Actually, this one was pretty timely, huh.

Enjoy the chapter.

His dreams were still plagued with darkness, a thick swirling miasma that would choke him for what felt like hours at a time. Thankfully this time, he didn't have to wait long for help as a bit of gentle persuasion was able to wake him up.

"Was the bucket really necessary?"

Dragging his tired body through the bustling streets of Windrip village had him struggling to keep pace with his supposed savior.

"I thought you fell into a coma, so yes. Plus, we were gonna be late if you slept in any longer."

He felt like that wouldn't have mattered what with the pace they were going with. Or maybe they already were anyways. He wasn't really paying attention, much too focused on his surroundings.

Everyone's staring at us—at me.

They pushed through the crowded streets as they got a bunch of attention from passerby's. It was only when he spied a mother clutching her daughter tightly as they walked by that he realized why.

Bandaged to all heck, he must have looked like a walking disaster to anybody with two working eyes. Along with the dirty clothes and limp they both sported, he was surprised nobody stopped and questioned them.

He pressed tighter behind her as another large man passed by, much too close for comfort. Even receiving a worried stare from the man didn't calm him.

She must have noticed, or maybe they were both a little wary of anyone who resembled him. They stuck to the sides of the walkway after that.

It didn't take long for them to reach the rendezvous point, and gods was he happy about that. At this point, the numbing cream she'd reapplied this morning was losing its effects. The pain wasn't the problem, but the constant itching definitely was.

Woah, a real bullhead!

It was a massive metal box with enormous wings on the sides capped off with large thrusters at the end of each one. It was just like the toy model he'd had right down to the blinking lights dotted around it!

Resting on an elevated platform, he'd have loved to admire it a little longer, but fate had other plans.

"Summer, are we going to ride that—Woah!" Suddenly, a pair of big eyes filled his vision giving him the second scare of the day.

He tried to jump back but only ended up with a pair of arms snaking their way around his waist, locking him in place. Two big bushy ears sat atop their head as hands began to roam his body while he tried to escape. On his face brushed a mass of fur tickling his nose and causing him to struggle more.

"Tsune, calm down." He heard Summer sigh out.

The hands that had just begun to lift his shirt paused for a second giving him a slight reprieve. Spitting out a few strands of hair, he opened his teary eyes and stared with a similarly teary set. Pushing back, he saw that, in fact, the monster attacking him was just a weepy eyed woman. One with an interesting set of extra features.

A real Faunus…

Two fluffy fox ears sat atop her head, nearly blending into her long, draping brown hair. Taller than him and Summer, her long lab coat obscured her outfit, with the only accessory she wore being a stethoscope around her neck.

"But S-Summer, look at him. He's so hurt!" She yelled back worriedly, no longer reaching for his shirt but instead zeroing in on his head wrap. After that, his fight for freedom became a wasted effort as her grip became iron clad. Honestly, it hurt more than his actual wounds!

After an hour of this new lady—Tsune checking him for wounds which just consisted of her ranting and raving about finding out who did this, they were finally able to board the Bullhead.

Sat on one side of the vehicle, Jaune couldn't help but scratch at the new cast wrapped around his left arm, as it took all his self control to not pick at his new head wrap.

He shivered as another wave of murderous intent made his skin crawl. He didn't dare look, only staring ahead as insane mutterings sounded off, not even an inch away from him. Tsune had been taking the long flight to make a list of all the things she'd do when she found the monster who broke him. He'd only heard bits and pieces, and for that, he was grateful.

Yep, only self control stopped him. Totally.

Looking ahead of him, he spied a sulking Summer hood up as she tried and failed to get some extra sleep. He doubted she got much last night, what with the waves of negativity coming off her too.

If he went off her emotions today and last night, he could predict that whoever she talked to would probably be there waiting when they landed. He's sure that'll be—and he was throwing up again.

"Ah! Summer, get another bag quick!"

Turns out he doesn't handle flights very well—go figure. So for the entire duration of the flight, he'd been puking his guts out. Tsune says he has motion sickness, but he'd honestly chalk it up to their combined negativity and his nerves. He hoped, at least.

So after a grueling ten hour flight, he'd yacked up all his inflight meals and just wanted the whole thing to be over with.

At least those two calmed down…but again, was moving so far away from me really necessary?

It doesn't really matter now, what with them beginning their descent. Pulling himself up, he glanced out the window.

It was beautiful.

Flying over a city, he spied their massive towers that nearly touched the sky. With intertwining roads that cut through the veritable maze of towers, each loaded with hundreds of little ant like forms bustling around.

He forgot entirely about his upset stomach and just sat there bewildered.

"Vale…Mom, I made it…."

"Jaune?" Startled out of his memories, he met the worried eyes of Tsune. He wasn't confused why since if she were smiling while tears ran down her face, he'd be worried too. But he just went back to staring at the now distant city, not bothering to wipe the tears away.

"My mom always said she'd take us to see Vale. The emerald city, she called it." A small chuckle tumbled out of his lips. "It's kinda funny. It doesn't sparkle like she said it would, but I still can't help smiling."

He couldn't properly express how conflicted the sight made him nor just how comforted he was with the gentle hand resting on his back. All he could do was stare at the bittersweet sight of a promise that could never be fulfilled.

Tsune's comfort was appreciated, and a certain someone else's worry gave him hope for the future.

/-/

The sun was setting when the Bullhead finally touched down, landing with a rumbling thud as gears whirled and the thrusters cooled. It shook one last time as the hanger door swung down, and a walkable platform extended the rest of the way. He would have run off the metal deathtrap if not for Tsune's guiding hand ushering him slowly out.

He'd nearly tripped on the way down as his attention, like before, was pulled away to the towering structure before him. Tall spires sprung up to the sky as the castle like building grew in scale the longer, he stared. Its intricate features became more apparent as the sun's golden rays glinted of its form. Never able to overpower or hide any of the gorgeous detail added to every lone tower or perfectly trimmed hedge.

His gaze trailed downward until his attention returned to the path ahead and on the three approaching figures.

"I'm glad you find my school so captivating young man." The man in the center spoke amusedly.

Wearing a fancy black and green suit, it matched well with the mop of grey hair he sported. In his hands rested both an intricate cane and a steaming mug of what smelled like coffee.

The two other figures were much less eccentric, with the only woman dressed in a tight blouse and pencil skirt with her hair done up in a tight bun—And is that a riding crop?

Okay, so maybe both of them were a little weird, but the last guy was a little more down to Remnant. Dressed in a wrinkled button up vest and an equally unkempt pair of shorts, he didn't seem all that weird until he got a good look at his face.

Gods, he knew they looked terrible but man…

His long greasy hair was tied back in an obviously rushed ponytail that mixed terribly with a much too patchy beard highlighting his lack of self care. If the bags under his sunken eyes didn't tell you that first. All in all, he looked homeless, yet he was easily the scariest among them.

At least he wasn't staring at him with those lifeless eyes—oh, he spoke too soon.

Those eyes trailed off of Summer for the briefest of seconds as he took stock of the other two people standing on the platform. It didn't seem that Tsune was any sort of problem—on the contrary, he'd probably been expecting her there. It was when the man's eyes trailed over him that he had any sort of reaction.

And what a reaction it was.

It was like a switch had been flipped as his eyes lit up, regaining a seemingly lost spark. His posture noticeably straightened, and his shoulders and fists went slack almost in disbelief. That didn't even cover his emotions.

Surprise, elation, and most of all, hope created a beacon of positive emotions that hit him all at once. It made him feel weirdly woozy at the sudden blast of it.

And then, like that beacon was snuffed out and the switch was flipped, it all came to an abrupt end. He had never felt so inadequate as then having that hope turn into the purest disappointment. Like he'd expected someone else, but all he got was a worthless Kid.

The man's gaze ripped away from him and returned—now somehow duller and emptier than before to the woman he must have been waiting to talk to.

"Summer."

"Tai."

They replied to each other in the tensest way possible. It was Like both of them were holding back a million different things they wanted to say. Or, more likely, scream out.

Another tense moment of silence followed with neither seemingly willing nor able to break it. Up until the old man from earlier mercifully stepped up.

"Summer. I'm glad your report about you being well checked out." His eyes roamed her body and the myriad of cuts and bruises. "…though I am hesitant to agree with your assessment of being fine."

"Thanks."

No doubt she'd have followed up with an eye roll if said eyes weren't still locked with the man named Tai. It was awkward to watch. Worse still, as it reminded him of the few arguments his parents would get into—usually about him.

He'd do his best to tune them out the same way. Even if he couldn't do the same with their feelings.

Fear and loneliness.

Thankfully someone came in with a convenient excuse to distract him from the tense air.

Slinking past them, Tsune met with the older man of the group.

"Ozpin, I-I'm going to take Jaune and run some tests when Summer's done send her to." She rested her hand on the old man—Ozpin's shoulder. "Can you handle-" She looked back. "That on your own?"

Pain and loss.

Loving warmth exuded off the man at her genuine worry, and it showed from his small chuckle. "Thank you for your concern, but I'm sure I can handle—"

"Is that all you have to say for yourself?"

Indignation and frustration.

"What more do I need to say? It was my decision to go, and that's that."

Stubbornness and shame.

It was all downhill from there as the tension reached a boiling point, with their negative feelings building up to the limit. Feeling Tsune's hand tug towards the school ahead, he obediently followed and would have even despite the intense emotions he was sensing. He felt for them and wanted to say something to help, but…he was honestly scared to get in between them. All those emotions building up inside them were just waiting to blow up and ruin everything they had left.

But one buried emotion stopped him in his tracks. It felt as though every previous feeling sprang from this single one.

"Admit it…you went there to die, didn't you?"

Pure raw love.

He ripped out of her grasp and dashed in with only thoughts of missed chances and parental love in his mind.

/-/

He'd failed them.

It was roughly two years ago that a tragedy had occurred. A terrible crime that sadly, in his long years, he'd become very familiar with. None were safe, with foreign dignitaries, wealthy families, or even powerful hunter lines being targeted. Nor was their mercy shown to the innocent.

But even so, the kidnapping and ransoming of children was still a vile act.

Especially when two years have passed, and no ransom has been issued. Only terrible conclusions can be drawn.

After that, it was a spiral of misery for them, and all he could do was watch. Even now, as they stared each other down with a mirrored mixture of anger and worry, he hesitated.

He was grateful that someone else stepped up then.

The boy—Jaune, dashed out of Tsune's grasp and ran back. Putting himself between the couple, looking entirely out of his element. As if this were just a spur of the moment act and he was only now realizing what he's gotten into.

"She was scared! Terrified!" Jaune blurted out. "She almost died a bunch of times, and all she could think about was how scared she was to die!"

He didn't expect that, nor did it seem the couple did either as they held back their biting anger. While Jaune's body was shaking, his eyes were locked onto the man opposite him, filled with deteriorating courage.

It wasn't a surprise that he could meet the man's gaze as it wasn't met with a harsh glare. Instead, it was only a met with Tai's tired grimace. As if it was draining to even look at the boy.

"The whole time she had this feeling of longing a-and when she did, it made her fight even harder to make it out. To make it back home!" There was a strong conviction to his words. Like the boy understood that feeling on a deeper, more relatable level.

He was about to step in when Tai spoke.

"…is that true, Sum."

Silence. Only the barest nod of her head served as confirmation.

"Then why…why didn't you take me with you…." His face twisted in an agonized visage like he'd been tormented by the very question all night.

Again silence was Summers only answer as she turned away from her husband. Tai was quick to take a step forward, but he was even quicker. He placed his cane on the man's shoulder, halting him before he could make a mistake.

"I believe that's as far as I'm willing to stand by and watch. I'd advise against causing a scene here as I'd rather not scare my students." It wouldn't be long before the next Bullhead would arrive, carrying students to and from Vale.

It seemed they both agreed as Tai begrudgingly stepped back, never taking his eyes off of Summers form, and she never reengaged so much as a glance. Motioning for Glynda—who up until now had been refusing to even look in Summer's direction. Justified in her anger or not, she dutifully led the two parties away and towards the second largest tower in Beacon, which composed his office.

He always enjoyed meetings like this with his students—new or old but knowing he would have to unpack the mess comprising their marriage soured any thoughts like that. He never was one for fixing damaged relationships—his own included.

Before that, he had to find a solution to another surprising issue. Lifting his cane again, he placed it on a much shorter pair of shoulders belonging to the most peculiar aspect of this situation.

"I'm sorry young man, but you have a different meeting to attend. Don't fret though Tsune is the primary physician above all nurses here at Beacon academy." He still looked concerned, though with how his eyes glanced toward a certain huntress—he assumed it wasn't a concern for his own welfare. A quick reassurance that Summer would join him later and a surprise silent nod from her meant Jaune willingly followed Tsune to the medical wing of the school.

His mind wandered as he watched the boy being led away, noting the constant glances Jaune would give to them as they marched to his office. His curiosity only grew as he noticed a certain huntress glance right back.

Curious.

/-/

Oh, how far you've fallen, old friend.

"I'm lucky to have survived-"

Could I have saved you from this fate?

"-He was a monster-"

From what you became?

"Ozpin?"

"Yes, Glynda?" He did well to hide his musing with a sip of coffee though it seems she saw through it all too easily.

"Nothing. Please pay attention." She dismissed him without ever taking her eyes off the tablet in hand.

Her bad mood was a bomb he'd have to handle with care even if it wasn't he who armed it. Ever since Summer's return and the subsequent conclusion of their meeting, she'd been in a rightfully terse mood. He'd have to tread carefully to diffuse her.

"How will we punish her?

Oh my.

"Whatever do you mean, Glynda? I believe her experience now and subsequent guilt—whether she admits it or not is an obvious sign of remorse on her part. Why taint this possible turning point with—"

"She disobeyed your orders and pursued one of if not our strongest adversary behind your back, endangering the life of a child in the process. She risked her life to follow rumors on a suicidal mission that if I'm to remind you she failed."

His grip didn't tighten, nor did his body show any outward show of displeasure. Still, he was sure she could tell he wasn't very pleased with her mention of Summer's mission and its obvious failure.

"Yes, and to whom does the fault lay in her finding out about said rumors?"

The taping of fingers on her tablet froze. He heard her breath in and out for a second before she finally broke down.

"Ozpin…your right. I apologize she'd begged me for information, but I…I didn't know she would go this far. It was a lapse in judgment, and it won't happen again, I swear."

His hand took to massaging his forehead as the other set down his mug. It'd been a long day for everyone involved.

"It's quite alright, Glynda. I understand and empathize with their plight, but we must always remain wary with whom we share confidential information. Even rumors can cause irrational decisions in those unstable."

It hurt to classify Summer and, by extension Tai as such, but it was necessary to protect their lives. Especially since one of them could very well be the last of her kind.

"I still believe she should be punished in some capacity…."

Sighing, at last, he couldn't help but agree.

"And what sort of punishment do you believe would stick? You said so yourself that she's already disobeyed my orders once. She already feels imprisoned here at Beacon, so what do you have in mind, deputy headmistress?" A bit snarky, but he felt he was allowed to be a little miffed by this entire situation.

In the silence that followed, she took her chance to shift the subject. "What of the boy?"

Ah, another odd aspect of this situation. While sadly, orphans weren't unusual in their line of work, it is odd to have a child wander their way to a battlefield. With one so deep into the frontier, it was a mystery how he found them let alone survived the ordeal.

"Summer said that he wandered into their battle and served as her distraction to escape. Along with a well timed explosion, they were able to collapse a structure on top of Hazel and escape."

It seemed that his involvement led to a positive outcome, at least. Which only makes the decision of his fate all the more important.

"To fail in finding her lost children, she just so happened to have found someone else's. Maybe it was fate then." Glynda mused as she went back to typing.

That level of romanticism was a bit of a surprise coming from the stern woman, but—wait.

An idea instantly formed in his head. One that could, in theory, solve many of their problems in one fell swoop.

"Actually, I believe I've found a compromise."

"And I believe I've come to the same hair brain conclusion, but…." Her shoulders were tense as she thought of the implications. "Is it our place to meddle? It's not our family after all…."

Ah, another moral quandary. Though thankfully, he'd already come up with a justification.

"Glynda, I agree it's not our place to interfere with their marriage. But I also believe that the good that could come out of this outweighs any moral ambiguity it creates."

He wouldn't mention his need to keep his most valuable hunters in top shape either. After two years of being idle while they suffered, he finally had a solution that just might work. He wouldn't let it slip through his grasp.

"And Jaune? His mental and physical state can't be good. Children don't fix damaged relationships, especially when they're more broken than the marriage itself!"

She brought up an interesting point, but one he's accounted for.

"Maybe in normal circumstances, but I'd hardly classify this as normal. Glynda, from what I see, there's a child in need of a home to heal in and a home in need of healing. How will my placement be any different than a standard adoption?"

She looked incredulous at the question. "W-we'll usually it's by choice not as a punishment! Ozpin, think this through carefully, please."

He chuckled with mirth as the plan continued to form in his mind. This could work—no, it had to!

"Then I guess we'll have to let this become her idea then, hmm?" She pulled off a textbook double take at that one. "Glynda, have some faith. I wouldn't willingly hurt my cherished compatriots. Jaune's mental and physical state will actually aid in its execution. Besides, it seems that no one else would be more equipped to help heal the chasm that has formed between those two."

He brought up his mug to take one last deep drink from it as memories of the short meeting of the boy replayed. Memories filled with an odd feeling, one that, while rare, was not unheard of. Especially to himself.

"After all, who better to heal hurt feelings than someone with the Semblance capable of sensing emotions?"

Ah, another chapter out of the way and one step closer to the mythical ten chapter story. Double digits, baby!

...sadly, this will probably be the last chapter of 2021, so Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, everybody!

About the chapter now. Just wanted to ask that you guys cut Ozpin some slack at not defusing the tension between Summer and Tai. Don't forget we already know he's terrible at dealing with failing marriages, and he probably hasn't bothered to learn either. Much too busy saving the world, thank you very much. Also, Summer did, in fact, embellish her recounting of the events to downplay Jaune's involvement, and we'll definitely find out why later!

Otherwise, there should only be about one chapter left before we get into what I'll call the main storyline of this Fic! I cut out the part of Summer's interview as it was just a needless recounting. I'll sprinkle in what would have been important in the next one.

See ya next chapter.

Date Published: 2021/12/20