Posted 3/11/2018

Hello! After almost a year I have finally returned.

To be honest I forgot all about this fanfic. Had things pop up and it just got pushed back in my mind until it vanished.

Now before you go on and start reading I suggest you go back and re-read the first chapters.

Why? Because I re-wrote everything from the ground up. While the story hasn't changed drastically, it's different enough to cause some confusion if you just start here.

Enjoy!

Jaune collapsed onto his back, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. It felt like his heart was going to explode. No, he was sure it was exploding. He struggled to raise his head and gasped, "P-Pyrrha...good...fight…."

His partner, who had somehow remained upright, looked at him and could only grin. She was bent over, her hands tightly gripping her knees, as she gasped for air.

They were both battered and bruised, their armor dented in various places. Their weapons lay forgotten on the forest floor.

Once he felt his breathing slow down and approach normalcy, Jaune pushed his body up and whistled as he took in their surroundings. There was hardly a tree left standing and he could not even begin to count the number of craters that now riddled the landscape. Even with two years of strict training and all his experience, it had taken him everything to keep up with his partner. Still, it was very different from how he had been.

He got up slowly and picked up his sword and shield. His shield would definitely need to be re-painted. Its face had been scoured clean. Hell, he might even leave it as is especially if they were going to continue these bouts, which he fully intended.

"Well, I should say that was a nice workout," he laughed before wincing. He definitely had a sprained rib or two. Aura was not the impervious shield that some people made it out to be. "Just maybe next time you could go easy?"

Pyrrha grinned again and walked over to him, having already recovered her weapons. A finger prodded him in the chest, as she said, "Not a chance, Jaune. That was the best fight I had in years. I'm not going to let you off so easy."

"Ack, no mercy!" Jaune cried in mock protest. He glanced up at his partner's hair and winced. "Although I don't think these bouts will be easy for your hair."

Pyrrha grimaced as she ran her fingers through her matted red hair. "I must look horrible."

Chuckling, he folded his arms and teased, "Not at all Pyrrha! You must simply tell me who does it!"

"Jerk!" Pyrrha said with a laugh while making a half-hearted swing at him. Turning her head, she surveyed the area and muttered, "We really made a mess of the place. You think anyone would notice?"

"Nope!" He made a show of looking around and continued, "I really can't tell the difference honestly. Frankly, I think it looks better than before! Who doesn't enjoy a nice barren wasteland?"

"Well at least we can come back here for our next fight and not worry about the scenery," Pyrrha said lightly as she stretched out her arms. "Mmm, I could use a shower however. And a meal."

"Or several," Jaune agreed. "Maybe we can talk Ren into making some of that famous curry of his." He could already feel his mouth salivating at the thought. You could say whatever you will about the man, but he had a magical sense when it came to cooking.

"Maybe we can invite team RWBY as well?" Pyrrha suggested as they began to walk back towards the campus. "I would imagine by the time we get back it'll almost be time for dinner."

Jaune nodded at the idea. While Beacon normally provided its students and faculty with meals during the week, the fare set out during the weekends was always quite bland. Thankfully, the school let anyone use their kitchen so long as the ones using it provided their own ingredients. The idea now set in his mind; he dialed Ren on his Scroll and quickly relayed the suggestion when his teammate picked up.

"That would be fine, Jaune," Ren answered in his ever stoic manner. "I had already made plans to do so tonight. I'm sure I can make enough for everyone."

Letting out a cheer, Jaune smiled and said, "Ren, you're the best. I'll let everyone else know." Hanging up, he then quickly set a message to Ruby and her team as few as a few others. With that taken care of, he gave nodded at Pyrrha who had been listening and together they started running, their aches forgotten.

Cardin raised his head once he heard his Scroll ring but before he could get up to check it, Velvet had already reached over and grabbed it. Sighing, he set his head back onto her lap and asked, "Who was it?"

The two of them were relaxing on the couch in team CFVY's dorm room and had been for most of the afternoon. The only other person in the room was Coco who was performing routine maintenance on her mini-gun on the kitchen table.

"It was Jaune," Velvet answered while putting his Scroll back on the stand next to the couch. "He said to he wouldn't be able to make it tonight. Something about getting curry with his team."

"Oh?" Cardin grinned wickedly. If that meant what he thought it meant then he would need to crash team JNPR's room come dinnertime. "Hey, Velv? What do you say to getting some curry as well? I know a great spot."

Before Velvet could answer, he turned his head to look at Coco who was still working diligently on her weapon. "Coco, what about you? Interested?"

Pausing in her work, Coco set down her screwdriver and tilted her sunglasses down with her index finger. For some reason the girl wore them everywhere she went, indoors and out. "Well I don't see why not. What do you think Velv?"

"I would love to," Velvet answered. "I've always wanted to see what the appeal was."

"Sounds like a plan," Coco said with a grin before returning to her work. "We had planned on takeout tonight, but getting out for a change is good too. I'll throw Fox and Yatsuhashi a text. Should we have them meet us here or in Vale, Cardin?"

"Here is fine Coco," he answered before closing his eyes. Meanwhile Velvet went back to stroking his short orange hair, her actions gentle and smoothing.

He almost felt guilty, while his girlfriend was here pampering him, his team was out in the Emerald Forest undergoing their latest training assignment with Professor Port. The jolly professor had almost been beside himself with joy when Cardin had suggested that his team join the man in one of his "expeditions." Originally, he had resigned himself on joining them but then something came up.

Cracking open an eye, he smiled up at Velvet who blushed prettily back at him. He had her to thank for getting out of listening to Port's long-winded stories.

Ah, young love, the professor had said. Fear not my young ward; your teammates shall be safe with me! Go and enjoy your springtime of youth!

He'll have to make it up to him team later. Maybe try to give them a break one weekend. He felt he owed them that much. They had so far taken everything he had thrown at them with nary a complaint.

"What are you thinking about?"

Opening his other eye, Cardin placed a hand on the side of his girlfriend's face, marveling at how soft her cheek felt. The blush that had been present flushed even darker. He felt his own cheeks start burning and said softly, "Just how beautiful you are Velvet."

Her cheeks colored even more if that was possible and she lowered her head to give him a quick peck. "Oh you..."

"Hey lovebirds!" Coco grumbled from the kitchen. "You guys want to get a room? People are trying to work here!"

Cardin winked at Velvet and shouted back, "We're already in one!"

"Smartass!"

"Oh. My. God. Ren! This. IS. AMAZING!" Nora moaned as she took another bite of the chicken curry Ren had made. Her back arced as she exclaimed, "Sooooo good!"

Meanwhile Ren just sighed as he handed doled out more servings of curry. He was glad he had made so much especially after Cardin and team CFVY had decided to crash their dorm room. Hopefully he had enough to sate their appetites.

A glance at the room showed that everyone was reacting favorably to his cooking.

Yang and Ruby had already grabbed seconds while Yatsuhashi seemed to have reached enlightenment judging by how serene the man's face was. Meanwhile Jaune and Cardin seemed to be crying as they worked their way through their own bowls.

Pyrrha in the meantime appeared to have found a new love and even Blake, normally quiet and reserved, was literally purring as she attacked her food. It was all very interesting.

"My god, this is fabulous!" Coco cried out, her trademark sunglasses forgotten on the floor as she rocketed up from her chair. "You MUST tell me the recipe!"

"Yes! I must simply have this recipe!" Weiss added in, her eyes ablaze with passion. "I'll give you whatever you want! Dust? Money? Stock in the Schnee Dust Company? Name it!"

Smiling gently, Ren refused the advances made by the two very demanding girls and instead turned to the quieter members of the room. "Are you all enjoying yourselves?" he asked, curious on their responses.

Fox nodded stoically, the man's bowl pristine as it lay in front of him. Velvet, who sat next to him, beamed. "Yes! It was simply divine! I'm glad Cardin brought me. You are quite the cook, Ren."

Ren nodded, accepting her praise. Turning back to the pot, he wasn't surprised to see that it almost empty or that Nora was chasing around the last few morsels. Next time he would account for Cardin and the others. As he started cleaning up, he heard someone knock on the door. Considering how the rest of the room's inhabitants were in various states of bliss, he decided to answer it.

"Ah, good evening, Ren," Professor Yue greeted. "How is your evening?"

Bowing, Ren answered, "Very good, Professor Yue. How may I help you?"

The professor looked past him and into the dorm room. One of his eyes raised in what seemed like confusion.

Curious, Ren turned around. He sighed wearily. It had happened again. It was the only thing wrong with his cooking. Whoever ate it always fell into what some people had dubbed 'a food coma.'

"I'm sorry Professor, but it looks like this might not be the best time."

The professor chuckled and waved his hand, dismissing the apology. "No, no. It is quite all right. In fact, I had come here due to some noise complaints lounged against your room. But seeing as how they all seem to be asleep now, we'll call that matter settled."

"Thank you, Professor."

"Oh, but Ren?"

"Yes, Professor?"

"Good luck."

Ren frowned and turned, but the man had already disappeared. It was only when he heard growling from within the room that he understood what the professor had meant.

He gulped nervously.

Comments and Criticisms are welcome.

Cheers!