Sorry for the wait, hope I made it worth it!
Chapter 10
Jaune stood at the edge of the beach, staring out across the vast body of water and wondering how far out it kept going. You forgot we were on an island? Whitback sounded a bit confused and Jaune frowned slightly.
"No, I didn't forget we were on an island…" He crossed his arms and started pacing back and forth on the beach. Of course he didn't forget he was on an island, what kind of idiot could forget that?
… You forgot we can't swim?
"..." Jaune's frown deepened but he remained silent. He had planned on making his way inland while searching for people that might need help. He didn't want to risk James finding and locking him away like he had for the majority of the past six years.
We don't have many options, we should contact James for assistance. Whitback was blunt in his analysis, they couldn't fly a bullhead and there body composition was far too dense for swimming. They would sink like a rock.
"But we failed… We were barely allowed outside before, how often do you think he'll let us out now?" Jaune didn't like to complain since James had been so kind to them, but he rarely let them outside aside from the handful of missions. It made Jaune feel more like a caged animal than an actual person, like he was thought of as a monster.
As often as you wish. Your Grande Protector guarantees your freedom, none shall hold us captive. Whitback left no room for argument, if Jaune asked to be let outside then it would find a way outside with or without Ironwood's permission.
"What if he doesn't let us? Will you fight him?" Jaune didn't want that, James had showed kindness to him while Whitback just wanted to protect Jaune. Neither deserved injury or death at the hands of the other. "No. We're supposed to be fighting for good, not ourselves."
James always said we fought for the good of mankind, why not try making a deal and continuing to fight for him? Whitback was trying to wrap its mind around what Jaune thought "good" was and why he wanted to fight for it. Why had ridding the world of White Fang terrorist not been "fighting for good"?
"Besides not knowing how he'll react to this failure? Well you heard what that faunus said… It's like the faunus are excluded from mankind for some reason." Jaune had trouble believing they could be treated as badly as that girl said but she looked so heartbroken. Maybe she was lying but he didn't think so.
Why fight for the ones that took so much from you? Whitback was still struggling to understand how Jaune could not only forgive them, but go so far as to defend them. It had remained silent when he let the cat faunus live but that didn't mean it understood or even agreed with the choice.
"The same reason I fought against them. I don't want anyone to lose what I did. No one deserves that." The actions of one man cost Jaune his family, while Jaune's actions cost hundreds of faunus their lives. hundreds of people that wouldn't be going home to their families.
To confirm, you wish to fight for the good of human and faunus life? Whitback's voice sounded neutral with a hint of curiosity. And you don't know if that's Ironwood's goal? Whitback never really liked the man but knew he was a powerful ally to have.
"Exactly" Jaune replied with a smile "James was nice but he didn't let us do anything. Do you think we can get off this island without his help?" They couldn't do much good while trapped there, that town already had Ruby fighting for it and Jaune was almost positive James would find him quickly in such a small area.
Whitback was silent for a moment while debating its options, on the one hand they might be able to sneak aboard a bullhead in the city but that carried its own risks. It had another option available to it, though it wasn't sure how Jaune might react to it. How happy are you with the changes done to your body?
Jaune wasn't expecting the question but immediately replied with nonchalant "Yea, of course". Whitback had made him stronger, faster and even able to see in the dark and that was excluding what it did to protect Jaune with it's own body. "Why do you ask?"
The changes I have done are more akin to modifications than full transformation. After the fear you showed upon waking to my changes in Jaques' lab, I chose to maintain as much of your human body as possible.
Jaune wasn't sure how he felt about that, Should he be happy he still had a "mostly" human body? He had long since forgotten the fear he first felt after being injected, the pain maybe not but he didn't think to fear Whitback
To get off this island we can either risk being found by Ironwood and sneak aboard a bullhead. Jaune frowned, the thought of facing the man now after everything made his stomach twist. James already disliked letting Jaune outside for fear of exposing his grimm side and now that he was proven right there was no telling when Jaune would be let out again.
Or, I can strip your body of the last of its humanity. Allowing you to survive the depths of the ocean and leave this island on your own two feet. Jaune scratched the back of his head, if he was being honest he didn't really know what Whitback meant by "stripping the body of humanity" but the idea didn't scare him like facing James did.
"Will that make me act differently? What do you mean my humanity?" Jaune was confused but not put off by the idea. He had already been called monster by anyone who saw his face and his eyes. Even Ironwood had flinched from him for the first few months and Winter still avoided his eyes most of the time.
Your grey matter is already apart of my body, it's how I experienced your memories and how I communicate directly to your mind. What I'm suggesting won't change your mind, only your flesh. Whitback explained clearly, hoping Jaune understood what it was suggestion.
"I don't understand, my skin already looks different from other people." Jaune didn't resent his looks, on the contrary he had come to enjoy his unique features. It almost made him feel like he had a semblance, his special power that no one else had.
All I have done is replace your blood and muscle with my own body, giving your veins a blackened appearance and allowing me to make modifications and repairs at a cellular level. I've not absorbed and recreated your body in a new way as I am now suggestion.
Jaune knew he should be thinking very carefully, Whitback was grimm after all and James said the grimm were the true enemy of human and faunus alike. The only problem Jaune had with that theory was Whitback had only ever acted to protect Jaune and itself. Even if it got carried away sometimes it still just wanted to live and learn alongside Jaune.
"I trust you." He answered honestly with a smile, satisfied with Whitback's explanation. "Now what do you need me to do to get off this island?" Whitback felt a new sense of pride blossom and responded with a heartfelt Thank you. attempting to return the same kindness it was shown.
First things first, we need to go fishing.
\-/
Ozpin's office was a clockwork marvel to stand within, the spinning gears both above and below giving a distinct feeling of grandeur. Ozpin himself sat calmly at his desk with a tired looking Qrow to his left. James stood with his arms linked behind his back in front of the trio while Winter waited outside, a slight frown was his only notable expression.
"I do not regret taking the child under my protection. He was far too dangerous to leave alone." James' voice was unapologetic, sure of his actions and intentions. Qrow had already explained the situation, relaying what James had told him about the hybrid during their bullhead ride to beacon.
"Of course you don't, how many White Fang did he kill for you?" Qrow had been nothing but hostile, seeing no sense in keeping the hybrid a secret from Ozpin. "Did you ever think that you shouldn't force a child commit genocide on your behalf!?"
"I never forced anyone! Jaune was the one who wanted to fight the White Fang and the grimm inside him would have helped him achieve that with or without me!" James shot back with a glare, having enough of Qrow's verbal assault. "At least while in my custody I could direct and limit the damage he caused. White Fang disappearing caused far less panic than a human like grimm ripping them apart in public!"
"Enough!" Ozpin raised his voice only enough to be heard clearly, silencing Qrow with a side glance before turning his attention back to Ironwood. "I am not questioning your morals, I may not agree with your actions but I do believe you made them to protect innocent lives."
"I am confused about why you kept it a secret from us." James couldn't sense any anger in Oz's voice and felt a touch of relief that he hadn't angered one of his more trusted if not only friend.
"I am sorry Ozpin. I admit I would still prefer it if you had never found out about Jaune, I fully believed that you would seek the grimm's destruction." Ozpin raised an eyebrow, confusion written on his face.
"You don't believe it should be?"Ozpin would argue that James was the more destructive member of their group and yet he did not seek to rid them of this grimm? "You're usually the first to display the might of mankind. Why is this grimm different? aside from inhabiting a human host."
"It has shown no resentment towards mankind, at worse being indifferent towards humans suffering. The only time we have seen it act with malice is when either its host was in danger or when a large amount of negativity is produced. Even in those situations Jaune has shown that he can prevent these frenzies with willpower and practice."
Ozpin looked thoughtful while contemplating James' explanation. "You believe it would fight for mankind?" He guessed the conclusion easily enough, using the enemies weapon against them made perfect sense. The only problem is this grimm human hybrid sounded very similar to the queen of grimm.
"I see your point, but are you not worried about creating a second Salem? A "King" of grimm if you will." Ozpin had revealed her existence to James long ago, he must have recognized her description when he saw what Qrow described as a "Grimm-eyed human with blackened veins and deathly white skin.".
"I considered that possibility and even had plans to eliminate him if he betrayed us but none of them have been needed. His actions, while sometimes overly apathetic, resembled a child lashing out at the ones who hurt him."
"Is that why he ran off despite your orders?" James didn't know how to respond to that, this was the first instance of flat out disobedience Jaune had ever committed and it wasn't even Jaune. Whitback said Jaune was unconscious before Qrow had distracted him, the next thing he knew Whitback had disappeared into the forest while ignoring a direct order.
"I did not expect him to ignore my orders, but the circumstances had already placed a tremendous amount of stress on Jaune and, in turn, on the grimm." James had only heard bits of what Jaune was muttering but it was sounded like he was remembering his family. "I believe the White Fang he chose to chase after were directly involved with his family's death."
Ozpin let out a sigh, unsure what to make of the boys actions. Vengeance was what caused Salem to fall, could the child really be stronger willed then her? "Qrow, your niece claimed to have spoke with Jaune correct?"
"Yea that's right, I didn't have a chance to talk much with her before I was on my way here." Qrow scratched at his stubble, he had left her with her dad before coming to beacon and neglected to question her properly.
"Could you call her?" Ozpin asked Qrow politely. "I would like to asked her what they talked about. I can't imagine a grimm would have much to say to a child, perhaps we can help prove Jaune has retained his humanity." Ozpin didn't like the idea of letting such a dangerous grimm live but neither did he wish to injury or kill an innocent child.
Qrow quickly obliged, calling Ruby on his scroll and offering a smile when she answered with her usual positivity. "Uncle Qrow!" Ruby let out a gleefully "Did you forget something? Do you need me to come to beacon!"
Qrow let out a chuckle, he could never understand how she had so much energy. "Calm down firecracker, You'll be in beacon before you know it. I just wanted to ask about that weird kid you saw last night. Did he say or do anything… strange?"
"Well… Everything I guess? His voice sounded so rough and angry but I don't think he meant it too." Ruby scratched at her head awkwardly, she wasn't sure what her uncle meant by "strange".
"Did he sound like he wanted to hurt you? Or like he was mad at anyone?" Qrow pressed further and Ruby did her best to recollect the memories, starting with how the boy cried about killing and ending with his words to fight for good.
"Thanks kido, I'll be back in time for sparring tomorrow." Qrow smiled and waved farewell before ending the call and turning to Ozpin. "What do you think? He doesn't sound dangerous but there's always the chance he's lying."
"Possibly but I won't harm a child on mere suspicion." Ozpin wanted to save as many lives as possible, if Jaune proved to be a threat he must be eliminated. But if he refused to fight, or even chooses fights for the good of mankind then Ozpin would gladly accept another ally in the fight against evil.
"I believe the best course of action is to simply observe and clarify Jaune's intentions. If he proves his words to Ruby then we will offer him sanctuary and training, do you think you can keep and eye on him Qrow?" Oz looked to his trusted confidant, knowing what the man would say but still offering the choice as a courtesy.
"Sure thing Oz." Qrow gave a nod "Shouldn't be too hard to find him. I'll make sure he doesn't hurt anyone if things get out of hand." Ozpin returned the nod gratefully, Qrow was one of his most skilled huntsmen and had the best chance of stopping Jaune and the grimm if they went wild.
Ozpin turned his attention back to James. "I trust you have something planned if the hybrid becomes a threat?" James confirmed with a nod, weapons had already been developed in case Whitback needed to be put down. He may not have liked the thought but that didn't stop him from planning for it.
"Then I believe that concludes our business" Ozpin grabbed his untouched coffee mug from the desk and took a sip. "Let us hope that before long, we'll have a new ally." He truly wished Jaune would avoid the dark path Salem had taken. He was so tired of all the innocent casualties.
\~/
It's been a tiring week, these winter days really get to me but I'm happy to meet my deadline of min once a week! I hope my greyish mood doesn't reflect here. This chapter is mainly attempting to explain Jaune's actions and how James/Qrow and Ozpin are reacting to them. I really hope I didn't make Jaune's and Whitbacks body too confusing, The fishing thing is literal. Whitback needs some aquatic life, grimm or not, to learn how to breath underwater as they can't swim effectively. The keeping his humanity was Whitback trying to keep as many of Jaune's original organs and bones as possible but that is being abandoned now in favor of Whitbacks far more efficient and pressure resistant body. Lemme know if you have any questions and also how i did Ozpin! I hope I didn't make him too apathetic or villainy or anything weird like that. Dude gives me a weird vibe sometimes.
Sm0keyPanda glad to hear you liked my Qrow and Ruby! hopfully i'm keeping it up. I'll hopefully be at beacon either at the end of the next chapter or perhaps the one after that depending how things go. Thanks for Reviewing!
Artjom435 hope i didn't disappoint you with this latest chapter, while I agree with you I also believe Jaune would have a fear of punishment with how little he was allowed outside the (admittedly cozy) room he was kept in. By no means am i scrapping the relationship, Jaune is just going through a bit of "running away from home" rebellion. Thanks for such detailed feedback! hope to hear more