Chapter 8 Weird!

Luck was with him, he caught up with Nora before she entered the classroom.

" Miss Valkyrie, will you come with me please?"

Edda couldn't decide if it was naiveté or courage that kept Jaune from flinching when he agreed to make the Hunter's apologies to Professor Goodwitch for taking her student away from class work.

'At least she won't do anything to him when she finds out', he thought. 'She's never been one to kill the messenger. On the other hand, she's going to need a day at least before coming up with something for me!'

Nora was having the time of her life!

Craters had been gouged in the walls. The footing was becoming treacherous from the pieces of flooring that littered the arena's remaining surface. The table had been reduced to splinters by a misplaced grenade, while the chairs rested against the wall on their sides.

Finally! Someone that enjoyed a fight as much as she did!

Firing a blast from the flat head, Nora whirled in place, intending to 'whack him a good one' with the other side. He ducked under the swing and swept her feet out from under her.

" Whoop!" Orange hair flying, she sat down hard, still spinning from the force of her own attack.

Smiling up at him, she demanded a rematch.

The petite bundle of energy waving the hammer over her head made him laugh.

" Girl! Ozpin may never forgive us for the damage we've already done this day! Another match and they'll have to rebuild the school entirely!"

He watched her idly glancing around the room as she sat, white shoes swinging beneath the chair.

" So, did your friends tell you about why I'm here?"

She bounced lightly on the chair, cocking her head to one side. " Well..Jaune said it was weird, Pyrrha said not to worry, and Ren said it was a test that I can't fail anyway. So, I'm not gonna worry about a weird test!"

He couldn't help smiling at her innocence. " A very good description, I think!" Holding a palm near her face, he asked " Shall we finish this ' test you don't worry about'?" Closing her eyes, she snuggled into his hand as if it were a pillow.

Watching her for a moment, he reminded himself that a soft cloth laid over armor still shows the outline of the steel beneath. Closing his own eyes, he waited for what she might show him.

She had to act quickly. It was fading fast!

Rushing into the house, she grabs the taller man's hand and drags him towards the doorway.

" Hurry Ren! You'll miss it!"

As he is rushed outside, he manages to remove the strand of pink hair from across his eyes, where the sudden acceleration has left it. " Wait. What am I missing?"

She forcibly pushes him around until he is facing west.

The sunset is a glorious riot of pink, bronze and gold as the burning orb slips below the horizon. They stand hand in hand, until the sky turns a dark purple, revealing the stars.

He draws her close and plants a kiss on her forehead. " Thank you. That was perfect!"

Reaching up, she taps him on the nose.

" Boop!"

She was looking up at him when Edda opened his eyes. " Wow! Jaune was right, that was kinda weird!"

" Neither of you is the first to say it, so I assume it is true." he agreed. He took a moment to decide what to ask.

" Tell me what you think of your teammates."

Her feet stilled beneath her as she considered the question. " Well..I'm worried about Jaune and Pyrrha. Jaune's a nice guy, and a great leader. But he doesn't do well in a fight, and he doesn't understand Pyrrha at all! She really likes him, but he doesn't see it and she won't talk about it, even when we're alone!" She hung her head before continuing. " Ren is so busy studying that we never seem to get time to do fun things anymore. And...I don't do well in class either." she finished miserably.

Taking her hands, he urged her to stand so she could look down at him.

" It's good to be concerned about your friend's troubles, but fretting about it does nothing useful. Your support for them will help ease the way until they find their own answers. Jaune and Pyrrha will sort themselves out, given time. You all are becoming adults, and greater responsibilities are laid on your shoulders each day, but I know you have it in you to bear them well. "

He leaned back, still holding her hands.

" How long have you known Ren?"

Thinking of him brought the smile back. " Since we were kids. We've been together our whole lives."

Letting go of her hands, he folded his arms. " And how many other girls has he been with?"

The question made the smile disappear. " Well..we've been together all that time, so...none I guess."

Her released hands twisted together.

'Hmm!'

" And why is that, do you think?"

She bit her lip before answering. " I don't know. I mean...we're together, but not..together."

" Do you want to be together..together?" he asked gently.

She glared at him, balling her fists. " That's kinda personal, y'know!?"

" Yes, it is. And I expect an answer!" His tone brooked no argument from her.

Cheeks flaming, she looked away from that gray eye. " Yes." she whispered.

Rising, he gave her a brief hug. " Nora, love takes many forms. But, I think Ren considers you as much more than just a friend. I don't think he can envision a day that you are not with him. There will be many happy years yet, for the both of you."

Turquoise eyes looked up at him hopefully.

" Promise?"

He hugged her again as he answered. " Yes, I promise!"