Happy Friday, everyone. Here we are at Chapter 20! What will happen here, I wonder? Enjoy!
"You okay, Weiss?" Jaune asked as he led Weiss into the woods. He noticed that she was even quieter than usual, and was staring pensively at the ground.
"I'm not sure," Weiss muttered. "I just don't know what to expect."
"Well, you saw Ruby in her wolf form once, remember?"
"Yes, when we were all trying to kill her!" Weiss shook her head, gripping her saber as she instinctively looked around for any Grimm. She knew that her confused, sad emotions would be like a beacon for them, and tried to get herself under control. "What if I react badly?" She remembered how much she had trembled when seeing Sun's transformation on the night of Blake's rescue.
Jaune put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Hey, don't worry about that. Ruby says she had some pretty bad reactions to being a werewolf. She'll understand. Besides, I think you're underestimating yourself."
"I don't think so," Weiss sighed. "It seems that everyone has gotten used to Ruby and Blake being the way they are, except for me. I still cringe when I watch the other wolves eat raw meat. I still get nervous whenever their strange powers are brought up."
"You think we don't?" Jaune asked. "Basically none of us look at Flynt, Neon, or Perry directly, since they don't wear clothes. And the alpha stare does freak me out a bit. We've all reacted to stuff, but you've been overly focused on your own reactions." He coughed pointedly. "I think that certain lingering feelings for a certain human-turned-werewolf has a lot to do with that…"
Weiss waved a hand irritably at him. "That's not important."
Jaune raised a brow. "It was pretty important before Ruby got turned."
"Well, she has a new life now," Weiss replied briskly, taking a deep breath and trying to ignore the persistent stinging behind her eyes. "She has Pyrrha."
"She has-" Jaune blinked. "Wait, you think they're-?"
"Guys, we're over here!"
Ruby's voice caused both Huntsmen to turn around. A moment later, the large, shaggy, red form of Pyrrha stepped out of the trees. Her ears flicked and her tail wagged at the sight of the two. She pretended not to notice the way Weiss's hand instinctively went to the hilt of her saber. Hopefully, things will be better after this. She glanced over her shoulder and barked.
"Do I have to come out?"
Another bark.
"I can just transform back here…"
Another, firmer bark.
A pause. "Ugh, fine." The branches rustled as Ruby stepped out from behind one of the trees. Her cloak was absent, as were the rest of her usual clothes. Her cheeks were dusted with an embarrassed shade of red, and her arms were folded self-consciously across her chest.
Jaune immediately averted his gaze, looking at one of the trees to his left. He noticed Pyrrha rolling her eyes. "What? It's a human thing. I don't want to lose my chivalry badge, okay?"
Pyrrha let out an amused huff before turning her attention back to Weiss and Ruby.
Weiss felt her face warming when she saw Ruby's naked form, but she managed to keep her composure. "It's okay, Ruby," she said, her voice shaking only a little. "I know it's part of the transformation process. You don't have to be ashamed. We're the only ones here."
Ruby smiled slightly. "Th-Thanks, Weiss." She took a step forward, looked up at the moon through the trees, and took a deep breath. "Okay, I'm gonna change now."
"I'm ready," Weiss replied, though she wasn't sure if that was the truth.
The first hint of the transformation showed when Ruby looked at the sky. Weiss saw the reflection of the moon's glow in her silver eyes, turning them almost white. It was different from the way a human or Faunus's eye would catch the light. A regular eye would reflect the light. In Ruby's case, her eyes seemed to be drinking in the moon's rays.
Ruby let out a growl as she fell forward. Her teeth began lengthening and the whites of her eyes vanished. At this point, Jaune had turned around to watch, eyes wide as brown and red fur erupted across her pale skin in waves. She tossed her head, and her ears became pointed. Her nose extended into a snout as she sniffed the air. Her nails turned to claws as they dug into the ground. Finally, a bushy tail grew from the base of her spine.
Weiss watched with unblinking eyes, unable to keep her body from shaking as she witnessed the girl she loved shapeshifting into a beast in front of her. She gritted her teeth, taking deep, steadying breaths as the transformation ended.
Ruby turned to look at her with those silver eyes, which were so like and so unlike the eyes that Weiss knew so well. The whites were gone, and the shining iris surrounded a larger, wolf's pupil. For a moment, all Weiss could see was a pair of barely-familiar eyes on a monster's face.
She's still scared of me, Ruby thought, her tail drooping and her ears flattening. She looked at the ground, whining softly.
Weiss's heart sank and she felt a sharp pang of guilt. I'm just completely worthless at this, aren't I? Maybe I should just stop coming to these meetings altogether. "I'm sorry, Ruby. I'm trying." To prove it, she took a step forward and placed a hand on her friend's brow. "I'm not afraid. I promise. I'm just getting over my old instincts. I know it's you."
In response, Ruby's ears perked up again and her tail wagged hesitantly. She looked up at Weiss, a nervous smile on her muzzle.
Jaune watched the exchange, his shoulders slowly relaxing. Seeing Ruby transform had been jarring, to say the least. Yet, in many ways, it had been almost beautiful to witness.
Unlike when he had seen Sun transform before, he was actually able to appreciate the process now. Despite the sound of bones cracking and the sight of fur rapidly growing, there had been a certain pattern or poetry to the transformation. Jaune found himself wondering if Pyrrha's transformations were similar, or if every werewolf had a different way of changing.
He turned to look at her, only to see those green eyes already regarding him. He felt his face grow warm for some reason. "We should probably let them be," he muttered.
Pyrrha nodded and led the way into the trees. The initial shock has passed. The rest is up to those two. She couldn't keep a slight grin from her face. It looked like Jaune wasn't put off by it at all. He really is something special.
Weiss looked over her shoulder at the retreating form of Jaune, and then back at Ruby. Those silver eyes were looking inquisitively up at her. Cautiously, she started combing her fingers through her friend's fur, going from her brow and down the back of her neck.
Ruby closed her eyes at the pleasant sensation of Weiss's cool, slender fingers, making a low rumbling sound in the back of her throat.
Weiss froze when she heard Ruby growl. "Sorry. Did that hurt?"
Ruby blinked and shook her head rapidly. Oh no! She thought I was growling at her! I'd never do that!
"Oh." Weiss paused. "Wait, was that…like a cat's purr?"
Ruby yipped and nodded, letting out a sigh of relief that Weiss understood so quickly. She wagged her tail, hoping to look as non-threatening as possible.
"Okay." A tentative smile came to Weiss's face. Cautiously, she reached out again, this time scratching gently behind one of Ruby's pointed ears. Now that she was calmer, she was able to appreciate the rough, coarse feeling of the outer layers of fur, and how they contrasted with the softer layers beneath.
Ruby's tail started wagging harder and she leaned her head against Weiss's side, rumbling contentedly.
Weiss looked down at Ruby, her smile widening as she looked at the content expression on her friend's lupine face. She's acting just like a puppy, she realized. I mean, she always acted like one before, but this is just ridiculous.
It was also undeniably adorable.
Kneeling down, Weiss brought up her other hand to scratch under Ruby's chin while still rubbing behind her ear. When her friend's foot started thumping on the ground, she couldn't help but let out a giggle.
Hearing Weiss's laugh, Ruby barked and lunged forward, gently headbutting her in the chest. She jumped back, crouching playfully while wagging her tail.
Weiss blinked before bursting out laughing. "You're still immature, even as a wolf," she remarked, standing up and ruffling the fur on top of Ruby's head. "Honestly, with that puppy act, I don't think you even need an alpha stare."
Ruby's face grew warm under her fur and she looked at the ground bashfully. Part of her was glad that she had an excuse to be silent. Another part desperately wanted to say so many things in that moment. She almost considered turning back into her human form to say them.
Then, her ears twitched as the sound of running paws caught her attention. She stiffened, standing on her hind legs and looking around, nose twitching. Her eyes widened as she recognized the scent. Cinder!
"Ruby, what is it?" Weiss asked, lowering the pitch of her voice as she drew her saber. "Is it Grimm?"
Ruby shook her head while trying to figure out where Cinder was going.
"Werewolves?"
Ruby nodded. Then, her blood went cold as she figured out just where Cinder was running. Her eyes fell on the spot where Jaune and Pyrrha had left.
Weiss followed Ruby's gaze and gasped when she realized what was happening. "We need to warn them!"
Ruby shook her head and turned toward Weiss, giving her a firm push in the direction of the village. At Weiss's hurt expression, she pointed to her feet and whined. I'm faster. And we can't be seen together. Please understand.
Weiss relaxed, nodding reluctantly. "You're right. You'll be faster without me. I'm not running away, though. I'll wait here. Hurry!"
Ruby nodded before turning and rushing into the woods, hoping desperately that she wouldn't be too late.
…
Pyrrha and Jaune gravitated toward the wastelands as they walked, both keeping their eyes and ears open for any sign of Grimm or other werewolves.
"It looks like things will be okay," Jaune said, speed-walking so that he wouldn't fall too far behind. "Once Weiss gets over the shock, there shouldn't be a problem."
Pyrrha let out a whuff of agreement, pausing to allow Jaune to catch up. She nudged his arm in a comforting gesture and slowed her pace a little.
When they neared the field, however, Pyrrha's fur bristled and she let out a growl. Her nose twitched as the scent of Grimm flooded her senses. She barked once at Jaune before bounding ahead, baring her fangs in preparation for a fight.
She broke through the trees to see Flynt, Neon, and Perry fighting against two Nevermores. She roared in anger. Get out of my territory, birds!
The first Nevermore was on the ground, trying to grab at a nimbly-dodging Neon. Flynt was running as fast as he could to avoid the feathers from the other one, which was high up in the air. Perry was darting back and forth, swiping at the Nevermore on the ground and quickly running back and finding a new spot to strike.
Pyrrha chose to run toward the grounded Nevermore, sensing that it was already wounded. With a mighty leap, she landed on its back and sank her fangs into the back of its neck, shaking her head fiercely.
Jaune, meanwhile, was just crossing the field. He locked his gaze on the flying Nevermore as he reached into his bag to withdraw a sling. He also withdrew a small, sealed Dust canister. The ball-shaped item was made of very thin glass, which shattered when it hit an enemy, showering it with Dust.
"Flynt, I'm using Dust. Get clear!" Jaune shouted, loading the canister into the sling. It was pale blue, signifying ice. This should slow it down.
Flynt bolted to the side and, once he seemed far enough away, Jaune swung the sling around his head a few times before letting loose. The glass twinkled in the moonlight, then shattered across the beast's feathers, freezing one of its wings solid.
Jaune wasted no time in closing the distance between him and his quarry, and driving his sword through the creature's neck. The Nevermore squawked weakly, and then vanished.
Over by the others, the landed Nevermore met a similar fate as Pyrrha's jaws crunched down one final time. She turned toward Jaune as he stepped back from his battle, and her eyes glittered in admiration. He underestimates himself. He's a much better fighter than he thinks.
There was only a moment of silence before a pained yelp sapped away any sense of victory. Flynt was on the ground, one of his arms twitching spastically.
Jaune felt himself grow as cold as the ice Dust and ran over. No, no, no. Please no. He gasped when he drew close.
Flynt's right arm was a bloody mess. A small sprinkling of pale blue Dust was matted in his gray and black fur. A sizzling sound rose from wherever the cold substance touched.
This is bad. I need to stop it before it spreads, or he's dead! Jaune knelt on the ground, barely aware of the distress behind him.
Neon, upon seeing her mate's injury, started to lunge toward Jaune, only to be stopped by a snarling Pyrrha. She crouched down, ready to attack the red wolf if necessary.
Pyrrha shook her head and whined softly. Give him a chance. He can help.
Neon's ears were flat against her head and her fangs were bared. She tried once more to dart around Pyrrha, but the bigger wolf pinned her easily to the ground.
Perry tried to run over, but a sharp glare from Pyrrha was enough to stop him.
Jaune, meanwhile, withdrew his flask and poured the mixture of water and wine within over the wound, paying careful attention to the spots where the Dust was matted. "Move over after I do this, so you don't get any more on you."
Flynt obeyed. He was in so much pain, he didn't have the will to do much else.
Jaune moved with him, taking a clean strip of cloth from his bag and wrapping it tightly around the spot where the wounds ended. Once that was done, he withdrew a small jar of cream that was supposed to be used to stop accidental Dust fires by deactivating the substance. He smeared all of it over Flynt's arm, praying silently that this would work.
Flynt's breathing grew slower as the sound of sizzling flesh ceased. He blinked down at his arm. It still hurt terribly, but the poisonous Dust was no longer there. He stared at Jaune, wonder in his eyes. So, this is what humans can do. They can bring you from the brink of death…
Jaune let out a heavy sigh. "Thank goodness." He took some bandages out and carefully wrapped Flynt's arm. "Be careful on that. Wash off the cream in the morning, and put on a disinfectant salve I'll give you. It should be fine in a few days." He smiled shakily at the werewolf. "I'm glad that worked. I never would've been able to live with myself if you'd died."
He really means that, Flynt thought as he eyed the strange, kindly human. He was still getting used to the fact that the white-haired one had cared enough to craft a map for him and the others. Now, this one was showing remorse for causing him harm, and had just saved him from the most deadly substance known to any werewolf.
He looked at Jaune's stained hands. He has no open wounds, so doing this won't change him. Yet, I feel that he would have done this, even if there had been wounds.
Pyrrha smiled at Jaune before turning to Neon. She stepped forward and licked the smaller wolf apologetically between the ears, then stepped aside.
Neon immediately ran over to Flynt, nuzzling his neck while whimpering. She glanced at Jaune, unsure if she still wanted to scratch him.
Jaune bowed his head. "I'm very sorry that happened. Please forgive me." A thought occurred to him. "Before you three leave, I'll give you some jars of the salve. That way, you can heal any other Dust wounds you might get."
This was enough to sway Neon in the human's favor. Her ears went back up and she barked once, nodding her head eagerly.
Before they could get too comfortable, however, Perry suddenly grew stiff and let out an urgent yip.
Pyrrha turned her head in the direction he was looking, and her heart sank.
Standing just at the edge of the woods by the wasteland, fangs bared, eyes wide, followed by several alphas and betas, was the red and gold form of Cinder.
Maybe I should stop torturing you guys with cliffhangers… HA! Like that'll ever happen. The next arc of this tale has officially begun, and just in time for Volume 4. I'd like to ask a favor to anyone reviewing over the next few days. I'm not a sponsor, and will be avoiding the internet like the plague between Saturday and Sunday. Just the same, please don't put spoilers in any reviews. I'd really appreciate it.
Until next week, peace out!