Here's the chapter.

Beta: College Fool

Cover Art: Kegi Springfield

Chapter 34

For Yang, it seemed to happen in slow motion. She was back at the docks, fighting against the Grimm that had spawned from Hentacle, except that the beast was nowhere in sight, and the sky was a dark crimson that moved like blood. Her team was cut off from her, too, with no sign or sound of them at all. She was trapped by Grimm, held back from reaching the epicentre of the battle.

She had to get there.

I do? Why?

She wasn't sure. It didn't really matter. All she knew was that it had to be done, and that as she punched her way through another Beowolf, her limbs felt heavy and weak – as though gravity itself was dragging her down.

Where was Ren? She could have really used her partner's help right now.

"Ah, no – let go of me!"

That voice… it came from ahead of her, past the Beowolf and a few other Grimm, and it was painfully familiar. "Jaune?" she whispered. Her eyes widened and she called out, this time louder. "Jaune, is that you? Hold on, I'm on my way!"

"Y-Yang? Argh, help, please!"

It sounded like he was in trouble, and she hurled herself at the Beowolf before her, trusting her aura to take the blow. It did so, even if her brain rattled in her skull. It was a risky move for sure, but she couldn't let Hentacle get away with him. There was no telling what might happen. Even as her vision blurred, she lashed out with a right hook and planted her fist into the monster's teeth. Ember Celica roared, sending the shells directly up into its mouth and through what might have passed as a brain. The monster fell. She was already pushing past it to kill the next.

"Hang on, Jaune," she shouted, side-stepping an Ursa and shattering its knee with an aura-infused kick. "I'm almost there!"

"I can't-" His voice cut off with the sounds of struggling. "She's got me!"

She…?

Yang burst past the Beowolf and towards his voice, but froze at the scene she came upon. It wasn't Hentacle. The monster was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Jaune struggled in the grip of a woman dressed in red and black, with a face so similar to hers, it hurt.

"M-Mom…?"

The woman's face turned, and Yang flinched back from the disinterest in those crimson eyes. There was recognition, but no emotion, not even surprise. "Oh," Raven said. "It's you."

"I…I…" The words didn't come, and it was all she could do to stare at the older woman. She'd wanted for so long to meet her, but now that she had, the questions she'd always dreamed of asking had fled her mind. The sounds of struggle drew her attention to Jaune, who writhed in the woman's one-handed grip. "What are you doing with Jaune?"

"I'm taking him."

Her heart beat a little faster. There was something wrong… something so very, very wrong. "Taking him where?"

Raven's eyes held hers for the longest moment, and when she sighed, Yang knew it was because she was exasperated… because she saw her own daughter and considered her nothing more than a pest. "Does it matter? I have no interest in you, but he is different. I will be taking him."

Just like that, with no explanation or warning? An unfamiliar feeling rose within her, and yang shook her head, teeth gritted together. Ruby would be devastated, and so would his team – and she… and she wouldn't stand for it, either. One foot shifted back as she fell into a combat stance.

"I won't let you take him."

"Let me…?" Raven burst into laughter. "You could never hope to stop me. You're weak, Yang."

Yang's eyes burned. "I'm not weak!"

"You are. Look at you, you're crying even now. Little wonder I left you behind. Who would ever want to take a pathetic weakling like you along with them?" Raven sniffed and sheathed her sword, unwilling to even use it on her. "Run back to your sister and Taiyang. I have no time for you."

A crimson portal flared into life behind them.

"Yang, save me!" Jaune yelled.

"I'm coming!" Yang surged forwards, but was cut off as two Beowolves appeared in her way. Her eyes flashed red. "Get out of my way!" One went down, its face crushed in by her fist, but the other clamped down on her shoulder. "Let go," she hissed, gripping its maw and snapping it in one go.

Others had closed around her, however, and though they couldn't hurt her, they held her back. One clutched at her shoulders from behind, while another wrapped furred arms around one of her legs. She ignored them both and tried to take another step forward, to reach Jaune and Raven before they could depart.

It was all for nothing.

Raven dragged him towards the portal, ignorant of both his protests, and Yang's cries for her to stop. At the last second, she turned to look at her once more – to see Yang burdened down by four or more Beowolves, unable to take another step forward.

Her mother's eyes were filled with bitter disappointment.

"Pathetic…"

Yang's heart broke.

-and she lurched forward with a gasp.

"Hah… hah…" Her breaths came out ragged and hoarse, one hand clutched before her face. It shook violently. The scene was gone, however, the red sky replaced with a white ceiling, and the familiar snoring of Nora only two beds down from hers. Yang's eyes adjusted to the darkness slowly, and it wasn't until she saw her partner and Blake asleep that she relaxed. Ren was in the bed to her right, while Blake occupied the one between Nora and her, and the faunus had a pillow clamped down over her ears. She'd fallen asleep like that – surrounded on both sides by loud snorers.

It was just a dream, Yang told herself. She fell back with a sigh, arms splayed out on either side of her as she stared at the ceiling and mused at how uncomfortably hot her bed was. The pillow was damp with sweat, and she flipped it over quickly. Even the cool side didn't ease her thoughts, though. Why did I have a dream about Jaune and Raven? Why did it happen like that?

Dreaming of Raven made sense. It was the first time she'd ever seen her Mom in the flesh… no, she wouldn't call that woman her mother. Summer held that position. It was the first time she'd ever seen Raven in the flesh, so it made sense it would occupy her thoughts. That, she understood.

Jaune, though, not to mention the contents of her dream…? That was a little less obvious.

If anything, I should have dreamed about Hentacle kidnapping him. All Raven did was fight off the Grimm and try to kill Hentacle, even if she did send him through one of her portals. She'd got the lowdown on the story from the man himself, and they'd all come together last night to fill everyone in on what happened. According to Jaune, he'd been dragged outside by Hentacle, and then saved by Raven. The portal she'd sent him through had disoriented him, but not actually sent him very far.

Raven saved him. But if that's the case, then why does it feel so wrong?

It looked like sleep wasn't going to come back anytime soon, so Yang swung her legs over the side of the bed and padded out onto the carpet. She'd never been a particularly stealthy person, but with Nora grinding two rocks together in her throat, she didn't have to be. She considered her uniform for a moment, then slipped into her casual outfit instead, and stepped outside.

The air was cool in the corridors and helped to wake her up. They weren't really meant to wander around Beacon this early in the morning, but they were allowed into the common rooms, and to use the gardens if necessary. It was the latter Yang made her way towards, in the hopes that the cool morning air might wake her up.

The questions, however, there was little hiding from. Why had Raven appeared again after so long away? It obviously wasn't to see her daughter, as much as it hurt to admit that. She hadn't even stayed after the fight to share a word, and if Raven had been watching everything, then she'd happily left Yang stuck in a warehouse full of terrorists being attacked by Atlas.

Mom of the year material right there.

No, Raven had ignored all of that in favour of saving Jaune… or fighting Hentacle. The two went hand-in-hand, but didn't necessarily have the same motive. Then again, if Raven really did want to fight Hentacle, then why send Jaune away? Wouldn't it use up some energy to make that portal?

Does that mean she really was there for him? No, not quite. If Hentacle wanted Jaune, it was possible Raven sent him away to make sure the monster couldn't flee. It would be a way of ensuring the fight happened. If she was there for the fight at all… I literally know nothing about the woman that gave birth to me. I'm not even sure what kind of personality she has.

Argh, it was all a pointless waste of time anyway. Why bother analysing a dream when it didn't even mean anything? She'd probably just taken the two biggest things – Raven's appearance and Jaune's almost kidnap – then smashed them together in her head. Nothing unusual, nothing weird and definitely nothing she wanted to waste her time thinking about any longer than she had to.

An odd `swooshing` noise caught her attention. It was quiet enough, but given that most of Beacon was still asleep, it stood out. It might have been a bird diving on some prey, so Yang closed her eyes and listened.

It sounded again, this time a little more clearly. It sounded like it was coming from one of the fields off by the west side of the Emerald Forest.

"Well, it's not like I didn't want to be distracted. Might as well go investigate." If she was lucky, it might be a Beowolf – which would be a good way to get her mind off of things. The early morning – or late night – exercise might also make her tired enough to fall asleep again.

It was no Beowolf. It wasn't a Grimm at all. Yang rounded the corner and then hopped back behind it when she saw someone swinging a sword over their head. Someone was out early for some training, it seemed. She was about to politely back off and find somewhere else to sit, when she realised who it was.

"Jaune…?"

"Huh?" He stopped mid-swing and turned in her direction, even as Yang ducked back behind the wall. She instantly felt stupid a second later, not really sure why she was hiding at all. With a nervous chuckle, she stepped back out and waved. "Yang? What are you doing out at this time? Did I wake you up?"

"Swinging your sword a good hundred metres away from the dorms?" Yang teased. "How loud do you think you are? Nah, I just wasn't able to sleep and felt like getting some fresh air. Heard you training and thought I'd see what it was. You are training, right?"

"As best I can." Jaune turned back around so that he faced the forest, and Yang took the opportunity given to ogle his back a little. He was covered in sweat, so had decided to take off his top so he didn't make it wet. She wasn't ashamed to admit she liked the way his muscles moved when he raised and lowered his arms with each strike.

She wasn't embarrassed about it, either. If he wanted to show off what he had, she'd look!

"I couldn't sleep, either," he admitted. "Kept trying, but it wouldn't stick. In the end, I figured I might as well do something."

"Hoping it would wear you out?"

"That was the plan." He laughed and allowed his arms to slump, the blade's tip coming to rest against the grass. "I guess you can see how well that's going."

"How long have you been going at it for?"

"Two hours, I think."

Yikes, that long? She'd heard impressive things about his stamina from Ruby – and then been sure to tease her sister for knowing in the first place – but this was a little ridiculous. Two hours of constant swinging would be enough to leave most people's arms almost falling out their sockets. He was covered in sweat, and his arms were red, but he was still going strong.

"Take a break with me," she suggested. He shot her a confused look and she shrugged one shoulder. "We're both stuck awake, so we might as well talk. Working yourself to death isn't helping."

"True." Jaune wandered over and sat down cross-legged on the grass. She did the same next to him, though she pushed her legs out before her and stretched so that she touched her toes. When her back popped, she leaned back and grinned at him.

"So, champ. What's keeping you up at night?"

"I keep remembering what happened yesterday," he said. "Or what almost happened. It's not that I woke up, so much as I wasn't able to fall asleep in the first place." He glanced at her. "And you…?"

"I had a rough dream. It woke me up and I didn't feel like going to sleep afterwards."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not really." She shrugged and looked up at the sky. "It was just a weird nightmare. I'd rather forget about it, to be honest." The last thing she wanted was to tell a guy she'd had a dream about them, especially if it was about them being kidnapped. That would be such an obvious lead-in to some kind of cheesy line from them.

She didn't feel like knocking Jaune's block off. Then again, he wasn't the kind of guy to make lines like that anyway.

"You've been training really hard lately," she said, if only to fill the silence with something.

"I need to get stronger."

There was something about the way he said it which caught her attention. The sentiment wasn't an unusual one, especially not in a school designed to make you stronger. It was just that it felt a little heavier, a little more desperate. Yang watched her unusual friend from the corner of one eye, and easily noticed the panicked, almost frightened, look on his face.

"You're afraid someone will try to kidnap you again, aren't you?"

Jaune sighed. "Yeah… I was… I was just so weak back there. I wasn't able to defend myself, and everything got out of control so quickly. I just sort of stood there being useless while everyone else fought to look after me. If I'd been stronger, she wouldn't have been in danger."

She…? Was he talking about Ruby… or maybe even her? It didn't really matter either way. He'd almost been abducted by Hentacle, and maybe it had been silly to think he'd be over that. Jaune was always so lively and happy, that it was sometimes hard to imagine stuff like this getting to him. That was a little short-sighted now that she thought about it. He was as human as her, after all.

"You couldn't have been expected to do anything, Jaune."

"I could."

"You couldn't! You're a student. You're our age. What do you think you are; some kind of god of war?"

"No, but… I should have been able to do more than just sit there."

Yang bit her lip, unsure what to say. She could understand where he was coming from, and it kind of reminded her of the time she'd nearly gotten Ruby killed. She'd stood there in shock and horror too, and the memory still pained her. In the end, she closed her eyes and went with the tough love Uncle Qrow had given her. "Yeah, you should have."

"W-What…?"

"You should have been able to do something," she said. "You were kind of useless, and you froze up, and that could have gotten someone hurt."

"I…I…"

"But it didn't happen," she whispered, opening her eyes once more. She reached out to grip his shoulder in one hand. "Yeah, you messed up a little, and yeah, you probably could have done more, but do you think no one has that happen once or twice? It's happened to me."

"It's not the same."

"The hell it isn't. I nearly got my sister killed because I froze up!"

The complaint Jaune was about to give died. His eyes widened, almost frightened as he stared at her. It looked like she'd gotten through, though not in a way she'd entirely wanted. Her shoulders hunched as she drew up her legs and wrapped her arms around them.

"It happened when we were younger and Summer died," Yang began. If anyone else had asked to hear the story, she'd have told them it was private – and the thought of telling Jaune wasn't exactly appealing either. In hindsight, she'd blame the lack of sleep, since instead of making up some cock and bull story, she went with the truth.

It was a tale long in the telling, and delivered without much emotion. Once upon a time, it had stung, but nowadays, it was nothing more than a dull ache. How could she have been so stupid? How could she have been so useless?

"And that's it," she said. "Uncle Qrow saved us and Ruby wasn't hurt, but she could have been, and I was the older sister. I was meant to be the one who looked after her, and she trusted me to do that. I've got no idea why Ruby doesn't hate me for it." She laughed bitterly. "Maybe she can't even remember. She was really young back then."

She looked up into his eyes – which were still wide with shock.

"But that's why I know what it feels like to be useless," she said. "I froze up and nearly lost Ruby, and you froze up and nearly got yourself killed. At least you didn't risk anyone else's life when you did."

"I…" Jaune swallowed. "Yang, I…"

"I'm over it," she said. "Or well, not over it, but I don't beat myself up about it anymore. Uncle Qrow gave me this same speech, but I was younger then and didn't understand it. I railed against him and locked myself in my room. Told him I never wanted to see him again, and that he should leave me alone because I was so worthless."

Jaune's fingers wrapped around her wrist, and his sapphire eyes bore into hers. "You're not useless, Yang. You're an incredible person."

Eh…?

"You're strong, skilled and beautiful," he continued, apparently misunderstanding her pause and assuming he needed to explain himself. "You're one of the strongest people in Beacon, and that's despite not having the kinds of resources Weiss would have, or Pyrrha would have gained being a championship fighter." His other hand came around to rest under her chin. "You're amazing, Yang."

T-That absolute idiot! She was supposed to be the one comforting him, not the other way around.

"S-Stop saying that!"

"Saying what?"

"This all happened ages ago, and I'm not even all that upset about it anymore." She shook her head and glared at him, but the effect was lost because it wasn't her eyes that were red, but her face as a whole. "I was trying to tell you this to make you feel better. You… You don't need to lay out a list of compliments to try and boost my ego. Geez… s-saying I'm beautiful and things." She laughed. "Save stuff like that for Ruby – or maybe Weiss, too. She is your girlfriend, after all."

"My fake one," Jaune protested. "I've not even been on a date with her before."

Unlike with you, his unspoken words went on. Yang's entire body went stiff, and she suddenly found it hard to breathe, let alone swallow whatever was stuck in her throat. Did he… did he see her as his girlfriend?

That would be bad. He liked Ruby, and Ruby liked him, while their `dates` together had been an accident formed from her casual use of the word, and Jaune not realising it was just a saying. Had she… had she accidentally made him like her during those dates? Had she potentially stolen her sister's crush?

It was a horrifying thought… or it should have been. The fact she didn't feel a rush of guilt was what truly made it horrifying. No, no, no, I can't do this to her – and I sure as hell can't `like` the idea. No way!

"F-Forget the story," she said. "I was just trying to point out how you're not the only one who's frozen before." She glowered up at him. "I wasn't fishing for compliments or sympathy, you goof. I was trying to help you."

Jaune opened his mouth. Yang clamped a hand over it.

"And don't you dare suddenly use that as an excuse to say how kind or sweet I am," she hissed, face crimson. "It's too early for me to deal with that. I just had a nightmare. I'm not thinking straight. You can't make me feel like this."

"Feel like what?" he asked, pulling her fingers away.

Yang's brow twitched, and she vaguely remembered Summer once warning her about boys who made her heart race without meaning to. Those were the ones you needed to watch out for, or so Summer had said. They were dangerous, and could make you think dangerous things without meaning to. "Nothing," she said. "I feel nothing. You're imagining it."

"But you just said…" Jaune saw her expression and wisely decided to leave the issue alone. "Ah, never mind. I guess you don't need to hear me compliment you anyway. You can see it for yourself in the mirror."

What a bastard. Was he doing that on purpose? Deep inside her head, a tiny part of her squealed happily. Luckily, she was able to track that part down, drag it into a secluded corner of her mind, and then curb stomp it.

"Maybe you're right about the lesson, though," he said. "No, you're definitely right. I'll stop whining about it. Besides, that won't help anyone, will it?"

"It won't," Yang agreed. "You need to think about what you'll do next time instead."

"Yeah…" He nodded. "Next time, I need to be prepared. I need to fight. That's why I'm out here. I don't want to have to rely on someone to rescue me if this happens again."

Yang swallowed. He meant Raven.

"Y-Yeah, about that…" How was she supposed to broach such a topic? He couldn't trust Raven, he just couldn't. If she did have some interest in him, there was no way it was good. Sure, she'd technically saved him – but that had to be a happy coincidence. If Raven really wanted to help Jaune, she'd have escaped with him. Not sent him a small distance away and then fought a group of Grimm. "About that woman…" she tried again. "About Raven…"

"What is it?" he asked. "What's wrong?"

There was no good way to put it, at least not in a way that wouldn't sound weird. In the end, she clenched her eyes shut and went with the direct approach. Ruby would have called that the usual approach, to be honest.

"You can't trust her."

"Oh, I know."

"I mean it," she said. "Even if she saved you and even if she technically helped you get away from Hentacle, you can't-" Yang paused. "Wait… what did you say?"

"I said I know," Jaune repeated, with no anger or disbelief to his voice at all.

"You do…?"

His eyes narrowed. "I don't like her."

"You don't?" Yang blinked and realised how stupid she sounded. She shook her head. "Good! Great, even. She can't be trusted and you shouldn't let your guard down around her."

"I won't. I didn't feel safe anywhere near her."

Yang nodded happily, relieved and maybe even a little pleased to see him siding with her on the matter. She'd been afraid he would be so happy to have been saved from Hentacle, that he'd trust Raven implicitly. That didn't seem to be the case.

"I didn't think you'd believe me for a second," she admitted. "I thought you'd think I was being stupid or something."

"Why would I think that?"

It was something she didn't want to explain. She'd already shown him more than she cared to, and her history with Raven was something she wanted to keep away. Instead of answering, she shrugged helplessly and remained silent.

Jaune, noticing, wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

"You don't have to tell me, Yang. Besides, it's not like I wouldn't believe you. I'll always trust you."

Yang's cheeks flushed, but she managed to smile impishly. "Is that your best attempt to flirt with me? It needs work."

"Huh? No, it wasn't. I was telling the truth. I trust you. I'd trust you with my life."

Argh, he was doing it again – nooo! She buried her face in her knees instead. It was safe there; safe from the heavy words he delivered with such casual ease. Why was she the one blushing when he said corny stuff like that?

Where did he get off not looking embarrassed!?

"I guess that's why I came out here to train," he said. "I need to make sure the next time something like that happens I can look after myself. I don't want you guys nearly getting hurt trying to save me. I don't want anyone I care about to get hurt."

She felt a weight lift off her shoulders. One she wasn't quite aware she'd been carrying. With a sigh of relief, she leaned back so that her shoulder bumped against his. It was cold enough to share a little heat, and after his workout, he was practically radiating it.

Jaune didn't complain at her for stealing a little bit of it. He did glance her way, but simply moved his arm a little so that she could fit easily against his side. She squashed down the little voice that teased at what they must have looked like. Ruby's misunderstanding as to her and Jaune's relationship was making even her think stupid thoughts.

"Thank you…"

"What for? I didn't even do anything."

He didn't understand, naturally. Yang giggled into his shoulder, and then almost knocked him over entirely as she burst into laughter. She caught herself before she could fall on top of him, and then laughed even louder when she saw his bemused expression.

"I-I'm sorry," she said, struggling past her giggles. "I-I just lost control. Snrk…"

"Did I say something funny?"

"Not anything you'd understand," she said. She grinned to show she didn't mean anything by it, and offered him a hand to help him up. "Hey, you said you wanted some help getting stronger, right? How about we spar a little?"

His face lit up, all prior anger gone. "You'd be willing to…?"

"Sure I would. What are friends for?"

"Thank you, Yang!" He rushed forward to hug her, and although her cheeks did heat up a little at having a topless guy wrap his arms around her, she was able to hug him back without feeling too awkward. "You're a great girlfriend, Yang. You really are."

Forget heating up a little- suddenly she felt on fire. At least he was too close to see.

"You're not so bad yourself, champ," she returned, trying to laugh it off. When he felt confused, she wiped it away and fell into a fighting stance. "You ready, lover boy? It's about time I taught you how to get past Uncle Qrow's move."

He nodded and picked up his sword once more.

"Ready!"

/-/

"Weiss, it was exactly what it looked like," Jaune said, sighing for what felt like the tenth time.

"Oh, is that so? And here I thought you were supposed to say it wasn't what it looked like." His partner pressed a finger into his chest and scowled. "You were laid on the floor topless with Yang draped all over you."

"And we were covered in bruises, with my sword at my side, and Yang had me in a submission hold," he pointed out. "I'm fairly sure just about anyone would see that as us sparring."

"Looks like someone's jealous," Yang crooned.

"You can stay quiet!" Weiss snapped. "Ren, control your partner."

Ren looked up and opened his mouth, then clearly thought better of it and put a slice of fruit into it instead. The two teams were sat at the breakfast table, and had met up once everyone awoke to find him and Yang missing from their respective rooms. Maybe they should have thought twice about that, since it was less than a day after that crazy woman had tried to kidnap him. Everyone had assumed he and Yang had been attacked.

Well, everyone else assumed they'd been attacked by Hentacle – aka, his sister. He, of course, knew better, but it wasn't like he could say it.

"I can sense one of my siblings in the distance, Jaune. If your sister was dead, I would know."

"Thanks, Remy. That means a lot."

Lavender was alive, then, even if she hadn't contacted him yet. To be fair, it was only eight or so hours since the drama the night before, and she might still have been sleeping off her injuries. Things would take time, and right now, the knowledge she was safe was enough to keep him calm.

"I think the big question is what we're going to do about this," Ren said. "Yang and Jaune's late night rendezvous aside-"

"Hey!" Yang yelped.

"There's still the issue of Roman Torchwick working not only with the White Fang, but now with the Grimm as well." he continued, ignoring his partner's red face. "It was bad enough when we thought he was in league with terrorists, but the personification of all evil as well?"

"It's a recipe for disaster," Blake agreed. "I just can't understand why they'd work together…"

Weiss rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Are you still hung up over this? Look, I said I'd accept that not all those in the White Fang are bad, but you can't believe they wouldn't work with a wanted criminal. They are still criminals themselves."

"Not that. I understand and accept the fact. It's just…" Blake struggled for words for a few seconds, before eventually blurting out; "But the Grimm!? How does one even work with mindless monsters, and why on Remnant would they? Their goals aren't exactly compatible. The White Fang want to kill all the humans, Torchwick is a human, and the Grimm want to kill everything." She threw her hands in the air. "How are they even working together? That would be like asking a cat, a mouse, and a Beowolf to build a house."

"Does the how matter?" Yang asked. "We know they're on the wrong side, so we'll do what we have to do and huff, puff, and blow that house down."

"Yeah!" Nora cheered, while Ruby nodded happily beside her.

Jaune sighed and gave up on any attempt to stop them. He didn't want them involved, but it was a little too late for that, and there was a small part of him which wondered why, too. His sisters would never normally deal with people like Roman, and especially not terrorists. What had changed, and why now?

And what do I intend to do about it? I'm firmly on the side of the humans in this equation, but I can't fight against my own family.

Except that if he did nothing, he'd probably have to. It certainly looked like they were headed in that direction. He had to do something to stop that, either to derail their plans, change their minds, or at least figure out what they were in the first place and see whether he was okay with them. If Cinder and Mom were just using them all for their own means, with plans to throw them away afterwards, then he was pretty on board with that. It could have been that they needed lien or dust, and Roman and the Fang were the best ways to get it.

As long as it didn't cause any problems for his friends, that wasn't a big deal.

"I think it's time we started to look into this a little more, Remy."

"Oh? I wondered if we'd be doing something about it. You've been pretty passive lately, just letting people run roughshod over you."

"I've not been that bad," Jaune protested. "Have I…?"

"You've focused so much on fitting in and being friends with these people that you've not done anything towards your `make peace between Grimm and humans` thing. I wouldn't exactly call that pro-active."

He wanted to argue, and was about to do so, but the doubt set in before he could. Was Remy right? Had he really thrown away his main goal in order to fit in with everyone here? That wasn't a bad thing, per se. He needed to not stand out, and he felt fairly confident saying he'd done a good job. He had a team, friends, a fake girlfriend in Weiss, a maybe real-girlfriend in Yang. Okay, so things were a little confusing at times, but he hadn't made any social faux pas. He even had a not-so-secret admirer in Cardin. That was all good progress.

It was just a shame the same couldn't be said about his other goals…

"You're right," Jaune sighed. The disappointment fell thick on him. "Everything here was so new and exciting, that I focused on that and lost sight of what I'm really supposed to be doing."

"That's why I didn't say anything," Remy said. "You were having fun, and I could feel that. I'm meant to be your advisor, but even I wanted to let you just relax for a bit. I guess I should have done something more."

"No, don't blame yourself. I'm the guilty one here."

"I don't think either of us are guilty of anything, really. I don't think you should try and go all serious either, if only because your team would get suspicious. You should act like you usually do, but you weren't wrong when you said you need to get stronger this morning. Whether you like it or not, if you're going to pursue this route, there's bound to be violence involved."

"I don't want to fight my family. I might kill them."

"Then you'd better make sure you're strong enough to beat them without killing them."

That wasn't a bad point. If he could subdue or immobilise them, that would let him fight against them without being afraid. It wouldn't be easy – not when Lavender was the weakest of his sisters, and she was already a better swordswoman than he.

Still, it might well be the only way.

"The first step is information, Remy. I think it's time I had a serious conversation with my Big Sis. I need to know why she's working with Roman and the White Fang."

Remy didn't reply, but Jaune felt his approval. It was the right decision to make, and honestly one he should have made weeks ago. Instead, he'd been too enthused with being able to live like a normal person for a change, and that had distracted him.

No longer. Now was the beginning of a new era!

"Mr Arc, the headmaster wishes to meet with you."

If he didn't end up being killed first, that was! Jaune's shoulders tensed as he recognised Miss Goodwitch's voice, and right behind him, no less. He wondered why no one had warned him, but found everyone looking in the teacher's direction. Oh right, he'd just been so into talking with Remy, he hadn't noticed.

"Um, can I ask why?" He winced at the teacher's arch expression. "If that's not rude, I mean."

"Yeah, what's up?" Yang asked. "We've already told the headmaster everything we could last night."

"Is something wrong?" Weiss enquired. "I can personally attest that Jaune was with me at all times, so there's nothing he could have done to attract any kind of punishment."

"And it's not his fault he was too startled to fight against the Grimm," Pyrrha added. "He'd just been abducted by Hentacle."

"Mr Arc is not in trouble!" Miss Goodwitch practically yelled over the tidal wave of complaints. She sighed and rolled her eyes towards the ceiling. "I do not believe I even made mention of punishment, and if I did, you'd be wiser to fear me more than you would a meeting with the headmaster."

"Then what's it about?" Ruby asked.

"Not that it's any business of yours, Miss Rose-"

"Eep!"

"But the headmaster merely wishes to speak with your teammate about his near ordeal, and how Beacon can help to prevent such repeat performances in the future." The teacher crossed her arms and waited for everyone to relax. "A student of ours was nearly abducted… again, I might add. This is obviously a big concern for us, hence the meeting."

Everyone seemed to relax and lean back once they had an explanation, and Weiss nodded, content with what she'd heard. "That makes sense," she said. "Well, in that case, I see no complaint. We'll see you later, Jaune."

"Y-Yeah," he said miserably, rising from his seat. Maybe they all saw no problem here, but he did – especially if he was going to have to give information away about his sister. He turned to the teacher and nodded. "I'm ready, ma'am."

"Then follow me."

He could have found his way to the headmaster's office without the lead. They'd been their last night after the warehouse incident, and they'd given the headmaster a doctored story about why they were there. Namely, they'd left out the explanation of why they'd been there, and just gone with the excuse that they'd heard and seen the Grimm, then reacted as they'd been expected to. Honestly, he wasn't sure Ozpin believed it, but the man seemed willing enough to let it go.

Had something changed now, and he was being drawn up alone to answer for what they'd done?

As the elevator door opened, he was surprised to see it wasn't to be a private meeting at all. The headmaster was there, and beside him was Ruby's uncle, Qrow. Miss Goodwitch nodded and walked over to stand on the other side of the headmaster, who gestured to the seat in front of the desk.

Jaune sat down nervously. "You wanted to see me, headmaster?"

"I did, Mr Arc."

"I already told you everything I know about last night. There's nothing more I can say."

"It's not about that," Ozpin said, placing his hands atop his desk. "In fact, this is a rare moment where I will not expect you to talk much at all. I think it's time I explained some things for a change."

It didn't sound like an interrogation, and Jaune felt his stomach settle as he nodded and waited for the main to continue.

"Firstly, I believe it goes without saying that you are aware of the danger you're currently in. Am I correct in assuming so?"

"Danger?" Jaune asked nervously. Did… Did he know…?

"Oh for crying out loud, how oblivious can you be?" Qrow growled. "Hentacle. You. Being kidnapped. The whole Beowolves carrying you away at Forever Fall. Don't tell me you somehow missed all of that!"

"Oh right, yeah. I remember." It wasn't like he'd forgotten so much as feared Ozpin meant something else. "I'm still here though. I've had good friends to look after me."

"And that is to yours and our benefit, Mr Arc. The problem is that they might not be there at all times, and I fear deep inside that our enemy might soon pit greater foes against you. This is the reason I asked Qrow to begin training you; to better prepare you for what may come."

Wait, so Ozpin was behind the training? Qrow looked stone-faced, showing little of the embarrassment he probably ought to be displaying. The training had achieved nothing, after all. He'd honestly learned more from Yang.

"Is that why you sent Raven after me?"

Ozpin paused, as did Glynda – but Qrow flinched and spilled some liquid he'd been drinking from his lips.

"Raven…? Do you mean Raven Branwen?" Ozpin sounded curious, and also a little concerned. "Why would she be-?" He turned to Qrow.

"W-Why, indeed?" Qrow spluttered, still struggling with his drink. "Why are you looking at me like I'd know? I don't know what goes on in the crazy woman's head."

"It seems you might," Ozpin whispered, earning a gulp from the other man. "I do apologise, Mr Arc. I had no hand in your… encounter… with her. Still, I suppose it worked to your advantage here, so it's not an unfortunate event."

Yeah, for them maybe…

"I suppose you must be asking yourself what kind of threat it is you face," Ozpin went on. "I understand this may be hard for you to understand, especially considering that the Grimm have never before shown any penchant for strategy or higher thinking."

"And yet we have you pinned into the last five per cent of Remnant," Remy groused. "Seriously, do they even listen to themselves? Oh look, we're mindless – and we're winning. Look at big stupid Grimm who knows nothing. Duh…"

"I had wondered," Jaune lied, a little distracted since he was listening to two conversations at once.

"What I am about to say next will be difficult to believe, and I want to warn you that it will shock you. That said, you must believe me, for it is nothing more than the truth. This is information I would not normally share with a student, or anyone, in fact. It is knowledge that could shake the very foundation of our Kingdom."

Ozpin waited for him to nod, or maybe he was just waiting for dramatic purposes. Either way, Jaune shuffled in his chair and placed his hands between his legs.

"The Grimm are not as leaderless as they appear."

Jaune blinked, waiting for more. Ozpin blinked back, apparently waiting for something in turn.

"And…?"

Ozpin recovered quickly. "They are ruled by a single entity. A creature of incredible malice, cruelty and ambition. They are ruled by Salem – the Queen of the Grimm!"

Jaune waited for something more, his face set in an inquisitive, almost interested smile. It became clear a second later that there wasn't anything, and that Ozpin was awaiting some kind of response. He glanced at the others in the office for inspiration, and saw them all staring expectantly at him. "What…?"

"Mr Arc, I just informed you as to the existence of someone controlling the Grimm."

Yeah, and it was his mother. Was this supposed to be a secret at all? Why else would the Grimm be laying obvious siege to the entire world? Did they think that was just a happy coincidence or something?

"I think they're waiting for your shock, since – you know – no one knows about your Mother?"

He almost choked.

"I-I mean what!? That's crazy! You're saying there is someone who rules over the Grimm!?"

"There is indeed," Ozpin nodded, apparently either happy to believe his poor acting, or maybe assuming the shock had robbed Jaune of the ability to properly show emotion. "She is a dread queen, and one who could very well spell the end for all of humanity as we know it."

"Only if she wanted to…"

"Which she does…"

"I can see you're shocked to silence, Mr Arc, and I can understand that. One of the greatest tools in keeping hope alive has been the belief that Grimm are mindless, and thus inferior to ourselves. We pin them as a plague and a disease, because humans treat and kill diseases. The truth is far less kind, and it is nothing less than a war we are involved in."

"The headmaster has chosen to inform you because of your unique circumstances," Glynda interrupted. "You've had several attempts to abduct you already, so it's rather clear that Salem wants you in some way. We're not sure why."

He was. She wanted to bend him over her knee.

"Glynda speaks the truth," Ozpin said. "Whatever Salem wants you for, you can rest assured we will not allow. The safety of all our students is paramount, but yours more than ever. If she wished to kill you, she could have done so, but instead she has moved to acquire you – and that hints at things we dare not imagine. Could it be that within you lays the tool to defeating the Grimm? Could it be that she fears you?" Ozpin shook his head. "And what of you, Mr Arc; are you committed to ending the Grimm once and for all?"

No, not really. He nodded and picked his words carefully. "I want to end the Grimm threat."

"Excellent. I applaud your determination, but now is not the time. The important thing at the moment is to protect and keep you safe, while also training you to protect yourself. With that in mind, I've asked Miss Goodwitch to also take part in your training. This will happen secretly, however, as such preferential treatment would draw attention – and few would understand why it is so essential."

"Can I tell my team?"

"Would it matter if I said no?"

Jaune had the good grace to look embarrassed.

"Tell them about the training, for they'll only notice your absence if you don't. I would appreciate it if you mentioned only that it is to protect you, however. While I understand the allure of sharing knowledge of Salem will be great, it will only dishearten your teammates."

"I'll keep it secret," he promised – and he meant it this time. He didn't exactly want everyone knowing about his mom, either.

"I'm glad to hear it," Ozpin said. "For now, we'll focus on training and improving you, and then we will look into this Hentacle – which is the first we've ever heard of a Grimm that can act and think like a human… much like Salem herself can." The headmaster held out a hand, and Jaune took it after a moment's hesitation. "To the end of the Grimm," he said.

"To the end of the Grimm threat," Jaune echoed.

"Have you just joined a secret society aligned against your mother?"

"I honestly have no idea…"

We're going to be wrestling this back to the main plot of the story, since it has been allowed to divert a little a month or so ago. The recent chapters have focused on that, as this one does as well. Honestly, I've been really enjoying the improved planning I can put into my bi-weekly fics, and maybe I'll consider something like that again in the future.

I still do write five times a week, it's just that on some days (Tues and Sat), I have two fics that alternate, with one being every other week, and the second filling the gaps.

Next Chapter: 14th September

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur