Yatsuhashi was glad to see the Grimm. He could fight them instead of his classmates from Shade without holding back or feeling guilty.

He felt bad enough that he had allowed Jax to control him for even a short period. Yatsuhashi had been fully aware of everything he was doing under Jax’s will, and somehow he was convinced that it was the right thing to do. It was like watching a film, though; on some level, Jax had made Yatsuhashi believe things he didn’t: that he supported the Crown’s goals, that he would do anything to protect them. That he hated outsiders and especially Team CFVY.

With those alterations to his memory—to his very identity—a new Yatsuhashi had been born, with unrestricted anger, unafraid to use his strength to serve Jax. Meanwhile, the real Yatsuhashi, submerged in his consciousness, could only watch and struggle to regain control. He’d had to work out a way to turn his Semblance against himself for the first time, losing some of his own memory in order to cast off Jax’s programming and reassert independence.

So it seemed Yatsuhashi could now make himself forget things selectively, and that was just as terrifying a thought as using it against others.

Coco had helped, too, Yatsuhashi was sure of it. Actions were tied to memory, and as they fought and slipped into their familiar routine, Yatsuhashi shifted into autopilot. It had freed enough of his attention and resources to wipe the fake thoughts planted by Jax. But now he had to keep pretending so Jax wouldn’t notice, and that meant he couldn’t tell his friends—the ones he was fighting—that he was really on their side. The Grimm wouldn’t care, though.

Yatsuhashi needed to stick close to Jax, but fortunately, a Dromedon was heading his way. He retrieved his sword and jumped in front of it, prepared to dodge its acid spit.

- RWBY: Before the Dawn, Chapter 21