Sorry for the wait, hopefully the extra touch length helps a bit. hope you like it!

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Chapter 28

"You've got a lot of nerve asking me for a favor." James' scowl had been present since Ozpin had contacted him, making it rather obvious the General had more than likely seen the recording of Jaune and Lucy. "After that stunt you pulled with Jaune I-... Well let's say I'm struggling to see your logic."

"I understand you're worried but you know better than I that if there were a risk to Jaune's life, Whitback would not have willingly given chase." There was a chance Ozpin was wrong but it was negligible at best. It was far more likely Whitback was telling the truth about it's affections and the real risk of betrayal came from the Grimm's loyalty to Jaune's life rather than any sort of ideological differences.

Of course that emotional outburst could have been a show, a simple distraction to lower Ozpin's guard. Even if she wasn't the original creator of Grimm, Salem was responsible for ninety nine percent of all the Grimm that walked Remnant. Looking at the numbers, Whitback was almost certainly created by the dark Queen but one could hardly get a clear picture from numbers alone.

"I apologise James but I had confidence Whitback could handle the situation. It knew what it was facing better than any of us possible could." Ozpin was almost impressed at how his words could somehow deepen James' frown.

"I am well aware of Whitback's capabilities, but that is not what I was referring to." The General glared pointedly as if it was obvious. "You were supposed to keep Jaune safe, hidden. You were not supposed to broadcast his presence on national television! Jaune's description has been circulating like wildfire within the WhiteFang for almost a decade and you decided to tell every pissed off extremist where he was?! What were you thinking!?"

"James are… are you honestly asking?" Ozpin couldn't help but feel a little stunned, James had lost his temper before of course but usually only when he believed lives were at risk. The White Fang already knew where Jaune was, Ozpin had told James about Lucy's initial attempt, so why on Remnant was he so mad?

"I realise there has already been an attempt on Jaune's life," James must have seen the confusion, replying in a calmer, albeit strained tone. "But the WhiteFang work in Cells. Had you not shown him in Vale it could have taken months for the message to be passed around. Now every fanatic with a vendetta will be coming for him!"

"Do you believe me such a fool?" Ozpin cut in, making sure to keep his voice level but stern enough to hopefully focus the General's attention. "Jaune and his team are currently training with Qrow away from Beacon, where they will remain until they are able to deal with the more underhanded tactics terrorists tend to employ." In open combat he doubted Team RASY would have much trouble, they had Hunter training afterall. No, the issues would only realistically happen if they were caught off guard or put against someone much stronger than the average Hunter.

James seemed to debate something internally before letting out a sigh while the scowl slipped from his face, if only slightly. "I suppose they'll be safe with him…" he muttered to himself before turning his attention back to Ozpin. "But don't think I can't see what you're doing, showing him off to Vale before he's even done with his first year. He's not ready to become a symbol like you and I, Grimm or not he's still just a child."

Of course he would know what Oz was doing, it was a common tactic among every kingdom to give people someone to look up to, something to give them hope amidst the hordes of darkness. But saying Jaune was too young to handle a simple interview was nonsense coming from the man who allowed him to tear apart White Fang outposts for six years while he could truly be considered "just a child".

James didn't seem to catch the way Ozpin raised his eyebrow questioningly, either not seeing or refusing to acknowledge his own hypocrisy. His face remained as stubborn as ever causing a defeated sigh to escape the headmaster, was the general of the Atlassian military and headmaster of Atlas Academy truly letting emotion dictate his actions? Ozpin would have been shocked had he not already seen how he treated Jaune in person.

"I shall tell you what I told Qrow," Ozpin could feel a headache coming on. Qrow was one thing but having to explain his intentions to another world leader, one who employed the very strategy that he was questioning, was taxing on one's patience to say the least. "I have no intentions of forcing Jaune into a position he isn't ready for, for now all I am doing is easing some fears while introducing a talented young Huntsman."

"I think you mean introducing a new tool." Ozpin almost groaned at that, having to take a sip of coffee to hide his own waning patience. Had he manipulated people to further his own goals? Of course, but never had he forced someone to do something they didn't want to do. The only thing he withheld was the truth behind the Grimm and himself, and even then only if it didn't endanger them further not knowing.

"James please." Ozpin deadpanned, it almost felt like he was talking to Taiyang about Yang with how little thought was being put into the arguments. Being driven by any emotion besides anger was unheard of for the General whose steadfast honour, tempered by cold logic, made him one of the most powerful men on Remnant.

"I am not turning Jaune into some kind of mindless weapon, nor am I forcing him to become something he doesn't want to be." Ozpin thought that much was obvious, he wasn't some heartless monster that cared for nothing but results. He loved every one of his students and felt guilt clawed at him every time one of them failed to come back from a mission he sent them on.

James held his glare for a few seconds before letting out his scowl fade into a soft expression, well softer. It was still the General afterall. "You're right… Seeing Jaune and Tv with you caught me off guard, I suppose I'm just not used to having such little contact with one of my soldiers." More like one soldier in particular, Ozpin thought but figured that was better left unsaid.

"So…" He cleared his throat, clearly hoping to change the subject. "What is this favor you're contacting me for?"

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"So is this all you do when you're not teaching?" Jaune asked, The bullhead rumbling in the background as they flew through the darkened sky. "looking into rumors about stray packs of Grimm?" he wasn't sure what he had expected from the Huntsman, but being sent to kill a couple Grimm seemed a little… mundane? Wasn't Qrow one of the few elite Huntsman that lived in Vale? What Grimm threat could be serious enough to warrant such a response? Maybe they would be fighting a goliath or something?

"Firstly from what I heard at the bar it sounds more like a swarm, not a pack. Big difference." The black haired man raised a finger as if to punctuate his points "Secondly, no it's not all I do." He lowered his hand, returning his attention back to the bullhead before adding "Sometimes I get stuck babysitting."

Jaune wanted to get upset at the insinuation that he needed someone to watch over him but felt the argument die as a thought occurred to him. Was Qrow only doing such a simple mission because he had Jaune and his team to worry about? I'm at beacon because a certain Grimm Hybrid that shall remain nameless was drawing the attention of a certain terrorist organization that shall also remain nameless.

The meaning behind Qrow's words was obvious, it was his fault the huntsman was stuck protecting and training them. Which also meant it was his fault there was one less defender working to protect Vale's people.

An odd sense of guilt bubbled forth. He had already consumed so much of the man's time over the past two years, Of course as soon as he was free to continue his work Jaune had to done something that forced him back into his role of "babysitter". Of course the help was appreciated, but it would have been much easier for everybody if it wasn't needed at all.

"Sorry…" Jaune mumbled awkwardly, he really didn't mean to cause so much trouble but when did that make a difference? Even if his intentions were good that didn't change the fact that he made everyone's life harder when he spared Lucy the first time. Had he simply stayed quiet and allowed Whitback to do what it thought was best than everything that followed might have been avoided.

Or, more than likely he would have found something else to royally screw up while simultaneously putting innocent people's lives in danger. He seemed to have a talent for it…

"Don't let it bother you too much." Qrow spoke up, breaking the silence before it could continue growing "Like I said before, no matter how hard you try shit will eventually hit the fan." He pulled the control stick back, slowing the bullhead down. "You're trying to make up for the mistakes you've made, and that's a helluva lot more than most people can rightly claim…" He teetered off at the end, almost like he wasn't really actually saying the last part for Jaune.

"What mistakes are you running from?" The words slipped out without thought, causing a confusing jumble of emotions to pass over Qrow's worn features. "Dont… worry about it." He looked downwards with a frown on his face, slowing the bullhead's descent as he looked to be deep in thought.

"Just to be clear I'm not the one who's running." Jaune wasn't sure if it was his imagination or not but the Huntsman's words seem almost too defensive, almost as if he was trying to convince himself. "Let's just say some mistakes are better off just being forgotten…" Jaune nodded but said nothing, already seeing Qrow would not say any more.

They were on the ground and out the bullhead a few minutes later with Qrow stretching his limbs while Jaune looked around the small forest clearing. "James said you could see in the dark, that true?"

"Ya, Whitback learned how to by "studying Faunus physiology" or something." It was the "nice way" of saying they consumed a Faunus and subsequently learned about their night vision (or low-light vision as Whitback insisted it be called). The thought brought its own set a complicated emotions Jaune immediately pushed away, he couldn't let his mistakes slow him. "I can't see any Grimm if that's what you're wondering."

"Nah, if there was they would have already started attacking the bullhead. Just keep an eye out while we move, this swarm is supposed to be in a valley a few minutes north of here." Jaune turned his attention towards where Qrow had motioned and immediately felt his shield rise on it's own.

Do you see that? Whitback warned as Jaune felt it focus their vision to the treeline, a figure in the distance becoming clear. It was hard to tell if it was a guy or girl but they were clearly dressed in all black, making it difficult for even faunus eyes to catch. Jaune also noted how, much like himself, they didn't seem to have any aura whatsoever.

"I can see you in the trees there, come out now." The figure hesitated for a moment, perhaps wondering how they had been seen, before jumping down and walking towards them. As the figure got closer Jaune could make it several weapons on their person, a handgun holstered on their right leg, a knife sheathed on the small of their back and finally a coiled whip hooked to their left leg. Strange… Most Hunters seem to prefer mechashift weapons over carrying multiple options.

"You must be the scout responsible for keeping an eye on the swarm." Qrow's face was the same as always but his posture suggested he could pounce one way or the other at a moments notice. Jaune let his shield come down as well but kept an eye on the shorter but broad shouldered figure.

"Ya that's right." It's voice mixed with the body shape made it rather obvious the figure was male even with the fabric mask covering the lower half of his face. "Gregory Miller, ex-mercenary." He gave a nod and before his eyes trailed to Jaune. "You two the Huntsman the town sent for?"

"The name's Qrow Branwen, and this little squirt is Jaune" Gregory glanced momentarily at Qrow but quickly went back to staring at Jaune. The way he holds himself, the multiple weapons meant to cover all distances and even the way he hides his aura… I believe this describes an assassin far better than a mercenary.

"You know some people might get the wrong idea, faunus wearing a white mask and all." There was something in the man's voice that put Jaune on edge. "I'm not-" Qrow coughed loudly, stopping Jaune from throwing away a perfectly good excuse. "He means he's not part of the White-Fang, the mask is for… aesthetic reasons."

"Right." The man didn't sound very convinced but didn't push the matter. "Either way, the town sent you for a week ago." Qrow raised an eyebrow, was the man insulting their response time? "Your intel is old" He clarified while pulling a scroll from his back pocket and tapping at it before handing it over.

The videofeed on screen held the green tint of artificial night vision, giving a view of a large valley from what must have been a tall tree. "That…" Jaune began as he looked at the screen over Qrow's shoulder "That's a lot of Grimm." The forest floor looked more akin to a blackened sea, the sheer numbers of Grimm making it difficult to see anything past the darkness that swallowed everything around it.

"So you're telling me," Qrow said while handing the scroll back. "That a group of grimm went from a swarm of a couple hundred, to what looks like a hoard of a few thousand?" Qrow deadpanned with an unfamiliar hardened look in his eye "And no one thought to warn us before we got here?"

"The mayor's an idiot," Gregory met the gaze head on "Refused to believe me, it's why I set up those cameras. I was just on my way back to show that fool why Retel needs to be abandoned. Might be more convincing if the news comes from an official Huntsman, Care to give me a lift back?" He motioned to the nearby bullhead.

Qrow didn't answer right away, instead looking downwards with a thoughtful expression. "What's there to think about? No way we can fight that many without reinforcements from the capital, and if there are any reinforcements to begin with, we have no way to know if we have the time to wait for them." It could be considered a miracle the Grimm hadn't attacked already and such a mission might be too dangerous for anyone other than full trained huntsman which Vale was sorely lacking. The man's logic wasn't wrong by any means but…

"Those are people's homes and livelihoods you're asking them to abandon" Jaune hadn't been here long but the past two days gave him more than enough time to see the townsfolk going about their business. It wasn't like they were simply going through the motions dully, the negativity from such a depressing atmosphere would have drawn the Grimm. The fact was they were happy. "The moment you tell them to leave people will get upset, and I doubt you can evacuate such a large town before the Grimm arrive."

Gregory raised a challenging eyebrow "Ya? What's your plan then? Gonna kill every one of them?" He scoffed and even to Jaune the sarcasm was obvious, though he wasn't sure why it was there to begin with. "Don't be an idiot, it would take you days to clear a hoard of that size, and that's only if the fighting doesn't cause the Grimm to stampede towards town."

"And you're plan is better? Even if we can get everybody out of town that still leaves the hoard to move onto the next settlement." It wasn't like the Grimm would just suddenly disappear if they left, it would be like sweeping the dirt under the rug. A short term solution, not actually solving the problem so much as hiding it. "We have to do something, preferably before any more Grimm can make the problem any worse."

"You're really going to risk the lives of everybody in town just to play the hero? How brave." The "mercenary" drawled sarcastically, as if Jaune was some glory seeking child. The idea was rejected as foolish, Jaune didn't care for glory and certainly didn't enjoy being the center of attention. He was so unused to interacting with others that he had yet to say more than a few sentences to anyone other than his own team.

But that didn't mean he was an idiot, he knew that killing so many Grimm before they could kill anyone would be all but impossible. That being said, evacuating such a large town without casualties would not be any easier. "From what I remember the town only has a couple bullheads and a single train that's not even in the station, how do you plan on getting everyone out before the negativity caused by a mass evacuation draws those beasts."

The answer was simple: You couldn't. And by the looks of it Gregory knew that, he just didn't care. "And…? You wanna get yourself killed just to maybe save a few extra civies." He scoffed callously "You really are an idiot."

Jaune felt a sudden rush of anger, confusing him slightly until Whitback's frigid tone made it obvious where the anger was coming from. At least I'm not a coward. It took both men giving him a strange look for Jaune to realise the words had been spoken out loud.

"We are not risking the lives of "a few extra civies" because you want to run away." He wouldn't apologize, even if they weren't his words that didn't mean they any less of the truth. "I don't know about "mercenaries" but Hunters don't leave people to die just to save themselves."

"Ya not what I heard…" He mumbled with a roll of his eyes.

Jaune felt his own anger stir to life. Was this man really suggesting a hunter, what Ruby called a symbol of hope, would really turn their back on people in danger? Not only was he suggesting they abandon the town, but now he was calling his partner a liar. It was enough for Jaune to take a threatening step forward "Care to explain what that's supposed to mean?" For once he actually relished how his voice grinded against the eardrum.

"That's enough!" Qrow cut in before anything else could be said, an annoyed frown plastered on his face. "For God's sake, do either of you really think now is the best time to bicker like children?" He leveled a glare to Gregory but the truly disappointed look was saved for Jaune, making him look away with shame pooling in his gut.

"That's what I thought, now listen up the both of you." Qrow crossed his arms, the annoyed look still on his face. Maybe he just didn't like being the responsible one? "We are going to save as many people as we possibly can." He said to Jaune before turning to the older man "And we are going to do it without some crazy, suicide mission."

Gregory didn't seem impressed "You really expect me to believe you can actually save this town with less casualties than a straight up evacuation?" the dumbfounded look on his face made it clear what he thought of the idea "You must think I'm as dumb as your brat." Jaune bit his tongue on the response he knew Whitback would have, Qrow already looked to be running low on patience without him feeding the flame.

"You can believe whatever you want." The Huntsman shrugged like he didn't care but Jaune could see the stiffness in the movement. A stiffness that spoke of a barely contained temper, Qrow must have hated the man's cruel attitude even more. That made sense, who wouldn't be pissed off when the career you chose to spend your life on was being insulted right in front of you?.

"But we are going to save every one of these people, without risking a single civilian." That gave even Jaune pause. Sure he was hoping they could save everyone but he didn't think he could sound half as confident as Qrow did. How could he? he had no real plan beyond charging in to kill the horde, at least Gregory had some kind of plan. even if it was cowardly.

But Jaune knew Qrow well enough that the confidence in the man's voice was more than the pointless bragging of an old drunk. The confidence could only mean he had a plan, and the amount of said confidence hopefully meant the plan didn't rely solely on chance like Jaune's had. Or on the sacrifice of innocent lives like Gregory's.

"I have an idea, but first I need to make a couple of calls."

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Sorry again for the lateness, I tried to put a bit more time into this chapter and I really hope it turn out well! Please let me know if the extra time spent is noticeable, if so hopefully its for the better but let me know if its worse! I overthink a lot. Also feel free to let me know if you notice no difference, wouldn't be as bad as being worse but not as good as being better though I would still like to know since I wont feel like i need to take so long to think things through. A part of me also feels like a need to apologies because despite what i just said isn't the whole truth, yes a part of the reason this is late is because i spent longer writing but I wont lie and said me being a lazy shit and putting another 60 hours into Kenshi (Game i enjoy)has nothing to do with it. It very much does. With that whole thing out of the way I look forward to hearing what everybody and anybody thinks how things are progression, both in story and character! As usual I hope you all of a wonderful morning/night!

Sergeant Soul Snatcher, I'm so glad to hear you like it! You nailed how i was trying to show Whitback's relationship with Jaune. Yes there are negatives but with the plethora of positives (hopefully) it's really up to personal opinion if he is in a parasitic relationship or a symbiotic one. (though personally i see it as symbiotic) Hopefully i wont disappoint with the differences! I admit your words to take a break kind of influenced me to take a slower approach to this chapter, If you'd like to let me know if you think it helped I'm all ears! Hope I can keep you hooked!

Dethcat, I hope that's a good sign :P I may not be the best with emotes but I always enjoy a review! :D I hope you're enjoying the story I've created :)