/==/ Chapter Three /==/
Jaune was in love. Not only had Coco's suggestion for a girls only group chat made her night, but now with three options for additions to her currently limited wardrobe; she was beside herself. Currently she was sitting on her bed, next to Coco, slowly turning her foot left and right gazing at the sleek black five inch low cut stiletto pumps she had on. The patent leather form fitting around her foot. She heard Coco giggling at her side, as Jaune's eyes were wide with glee.
"So?"
"How did you do this?" Jaune asked.
"Told you. I have connections girl."
"I don't think I can choose."Jaune stammered, as she pulled off the pair she was currently wearing and picked up the heeled boots. "Though I'm not sure about these. They look like hooker boots."
"Try 'em on if you want, or if their not your style just set them aside."
"But I love the heel!" Jaune responded, "It's so tall and elegant."
"Then try them on. It's just us here Jaune. You don't have to keep them."
"I need second opinions." Jaune grinned at Coco.
"What mine isn't good enough?" Coco responded in mock horror.
/=/
Scrolls pinged around the RWBY, JNPR and CFVY dorm room. Scrolls were opened and everyone was greeted by three images. All of high heels. One of a traditional looking, sleek leather pump style stilettos. A second of knee high boots, with what looked like a much higher and thinner heel, and then finally one of a set of sandal style stilettos.
"What are we looking at?" Yang asked.
"Looks like heels." commented Velvet (Cheeky emoticon.)
"I can see that. Coco what's up?"
"Angel wants second opinions." Coco responded.
"She definitely has good taste in heels." commented Weiss.
"Weiss-cream! When did you join?"
"Stop calling me that Yang!"
"Okay, how about Snow Angel?" (Cheeky emoticon)
(Raging Emoticon)
"LOL. So seriously when did you join the chat Weiss?" asked Yang.
"Last night AFTER your debauchery was finished." Weiss replied.
"So what do you guys think?" Angel asked.
"Do I know you Angel? I feel like I should know of another heel aficionado here at Beacon."
"No. We haven't... run into each other." Angel replied.
"Seriously? We're doing heels now?" Blake asked.
"Angel wants opinions, on which pair or pairs to get." Coco responded.
"Please?" Angel asked. (Puppy eyes emoticon.)
"HOOKER BOOTS!"
"Hey Nora." Yang greeted.
"That's one for the knee highs. Anyone else?" Coco asked.
"The sandal stilettos. Much more elegant." Weiss chimed in.
"Not sure. They all look good on her." commented Yang.
"That's so helpful Yang." Weiss retorted. (Eye roll emoticon)
"I'm with Weiss. The sandals." Blake offered.
"Well I'm with Yang. I think they ALL look good on her." commented Coco.
"The pumps and the sandals."
"Hey BunBun."
"Pyrrha says the pumps and the sandals, look nice." Nora posted.
"Why doesn't she join the chat group?" Yang asked.
"Most likely to do with keeping up appearances. Just in case someone leaks something." Weiss offered.
"If that's the case. What's the SDC Heiress doing here?" Blake asked.
"I have better lawyers, and I don't need to worry about sponsor opinions." Weiss replied.
"Makes sense." Nora agrees.
"So have you made a decision Angel?" Coco asked.
"HOOKER BOOTS! LOL" Nora commented.
"I appreciate all the comments. Think I'll go with the pumps, and the sandals." Angel replied.
"Tasteful choices." Weiss commented.
"Awe but the Hooker boots?" (crying emoticon.)
"Maybe next time Nora." Angel offered.
/=/
Jaune felt, depressed, as he looked over his growing collection of heels. Glynda had told him, she would get more of his things sent from home, so his room in her apartment would be less bare. Turning to the full length wall mirror, he adjusted his shirt and tie. It had happened last night, waking him from sleep. The cramping and body tremors that signified his return. Sighing once more he pulled on his Beacon uniform jacket and left his room. When he reached the reception area, he messaged his team saying he just got back, and he'd meet them for breakfast.
All during the meal, he was inundated with questions about his stay in Vale. He did his best to give vague and non-committal answers. Slowly it all died down. He pushed his meal of bacon, eggs and hash browns around on his plate. He was remembering the directives that Ozpin and Glynda had given him. If he wanted a better chance at getting out of this whole body transformation gimmick, he needed to improve. Blake, Ren and Cocco were already on board, so that just left him to ask Pyrrha.
"Pyr?"
"Yes Jaune?"
"Can we go somewhere private... to talk?"
"Of... of course." Pyrrha stammered, her mind instantly going to the possibility of Jaune finally acknowledging her signs of affection.
The pair rose from the lunch table, and headed off, even as Yang attempted to get a rise out of them. Which of course got her an elbow in the side from Ruby, and an uncharacteristic swat to the back of her head by Blake. They walked through the hallways, both of them feeling nerves. But for markedly different reasons. Stopping in a stairwell Jaune made his move.
"Pyr?"
"Yes, Jaune?"
"I know it's pretty obvious..."
"This is IT" Pyrrha was screaming inside her head.
"I need help..."
Just ask me. I'll help you. I'll hold you, and love you.
"Can you train me?"
"Train?" Pyrrha's fantasy crashed and burned.
"I never went to a combat school, and I know it's obvious with how bad I am. So do you think, and I know it's okay if you're too busy... could you train me? Show me how to use Crocea Mors?"
"I..." she didn't know how to respond, well she did know, she was just stuck in the process of coming to terms with her crush, not doing what she had thought he was going to do.
"I really could use the help. If you want to?"
"I..." Pyrrha finally got her thoughts together. It may not have been a confession, but it was a chance to be near him more. "I'll train you."
"You will?"
"Yes, I will train you Jaune." Pyrrha smiled, much more warmly than she thought she could manage, "But I'm tough. It's not going to be easy, and I wont let you slack. Understand?"
"Thank you, thank you!" Jaune cheered as he grabbed his partner and pulled her into a rib crushing embrace.
Pyrrha went stiff, as a board; which was totally missed by Jaune in his joy at having Pyrrha agree. Slowly getting over the system shock, she brought her own hands up and wrapped them around him. She almost lost herself in the feeling of the embrace, once she got over the shock of it.
/=/
"So everyone up to speed?" Blake asked.
"Still not sure what's going on, but I'm game." replied Yang.
"Are we sure someone is after Jaune?" asked Velvet.
"Seems out there, but Goodwitch has confirmed it." replied Coco.
"No one is touching my bestie!"
"Thought Weiss was your bestie?" asked Nora.
"You can have more than one." replied Ruby. (cheeky emoticon)
"Well Jaune asked and I have accepted. I'll start training him tomorrow night." Pyrrha commented.
"I've got a gun for him. So I'll start helping him with the basics." Coco informed the group.
"I can help!" Ruby offered.
"We can all help." Fox added.
"Does anyone know who is after Jaune?" Weiss asked.
"Goodwitch didn't say, she just wants us to keep and eye out, and if he ends up in trouble to get him out of it." Coco answered.
"And she meant get him out of it, get him to safety over anything else." Blake added.
"That's not ominous or anything." commented Yang.
"So why isn't Jaune in this chat group?" asked Pyrrha.
"This is just so we can coordinate how to keep an eye on him. He has enough to concentrate on, besides worrying that we're trying to look out for him." replied Ren.
"So if there are no more questions. Post if anything comes up." Blake informed the group.
/=/
Jaune was beat. He was less than a week into this new training routine, and it was taking its toll. It was near midnight every night, before he was able to crash for some sleep. It was always the same, gun drills for two hours with Coco and Ruby right after supper. Conditioning with Blake, Ren and Nora after that for an hour, and then finally Pyrrha on the roof for three. It was brutal, but he knew it was worth it. Even after such a short amount of time he was starting to show improvement. But he was really happy that tomorrow was going to be a rest day. Everyone was a little concerned that he was pushing too hard, and even though he assured them it was for his own good. They had all put their foot down, and ordered the day off. It was even better that the rest day was a Saturday. Sleep, glorious sleep would be his for the day.
As he started to drift off, his mind wandered, and a smile crept across his tired features. Everything was starting to come together. He would get stronger. He had even gotten a reprieve from competing in combat class until Glynda with Pyrrha's input thought he had gained enough skill to actually have a viable spar. Though his smile faded slightly as his mind brought up the question as to why he always seemed to have at least one member of CFVY, RWBY or JNPR always near him. He could understand JNPR, and even RWBY; but aside from Coco and Velvet he hadn't really interacted with Fox or Yats. His dark blues drifted closed and it was all forgotten through the bliss of sleep.
/=/
"So what do you think Glynda?" Ozpin asked as he sipped from his mug, as he looked out the high arched windows of his office; watching the rising sun.
"He is getting better, but he still has along way to go, before he is of sufficient skill to protect himself."
"Do you feel that this new routine his friends have devised will be a success in that front?"
"As long as he doesn't burn out trying to do too much, too quickly," Glynda paused as she looked out one of the office's high arched windows, "it may. But..."
"But?"
"We need to think about his other abilities."
"And we can only do that when he's in his other form."
"I still don't understand how you made this all work. Plus..."
"Speak your mind Glynda. I cherish your honest opinions."
"Thinking back upon all we have done so far, in regards to Jaune. I feel like maybe we've done wrong." Glynda turned crossed her arms over her chest, and sat on the window sill. "Was it really in HER best interest to subject her to this body transformation ritual? I understand it seals away her maiden powers, and that it hides her; but the strain on her."
"We made the best choice in a bad situation." Ozpin responded as he also turned from the window and set his mug on his desk. "Things are better now. Jaune is surrounded by friends. People that care for him..."
"Her."
"Right now Jaune is a him."
"That's what I mean." Glynda sighed, "I can see how much it hurts HER to be this current Jaune. She's not happy, she's not who she is. I know, I watched her grow up."
"Give it a couple more months." Ozpin took a seat on the edge of his desk. "Vytal will be here soon, and with the influx of other students, Jaune will be even safer. Considering I will be letting the other Headmaster's know, so they can send additional teams."
"I really think we shouldn't have done the ritual." Glynda reached up, removed her glasses and pinched the bridge of her nose. "It would have been better just to have her stay with me. Make her my TA. Let me guide her."
"You already have too much on your plate Glynda. It wouldn't have been fair to you or Jaune to do that."
"I could have delegated some of my other duties. We could have reworked the budget to get more funds for additional staff. There had to have been a better method."
"Like I said. We made the best decision in a bad situation. She just manifested the powers, and we were lucky that it happened in Ansel, and her parents knew to contact us about it." Ozpin pulled off his own glasses, cleaned them with a handkerchief, and replaced them. "If we had more time, I would have made a different choice. But we know she is making moves. She attacked Amber."
"But Jaune isn't Amber."
"You're right. Jaune isn't Amber. Whoever attacked her overpowered her easily. What chance do you think Jaune would have in such a situation?"
"None."
"That's exactly how I see it, and that is why hiding Jaune is the best choice."
"We still should start training her, properly. We can't protect her forever."
"No, but we can at least give her four years of relative safety."
"I'm starting to feel as though we should bring the rest of RWBY and JNPR, maybe even CFVY into this."
"Why?"
"The more that know, the more that can protect Jaune." Glynda replied, "I'm sorry, it's just I see how she was last week, when she was staying with me. She was happy. Now I see her, and I can tell she's struggling. She's putting up a good front, but I can tell; and it is a little heart breaking."
"I know you have unique feelings for Jaune. You're basically an honorary Arc. Yet we can't let those feelings cloud what needs to be done. For now, let's stay the course. In a couple months we'll be hosting Vytal. We can arrange for Jaune and JNPR to fade into the background."
"Mistral will not be happy with Vale if Ms. Nikos can't compete."
"The Summer Maiden is more important than Mistral's pride." Ozpin picked up his mug and took a sip. "When Vytal rolls around, we'll set it up that JNPR goes out on a long term training mission."
"I sense a but..."
"BUT... we will just send them to Patch. Tai and Qrow will watch over and work with them." Ozpin took another sip from his mug. "Then after the festival, we'll bring them back, and make our decisions for the future."
"Are you sure Qrow will give up seeing his nieces compete? Or that Tai wont want to be in the stands cheering them on?"
"When it comes time for it to happen, they will understand."
"What about this other plan? The one Ironwood has put forward."
"We are still considering candidates. But we have a couple strong, and hopefully viable subjects to approach."
"I assume Ms. Nikos is being considered."
"She is."
"And if she accepts the offer that means we have two maidens hidden away on Patch during the festival."
"It does."
"Are you sure about any of this Ozpin?"
"To be honest no. This is all just me making the best guess I can with limited information."
"Why not push the issue with the others? Make them decide on her or someone. Then we could have the Summer and Fall maiden's training together. I know you liked keeping them apart, but..."
"Two maidens together is too much of a target for..."
"Two maiden's together supported by at least half a team is more than anyone would dare challenge."
"It is..."
"Everything is a risk, Ozpin. Walking across the grounds of Beacon is a health hazard, just because of what could happen with our students. I think... no I feel it's time we start actual taking real risks." Glynda rose from her seat on the window sill, and started to make her way to the elevator. "Get them to decide on a candidate."
"What are you up to Glynda?"
"I'm going to do some delegation, and make time to train Jaune, and whomever is chosen to be the Fall Maiden." Glynda turned to face Ozpin, her look stern and unwavering, "Maybe it's time to stop reacting, and start acting."
"Are you sure about this? It will make Jaune vulnerable."
"She is vulnerable now. At least if we let her embrace her powers, she wont be as vulnerable, and just maybe..."
"Maybe?"
"Maybe she'll surprise you and be stronger than whomever got to Amber."
"Glynda..."
"Get them to make a choice. Regardless if there is a Fall Maiden or not... the Summer Maiden is going to get trained." Glynda turned on her heels and left via the elevator. "And do whatever you need to in order to reverse that ritual."
"Okay then." Ozpin whispered as the elevator doors closed. "Looks like I have some calls to make."
/=/
It was just over three weeks since he started his intensive training with his team and friends. He felt stronger, more capable. More at peace with his current body, yet something was still off. He was in the locker room, preparing for his first spar. He had been informed by Pyrrha and Glynda that he was going to get tested today. It was to gauge his progress. Jaune closed his eyes, fighting a light wave of nausea. He knew he was nervous, but not that nervous. With his pistol holstered behind his back, and Crocea Mors on his hip, he made his way to the doors.
Stepping out into the classroom, he started to make his way towards the sparring ring. Cardin was already there, a sinister grin on his face. Jaune took another slow breath. This wasn't about winning. This was just to see how far he had progressed. He took a step forward, and doubled over.
"Mr. Arc?"
"No, no, no, no, no, no..." he panted as he tried to stand straight. The pain came again, and he gave Glynda a pained wide open eyed look.
"Jaune?"
Everyone in class jumped to their feet as Jaune bolted. As he slammed his way through the doors, he could hear Cardin's laughter. Jaune didn't care. Unfastening his belts he dropped his weapons to the floor, and continued his mad rush towards the dorms. His chest piece soon followed. His body hurt, and he could feel the tremors starting. He didn't hear the shouts from far behind him, as he just continued straight on to his dorm room. Yanking out his scroll, he fumbled it, until he was able to get the reader to accept it. The lock clicked and he pushed his way in slamming the door behind him.
/=/
"Mr. Ren! Attend to Mr. Arc. Mr. Winchester shut it!" Glynda snapped, "Rest of you, please return to your seats."
Before Glynda could finish speaking, Pyrrha who had been shocked into inaction, suddenly found herself able to move. She burst past Ren and out through the doors. The shouts of Professor Goodwitch and Ren were ignored. Jaune was in trouble, and as his partner she had to be there for him. That was just the way it was. The way it should be. She passed his discarded items, and just continued on. She figured she would check the dorm first, and if he wasn't there, she'd head straight to the infirmary. If he was feeling sick, those were the only two places he could be, or would go.
Much like how Jaune was, she too fumbled her scroll against the reader for the lock. She shoved it open as soon as she heard the click, and froze. There beside Jaune's bed, was a young woman, in nothing but Jaune's Pumpkin Pete hoodie, and a pair of boxers. Her dark blue eyes grew wide with shock, and more than a little fear. A golden waterfall of blond hair reached her waist and it fluttered out behind her as she made a barefooted dash for the bathroom. Pyrrha however was quicker. Inaction born of shock was quickly replaced with anger filled action.
"Who are you, and where the fuck is Jaune?" Pyrrha screamed at the terrified girl. Pyrrha's hands grabbed her golden tresses. Yanking her back from the bathroom, and then snagged the front of Jaune's hoodie. She lifted the slightly taller girl off her feet and drove her back first into the wall. "Answer!"
"No, no, no no, no, no, no..." the girl whimpered as she struggled ineffectually against Pyrrha's iron grip.
"Answer, bitch!" Pyrrha snarled. All sense having fled her, at the sight of a half naked woman being near Jaune's bed, in Jaune's clothes.
"Pyrrha! No! Let her go!" Ren was yelling at her, but she didn't care. She was fully focused on getting answers from the simpering little tart.
"No, no, no, no, no, no..." the girl whined as she attempted to push back against the champion.
"Pyrrha!" Blake shouted, but it had no effect. Pyrrha was totally focused on the terrified blond before her.
"Answer!" Pyrrha emphasized the point by pulling the girl from the wall, and then slamming her back against it. "Where. Is. Jaune?"
Ren moved in and hooked one of his arms under Pyrrha's attempting to break her grip. While Blake pulled out her scroll, and frantically started typing. Pyrrha didn't care. She didn't even notice.
"Let me go!" the young woman screamed, her eyes suddenly wreathed in golden flames.
Blake almost dropped her scroll as Pyrrha's grip was wrenched free, underlined by the sound of tearing fabric. She watched as Ren and Pyrrha where thrown across the small room; by a surge of electrical energy, crashing into the side of Jaune's bed. The frame shattered at the impact of the two bodies. Ren and Pyrrha shook their heads, as they tried to untangle themselves from one another. Blinking her eyes clear, Pyrrha watched the focus of her ire, scuttle along the floor, and then dash past Blake and down the hall.
"Get back..." Pyrrha's shout was cut off as Ren tackled her legs, dragging her to the floor hard.
/=/
Jaune's bare feet hurt as they slapped against the tiled floor. Her vision was blurred with tears, and her left hand attempted to keep tattered remains of her hoodie closed enough to protect her modesty. She had no clear plan, direction or destination. She just needed to run. She needed to flee. She needed to escape. By design or accident she found herself in the second year dorms. With her chest heaving, and tears freely flowing from her eyes, she collapsed splay legged in the centre of the hall. Doubling over, and crushing her arms into her stomach she started to scream.
/=/
"Jaune's changed! Pyrrha caught her in the dorm, and flipped out!"
"What? It's like what at least a week too early!" Glynda commented.
"What do you mean flipped out?" Coco asked.
"Like fucking flipped out! Jaune freaked, and ran. Don't know where. Ren and I will handle Pyrrha. Someone has got to find Jaune!"
"Fuck! Is Jaune okay?" Coco asked.
"I don't know! She freaked, I mean like freaked! Threw Ren and Pyrrha across the room."
"Find Jaune. Make sure she is okay, and then get her somewhere safe. We'll deal with everything after that." Ozpin instructed.
"Wait, I think I hear something."
"Coco?"
"I have Jaune!"
"Where?" asked Glynda.
"Velvet is bringing her into our dorm. She was out in the hall screaming. Fuck she is freaked the fuck out! What the fuck happened Belladonna?"
"I'll explain it later. Have to get Pyrrha under control."
"Coco, calm her down, and then get her to my quarters. Tell Ms. Scarlatina if you need to." Glynda instructed.
"Once everyone is calmed, bring them all to my office. That means all of RWBY, JNPR and CFVY." Ozpin commented.
"I warned you Ozpin! I knew something like this was bound to happen!"
"We'll deal with it Glynda. We'll deal with it."
/=/
Coco closed her scroll and turned her attention to the shivering, whimpering figure on Velvet's bed. Coco was caught between rage and sympathy, as she watched as Velvet held Jaune, whispering softly to her as she stroke her hair. The sight of the front of Jaune's ripped hoodie, and the fact she was actively clutching at Velvet's clothes, while also trying to squeeze her body as small as possible to be as close as possible to Velvet. It almost shattered what self control Coco had left.
"Coco who is this?" Velvet asked, before returning to comforting the trembling figure in her arms.
"You remember that first chat group I got you to help set up?"
"What about it?"
"Remember Angel?"
"Is this Angel?"
"Sort of."
"Coco."
"This is Angel, but that's not her real name." Coco offered as she moved and sat down on Velvet's bed. "What I'm going to tell you is bat shit insane, but it's true. So I need you to keep an open mind."
"Coco what is going on?" Velvet asked as she gently ran her hands through golden blond hair.
"This is actually Jaune." Coco could tell, that Velvet's brain just crashed. "It's a long story, and the Headmaster is going to explain it, but right now I just need you to trust me, and accept that this terrified girl is Jaune."
"I..."
"Come here, Jaune. Let's get you cleaned up and dressed." Coco reached out with a warm smile on her lips. "You're safe here. BunBun and I wont let anyone get near you. Will we?"
"No... no we wont. You're safe, I promise." Velvet responded, still not sure of what was happening, other than the girl clutching at her right that minute was in needed a strong sense of security.
"Want to have a shower? While you're in there BunBun and I will pick you out something kick ass to wear."
/=/
Coco and Jaune were alone in her room. It had been decided via the encrypted chat, that it would be for the best to not have Jaune at the meeting. So Coco volunteered to keep her company, at least that was her excuse. She knew, and figured Glynda knew it as well; that if she saw Nikos, she would lash out. Even now as she sat with Jaune on her bed, braiding her hair; she was mulling over the pros and cons to decking the four time champion.
"There." Coco laughed as she finished up the complicated side french braid. "You. Look. Fabulous."
Jaune tilted her head, and then turned it side to side checking out her hair do in the wall mirror. She gave a weak smile as she reached up and played with the end of her hair that lay over her left shoulder.
"What don't like it?"
"It's nice."
"Nice? Just nice?"
"I..."
"All that shit with Nikos still bothering you?"
Jaune just nodded.
"Stand up."
Jaune sighed and then climbed to her feet. Coco grabbed her by the shoulders and steered her in front of the wall mirror. Jaune took in her reflection. She was basically in a version of Coco's customary outfit, though in a shade closer to black over brown; and minus the bullet accents. As Jaune stood there taking in her image, Coco moved over to the simple dresser and opened the plain looking jewellery box on the top. Coco sorted through the items in it, before pulling out a set of earrings, and a pendant.
"Here put these on. A girl has to accessorize." Coco spoke while shooting Jaune a saucy grin.
Jaune put in the dangles; miniature replicas of the Arc family crest, and the matching pendant. She tilted her head back and forth, before twisting the top of her body left and right. A small smile starting to grow.
"Now for you're favourite part. The heels."
Jaune gave Coco a weak smile, and a soft chuckle, before moving to her closet and making her decision. Coco grinned as she watched Jaune finish the straps to the stiletto sandals. Jaune leaned back on her bed, bracing herself with her arms as she titled her head, and flipped her foot back and forth. A slightly warmer smile forming on her lips.
"Now that ties the look together." Coco commented.
"Thanks Coco. I mean it."
"No need to thank me girl." Coco replied as she dropped onto the bed next to Jaune. "We sex goddesses need to look out for each other. Lest the lesser mortals try and usurp us."
"Sex goddess?"
"Believe me, you are, and I know," Coco gave Jaune a cheeky grin, "Cause I'm one too. Though I am the sexier of the two of us."
"As if!"
"You might have the heels girl, but I have everything else." Coco laughed, as she gave Jaune a playful shove. Then their scrolls beeped. Coco pulled hers out. "Looks like we're being summoned."
Jaune shivered. A knot of fear suddenly forming in her stomach, and before Coco could do anything Jaune pulled her knees up to her chest, and wrapped her arms about them while hiding her face in her thighs.
"Jaune, are you okay?" Jaune didn't answer, and Coco saw the shiver run through her body. "Jaune, you can tell me, you know that. You can tell me anything."
"I like her..."
"Pyrrha?" Coco asked, while suppressing a scowl.
"Yes, but..."
"But what Jaune?"
"I'm scared. She was... so angry; like I was some slut trying to take the other Jaune away." Jaune's shoulders started to shake, and Coco knew she was crying. "But I like her, and she likes the other me... but she's so angry..."
"It's okay Jaune. It's okay. She didn't know, how could she? The Headmaster is explaining it all to them now, so who knows maybe she likes you, like you like her. She just needs to understand your situation, that's all."
"And if..."
"And if she doesn't there are others who will like you as you are."
"But I'm a freak, right now."
"You are not a freak. You're trapped in something you didn't have a say in. I mean it girl. You are not a freak, and if anyone calls you that, you tell me okay?" Coco tapped Jaune on her head, "And I'm serious about that."
"I'm still scared. What if..."
"Enough Jaune. There is no one in that office you need to be afraid of." Coco admonished her, "I mean seriously, think about it. To get to you they'd have to go through me. To go through me they'd have to get through Yats, Fox and BunBun; not to mention..."
"Glynda."
"Glynda, and I'm pretty sure Ren and Blake have your back." Coco gave Jaune a smile as her dark blue eyes peered over her knee caps, "Besides... who wants to mess with the girl that threw the four time Mistral champion across a room."
Their scrolls beeped again, and Coco pulled down her sunglasses to peer at Jaune with her dark brown eyes. Jaune gave her a weak smile, and slid her feet from the bed to the floor. Pushing her sunglasses back up her nose, she stood, offered Jaune her hand, and hoisted the taller girl to her feet. Jaune and Coco both took one last look in the wall mirror, before exiting the room, and starting the trip to the Headmaster's office.
/=/
Everyone turned their heads to see who was entering when the elevator doors dinged. Coco exited first, followed by a figure only a few of them really had ever seen. She strode out through the doors, her heels clicking on the floor, and her hips swaying back and forth.
"Holy shit!" Yang exclaimed.
"Fearless Leader?" asked Nora.
"Arc?" asked Weiss.
"Jaune?" asked Ruby.
Jaune smiled to them all, but let it fall as soon as she spied the scowling Pyrrha. The image of her partner's less than happy face caused the normally graceful girl to stumble. Coco's quick hands kept her steady, and allowed her to save face. Coco moved to stand next to her team, and being nervous, and unsure as what she should do, Jaune decided to take up a spot next to Coco.
"Go have a seat Jaune next to Glynda." Coco whispered.
Jaune gave her friend a soft smile, before making her way across the office to the seat set next to the standing form of Glynda Goodwitch. Once seated, Jaune crossed her legs at her ankles, and forced a smile. She was almost shaking. The incident with Pyrrha, still fresh in her mind, and not helped by the openly almost hostile looks the champion was giving her.
"So let me officially introduce you to the leader of JNPR, Jaune Josephine Arc. Now you have all heard my explanation as to why things are how they are." Ozpin leaned forward and clasped his hands before him on his desk. "Now, before you all start asking me the same question, yes Jaune is female. She is the fifth child of the Magistrate of Ansel Johnathon Arc. Which in case you are not aware makes her basically local nobility."
"Are you okay Jaune?" Glynda asked in a whisper, as Ozpin continued to relay more of Jaune's history to the assembled students.
"No." Jaune replied.
"You're safe here Jaune. So stop. There is nothing to be scared of."
"Say that again, after you've been slammed against a wall by Pyrrha a few times." Jaune countered.
"She did what?" Jaune noticed the slight rise in Glynda's tone.
"She is in danger because of not only who she is, but what she is." Ozpin concluded.
"What a freak?" Pyrrha snarled, which caused Jaune to shirk back in her chair, while Coco and Glynda made a move to step forward.
"Ms. Nikos, there will be none of that, and I KNOW you were taught better than that." Ozpin corrected her. "As I have told you, magic is real. Hence Ms. Arc's talent for being able to hide as a male for most of a month. That is something I did to her. She had at the time no choice in the matter, as it was deemed to be in her best interests. However the situation has now become complicated, and as such you are all being drafted."
"For what?" asked Yang.
"To protect Ms. Arc."
"Why should I bother..."
"Ms. Nikos, stop besmirching your exemplary reputation, by acting like a privileged brat." Ozpin snapped, "Ms. Arc is in possession of a power that others WILL kill her for. Let that sink in. She has no combat training, and never wanted to be a huntress. She was groomed to take over for her father, when he retires. So are you now understanding at least partially why things have been done as they have?"
"If she is in such danger, why not request an Ace-Ops protection detail from Atlas?" asked Weiss.
"While I am sure General Ironwood, would have approved the request, the Ace-Ops are needed in Atlas, and would make finding Ms. Arc even easier, due to the nature of their operations. No we were trying to hide Jaune in plain sight. That however has failed. So now I am requesting that all of you who now know of the situation act as a sort of bodyguards for her."
"And what is that suppose to entail?" asked Pyrrha, with her arms still crossed over her chest. Just to her left and right Blake and Ren stood looking at her with more than annoyed looks aimed at her.
"It means if something happens around Ms. Arc, you get her out of there. You fight if needed, but the goal is to affect an escape from the situation, while also notifying the rest of those who are aware of Ms. Arcs status so professional help can be rendered."
"I would rather kiss Cardin." Pyrrha snorted.
Velvet grabbed Coco's arm, preventing her from rushing forward, only for everyone to stand in shocked silence at the echoing sound of flesh strike flesh, that followed the rapid staccato of heels on floor. Pyrrha stood there holding the side of her face, her emerald eyes wide in shock. Jaune stood before her tears freely rolling down her cheeks.
"Why? Why are you so horrible? I liked you! I really like you, and then you find about who I really am you do this!" Jaune's shoulders started to shake, "I knew you liked me, but he isn't me! So why don't you like me! Why are you so hateful towards me? Is it because I have tits? Is it because I don't have a cock?"
"Jaune..." Pyrrha stammered, while everyone else stood stone silent.
"You think I don't know I'm a freak! I didn't want this. I don't want this. I want to be me!" Golden flames started to seep from her eyes. "I tired of the lies, tired of being fake. You think I like not being who I am? I want to be at sleep overs! I want to spend my days dancing! I want my hair to be brushed, and I want to brush the hair of girls like Weiss and you!"
"Jaune you need to..." Glynda tried to speak.
"I don't want this anymore! It's a fucking curse!" Jaune started to scream as the golden flames flowing from her eyes grew in brilliance, "I wish I was fucking dead, than I wouldn't be like this!"
"JAUNE!" Ozpin shouted.
"Kill me! Free me!" as Jaune continued to scream, everyone started to be pushed, as the air in the rather expansive office started to move, acting as if a storm was brewing with in the very room. "I want to be me! I want to be normal!"
Coco pulled her arm free of Velvet, as wind started to buffet around the room. She charged forward, wrapping her arms about the hysterical young woman, and lifted her off her feet. Glynda was in mid motion of drawing her riding crop, as Coco spun about and dropped into the chair Jaune had vacated, pinning herself with Jaune seated on her legs. Her arms closed tighter around Jaune's torso, holding her arms down.
"Jaune. Jaune, listen to my voice." Coco forced herself to speak calmly, "Everything will be okay. We will fix all of this, trust me. We won't let you suffer through this fucking bullshit anymore. I promise. But you need to calm down sweetheart. You need to calm down."
Jaune's breathing was hitched, and she sniffled. Coco could only imagine what her sweet face looked like right now. She could feel the wet drops splashing against her clasped hands, and the shuttering rise and fall of Jaune's breathing against her chest. Slowly the air calmed, and Coco felt Jaune shift in her arms. She lessened her grip, allowing the young despairing girl to twist about and bury her face into Coco's shoulder.
All those assembled watched as Jaune curled herself up into Coco's lap. Silence reigned, broken only by the sobs of the almost broken girl. Velvet moved over and offered her own support by gently rubbing Jaune's back, as Coco held her.
"Ozpin?" Glynda looked at the Headmaster, obvious concern in her eyes.
"Ms. Adel please take Ms. Arc back to her room in Glynda's apartment. Everyone else may also leave, except for you Ms. Nikos. We have a few other items that require private discussion."
/=/
Coco with a little help from Velvet, Yats, and Fox got Jaune back to her room, in Glynda's apartment. Bidding her team a see you later, Coco supported the weak legged Jaune to her room, and her bed. She only got Jaune partially situated, when Jaune grabbed her forearm. Jaune looked up with pleading, sad eyes, imploring Coco silently not to leave her alone.
"Okay, okay." Coco pulled off her beret, and sunglasses setting them on the night stand, as Jaune scooted over, "Just until you fall asleep, I have a reputation to keep."
Jaune said nothing but just dragged Coco's arms around her. Once surrounded, she shifted herself into Coco's chest, and once she had the fashionista trapped she drifted off almost instantly. Coco smiled, and gave Jaune a little comforting squeeze, before laying her own head down on to the pillow.
"Sweet dreams, sweetheart. You deserve some."