RWBY: Blood Touched

Chapter 4

battaba, another chapter.

Pyrrha followed him. Staying about ten or so steps behind him as he wandered aimlessly for more than half an hour. He didn't say anything, so neither did she. He avoided any place with people, angling instead for the larger, open space before the walls.

She didn't know what the area was used for, nor was she particularly curious. It was more an idle thought that had bubbled up around the corners of her mind, dismissed as unimportant.

What was important was finding a way to fix the mess she'd made. She wasn't sure exactly how she'd messed up in the first place, aside from the obvious fact she'd Turned someone. That was a massive fuck up. More of how she'd messed up in convincing him of the truth.

She'd never seen anyone reject the idea of something so thoroughly. Had she been too soft spoken about it? She hadn't wanted to scare him, or make him afraid of her. He didn't know who or what she was, other than a stranger in need of help in a dark alley.

Should she have refused to let him leave the room until she'd proven it beyond a shadow of a doubt? How would she have done that anyways? The fastest way she could think of would have been traumatizing.

He ended up traumatized anyway because she'd let him walk away. I need to have a few words with that Roman character about how he handles delicate situations. She thought to herself, before shaking her head and trying to focus on how she was going to fix this.

He'd stopped walking and she did as well, glancing around seeing that they were well away from the granaries. In one of the interior wheat fields, a small plot more suited to testing grains than any sustainable level of farming. Still, it was a large, empty area.

She wondered if he'd intentionally come here, or just instinctively wanted to move away from people.

She took a step forward.

"Why?" He suddenly asked, his voice strained with emotion.

The question had many answers. She wasn't sure which one he was looking for, or would even accept, so she didn't answer.

"Why did you do this to me?" He demanded, finally turning to face her, an ugly expression of pain and anger on his face. "All I wanted to do was to help you and you turned me into a monster!" His voice rose in pitch as he glared at her.

His words struck her and she had to refrain from lashing back at him. He was in a dangerous place emotionally right now, and needed to be able to vent. She owed him that much at least.

He didn't wait for her to respond, jabbing his finger at her accusingly. "All I tried to do was help you, for what little good I did, and you killed me and turned me into a monster like you!"

Pyrrha took a step back at that. He was right, to an extent, and that fact wounded her more than a blade or bullet could. She could argue many ways about how it was an accident, how she didn't mean to kill him, or how she was so close to death she couldn't control herself and it wasn't her fault.

Each true to their own extent, but poor comfort for someone who's life was now fundamentally changed by her actions.

She lowered her eyes and let her head hang, "I'm sorry." She said, hoping he could hear the honesty in her words.

"You're sorry?" He yelled, "you're sorry?!"

She heard his footsteps in the wheat as he walked towards her, stopping an arms length away. "If you're sorry, then change me back!" He said, holding his arms out, waiting for her to fix what she'd done.

"I can't." She said softly, "Once your blood is Touched, there's no changing it back."

She could hear his teeth grinding as he clenched his jaw. She looked up, noticing for the first time that he was actually just a bit taller than she was.

He lashed both arms forward, grabbing at the lapels of her jacket and weakly shook her. "What do you mean you can't change me back?"

There were tears in the corners of his eyes, a wild and desperate look, "You're lying!" He cried out, "You have to change me back so I can get into Beacon, so I can be a hero and save people!"

Pyrrha weathered his outburst, feeling his despair crash almost physically against her as he held her in place. "You can still save people." She said, trying to keep an even tone, though she felt her throat clench, "You're still human. You're not some mindless monster."

"I got shot and I watched my skin heal back almost instantly!" He was still yelling, "You drank my blood and killed me and now I have to drink blood too!"

"I'm sorry!" Pyrrha cried, voice cracking, "I'm sorry I killed you! It was an accident and I'm sorry."

"You ruined my life and you're sorry?" Jaune bit out, pushing her and taking a step back. Throwing his arms wide, "I can't go to Beacon, I can't go back to my family, I can't be a normal human being! I'm cursed!"

"You're wrong," She said softly, "You are still human, just more." She held out a hand to him, "You're stronger, faster, and more resilient than any mortal. Yes, there are dangers you have to be ready for, but this isn't a curse."

When he didn't respond, she continued, "I should have done more to explain, and I'm sorry for that too. But I need you to listen to me."

She could see the bit of desperate hope in his eyes, even as he shook his head. He looked down to his hand, raising it slightly and making a fist with it, as if he was trying to gauge his own strength.

"There's no need for you to hide from your family," She plunged ahead, "Many vampires still know their families, visit them, love them." She could feel her own confidence returning. "They work normal jobs, though often at night," A thought crossed her mind as she gestured to the distant lights, "I bet several of those workers are vampires."

Jaune looked where she pointed, "But I wanted to be a huntsman…" he said, exhaustion and defeat coloring his voice.

"Then you can be one," She smiled softly at him, "you can be the strongest huntsman ever, you just have to do it differently than you planned. Your training doesn't have to be wasted."

He let out a weak laugh, "Planned. Training. Hah."

A wave of confusion washed over her. She'd thought he'd be excited at that, or at least a little happier if he knew he could still reach his dream, even if it wasn't quite like he'd pictured it.

"I… I don't…" He swallowed hard, fresh tears welling up as his face contorted into a shameful expression.

"You were going to Beacon, right?" She asked, suddenly a little worried, "If you were accepted, you must have some skill."

Jaune hung his head as his shoulders slumped, "I didn't get accepted…" He whispered, the manilla envelope still clutched in one hand crinkled.

"But…"

"I lied on my form, okay?" His voice rose again, but this time the emotion was entirely self loathing. "I got into a fight with my dad and ran away! Stole his sword and ran away in the night. I paid for someone to get me into the accepted applicants for Beacon."

She reached out a hand, but he shirked away, "I was going to just wing it. Figure it out on my own and prove dad wrong."

"Jaune," she said softly, "Beacon Academy is a finishing school for huntmen. You need training before you-"

"I said I was going to figure it out." He cut her off, stomping his foot petulantly. "I just needed to get in and I would have made it. Somehow I would have made it…." He trailed off.

There was so much wrong with what he'd said, Pyrrha couldn't find anything to say, just staring at him with her mouth slightly ajar. While she'd never been to an Academy herself, she'd been trained by several of her family's strongest fighters, who were often huntsmen.

The Silent Throne contributed much to the training schools of Mistral, including Haven, often in monetary support, but occasionally in sending some of their number to act as substitute teachers or guides for Haven for expeditions. As much as vampires were relegated to myths in the current day, it was in their best interest for humanity in general to be as strong as it could be.

A smaller, more superstitious population was more likely to grab torches and pitchforks.

That said, Pyrrha was well versed in huntsman society, from theoretical basics, to advanced combat. In another life, even without the advantages of being a vampire, she thought she could be a tournament contender if she wished.

She knew how much study and training went into such a lifestyle. Her combat instructors had run her through the ringer every time they trained, and even now, after all these years she still got trounced. That's what happened when some had a few centuries of training under their belt.

For a mortal to try and just walk into the lifestyle with little to no experience was a death sentence.

Was he suicidal, or just childish?

She pushed the thoughts aside as she focused on the here and now. Jaune still had his head bowed, muttering to himself as tears slowly crept down his face.

Slowly, he slumped to the ground, pulling his knees up to his chest and hiding his face in his arms. "I'm just a stupid kid…" he mumbled, "just a stupid, weak kid…"

Pyrrha knelt down next to him, trying to figure out what to say. It was hard to argue that he had made a rash and stupid decision. One that had been made in the heat of the moment, and that he'd have more than likely paid for with his life.

It was mere chance that things happened as they had.

"What do I do now?" He mumbled, "Can't go home… Can't get into Beacon…"

Pyrrha looked up at the stars, what few could be seen from the glow of Vale. Even with her enhanced sight, she could see barely a fraction of what she knew was there.

Swallowing, she closed her eyes and spoke softly, "I don't think I've said it yet," She paused, "But thank you, Jaune."

He sniffled, but didn't say anything.

"I want to thank you for saving my life," She continued, sure he was listening, "I've had a very… long week, and I nearly died last night. Would have died. If you hadn't intervened."

She pulled her legs up and mirrored his posture, except she kept her eyes forwards, looking towards the city. "Even if that ass hadn't finished me off, I was too weak to heal myself and would have bled out had you arrived a minute later. So for that, thank you. Thank you for saving my life."

The Jaune of a few minutes ago wouldn't have thought it possible to feel any worse.

Current Jaune felt worse.

Here he was, crying like a child. He'd known there was no chance of him making it into Beacon, even with his false transcripts. He'd known it when he'd handed over the money and the man had laughed at him. He'd just been too stubborn, too cowardly to admit it.

He'd been a lazy teen, flitting from one part time job to the other as he grew up, one passing interest to another. Where others had found and committed to one hobby, interest, or one potential carrier or another, he'd chased one thing after another. It wasn't until a year or so ago that he'd finally locked onto an interest.

He knew his father had been right, he wasn't fit enough, or dedicated enough to begin training to be a huntsman. But he'd been stubborn about it, constantly pestering his dad at every chance to train him, then ignoring the strict training regime he'd finally badgered out of him.

He was a stupid, stupid child.

Running away in the middle of the night, stealing his fathers sword and catching a ride to Vale on a supply convoy. What a stupid kid. He deserved to get mugged or something. A wake up call to how stupid he'd been.

But did he deserve to be turned into a vampire?

Probably. His mind whispered to him. Take for granted everything you've been given, don't be surprised when it's taken away.

And to add to his own self criticism, the woman who'd changed him was thanking him for saving her life. He almost wanted to laugh. Almost. He really just wanted to go home. But he couldn't really do that, could he? Sure, she'd said that there were vampires that had families, but what would he say to them? How would he explain what happened? What he now was? Would they look at him like a monster?

His spiraling thoughts were drawn back to Pyrrha as she started talking again.

"You might not know it," She said, still speaking softly, "But half the underworld owes you thanks."

Huh?

"While it may sound strange," She said, "You saving me might also have saved the world."

"W-what?" He couldn't help but ask, rolling his head a little to look at her with one eye.

She smiled tilting her head slightly so she could see him out of the corner of her vision. With the soft glow of the distant lights, she looked incredibly pretty. Her crimson hair was loose, outlining her lithe, pale face, and the single emerald eye he could see was brilliant.

She smiled softly, revealing a single fang as she continued. "If I had died last night, Vale would have had little to no warning of what is coming. The reason I fled Mistral was because of a Coup, one that was sprung on us by a traitor in our court."

He blinked, having no idea what she was talking about, or why saving her had saved the world.

"The entire court was cut down in a few hours," She continued, "My family, my friends, pretty much everyone I've ever known, slaughtered in our home…. The only reason I survived the purge is because I was out hunting Grimm. Saw the smoke from the fires."

Jaune watched as her eyes slowly misted over, no longer looking at Vale, but somewhere else.

"One of my friends managed to get a call out, warning me." Her voice quivered a little, "She told me everyone was dead or traitors and I needed to flee…. I… I wanted to run back and try to save her but…."

A tear that had been brimming at the edge of her eye finally fell, rolling down her face. "I heard someone laughing, then a gunshot, then the call disconnected. I ran. There was nothing else I could do. If I went back, they'd kill me. So I ran."

Jaune swallowed a hard knot in his throat as he listened, still not knowing what exactly she was talking about, but hearing the pain in her voice loud and clear. His own pain and problems suddenly felt petty. He was an idiot, and was having to face the facts of it. She'd lost her home and family. It was a cold bucket of water on his pity party, and he felt more like a heel.

He watched as she seemed to become lost in thought. Her body language shifted as well, as she hunched in on herself, drawing her arms tightly around her legs as if to hug herself. Her voice became even quieter, and if he was still mortal, he probably wouldn't have heard her.

"I made it to the docks… but they were already there. I fought them… managed to get onto a boat bound for Vale." She whispered, "Then I got myself ambushed. The Silent Throne and The King Bound have been at odds for decades, so I guess I'm not that surprised I got attacked."

Taking a deep breath, she turned her head to look at him, resting her head on her knees and looking at him sideways, "Then you appeared," Despite the tears, she managed to smile, "However you did it, you ran him off. I would have died had you not been there."

Jaune was feeling many emotions all at once. On one hand, he felt like a failure and fraud for the actions that brought him to Vale in the first place. On the other hand, he felt like perhaps it was worth it since it had placed him in the right place at the right time. Or the wrong place at the right time?

In any case, she had the wrong end of the stick if she thought he'd done any more than occupy her attacker for more than a few seconds. He said as much, unwilling to take any undue credit.

Her smile was a little brighter as he said as much, "Maybe." She said, "But that doesn't change the fact that, had you not been there, I would have died. Whether or not you beat him, you were there, and it is because you were that I'm alive. So for that, at the very least, thank you."

Jaune had to stifle a snort, turning to face the city, not wanting to face her. Being thanked for just being in the right place didn't sit right. He felt his mood dip, "You should have just left me." He said, finally speaking for the first time in several minutes, "I wasn't worth bringing back. Should have just-"

"No!"

The sharp rebuke cut him off, making him snap his head back to her. Wide eyed, he was taken aback at the fire in her eyes, even with the tears still in them, as she fully turned to stare at him.

"What I did to you was wrong," She said, conviction in her voice, "For that, I owe you more than you know. I broke a sacred law of my kind, one not rectified by bringing you back either, and I will ever have that hanging over my head. To drain an innocent's life blood is to mark oneself the monster you see me as."

She broke eye contact, a guilty expression replacing the fire he'd seen. He didn't like the guilty look. "There is no excuse, especially for someone like me, to drain a mortal fully." She said, "That is my sin, and it is by my sin that you have been robbed of what you could have been."

Jaune laughed. Was it an appropriate response? Probably not. But he couldn't help it, was she serious? He'd just finished bawling about how useless he was, and then listening to what she'd been through. "How is that a sin?" He had to ask, "You're some vampire princess and I'm just… me. Your life is more important than mine."

"That's a horrible way to think of yourself." She said sharply, "And I would be no better than the monsters that killed my family if I were to think like that. I have fed on mortals, yes, but never to the extent that I took from you. I have never taken an innocent life, and the fact that I took yours is something I cannot forgive myself for."

"I, of the lineage of The Silent Throne, must always be held to a standard even above what the average vampire is held to." She said, taking a more rehearsed tone as if she was reciting something, "Those blessed with power are judged by how they wield it."

"No matter what happens to me, though, they will take care of you." She kept talking, turning back to look at the city, "You'll be guided in this new world."

"What do you mean?" He asked, "What would happen to you?"

Pyrrha's face became pensive, "Exiled most likely. I broke the taboo and that's not something that can be ignored. I'd hoped to find allies here to retake Mistral, but since I killed you, I'll more than likely only be able to warn them, before being forced out."

"That's not fair." Jaune exclaimed, "You said it was an accident and you were almost dead."

He wasn't sure why he was suddenly trying to defend her, especially after what he'd said a few minutes ago. He rubbed his face, his emotions were all over the place and he didn't know which way was up or down, or what was actually happening. All he knew was he didn't like the way she was talking.

"If the highest of society are not held to the same as the lowest, then the system is broken and we will not survive." She said, "For all that it may seem archaic that we have royalty, they are still held accountable for their actions and can be judged just as any other vampire."

"All I wish is that they give me time to warn them of what is coming before they punish me." She said, trailing off. "My life is already forfeit in accordance with the law, and I accept that."

Jaune stumbled to his feet, indignation twisting his face, "There has to be something else! If your home got overthrown, then what's to say it won't happen here? What did the people who attacked you even want?"

He was growing agitated by the moment, and the sad, thin smile she gave him only made it worse. It was a pitying expression and he hated it, like she knew something he didn't. To be fair, she definitely did, but it felt wrong. There had to be something more. He began to pace, trying to give himself some outlet for the frustration he was feeling.

After a moment of watching him, she finally answered his question, "They wanted power. The most basic desire for any coup. They wanted to be the ones in control. I don't know what their long term plans are, and in the end it really doesn't matter."

Jaune stopped his pacing, opening his mouth to ask what she meant by that, but she held up a palm, "It doesn't matter what their plans were. Because as soon as I make sure you're safe with the King Bound, and my warning is delivered, I am going to return to Mistral, and I will kill every single traitor in the land."

She said it like she was stating a simple fact. The sky was blue, grass was green, and she was going to wage a war against an entire kingdom of vampires.

Jaune stared at her. The agitation that had been building was pulled out of him in an instant, and he suddenly felt like he was in the presence of a hyper dangerous predator. It took him less than a second of staring into her brilliant green eyes to realize she was completely serious. There was a beautiful and terrifying determination in her gaze and he didn't doubt for a moment that she was going to cut a bloody path through any who stood in her way.

With a sigh, Pyrrha stood up, shaking herself slightly and blowing out a breath she didn't need. "Before I can get to that though, I need to get you where you need to be."

"Uh… okay." He said, no longer able to deny that he did need help, and fighting against his new reality was foolish. He needed to learn about being a vampire.

Pyrrha gave him a kind smile, "Shall we?"

Lots of talking, little action. will fix that soon. Hopefully it doesnt feel too drawn out, but I wanted to lay out a bit of emotional character building before that. Let me know what yall think, any feed back is appreciated. Thank you.