I do not own Bloodborne or RWBY
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I hope this story continues to be worthy of your support.
Chapter 3 Guilty Grief
Within the realm of sleep beset on a sea of dreams, he rested, ever the hunter but at peace for the moment, secure and satisfied. His mind alight with a soft serenity that embraced him with a myriad of warmth and colours the likes of which he could not have hoped to imagine within the bloodstained hell that was Yharnam.
But his peaceful rest was afflicted by tumultuous contrast, an abject dissonance that struck a chord within his heart like the twang of a snapped string. It dug at his peace like a hot barb and before too long he sought out the disturbance, aggravation on his mind as the peace of his sleep bled away into the nothingness.
As clarity and consciousness arose, he quickly located the source of the disturbance that interrupted his rest. His time in Yharnam had made him more than a little experienced when it came to traversing dreams, one need only look at the many Nightmares he had moved through as well as the Workshop. He was eager to rectify the situation and return to the peace he had been so enjoying mere moments before.
He examined this strange warbling upset.
"Bwother... *sob*, Jauney!"
YVYVYVYVY
Jaune launched from his bed, eyes wide and scanning the dark furiously but his cast bound leg caught in the sheets and caused him to stumble. Luckily, he was too alert for such a thing to halt him, he caught himself with catlike dexterity shooting a venomous glare at the plaster that slowed him. With core strength that would be impressive on any five-year-old, he turned about his body practically perpendicular to the floor and freed his entangled leg. Released from the dastardly fabric he dashed across the floor using mainly his hands while his injured limb rested on his good leg.
Did it look ridiculous? Yes, it did.
Was he able to get to his sister's door in but a few mere moments? Also, yes.
The door he was drawn to was a resplendent green, a glance at two other doors revealed that his parents had colour coded their children's doors. Placing a palm flat against the door Jaune cringed as he felt his younger sister's distress, her fear, and a swirl of grief as if it were a noxious miasma. Grunting softly in displeasure he opened the door, neither the knob nor the hinges giving out so much as a sound as he hopped gently into Jade's room.
His superior night vision allowed him to see that the room was terribly messy in a way that only young children can accomplish. The floor was utterly littered with toys and hastily discarded clothes but also a scattering of paper and art supplies such as multicoloured pencils and chalk that brought a smile to Jaunes face despite the situation. The walls to were covered in pictures hand-drawn by his little sister and posted over a marvellous green design that evoked feelings of open fields and lively greenery.
Sadly, his first impression of his sister's bedroom was tainted by the sight of Jade tossing in her bed with traces of smeared tears about her eyes. She was clutching at her bed and small groans of despair could be heard intertwined with whimpers and sobs that may as well have taken a knife to Jaune's gut. He had only just managed to return to his family and to see his beloved younger sister in such a state ached in a way that caused him physical discomfort.
He slowly hopped across his sister's floor, his impeccable balance serving him well as he silently maneuvered through her room. When he got to her bed, he could hear with far more clarity her quiet cries as she proclaimed her fear into her sheets. He carefully kneeled gently for the sake of both his leg and not accidentally crushing any of Jade's things. Being this close only increased his desire to see her free of the terror that enshrouded her mind.
"Jade, wake up... it's only a nightmare Jade, I'm right here," Jaune cooed softly his hand coming up to rest next to her face. But his soft words struggled to meet her in the throes of her nightmare, as she continued to sob forcing Jaune's hand.
He leaned over the bed frame and rested his forehead against Jade's, ignoring the cool sweat that clung to her pale flesh. Closing his eyes he reached out for her dream, his consciousness traversing it as easy as any other until he beheld the source of Jade's distress. As he beheld the scene from above, detached, nothing more than a removed observer, Jaune was once more filled with spiteful wrath the likes of which he spared for only a very select few.
The scene before him was of one he had witnessed just earlier today, it was the clearing where he had slain the swine Grimm but with a few alterations no doubt caused by the fear polluting young Jade's mind. Firstly, the clearing where he had saved her was now much darker, and the shadows seemed to be alive with unknown depths. Secondly, the Grimm, the Boarbatusk, the damnable swine and a hundred other cursed epithets to its horrid name was now easily three times the actual size it had been.
But the part that had Jaune snarling was the sight of Jade curled up in the same rotted tree, sobbing heavily and screaming in fear. The only difference was that she was now shaking at his own still form begging him to wake up as he lay unmoving and covered in red. There was no distinguishable wound from which he was bleeding, but this was a little girl's dream after all. No doubt this was the result of today's traumatic events seen through the terrible lens of what-ifs and magnified by the perspective of a child.
The sight of yet another pig, even an illusionary one, trying to attack his darling little sister had Jaune seeing red and his teeth grit to the point of pain as he snarled. He wanted nothing more than to see that swine reduced to pulp, to grind it into mangled flesh and have its remains set alight and thrown down some revolting pit. So tumultuous was his fury that images began to overlap in his mind, Jade suddenly bore a resemblance to another little girl, their sobs becoming indistinguishable and as the red from his own dream body began to creep onto her form, he snapped.
With a screech more befitting a maddened beast than anything a man could hope to produce he lashed out at the horrid, nightmarish vision and sundered it completely, destroying it and forcefully ejecting Jade from her sleep. She awoke with a startling scream, but he was ready and with a gentle voice he hushed her and clasped her tiny hand with his own.
"It's alright Jade, it was just a bad dream," Jaune comforted while being glad for the dark as he had yet to wipe the last traces of his fury from his visage. Jade was panting and panicked but as she calmed her breathing, hints of sobs began to bleed back in as tears pooled in her eyes. Jaune was ready for this though and rubbed at her arms gently, he cooed at her as she became overwhelmed by emotions and let her get it out of her system.
"J-J-Juaney... Jauney!" Jade hiccupped wrapping her arms around Jaune's head and burying her snot covered face in his hair. Jaune did not even flinch, he felt her tiny grasping fingers clutch at his hair and one of his ears, her chest racked with fearful snorts as she sob into his thick blond hair.
"Shh, let it out sister, your brother is here..." he whispered with a smile, a sense of euphoria overcoming him at being able to give such a simple assurance. "That pig will not haunt your dreams as long as I am here," he declared with steel in his voice just bordering on fury.
"I-I-It hurt you," she whined, fresh tears surged from her eyes as she remembered her bad dream. Jaune made to reply but before he could even utter a sound the door handle twisted, and he felt his nerves fire surges of alertness throughout his body that made his muscles coil in preparation for a fight.
The door opened behind Jaune, and he craned his head back to look while Jade did the same hidden amongst his messy hair. It was their father who had been alerted by the noise of Jade's scream and had come to check. Jaune tried to hide how surprised he was by his father's sudden arrival while the man displayed his own at the sight before him.
"Jaune? Jaune what are you doing out of bed?" Cloud asked opening the door some more and allowing for light from the hallway to bleed in. Jaune let slip a breath as he relaxed but his face became chagrined as he heard the consternation in his father's voice.
"Jade, she had a nightmare... I needed to comfort her," Jaune explained back his voice soft as he pointed to the little head resting atop his own.
Cloud's head tilted at this as he pinned his two children with a worried look, hurrying to make his way towards them, slowed only by doing as Jaune had and avoiding the mess that was scattered about the floor. Making it to Jaune's side he watched as the man used his foot to brush aside some kind of toy with his foot as he took a seat on the floor bringing his tired face much closer to Jaune's and Jade's. Their father was quick to begin patting Jade's back, his adult hand covering a sizeable portion of it as he rubbed it in a soothing pattern. His other came to rest on Jaune's shoulder and it was to the boy's shame that he flinched at it, his nerves still too fraught it would seem.
"Jaune... are you ok?" Cloud asked, clearly having noticed Jaune's reaction to his touch. Jaune turned his gaze away worried he may have upset his father with his reaction and missing the worried look the man was giving him as he pulled his hand back.
"Sorry," Jaune apologised with a broken voice.
"None of that Jaune, I get it... your mother also doesn't like to be touched sometimes," Cloud reassured his son before his eyes met Jades as she remained nestled atop Jaune's head. "How about you young lady, are you alright?" Cloud questioned his youngest continuing to rub her back, as the last of her fretful sobs spluttered out of her.
"The pig hurt Jauney... he wasn't moving," she explained her voice trembling.
"Oh Jade," Cloud exclaimed leaning in and hugging the little girl who refused to be pulled from Jaune as a hand remained clutched to his hair. "Jaune's ok, he's right here. See love?"
"I'm here Jade, remember I defeated the pig... I'm sorry I passed out, but it was very tiring to ki-... beat up the beast, I wasn't hurt badly I promise," Jaune explained to his sister his hand snaking up to lay atop the one she had tangled in his hair. His father snorted at his description of his condition giving him a judging look that had Jaune wave him off, he meant what he said, the leg was nothing.
"You weren't moving, and it was trying to get us," She mumbled into Jaune's hair the fear creeping back into her voice.
"No Jade. That was just the dream, just a night terror I promise, your brother would never fall while you weren't safe," Jaune hurried to comfort his voice holding a tinge of desperation as he rushed to assure her that he would not let anything harm her. "That swine won't ever hurt you, ever," Jaune exclaimed fiercely some of his hate colouring his words, he only hoped Jade didn't notice.
"... Jaune is right sweetie, the pig can't hurt you anymore," Cloud finally spoke up eyeing Jaune with concern but knowing that now was not the time to voice it. "How about you try to get back to sleep, if the Grimm comes back just shout and I'll come running ok?"
"... Can Jauney stay?" Jade mumbled.
Cloud sucked air through his teeth his eyes darting between the two as Jade nuzzled into Jaunes head possessively. "Umm... sweety I don't know abo-"
"I'll stay... it's alright dad, I don't mind," Jaune cut in giving his father a pleading look. Cloud was giving him a conflicting stare as he toyed with the idea, a tired sigh slipping from his lips.
"Jaune... your injuries," Cloud stated pointing to the cast, "and your ribs... don't think I forgot about those, young man."
"... I will keep my foot elevated and put a cushion over my ribs, that should allow me to conform to the doctor's instructions and keep Jade company." Jaune gave his explanation clinically, the emotion bleeding from his tone almost completely, the change was of course noticed by Cloud whose look became one of worry.
"... Jaune," Cloud pleaded softly.
"It will be ok father, I promise."
"... Ok... but if you change your mind just give me a shout alright?" Cloud caved getting back up to his feet. "Come on, let's get you situated."
Jaune with aid from his father coaxed Jade to let go of his hair so that they could get him set up in the bed. Luckily, Jade had a vast array of pillows about her room, her vast collection of cushions allowed Jaune to be laid back with his leg raised and equipped with his rib shield in only a few moments. Jade was overjoyed with this, quickly pulling herself to the Jaunes side and hugging his arm fully to her body, her sleepy face adorned with a positively glowing smile that might have just lit up the whole room.
Jade returned to the world of sleep with a swiftness Jaune almost found enviable, her smooth breathing and peaceful features brought comfort to him that he simply could not put into words. Jaune was ready to return to his rest, fully planning on keeping vigil over Jade's dreams, but first, he thought it best to address the elephant in the room. Equipped with a small smile that he hoped would ease his father's concerns, Jaune turned to face the worried-looking man who was occupied by a myriad of thoughts.
"Thanks for this dad, I will do my best to make sure Jade sleeps peacefully," Jaune proclaimed earnestly.
"I am sure you will Jaune... are you ok, Jaune?" Cloud asked point-blank.
"Yes, I promise my injuries are but a slight inconvenience, not even a worry," Jaune waved off patting his abdomen to demonstrate.
"... While I am still properly stunned by your tolerance for pain Jaune, that was not what I was referring to and I think you know that?" Cloud spoke running a hand across Jade's forehead to shunt aside some stray hairs.
Jaune's smile gained an almost repentant quality as he acknowledged his father's words, "... I know, but the answer is I am much, much better than I was earlier... I admit a very large part of me wants nothing more than to drag everyone into the same room and not let any of you leave my sight but... but I know that is not realistic."
Cloud took a steadying breath as grief welled in his chest, but he fought it back determined to present a strong front for his son's sake. "That is not that unreasonable Jaune? You could have asked."
"Yes, but to impose on not only you and mother but Saphron and Scarlett as well... No, it would not be fair to them who are no doubt also shaken, my suffering does not supersede everyone else's," Jaune stated confidently giving Cloud a determined look that lanced guilt through his heart like hot barbs.
"Jaune... you are our son, you could not impose on us if you tried," Cloud admonished him kneeling to be closer to his son's eye level. "While I am very much shaken after today and I'm sure the others are as well the fact of the matter is Jaune that your suffering does indeed supersede mine."
Jaune stared at his father stunned by such a bold statement, the audacity of his words wriggling around Jaune's mind like rattles. "That's not fair to you," Jaune argued back simply his brow furrowing, unbeknownst to him this only made Cloud coo in his head at his son's adorable frown.
"Fair isn't part of the equation Jaune, I am your father, you are my son... it is my job, my duty, my responsibility, and my pleasure to ensure you and your sibling's wellbeing. I said it earlier Jaune and now I will say it to you directly, you scared the absolute hell out of me today and I am still very much worried about your current state. I came horrifyingly close to losing you and Jade today and it has shaken me to my core... your amnesia only further unsettles me and as such I want you to listen to what I am about to say very closely," Cloud instructed leaning in until his sky-blue eyes were level with Jaunes own.
"Don't cut us out, we are here for you Jaune and I know that you are probably horribly confused and scared and stressed and all manner of things unbefitting for a five-year-old... but I can't help if you don't let me," Cloud finished lifting his hand and looking to Jaune for permission to touch him.
Jaune looked to his father's raised hand as his vision blurred and his nose began to burn, tears pooled in his eyes, but he refused to shed them, instead, he settled for grabbing a hold of the proffered appendage and holding it. His mind was a chaotic flurry of thoughts and emotions and he centred himself on the feel of his father's calloused hands. They were truly massive, whatever weapon his father used must be a truly ferocious thing as his massive hands were rough to the touch and he could feel the musculatures shift as he softly clenched his hand.
"I love you Jaune, so let me help you," Cloud pleaded.
Jaune was silent for a long time but his father true to his word knelt there and let Jaune quietly examine his hand as he waited. When Jaune spoke, his voice was soft, but it carried more emotion and felt more real than when he had asked for permission to remain with Jade. "I will... I won't cut you all out, I am so truly thankful to have you all, to know you all... my head is a mess, I don't know where to begin but I do know that all of you, every one of you is the best medicine for my... troubled? Yeah, troubled mind."
"... I am here for you Jaune and I can promise you things will get better," Cloud promised, bringing his other hand up to cup Jaunes as he laid his forehead against their entwined grasps.
"... Thanks dad," Jaune breathed.
"You are more than welcome Jaune," Cloud replied lovingly his tenor voice soft as glanced towards Jade who had shifted so that her face was now buried oddly between Jaunes shoulder and a gap in the pillows, almost completely obscuring her features. "Ha, she still burrows in her sleep. Wish I'd brought my scroll," Cloud tsked.
"Hehe, did I know that before?" Jaune asked curiously.
"Hmm, you might of... I remember you two falling asleep on the same chair once and she tried to burrow in between your back and the chair... we might have pictures of that somewhere, I will have to go looking tomorrow." Cloud planned, giving Jaune a confident smirk, "pictures might just jog a whole bunch of memories, wouldn't that be great?"
Jaune wanted to agree but he was ever the realist, "and if they don't?"
"Then they don't," Cloud shrugged plainly, smiling at Jaune as he comforted him.
"We just keep at it, the important thing is Jaune that even if they never come back that you still remember your family... and I promise you that we will always love you."
"...ok," Jaune conceded with mirth in his eyes.
"Good... anything else Jaune or are you good to get some sleep?" Cloud asked cocking his head to the right, his eyes eager and open, practically begging Jaune to ask something.
Jaune mulled over the question he wanted to ask, the fact was that despite his efforts he had still yet to put together so many things. It was his fear of alienating himself from his family that had stayed his curiosity but perhaps he had not been giving them enough credit. So, resolving himself to do as his father said and show him some of the trust he deserved, Jaune decided to ask a question that would hopefully not sound too... concerning.
"I-I do have one question, but it is a strange one," Jaune mumbled, his gaze shifty.
"Yes? What is it Jaune, you can ask me I promise not to judge?" Cloud assured shifting his weight slightly.
Jaune squeezed his father's hand a few times as he worked up the courage to ask a question that may just damn him... but he had made such gambles before and this one was far safer, or at least he hoped so. "... Father... dad... what can you tell me about gods?"
Cloud's eyes widened as he had done his best to keep an open mind and prepare for anything but a theological question... that was certainly not what he had been expecting. Cloud closed his eyes and did his best to gather his knowledge, a small treacherous part of him wishing he had just escaped back to his bed, he resoundingly stomped that part before answering his son. "Hmm, I am not religious nor were my parents to the best of my knowledge... I am almost positive your mother is like me in this regard, but you would have to ask her to be sure." Cloud explained as a forewarning, not wanting Jaune to interpret his answer as the gospel truth.
Smiling at his pun Cloud continued, "Remnant, our world, has had many civilizations throughout the ages and in turn, they have fallen to one thing, or another be it war, disaster, or Grimm. And as such there have been many religions, some are remembered, many more have most likely been lost and, but a few are still practised." Cloud paused at this point to see if Jaune was paying attention or if his lecture had caused his son to drift off, to his startlement Jaune was observing him with a focus so intense he was sure the boy was somehow staring into his soul.
"Umm, you getting all this?" Cloud asked clearing his throat and doing his best to not make direct eye contact with his son's wide eager eyes. Jaune was quick to give him a nod to confirm, the eager energy he was giving off working to silently urge Cloud to continue his explanation. "Right, good, ok... so of the religions I know of firsthand there are two, firstly there is the God of Animals-
Jaune tried his best not to flinch, but the clenching of his hand was clearly felt by his father who was mildly impressed by his son's grip strength. Jaune was currently inundated by the flashing images of beastly maws as they gnashed before his very eyes, of thrashed corpses and rent flesh. He was drawn from his mental panic attack by his father who was tapping his cheek with his fingers, trying to get his attention. Jaune twitched violently before releasing his father's hand, apologising softly for freaking out, but the words came out jumbled.
"Shh it's ok Jaune, it's okay, it's alright, I'm here..." His father continued to chant his voice helping Jaune suppress the sudden urge to flee and attack anything with fur, fangs, claws, or horns. "There you go, you're alright, thata boy... you back with me son?"
"...Yeah... I'm ok, I just... people would worship beasts?" Jaune asked aghast, his voice laced with a tremor of fear. This was hitting far too close to home, he wasn't expecting this topic to make him feel uncomfortable but... there was discomfort and then there was the equivalent of ripping open old wounds.
"Beasts?... Oh! Oh...oh, no Jaune no, it's not the god of Grimm it's supposed to be the god of the Faunus," Cloud hurried to explain, his mind concluding that Jaune thought the God of Animals was related to the Grimm. Cloud was still fretting over a panicked Jaune who was busy trying to make sure he hadn't disturbed Jade, he had not as her head was still thoroughly buried in her pillow hole.
Resettled Jaune decided to hurry this conversation along, better to simply rip the bandage off than endure the continued irritation, or so he reasoned. "What is a Faunus?" he asked curtly, despite his efforts some of his distress had shone through in his words, a fact that immediately made him feel guilty, but his father seemed unperturbed.
"Ahh... well the simple answer is they are another race, one that bears animal features, I think we have a... few... in... town..." Cloud trailed off seeing the horrified look on Jaune's face as the boy stared at him open-mouthed and aghast. "You alright buddy," Cloud asked now seriously regretting his decisions.
"Are they dangerous, contagious-"
"Whoa there!" Cloud whisper shouted cutting Jaune's panicked rant short as he placed a hand just over his mouth but not actually touching him. "Firstly, Jaune they are no more dangerous than anyone else, secondly they are a race of beings Jaune, not a disease pack of vagrants," Cloud explained sternly pulling his hand back, his mind at war as he would not abide racism but realised that his son was suffering amnesia and was not in the best state of mind. "I have had some very dear friends who were Faunus, in fact, I owe my life to a Faunus, I know you have had a rough day, and this is probably a lot to digest but Faunus are just people Jaune, like you or I."
Jaune saw the stern look his father was giving him and concluded he must have transgressed at some point, no doubt his words had come across as ignorant and hateful... he wished he could explain his fears but that may just make him appear beneath the sway of madness. Instead, he nodded his agreement and cleared his throat to respond, "... right so... the Faunus are not a diseased group affected by a beastly scourge, just another race with animal traits... such as fangs, fur, horns?" His subtle name dropping of the disease that had ravaged Yharnam did not so much as illicit at twitch from his father, nor did his description of someone who was afflicted by said bestial ailment.
"Well actually I haven't seen a Faunus who was covered head to toe in fur before, most just possess one or two animal traits to their anatomy. A wolf Faunus might have the ears or the tail of a wolf or maybe even both, but that's about it. There is a Faunus for just about every type of animal you can think of but that's just it Jaune they are people who have an animal trait, just people." Cloud stressed, really wishing he had his scroll with him so he could show an example of a Faunus as Jaune was still clearly confused by the subject.
In truth, Jaune got the gist of it but the fact that it sounded so much like someone who had imbibed the beastly blood was causing his thoughts to trip over themselves, he was struggling not to equate a person with animal traits to a beast. He would no doubt need to investigate this further to ease his worry but that could wait as it was late, and he still needed to hear about the other religion. "Ok, so Faunus are people with animal traits who worship an Animal god, got it... what about the other god?" Jaune enquired, blatantly trying to change the topic.
"Well... it's not so much a god but the other religion is called The Circle, it was a religion that existed some time ago its lore and mythos being reduced to little more than a cautionary tale. Supposedly there was once an individual who was called 'The Infinite Man' or some such and was said to be immortal... I don't remember all of it but yeah that faith died off a long time ago, their supposed immortal man being felled kind of put a damper on their faith," Cloud shrugged, he hadn't thought of The Circle since his time at the academy when he was writing papers.
This time Jaune did not so much as twitch at Cloud's lecture as at no point did he hear tell of anything that could relate to his past or Yharnam. An immortal man might be a shock to some, but he had met his fair share of the undying... he had been a member of their ranks at one point. The Animal god was still something he would need to investigate as he was concerned by the sound of its followers, their description was simply too close to the beasts of Yharnam for him not to fret. But his father's teachings lacked the information he was searching for so perhaps he would have to try a different avenue.
"I see, thank you, father I have just one last question," Jaune whispered, but Cloud's patience was wearing thin.
"I don't know Jaune it's very late and you need to sleep, not to mention I really don't want to bother Jade, although I had no idea, she had become such a heavy sleeper..." Cloud spoke softly peering at his daughter who was practically dead to the world save some soft breathing.
"I promise, one last question and then I will sleep, you have my word," Jaune bargained calmly, pulling the blanket over his restrained arm a bit more in an attempt to comfort the sleeping, Jade.
With a sigh and a begrudging smile, Cloud agrees, "alright then one more question but then you must sleep."
Jaune nodded and then with no emotion or inflexion asked a question that filled him with dread, "have you ever heard of a city by the name of Yharnam?"
"Yharnam? No, I don't think so... do you remember anything else about it?" Cloud asked his face the picture of concentration as he plunged into the depths of his tired mind.
"... it was very... religious," Jaune choked out.
"Hmmm I'm sorry Jaune but I have never heard of a religious city by the name of Yharnam, perhaps you read about it in a book or saw it in a video game, but I am almost sure no such place exists," Cloud explained with a shrug slowly getting to his feet, stretching as he worked the strain out of his poor knees, far too tired to bother with Aura.
"...Right, right, of course... I probably just can't remember huh," Jaune placated giving his best lackadaisical chuckle, however, it came across as horribly butchered and brought a frown to Cloud's face.
"Jaune... I know this is hard kiddo, but you are doing great," Cloud encouraged Jaune while he checked his raised foot over one last time. "My advice is to just take each day as it comes, for now, sleep, rest, heal... tomorrow with fresh eyes we, all of us, can see about what to do next alright?"
"Ok dad, thanks."
Cloud gave his only son a beaming smile and ruffled his hair gently, or at least that had been his intention as after he pulled his hand back, he found it sticky. With a grimace, he looked to Jaune for answers and found the boy with a sly smirk adorning his face. "What is-"
"Snot, tears... whatever else Jade decided to rub into my head after she woke up," Jaune remarked with a lopsided shrug.
"... Of course, night brat, enjoy sleeping with boogers in your hair," Cloud deadpanned as he began his exit through the messy room.
"Goodnight father," Jaune replied affectionately.
With the door closed the room was plunged into darkness and yet Jaune could still see with an exceptional degree of clarity, taking note of this phenomenon once again he decided it was something he could handle at a later date. Checking one last time on Jade's amusing sleeping position for the sake of his peace of mind, Jaune could not help but smile as he closed his eyes and dozed off. As his consciousness submerged into a sea of dreams he kept Jade at the edge of his peripherals, finding a great deal of satisfaction in her new dream, her running about painting the sky.
Fret not little sister... Your big brother will keep the monsters away, after all... I am far more terrifying than any pig.
YVYVYVYVY
*Tap* *Poke* *Prod*
Tiny mischievous giggles fluttered about Jaune's ears like the fluttering wings of enchanting butterflies. He did his absolute best to keep a smile off his face, a struggle considering the euphoric joy he was feeling, but it paid off when he felt a tiny breath next to his face. In an instant, his eyes launched open, and he spoke but a single utterance, a conniving grin plastered to his face all the while.
"Boo!"
Jade exploded into laughter and excited screams as the arm she had slept against the night before snaked up and wrapped about her squirming torso to trap her. Jaune for the first time... in far longer than he cared to think about, felt soft demure laughter slip from beneath his smiling lips as Jade squealed and wrestled against his grip.
"Jauney! Nooooo," Jade squealed between laughing fits as Jaune proceeded to pull her down onto the soft bed and shake her gently. She squirmed against him trying to wiggle out before giving up in a huff flailing her limbs.
"Jauneyyyyy!" She whined childishly giving him a big pout.
"Good morning, Jade, did you sleep well?" Jaune asked using his other arm to bring her into a hug as he rested his head atop hers.
Jade giggled her little arms quick to wrap around him and his rib shield pillow, which he had kept securely as promised. "Yes... thank you for staying I didn't have any more bad dreams at all, how about you?"
"Oh, I slept wonderfully, in fact, you know what Jade you are most welcome to be my bedtime buddy anytime," Jaune enthused giving his younger sister his biggest smile. Jade seemed to explode with happiness at this burying her head into Jaunes chest her soft blond locks going wild as she did so.
"Thank you Jauney for scawing away the bad dweams..." Jade mumbled into Jaunes shirt.
"You are most welcome Jade... if you ever have a bad dream, you can always come to me. I will always be here to scare away the monsters," Jaune proclaimed nuzzling his sister's wild hair.
"Well, ain't you two just adorable," a masculine voice chimed from the entrance to Jade's room. Jaune inadvertently found his gaze turning predatory as he gazed to the doorway, his expression was swift to change though. Against his will, his eyes moistened once more as he beheld a sight that he was sure he could only ever see in his most hope fuelled fantasy.
With the warm light of a morning sun shining behind them, he beheld his family all smiling at the sight of him embracing Jade. The golden rays of light danced through his older sister's hair giving them the appearance of angels with halos radiating about their heads. His father with his short-cropped hair stood at the back a statuesque guardian who was holding his scroll up with mischievous intent. Jaunes mother cast the most striking pose as she stood leaning on the door frame, her ebon hair like a curtain of shadow and her arms resting on her belly as it was cast in silhouette by the sun, a visible promise of more family yet to come.
"Sunshine are you ok?" Jaune's mother was quick to ask, his father's expression was also swiftly switched to one of concern, clearly noticing the unshed tears in Jaune's eyes.
"Yeah, I'm alright... I'm just really happy to see you all," Jaune explained his eyes dancing between the group at the door and Jade who was looking up at him smiling.
"Hey, I want a hug too," Saphron suddenly exclaimed doing her best to carefully make her way over to Jaune past the mess littering Jade's floor.
"Your room is really messy Jade, you should clean it," Scarlett admonished in the bossy way only an older sibling could. This however did not stop her from also approaching Jade's bed, she just did so more subtly and nonchalantly.
"NO! It's to stop meanies like you fwom getting in and you can't have Jauney he's mine!" Jade barked possessively trying to crawl on top of Jaune who was stopping him by keeping her arms tucked to her side.
"Jade watch out for your brother's ribs!" Hella admonished from the doorway sternly.
"They're ok mom, I got a pillow protecting them," Jaune placated pointing to the cushion covering his torso. Just as he finished speaking Saphron made it to the foot of the bed and climbed over Jaunes elevated leg to hug him gently.
"Hey bro, glad you're ok," she whispered, causing Jaune to release Jade so he could hug her instead.
"Thank you, sister, I'm glad to have you all as well," Jaune admitted.
"Alright scootch sis my turn," Scarlett bossed wedging herself between Jaune and Saphron to have her turn at hugging her younger brother. "Try not to do something that dumb again Jaune, leave the Grimm hunting to mom and dad," she grumbled her voice coarse as she gave Jaune a much firmer hug her head resting on his shoulder. Jaune could hear the care in her words and thus gave her back just as firm a hug, his reply however earned him no brownie points.
"I make no promises, I don't take kindly to things threatening my sisters," Jaune chuckled.
"Yeah, Jauney is gownna beat up all dem mean Gwimm," Jade shouted bouncing on her bed, her excitement was cut short when Cloud scooped her out of the air with a loud hurrah causing Jade to erupt in giggles once more.
"Alright, you little gremlin, time for breakfast!" Cloud bellowed carrying a laughing Jade away.
"Yay Bweakfast!"
"Come on girls, Jaune do you need help?" Hella asked gesturing outside the room.
"I'm go-"
"I got him, mom, don't worry," Scarlett interjected cutting Jaune off.
"Thank you, Petal," Hella smiled at Scarlett.
"Come on mom, let's get you downstairs..." Saphron chittered holding out a hand for her mother.
"Why thank you. Aren't you sweet this morning?" Hella laughed being guided away by her proud looking daughter. As they got further away Jaune turned to face Scarlett who was observing him closely, the silence in the room building with each passing moment.
"... What you did yesterday was dumb," Scarlett spoke, her voice sharp and face frustrated.
Jaune for his part took this in stride and remained calm, "I have to disagree, it was necessary to save Jade."
"You could have shouted for help," Scarlett argued, her arms crossed.
"I could but I was preoccupied with getting to Jade and I did not know mother or father's relative location," Jaune explained his face impassive and his eye contact unwavering.
"So, what you just go running towards the danger then?" Scarlett huffed.
"No that would be dumb, I ran towards my sister in need," Jaune left out the part where at the time he had no clue of who was in danger just that someone was.
This seemed to frustrate Scarlett more, "so what you're some kind of hero now is that it!"
Jaune despite his sister's yelling did not change his expression nor react to her outburst, "no I am your brother, I am Jade's brother, I will not leave my family to suffer when I can help."
"But you couldn't help! It was a Grimm! You should be dead! Why would you do that!" Scarlett ranted throwing her arms up her voice breaking as she shouted. Jaune was about to reply when a deep voice cut across the room and silenced Jaune's retort before he could even utter it.
"That is enough Scarlett... downstairs now, we will talk about this later," Cloud ordered his brow furrowed as he pointed into the hall commanding Scarlett to leave.
"Dad he's being a smartass I-"
"Now, Scarlett..." Cloud reiterated his voice gaining an edge of warning to it. Scarlett must have heard the change in tone as she began stomping out of the messy room and disappeared around the doorframe and out of sight. Once she left Cloud's shoulders almost seemed to slump and a sigh slipped between his pursed lips.
"Are you alright Jaune?" he asked concerned.
"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" Jaune questioned.
"I can't imagine it to be fun to have someone ride you for a situation that was completely out of your control?" Cloud shrugged brushing aside some of Jade's mess as he made his way into the room. "I think it's a room cleaning day," he muttered crossly under his breath as he glared at some multi-coloured building blocks he had almost stepped on.
"I understand that it is most likely coming from a place of frustration or worry... she is not truly aware of what happened yesterday and is more than likely frustrated by the event itself than by the part I played in it," Jaune explained pulling himself to the edge of the bed and sitting straight sending a small glare at the cast that seemed hellbent on trying to get tangled in the sheets.
Cloud gave Jaune a look that was stuck between stupefaction and dry amusement, "well aren't you empathetic."
"No, just aware of how difficult yesterday was for you all," Jaune numbly replied sucking the levity from his father.
"... Jaune, it's ok... if anything you're the one who is meant to be frustrated!" Cloud expressed reaching his son and offering him a hand up. Jaune grasped his arm tightly and allowed his dad to aid in getting him back to his feet, his cast bound foot hovering just above the floor.
"But I'm not... don't think I can be," Jaune shrugged making to hop out of Jade's room but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder.
"Why not?" Cloud asked frankly.
"... Because I am simply too overjoyed about being with you all to let something as bothersome as frustration over an event, I had no control over get me down," he chuckled smiling boldly.
"... You're a weird kid," Cloud teased with a smile that seemed to take over his whole face.
"Correction, I'm your weird kid," Jaune sassed.
"Ha! Damn straight! Now come on let's go get some breakfast, I'm starving!" Cloud cheered all but scooping Jaune up in his rush to get downstairs.
YVYVYVYVY
It was strange knowing he had sat at this table before, the memories were completely absent but somehow a strange sense of belonging persisted. Jaune found the quirkiness amusing but not nearly as amusing as watching Saphron try to all but force-feed their mother in a weird display of affection.
"Mom my baby sister needs food! You have to eat more or else they will go hungry, and you need to eat a lot, so they have options! What if they're vegetarian, or vegan?" Saphron rambled placing some cut apple slices in front of a Hella who stared her down with a quirked brow.
"... Nah, I doubt that they could be sweetheart after all your mother has been craving caramel bacon far too much for that bun in the oven to be a lover of leafy greens," Cloud smirked as he buttered some toast.
"Mm... Cloud love, do we-"
A plate of said food was swiftly placed in front of Hella before she could even finish asking her question, her satisfied smile all but glowing. Cloud kissed the top of her head before returning to his work in the kitchen, he was in the middle of prepping some food for Jaune, his reasoning being he wanted to spoil him. Jaune found the whole escapade quite endearing and was loving the attention far too much to brush it off.
"So Jaune what will it be?" Cloud asked not looking up from the stove.
"... Bacon is pig meat, right?" Jaune asked eyeing his mother's plate curiously, his question bringing the room to a sudden dull silence save the sound of the sizzling on the stove. Saphron's face was one of utter startlement and Scarlett was giving Jaune a look that could curdle milk. Jade like her brother was now observing her mother's plate with an unreadable expression.
"Umm... yes," Cloud answered awkwardly, turning to face his only son with concern once again evident on his face as his mind was tossing up just how much he may have messed up.
"Fantastic I will take a large plate of that then, I am feeling particularly ravenous and more importantly exceptionally vindictive!" Jaune enthused giving his dad a bloodthirsty, if not playful, smile.
"Jaune?" Jade asked her face one of befuddlement as she eyed her older brother.
"Oh, don't fret Jade, your brother is just being silly," Jaune giggled the humour only reaching his parents as his two older sisters shared a strange look.
"So, this bacon is from that pig yesterday?" Jade spoke glaring at her mother's plate. Hella let slip a chuckle picking up a slice of the caramel covered meat and taking a sizable bite out of it. "Mom! That's evil meat! Don't eat it!" This sent Cloud over the edge as spluttering laughter erupted from him as he banged his fist on the kitchen bench.
Hella finally spoke up between melodious laughter, "Oh my gem, this is just bacon, from a normal pig... you can't eat Grimm meat, I promise you it tastes good just ignore your brother being a menace."
Jade continued to eye the meat warily causing Saphron to join in on the shared amusement, Scarlett alone remained stern-faced. Jade looked up from the plate of bacon to eye her family with suspicion before reaching out and grabbing a piece, hesitantly she brought it up to her mouth turning to look at Jaune. Eager to encourage his sister to enjoy a fine breakfast Jaune looked to his father who swiftly placed a plate of bacon and toast in front of him, a mischievous smirk upon his face. Picking up a piece of bacon and facing Jade, he eagerly brought the salty meat to his mouth and ripped into it with eager abandon.
Jade gasped softly before quickly copying Jaune, evidently, she enjoyed it as much as Jaune did because the rest of her strip disappeared in an instant. She hopped up in her seat with a wide beaming smile and exclaimed loudly, "it's salty and sweet!"
"Oh, great another defiler of bacon, what am I to do," Cloud lamented dramatically swooning behind his wife. Hella was quick to slap his stomach with the back of her hand and shoot him a defiant glare as she munched down on her caramel bacon.
The rest of the family breakfast proceeded with a similar trend, the whole family merrily emersed in the consumption of the day's first meal. Jaune was hard-pressed to wipe the smile from his face as he ate, especially when Jade began to share his bacon her little hands stealthily creeping across the table beneath his watchful eye. His father moved about the kitchen cooking and cleaning as he went, he did so with passion and enjoyment, Jade and Saphron both finding joy in his act.
It was Scarlett who seemed determined to remain numb to the warmth surrounding the family, her eyes glossed over her food and seemed to be drawn to Jaune who did his best not to notice. This was a mistake as it served only to increase Scarlett's ire to the point where she finally snapped. The sharp sound of her hand slapping against the tabletop brought the pleasantries to a sudden halt as she shattered the peace with her dour mood and aggressive act.
"What the hell is this?" She ground out her eyes dancing between Jaune and her mother. Jaune looked on confused unsure as to what she was referring to but eager to help as he did not wish for his sister to be upset. Hella, however, returned her daughter's look with one that contained restrained venom, the difference was staggering. Scarlett had the eyes of a wronged child, petulant and filled with a mockery of anger... Hella's possessed the tempered fury of a woman who had endured real hate, wielded pure fury, and subjected others to the depths of wrath few were capable of conjuring. Even restrained her glare had an impact and Scarlett was quick to conclude she had made a mistake. But the folly of youth if nothing else was useful for powering through obvious red lights.
"This is such utter bull-"
"Language," Cloud commented over his shoulder, his voice nonchalant but carrying a tone of warning.
"Urgh!" Scarlet groaned audibly tugging at her hair, her frustration peaking for all to see. "What the hell is going on! How are you both just playing house right now your son nearly died! This is not ok!" Scarlett manically proclaimed.
Jaune thinking himself the cause of her distress perked up, "Scarlett, I assure you I am ok, it's just a broken leg," he explained with a shrug.
Jade added her two cents as well, "I skinned my elbow a bit!" she bragged showing the tiny abrasion on the tip of her elbow.
"Oh, that looks like it hurt, you must be really tough," Jaune exclaimed leaning in to see the tiny injury, Jade beaming at the attention.
"It huwt a lot when mommy spwayed acid on it, but I didn't even cwy once!" Jade excitedly boasted. Jaune for his part leaned back surprised and eyed his mother with a new level of fear at the idea of her applying acid to her children's injuries. She merely quirked her brow at him and gave a sinister smirk that was all teeth.
"There! There! Right there! What was that, why is Jaune genuinely confused right now, what the hell is that about," Scarlet interjected once more, utterly dashing the mood all over again.
"I-Is the application of acid to injuries standard?" Jaune stammered looking at his broken leg, suddenly grateful he had not broken the skin as he did not have fond memories of acid.
"Jaune stop playing dumb! It's not acid!" Scarlet shrieked rising to her feet her eyes now tinged with tears and Saphron was doing her best to appear as small as possible, even Jade was scooting away from the explosive eldest.
"Oh! That's a relief," Jaune breathed, unaware that Scarlett looked ready to scream.
"... Scarlett, sit down," Cloud ordered.
"No, I don't want to!"
"Scarlett, please."
"I said-"
"Sit down!" Cloud bellowed resoundingly his voice loud enough to rattle the windows. Immediately all the girls flinched or were startled, Saphron dropped her fork, and Jade practically crawled into Jaune's lap. Scarlett had it the worst though, her sudden bout of rebellion was forgotten, and she stood there frozen as Cloud pinned her with a stare fierce enough to stop a bullet.
"Scarlett, listen to your father and sit down," Hella added as she got up from her seat, a serious struggle for the very pregnant hunter. She made her way around the table checking on Saphron and making her way to a trembling Jade who was scared by the sound of her father's booming voice.
"Jaune your ribs, you are meant to be careful of them," Hella chided lifting Jade off his lap.
"They're fine mother I promise, Jade was just startled is all... did I do something to upset Scarlett?" Jaune asked seeking guidance.
"... It seems we are all a little more... stressed, than I first thought after yesterday's events Sunshine," Hella whispered her hand resting gently on Jaune's own.
"Ahh... so it is my fault," Jaune uttered sourly.
"No! None of this is your fault Jaune... it's mine, I should have realised you older girls weren't ok," Cloud hissed pulling out a chair and falling into it.
"I'm alright dad I just... didn't want to be in the way," Saphron piped up, shrinking when Scarlett shot a sneer her way.
"Kiss up," she spat.
"Right, that's enough of that, what crawled up your butt then," Cloud stated hooking his foot under Scarlett's chair and turning her about to face him.
Scarlett looked shaken for a moment before she doubled down on her fury and growled out an answer. "What's wrong... what's wrong is something serious is going on and you are treating me like a child!"
"You are a child," Hella huffed from across the table patting a still visibly upset Jade.
"No, I'm not I'm thirteen and you can't treat me like one of the brats!"
"Hey!" Saphron complained.
"Funny, you are the only one acting like a brat at the moment young lady," Hella replied, her tone like the lash of a whip as she admonished her eldest.
"Save your judgment mother," Scarlett sneered getting a grunt from Cloud in warning at her tone. "Just tell me what the hell is going on, what is wrong with Jaune and why the hell did you unlock his Aura!?" Scarlett defiantly shouted pointing at her mother accusingly.
But it wasn't Hella who answered, it was Cloud who was well and truly fed up with his oldest child's behaviour. "We didn't unlock his Aura and we don't have to tell you anything brat, you are our child, this is our house and again you are a child! You are entitled to no more than your siblings and you certainly do not get to act like this!" Cloud's stern voice rumbled making the air suddenly feel oppressive.
But Scarlett seemed to be beyond reason and even as tears began to cascade down her face she continued to rage. "Bullshit! He killed a Grimm you, yourself said so! And I deserve to know because I'm the one who has to take care of them when your off hunting. So. Tell. Me!"
"You-"
"I lost my memories."
Jaune's abrupt interjection brought everything to a halt, the entire kitchen seemed as if it was frozen in some macabre stasis as no one dared to move. Jade innocent and young was the first to break this as her head turned to look up at Jaune her big gorgeous blue eyes watery and wanting. "Bowther?" She asked fretfully, reaching out to grab at him, he eagerly grasped back happy for the contact.
"... I... I can't remember basically anything... and I mean anything, I don't expect you to take me at my word, but I assure you I have no recollection of anything," it hurt to admit that he had lost such precious treasures, that he didn't know if he could get them back was an ache all its own. But the sight of Jade's confused eyes, watery and filled with a perfect and pure form of empathy had his heart twisting itself in knots.
"Do you wemebew me?" Jade asked tearily, Jaune felt something in him tear as tears built in his own eyes.
"Yes and no Jade, I know you, you're my precious little sister who I love a whole bunch... but I don't really know anything else," Jaune admitted, the act causing him physical discomfort.
"Is this for real?" Saphron gasped looking towards her younger brother, her distress also making itself visible.
"Yes... yes, it is... the doctor yesterday said as much after suspecting something was wrong when Jaune didn't know what a scroll was... or a Grimm for that matter," Cloud remembered recalling his son's verbal slip up.
"... Jaune, X-Ray is way cooler than Vav..." Scarlett stated warily. But whatever reaction she was expecting she did not get it as Jaune merely quirked a brow and tilted his head, his confusion apparent.
"Do I know these people, are they acquaintances of mine?" he asked.
"... Video Games are dumb!" Scarlett tried again, but once more was left waiting.
"I don't know what those are... but I will take your word for it," Jaune replied crossing his arms, his frustrations mounting.
"I AM GRANDMOTHER'S FAVOURITE!" Scarlett raged desperately.
"I have a grandmother?" Jaune said perking up and looking to his parents for confirmation.
"OF COURSE WE DO!" Scarlett screamed looking around for something, anything as her expression became crazed. Before anyone could stop her, she bolted off, the sound of her dashing footsteps heard by all as she ran through the house. A pause and then the sound of her rapid approach had everyone anxious for what unknown event was sure to follow.
When Scarlett re-entered the kitchen, it was with determination on her face as she pulled out a hammer and held in her hands a grey box. Jaune noticed Saphron visibly react but not his parents or Jade, so he eyed his quieter sister curiously, but she refused to make eye contact with him. "Listen up!" Scarlett demanded gesturing with the hammer as she placed the rectangular object on the table. "You know what this is and if you don't say what it is by the time, I count to five I am going to smash it!"
"One!" Scarlett raised the hammer above her head and looked at Jaune confidently, but her look soured when Jaune merely stared back unwavering.
"Sis maybe-"
"Saphron... don't interfere," Hella commanded softly, causing Saphron to nod with tears in her eyes as she visibly stared on worried.
"Two!" Scarlett exclaimed again, but still, Jaune did not move simply watching his sister as she seemed to fall apart in front of him.
"Hella, shouldn't we do something?" Cloud asked plainly.
"We are, we are letting her teach herself a valuable lesson," Hella replied stroking a now very uncomfortable Jade's head.
"And what lesson would that be?" Cloud warily enquired looking at his eldest children concerned.
"That actions have consequences."
"Three! You're running out of time Jaune," she proclaimed, this time getting a reaction out of Jaune as he walked over to the box-like thing and looked it over. He could clearly see his name on it, and a warning saying, 'do not touch, property of Jaune Arc,' but he had no clue as to what it was. So, he picked it up and turned it over, trying to feel something, to remember anything... but there was nothing, so he put it back down.
"W-what no, I-I am not playing Jaune! FOUR!" Scarlet furiously yelled out as she watched Jaune put the thing back down.
"... I'm sorry sister... but I don't remember," Jaune stated quietly, his tone airy but still somehow conveying his hurt.
"FIVE!"
"I'm sorry Scarlett."
"F-F-five..."
"Sorry."
With a broken scream, she slammed the hammer down onto the box causing it the shatter as a combination of plastic and glass exploded from it. Sparks and wires pooled from the cracked case as it laid broken beneath the head of the hammer. Scarlett was openly bawling now as her strength failed her and she slid to her knees, tears cascading down her face.
Jaune saw this and felt his insides squirm.
He knelt, unsure of how to proceed but wanting desperately to be there for his sister, this was enough for Scarlett as she reached out and tugged him into her embrace, choking on pained sobs. After probably too long to be normal Jaune returned her embrace his hands resting statue-still on her back as her bigger frame seemed to wrap around him. Finally, her sobs seemed to diminish into pained gasps as she spoke in a voice that was filled with unquestionable pain and guilt.
"It's my fault, it's my fault, IT'S MY FAULT! It's my..." She ranted squeezing her brother as she practically convulsed her grief seeming to physically rack her body.
"I'm sorry!... I'm so sorry..."
A.N.
Le gasp, I wonder what Scarlett might have done, what interfamily drama is this? You'll just have to wait for the next chapter now, won't you?
It's been a hell of a month,
Had my meds changed, there are side effects, and they are just a whole thing.
Like half the fam caught the vid, that's always fun.
Got my first Patron and proceeded to silently scream in celebration for like... three days?
Finished a DnD campaign that took like... two years, a roundabout that, so that was fun.
Suffered the bureaucratic nightmare that is the federal government... wasn't great.
But yeah, the reason I want to point this all out is that certain things are now possible... for example more writing, hehe yessssssss.
Now the popularity of this story at first caught me off guard but I believe I have an idea of its... enjoyability now and am going to make this a primary priority moving forward, new editing software should allow me to speed up my writing process so that's a positive.
Loved all the reviews I read them all and will continue to do so as they are a really useful window into what my readers are thinking.
For example, after reading them I have decided to open up a poll on my Pat re on that will be open to everyone just this once so we can all decide on what we want to see more of in this fic. To my Patrons, your votes will of course carry more weight than all the others as stated in the benefits, even for this special vote.
Remember if you find yourself really, really, really liking my writing and want to show some financial support, I'm AceReapper on Pat re on, same icon as my FF account.
Keep safe out there, mind your health,
As Always.
Until next time.
I do not own Bloodborne or RWBY
A very special thank you to my first ever Patron, your support is the fuel that lets my creativity burn all the brighter. So, thank you to – E-Elf,
I hope this story continues to be worthy of your support.