Ultimate Weapon Chapter 7

Arc 1: The Claws that Fangs have Borne

Jaune was outside, sitting at the Beacon Fountain, alone early in the morning. His eyes closed as he drifted his fingers across the cool waters behind him. His ears listening to the sounds of the trees and birds. Solid breathes rose in Jaune's chest as he enjoyed the silence and smell of nature. Jaune opened his eyes to watch the sun rise over the trees in front of him, the light bore through the branches and illuminated the pathway ahead of him. He closed his eyes again as he enjoyed the beautiful morning.

Due to Jaune's unique biology, sleep was not a constant requirement for him. From time to time he would go a day, maybe even two, without any need for it. As such peaceful mornings with nary a sound of human intrusion was a common thing for him as of late. Sadly, Jaune's enhanced senses overheard the sound of distant steps.

Jaune turned his head and rose an eyebrow at the sight of students milling about. Jaune sighed as he tugged at his new tie. He stood up, sad that it was time for school. Jaune chuckled a bit as he finally had the clothes to go to his classes in full uniform. It had arrived last night and with some prodding from his team he agreed to wear it.

Now that Jaune thought about it this would mark the first uninterrupted day of school. To a degree. There was no combat class today, that segment in the later afternoon would be for him trying weapons for tournament settings instead of break. Jaune stilled his thoughts as he walked across the stonework and entered through the doors to Beacon's hallways. The first thing Jaune noticed in these hallways was that the teams of Beacon Academy seem to move about as a group. Jaune didn't really understand it that much, probably some form of comradery. He noticed Velvet with some woman in a beret and nodded to her as he past. He saw Cardin as he walked up some stairs and ignored him. Even if the oaf yelled at him as he went past. Jaune tugged at his beard and stroked it back into its presentable state. His mother had called him later to berate his glorious beard…and Jaune had to admit it was kind of a pain to take care of if everyone was so insistent on beard care.

"Probably need a hair-cut" muttered Jaune.

His hair was combed neatly but even so it looked so weird long. Jaune shuffled and shook his head. Look at him, worrying about his appearance, even if only for the benefit of his mother. She wanted to see his face, not a ball of hair with eyes. He turned and went upwards onto a stairway, yet another hallway filled with lockers, but this one with a door to Oobleck's classroom. Jaune entered through the doorway, the first student in the room.

"Ah Mr. Arc!" said Oobleck "good to see you're early, again."

Jaune nodded to his professor and took a seat were his team usually sat. Jaune was an early bird, had to be when he was on the run. The habit stuck to say the least. Jaune's eyes closed as he enjoyed the silence, however long that lasted. It was slow but consent, the students that milled in. Eventually Jaune noticed Pyrrha and his team. He smiled and nodded in greeting. But as they got closer Jaune sensed a presence of irritation amongst them. He didn't ask though, probably wasn't his business.

"There you are Jaune" muttered Pyrrha "We were wondering where you were. You just disappeared on us again."

The chuckle in Pyrrha's tone made Jaune know that she wasn't trying to make it a big deal, but was starting to become irritated. Remember when Jaune thought it wasn't his business?

"Foot meet mouth" thought Jaune.

"Nothing Major" said Jaune "just went outside for some peace and quiet."

Pyrrha sighed as she rubbed her head.

"I'm sorry" she said "I'm trying not to make this a big deal I guess….it's just I see what teams like RWBY have and after Victor-"

"Victor?"

Ren spoke up as he found his seat.

"Pyrrha's old teammate. He wasn't exactly subtle with what he wanted. Quite forceful too."

Jaune immediately went frigid as he stared at Ren.

"Not in that way" muttered Ren shaking his head "he wanted Pyrrha's fame. He wanted to be with her all the time, get the lime light as it were. But whenever he fought Pyrrha he would always lose. Actually, whenever he fought any of use he always lost. He never seemed to rely on any skill, just strength."

"You have to admit though, watching him rip those Grimm apart was something" said Nora "even if he was a…um…"

"Douche?" supplied Jaune.

"Yea an asshole!" said Nora "meant to say asshole!"

Jaune snorted and shook his head.

"So basically, he was a bottom feeder. How did he even get here?" asked Jaune.

"Contrary to what we've said, Victor was a terrifying combatant. He didn't use weapons just his unusual size and sheer strength. I watched him rip an Ursa's head right off. It's just with our long-range skill sets and agility he was heavily outmatched. Yang lost to him in close combat."

Jaune rose an eyebrow. What kind of tank can beat Yang in close combat?

"Outlasted her?" asked Jaune .

"No, he outmuscled her." Said Nora.

Jaune felt his jaw hang a bit at the admission. He wasn't usually surprised, but how in the hell did you outmuscle a woman with a kinetic absorption power?

"I'm pretty sure his semblance was a strength enhancement" said Ren "along with the fact that he was also a Saber Faunus."

Jaune rose an eyebrow. Now those were rare. They grew larger than most people if Jaune remembered correctly. They also happened to have sharp claws. No abnormal teeth though, which is why jaune wondered why they were classified as a saber Faunus. Either way it didn't matter, class was starting. But before than.

"I'm…..i'm sorry" muttered Jaune "I just like to be on my own from time to time. It's nothing against you guys."

"Not a worry!" yelled Nora "Pyrrha's just sad she's not spending more time with her partner!" she mewed. Pyrrha blushed.

"NORA! It's not like that! It's just Jaune isn't Victor and I just want to get to know my partner."

Nora gave a shit eating grin at Pyrrha.

"Suuuuure"

Pyrrha blushed and sat down beside Jaune. She blushed even further at the whistling from Yang. She gave a hesitant look at Jaune. He turned to her and just winked. Pyrrha grabbed her face in embarrassment.

"Sorry!" yelped Pyrrha.

Jaune felt his heart warm a bit at Pyrrha. It was cute watching her squirm for a bit. Jaune turned to Oobleck and began to listen to the lesson. As Oobleck went on about the past Jaune focused on something else…or rather someone else. Further down in the aisles was Black Belladonna. Even now Jaune felt an irritating sense of anger towards her. It wasn't the burning anger he felt towards the Friends of Humanity, or the all-consuming wrath he focused on the White Fang. No…instead this was something admittedly weaker but equally as irritating. Jaune shifted his focus to the desk as he lost himself in his thoughts. He felt his knuckles burn as his claws itched underneath his skin. He knew logically that Blake was just as much a pawn as he was. They were children when she brought him down…and she had left Menagerie well before the experimentation began.

But even so…he felt that things were unsettled between them. She had remained within the White Fang, never bothering to look further into the sick cult it had formed into. Jaune scowled. He knew some of the members were simply misguided. But even so, did that fact somehow absolve them of the people they've killed? Does that somehow absolve them of the suffering they've inflicted on the people who've done nothing but live their lives and support their families?

Oh, Jaune knew that some of the people that the White Fang have hit over the years were more than deserving. Hell, he killed a few of those assholes before the Fang could hit them himself. Yet, when Jaune walked through towns and met real people, not some people on the forums or on the news, but actual people…he saw unity and chaos.

He watched Faunus and Humans live together with little problems. Another town showed them at war, another peace, and some had high tensions. That was life. People sucked and were amazing all at the same time. This wasn't an issue that existed between two groups of a few dozen people, but across an entire species. The issues of racism were not going to be solved quickly, regardless of what form of protest you take. Jaune watched a poor human merchant get beaten near to death in Menagerie…simply for being human. It existed on both sides and people had their reasons.

It sucked, it wasn't pretty, and that was just fact. Jaune took a deep breath. But what did he know. His own view came from his own experiences. Who's to say what people did behind closed doors. Who knows, maybe the Faunus were treated even more horrifically by humans, maybe it was an over exaggeration. All Jaune knew was one thing and one thing only.

The White Fang was going to die for their experiments on him, The Friends of Humanity were going to die for the murder of a few of his friends, And Blake...things with Blake needed to be settled or things would just simply fester beyond what it has.

With that settled in his mind Jaune waited until the end of class. He got up before his team could say anything and walked to Blake. She stiffened as her senses recognized Jaune. Yang was a little concerned at the way that Blake reacted. Even Weiss looked surprised. They knew there was some history between the two…but for it to be this bad.

"We need to talk" muttered Jaune.

Blake stared at Jaune.

"What about?"

"….Don't play coy" muttered Jaune "I'd like this to be settled and quickly. Meet me at the auditorium, no one will be there between classes. Come alone…wouldn't do for anyone to overhear something they shouldn't."

Jaune left hoping Blake would show up right away, he only had so much time before his next class after all. Jaune smirked as he walked to the auditorium. He thought he got things across pretty well.

But it had come across as threatening and dark. In the classroom that Jaune left, Blake was taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm herself.

"Blake….are you ok?" asked Yang.

The group got up as Blake controlled her trebling hand.

"Yea I'm fine" muttered Blake "just that Jaune is going to kill me."

Yang's eyes widened along with her team. Pyrrha had just arrived, over hearing what Blake had just intoned.

"What?" asked Pyrrha.

"Jaune just asked me to meet him, alone in the auditorium."

Weiss seemed ready to laugh, knowing she was right about Jaune…but stopped.

"Wait…are you certain?"

Everyone looked at Weiss in shock.

"I think its pretty obvious, considering the tone he used."

Weiss narrowed her eyes.

"Exactly. Tell me Blake, what happened between you two. He called you by a different name and you're shaking like a leaf when you've faced Grimm and terrorists without blinking an eye. I'm sorry if I sound a little invasive…but considering YOUR history…what reason would Jaune have to kill you?"

Blake seemed to be ashamed as she looked away, unable or perhaps unwilling to answer.

"I see" muttered Weiss "well…if you're too uncomfortable…than I guess we should go with you. We can hide somewhere and-"

"Jaune will sense you" said Blake "His sense of hearing and smell are better than mine."

Yang looked confused.

"Jaune's a Faunus?"

Pyrrha interrupted and also disrupted Yang's question.

"I understand your worry Blake, but I highly doubt Jaune means you any harm. Even if he did why would he attack you on school grounds surrounded by cameras in broad daylights?"

Blake calmed her irrational fear and sighed.

"I'm sorry" said Blake "when I left Adam on that train I meant to leave everything behind, get away from it all and start over…but lately all it seems to be doing is rearing its head."

Yang grabbed her partner by the shoulder and grinned.

"Ahhh that's what partners are for Blake! We'll come with you. If Jaune doesn't like it than he can kiss my!"

"Yang!" pouted Ruby.

Yang gave her little sister a playful scowl and turned back to her partner.
"Point is, that we got your back kitty."

Blake drew in their strength but Pyrrha seemed worried with Ren and Nora looking at each other. Team RWBY seem so set on painting Jaune as the bad guy. Pyrrha knew better than them that Jaune wasn't the aggressor here…but on the other hand Pyrrha wasn't set in Jaune's camp herself. She knew there was more to the story.

"I'll come to" said Pyrrha "just in case."

Trust wasn't the issue here. She knew Jaune wouldn't attack Blake. But even so it was better safe than sorry with a man who could cut through aura like it was nothing. One lapse of judgement, one overwhelming moment of anger…and Blake was dead.

Pyrrha crushed the guilt she felt at those thoughts. But realistically she knew Jaune only for a couple of days. She had gotten to know him yes, she knew his circumstances yes, but there was still so much to learn and become accustomed to, and vice versa for Jaune himself. He had Pyrrha's trust in his capacity to be a person. But she wouldn't take any chances for her friend's safety.

However, there was a flip side to Pyrrha's thoughts as well. She wanted to be there to stop Blake as well should the need arise. She seemed…overly concerned with Jaune's actions. Pyrrha's eyes narrowed as she followed behind team RWBY. Blake was obviously guilty of something…and she obviously knew how dangerous Jaune was.

That meant Blake knew exactly what happened to him.

Pyrrha flipped her scroll out and texted Jaune as they neared the auditorium. Unnoticed by the group was Cardin glaring at the seven. Jaune was a pain in Cardin's ass. To his glorious mind Jaune was an obstacle, an obstacle to something he had wanted since the very moment he saw it within Beacon.

Pyrrha Nikos.

It only made perfect sense to Cardin. He, the son of a noble line of Huntsmen and war heroes and Pyrrha the absolute greatest fighter to come out of the Mistral arenas. Their coupling only made sense. That and Pyrrha was a knock out! She deserved to be with someone of true pedigree not some…mongrel from a jail.

Cardin narrowed his eyes and rose up.

"Cardin?"

The leader turned to his friend and narrowed his eyes.

"I'll be back, I have something to take care of."

With that Cardin took off, intent on figuring out what was going on. Lark stared at his leader as he walked off. The young lad sighed as his other two teammates buggered off.

"Ah bloody hell" muttered Lark "What am I even doing here?"

Lark stared at his desk. His leader was a disillusioned stalker and his teammates were simply idiots who followed without question…Lark sighed as he rubbed his eyes. No that wasn't fair. He barely knew his teammates no thanks to Cardin. He spent all his team obsessing over the fact that his partner wasn't Pyrrha. Meanwhile he was an ignorant ass…Lark stared at his hands and then twisted his head to the right. Through the door he noticed a few Faunus students walking by and felt shame. Shame for his weakness, shame for the suffering he caused for one Faunus in particular. Shame…that's all that he saw within himself. He followed Cardin because of strength. But like Jaune had shown Lark, Cardin wasn't that powerful. Skilled yes but in comparison to the top tier students within their year…not so much.

What exactly was he so afraid of with Cardin, with others?

….why was he so weak?

Oobleck looked at Lark with pity. He may not know what troubled the youth but…it was obvious that he was hurting. Perhaps he could be of assistance? Oobleck cleaned up his papers and started to move towards Lark.

-Fifteen minutes later with Blake and the others outside the auditorium doors-

Blake's hands stilled as she reached the doors. Team RWBY and the NPR of JNPR were ready but Blake. Logically Blake knew that Jaune wasn't going to attack her. But all that Blake saw from the videos and reports from the White Fang was an absolute monster that slaughtered without thought.

Blake steeled her resolve. Jaune too had things to answer for. With that she opened the door. Yang smiled as she noticed Blake finally seemed to work over her fear. On the stage that Ozpin once stood on, was Jaune, his back to the group hunched over. As he turned Yang noticed he was on his phone.

"…You….thought I was going to kill you?" muttered Jaune.

"How did…someone texted you" muttered Blake. Everyone turned to Pyrrha and she gave a scowl of her own.

"I was letting Jaune know why we were here. We are here for Blake's safety but I'm not too sure of Blake's innocence in this myself. I'm here to keep both Blake and Jaune safe, from each other."

Blake seemed a little hurt at the accusation. But sadly she couldn't fault Pyrrha for it either. If she was honest with herself, she interacted little with Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora. It was little wonder why Pyrrha was playing both sides, especially when Blake herself turned out to be an Ex-Terrorist not but a few weeks back. A loss in trust was expected. Blake sighed. It wasn't like Pyrrha didn't have a point.

"What do you want Jaune?"

"Nothing" said Jaune "I don't want anything from you. I just want my teammates to be able to sit where they want with me in tow."

"….pardon?" asked Weiss "They were never excluded from the table just-"

"Me. I know" said Jaune dryly.

"So you want to settle things" muttered Blake "I don't think we can. You've killed so many people."

The group shifted slightly as they stared at Jaune. Jaune's own team were well aware of the overall gist of his past, but not the specifics.

"So?" asked Jaune "last time I checked the White Fang murdered and raped as they pleased, all for a goal they've lost sight for."

"And that gives you the right to kill!?" demanded Blake, stepping forward "The White Fang are misguided."

The snort Jaune gave was like spark. It drove Blake like a bonfire. Even Yang was a little irritated at Jaune's dismissal of the Faunus suffering.

"Faunus suffering is funny?" demanded Blake.

"No" chuckled Jaune "just the idea you think you speak for them. The White Fang are misguided? So you know every single member of the White Fang, talked to them and decided they were misguided? If that's the case, must be one hell of a cult."

Blake scowled.

"They're not a cult."

But Blake remembered the way Sun, a fellow Faunus, spoke of the White Fang. The word stung more than she expected.

"If they are not a cult and simply misguided…then why did you leave?"

Blake opened her mouth and closed it while looking to the side.

"My point" said Jaune "is not that I'm right. I'm well-aware of the people I've killed. Considering I was the White Fang's favorite little test subject, I'm more aware of what the White Fang is then you'll ever be. Not because I'm smarter or seen more. But because you make everything Black and White. You're unwilling to accept that the White Fang is a supremacy group and that the Faunus are just as bad as the Humans."

Blake scoffed.

"Are you seriously trying to say the Faunus abuse and suffering over the years is…. justified?"

"…. where on Remnant did you get that idea? This is what I meant by black and white Blake. You're a good person, I know that. From what I've smelled, seen, and deduced you have morals and standards. Yet, you still look at this world like a child. You or them, the Faunus V.S Humans. Have you ever taken a walk down the road, seen people? Watch people and their mannerisms? I've seen humans and faunus live together in harmony in one city. A true paradise of racial equality. Hell I attended a human Faunus wedding, where both families enjoyed their time together to the point I'm pretty sure no one cared who was what. But I've seen shit just as you have Blake. I admit I watched humans berate the Faunus…beat the Faunus…and kill the Faunus."

Blake couldn't help but feel vindicated for a moment.

"Yet, in Menegerie I watched the Faunus population lynch a travelling human merchant who simply wished to see the cultures of the world. I should know considering I payed to use his merchant boat. I left after I watched him get beaten. Just as I left the human supremacy city Bycroft due to the racist douches that live there. Life is funny like that" said Jaune "Just because one story says something doesn't mean it's universal. You group humanity and the Faunus together like they all want and think the same way when honestly? Most people just want to live and let live. Go on with their lives and let others live theirs. Stop acting like the Faunus haven't gotten what they've wanted. What needs to change isn't the damn laws, but the people and I'm sad to say Blake, that people are stubborn…. I've said my piece" said Jaune "I've laid my demons down, well some of them. So I'll ask one thing just so I can get on with my day and you to yours and lay this demon down."

"Why didn't you come back?"

Blake's entire world, her anger, her self-righteousness that had been building up during Jaune's monolouge, shivered slightly with that question.

"I didn't know what they were doing."

"Bullshit" said Jaune "you watched them chain me up like I was some animal and than left."
"I was a child" muttered Blake.

"So was I. You ran away…hell that's all you do" muttered Jaune "is run. I don't know why I even bothered staying angry with you!"

Jaune took a deep breath. Already he could feel his anger starting to simmer down. THe anger that had fueled his initial reaction to Blake was finally giving way to logic. Jaune stared at Blake. He didn't like her, but at the same time he didn't hate her. Jaune sighed as he felt the anger drain out of him. He rubbed his face and stared at Blake.

"You are right" said Jaune "You were just a kid. What could you have possibly done… I've said all I've wanted to say. I know we are not friends, hell I doubt we'd ever be. But I want things to be civil and for you not to have a conniption fit whenever I'm sitting beside Pyrrha. I want things between us to be done with."

Blake looked at Jaune and sighed. That is until Jaune spoke up.

"However, I know I'm at fault as well. Things in the past that seemed so simple are not anymore. I don't carry regret for the actions I've taken against the White Fang. I never will. But my feelings for that organization have twisted my opinion of you. I glare at you, I HATE you…and I shouldn't. I know I shouldn't. You were just as young as I was. A child amongst a growing number of terrorist. What on remnant were you supposed to do…for that I'm sorry" said Jaune "I can say what I want about the White Fang but in the end all I know of them is from the perspective that I've had. Perhaps you're right and some of the White Fang are truly misguided. But does that absolve them of the suffering they've inflicted on people?"

Blake kept her eyes on Jaune…but even she couldn't help but shiver from the implication he was giving.

"But that isn't the point. I'm here, forging a new life for myself away from the mistakes and traumas of my past. Our problems won't disappear today…but I want to try and make things civil. I want to stop putting such hatred on you, when you yourself are undeserving of it."

Blake looked at Jaune with surprise. She sighed as she realized she too was judging Jaune by rather distorted standards. She knew that what happened to Jaune wasn't simply experimentation. It was horrific and barbaric beyond anyone's possible standards. Did that mean Jaune had a kill license for the White Fang? Blake didn't know how to think on it. As Jaune said the White Fang was doing the same thing against those that have attacked the Faunus people. Worse in some cases, Jaune being a key one.

"I feel the same way" said Blake "we've both made mistakes."

"That we have" muttered Jaune.

"I'm willing to try and put the past behind me. Its why I enrolled here in the first place, to begin making up for those mistakes. I don't like the fact that you've killed so many Faunus."

"If it makes you feel any better I've killed a boatload of the Friends of Humanity."

Blake looked surprised. Everyone else looked green at the rather uncaring admission.

"…..What?" stated Weiss.

"they kidnapped my ex-girlfriend. So, I attacked them. Then they started attacking the Faunus so I stopped them. Then they shoved my poor caretaker out of the way and smashed her head against the pavement, killing her instantly. So, I had enough and murdered all the gangs in the area."

Everyone stared at the monotone and callous way Jaune spoke of a personal tragedy.

"…oh my God you're a psychopath" muttered Weiss "you are an actual god be damned psychopath."

"Yes we've established this before" muttered Jaune "but I'm not actually a psychopath thank you."

Jaune knew there was no point in arguing with the white-haired girl. Too much work.

"No we've established nothing" said Weiss "you and Blake have stood here and argued over seemingly nothing. No YOU MONOLOUGED WHILE BLAKE STOOD THERE. So enough is enough. Now I want answers."

"Why should you get those answers. Apparently I'm a psychopath."

Pyrrha interrupted Weiss before she could say anything.

"I think Jaune is entitled to his privacy, just as Blake is."

Weiss scowled.

"You only say that because Jaune told you. Don't give me that look it was obvious from the way you and your teammates have been treating him."

Pyrrha opened her mouth to argue but shut it without argument.

"Why makes you entitled to that information?" asked Jaune.

Weiss looked Jaune dead in the eye.

"Blake."

The cat Faunus looked at her friend in shock. Weiss scowled as she stared at her friend.

"Blake, I hold nothing against you. You know this. But this is the second time that withholding information from us has shoved its way into all our lives. I don't want the details Blake, I know that makes you uncomfortable. But we at least are owed an explanation when these things occur. You act as if we will abandon you at the first opportunity and honestly? I'm tired of you running away from us on these matters, as you and Jaune are trying to do by burying this."

Weiss turned to Jaune and scowled.

"Also do you really think me and the others are not trustworthy?"

Jaune shrugged "Well you haven't exactly inspired confidence when you let Cardin trail you. Thankfully he can't hear a thing."

The group turned and noticed nothing. But Blake closed her eyes and heightened her sense with aura. A dangerous move for the Faunus considering the danger of sensory overload. But in this particular instant she thought it worth the risk. Sure, enough she heard breathing behind the door that was straining against the glass.

"He's straining against the door" muttered Blake as she shook her head from the burden of her aura.

"Hmm" said Jaune "must be losing focus if I missed that. Any particular reason he followed you guys?"

"God knows why" said Yang "but my bet is on Pyrrha. Guys have been crazy for her since we got here. Cardin being the worst one."

Pyrrha looked deathly uncomfortable with the concept and seemed to withdraw in herself.

"Makes sense" grunted Jaune "Pyrrha's beautiful and famous. Cardin probably wants to bask in it."

Weiss rose an eyebrow at the nonchalance of Jaune's comment. Pyrrha blushed horribly as she covered her face. Yang laughed as Ruby looked a tad awkward with what they perceived as flirting.

"Wow" said Yang "you have no fear huh!"

Jaune shrugged. He could tell yang was trying to do away with the rather morbid mood that had settled.

"I said before that there is little point in hiding my attraction. Pyrrha's beautiful, just as each of you are and Ren's a handsome dude. It's the truth and-"

"Oh no you don't" said Weiss "Don't even think of avoiding our questions. I admit that Cardin is annoying and now were out of time, but you'll tell us everything between you and Blake."

Jaune rose an eyebrow and shrugged. Seems Weiss was intent on this.

"If my team trust you than I'll talk about it. You won't like it though."

With that said Jaune jumped off the stage and walked past Weiss. He nodded to Pyrrha who still wouldn't look him in the eye, while Ren gave him a raised eyebrow with Nora's jubilant expression. Jaune didn't care if any one knew he was a mutant, it was just easier to hide when no one knew. But who was hiding now? Jaune was becoming a huntsmen, one of the most media centered jobs there ever was. Yet, instead of discussing anything of this nature like Jaune thought his team would, Ren spoke up with a rather…unexpected question.

"So I'm a handsome dude?" he chuckled.

Jaune looked confused.

"If you swing that way, I don't. Just letting you know. I never understood why guys seem so averse to admitting someone else is attractive. Must be all my time spent in the woods or the cage but I don't see much point in holding my opinions on people back, whether on appearance or personality. If we click great, if not move the hell over and get on with the day."

Ren admitted he felt a certain kinship with that. Ren himself was a soft-spoken person who rarely interacted with strangers. Not like Nora who made friends with anyone and everyone. He only really interacted with people when he was forced to or when they caught his interest.

Still though Jaune's nonchalance with regards to social norms was a little jarring, if not outright funny.

"Well alright than" chuckled Ren.

Nora was quietly giggling at Pyrrha.

"Oh, is someone crushing!" she said loudly.

Jaune rose an eyebrow as he looked at Pyrrha, the group trailing behind him as he kicked the door open, sending Cardin sprawling across the floor a good feet or two.

"She smells embarrassed" said Jaune "if anything you're the one crushing on Ren."

"HRK!"

Nora grunted as her own face turned crimson, Ren's eyebrow rose. Team RWBY was currently ignored as they cried laughing.

"We're not together together!" said Nora.

"….oh? Thought for sure. Must have been wrong than" said Jaune shrugging.

He got it wrong sometimes he'd admit. But honestly the puppy like looks they sent each other was obvious for physical attraction right?

"Um Jaune" muttered Blake.

Jaune turned to Blake.

"You don't make observations like that vocally."

"Why?"

"….it can sometimes come across as rude" muttered Blake.

"….Oh. Is that why you were getting mad when I mention you run away from your problems?"

Blake gave Jaune a blank look.

"Your sarcasm sucks."

"…..point taken" mumbled Jaune.

Something to look out for in Jaune's opinion. He understood sarcasm without a problem. He considered himself quite the adept user himself. But the rest of normal interactions he had hiccups with. Like not being with his team in the mornings. Apparently, that was a problem.

Jaune turned his head and happened to stare at Cardin, who was staring at him, fuming.

Jaune narrowed his eyes. He didn't know what was up with that kid, but all he knew was that if he continued to bother Pyrrha to the degree that he was….Jaune would show him why the White Fang feared him.

It wasn't that Pyrrha needed his protection. Hell with what he was hearing about her, she could protect him! It was the fact that when Pyrrha heard that Cardin had followed them, he smelled from her an incredible amount of discomfort.

Cardin though was….odd. That much Jaune knew. The guy wasn't stupid. Hell he was actually skilled and from what Jaune could gather was at least a decent tactician. Not a great one mind you, but more than enough to get the job done. Which considering the average huntsmen tend to rush into a situation rather than think it through said something to Jaune. So why did this kid bother with him and the Faunus?

"Yet another individual who is taking his frustrations against some thing in the past on a group who can't fight back" thought Jaune.

Well probably. For whatever reason that Cardin had for targeting the Faunus and lusting after Pyrrha, that was his reason. No amount of analyzing on Jaune's part was going to change that nor could Jaune understand him.
After all. Jaune didn't speak douche.

With that said the young man continued on his way. His team behind him. Suddenly a thought entered his head. Team RWBY wanted to know everything? Why not simply show them.

"Weiss…are you and your team free for the afternoon segments" asked Jaune

Weiss rose a delicate eyebrow.

"We are scheduled with the same breaks as you four so yes."

"You guys can come with me and my team for my afternoon assessment. We're going to select my weapons for class and I'm going to demonstrate why keeping me around against the Grimm will be useful" smirked Jaune.

Yang rose an eyebrow but slowly nodded. The others seemed a little hesitant.

"What you want to know" said Jaune "is better shown than told and I'll be showing it to Ozpin and the others at during that time."

Yang rolled her eyes at Jaune's mysteriousness.

"Or" said Yang "you could just tell us."

Jaune sighed. He looked at Pyrrha and the others. Were they worth letting other people know?

"….wait a damn second" thought Jaune "what does it matter if people know I'm a mutant? Hydra, The White Fang, and other militaries all know what I am anyway. Also I'm a part of Beacon Academy now. As such I'm excepted from any legal actions from any military against me without proof. Which none of them can use without incriminating themselves or rendering the evidence useless. Add that with the fact that anyone knowing what I am makes little actual difference since mutants are simply a rarity, not an unknown. Thank God mutants are known to the public or this would have been a bigger pain in my ass."

Jaune looked at Yang and smirked.

"I'm a mutant. If that's what you wanted to know."

The room went silent as Jaune's team judged the reactions of team RWBY. Jaune didn't really care at this time and decided to continue on his way to the Danger Room. Either unaware or uncaring, Jaune missed the wide eyes of Cardin, who had disappeared in the background of this group. The young man left quickly not wanting to be stopped as his mind was focused on the new information he gathered. Jaune suddenly stopped moving as Ozpin's voice entered his mind. Jaune listened for seconds quickly understanding the grasp of his new situation.

"I'll be in the danger room" said Jaune as he turned to his team plus RWBY "unfortunately I just realized there are some…things I need to take care of. I'm sorry but it will just be me and Ozpin in the danger room."

Pyrrha stared at Jaune while team RWBY lamented his forgetfulness. She wouldn't lie and say she wasn't disappointed nor feeling aggravated. But the look in Jaune's eyes was intense. Pyrrha swallowed her annoyance and smiled.

"Not a worry Jaune you can tell us all about it later."

Jaune's eyes widened in surprise, along with numerous others as they stared at Pyrrha. Jaune smiled as he nodded.

"You'll definitely hear from me afterword's."

With that Jaune left, leaving team RWBY and NPR to stow in their thoughts. He needed to prepare for his little demonstration. Apparently, Ozpin had called in his ally….General James "Fury" Ironwood.

Jaune understood immediately why Ozpin told the man about him. One Ozpin needed to maintain trust with the military. Regardless of the fact that Hunters were essentially Super Powered humans, the armies of the world were in fact that bulk of humanities defenses against the Grimm.

Their job wasn't pretty nor applauded as much as the Huntsmen and Huntresses, but it was still important. The armies of the world handled the swarms of Grimm. Weak creatures but colossal in number, making individual soldiers ineffective against their bulk.

Granted there were numerous hunters who would fight large amounts of Grimm, but they were better placed against numerus stronger Grimm, rather than just thrown head first into the swarms. As such it was the armies of each Kingdom working in synchronicity that kept the swarms of Grimm at bay. Leaving the much stronger and dangerous Grimm to the Huntsmen. Unfortuanetely aside from expensive heavy artillery, Huntsmen were best suited for the Grimm that forced their way out of the Army's firing range.

Both were important, hunters more so in offensive combat, but it was the soldiers that held the line. It was for that reason that Generals and the like held so much political power over famous Hunters. AS such while Ozpin wielded incredible political force, said force was not effective against Ironwood's shield organization. As such keeping Ironwood in the know created a sense of loyalty and respect. The second reason for letting ironwood know was to trap him in a political trick and prevent him from doing anything…extreme with Jaune. By being open with Jaune General Ironwood's options for acquiring him were limited. Ironwood also couldn't do anything legally to remove Jaune since Jaune was accepted into Beacon through actual procedures. If the general were to be less than…dignified so to speak, than Ozpin's telepathic abilities would make intrusion and kidnapping theoretically impossible. Such political maneuvering obviously had more to it, but that's all Jaune saw at the moment. He was unaware that Ozpin was afraid of what General Ironwood may do behind his back, legality or not. There was also the fact that Ironwood was a general in the Atlesian army, not Vale's. The Atlesian army were masters at information gathering and manipulation. As such Jaune's position in Beacon was currently under threat by a very powerful person.

By revealing Jaune to ironwood now, Ozpin could use his telepathic abilities to discern Ironwood's intentions. Not to mention that Jaune's own mother would be there in attendance, further removing Ironwood's thoughts towards extraction. Hopefully.

While Jaune was aware of the politics behind his existence the poor boy was still out of his league with regards on how to play. But Ozpin and Joan Arc were old hands at this game, a game they have each won through skill (Ozpin) and ovaries of steel (Joan). Either way their methods worked and Jaune had all the protection he needed.

For now.

-One Hour later-

Jaune entered the danger room and sighed. Of course, it was pure white. Jaune noticed up in larger section of the wall a glass window showing Ozpin and his mother. Ozpin nodded at him and took a sip from his cup, while his mother gave a hesitant wave.

Jaune gave a half smile as he waved back at her. The smile he received made his chest warm and his mind nostalgic of a time long ago, even if his face remained its usual level of stoicism. He stood alone for several minutes as he looked around for the weapons. He knew that his original purpose was to have his team help him select and try various weapons. Seems like the general kick the plan out. So Jaune started walking around and whistling. One of the various things that he learned through his in prison and his imprisonment from the White Fang was the value of patience. So he'd wait for Ozpin to start.

Suddenly the entire room around him changed …and what came to be made Jaune's face turn grim.

-Few minutes ago, with Joan and Ozpin-

"Why is he here?" demanded Joan.

"Because he is our ally" said Ozpin.

"No, he's not. He's a self-serving dickbag with a superiority and inferiority complex. Also he's an asshole."

"He's right here" muttered Ironwood.

"I know. Why are you STILL here?"

"Because" said Ironwood "As much as you and Ozpin want to push it away, the fact remains that Jaune is a highly skilled killer."

Joan scowled.

"So are we. You gonna hold that against us as well?"

Ironwood looked at Joan, his expression unmoving.

"I need to know that Jaune can control himself. He may perhaps be unaware but his actions have endangered people. I will not have a loose canon capable of tearing aura apart running rampant across remnant. He's too damn dangerous."

Joan scowled.

"Perhaps he wouldn't have been if you didn't block me from getting my son back."

"I've already told you Jaune was too volatile and violent to be placed in a civilian setting."

"…..I'm going to kill you" said Joan "it won't be today, Ozpin's convinced me otherwise. But one day I will take your little neck and snap it in two. I will than twist your head to look at the burning remains of your organization as me and my family rip it apart and piss on its ashes."

Ironwood rolled his eyes.

"You were always all bark"

Joan's aura exploded and the room seemed to creak as the full weight of Joan's impressive reserves almost made Opzin and Ironwood's legs buckle. Joan narrowed her eyes at Ironwood. Funnily enough the glass of the room remained unharmed, its darkish hue hiding Joan's white aura.

"Well look at you, little Ironwood finally grew a pair. I wonder how long your confidence will last when the Arc family moves its support to the valish army, along with all our contracts, business deals, AND our deal with Wakanda."

Ironwood scowled.

"You're bluffing."

Joan took her phone out and clicked the send button.

"It was finalized two hours ago. I just sent the text for my husband to sign the remaining papers. I refuse to assist an army that would do what you've done. You didn't just hide a child from their parents Ironwood, you let a traumatized boy go untreated because you saw a weapon. Pathetic. No wonder Winter left your unit."

Ironwood's scowl disappeared as his trademark cold expression came into effect. It was this expression that gave him the nickname, "Fury".

"Are you two done?" asked Ozpin "Because I'd like Jaune to demonstrate his abilities and get on with my day. Honestly. Ironwood grow up. You failed to understand the full breath of the consequences of your actions. Now suffer the consequences. And Joan? Next time you're going to do that thing you do with your aura, warn me? I just lost some coffee."

Ozpin may have come across as playful and wistful…but he was just as angry as Joan. But unlike Joan Ozpin had business dealings with James that he couldn't renegade on. Joan respected that, especially since Ozpin guided her through all the loopholes in her contracts with Atlas in order to transfer to Vale without any issues all the while ensuring that Ironwood was unaware. The man was a savant with political maneuvers and honestly if Ozpin wasn't Joan's old war buddy…

She'd be terrified of him.

Ozpin balanced the entirety of their little Cabal with the efficiency of a computer and still managed to put her son through some therapy while giving him the best team to both help him through his life, and restrict him if it was at all necessary. Then he switched gears and destroyed Atlas's connection to Wakanda's Vibranium while maintaining his own access to the rare material for both his team and huntsmen across the kingdoms and solidifying (not that it ever deteriorated) his relations with the Arc clan while weakening Ironwood's position.

Once again Ozpin revealed his abilities to exploit an opening to its fullest extent. Ironwood sighed. He plugged in a USB before the two could stop him and stared hard at the white room as it changed.

"We need to see if Jaune can control himself" said Ironwood "as such I've plugged in the date of the lab he was experimented on."

"WHAT!"

-With Jaune-

White. The room was marble white. But the damn table was black. Empty of water (one of the few states of matter the light constructs couldn't make) its numerous pipes and needles stuck out from a human shaped from. The track this rectangular table was on would, in the insertion of a subject, move back and lift the subject and technology up and seal the water in, thus completing its transformation from table, to Capsule.

Then the liquid high temperature metal would be inserted into his body, the cold liquid he was trapped in assisting in preventing his body from heating up too much.

Jaune ran his hands across the table. He ignored the prodding Ozpin was giving his psyche and focused instead on the memories and pain this place brought. It was what drove him. This pain is what allowed him to focus all his ill-gotten training into striking back against the White Fang. A battle he would continue to this day.

Jaune gripped the metal hard enough to cause the mimic metal to bend, however slightly, under his grip. It burned in his stomach, the hatred, the ANGER. His knuckles burned as he felt his claws slowly itch their way through his arms, his special muscles residing in his forearms responding instinctively to his emotions. Jaune took a deep breath and centered himself. For so long this rage, this hatred had given him strength. But through Ozpin's therapy Jaune realized something.

Yes, these emotions gave strength, but only in a limited fashion. For how long was Jaune drowning in his emotions, slashing at whoever drew his ire.

Where was his control? His self-restraint? How many people did he hurt without knowing? His showdown with Blake showed that Jaune was equal to Blake in culpability. His anger clouded his thoughts, preventing him from realizing that Blake was as much a victim as he was. He lashed at her for a bit…and calmed down soon after.

How many people didn't have that chance with him?

Jaune didn't regret what he did…but he did regret that he ended lives just because he was so consumed by rage that it wasn't even funny. If he was going to kill…it would be because doing so was the best strategic or moralistic option. It was a kill or be killed world…but Jaune refused to be the animal the White Fang tried to make him.

He refused to be their monster.

He wouldn't succeed today…hell he wouldn't succeed tomorrow. But today…he would take that first step. Anger was a weapon, his pain a tool…now it was time for him to master them instead of being consumed by them. He would gain strength from his family, his friends, and his weirdly over powered son of a bitch headmaster.

Jaune was not a hero…but he refused to be a monster any longer. Jaune opened his eyes and looked around.

"This brings back memories. Now turn it off" said Jaune "its annoying."

Ironwood scowled, his last-ditch effort to poke a hole in Ozpin's arguments just died swiftly and totally. Joan was staring at the cold clinical room. She knew Jaune was experimented on. She knew that her son had suffered. She knew…but even so her heart felt as if it had withered away. She saw the tank, the room, the walls, and all she saw was suffering and rage. It may have been clean and clinical….but Joan had never seen nor felt anything so disgusting in her life. She slowly turned to Ironwood and stared at him.

"Get out."

Ironwood opened his mouth but thought better of it. The sad truth was that manipulating Joan and Ozpin was just going to backfire. Ironwood now realized he didn't have the necessary components to properly pull it off…which was the reason he showed up. Ironwood needed some…space. This was the best way to get it. As such Ironwood turned to leave, his objective complete.

However, the biggest reason for Ironwood leaving was also the fact that Joan was fully capable of obliterating him in the span of three seconds (not that the general would admit it). Perhaps Ozpin planned for this little blow up but so did Ironwood.

He needed distance from Ozpin's group, still connected, but distant. He was getting tired of having to justify himself to a pacifist like Ozpin but he still required said pacifist's influence. He wanted a foot in with Ozpin's group without the repercussions of said membership. It was for that reason Ironwood had such bizarre methods on manipulating them.

However…thinking on it now Ironwood had to admit it was a foolish line of thought. Why did he think that? Usually he was sharper than that. Ironwood scowled but than sighed. Hunting Hydra was having its toll on him. He scowled at Joan as he turned to leave. AS the doors opened, revealing a set of stairs that formed as Ironwood moved down, Ozpin narrowed his eyes. He focused on the general. Ironwood smirked slightly down his trip of stairs. Joan was letting her own emotions control her. She would soon realize that separating from shield was not that easy. But thankfully Ironwood also got his answer, which was in truth the main reason he was here. He stared at Jaune as he hit the floor and walked out of the room, locking eyes with the young mutant. Jaune scowled and flipped him the bird, but Ironwood saw resolve in his eyes.

Resolve that may be useful in the future. Ironwood kept his face neutral as he left. But his mind was firing through thousands of scenarios, his thoughts becoming sharper the further he got from Ozpin, but such an observation was unnoticed by the man.

Not a single thing that happened today was for any immediate action. Ironwood's eyes closed as he quickly reviewed what occurred. His attempts at seeding doubt failed, leaving Ozpin a strong foundation for his new allies. Ironwood's attempts at limiting Ozpin's hold over Jaune also failed. Which meant that any future possibilities of relinquishing Ozpin's hold over Jaune legally was next to impossible. As such Ironwood clicked a button with his thumb on the left side of his robotic arm.

"It seems I played my hand too early" he muttered "just like with Winter."

Ironwood's eyes closed at the memory of losing his best operative. But when they opened they shined with a resolve not even Ozpin's mental abilities could crush. Like his name Ironwood's soul and resolve stood like iron, unwavering and unbending.

"Shield will protect everyone" thought Ironwood "no matter the cost."

Ironwood tapped a few buttons on his scroll and he entered the elevator down. It was time for shield to expand. Negotiations with Ozpin's group was always lousy. Ironwood knew intellectually that everyone involved were after the same thing but in the end Ozpin was holding them back. Ironwood just didn't understand why. They all wanted the same thing.

Peace.

Ironwood respected Ozpin. Truly in his mind Ozpin was without pear as a political figure. Granted no one knew just how deep Ozpin's connections went in the public eye, but Ironwood knew Ozpin would never step beyond certain boundaries.

And that was the problem.

To fight terrorist, to fight Salem, to fight Hydra, to fight the White Fang one must be willing to traverse the same darkness and hit them without mercy. You must trample their forces and scorch the earth as you advance. Mercy for the enemy just invited retribution and backstabbing.

But Ozpin and his crew refused to go the length's that Ironwood was. It was infuriating. Ozpin would spy, assassinate, and even go to war. But the man refused to ground his enemies to dust, refused to take that extra step. Ironwood sighed as he itched his left eye. Damn prosthetic got itchy whenever he got irritated. This was the beginning of something new, that much Ironwood knew. As the doors of the elevator opened Ironwood stepped out and noticed his protection detail waiting in his car.

Well…if Ozpin was gathering his allies…

Then it was time for Ironwood to do the same. He flipped open the phone and smirked.

"Hill, activate the Avengers protocol."

-With Ozpin and Joan-

Joan narrowed her eyes as she watched her son rampage through numerous simulation enemies. His claws cut through everything and not a single movement or breath was wasted. Her son's face remained neutral and stoic, just as usual. But Joan saw in his eyes the rage of a berserker, well kept under lock and key. But still presence in his movements. For his face remained neutral but his body spoke of a deep and terrible longing for battle. She could see as he closed his eyes the sense of enjoyment he got from combat. Joan sighed but thought nothing of it.

She was the same afterall.

"He's good" muttered Joan "he has no style or technique, but his basic understanding of combat and positioning is impeccable."

"I thought the same" said Ozpin as he took a sip "finding Jaune a weapon is honestly redundant. With his claws Grimm are simple prey. I was thinking more of a situational weapon. One that he would use only for enemies that he cannot simple rush into."

Joan and Ozpin flinched as Jaune's aura cracked apart, reaching Zero. One of the robats speared him through the chest, causing Joan to grip whatever was in her hand.

CRRACCCKK!

She stared worryingly at her son but watched fascinated as he fought on with a four foot piece of steel dug into his chest. When Jaune had a moments breath from the onslaught of enemies he tore the piece out, revealing his wound hissing shut at an unbelievable pace.

"Incredible" muttered Joan "Ozpin what el…..Ozpin?"

Joan turned and noticed that one of Ozpin's hands was currently crushed into her own. She turned to her friend and smiled sheepishly at his agonized expression.

"…..ooowww" he wheezed.

"Sorry" muttered Joan.

Ozpin's eyes glowed as he telepathically forced his nerves to shut the pain off. He then forced his muscles and bones back into place. Finally Ozpin used his telekinesis to keep his hand in place, using his aura to expedite his healing even further. Ozpin's shattered hand would be healed in a quick twelve minutes. This form of healing did little against lethal wounds, but for broken bones? It did wonders.

"You still grab onto the closest person to you in times of stress. Really Joan even after eighty years you still do this?"

Joan blushed lightly as she narrowed her eyes.

"I'm not the bad."

"You are. You act as you look. Why you Arcs happened to have a semblance along with a hereditary healing Semblance put together is beyond me."

Much like the Schnee's the Arcs have their own variation of the duel semblance. In their case, the Arcs inherited a semblance that accelerated their healing factor. This gave them an edge during war, where a small level of injuries could be ignored in favor of victory. Over the years the semblance improved and become far more usable, especially when it evolved to discard the whole "aging horrifically fast" side effect

Their second one was much like anyone else. However, said semblance tended to veer away from offensive capabilities. Joan was a good example of this as her primary semblance was her ability to heal, while her secondary ability was the power to bind aura to something. For instance, she could bind aura to her weapon, allowing her to call it towards her at will, but that was the limit of that trick. She could not manipulate the weapon to fly around, only return to her hand. However, while such an ability was not obviously offensive in nature, Joan had discovered a rather nasty trick involving its use, hence why she was sometimes referred to as the "Venator Venatorum" or the Hunter of Hunters.

Ozpin smiled at his old friend. Ozpin's own age discrepancy was due to the overwhelming amount of psychic energy in his system in conjunction with his aura. It was not a healing factor, but rather that the combined energies left him in peak condition for one his age. Aura was a well-known age reducer and Ozpin himself and just reached his first century of life. As far as he was aware there were numerous people without his added telepathic abilities that achieved longer lifespans…but even so their age showed. Still able to fight, but well past their prime. A problem Ozpin and the headmasters of the other academies were without. In fact it was for that exact reason that the headmasters were chosen in the first place.

Each in Peak condition and ready to join the hunt whenever it needed them. Each headmaster had attained a sort of longevity. Made them perfect for the job and further removed from politics at the same time. The system was also heavily flawed, should one headmaster become corrupt.

But so far it worked. Ozpin narrowed his eyes. It would seem Ironwood was beginning to expand his horizons. From what Opzin gleamed from Ironwood's mind, the man seemed fully confident that Shield could keep Joan.

That had already been dealt with outside of Ironwood's knowledge. Pretty soon Shield will be under fire from the head of the Atlesian army. It would slow Ironwood down for a few months at least. But this Avenger's protocol…..it worried Ozpin. Ironwood was strong willed, as such certain secrets were harder to subtly dig through in the man's mind. The Avenger's initiative was one of them.

Ozpin took a deep breath. A worry for another day.

"So" said Ozpin "Which weapon do you think best suits your son?"

"If I had it my way, I'd give him Orion."

Ozpin blanched.

"No" said Ozpin "that weapon is far too dangerous. It's an actual cursed bow Joan. It may fire like a ballista but it eats aura like…..oh" muttered Ozpin with a sly smile "I see. It would be a good long-range option. Considering that Jaune doesn't need aura."

Joan smirked.

"It will be his long-range option or more likely, his heavy artillery for massive Grimm to large for his claws to really damage. For short range…perhaps a sword or a spear? Honestly there's little point in putting much thought to it, considering its only there in an official capacity."

Ozpin nodded. Originally the choice was ultimately up to Jaune, but considering the boy's current skill set, training him with an overly complicated weapon didn't make any sense. However, while Joan made the issue seem small, it was far from it.

Ozpin was no fool, he knew Ironwood would use the lethality of Adamantium against him at some point. Jaune's mastery over a different weapon would work to lessen, however slight, this crucial point in the future.

But they had time. Especially since Ozpin was well aware of Ironwood's plans. However, the sweat above's Ozpin's brow and the paleness of his skin showed just how difficult it was to acquire the information Ironwood locked away in his mind. Joan looked at Ozpin and frowned.

"You alright?"

Ozpin chuckled weakly as his body began to deteriorate.

"No. I'm already starting to feel the effects of overusing my abilities."

"Was Ironwood's head that hard?"

Ozpin chuckled weakly as he turned off the room.

"No but his mental defenses were as usual the strongest I've ever seen. Breaking through them subtly, corroding Ironwood's cunning temporarily, along with ensuring he was unaware of it takes a heavy toll."

Joan nodded and began to help him move. The overuse of his abilities corroded Ozpin's body. While his mental abilities could never be matched, the use of his aura working in conjunction with his mutation had resulted in an overflow of power. This overflow resulted in Ozpin's abilities being amplified beyond measure and said energy overflow was also responsible for his body's youthful maintenance. However, when his abilities were used either too heavily or for too long, this happened.

Ozpin coughed a bit as blood spattered in his hands. Too much of a good thing usually became a bad thing. Now that Ozpin wasn't using his abilities actively, the bleed over from his psychic energy would heal any degradation in his body, given time. Once again Ozpin was reminded of the dangerous nature of his own powers but smiled anyway. It kept him humble in a way, a reminder that for all his incredible power, that he was still frail.

Suddenly he felt Glynda's worry over their physic link and paled even further. She was not going to be happy. Joan rose an eyebrow at her friend but shrugged. If Ozpin's health was really in danger, he'd tell her. Joan made sure Ozpin could move on his own and opened the door from their viewing room.

"I'll collect Jaune" said Joan "you just focus on resting alright."

Ozpin nodded and followed his friend down the holo stairs. Jaune was breathing deeply, trying to lower his heartrate down from working himself up. Jaune turned to his mother with a small smile, but his stoic face flickered slightly as he eyed Ozpin with slight concern.

"You alright?"

Ozpin nodded.

"Unlike yourself Jaune, my body suffers from overusing my abilities as I did today."

"I thought it was weird that the General seemed to let go so easily….thank you."

Ozpin smiled as he felt his legs grow weak, the degradation from his powers slowly encroaching further in his body, but noticeably slower that before. He tilted forward but stood strong.

"I meant it Jaune when I said I fight for my students. If Ironwood thinks he can hurt you, or anyone else in this school with his plans, I'll be there to stand in his way. The general is unaware of my telepathic and Telekinetic abilities."

The door to the danger room opened as Glynda entered, a worried look on her face as she pushed a well made wheel chair with cushions in front of her. On the side of the wheels was the symbol of Vale and on the armrests were high grade cushions for Ozpin's comfort. It was obvious from the wheelchair that this was not an uncommon consequence to Ozpin's abilities. Glynda seemed to grow more distraught as Ozpin coughed even more. He had been dulling Ironwood's senses and intelligence for hours on end at a constant pace. Unlike combat or simple mind breaking, the art of subtlety within the mind required constant focus. Unfortunately, said focus was an incredible drain on Ozpin's mental energy, which resulted in this. Combat was a similar consequence.

"Ozpin" she murmured.

Ozpin sighed as he slowly entered the chair. He felt Glynda's hand on his shoulder and nodded his thanks. But Glynda interrupted him when he went to speak.

"As usual you go too far. We're going home, no buts!"

She turned to Jaune.

"I'm sorry to cut this short, but Ozpin's needs his rest."

"Is it that bad?" asked Jaune.

"Not necessarily. But Ozpin will recover faster at home. He cannot simply shut his powers off and even if its slight, the strain from its constant activation would impede his recovery. His home shelters his mental reach to the confines of the house."

Jaune rose an eyebrow as he found it odd that Glynda still tried to maintain some professional distance with Ozpin in front of students. He could smell how their scents lingered with each other so deeply, that there was simply no way they were not living together.

The duo left them quickly, leaving Jaune a small smile as he overheard Glynda berating her lover on his stupidity regarding his abilities and their limits.

"So" said Joan "are you…settling in alright?"

Jaune turned to his mother and nodded.

"I am. I've been thinking on taking up the sword. Something simple for tournament settings and possibly a gun as well."

Joan nodded.

"You have a short range and medium range option. Good. I'll be sending in some equipment for you at a later time….."

"….."

"God this is awkward" thought Jaune.

"So how's dad?"

Joan smiled.

"He's doing fine. Although he's still crying tears that you're back."

"Still?"

"Your father is an emotional and passionate man Jaune."

"There's limits to that…isn't there?"

"Your father lives by his own personal code of conduct. Open and honest in all actions and dictations. You yourself follow this as well. You'd always nip at your father's heels and follow him whenever you got the chance. Honestly it made me and the others feel left out."

Jaune smiled as he realized that he did indeed follow that way of life. He was blunt but never lied. Kept things from people, partial truths, but never lie. Jaune may have been stoic and prone to overthinking things within his head, but ultimately he was an open book….

For those that knew him well enough anyway. Jaune looked at his mother, her words at the end of her sentence bothering him. She meant it as a joke, but even so Jaune didn't like the fact that his mother or sisters thought of him like that. His arms twitched as he felt uncomfortable initiating this contact.

It may have simply been a hug. But there was a difference in hugging Rose in happiness that she was alive…and than hugging his mother. There was a level of depth between the two that Rose, for all that she had done for him, could never bridge. Rose was his life line, his friend in the darkest days of his life…

But Joan was his mother. The woman who's scent he faintly remembered, who's warmth was always with him, and what words he could remember shouldering him forward. Without any more thoughts Jaune wrapped his mother in a small hug, his chin resting on his mother's head. His mother stiffened at the sudden contact but wrapped him up in her arms. She crushed her son to her chest, her shoulders shivering at unwept tears. Words that they tried to say but unable to say pass through them.

I missed you.

I'm sorry I wasn't there.

I'll never let go again.

I'm here….

And I Am Not Leaving.

Perhaps it was only minutes that they stayed that way, Jaune's eyes wet from emotion. His mother still shaking slightly, praying this was not some elaborate dream.

"I should have been there" croaked Joan "I should have been there to rip those bastards apart!"

Jaune smiled.

"You couldn't have known. I don't blame you. I blame myself. I left you. There's no going around that."

Joan separated from her son and looked him in the eye urging him to continue. Jaune took a breath before continuing, his throat dry from the emotions that ran amok beneath his stony façade.

"I left you. I ran away and caused you guys nothing but grief. Instead of returning home I stayed away. I was a coward who kept finding excuses to avoid facing the fact that I am a mons-"

SMACK!

Jaune's head rang like a thunderclap, his vision swam in colors instead of images, and when all was right once more, Jaune noticed his mother's eyes were red. Both in anger…and sadness.

"You don't get to say that to me! You Jaune Arc are not a monster! You've made mistakes yes, but life dealt you a shitty hand with shitty choices! Do you like killing!"

"No!" said Jaune.

"Good. That's one less thing I have to break you of."

"…what?"

"You are not a monster and if I have to headbutt you over and over again until you understand that or smother you in hugs than I'll damn well do it! I got seven daughters that will take shifts if they have to!"

"Don't you have jobs?"

"FUCK EM."

"….my head's made of metal mother, I doubt a headbutt-"

SMACK.

With a mighty smack Joan smashed her forehead into her sons. Jaune felt his world rattle but as he focused on his mother he remembered one thing.

She had a fully functioning aura that protected her from damage.

"….ow" wheezed Jaune.

"Glad you understand me."

Without further due, Joan brought her son into another hug.

"This won't be fixed tomorrow. Hell, it won't be fixed in a year. There's so much we don't know about each other…but damnit Jaune stop trying to make it seem like I shouldn't love you!"

Jaune felt his brain halt. Is that what he was trying to do?

"I don't know you…I doubt I ever will."

Jaune felt his heart wrench at the tone his mother used.

"You've endured so much more than anyone should. I will never understand that…ever. I don't know what you need or how to provide it even…but I'll be there for you. I'll love you as much as I can and I will fight for you! You are not alone anymore! Even if you've found someone else to take my place…I will always be your mother."

Jaune felt his eyes burn as he hugged his mother. Joan was surprised at the sudden force and intimacy of the hug as her son crushed her to his chest.

"You've always been my mum…always."

His voice didn't modulate much….but the tone spoke volumes. His voice cracked slightly, the way his arms crushed into her.

"I'm sorry I'm such a shitty son…to ever make you think otherwise" he whispered.

The two stayed there for even longer. The mother who found her son and the son who found the mother. There would be turbulence and problems. Issues that they think can be solved in manners that alienated the other. But within that moment Jaune felt the warmth that he had always been seeking but never knew.

The warmth of Family. The warmth of Friends.

The Warmth of Home.

"I'm home" whispered Jaune.

Joan let the tears flow freely as she crushed him back, her voice a brittle mess.

"Welcome back."

Jaune smiled, a true albeit small smile.

Now he had to do this eight more times for each of his family members. It would be messy and arduous mess of emotional magnitude.

….but Jaune wouldn't have it any other way.

"….so uh….if you two are done can I do my job now?"

Jaune and Joan turned to face the messy looking janitor who stood before them a fair distance away. He waved awkwardly with a bad smile. Joan narrowed her eyes at the guy's name tag.

"Shut up Greg!"

Jaune's own quiet scowl did little to alleviate Greg's own near death experience. It wasn't his fault these two weirdos were here after hours!

As Greg wallowed in the pittance that was his life Joan sighed and looked up at her son.

"We'll be popping in when we can alright Jaune."

Jaune smiled and nodded, enjoying the warmth of his mother's hand as she cupped his face.

"I'll see soon. Pay attention to the mail. Your sisters have already packaged and sent off your new equipment. It will be shipped here by tomorrow."

Jaune rose an eyebrow and then shrugged. This was Remnant, one of the things humanity had become adept in was speedy delivery. The fact that such a system was developed for troop movement and not items was never mentioned.

Jaune felt his heart settle down as he followed his mom out the room. She kissed his cheek goodbye as she waved away from him. Suddenly Jaune was tackled by the hyper active ginger that was Nora. Joan turned in surprise…but found her heart warmed at the sight of Jaune surrounded by friends. She could sense tension, but when Joan had worked with teams, there was always tension.

Although….her son's stoic face seemed to make the moment less cheery than it might have been.

"We've been waiting forever!" yelled Nora.

"More like six minutes" said Ren.

"Why did it take so long for you to get out!"

"We were worried when you didn't show up after a few hours, so we came here" translated Ren.

"So what weapon did we pick! And who's the hottie! Huh huh! Nudge Nudge Wink Wink!"

Jaune rose an eyebrow and looked at Ren.

"…..sugar?"

"Caffeine."

"….oh dear" muttered Jaune.

"Indeed" said Ren.

"How have you ever survived this long?"

"Many….many coping mechanisms and the wonder of meditation and herbal tea."

"Ah understood" said Jaune.

Nora was pouting that Ren and Jaune were bonding so rapidly in their mutual stoicism. So she crushed Ren to her chest, his face incidentally crashing into her breasts as he blinked in confusion.

"NO! BAD JAUNE! RENNIE'S MINE!"

Ren sighed and looked towards Jaune. To his surprise Jaune just nodded in comradery.

"First off, don't swing that way. Second, the hottie is my mother."

Joan smirked as she walked away. Her pride enjoying the screaming of all the young women especially the blonde one.

"Oh I call bullshit!" yelled Yang "there is no way in hell that woman is your mother! She only looks a few years younger than us!"

Nora stared at the vanishing form of Joan Arc and back at Jaune.

"That woman birthed eight kids?"

Jaune rose an eyebrow and nodded.

All the woman in the vicinity just cringed.

"Daaaamn".

The only two who didn't join were Ruby, due to not understanding fast enough the joke, and Pyrrha who simply didn't see the point in joining. Ren was finally free from Nora's grasp and stretched his neck out.

"You alright?" asked Jaune.

"I am fine, yes. Although Nora does tend to stretch me in ways that shouldn't be possible."

"Ahhh that's what she said!"

"Yang shut up" asked Weiss.

Jaune ignored the other two and turned to his newfound brother.

"If I may suggest a chiropractor? They should be able to alleviate the pain from Nora's bone crushing hugs."

"I'm a frequent customer of one doctor in particular, but thank you for the offer."

"My apologies for intruding then."

"No by all means" said Ren.

"Ah. In that case would you like to accompany me to Robert's tea? I heard they have quite the selection but I didn't know anyone who was truly a fan of the beverage to try the place with."

"I've heard of the place…yes I think I'll take you up on that offer. At least we can get away from all the madness this place induces."

Silently between the two men was the knowledge that it was Nora that was madness.

"NOO! Ren your my friend!"

Ren sighed as he shook his head.

"Nora is a little possessive so going during a time she cannot follow may be best."

"I concur. Does sometime next week work for you?"

"it does actually, I'm free from most of my tutoring sessions."

"Interesting. I take it you're the tutor?"

"How did you know?" asked Ren.

"A lucky guess considering your disposition and studious attitude."

"Spot on. If you need any help just let me know."

"I will" said Jaune.

The women of the group stared at the men. Ruby pouted in confusion.

"Guys are weird."

Yang just stared between the two and glared at them.

"What are you robots?"

Jaune ignored that remark and held out his hand to Ren. Ren smiled as he shook it briefly but with a strong grip.

"As was stated before Ren. I believe this is the start of a beautiful friendship."

"I agree."

"Ok that's it" said yang.

With a huff the muscular girl lifted both boys and separated them to their respective partners.

"Ladies take care of your men" said Yang "and you! Yes you Jaune, you can't just walk off saying you're a mutant and not tell us what you can do. Come on spill the beans!"

Jaune narrowed his eyes.

"What beans are there to spill?"

"It s a figure of speech" supplied Ren.

"Oh."

Pyrrha had a sinking feeling about what Jaune was going to do.

"Uh Jaune I really think we should go where else for this."

Jaune shrugged.

"Nonsense. I've thought hard on the matter and realized there's little point in being apprehensive in not showing my mutation. There's little point in hiding."

"That's not what I meant" muttered Pyrrha.

Jaune turned to team Ruby and held his arms up. Blake felt like she should be remembering something but couldn't.

"My mutation" said Jaune "is simply the accumulation of many animal traits and enhanced senses, along with claws."

Blake's eyes widened as she finally remembered. Weiss spoke up as she rose an eyebrow.

"Claws? Like the Faunus?"

SHINK

"OH MY GOD!" screamed Weiss.

As the blood flowed down Jaune's arms, gravity pulling them down to his cloths, he noticed that team RWBY looked like they were going to be sick.

"….I take it this is the reason you said to do this elsewhere Pyrrha?"

The red head nodded.
"Hmm...errors have been made."

-END-

Next chapter Jaune's adventures as a Beacon student begin in earnest! His first mission hunting Grimm comes around and Jaune realizes that, while revealing his mutant nature wasn't a huge problem, it did come few troubling aspects he couldn't forsee. What exactly are those aspects? Wait till next time to find out.

Pairing List:

Joan x David

Jaune x Pyrrha

Ren X Nora

Ozpin X Glynda.