Not Even Aura can Heal All Wounds
By wildstraydog
Chapter Three: Thrust into Horror
Beta: Super Saiyan Cyndaquil
Back as always, and I'm loving the response to this story. I'm glad you're all enjoying it, and hope the support continues on! I got some messages asking how closely this will follow canon events, and I'm willing to say not really... their might be some here and there to advance the background plot, but the more imminent threat in this story is the Grimm, rather than Cinder and her lackeys.
Everyone really needs to thank Cyndaquil, he's been the beta for two of my stories, and helps a lot when I need some last minute advice. Still looking for any takers on some cover art! I don't like using these bland emblems and such. Look at me, I'm pleading now huh? Ignore me.
It was around eight o'clock when Jaune first awoke, and he couldn't be happier. He slept peacefully last night, as compared to other study-filled marathons that left him a little less than three or four hours. So much excitement coursed through his body that he didn't feel any fatigue, kicking off the covers with a satisfied yawn. The day had just started, and already he wanted this euphoric state to last an eternity, forgetting any of the doubts that ran through his mind last night.
He wasted no time going through his morning preparations, hopping in the shower with his generic cleaning products. Unlike the janky dorm room he was used to, the hot water spewed forth immediately, relaxing any leftover tense muscles. Part of his rejuvenated state came as a result from his conversation last night with Blake Belladonna. He found it nice to find someone who he could just talk to and let his feelings be known without being judged – strange that it was her of all people first.
When they first met, his initial impression was that Blake was not at all enthused by his arrival. That still could be the case, but at least she didn't harp on the problem by reciting what everyone else already shared. There was always going to be a divide. He still couldn't believe that he even had the courage to talk to Blake without becoming a pile of mush; usually he stuttered. To put it in simple terms, Blake was... quite interesting when compared to other girls – not that most of his new friends weren't as well.
Jaune never got the opportunity to really engage with the female side of the population. He wasn't afraid to socialize in their circles by any means, but directly speaking with a good looking girl one on one? He was only so lucky back then. Yet now it was becoming too common, though some of the girls probably shared varied opinions on his sudden presence. The brief instances he was with Weiss Schnee illustrated that.
Honestly, Jaune, couldn't blame the heiress too much for her attitude towards him. It may have been for selfish reasons, but her motivations probably stemmed from family – that was usually the case for esteemed lineages such as his. He wouldn't press the issue, though it was a little disappointing that he couldn't speak with such a gorgeous girl... she was almost like a doll with her snow white hair and petite frame. Just her general attitude needed work.
The sisters, Ruby and Yang, were so far very welcoming, and without them his introduction to Beacon could have been much worse. They even supported his dream without hesitation, questioning why others would be so averse. He envied Ruby's childlike view on the world, whereas Yang just didn't care about how everyone felt on the issue. While he didn't ask, the detail of each girl bearing a different last name did cross his mind – perhaps adoption, or maybe cousins?
As for their friends he met yesterday at dinner, team PNRN, appeared kind. The fact they were willing to let Tawny join them was evidence enough. Nora was simple to figure out, but her best friend Ren seemed more reclusive, keeping most of his thoughts to himself. Nebula was cheerful and enthusiastic, and of course very cute, while Pyrrha... their first meeting felt empty, like she was insulted by him. He didn't believe Pyrrha hated him or anything – just that something he said might have upset her.
Was it strange then, that out of all the new people he met, that he wanted to speak with Blake again? Yang mentioned that she was book lover, often escaping the confines of their dorm to read in the library. Jaune could relate, always checking out books and remaining inside his dorm room away from the other students. He enjoyed the company of open-minded individuals, which made Blake all the more appealing to converse with about his career... of course getting a straight opinion from the often demure girl would be difficult.
There were more important matters to mull about. Jaune put his on his uniform and collected his things; grabbing his bag and placing all of the materials he would need inside. The bag was actually special to him, as one of his younger sisters bought it as a going away gift. He used it for everything from hauling textbooks to video games – it was only fitting that he would take it on his first official mission.
The first thing he did was check his scroll, and notice the message that was sent by Headmaster Ozpin himself to all of the students. Everyone participating in the missions, was to head outside to the bullheads leaving to their designated areas. They were marked by numbers corresponding to the teams, his number being six. He opened a container and popped out two small purple pills for his inevitable motion sickness.
In the future, he pledged to find a cure for the family ailment.
With an empty appetite, Jaune, wasted no time and headed straight for the cafeteria. He didn't need an extravagant breakfast to start the day, a simple meal like eggs and toast would satisfy him. By the grace of the gods, the lines weren't that long, and he found himself able to grab a plate full of the essentials. The only problem he faced now was a place to sit... until he noticed Tawny in the corner.
Back at school, their interaction outside the classroom was quite minimal. The more he dwelled on it, the more disappointed he was – she was one of only several people who even took the time to socialize with him, albeit only on a whim, but he still appreciated the gesture. He walked over to the table and joined her, setting his tray on top and plopping down on the seat across from her. She raised her eyebrow in curiosity, and then went back to eating her meal.
"So, are you excited?"
Tawny set down her fork and wiped her mouth with a napkin, her eyes focused on Jaune. "Not really, I'm just ready to go out and prove myself I guess."
"And you're not even a little bit afraid?"
"Yes, I'm shivering all over," She wryly responded. "Of course I'm somewhat anxious, but who wouldn't be? Just worry about you."
An expected answer, but it made him smirk. "I wanted to apologize Tawny." Again she hesitated, appearing caught off guard by the statement.
"Why are you apologizing?" Tawny narrowed her eyes, folding her arms as she leaned back in the aged cafeteria chair. She was always wary of their conversations, as if she was expecting him to pounce at any minute.
"I don't know, I just feel like I haven't tried hard enough to befriend you. You never had to keep me company on the weekends." Jaune heard a low sigh escape from her lips.
"Does it really matter," She questioned, "If so, I should be at fault as well. We don't have much in common Jaune, but I figured you were too socially inept to really strike up a conversation. But I always considered us friends, despite any earlier comments to the contrary." Jaune found himself a bit taken back at her nonchalant attitude about lying before.
"Why refer to us as acquaintances then?"
"Because I knew it would bug you," she answered with a rare smile. While he would have complained about her wishy-washy views, Jaune actually found some acceptance in her words. It fit her personality to a tee – deliberately causing him to second guess her actions? Sounded exactly like Tawny.
"You know I'll get you back for this."
"I look forward to seeing you try," she chuckled.
The brief meal was enough to satisfy his stomach as he and Tawny made their way outside of the academy. Jaune was relieved that he could properly apologize to Tawny before their mission began, even if it was awkward. It was little sad that even after knowing her for a year, although intermittently, that she could surprise him. He stole a glance and noticed the satchel wrapped across her waist; brown-sand in color, fitted with golden trimmings on the edges, it was about the size of a common Soccer ball.
Jaune expected a much bigger crowd to be waiting outside where the bullheads were docked, instead being greeted with fewer then twelve people. What surprised him more however, was that both teams had woke up far earlier, making him and Tawny practically late for the mission. But it puzzled him that the other teams participating in the joint venture with his school weren't present – perhaps the times for each party were dependent on the location they were stationed?
To the right, Jaune, spotted team RWBY lounging on the bullhead with impatient looks. Yang was pacing back and forth, while Weiss played on her scroll, a deadpan expression present on the heiress' delicate face. Ruby sat on the cabin swinging her legs with a bright smile, silver eyes lighting up as she spotted him. And then he saw Blake with a look of indifference as she leaned against the open door.
"What took you so long blondie?" Yang teased as he approached with Tawny.
"Was getting some breakfast, how early did you guys get here?" Jaune scratched his chin in embarrassment and averted his gaze, realizing the extent of his tardiness.
"Do you realize how long we've been waiting?" Weiss reminded with a huff, flicking her ponytail to the side and pocketing her scroll.
Ruby hopped off the cabin and approached Jaune. "So, we found out where we're being stationed! The location actually isn't far from Beacon." That made things a lot safer, especially if anyone was injured – and if the Grimm became too overwhelming, the teachers could assist.
"Where's team PNRN?" Jaune asked as he glanced around the campus, not spotting the familiar red hair of Pyrrha Nikos. Were they late as well?
"Oh, Pyrrha said they were on their way. Though... we have to actually leave now Jaune." He turned to look at Tawny who shrugged her shoulders, walking over to one of the bullheads across the grounds.
"Good luck, Jaune."
"T-thanks, I'll need it." Ruby tugged the sleeve of his uniform and dragged him over to the rest of her team, skipping in excitement.
"Before we leave guys, I'll need your team code that was assigned to you after initiation – Do you have it Ruby?" He looked down into her silver eyes and was met with a blank stare, the young girl twiddling her fingers.
"Team code?" Yang asked in disbelief. He watched as they exchanged glances, appearing stumped by the question – even Blake looked oblivious.
"0583," Weiss muttered, "That's our team code." Jaune would have snickered quietly if Weiss didn't glare in his direction. Her stare alone could eviscerate his insides – but he wasn't surprised that the heiress was the only one to memorize their team code. She came off as very studious.
"Why do you need our team code?" Blake asked, amber eyes filled with curiosity as her bow twitched again. He never really her slit irises before that were akin to a cat. They were somewhat mesmerizing.
"For the medical staff at Beacon," he began to explain, "We use codes on emergency communications for certain injuries or conditions of the team." He poured hours into textbooks learning the numerous call-signs, though he prayed nothing serious would happen on the mission.
"Enough wasting time, the pilot just signaled us." A grumble left from Ruby as they all boarded the bullhead. Jaune hefted his bag onto the cabin and took another look at Beacon as it lifted in the air, a cool breeze whisking against his cheeks. He was proud to call the academy his second home.
For all her strength, Weiss, was finding it difficult to keep her distance from Jaune Arc. Yang was already giving her a displeased look, the blonde's arms folded as she sat next to Jaune. He was jotting down notes in a small pad, mumbling under his breath. The bumbling medic appeared more exuberant than yesterday – someone must have filled him with words of encouragement, probably Yang or Ruby if not one of the professors. She would stay aloof to his presence and only speak if necessary.
The mission was transparent enough; patrol some of the common routes outside the walls and eliminate any Grimm they stumbled upon. Not surprising, considering both schools were using this joint exercise as a testing ground for future collaborations. Headmaster Ozpin had described it as such, though this wasn't the first time they tried this little experiment. The thought was somewhat terrifying, each year the potential number of students at risk increasing. She would have to ask Coco, of team CFVY about their own experience.
Weiss stole another glance at Jaune, his eyes shut as he gripped his knees firmly. She noticed his lips contort in displeasure every few seconds as the turbulence rocked against the bullhead. Was he suffering from motion sickness? By all that was holy, if Jaune Arc threw up on her... there would be nothing left to identify his corpse.
The rudders of the bullhead began to slow, and it pitched in a circle, descending upon a small clearing that was surrounded by rust-colored trees similar to Forever Fall, the entire area lit in a strange hue against the mountainous region. As their transportation landed, the force of the blades on the bullhead swept up the red leaves strewn across the ground. Accompanying the dirt was a sea of pine needles and various low hanging orange plants that swayed against the gentle breeze. The entire land was picturesque.
Heels crunched against the dead leaves as she hopped off. She pulled out Myrtenaster and inspected the chamber, and found all of her dust cartridges full. According to the pilot on the way there, a transponder would signal the location of their extraction in four hours on their scrolls. When the bullhead exited the clearing, the low chirp of birds filled her ears, all the familiar sounds of the wilderness overcoming the silence.
Blake approached her from behind and unsheathed Gambol shroud, the chain rattling against her. "Which direction is the first path?" Weiss pulled out her scroll and brushed her finger across the screen, a small map opening up that pointed west.
"Are we in that fall forest again?" Ruby inquisitively asked.
"The Forever Fall – and no, just an area that's quite similar to it." Weiss answered. It was true the forestry of both locations bared the same geology and plant life.
"Hey guys, come over here a second," Jaune called with a feeble tone. She glanced over in his direction and noticed him bent over next to a large tree.
The four of them approached as Jaune stepped aside, noticing the large claw marks that scraped against the trunk. Much of the bark was removed, and the indention itself was wide, and about the size of a human head. "What does it belong to?" She turned to look at Blake for an answer.
"Judging by the size, I think it's an Ursa Major," Jaune commented aloud. With a bit of surprise, she examined the mark closely and found it to be the most logical guess.
"That's not surprising, most of the Ursai are attracted to the sap that grows in the trees," Blake added, "Explains why there was one so close by in the Forever Fall back at the beginning of the semester." She was of course referring to the small incident with Cardin Winchester.
During the first month of school, Cardin Winchester, thought it would be appropriate to bully the second year student Velvet Scarlatina, a bunny Faunus. Needless to say, Nebula from team PNRN didn't take it kindly, interfering in their shenanigans much to CRDL's ire. Cardin tried to blackmail Nebula with the threat of revealing to everyone her past juvenile record since they were both from the same preparatory school in Mistral... it didn't go over well. Yet she rescued him from an Ursa in the Forever Fall.
What they all found more hilarious, was that supposedly the arrogant jerk developed a crush on her. As if Nebula, would ever return his advances.
"Let's make sure to be cautious then." Weiss affirmed, strutting forward with her weapon. Ruby joined her side as Yang and Blake followed suit with Jaune at the back.
It wasn't hard navigating through the dense forest, and the scenery was gorgeous to look upon. A continuous downpour of red leaves dropped from above as the branches wobbled back and forth from the wind. Her legs shivered in the early morning air as they continued to trek without any signs of Grimm habitation in the forest. She began to wonder if going on patrols as a huntress in the future would always be so trivial. Not that she wanted the Grimm to attack them.
She pulled out her scroll and checked the time – only thirty minutes or so had gone by, leaving them a grueling three and half hours left of patrolling the peaceful land. The silence was almost unbearable, which in part might be some of her fault. Weiss found it a little puzzling that Ruby hadn't sprung a random conversation onto her, the small hooded girl humming a faint tune. Why couldn't their team be assigned with team SSSN?
"H-hey Blake, how've ya been?" Jaune asked with a stutter – was he really striking up a conversation with Blake of all people. Oh how little he knew.
"Um... I'm fine Jaune, why do you ask?" the other blonde among their group turned her head with interest, a coy smile placed upon her plump lips.
"Oh, I was just wondering – you looked tired last night." Last night? When had Blake ever talked with Jaune alone? Unless her Faunus teammate snuck out again; Weiss wasn't clueless to her recent change in behavior, which no doubt was related to the White Fang.
"Whoa, whoa, last night!?" Yang laughed with a questioning stare. "Did you have a secret rendezvous with Jaune?" Yang continued to tease.
A tint of red covered Blake's cheeks as she vehemently shook her head, appalled by the suggestion. "No, of course not, I was in the library and Jaune happened to be studying there." She watched as Jaune rubbed the back of his neck, eyes shifting uncomfortably from embarrassment.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to indicate anything." A sigh left Blake as she trotted further ahead next to her and Ruby. Despite the melodrama, it was a little troubling that Blake was sneaking out to learn more about the White Fang without them. The past several days the poor girl ran herself rugged looking for clues.
"It's okay lady killer, just catch her on a better day." Yang suggested with a pat on the back. Weiss doubted that was the reason.
Weiss felt one of her heels clack on something metal, almost losing her balance. Hidden by the plethora of leaves, were railroad tracks, extending deeper into the forest. Rust corroded the metal after years of abandonment; humanity's failed attempt at traveling between kingdoms. How long did it take for the Grimm to overtake the workers? Many of them had been employees of the Schnee Dust Company... transportation was limited for only the more senior personal onsite, which only lead to more deaths.
The metal beneath her feet was yet another reminder of her family's sordid past. There was so much work to be done within the company once her Father decides to step down, and with Winter a specialist in the Atlas military, the responsibility fell onto her shoulders. But she was willing to bear it, knowing all too well the atrocities the Faunus particularly suffered at the hands of the company. Becoming a huntress was the first step of many to gaining the position as CEO.
In Jaune's case, he was quite fortunate to not endure the weight of responsibility that came with inheriting so much prestige. Then again, his reputation took a blow, becoming practically disowned in the eyes of many – she almost couldn't imagine the humiliation of being turned away by your own family. They both shared so much in common, yet fate would not allow them to interact.
It was somewhat a pity.
"Stop," Blake announced, "Everyone listen." Weiss perked up her ears and concentrated on the sounds around her.
A few meters away, a low growl sounded in the distance. She watched as Blake carefully approached the source of the noise, her grip tightening on the handle of Gambol Shroud. Weiss followed behind and folded back a few stranded leaves from a bush to see not just one Ursa, but a pack surrounding a large Ursa Major that was missing one eye. The creatures black fur was tinted gray in some areas, hinting at its age as it let out a low guttural sound to another pair of Grimm in its path.
The white bone-like plates covered its back and arms, while its face bore a large scar running down its right eye. They were successful in finding their first pack of Grimm to hunt down, but the sheer numbers of the Ursa and possible strength of the Major left them in a delicate situation. If they were to survive, the pack would need to be separated.
"What do you suggest," she whispered, "I don't see us taking that Ursa Major down with that pack surrounding it." Blake nodded, and signaled for her to pedal back to the rest of their group – easier said than done of course.
"What did you guys find?" Ruby asked with concern, her silver eyes taking a stern look as compared to the brightness they exuberated an hour ago.
"A pack of Ursa... and an old Ursa Major."
"Old, like a grandpa?" Yang asked with a chuckle.
"Does their age signify anything of importance? I haven't gotten that far yet in my studies about the Grimm," Jaune admitted, pulling out a small book from his bag that read: Grimm Biology and History, on the cover.
Blake nodded again, amber eyes blinking as she chose her wording carefully. "The older a Grimm is, the more powerful and wise it becomes. There are experts who believe that some species of Grimm have lived for hundreds of years in packs." An audible gulp escaped from Jaune.
"So what's the game plan then?" Yang cracked her knuckles, an excited gleam appearing in her lilac eyes.
"The wise decision, would be to try and separate the pack and engage them. Everyone should try and avoid the Ursa Major if possible." Weiss explained, as an approval of nods came from her team.
"Who should I go with?" Jaune asked. It was a valid question, however she prayed that her team wouldn't pair them up – at this point Ruby would be preferable.
A growl erupted from behind them and Weiss froze as she saw an Ursa throw back its arm and slamm its paw where Ruby was sitting. If not for her partner's semblance, Ruby, would have been dead. She leapt forward and thrust Myrtenaster into the beast's stomach, hurling it against the ground and onto its back, where it disintegrated.
"Spread out!" Blake shouted as more Ursa came running forward. Gambol Shroud's chain wrapped around the trunk of a nearby tree and propelled her forward, the blade cutting through three or four of them. Limbs fell onto the ground, the Grimm's blood blending with the red leaves.
"How did they sneak up on us!?" Weiss complained as she lit up a glyph, creating a wall of ice that separated a group of Ursa from her and Blake.
"The sap they were eating," Blake uttered as she landed next to her, "I didn't realize it was so strong – I feel stupid." A lone Ursa charged forward, only for Blake to sidestep it, bringing up Gambol Shroud into its neck.
The ice shattered as more Ursa clambered toward them, spit dripping from their fangs as they roared in succession. Blasts collided with the creatures as Yang unloaded Ember Celica from behind, while Ruby stayed in the corner shielding Jaune from any danger. She could see the horrified expression on his face, his shaking eyes adjusting to the sight of the Grimm – people say that witnessing them up close stripped away a little of someone's innocence.
"This isn't too hard!" Yang gleefully yelled as she pummeled an Ursa in the face, its neck twisting from the impact.
"More are coming!" Ruby warned. Weiss turned around and noticed more of the pack arriving, their numbers beyond what they originally thought. It was rare for so many Grimm to congregate together, even if a part of the same genus.
Blake shot off a couple of rounds and rushed forward, engaging some of the Ursa with quick consecutive slashes, the edge of the blade twisting against the plates as it tore through the flesh like butter. Weiss could definitely attest to Blake's skill as a warrior – her movements were graceful, and yes even cat-like in a sense. Yet the more she cut down, even more replaced them, the Ursa coming in endless waves.
"Freezerburn!" Ruby shouted as she bisected an Ursa trying to advance on her and Jaune's position.
Weiss pointed Myrtenaster at the ground, a large glyph forming over it as the branches and dead leaves froze over. Yang hopped across an Ursa and unload a round of Ember Celica while punching the ground, the impact creating a mist in the forest. Confused growls filled the silence, and everyone took the opportunity to spread out. Whilst everything was encompassed, she could make out their beady little red eyes.
"This way," Jaune called out. "We can cover more ground over here!" Weiss followed his voice with the others, hoping that the mist would give them enough time to recoup – until a paw reached out and brushed against her arm.
The Grimm's claws scraped her sleeve, ripping it into pieces as she stumbled forward. Two Ursa towered over her, and she lifted up her hand to cast a glyph at their feet, ice rising from the ground and freezing them. Blake lifted her up, and they continued their pace away from the horde of Grimm. The ground began to tremble as the Ursa Major began to step forward, its lumbering appearance casting a large silhouette in the background. Was she mistaken... or was it an Ursa King? They were top of the hierarchy for the Ursai, and were extremely rare.
"We can't face that!" Weiss almost stuttered.
"Ice Flower!" Ruby shouted again. Ruby crouched on the ground as Yang and Jaune ran past her, leaving Weiss the chance to cast a glyph on Crescent Rose.
The sniper rounds were cast as long-ranged freezing bullets to slow their enemies down. A wise choice on Ruby's part; the barrage allowed them to gain some distance as the mist began to clear. But they just kept coming... the Grimm weren't letting up, and their numbers didn't seem to decrease. She was beginning to think that Beacon Academy was unaware of how deep the Ursai had planted themselves into the forest. Surely the Headmaster of Beacon wouldn't be so careless.
In another last ditch effort, Weiss, cast another wide glyph above the Grimm, and a shower of ice shards rained down from above, impaling some of the creatures.
Any chance of reprieve was put to rest as the Ursa King let out a massive war cry, the roar sending vibrations through the forest. The giant Grimm charged forward with other Ursa following behind, knocking over trees and boulders that stood in its way. Everyone panicked, and in a split second decision Weiss activated a glyph under everyone's feet to increase their speed. The Ursa King clawed at the ground in front of them, upending the earth as piles of debris flew at them.
Both Yang and Blake exchanged blows with the Grimm, attacking it from all sides. The Ursa King appeared unfazed as it knocked away the projectiles like pellets. The colossal beast grabbed Blake's chain and hurled her to the left against a tree, Yang fleeing to check on her. Her partner finally decided to join the fray, spinning Crescent Rose against its back to no effect. Its armor was too thick for a one-on-one battle.
The Ursa King growled in annoyance and uprooted another tree, flinging it toward the middle and separating them. Jaune dived to the right next to her, covering his head from the falling cobbles of dirt.
"Ruby!" Weiss shouted.
Before she could regroup with the others, several Ursa climbed over the trunk and leapt forward. Weiss pirouetted and sliced off one of their heads, freezing the other two with a quick glyph. They had to run – the Ursa were surrounding them from all sides, and it was impossible to take on the King without a viable strategy. She didn't even notice the trickle of blood running down her arm.
Everyone run and regroup later!" Weiss again yelled, casting another set of glyphs under her and Jaune's feet. And then she ran, not looking back as more of the Grimm huddled together, obstructing her view of the Ursa King. They began to pursue her with an unfettered hunger in their blood-red eyes – Jaune was behind her, thankfully keeping pace thanks to her glyph; otherwise he would be dead.
There was no telling how long she ran, her bosom rising up and down as she panted. Her breathing became labored and she finally decided to collapse on her knees. Myrtenaster dropped from her fingers, the nails covered in dirt as she wiped her brow of sweat. Adrenaline rushed through her circular system, the sensation of fear so surreal – Weiss never felt so helpless before, years of training unable to assist her against such an indestructible creature.
"Weiss, are you alright?!" She lifted her head up and looked to see the scraggly blonde in her presence. How of all people Jaune became stranded in the forest with her, she would never know – but it wasn't ideal.
"I'm fine," she panted, "Nothing some rest won't help-" Weiss was interrupted when from the bushes, an Ursa crashed into a tree next to Jaune.
"Move you dimwit!" Weiss cast a glyph on the tree, ice spreading over the Grimm's body as it snarled at them. She cast another one under her feet to propel her forward with Myrtenaster, thrusting the rapier at its heart. To her surprise, the Ursa broke free and charged, the tip of the blade piercing its heart in the process.
The momentum of the Ursa's body pushed atop her small petite frame, both of them collapsing onto the ground. Her leg twisted to the side in an unusual angle, and she moaned in pain, trying to crawl out from under the Grimm. As its body dissipated and she became free, Weiss looked down at her ankle to see a piece of bone sticking out. The pain hit her instantly, a burning sensation coursing through her body, writhing in reaction as blood poured from the open wound.
"Weiss, calm down," Jaune barked, rushing over with his bag and setting it on the ground next to her. She wanted to protest, but any thought of Jaune was pushed to the side by the unbearable spasm in her leg. "Stop moving, I can't have you apply any unnecessary pressure on the ankle!"
With great reluctance, Weiss obliged. Jaune pulled out a bottle from his bag and applied it to a swab, cleaning the wound as she let out a shriek of discomfort. He grabbed a rag and gently wrapped it around her ankle, and then pulled out a roll of tape to cover it. "W-what's wrong?" She struggled to say.
"Stay here, I'll be right back." Uncertain of what to think, Weiss watched as Jaune retreated into the forest, sifting through a pile of branches and wood, until he found two pieces that could act as a splint.
Jaune came back over and sat the wood on each side of her leg and pulled out another strip of tape. He applied the pieces on both sides of her ankle and set the splint – although the pain still remained. He put all of the supplies away, except for a small pill bottle with a red label on it; Jaune poured two of the pills onto his palm and outstretched his hand. "You need to take these... to alleviate the pain."
Pain medication, of course. "I'll be fine once my aura kicks in." Jaune didn't flinch, placing the bottle onto the ground next to her.
"Even when your aura returns, the pain won't subside – you're ankle is fractured, it needs to be treated at the medical wing in beacon." The once dopey expression on the blonde's face was replaced with one of conviction. His blue eyes were narrowed, glancing down at her injury.
"I said, I'm fine," Weiss attempted to stand up, but once she felt weight on her left leg, an excruciating sensation shot through her body. How did this even happen?
From the bottomless bag of Jaune's, Weiss saw him pull out two black metal pieces that hooked together and formed a makeshift crutch. "Use this – do you have any way of contacting Ruby and the others?"
She nodded, and pulled out her scroll... her busted scroll. Weiss couldn't describe the experience of being powerless – how could she have used up all of her aura so quickly during the battle? She was usually so careful, but the presence of the Ursa King frightened her. The situation was dire; Jaune and she were stranded in the forest alone without a means to battle any Grimm if they were assaulted. If her Father ever found out about what just transpired, her life would be over.
There you go another thrilling chapter, at least I think so anyway. By the way I do read everyone's reviews, so please keep them up if you're willing to do so. So, Jaune is not a combat medic, and to be honest, that was never my intention – apologies if that is upsetting.
Like I said before, the Grimm will be more of the threat in this story as compared my other ones, and don't be alarmed if I decide to come up with new Grimm types. Ursa King is obviously made up.
In other news, Dracohalo 117 and I are collaborating on a story that I hope you will all find exciting. Check out his work on the site if you haven't yet.