Awoo, everybody! It's Werewolf Friday yet again! Good news: I have the rest of the story outlined! Unless the chapters end up spacing out differently, we'll be done by chapter 87. Thirteen weeks, folks. After that, I'm going to be making some changes.

The unfortunate truth is that posting twice on a weekly basis has been incredibly draining for me. Between this and my two jobs, I've had no time to work on any of my original projects. My P/atreon hasn't been making enough money to warrant the amount of time I've put into it, so I've decided that, after this fic is done, "Wings of Dust" will be my only regular update. Any other fics will be posted as inspiration hits, and as I feel like typing them. I probably won't be doing any more long fanfic projects outside of "Wings of Dust." It's just too exhausting.

Anyway, enjoy!

It was early morning when Qrow, Roman, and Barty returned to Obsidian. The betas sensed them immediately, and there was a group of people rushing out to meet them before they were halfway across the field.

At the front of the crowd were Ruby and Neo, who leaped into Qrow and Roman's arms respectively, nearly tackling the older adults to the ground in the process.

"Uncle Qrow! You're back! I'm so glad you're okay! You guys did great! The traders are helping Obsidian, and no one has attacked us, and we drove the Huntsmen off all by ourselves, and it was great!" Ruby squealed.

"I played a pretty major role in that," Yang said, smirking calmly.

Neo was nuzzling her cheek against Roman's chest, tears streaming down her face. "I missed you," she murmured.

Roman gently lifted her up, kissing her cheek. "I missed you too, Neo." He turned so that she was facing the bay gelding. "Look what I picked up in Roan."

Neo held out her hand to the horse, smiling as the velvety nose brushed her palm. "Hello," she whispered. "What's your name?"

"I thought I'd let you name him," Roman said. "What does he look like to you?"

Neo brushed the gelding's forelock to the side, looking at the perfect circle-shaped star on his brow. "Lupin."

Roman grinned. "I like it."

Pyrrha approached Barty, inclining her head respectfully. "Welcome back, my rogue friend. Did everything go well?"

"I should say so!" Barty declared.

"Only partially," Qrow corrected. "The situation in Vale isn't so good."

The good humor of the group immediately faded.

"Oh no! Is Dad-?"

"Did you see Winter?"

"My sisters! Are they-?"

Qrow held up his hands. "Hold on, hold on. Let's get everyone who matters to the center of town, so I only have to tell this once."

Everyone gathered minutes later and listened silently as Qrow explained the situation in Vale.

Weiss groaned when he finished. "My father has completely lost sight of reality."

"At least he isn't actively killing off every living thing in the area!" Sun snorted. "Seriously, Cinder has gone insane!"

"It certainly seems so," Pyrrha muttered, staring at the ground.

Jaune placed a hand on her shoulder. "What are you thinking?"

Pyrrha looked up at him, then at the rest of the pack. "I'll still try to talk to her, but… If she's truly this unhinged, I may have to challenge her for leadership of the entire territory."

The others were already nodding. "I always figured it would come to that," Neptune said. "Don't worry, Leader. You already beat Adam. You can handle Cinder."

Pyrrha smiled, trying to look confident, but her mind was filled with doubts. I didn't defeat him on my own. Without the others, he would have killed me. She knew that she had become a better fighter since then, but was she good enough to be a match for Cinder?

Jaune looked at his fellow Huntsmen, who were starting to shift restlessly. "I guess it's finally time, huh?" he asked, voicing what he knew was on everyone's minds. "It's time to go home." He turned to Brawnz. "When will your people be ready to leave?"

"Tonight," Brawnz replied immediately. "You've waited long enough already."

"We really have!" Ruby agreed empathetically. "Weiss, time to take out that list of yours!"

The day was entirely devoted to preparing for departure from Obsidian. Supplies of meats and medicine were hastily put together, along with silver to trade with at the towns. Roman hitched up Lupin, who took very well to the almost-empty cart.

"Hopefully, his mood will be the same once it's filled," Roman chuckled, jingling one of his many bags of silver. "I'll need to gather stock on the way, so don't wait up for me."

Neo glanced between Roman and Yang, and was about to speak when Roman touched her shoulder.

"I think our friends need you more than I do right now. Stick with them, okay?" He winked.

Neo felt tears welling up in her eyes as she nodded.

"Also, be careful," Roman added. "If I find out that you were eaten by a werewolf, I'm going to be quite displeased."

"Werewolves never eat people," said Ilia, who happened to be walking by at the moment. "Not even in Adam's pack. It's considered cannibalism."

"See, Roman? If I do die, I'll just be a bit mangled." When Roman didn't laugh, Neo quickly hugged him. "I'll be fine. I can take care of myself."

"And I'll be taking care of her," Yang called over.

Roman snorted. "Fine, just as long as there's no funny business while you're not under my supervision."

Yang grinned. "How do you know none went on while you were gone?"

Neo groaned, covering her red face as the two started to bicker.

Weiss, meanwhile, was helping her friends re-pack their supplies. "Even now, you have developed no sense of organization. Unbelievable," she grumbled.

Ruby watched her with an amused smile. "That's why we have you around."

"Hopefully, you have a few more reasons than that," Weiss remarked, kissing Ruby's brow. "You dunce."

Ruby pulled her fiancé into a full kiss, discreetly nudging her bag out of view with her foot. "Hm. Maybe a few," she murmured.

Jaune watched Pyrrha out of the corner of his eye as she rallied the werewolves. Though she gave them all the option to remain in Obsidian, none of them took it. She still has doubts about being a leader, Jaune thought. But I've never seen anyone earn loyalty like this, human, Faunus, or werewolf.

While the pack prepared themselves for the journey, Pyrrha approached Jaune. "Are you ready?"

"As ready as I can be," Jaune replied, shrugging his shoulders.

"Everyone seems so confident…"

"Yeah, you have that effect on people," Jaune replied with a slight grin.

Pyrrha blushed, though her eyes were troubled. "If I let them down-"

"You won't!" Jaune insisted, taking her hand. "Pyrrha, you haven't let anyone down throughout this whole mess."

"Perry and Tukson-"

"Perry and Tukson were killed fighting one of the strongest Grimm in the world, and a group of monsters everyone thought didn't exist!" Jaune cut in. "The fact that more didn't die is pretty amazing, honestly."

"But-"

"No buts! You'll do great. We all will. So stop doubting yourself!" Jaune hugged her tightly. "I'll be expecting a victory kiss when this is all over, you know."

Pyrrha smiled, nuzzling Jaune's shoulder, taking in his familiar scent of leather and metal polish. "I think that can be arranged."

….

The group left Obsidian just as the sky was starting to turn pink. Pyrrha walked at the head of the werewolves, which consisted of her fellow runaways, the wolves who left Adam's pack after his death, and the rogue wolf Bartholomew. The Huntsmen of Vale walked at the head of the combined human and Faunus group, which held several citizens of Obsidian, including Dew, Gwen, Roy, May, Nolan, and Ferron. Brawnz had stayed behind to continue running Obsidian. Qrow walked in the back with Roman and Neo, taking a long swig from his flask.

Everyone walked with a sense of purpose, determination fueling their footsteps as they trekked on together. The werewolves didn't change when the sun set, instead choosing to walk alongside their friends on the path to Umber. They reached the town close to midnight, and walked in with their heads held high. Several werewolves had their bite marks in plain view, unafraid to show them outside of Obsidian for the first time.

The inn had several patrons still drinking in the tavern area, and they all looked up when the large group entered. The innkeeper paled when he saw the bite marks, but kept his voice steady as he sold what rooms he had, and accepted payment. He recommended that "some of the party" lock their doors. It was clear who he was referring to.

Some of the people at the bar gazed at the werewolves in awe. Others rushed out the door. One frail older man clasped his hands together and began to mumble a prayer. "May the Maidens guide my path. May Winter keep me calm…" He started to shake, unable to continue.

"May Spring make my seasons bountiful. May Summer draw my footsteps down the right path. May Fall keep me ever thankful," Weiss finished. When the man gaped at her, she smiled gently. "And yes, I am a werewolf."

Despite the innkeeper's warning, no one faced any disturbances that night. When they walked outside, they were subject to many stares. Some people dropped to their knees, murmuring prayers. It was hard to tell which of them were expressing wonder, and which ones were praying out of fear.

Roman met with some of his fellow traders, who had helped to spread the word, and were now building up on some stock for the winter. He let out a long sigh as he loaded some fall spices onto his cart. "Oh, it's good to feel some more weight on this thing!"

They ate and left Umber a little after noon, continuing at the brisk pace they had set before. The next town was a bit further away, so they ended up camping that night. The werewolves hunted, and the group ate what they could while also packing up as much meat as would last until Vale, remembering what Qrow had told them about the food shortage.

Over the next few days, the group went through the towns. They quickly noticed that the towns closer to Obsidian were significantly more accepting of the werewolves' presence than the towns further away. In Vermillion, they quickly decided to continue without stopping, the omegas sensing an overwhelming feeling of hostility in the air that could easily become violent.

As they entered Roan, however, they noticed a shift back toward acceptance. Qrow suggested that it might be because they were drawing closer to Burgundy. In Roan, they finally left Roman behind, so that he could bargain for leather goods and feed.

"Keep those idiots safe, Neo," he said as he hugged his adoptive daughter one last time. "I'll catch up with you, hopefully after all the fighting is over."

"I love you!" Neo said, kissing Roman's cheek. "Get lots of stock for winter, okay?"

"I will," Roman promised. "And I love you too." He gave Yang a stern look. "Remember, no funny business."

"I make no promises," Yang replied with a cheeky wink.

Roman rolled his eyes, trying and failing to hide a smile.

Eventually, the group reached Burgundy, where the welcome for the werewolves was genuine and overwhelming. People rushed out to shake their hands. Children asked to see their bite marks. At the bakery, Wallace hurried from behind the counter to shake Jaune and Pyrrha's hands. Sun walked by a stand that was selling hot chestnuts for the winter, and was given a small bag for free. He burnt his tongue while scarfing them down, and Blake had to take the bag to keep him from causing himself further injury. Barty, of course, was given several thermoses of coffee.

Qrow visited Martin the blacksmith, where he heard some rather discouraging news.

"So, I delivered that fine dog to Taiyang like you asked, and he was thrilled, let me tell you!" Martin said, though his eyes were troubled. "Things aren't looking good for the rest of the town. I was practically driven out after I sold my stock. Vale's got armed guards on every path. The people here tried telling the Huntsmen who came to trade about the werewolves, and we haven't heard anything since. No offers to trade, no requests for aid, nothing!"

Qrow grimaced. "The Council probably decided this was a godless town, and they were better off fending for themselves. Fucking idiots. How long do they think Vale will last totally isolated from anyone else?!"

"I don't know," Martin said honestly. "If it weren't for your cavalry going back now, I'd say they won't survive the winter. But maybe you and your friends can be the miracle Vale needs." He nodded in the direction of the church. "We've seen one in action already. Speaking of which, tell Barty to stop and say hello before you leave, would you?"

"I'll do that," Qrow replied. "Thanks, Martin."

Their journey was delayed by an hour that night, because so many people in Burgundy wanted to see a werewolf transformation up close. Sun volunteered, and transformed in the center of town. There were a few fainters, but not many. Most shuddered at the grotesque beauty of the change, then stared in awe at the pale gold, gray-eyed creature who stood before them. He allowed children to pet his fur and climb on his back, and shook several hands with his large paw. People freed the path very reluctantly, expressing hope that the werewolves would come back soon.

Everyone was in high spirits after that, particularly Pyrrha, though the mood dampened when Qrow passed on what he had learned from Martin. "We'll have to keep a beta on the alert at all times," Pyrrha decided. "And we should send one with you when you fetch Taiyang,"

"Good idea," Qrow sighed. "This is getting ridiculous. Having to sneak into my own damned village! I can't wait for this to end."

"We're closer to an end than we ever were before," Weiss pointed out.

"Things will be okay," Ruby said firmly. "They just have to! After everything we've gone through, we just have to be okay after this!"

Weiss took Ruby's hand and squeezed it tightly. "Maidens' willing," she whispered.

When they camped that night, Pyrrha waited for Jaune by his bedroll. She snuggled unabashedly against his chest as he lay down, letting out a sigh as his strong arms wrapped around her. Though she loved holding him in her wolf form, it was nice to occasionally feel like the protected one, the one who could rely on someone else rather than always taking things into her own hands.

Jaune, sensing Pyrrha's unease, peppered soft kisses across her brow and down to her cheeks. "It'll be okay," he whispered. "We can do this. We'll save Vale and the werewolves." When Pyrrha didn't say anything, he kissed her shoulder, speaking close to her ear. "Hey. Imagine spring. The snow will melt, the leaves will come out. The first flowers will poke through the cold grass. Can you smell the flowers?"

Pyrrha closed her eyes, picturing the scent of daffodils and the new color of freshly-sprouted leaves. "Yes."

"Now imagine walking down the streets of Vale in the morning, when the bakers are taking hot loaves from their ovens. The smithies will be preparing new weapons and sharpening the old ones. There will be clangs of hammers coming from there. A few people will stop and wave as you walk by. Qrow will be already drunk in one of the pubs, while Taiyang will ask if you want to come to his house for dinner sometime. My littlest sister Silvia will run up and ask for a piggyback ride."

Pyrrha smiled.

"Now go back into the woods, where the pack will be. Flynt and Neon will be preparing for their first pup, making their den all pretty with flowers and soft moss. Sun will be chasing Blake around. Weiss and Ruby will probably be snuggling in a sunny patch somewhere, acting all cute. You know how they are."

"I certainly do," Pyrrha chuckled.

"Now go into your den. I'll be in there. Waiting for you." Jaune lowered his voice a little, allowing his lips to brush against Pyrrha's ear.

Pyrrha shivered, and her smile widened into a grin. "And what will we do then, I wonder?" she ran a finger down the back of Jaune's neck.

Jaune trembled at the light touch, feeling a hot flush going through his body. He barely managed to keep his voice steady as he replied. "I'll let you use your imagination. After all, the beta on watch doesn't want to hear all that."

"Yes, I do!" Neon called over from her post. "Seriously! Keep going! I like this story!"

"Neon, people are trying to sleep!" Flynt scolded.

"Not my fault! Jaune's the one telling dirty stories."

"I am not!" Jaune snapped.

Pyrrha couldn't help but laugh. She hugged Jaune tightly, nuzzling his chest. "Thank you," she whispered as Neon reluctantly shut up.

Jaune closed his eyes, holding his fiancé close, his heart ringing with the sound of her beautiful laugh. "Goodnight, Pyrrha."

Tension rose in the minds and chests of every werewolf, human, and Faunus as they traveled on. The sun rose and set, and paces quickened as the days continued growing shorter and shorter. The betas became more nervous as they sensed fewer and fewer animals. It was mid-afternoon when Blake, the current beta in charge of patrol, held up a hand for everyone to stop.

"I sense Cardin Winchester at the edge of my radius," she hissed. "Along with several other Huntsmen down the path. They're several leagues away from the town."

Pyrrha's heart stuttered as realization sank in. "We're here," she breathed.

Jaune took a shuddering breath, nodding slowly. "We're home."

I've been saying this a lot, but dun dun DUN! We're finally back, folks! The last stretch is upon us. What will happen next? Only I know! Mwahaha!

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

Peace out!