AWOO, MUTHAFUCKAS! This Werewolf Friday, our heroes begin a fight against a far more dangerous enemy than any vampire or werewolf: stupid people.

Enjoy!

It quickly became clear that repairing the walls surrounding Obsidian was of paramount importance, ahead even of preparing the silver mines. The reason: angry, angry humans and Faunus from other towns.

"For the thousandth time, you aren't getting in unless you leave all Dust at the gate," Brawnz was saying in a bored voice to yet another Huntsman who was very obviously hoping to get a shot at "saving" Obsidian from the corrupting influence of werewolves.

The Huntsman scowled, pointing his sword at Brawnz. "Fine. Why don't you come to your senses and send those beasts out here?"

The archers on the wall all drew back the strings of their bows.

After a moment of looking around, the Huntsman cursed and sheathed his sword. "I'll be back. This hellish stain won't be here much longer."

"Funny. The vampires thought the same thing," Brawnz said brightly. "Have a nice day!" His smile faded as the Huntsman went down the path and back into the woods. "This is going to be trouble," he muttered.

"That wasn't good."

Brawnz jumped a little, turning around to see Sun standing nearby. "Don't do that!" He ran a hand through his hair. "And no. It's not good. It won't be long before whole patrols are coming here."

Sun sighed, shaking his head. "You'd think the fact that we haven't mauled you guys and helped kill a coven of evil vampires would be enough to convince people that we're the good guys."

"Some are convinced," Brawnz noted. "More people have been coming into town despite the stories. And no one here has threatened you guys, unless there's something you're not telling me."

"No threats," Sun promised. "A few looks from people who don't totally trust us, but that's it."

"That's something, at least. By the way, how is Leader Pyrrha? I haven't been able to visit the infirmary for a few days."

"She's been sleeping a lot," Sun said. "The burns are healing, but I think the scars will stay. Winter's gonna be tough, since her fur in those spots won't ever grow back."

"Maybe we can make a cloak or something for her," Brawnz said, then let out a laugh. "Imagine a giant wolf wearing a cloak."

Sun grinned. "If anyone can pull the look off, she can." He turned back toward the town. "I'll see you when it's my turn to help keep watch. Keep up the good work."

Brawnz nodded. "I will." It's the least I can do, after all.

Elsewhere in town, Pyrrha was feeling uncharacteristically grouchy. She was clad in a light tunic and baggy pants. The backs of her feet were loosely bandaged, making slow movement necessary. Her hand instinctively moved to scratch at her peeling, itchy back, only for her wrist to be grabbed yet again.

"What do I keep saying about that?" Jaune asked sternly.

Pyrrha let out a growl, then quickly bit her lip. "I'm sorry. It's just incredibly annoying."

Jaune nodded sympathetically. "I don't doubt it, but just try to resist scratching. We were really lucky that you didn't get a horrible infection while on that mountain. I'd rather not tempt fate twice."

Despite the persistent itch, Pyrrha chuckled. "I think we've gone far over just two times, Jaune."

"All the more reason to be careful," Jaune said firmly. He brushed his lips against Pyrrha's cheek, hoping to distract her a little. He hated that she had to go through such discomfort. "Come on. You endured the worst injury I've ever seen, killed vampires, and fought the scariest Grimm known to man. Don't tell me an itch will be the thing to defeat the great Leader Pyrrha." He flashed a grin, relieved when she laughed again.

They walked around town for a little while. As they did, they passed several groups consisting of humans, Faunus, and werewolves. Ruby and Ferron were with the local blacksmith. Ruby was inquiring whether werewolf-specific weapons could be made, while Ferron was beginning his apprenticeship at the shop. Several of the betas were mingling with the Huntsmen along the wall. Scarlet and Sage were playing with Argent and his friends in the streets. It was honestly everything Pyrrha could have hoped for.

She smiled, her itch temporarily forgotten as Argent's ball landed near her feet. She picked it up and tossed it back to him, loving the bright smile on his young face. She couldn't help but imagine him playing with a bunch of werewolf pups.

Probably not a good idea, she realized. Pups tend to bite.

She knew that her pack would have at least one litter of pups in the next year. Flynt and Neon had told her that they were determined to have them at last, and Pyrrha had been all too happy to give her blessing. That was something she missed from her days with Cinder's pack: playing with the new pups as they grew. There hadn't been too many litters in the past few years. Maybe that would change once this was all over.

Glancing at Jaune, she felt her cheeks reddening. Would they have pups, or would they wait a year? She had no doubt at this point that they would be mates, either way. After all they had gone through, she couldn't imagine being with anyone else. It felt like it didn't even need to be said aloud, though she suspected that she would need to talk with him in detail about it soon.

Jaune, meanwhile, couldn't stop thinking about Vale. Seeing Obsidian recovering only reminded him of his home and what it was like before this whole mess started. Not that he regretted certain parts of it, like meeting Pyrrha. Still, he kept wondering what his family was doing. Had his parents decided that he was probably dead? How were his sisters reacting? He thought of the younger ones, and breathed a sigh.

Pyrrha noticed and gently squeezed his hand. "We'll get back," she murmured. "I'll make sure of it."

Jaune nodded, gripping her hand firmly in his. "I know." Honestly, looking at Pyrrha made him think that anything was possible. She was so confident and determined, even when the odds were against them. Even when the vampires' victory had seemed certain, she hadn't hesitated to keep fighting. Just one glance at those shining green eyes and that self-assured smile was enough to make Jaune feel braver than anyone.

Then, she would turn in his direction and give him that special smile that was just for him, reminding him that he was probably the luckiest man alive.

He looked at her covered back, hoping that her werewolf healing could work a little faster. He desperately wanted to hug her again. Though she was the most incredible person he'd ever met, he knew that she also needed as much comfort as he could give. She was only human, after all.

Well, he corrected himself. She's technically not, but the idea still applies.

After a short walk, the two returned to the infirmary. It was totally empty by this point. Everyone who had been injured during the battles with the Grimm and the vampires had been healed enough to leave. Pyrrha had the absolute worst injury of anyone.

As she had done for the previous few nights, Pyrrha removed her tunic and turned her back to Jaune, who rubbed a special, clear cream on her back. It had come from Roman's cart and was from a plant called aloe vera. It soothed Pyrrha's burnt skin and slowed the peeling. While Jaune was rubbing it in, she was granted temporary relief from the itching.

When Jaune was done, he scooted away, carefully avoiding looking at Pyrrha. She needed to keep her shirt off for a while after the aloe vera was applied. If clothes were put back on right away, there was a chance they would stick and then cause the skin to peel more in the morning.

Pyrrha rolled her eyes. "Jaune, you've seen me several times now."

"Still trying to be a gentleman, here!" Jaune said, keeping his gaze fixed on the wall. "I know that ship has sailed by now, but let me pretend."

Pyrrha chuckled, then got a particularly mischievous idea. Glancing around to make sure they were truly alone, she moved up to Jaune until she was right behind him. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed the side of his neck. She tugged his tunic's collar to the side so she could lightly run her finger along his collarbone. She felt his back stiffen. "Should I stop?" she asked, ready to pull back if he said yes.

"J-Just don't bite," Jaune stammered, closing his eyes as Pyrrha tugged on his collar a little more and pressed a hot, breathy kiss to the curve between his shoulder and neck. Oh Dust, oh Dust, oh Dust! He bit his lip as her hand started moving in agonizingly slow circles on his chest and abdomen. If she went any lower…

Then, abruptly, she moved back. She heard her human make a strangled noise in his throat, and smirked.

Jaune looked over his shoulder. His face was really hot, as was the rest of his body. "Uh, you didn't have to stop."

"I know," Pyrrha said. "But, at least now, I'm not the only one with an itch I can do nothing about."

Jaune blinked a few times, processing that statement, then let out an outraged huff. "You- That- I-" He turned away, folding his arms and pouting. "You are a very mean person."

Pyrrha laughed. "I told you I'd show you the werewolf method of flirting, didn't I?"

"If that's how werewolves flirt, I think I know why the church paints you all as looking so grouchy."

Pyrrha moved close to Jaune again, resting her head on his shoulder. She could see the flush on his cheeks and the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth that told her he wasn't actually angry with her. "What if I promise to make it up to you once this is all over?"

Jaune raised an eyebrow, a grin quickly overcoming his pout. "How so?"

Pyrrha winked cheekily. "Use your imagination."

"I don't know," Jaune said, his grin widening. "I have a pretty good imagination."

Pyrrha brushed her lips against his ear, causing him to shiver. "Good," she purred. "So do I."

…

Qrow was camping near one of the paths. He was just one town away from Obsidian. If he traveled without stopping, he'd be there in less than two days. There was no doubt that that town was meant to be his destination.

The closer he got to Obsidian, the more rumors he heard about an apparent alliance between the humans of the town and a pack of werewolves. Some said that the humans were bewitched. Some said that there were vampires keeping everyone in line through mind control. Some said that the werewolves had been tamed to the point of being walked around on leashes like dogs.

Qrow didn't know what to believe, but he was convinced that he would learn what had happened to his nieces there, one way or another. If not, he'd just keep wandering in a drunken haze until he found something else.

He wasn't sure what he was hoping or expecting to find. Was it really possible that a group of werewolves had made friends with humans? The very idea was insane. They were damned creatures incapable of thought or compassion, after all.

Even if they weren't, it wasn't like Qrow would get a happy reunion with his nieces, not after he had tried to kill Ruby and most likely killed Weiss.

A new smell distracted him from his gloomy thoughts. He stood up, sniffing the air. There was another camp set up nearby. Whoever was there was brewing coffee. This late at night? Taking his scythe, he walked through the trees toward the campsite, announcing himself when he got close.

"Hey. Huntsman Qrow approaching. Who's there?"

"Bartholomew, though you can call me Barty if you wish. Most people do," a clipped, slightly hyperactive voice replied.

Qrow stepped into the firelight. A man was sitting by a fire, tending to a kettle. His hair was a dark green color, and was very unkempt. He was wearing spectacles, a rare thing in this area, and a scarf around his neck in spite of the hot weather.

He smiled at Qrow. "I've seen you in the other towns. Heading to Obsidian too, yes?"

"Yeah, that's right," Qrow said. "The rumors aren't scaring you off?"

"On the contrary, I'm quite fascinated." Barty smiled as he poured himself a cup. "Would you like some?"

"Nah, I use this to keep me warm," Qrow said, patting his flask. "So, you a scholar or something?"

"In a way," Barty allowed. "I like to travel from place to place learning what I can. It's a never-ending hunger of the brain. Any knowledge is quite thrilling, and this idea of humans and werewolves peacefully inhabiting the same space is the most tantalizing thing I've heard in a long time."

"Do you really think they're at peace?" Qrow asked. "Doesn't seem possible."

"Nothing seems possible before it happens for the first time," Barty said, taking a sip of his coffee. "You know, it may benefit us to travel together. I know a thing or two about healing, in case you get into a scuffle. And you can keep me safe from any Grimm. Since we're already going in the same direction, it makes perfect sense."

Qrow frowned. "I won't be stopping much."

"Good, good. Speedy arrival to the destination. Just my style." Barty grinned.

Qrow considered it for a moment. He did just have a day's worth of travel, and he'd hate to hear that this weird scholar-type got eaten or something on the way to Obsidian. "Eh. I guess I can give an escort. Huntsman code of honor, and all that."

"Splendid!" Barty paused, tilting his head. "It just occurred to me: You should probably gather whatever else is at your campsite. There are a lot of wild animals in the area, and we have been sitting here for a few minutes already."

Qrow groaned. "Shit…" Quickly, he got up and ran to his campsite where, of course, some coyotes were nosing at his bags. "Hey! Shoo!" He waved his hands at the animals, which retreated with sullen growls.

He returned to Barty with his gear, grinning wryly. "Good call. The coyotes were just planning out their party."

"They do like to do that," Barty chuckled. "I'm used to camping, so animal behavior is pretty well-known to me."

"Seems a bit dangerous without a weapon."

"Oh, I'm very handy," Barty assured him. "And I'm a fast runner. Never had a Grimm catch me unaware, knock on wood." He tapped the log he was sitting on with his fist.

"I've lived in a town most of my life. Used to go to different places, but had to stick around when Huntsmen became more needed." Qrow took a drink from his flask. "Guess it made me soft."

"What town are you from?"

"Small place called Vale," Qrow said. "You ever hear of it?"

"Yes, actually." Barty frowned. "I heard that there is quite a large werewolf population. Why would one of its Huntsmen be so far away?"

Qrow sighed. "That's a pretty long story."

Barty refilled his cup. "I like long stories. If you're not tired, do start from the beginning."

"I'm gonna be needing this." Qrow took a second flask from his bag before sitting back. "It started during the spring, when there was this huge werewolf attack on Vale…"

I hope the Arkos fans are enjoying the fanservice. I felt you deserved it after all the emotional crap I put you through. You're welcome.

Oobleck kinda snuck into this while I was writing, and I didn't complain. I love the guy so much! Whenever he speaks, I just hear a very intelligent Caboose, and it's freaking awesome!

If you like what you see and want to show extra support in exchange for rewards, my P/atreon is Solora Goldsun.

For writing tips, prompts, top 10 lists, and fandom rants from yours truly, check out my blog at soloragoldsun dot wordpress dot com.

Peace out!