruby responded.

Jaune shrugged, "It's not my fault she doesn't know how to hold her liquor."

"Yes, well now she has her head in the toilet." (Vomiting, if that wasn't absolutely clear.) Weiss rebuffed.

Jaune couldn't help but chuckle , as thinking about his fellow blondes situation did help lighten his mood.

However, Jaune soon remembered what he originally wanted to do. "Hey, could you guys meet me in private for a few minutes? There's something I need to talk to you guys about." Jaune said as he gestured to the rest of team JNPR. The three looked between one another slightly worried, but followed their leader regardless.

When they got just outside the cafeteria, Jaune settled for a slightly secluded corned between two buildings. "Jaune, is something wrong? Why are we here?" Pyrrha asked worried.

Jaune shook his head, "No, this is a team issue. I'll cut to the chase, do you remember when Ozpin called me to his office a few days ago? As it turns out he wanted to give us a mission. I'm sending the details now. Jaune said as he pulled out his scroll.

After receiving and reading the details of the mission. The three of them looked to their leader. "Are we taking it?" Ren asked.

Jaune nodded slowly, staying completely silent.

"Jaune, is something wrong?" Pyrrha asked in a concerned manner.

Jaune shook his head, "No, I'm fine. Really." He said calmly.

"The mission is in seven days from today. Make sure you're ready." Those were the last words Jaune uttered before walking off.

Pyrrha wanted to chance after him, but before she could even take a step she was stopped by Ren, "I know you want to do everything you can to help him. But if I've learned anything from being on Jaune's team, it's that if you try to invade his privacy he'll resist, you have to let him reveal his problems on his own." Ren said calmly.

"And what if he chooses never to tell us anything?!" Pyrrha argued. Pyrrha hated being useless, be it in battle or in everyday life. And right now, seeing her partner in such a state made her feel so helpless.

"I'm just saying that we should give him the benefit of the doubt." Ren replied.

"Maybe I'm just worrying too much." Pyrrha conceded.

Ren nodded, "Now c'mon the others are still waiting for us to get back." Ren said as he walked back to the cafeteria, Nora at his side as per usual and Pyrrha trailed slowly behind.

"I've had it with waiting. We leave for the mission tomorrow and you've been acting as distant as ever. So you're going to tell me what's wrong and you're going to do it now!" Pyrrha practically yelled irritation laced in her voice.

Jaune simply sighed, "The upcoming mission just has me tense is all."

Pyrrha shook her head in frustration, doing her best to control the irritation that was welling up in her.

Jaune was far more than just tense. Every single day the mission loomed closer, he looked, a little more tired, and there seemed to be a bit of fear in his demeanor. Her leader, who fought a massive Deathstalker on his own and lived, was afraid. He was even skipping out on a few of his classes. With the mission tomorrow, he was looking far from good.

She knew she wasn't the only one who had noticed,everyone of their friends was starting to worry about him.

Blake had tried talking to him but he had smiled and waved off her concerns. Yang tried to coerce him to hang out and relax, but he just spoke with her or a bit and left anyway.

No one seemed to be able to help.

And that wasn't okay with Pyrrha.

"Stop lying to me! You need to tell us what's going on or so help me, I am going to bash you into next week!" She growled.

It was true Jaune was acting far more distant, and he won't deny that. However, after what happened next, he wished he could just disappear altogether.

Ruby sighed as she thought about her first friend at Beacon, and his recent distant demeanor. Jaune was not doing well, brooding for long periods of time, talking less and less, and just being alone in general.

Everyone had realized that his current attitude was in response to JNPR's mission, but when she told him another team should take it, he didn't even hesitate to turn down the offer.

"I know I've been a bit... out of it as of late, but this is something I need to do. Alright?" He had said.

Ruby turned away and sat on her bed with a troubled look.

"You're worried about him, right?" Weiss asked, a inquisitive look on her face.

Ruby nodded, her worry clear, "Yeah, he really needs to rest, Nora says he just sits at their desk brooding all night."

Blake sighed from her bunk, "Ren been trying to help, but it's just... he can't seem to get near the subject without Jaune retreating."

Weiss shook her head, "He may be strong, but he can't keep it all it all inside all the time."

Yang patted Ruby's shoulder, "He'll talk about it, he just needs time." She said, but she didn't seem so convinced herself.

Just then they all heard the shouts.

"I know you're lying, Jaune! You have a team, you don't have carry whatever's weighing you down alone! I am your partner, you're supposed to be able to tell me anything, so stop being so stubborn and let me help you!" She growled in frustration, "Don't you trust us?Don't you trust me?"

It was at this moment that the true weight of Jaune's stress started to bleed through, "I've told you again and again that I trust you. As for the weight I carry is exactly that, MINE! Why is it that you guys can't accept that simple fact?! You all act like you think you can help me, but you CAN'T! Face the facts, there are some problems that not even the invincible girl can solve!

There was a short pause and Team RWBY had all moved towards the door, in hopes of hearing more.

"..."

The silence was interrupted by the sudden sound of skin on skin followed by a thud that rattled the wall. A sound that sounded like a cross between a sob and a scream echoed through the thin walls and was followed by the sound of angry stomping. The members of team RWBY were like statues, none of them making even the slightest of movements. There eyes meet one another only succeeding in conveying looks of uncertainty. Ruby moved forward as to open the door to JNPR's room.

As she peered in she saw Jaune slumped against the wall, a red mark clear on his cheek. However, his long, shaggy, blond hair covered his eyes leaving his expression unknown.

"Based on the fact that your here I'm guessing you heard all that. I'm sorry you had to listen to that." He said quietly, "God, I've been such an asshole. You shouldn't waste your concern on me with how I've been acting lately..."

Before he could continue, Ruby was hugging him, trying her best to convey some sense of comfort. She stroked his hair as she would a child, she could feel him starting to tremble

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't be making you -"

"Shut up." Ruby interrupted softly, "You're not forcing me to do anything. If you need me, or any of us for that matter, we'll always be there."

"I..." He gulped, "Thank you."

She felt Jaune start to relax as he rested his weight more comfortably and she sighed.

"I don't know why your not telling us what's going on, but I think that it's killing you to keep this all inside, is that about right?

Jaune let out a bit of sad laughter, "Yeah...that pretty much sums it up."

"Even though she may not act like it, deep down Pyrrha knows that, we all do." Ruby murmured into his hair, "But understand that we care about you. We know you're hurting, but can't you see we're hurting too? We can't stand seeing you like this. The rest of Team RWBY listened silently from behind the door.

Getting out of Ruby's hug Jaune dusted of his jeans as he got up. "Thank you Ruby, but now I've got to make things right." Jaune quickly ruffled Ruby's hair, before exiting the room in absolute silence.

Pyrrha was sitting on the roof where she and Jaune would train, she often found that watching the setting sun was rather therapeutic. But she has been here for at least an hour, and yet she still wanted to do nothing more than cry.

Jaune Arc. Her best friend. Her partner.

Pyrrha knew her feelings for her partner were more than just that, she liked Jaune. He was a good person and would always have her back. He didn't care about fame or reputation or make a big show about how strong he was. He didn't care what others thought of him, so long as he did what he did was he thought was right. But most of all he never saw her as the champion, always treating her with the same attitude as he would anyone else.

He wasn't perfect.

He always seemed distance himself from others, never letting anyone in.

He always tried to shoulder all of his pain on his own. But it was not because he didn't trust anyone, but because he didn't want to burden them. She knew that he would happily take any pain, so long as others don't have to.

Pyrrha was always blessed with talent, so much so that she became renowned and even idolized.

But it came a cost.

It cost her any actual friends. Before was in the spotlight, she had friends, people she could talk to and interact with.

When she first started letting her talent show everyone was so supportive, congratulating her after every win. But the more she won the more clear things started to become.

As she started racking up victories, her friends were becoming uncomfortable around her, avoiding her so that they wouldn't "hold her back".

And despite her best efforts, she couldn't seem to repair the damage. She wanted to scream at them to stay by her side.

But they left.

She came to Beacon in hopes of a fresh start, a clean state. But even in Vale, hundreds of miles from home she couldn't escape her own reputation.

Then she met Jaune, a charming young man who'd told her himself that he didn't give a damn about her reputation, she had to earn his respect. The challenge to prove herself was something she missed. Her heart raced at the thought.

She needed him as her partner, she didn't care what she had to do.

She sighed with relief when things ended in her favor and Jaune became her partner.

And before she realized it she had her own group of friends again. Jaune, Ren, Nora, even team RWBY. It felt as if she was never a champion in the first place.

Looking back, when Jaune gave her that first smile it was if he was telling her that she no longer had to be alone. And it was true, only days later she was surrounded by people whom she could call friend.

She finished had people who she could be herself around. Her partner especially, he was always willing to train with her, and not to mention just do everyday things together with her without reservation.

And she knew it she was finding herself heating up when he smiled at her, unable to feel anything but happy whenever they spent time together. And no matter how much time she spent with him it never seemed like enough.

At this point it had become clear to her, she was falling for her leader.

She had pondered whether or not it was just a simple crush, as he had been the first person she was able to call her friend in so long, but as she thought about it more and more, she realized it was a bit more than just a crush. She really did admire him, and sometimes she desired nothing more than to know more about him. She wanted to be able to always stand by his side, or to be more specific, she wanted him to always be by her side.

And while she always had some sense of joy to be with any of her friends, when she was with Jaune the feeling far more intense.

Then this damn mission came and Jaune changed. Sure he had always been a little distant, preferring to keep people at arms distance, but it had never been this bad before. Something about this mission obviously had him on edge.

She had tried to confront him about it, to no avail. But worse than anything she had actually slapped him, a fact she wished she could undo a hundred times over.

It was her worst nightmare all over again, and to make matters worse it had to be the one person she believed she was falling in love with.

She quickly brought her hand to her face as she felt tears start to well up in her eyes.

"I've been looking for you." A familiar voice said from behind her, causing her to jump slightly.

When she turned around she was surprised to see Jaune walking towards her, and then proceeding to sit down next to her. "I'm sorry, for everything. I never meant for things to get so messed up." Jaune said apologetically.

"Why are you apologizing? I was the one who slapped you." Pyrrha commented, as she started hugging her legs to her chest.

"I was stupid, said some dumb things, but I want you to know that I do trust you guys. So if you want me to, I'll reveal everything, no holding back."

Pyrrha smiled when she saw the serious, but slightly worried, look in his eyes. And when she saw that he was about to continue, she quickly put her index finger to his lips. Effectively silencing him. "Don't. I can see you're still uncomfortable doing this. I want you to tell me because you want to, not because you have to. You can tell me when you're ready.

She got up and started toward the door as she took a deep breath. She decided that she wouldn't push anymore, she would accept his decision and wait until he was ready to talk.

Jaune could only stare, dumbstruck at his partner's response. From the first day they had become partners, it seemed like she was always trying to press him for information. In all honesty he never imagined she would refuse the knowledge she'd been pressing him for.

After regaining his composure, he simply smiled as she walked away, before hopping up and quickly catching up to his partner.

Author's note: This has been the longest chapter yet! So I really hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. As always I'll look at any suggestions or ideas, and I really do appreciate it when you guys comment. Until next time, this has been Soranviste, signing off.