Chapter 4: Partners and food
Vomit boy.
The blonde noddle.
Tall, blonde and scraggly.
The boy most commonly known as Jaune Arc, simply stared down at his hands. Or in particular, his right hand etched with red markings.
His so called, command seals.
One was faded already, a remnant from last night where he forcibly stopped Sabers follow up attack.
It was a good thing too, considering how his servant had almost killed Ruby with a single blow.
Blue eyes clenched shut as the guilt wormed its way into his gut and twisted his stomach's contents in an array of nauseating feats.
It was no one's fault, he knew that. Servants and Masters were supposed to kill each other after all, and Saber had simply done what she was summoned to do. She protected him from a perceived threat.
It was just dumb luck that the threat so happened to be his best friend in the world.
His best friend who, according to her servant had been so keen on not killing anyone, that she pushed straight into the fight and ignored his warnings with the hope of not killing the enemy master.
What a talk that had been.
Everyone aside from Weiss has been ready to rip the man a new one for drawing Ruby into a conflict that almost killed her.
The man hadn't even flinched at their words.
And if he were being honest, Jaune hardly even remembered what everyone had said. He hardly remembered anything after watching Ruby go down.
There were flashes of Saber deflecting arrows and him telling her to stay away from Ruby. But that was it really.
He was simply too focused on the girl laying before him to care about anything else.
His eyes traveled upward to the bed, where the still form of the red reaper rested peacefully.
A sigh of relief left him as he leaned back in his chair, a hand running through his hair as anxiety visibly seeped from his shoulders.
He shook his head as sleep tried to work it's way into his aching neck and his the anxiety once more flared.
Adrenaline had him breathing hard and sitting up right in no time.
He clenched his faithful sword in his hands, prepared for anything that dared to try and hurt Ruby.
He would protect her. He had too. He couldn't fail again.
In fact, he almost had failed. If it hadn't been for the command seal and Rubys aura, she would've died.
Ruby Rose almost died.
And… and he didn't know how to handle that.
He'd already lost one partner, and last night he'd almost lost another, and it hadn't even been because of fighting some big bad guy! It was literally friendly fire!
He grit his teeth and focused instead on her face, more specifically how her mouth opened slightly and breath gently escaped her lips before returning once more.
It was strange, he knew that, and he'd never admit it to anyone, but it was calming. It reminded him that she was alive, that Ruby was alive and well and very much healing from her wounds.
Heck, even her jerk of a servant… what was his name Archer? Assassin? Identity crisis? Ah it didn't matter. The servant had explained just how Ruby's wounds, though dangerous, weren't mortal.
The blessings of aura.
If she hadn't had it, her servant had exclaimed how if it wasn't for aura, they would've buried Ruby in two halves.
He shivered at the thought.
"Hey vomit boy, you all right?"
He blinked and turned in his seat.
He was greeted with the sight of the group's second blonde, RWBY's brawler Yang Xiao Long.
She'd been here all night, but after enough prodding from Weiss and Blake, had left Ruby under his watchful eye to get some rest only a few hours ago.
His own team; aka Ren and Nora, had tried the same with him. Obviously he hadn't listened.
"You get any sleep?" The blonde crossed her arms and leaned against the door frame, lilac eyes moving to her sister instead of him.
He shrugged and turned back to Ruby. "A bit."
"Hmm." She moved around him and stay in the only other chair in the room at the foot of the bed. "She looks a lot better."
"Miracles of aura."
"No kidding," Yang sighed and ran a hand through her hair, "when Archer fought me back at the farm, I knew he was holding back. I was pissed he was, but after last night… I can see why."
Jaune grimaced, "if Saber had hit Weiss…"
Yang frowned, "she has less aura than even Ruby. It would've been…"
The words hung in the air but he knew what she meant.
If he were honest, only Yang, Nora, Qrow, or himself probably would've survived Sabers first hit. A second? Probably just him and Qrow. A third… maybe even Qrow couldn't have taken a third. It was… terrifying. The girl he'd come to know for only a day had been, regal in a sense, but also kind and even put up with Nora with a genuine smile. Then in one hit, almost killed his best friend.
And it wasn't like Ruby was a complete push over!
"Damn it," Yang's voice grew hot and a grow slipped into her throat, "it's been a fucking day since we almost died and now here's Ruby again, almost dead!"
He watched her hands tighten into fists.
"I should've been there, I shouldn't have let her run off on her own."
He wanted to ask what had happened, but team RWBY, aside from being concerned over their downed teammate and confused over the whole 'Holy Grail War' thing, had been tight lipped last night.
Something else had been on their minds but he didn't press. They'd talk when Ruby was out of the woods, that much he knew. Or he figured. Or hoped.
Instead he snorted darkly, "I should've realized that if some death game involving some god like wish granting cup suddenly popped up of course Ruby would find herself in the middle of it…"
Yang laughed, her voice warm though partly forced, "of course. That's Ruby for you. A magnet for trouble."
He nodded with a small smile, though it died only moments later as he watched Ruby take a particularly deep breath before releasing it.
He sighed. At least she was breathing.
"You know it's not your fault right?"
He blinked and blue eyes met lilac.
The girl sighed and leaned back in her chair, "look it ain't your fault. Ruby did what Ruby does. She jumped in and asked questions later. And you know what? She's fine. So don't freak."
He frowned and looked back at her.
"It's like-"
"Don't." Her eyes flashed red, "this isn't Pyrrha, Jaune. She's not Pyrrha, and this wasn't Cinder. She's alive and fine. So relax," a smile graced her lips, "or maybe you want me to help you relax?"
The wiggle of her eyebrows sent heat rushing through Jaunes face.
"Ah aha…" he chuckled sheepishly.
She snorted, "hehe relax. Just teasing Vomit Boy. Besides, no offense, but too noodly for my taste."
"Oh come on." He pouted, "what does that even mean!"
"Figure it out," she winked at him, the shit eating grin still plastered on her face as she stood, "come on, Ruby's fine but you gotta eat before you starve and then we gotta look after you too."
"You sound like my mom."
"Eh, sometimes, kinda have to with Ruby around, otherwise she'll just run off and blow something up. Probably by tripping over a case of dust."
He chuckled, "probably, but…" his eyes lingered on Ruby again.
"If it assures you," a deep voice jumped out from the corner of the room, and the man from last night, Ruby's servant, appeared out of thin air in a shower of blue particles, "I won't leave my masters side till you return."
"Ah!" Jaune leapt from his seat, his sword instantly drawn and his eyes wide in obvious confusion. Yang simply rolled her eyes.
Another shit eating grin found its way onto the man's face as he continued, "I would be a poor servant if I simply left her alone while injured after all."
"You're the one who caused this." Yang's eyes narrowed, and Jaune couldn't help but feel himself agreeing.
The man shrugged, "I warned her not to intervened. Unfortunately it seems i'm cursed with hot headed masters, and suicidal friends of theirs." The threat was simple and Jaune felt himself take a step back.
The man radiated cold callousness, and he really didn't want to see if he could take a hit from one of the servants.
"Archer, I swear if Ruby gets hurt because of you again…" Yangs eyes flashed red and normally Jaune would've felt bad for the poor sucker on the receiving end but this time he couldn't. In fact he was more worried for Yang than anything.
Hopefully the man would act like the adult he was and just let it go. He really didn't want to fight right now.
The man crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall, "Tck, you'll do what? Lose to me in another sparring match?"
Ah, so the man proceeded to take his mental warning and shove it into a trash can then proceed to cause a scene. Joy, another sarcastic jackass like Qrow. Yay.
The temperature in the room grew slightly warmer and Jaune sighed, lowering his weapon to look at Yang who was glaring daggers at the man.
"Yang, just get some breakfast yeah?" He offered his voice tired, but he did manage a soft smile.
The blonde glanced at him and huffed pointedly before stalking out of the room without a word.
He sighed, "were you really here the whole time?"
The man smirked and raised an eyebrow at him.
"Great, not creepy at all," he mumbled.
The mans amusement didn't dissipate and Jaune wondered if just maybe he was a reincarnation of Qrow in hero form.
Saber had told him of the Throne and how heroes were chosen. Granted it was all very… Supernatural and most of it only left him more confused than not, but he got the gist of it.
Maybe.
'Master.'
He flinched at the voice suddenly speaking in his head. It was even weirder having someone you had never even known existed speak to you telepathically.
Even then, he couldn't but feel his eyebrow twitch in irritation. Maybe it was petty but she had put Ruby in this state.
What's up Saber?
'I know you're worried for your friend, but your friends are adamant about you eating. If you wish, I could watch over her until you have eaten and rested.'
And then there was her damn chivalry thing. She was so… polite? Noble?
Saber, I don't know if thats-
Light particles suddenly appeared in front of him, the very light itself forming into the shape of an armored woman.
It'd be lying to say it didn't make him squeak again.
Blue eyes and blonde hair faced him, and with a sterner look than that of Glynda Goodwitch, she placed a hand over her heart.
"Master, on my word as a Knight and the King of Britain, I will never harm your friend again. This I swear."
He huffed at her words, but it was impossible to miss the dedication in her eyes.
She really wanted to do this.
Maybe it was a hero thing.
"Saber, you dont-"
"I do Master. I do not regret protecting you from others," she glanced back at the other servant in the room, "but I admit I am at fault for harming your friend. You have my word she will not be harmed again."
He ran a hand through his hair, and despite his misgivings on the situation, there was no hint of deceit or annoyance in Sabers eyes.
There was nothing but light and pride in her.
A smile, small and understanding claimed his lips.
"Okay, okay, but if anything changes you let me know." he fixed her with his best leader glare.
She nodded once with a grin and immediately turned her back to him and marched over directly to Ruby, her sword drawn and placed tip first to the ground as she stood at Ruby's side like the Knight she was: head high and eyes vigilant.
With that, and the obvious eye roll from the other servant, he left the room and his new partner behind.
Voices from below echoed up the stairs but the multitude of them simply created a symphony of chaos.
Still he smiled as laughter rolled through the house and a few moments later he found himself walking into the living room with a grin on his face.
Food was laid out; a massive pot of eggs on the living room table with bacon, freshly buttered toast, and even fruit in a basket.
The smell was intoxicating and his stomach grumbled with desire.
"Well look who decided to show up," the voice was accompanied with a smile and his sister wrapped her arms around him, squeezing with enough force to crush a bullhead.
"Hey sis," Juane greeted, "sorry about everything."
"Hush you. Your partners fine and so are you and that's all that matters." she grinned as she released him, "now grab some food before your friends eat it all."
He chuckled and raised his hands, "yes mom."
She rolled her eyes as he passed and grabbed a plate from the kitchen before-
"Ren! Did you eat my bacon?!"
"Nora, you ate it two minutes ago. You ate mine too."
His grin grew as he made his way over to the small gathering, earning a small nod from Weiss and the smallest wave possible from Blake from their spots on the couch furthest from the food.
Nora however simply glared at her own partner, and raised a fork,"lies!"
A sigh left the only other males mouth and Juane slipped by and over to the food where Yang was filling up her own plate.
"Finally got hungry Vomit Boy?"
He sighed.
"Yeah yeah, don't rub it in."
She slugged his shoulder with a grin, "just make sure not to eat it all. Nora's already threatened to fight me and Weiss over bacon."
He raised and eyebrow as Weiss's voice perked up from the couch, "in my defense, you thought it'd be a good idea to steal her bacon when she wasn't looking."
"It was Yang?!" Nora's roar shook his bones and a sixth instinct had him scooting back.
"Hey I wanted more, " the blonde shrugged, "plus your sister made even more so it's not like there's a shortage."
"It's the principle you traitor!"
The shouting match grew, and Juane only shook his head before scooting back towards the nearest couch and plopped down next to Weiss.
He dove into his food as Weiss's glare towards the two resident brawlers intensified and he could almost feel the annoyance seething off her.
"I take it Nora and Yang have almost burned the house down a few times?"
"Oh you missed the fight over the first batch of pizza last night, and the fight over the couch this morning," she grit her teeth, "honestly, if Ruby doesn't wake up soon I'm gonna freeze them both to the wall."
He couldn't help but chuckle.
"Hey Weiss."
Jaynes eyes widened and he turned to see Oscar standing behind the couch, hands together as he awkwardly smiled at the heiress.
A soft smile, one Jaime had never had the fortune of being on the receiving end of, graced the girls face.
"Oscar, is everything okay?"
"Oh yeah!" his eyes moved to June, "your sister a great cook by the way."
Jane laughed, "she is, but she's wasn't always. Should've seen the first time she tried to make lasagna for us."
A shiver ran down his spine.
"I heard that Jaune!"
Ahh. That's why.
Weiss rolled her eyes and Oscar chuckled, as he grinned sheepishly and expertly changed the subject, "anyway ah ha, how's Ozpin? And where's Qrow? I haven't… Guys? "
The levity in Weiss's face had died, her eyes narrowing and her lips pursing as he blinked in utter confusion.
Oscar however was different he stepped back and looked down, holding his arm as if he was injured.
"Uh , guys?"
"Jaune."
He turned to the Heiress.
"There's something you and your team need to know."
"So, you swear to me, you didn't hire some cosplayer to just… hang out with you?"
"Dude! I have some class!"
Neptune snorted, "and we have this… girl sitting in our room like she owns it."
"This girl can hear you human."
Sun Wukong sighed and rubbed his neck, sparing a glance at the girl sitting on his bed with something that was stylish yet revealing.
"Oh sorry whatever you're name is!"
The girl in question, rolled her red eyes before answering his teammate, "I've told you idiot. Ishtar, now if you'd be so kind as to leave so my master and I can discuss the war."
"Oh and then there's that!" Neptune cried throwing his hands up, "like what the hell! You two are apart of some war for a magical cup that can grant you whatever you want? And I'm not supposed to think she's high on something!"
His last words had him turning back to Sun, who flinched at the accuracy of his explanation.
After all, who in their right mind would believe that story.
Still, something about some random gorgeous woman appearing from literal light in his room had him on the 'believe her because how else do I explain this' train.
He then sighed and replied, "okay chill dude, first she's not a cosplayer. Secondly, I told you she appeared from literal light light? Like actual molecules man. How else do you explain that?"
"I don't know! Teleportation semblance?!"
Sun groaned and threw his hands up, "dude when have I ever lied to you!"
The blue haired boy rolled his eyes, "okay fair point, but still! Why is there a naked girl in our room!"
"She's not naked!"
"Enough!"
The boys froze, the two pairs of eyes turning to the woman on the bed.
Red eyes burned into them, fists clenched in annoyance, and the woman stood, careful to flick her hair behind her before she crossed her arms.
Her eyes settled on the blue haired teen, and she spoke, "I am not some whore for your raging hormones. I am a goodness, and I won't have you tarnishing my name."
Sun's eyes widened as she lifted off the floor, one hand lazily held out. Something began to form next to it, and though he hadn't told Neptune about it, his connection with her had him feeling the insult she had actually felt.
And nothing had the wrath of a woman scorned.
"Eh heh, uh Ishtar, how about we not kill my best friend and we just talk this out like normal people yeah?"
The woman looked at him, particles of light floating above her raised hand as she replied, "he insults me and you defend him?"
Sun sighed and glanced back at his friend, "yeahhhhh, he may be kinda dumb, but hes a loyal friend. My best bud you know?"
Once more red eyes returned back to Neptune who was babbling something about how beautiful women were going to be the death of him or the end of him.
Neither one made Ishatr feel better if by the way she tightened her grip was anything to go by.
But the woman sighed and spoke again, "fine."
Neptune plopped to the ground with less grace than a dancing walrus, and she turned to Sun with crossed arms.
"Master we need to prepare. The past day you have done naught but attend classes and entertain this hormonal buffoon-"
"Hey!"
"-but we need to focus on the prize at hand."
Sun's smiled died and his shoulders grew tense, "the war?"
Ishtar nodded, "yes."
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Honest to God, he had thought about it all night and all morning. Neptune had simply been a pleasant distraction.
"So what should we do?"
The woman shrugged as she lifted her hand and inspected her nails, "planning is normally left up to the master."
He frowned.
Ishtar had been… Helpful in explaining the situation. And by helpful she was very descriptive of what would happen to him and whatever other masters were apart of the war.
God, if she hadn't simply been willed into existence in his very dorm he would've personally taken her to a psych ward!
None the less, he was sure the situation was very real, and if her claims were to be believed he didn't want to see her strength up close and personal.
But what was he supposed to do?!
If he went to the headmaster he was sure she'd lock him in a psych ward! And it's not like there was anyone would actually believe him!
Like who was he-
His eyes grew wide.
He knew exactly who would believe him. Or at the very least, who would be willing to help him.
Blake.
"Neptune! Pack your bags! We're going to Mistral!"
Crack!
The wall in front fo him crackled under his fist, pieces of it falling to the floor as his fist retracted.
"Jaune…" Weiss's words were soft and normally would've sent relief down his spine but he felt nothing but heat in his back. In his chest.
Nothing but anger.
And rage.
"Jaune…"
Salem couldn't die.
She was invincible? Cursed by actual God's to be literally immortal!
And Ozlin knew. This entire time… Ozpin knew! Their headmaster, their teacher, a man they trusted-a man pyrrha had trusted with her life- had knew that the very enemy they were fighting was literally immortal.
"Jaune, I know its a lot to take in-"
He…
He had known. And still wanted them to fight her.
It was a death sentence.
For all of them. As it had been for his partner.
For… For…
He spun on his heel, shoving past a startled Weiss and grabbing Oscar- no, Ozpin- by the collar and lifting him up.
Cries or protest rang out from his friends around him, but he ignored their pleas and slammed the boy against the wall.
"Ozpin! You killed her! You sent her to her death!"
Ozpin struggled in his grip, "Jaune, Ozpins not here! He left!"
But the words didn't ring.
All he could of was that day.
Of seeing his partner fly of to fight a fight she couldn't win.
And to think the same fate awaited the rest of them.
"How could you do that? She trusted you! We trusted you!" he roared, eyes burning and hands tightening against the boys shirt.
"Jaune, let him down!" It was Weiss this time, her eyes wide with shock as she stepped toward, hands raised as if to pull him away.
He glared at her, teeth grit as he responded, "what if it had been Ruby?"
The Heiress froze.
He narrowed his eyes as silence took hold and continued, "what if Ozpin had chosen Ruby instead of Pyrrha? What if she went up and died fighting an unwinnable fight? What if it was your partner?"
She didn't say anything, hands and lips as frozen as the arctic ice.
"Would you be so calm? Would you forgive Ozpin for lying to you? For sending Ruby to her death?"
Weiss, the fiercest girl he knew with a bite that almost know one could match, looked away with closed eyes.
He huffed and looked back at Oscar.
"Answer me, Ozpin. Why did you lie to us?"
But the eyes of a frightened boy never changed. Never did the haunted wisdom and years of Ozpin come out and Jaune only felt and saw the struggles of a child against his grip.
He sighed and closed his eyes, his hands releasing their hold on Oscar.
The boy coughed as he collapsed to the ground.
"I'm going out."
Jaune turned away from the others, and headed out the front. The door slammed shut behind him.
And silence was left in his wake.
"Jaune?"
Wiess looked up, and her eyes grew wide as the familiar form of Ruby Rose climbed down the stairs, hands on her head and eyes half shut in obvious pain.
"Where'd Jaune go?"
Raven Branwen never claimed to be a tempered person. She never claimed to be calm and composed.
But this was… Different.
Her mind…
It felt like it was on fire. As if a blade soaked in hot oil had been plunged through her skull and then lit on fire.
As if a million needles were pricking at her.
And that was nothing for the voice.
It didn't speak, or even say words. It simply roared, and growled, and the sheer… weight behind it, the sheer madness, had kept her from sleeping all night.
And those red marks on her hand. What did it mean?
What was it about?
A huff echoed out from the furthest point in her tent and she grit her teeth.
She had to ignore it.
Looking at it gave it only more control. It made the madness louder.
So much louder.
"Hmph." Air rushed by, and her hair went wild as she looked up.
The towering form of a man stood above her. A massive sword was slung over his shoulder, his bulking muscle and the very power radiating off him making her instincts flare with warning.
His deep red eyes bore into her, and his mouth curled into a snalr.
'Grail…'
She grit her teeth.
Damn that word.
It had been repeating it over and over for the past hour. It was almost as bad as the sheer crazy coming off him.
Almost.
A/N
It's been a while. Sorry about that. Anyway, here's the next chapter. This was a bit hard to write, but I figured out where to end it. It felt more natural here and will give us more time in the next chapter to flesh things out between the characters and the war now brewing.
Initially I had wanted to have Ruby confront Jaune at the end, but she was kinda out of it after being close lined by Saber in close quarters combat. So it diverges from Canon and Jaune is able to go on his rant. Though he's still a good person and calms after letting Weiss have it.
Still he has to clear his head like before, but now he goes outside instead of Oscar. Canon divergence and I am very much a believer of the butterfly effect.
Also, next chapter we'll see a bit more of Ishtar and Karna with their masters respectively. Also Raven is in play and her servant is rather obvious.
Don't worry this fic isn't dead.
Review and follow!
God bless.
-Metal4k