The night was mostly silent except for the soft breathing coming from two warm bodies entangled together in sleep. Ruby lay on her side, head tucked under Oz's chin, deep asleep. For Oz, he was lay mostly on his back if slightly turned in, one arm cradled Ruby to him while the other hung limp in the space between them. A thump resounding in the quiet and then another. Deep inside him Oz's heat beat in sleep but there was a second more lively beat slowly syncing with his heart.

The Wald's gift was truly something different, something more. When the magic of Schwarzer Wald felt its guardian's child falter it had rushed to aid him. Sensing more then seeing Oz spill his life blood to protect those lives had been enough to sway the ancient power in saving him. The wood of the heart tree was now merged fully with Ozpin, its living magic split into roots. Each as thin as veins now grew through his body, the tendrils seeking out illness and injury.

They moved slowly and only at night as the host body was most calmest when asleep and so as to not cause pain or panic. One by one they latched onto the dead or dying veins that spread through the limp arm. The shriveled limb twitched as Ozpin slept, never knowing that the wood from the heart tree slowly worked to heal what had been broken.

Bart woke up slowly and more then a little groggy. He heaved his head up and found that he was missing a Faunus but that Yang was still out cold on his chest. Oh boy, what had he gotten himself into this time? A one off at the club was one thing, twice with Blake heading off to who knows where was completely another. He really hopped Taiyang wouldn't kill him, then again he had gotten tangled up quite literally in team ABRN so he couldn't be too pissed off without being a huge hypocrite.

Yang stirred and lifted her head up, her long blonde locks were a mess but those sleepy lavender eyes melted Bart's heart. She looked around and sighed. "So she left again."

The green haired professor reached up and pushed her hair back. "Does she do that often?"

"Yeah, it's like she can't decide if she wants to be with me or Sun. I'm cool with Sun, we get along but it's pretty obvious he's only there for her." Yang yawned and laid back down on his chest. "I don't even really know what we are with her. I do really care but, I don't know it feels like she is trying to hard."

Bartholomew wasn't sure what to do with this. "Is that why you keep jumping me?"

Yang giggled and straddled him. "Well having you around does make it less awkward but maybe I just like your boner."

"Hmhmm." Bart raised a brow a smile pulling at his lips as her butt rubbed said boner. "Are you sure this is a good idea? I mean you want to be with Blake right. Sending time with me is not going to further that goal."

Yang stopped her eyes downcast. "I don't know what I want with Blake. She and Sun are going to do the Wylde Hunt together. Alone. I am not even sure I'll participate."

Bart held her butt and tapped his fingers on the skin. "Well I hadn't planned on going, but I think we get along fine if you want to go I'd be happy to chase you." Watching Yang light up made the suggestion all the more worth it.

"I'd really like that." Yang purred, she leaned over and glanced at the clock. "Darn it all I have to go walk Zwei, I wanted another round."

Bart reached up and booped her nose. "Just think how much more fun it will be later if you let yourself get worked up for the day. Anticipation makes everything sweeter."

Yang laughed and got off of him. "Yeah you're right there."

Bart watched her get up and look for clothes. Taking the clothes off hadn't made it to his room. She was really lovely, he didn't care about the arm. Anyone who did focus on it was missing out. He got up and walked to his dresser, he pulled out a pair of jeans. His room was just as messy as he was generally, he headed out and saw Yang had found her clothes and was mostly dressed. "Given that we have the day off, would you like to have breakfast after walking Zwei?"

Yang couldn't help but grin. "I'd like that. Though after I'll have to get a costume afterwards."

"A sound plan, as I will have to as well."

They left together and Taiyang's flat was only a few minutes walk away. Yang knocked and let herself in. "Hey Dad."

"Come in."

Yang and Bart found Taiyang in the tiny kitchen with Zwei sitting on the counter. "Don't let him fool you he has been fed. He just won't stay on the floor."

"Come on you." Yang picked Zwei up and put him down, clipping his leash onto his collar.

"You go on ahead I have a question for Tai." Bart said, Yang just smiled and nodded and headed out.

"What are you up to Bart?" Taiyang eyed his fellow professor up and down.

"Would you protest to my courting of your daughter?" The words zoomed forth.

Taiyang paused in the middle of his coffee pouring. He blinked twice and set the coffee pot down and took a deep breath. "What is it with my daughters and picking their teachers?"

"They are intelligent girls and attracted to intelligence?" Bart said.

"Now you are just sucking up." Taiyang resumed pouring his drink and pulled a stool over with his foot and sat down. "I thought she was with Blake and Sun."

"I think she is trying to be, I am not sure if it will pan out like she wants… Errr twice now we've had interactions and we work well together. Blake and Sun are going to the Hunt together and they did not include her. I offered to chase her and she was very receptive to the idea, however I felt it proper to inform you. While Yang is an adult you are still her father and have a right to be informed."

Tai was still holding the mug somewhere in the air between the table and his mouth, which was currently dropped open. "W-well that's … unexpected." He finally said and placed the cup down. "I mean I appreciate that you are being …" He trailed off.

"Forthcoming?"

Groaning Tai dropped his head into his hands. "Oh my Gods, please don't use the word 'coming' when we're talking about my daughter."

"I would have thought you would be use to it by now, I mean Miss Rose has two energetic partners and I'm sure there's plenty of co-"

"PLEASE STOP!"

Smothering his smile Bart looked back through the window to where Yang was stood. In the morning light her hair really did shine like gold. Tai caught his gaze and the softening eyes and only sighed. "Whatever, my girls are adults now, they can do what they want. Of course if you hurt her I will take great pleasure in shaving your balls with a rusty knife.

Bart straightened, the shriveling feeling down below left a few beads of sweat on his brow as he dearly hoped his friend wasn't serious. Though one look at those blue eyes and the glint of something feral in his smile said otherwise. With a delicate cough he saluted the blonde haired man. "Very well, Bye!" Then rushed out of the door at a speed which would rival Ruby's Semblance.

Tai was left in his small kitchen and heaved a heavy sigh looking up at the ceiling. "Well at least they don't take after their moms."

Qrow stirred and and blinked the air was warm and humid. Water swished around him and he rubbed his wet hair. "Did I seriously just pass out in a bath?" He looked at hand and found he was all wrinkled up, though the relaxation in his muscles made it more than worth it. His Semblance was calmed, as if he had remembered to lock it away. Only he hadn't, locked it up. He had fallen asleep so fast he forgot about it altogether. Red eyes glanced around and he found he was alone but that a peach colour towel had been left for him as well as his clothes laundered and dried.

He stood slowly his muscles still sleepy and got out of the warm water; dried slowly and got dressed. Silently he departed the room and found it was predawn morning dew still lay over the city. Qrow took a deep breath of the crisp air and let out it in a great sigh. The killing he had done stored away in his memory only to be revised in nightmares.

"You look well." Iroh emerged from a doorway.

"I'm sorry I forgot to put my Semblance away." Qrow turned to him.

"We did not even notice. Worry not about your nap either. You are far from the first Huntsman to fall asleep at our temple." Iroh stroked his beard.

Colour darkened Qrow's cheeks. "Yeah thanks."

"Do come by whenever you need to settle your mind. You're fiance has also found our temple calming."

So that was why Oz kept coming there. Qrow dipped his head. "Thanks, I'll be off now." He zipped away from the temple before the old man could get another word in.

Sunlight streamed through the parted curtains as Ozpin struggled with the buttons of his shirt. Having only one hand made a lot of things difficult and while Qrow was often the one to support Oz as was his role, his little bird hadn't returned yet. He wasn't worried though, having sensed he was safe and sleeping through their bond.

He was just about to call it quits and try something else on when Ruby walked back into the room from showering. She had her Huntress skirt and blouse on but the corset had been replaced with a loose red sash. The pronouncement of her belly and their child beneath never failed to take away his breath.

"You alright Oz?" She said coming over to where he stood gazing at her.

Oz shook his head to clear it and shrugged his useless shoulder. "Having a little trouble getting dressed with one arm. Would you…?"

"Sure!" Ruby chirped and fastened the green shirt. Her nimble fingers efficient while Oz stood and watched through hooded eyes. Ruby seemed to sense his gaze and lifted her head with a little smirk. "Done!"

"Thank you." Oz lifted his good hand to cradle Ruby's face and bent, dropping a sweet lingering kiss on her lips. Her response was to drag her hands over his covered chest, rising on her toes to deepen the kiss.

The sound of a knock broke them apart, then Lydia's voice rang from downstairs. "I'm back and I brought waffles!"

The sudden sound of Ruby's stomach grumbling had them both chuckling. Oz nodded to the door. "Go on, I'll join you in a bit."

His redheaded lover raced from their room and Oz took a moment to just appreciate how nice it felt to simply be. Then his arm twinged with discomfort and he glared at the offending limb. "Damn thing." He cursed and grabbed the coat from the wardrobe nearly missing the glint of black on the shelf. The immortal studied the armour that had been given to him. Ruby always said it felt cold but he couldn't feel it. To him it had just been what he needed to keep his mobility. Without it … Oz glared at his arm.

Tonight was the Wylde Hunt and he had promised Ruby he would chase her. They were both looking forward to it. How could he give a proper chase with one arm? Oz's good arm hovered over the armour. He and Jaune hadn't made much progress, in fact it felt like nothing had changed and while he wasn't allowed to heal his arm 'his' way he was stuck with the worthless arm.

Hands curled over the armour and gauntlet before he grimaced and shrugged it on. As the buckles fastened he felt a jolt go through his arm and the relief at being able to curl is fingers and further lift his arm was immense. One day he decided. He would give himself just one day of painless and full movement in his arm.

What harm could it do?

Qrow would be lying if he said he wasn't feeling at least a bit more relaxed after his night at the temple. He couldn't wait to tell Oz. His stride quickened as he approached Lydia's home and waltz inside. Immediately the scent of waffles broke through and he headed into the kitchen, his smile freezing.

"What the hell Oz!" He shouted as he took in Oz arm, clad in the familiar black armour that he wasn't. Suppose. To. Be. Wearing

Ruby who sat opposite their immortal lover sighed and beckoned Qrow over. "It's no use Qrow, I already tried getting him to take it off. He just won't do it"

Qrow purposely took steps towards Oz. "Then I'll have to do it for him."

"You'll do no such thing." Lydia's voice said from behind him. Qrow turned ready to question why she was allowing this when he caught the angry look on her face. Oops. "He has made the decision that it will be okay for one day and nothing will dissuade him. Therefore he can deal with the consequences of that."

Qrow turned back to Oz with a glare of his own but the other man only stared back at him. "It's only one day Qrow. I'll be fine."

"It more then that Oz, what about the public and the press? To everyone out there that arm is dead. What do you think is going to happen when you're seen being able to use it?"

Oz rubbed at the headache forming between his temples. "I'll be wearing a mask during the hunt so no one can know for certain it's me. I just want one day Qrow." He said a little desperately. "One day where I can use my whole body and not feel like an invalid."

At that the red eyed man stood down. He understood, really he did. Oz was not the type of person who allowed weakness in himself. To be honest now that he was thinking about it he was surprised Oz had lasted this long. His Semblance may be to slow down time but he was one of the most impatient people he knew.

With a sigh Qrow just threw his hands up. "One day." He pointed at Oz. "Tonight that stuff comes off and you don't put it back on unless its an emergency."

Oz felt the argument rise in his throat but then glanced at Ruby and Lydia before settling back down. "Agreed."

At that moment a flash of blue went past the window along with the sound of sirens blaring. The four occupants turned to look at one another as the sound didn't fade away. Ruby was the first out of her seat. "What's going on?"

Lydia went straight to the window and peered down the street, "Its the police and an ambulance."

Oz felt something cold run down his back. "I have a bad feeling."

"So do I." Qrow echoed. "Stay here, I'll find out what's going on."

Oz made to follow when Qrow and Lydia both held up their hands. "Not you. People see you in that gear there's gonna be questions."

"It'll be fine, I'll cover it up with my cloak." Oz pointed out and swept said cloak over his shoulder so it fell covering his clad arm.

Lydia let out a tiny groan but the two men had already left leaving her with Ruby who just shrugged and dug into her waffles.

Meanwhile outside Oz and Qrow jogged over to the house. Several vehicles where parked on the road out front, their flashing blue lights bathing the area. As they got close to the main entrance an officer approached them. "Excuse me but you can't be ba- Mister Branwen! Sir! And Headmaster Ozpin!" The man squeaked at them.

"Easy Officer, we're here to offer assistance, maybe get another perspective?" Qrow said removing his I.D just in case.

"Y-yeah of course. Erm just, well I'm not sure how you could help."

Oz calmly stepped in front of Qrow with one of his more patient smiles. "As any active Huntsman we can be a valuable asset. I'm sure simply walking through the scene and offering any insight will help the investigation."

As Oz spoke another officer came forward this one old and grey, thin like a bean pole. "Qrow! You are timely, one of these days I'm going to figure out how you do it."

Qrow dipped his head with a smile. "Hey Twitch, want me to give the scene a once over?"

"Hell yeah, bit of a mess though I hope you haven't had breakfast." Twitch adjusted his huge glasses. "I still prefer desk work."

"Mind if Oz comes along, his background is a bit different then mine, might see something I don't." Qrow gestured to Oz.

"Sure. I don't see why those Huntsmen Academies don't teach detective work, you're already halfway there with all that tracking."

"Twitch!" The first officer was flabbergasted that Twitch was just going to let them on the scene.

"Well if you are looking for a change of work, I am looking for more professors." Ozpin said in his honey'd public speaking voice.

"Tempting, I'll think about it." Twitch turned and led them into the house.

Qrow wrinkled his nose, thanks to Ruby calling on his magic more he could feel it more easily as it rose up. His eyes and nails changing in response to the scent of blood. Detectives and offices were already exploring the house some in suits to prevent contamination. Twitch led them to the master bedroom.

It was a horror show, an expectant mother lay half off the bed her belly ripped open and the fetus gone. Her husband dead with his throat torn open. Blood soaked the mattress and there was scoring on the walls and floor. Qrow had definitely seen worse.

"I recognise the woman, I met her on the elevator a couple days ago. She was with her son Ciel, where is he?" Ozpin asked Twitch as Qrow stepped softly further into the room.

"We checked in with his relatives. Unfortunately he doesn't have any, however we did found that in his parents will they left his custody to their Butler. Weird but it's all legal." Twitch said.

"I would like to speak to him." Ozpin said.

Meanwhile Qrow had approached the bodies his black and red eyes. He could see the serrations along the edge of the cuts. Strange large teeth but definitely not Grimm too thin, human almost. The circular bites were strange as well. He leaned down and tried to be discreet as he sniffed the corpses. He's guess around seven hours, maybe six and a half.

"Well Qrow?" Twitch caught sight of him and knew Qrow well enough to see what he was doing.

"Six and a half hours, maybe seven at most. Bites are not Grimm, wrong shape and size. There is something additional, here it's hard to pin down with the other scent of death." Qrow stepped around a pool of blood. A depression in the carpet drew his attention. He stepped over and knelt his fingers hovering above the carpet. His fingers almost grazed it. "There is a footprint here. Five toes, minor claws."

He stood and took a careful step following the direction. "Here," a few steps more. "Here. Meter thirty seven centimeter gate, light though. The depression is to slight for any serious weight, maybe hmm hundred and fifty pounds." Qrow turned his attention upward again, while turning on the spot. "Blood splatter on the roof is from the husband, size suggests high velocity and that the creature had long arms. Not Apathy length more like Beowolf, weight and gait is all wrong for a Beowolf."

Twitch pulled out an old fashioned notebook and took down every word Qrow said. Watching amused Ozpin greatly, Qrow had never mentioned Twitch but then again he had spent a great deal of time in Mistral.

"Hey Oz, can you come and look at these?" Qrow had moved back to the woman.

"You know my eyes are just mortal. Your's are the better ones." Ozpin moved to him.

Qrow rolled his black eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Here."

Ozpin closed his eyes as Qrow relayed his sight through the bond. He could see the shape and serrations better, defiant not Grimm. "This was not a Grimm."

"Yeah that was my thinking. Look at this." Qrow moved to lower himself closer to the man, he pointed along the neck. "Tears, meaning whatever did this was dull."

"Do you have to relay the…" Ozpin snapped his eyes opened and walked over. He sniffed and took a measure of the width of the gashes.

"Whatcha thinking Oz?" Qrow saw how deftly Oz moved, purpose in his actions now.

"Magic." Ozpin uttered softly. "This wasn't Grimm, this was something born of magic."

"Like?"

"Can you scent distinctive rot smells?"

Twitch had edged closer while the two men were speaking rapidly to each other. He was still taking notes.

"I can try. What I am looking for?" Qrow lowered himself back to the bodies.

"Old rot, like weeks. Maybe contamination in the teeth parts, dirt perhaps." Ozpin was racking his brain, for what could have caused this.

Qrow sniffed slowly over the mother's belly. "There is something there, if I had a clearer sample maybe I could track it, but there is too many other scents." He pulled away and walked back to the foot print. Again Oz closed his eyes and Qrow relayed what he saw.

"Defiantly lycan-like in shape." Ozpin muttered and walked through the room looking for another print. "Here, hand I think."

Qrow moved to him and knelt again. "Hmm agreed, no blood though. Smaller too." The carpet here was quite clean, it almost was part of how clean it was that made it odd. Qrow hovered a hand beside the print. "Wrong size though, this is either something different or whatever did this can change it's shape."

"See if you can't find something more." Ozpin said. "I can't tell, this is your thing."

Qrow paused for a second figuring out the direction of the print, then turned his attention to the opposite one. He could just make out other prints each smaller then the last all within a meter. Whatever the shape shifting was it didn't take long. "Test here, here and here." He pointed at three spots with the deepest indents.

With a nod from Twitch the team of officers was taking samples. Many of them had worked with Qrow before and didn't question him or Twitch. Qrow stepped towards two screen doors and stopped by the ajar door. "Here, the thing didn't walk here, it crawled. Strange crawl through, like an infant but something is wrapped around a leg." He lowered himself to scent again. "Yuck, your rot scent is over here Oz. How'd you guess?"

"Remember my nightmares?"

"Yeah."

Ozpin tipped his head towards the bodies.

"Ohh shit. I knew I should have looked into the last case." Qrow facepalmed. "Supernatural?"

"If it's not I'll renew my faith in humanity."

Twitch put his notebook away. "Not the first time I've had a case like this. You got any suggestions for reading material sir?"

Ozpin shook his head. "No, it was only a nightmare that proved true when the news reported on the last family."

The spindly detective pulled out his notebook again. "What was the dream about?"

"A birth of an unwanted child. My dream followed the husband taking the babe away to die in the forests. The next morning that same family was reported dead. I didn't look into it at the time because it was only a dream."

Twitch ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "Listen Burke wouldn't be pleased if I told you this so maybe you could keep it to yourselves but this is the second scene I've come across this month like this."

Now that was news. Oz's eyes widened slightly. "Really?"

"Yeah, that piece in the news you saw, posh family higher up in the richer district got gutted a few weeks back. Thing is we didn't release much to the news but in there," He pointed to the bodies. "Looked too much like that scene for it to be a coincidence."

"You think it's the same killer?" Qrow asked.

The other man only shrugged again. "I don't know Qrow but I'll tell you something. Whatever did that, it's like nothing I've ever seen before. It feels … well evil."

Qrow and Oz shared a look. It definitely sounded like something they might want to keep an ear to the ground for. Ozpin asked. "Could we see the autopsy reports? I am very curious if the teeth marks are the same."

"Probably not. Not many will take a dream as evidence." Twitch thumbed the side of his note book. "If we get another case like this, I'll call you Qrow."

"A good idea." Ozpin said and pursed his lips. "I'll visit the libraries, maybe I can find something that will help. I do think this is supernatural, I don't like the coincidences."

"What the HELL are those two doing on this scene!" The bellowed demand came with the sound of heavy footsteps. Oz and Qrow turned together as a wide shouldered and fat officer stormed into the murder scene.

"Ah Detective Burke how nice to see you again." Oz smiled though inside he was begging for an excuse to hit the pot bellied man. He was one of the most disrespectful and disgusting excuses for a human being Oz had ever met. Even now his multiple rolls of fat stretched out his clothes and ash from cigars fell in spots over the carpet. Oz had met the man a few times when he had first come to Mistral, back when he hadn't met Lydia. After all what was one or two charges of drunk and disorderly between friends? Suffice to say the two had not been fast friends.

He side eyed Qrow who was staring impassively at the other man but his poker face couldn't fool him. Oz saw the trembling lips that threatened to spill into a wide smile and could hear Qrow roaring with laughter through the bond.

The Detective stomped over to the two men, his beady eyes narrowing. "I can't say I return the sentiments, now do you wanna tell me what you and your fuck buddy are doing here?"

Qrow straightened at that and glared at the offending man though Oz retained his patience. "Huntsmen are trained to be able to assist local law enforcement when required and we were exceptionally close to the scene so we offered our services."

"Yeah well you and your 'services' can fuck right off. I want these two prissy boys off my scene. Now!" Burke shouted and turned away but not before flicking some more ash over the scene where it landed on Qrows black dress shoes.

Twitch grimaced and offered the two men an apologetic shrug before they followed him out. At the door several of the officers saw them and promptly turned away, busying themselves with the illusion of work. "Sorry Qrow, bigots beget bigots. Plus he does hate you for solving so many of his cases. Makes him look incompetent."

"Well if the shoe fits." Qrow smirked.

Ozpin laughed. "Be nice."

"Nah."

Twitch glanced over his shoulder. "Hey Qrow, you think it came from the backyard right? Do you want to set those eyes on it before you go? Burke won't be in any hurry and if I stick with you none of the other officers will get in the way."

"Sure." Qrow nodded.

The three walked around the outside of the house avoiding windows in case Burke spotted them. They came to the sliding door and Qrow frowned at the wood porch. He walked up to the steps just beyond the doors and knelt again. He could make out very slight scuffs in the dry dirt. He inhaled deeply through his nose, there was that rot scent again. He reached down and etched into the dirt. "I think it does from here to here."

The space was no longer then a large human infant. "As crazy as it looks, I think it starts this small, crawls into the house. Then becomes big." He sniffed again. "Scents too old for me to track, at least not without a proper sample."

"If we find anything like that, I'll give you a call." Twitch said, he did trust Qrow. He had never known Qrow to be wrong in gathering evidence and was the best tracker he had ever seen. If Qrow said it was the size of a baby when it arrived at the house. Then it was. "We should get you two off the scene, thanks for the help."

"I will let you know if my research brings anything up." Ozpin nodded to Twitch. He and Qrow headed back home, Lydia was hosting a barbecue today and they needed to help her prepare.