It had been just a few weeks since Pyrrha had reunited with the group and they couldn't be happier, everything was as it should be. Team JNPR was whole again with Pyrrha's return and it was obvious that it affected Jaune greatly as he was smiling more and talking with everyone more. The sadness that had once enveloped him was now gone, replaced with an overwhelming joy of Pyrrha's return...he also never left her alone for more than a few seconds.
Jaune was outside in the wilderness with Pyrrha, helping her use her aura, despite having a Grimm body. So far, only her human side was protected but it was expected. Grimm had no aura but as a result, they had extra hard bodies that were hard to penetrate but they hoped she could, at least, use her aura to protect her Grimm limbs better. Maybe one day she'd be able to achieve it. She had gotten control of her semblance but it was limited, she now had to be much closer to objects that had magnetic fields if she wished to utilize it to her previous full extent. "Come on Pyrrha, just a little more." Jaune said, holding a replica of her shield, they had gotten new weapons created for Pyrrha that had the magnetic effects her previous weapons had.
Pyrrha thrust a hand out as Jaune threw it further away and it stopped in midair before rushing back toward her, seeming to clip back onto her arm. She grabbed the straps and kept it in place, smiling at Jaune, despite her Grimm form showing; he wasn't disgusted by her Grimm form. She had gotten replacements for her old weapons when she rejoined them, needing them against Grimm and for the training sessions with Jaune. "Looks like you were able to extend your range a little, your reflexes were quick as well, preventing it from getting too far." Jaune complimented and Pyrrha smiled. "It's all thanks to you Jaune, hopefully this new body of mine won't be a hindrance." Pyrrha said, laying a hand over the odd scar in the center of her chest.
Jaune smiled and walked over to her, hugging her softly as she wrapped her arms around him; being around Jaune...she felt human again. "You'll get better Pyrrha, I promise." He said, before kissing her temple and she smiled in return, nodding. "I know Jaune...I'm still scared though." She said and he knew why. She wanted to show the others her true form...yet with her still getting used to her new body and trying to reconnect to her powers, it was hard. She feared she'd lose control over a limb or something and hurt someone, thus making her their enemy. "They'd never hurt you Pyrrha, you know that." Jaune said softly and she nodded. "I know...but I still need time." She said and he sighed, understanding.
They had these conversations every night since she returned, he helped her adjust to her body, helped her get a new shield and spear, helped her work on her powers...yet she had a lingering fear of the others. She had a lingering fear that, should they see her new body, they'd be disgusted and hate her, send her away. She knew Juane wouldn't toss her aside...he had already made that very clear since he return. They only trained at night, letting her necklace recharge to put her back in her human form and they only returned when everyone was already fast asleep. Since Ozpin and Qrow knew, they'd stay awake and let the two know through the scrolls on what was going on and when they could return. Heck, sometimes the two fell asleep outside waiting for the messages but they always returned before the other awakened.
Pyrrha had some advantages with her Grimm form though; she was faster, stronger, her hearing and sight had increased and, despite the odd times he saw that tail work, she was more flexible and nimble with that extra limb. She had already sensed some Gimm and, using her tail, she'd take the weapon and fling it, right as a Grimm charged...yet the Grimm would lifelessly fall at her attack. She was good, none could argue that but it disturbed her with the dexterity of her limb, not to mention she couldn't always control her tail. Jaune smiled at her, before motioning his head back to the Inn they were staying at, knowing they should head back. His scroll went off and he chuckled before grabbing Pyrrha's hand. "Come on, we should get back. The others are fast asleep and you need rest, we'll figure out how to tell the others when the time comes." Jaune said and Pyrrha nodded, agreeing; he always knew what to say.
[~~~~~*~~~~~]
As the next day came and breakfast passed, the group had decided to relax for the day. Pyrrha had stayed in later, letting her necklace completely recharge. Ozpin had told her of a way to recharged it using her semblance and she did it every now and then, mostly when she was paranoid it'd suddenly stop working. Thus, she had made sure it was completely recharged before heading downstairs as Ren and Ilia, who had joined the group after making sure the new White Fang was good, began to work on lunch. Pyrrha asked if she could help, using the necklace to keep her human form instead of her Grimm form and thus, she was now helping making lunch. Though they had to keep Jaune from going into the kitchen to see her every few seconds, the two may be together but it was hard to cook when you have a blonde soldier leaning against your back.
As a result, they kept Jaune in the lobby with Weiss, Blake and Sun; yet Weiss was the only one really keeping an eye on him. "Jaune, she's fine." Weiss growled at him as the blonde had tried to sneak into the kitchen to check on Pyrrha again. Jaune groaned, rolling his eyes before flopping back down on the couch, Sun laughing with a purring Blake beside him as he scratched behind her ears. He made her mad this morning when he woke her up and was making up for it by, literally, doing anything to please her. Weiss rolled her eyes, annoyed and missing a certain blue-haired man she hadn't heard from in some time...she wanted to see Neptune again.
Ruby suddenly raced through the lobby into the kitchen and then Pyrrha squealed and they heard Ruby laugh, even as Oscar ran into the lobby, panting. "Geez, I didn't know Ruby was so playful." He grumbled, remembering how Ruby had too much sugar this morning, when Yang had spoiled her and decided it'd be fun to put the young reaper on sugar-rush and thus, she wanted to play tag or hide-and-seek or any other game the girl could think of. "She raced into the kitchen and we heard Pyrrha squeal." Weiss commented and Oscar paled. "Ruby, don't bring the others in! We already got Yang and Nora involved and their deadly as it is!" He complained, rushing into the kitchen.
A few minutes later, Yang rushed in with a laugh as Nora was right behind her. "Almost got ya!" Nora exclaimed and everyone tensed as Yang jumped across the lobby, laughing. "Guys stop, you'll break something!" Jaune stated, wondering where Qrow was when they needed him. "Hey, blame Rubes, she got us into this game!" Yang replied with a grin before rushing out the back door, Nora right on her trail. "At least their having some fun." Blake responded through her purring, snuggling into Sun more, who smiled. "What was that?" Ilia asked as she peeked from the kitchen, she was helping Pyrrha and Ren cook.
"Yang and Nora are acting up, like Ruby." Weiss explained simply, giving Jaune and pointed look when he made to get up. "Personal." Jaune replied quickly and made down the opposite way of the kitchen, even as Weiss relaxed. "Hm, I s-!" A crash interrupted Ilia when she tried to speak. "Can someone help help me get Ruby off Pyrrha?!" They heard Oscar shout and Ren yelp as another crash sounded and everyone paled. "GYAH! Watch out!" Oscar shouted in surprise, finally catching the attention of the only two people still playing the game. Yang came rushing in, hearing the cry for help, as did Nora, and Yang walked in; seeing Ruby clinging to Pyrrha, who was holding onto Ren to prevent her from toppling over. "Pyrrha!" Ren shouted as Pyrrha glanced at a laughing Ruby, whose eyes were wide. "Come on, we should all play! Food can wait for a little bit!" Ruby exclaimed and Oscar growled, not sure what to do.
Yang smirked deviously, a thought crossing her mind. "Hey Oscar, come over here." Yang said, grabbing the brunette's attention. He walked over, curious and Ruby trained her eyes on them, suddenly highly alert something wasn't right even as Yang kept her smirk. "So~" Yang began and everyone froze a Yang wrapped an arm around Oscar's shoulders, "I hear you're single?" She asked and Oscar flushed a bright red and Ruby's eyes widened. "YANG!" Ruby shouted and tackled the blonde, making Yang laugh as her plan worked and everyone froze in confusion. "What…" Blake began, tilting her head. "Just…" Ilia continued, eyes wide. "Happened?" Sun finished as everyone looked at one another...a day of randomness was abound for them.
Eventually they ate some lunch before heading out, having heard from Qrow a group of Grimm was heading toward the small town they had stopped at. "We can't afford any delays on our way to Atlas, we need to take care of this problem before moving forward." Qrow commented and everyone nodded, Ozpin was in current control. "That would be a wise idea," Ozpin said, bringing a hand to his chin. "it'll help us work on our teamwork with Pyrrha being back and allow us more training." He explained and everyone nodded, understanding what he meant. "How big is this group of Grimm?" Yang asked, curious and Qrow hummed, looking at the paper he held.
"Not too big, not too large. Ten, maybe fourteen, at the most I think." Qrow explained and Yang nodded, with their combined skills, it'd be easy. "They say what types?" Ruby asked, having calmed down from her sugar rush, yet the way she continued to cling to Oscar's arm, despite Ozpin being in control, showed the sugar was still in her a little. Qrow frowned at the closeness yet the slight glare Ozpin gave Qrow silenced the older man. "I think it's a combination of Beowolves, Ursa's and some Boarbatusks." Qrow explained, looking at the paper again, knowing they'd have to be careful. Everyone nodded and began making preparations, even as Ozpin gave Oscar control back over his body and Jaune dragged the brunette from Ruby to help him get prepared as Pyrrha followed the girls to get her stuff ready.