White Sheep

Chapter 11 - Can't see the wool for the trees

Oh boy, another Wednesday and another chapter. I'm glad everyone has been enjoying this story, even if it comes out at an awkward time for me (straight after a 5 day run of consecutive fics – Sat, Sun, Mon, Tue, and then White Sheep. It doesn't leave much in the way of time to write.

But, well, here we are again. I hope you enjoy~

Beta: College Fool

Cover Art: Kegi Springfield

Chapter 11 – Can't see the wool for the trees

Jaune Salem Arc thought himself ready for the field trip to Forever Fall. The teachers had been talking about it for a few days, and although it posed the threat of their team running into some Grimm, he'd been fairly confident they could get through without any trouble. The Grimm weren't going to attack him, after all, and if they did come close he could drive them away, hopefully before his team killed them.

That was the plan, at least, which should have been the first sign that something would go amiss. In the end, that something turned out to be purple, sticky and filled with natural sugar.

"You know, it's kind of strange," Remy mused. "From what I've heard, most Grimm love this sap. It's weird that you'd be allergic to it."

"Remy... please shut up." Jaune said internally. Externally, he could only sniffle painfully. Here he was, Prince of the Grimm, and fully showing his uselessness. If Uncle Hazel could have seen him... well, the man wouldn't have been surprised in the least, but he'd have sighed and shook his head nonetheless.

"Just stay there," Weiss sighed, showing him the barest amount of concern she could get away with without actually having to come near. "Keep that nose away from me at all times. In fact, you can maintain your distance on the Bullhead ride back to Beacon as well. I don't want to catch anything."

He sniffled miserably but didn't protest.

"What about the sap he needs to collect?" Ruby asked. "Should I-"

"I shall handle it," Weiss interrupted, snatching Jaune's jar from Ruby. "It's only right. After all, he is my partner and thus my responsibility."

"From badass to baby," Yang teased, sending a friendly smile his way to show she didn't really mean it. "I never thought you'd be one to be taken down by something like this, champ."

"Me neither... I've never even seen the stuff before."

"Well, that's how most people discover allergies, I guess. At least it's not bad enough to put you in the hospital or something."

True, there were small mercies. Come to think of it, what would happen if he ended up visiting a hospital in Vale? Had his Uncles thought to put fake information into the system, or would his unique genealogy be discovered? He asked Remy.

"Sorry Jaune, I've no idea. It might be best to avoid that, though."

Oh, goodie, another thing he had to juggle. He groaned into his hands and leaned against a tree behind him.

Something trickled onto his shoulder.

He sneezed, loudly.

"Maybe you should move away," Ruby giggled. "We've already tapped that tree and it's uh... kind of leaking on you."

"Ugh..." Jaune groaned, dragging himself away from it and wiping the sap away. He sneezed again, and it was enough to wrack his entire body. So much for his dreams of the first ever field trip, what should have been a monumental step in his career.