/==/ Chapter Two /==/

JNPR was not having a good week, or at least the start of it. When Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora went to sleep Friday night, Jaune had been with them. A little moody, perhaps, but he had been there. But come Saturday morning, Jaune was gone. His bed was unmade, hinting that he had left in a rush when they had all been deep asleep. However, the lack of a note, or a message on even one of their scrolls was even more concerning to them.

They were only two weeks into the first term, and already they were having a shaky start. All three knew Jaune was not trained. It was obvious to them, and without a doubt everyone else in the school. Jaune was smart, though. Quick thinking was more to the point, though it was troubling about his general lack of any knowledge as it pertained to being a huntsman,

"Do you think?" Nora started to ask. She had instantly taken a shine to Jaune, who had been, up until a few days ago, a very friendly and outgoing person.

"No, his clothes are still here." Pyrrha informed the rest of the team as she opened the closet to look inside. She herself wanting to confirm that Jaune hadn't just given up and left them.

"But his little knapsack is missing, as is his hoodie and scroll." Ren pointed out. The scroll and hoodie were not of any surprise. To access pretty much anything, including their room, you needed your scroll. As for the Hoodie, Jaune wore it whenever he didn't need to be in his Beacon uniform.

It was the knapsack that had the trio wondering. In fact, it was less of a knapsack, and more of what one might consider an overnight bag. Which begged the question of what did he have inside it? They all figured it was a change of clothes, and maybe some personal items, but none of them had dared examine its contents.

Normally, Jaune was an easy-going, and friendly person. The type that you found easy to like, unless of course your name was Weiss Schnee. Yet when it came to that bag, it was like a switch in Jaune flipped. The one time Nora asked what was in the bag that he always kept on the floor at the foot of his bed, he snapped at her. "Mind your own fucking business." Were his exact words. It had shocked the trio, and instantly they dropped the subject, even though they did want to know.

Without much else to do, or go on in regard to their team leader's whereabouts, they proceeded to get ready for the day. It being the weekend, there were no real classes. Only electives, that most first years couldn't take, or more to the point wouldn't take. Things like first aid, small group tactics, orienteering, and basic wilderness survival, among others. Pyrrha had suggested they take some, but Jaune and in fact the rest of the team had vetoed the idea, at least for the first term, offering to consider it for the second term.

So dressed in causal clothes, the front exited the shared dorm, only to run into their sister team, who were also just leaving their dorm, and like JNPR on their way to the cafeteria for breakfast.

"Is Jaune not coming?" Ruby asked. She was more than any of her own team, having made a significant connection to the blond goof.

"He's not here. We think he left in the middle of the night." Pyrrha replied, not seeing any need to hide the fact that Jaune was gone.

"You don't think?" Ruby let the remainder of the question hang in the air, unsaid.

"No, all his stuff is still here." Pyrrha replied, without adding the fact of Jaune's missing overnight bag. As close as Ruby was to Jaune, Pyrrha didn't see the need to tell her more than the obvious. Some things were best kept within a team.

"He's not sick, is he? Maybe he had to rush down to the infirmary?" Ruby offered as the six girls and one guy made their collective way through the halls of the school towards breakfast.

"Maybe." Ren answered, "We'll know more once he contacts us."

"I hope he's okay." Ruby offered, before adding, "Let me know if you hear anything, or if he needs anything."

"We will." Nora assured the young girl, as they reached their destination. They group instantly fell into their established routine, loading their trays with their favourite foods, before grabbing their customary table. There was no real conversation made as they all ate. Jaune and Ruby, having been the main two to draw everyone else out from their early morning lethargy for general chit-chat.

/=/

Jaune was in a mood. The cramps had started about two days ago, and peaked late last night. She had been forced to bite her tongue as she made her way to the shared bathroom with her "go bag". The reversion happen inside the bathroom, with her biting on a towel to stifle her gasps and groans of pain. This was the second time she had gone through this process. The first was about five days after the ritual. The incident had caught them all unprepared, and they were forced to quickly address the situation.

Ozpin had quickly come to the conclusion that the change in Jaune's hormone levels had sparked the reversion. He surmised that once her cycle ran its course, she would once again take the form of a male. It was not a comforting thought for Jaune, as she knew then she would be going through this painful and uncomfortable change a couple of times a month.

Once back in her original form, she had sent a message to her Aunt, and then she proceeded to get ready to sneak out of the bathroom and the dorm. With her immediate needs met, she winced as the door creaked while she opened it. She paused, waiting to see if anyone woke to the sound. With no indication that anyone had been disturbed, she moved into the main room, her bag in hand, and tiptoed her way over to the main door. Gritting her teeth, she painstakingly twisted the knob and pulled the heavy wooden door open.

Once outside and out of view of her team, she doubled over and hissed. She knew the pain would subside in a day or two, but at that moment it was nearly unbearable. Straightening herself up after using some breathing techniques her older sister Saphron had taught her, she made her way towards the teacher's accommodations. Aunt Glynda would be waiting for her, and he would proceed to hide away for the next five to seven days.

So that morning she found herself waking up, feeling only moderately better than earlier that morning. Climbing out of her bed, she took a moment to look at herself in the body length mirror attached to the back of her room's door. Her seductive curves had returned, her facial features had softened and her mid-back length golden blonde hair was back. Pulling her hair into a messy ponytail, she exited her Aunt Glynda's repurposed guest room, and set about having some breakfast. Her aunt was waiting for her when she entered the main living space.

"Good morning Jaune. How are you feeling?" Glynda asked between sips of her traditional morning coffee.

"Sore, and tired."

"Well, rest up for today. We'll make an early start on your training tomorrow."

"Do we have to?" Jaune whined as she poured herself a bowl of her favourite cereal, Pumpkin Pete's Frosted Flakes with marshmallows. "I've already learned to keep it in check when I'm upset, why do I need to learn more?"

"We've been over this, Jaune." Glynda replied as she set her cup down. "You should be eating something better than that trash."

"It says right on the box, 10% of my daily nutritional needs." Jaune countered.

"Fine." Glynda replied, giving up on an argument before it could happen. "Anyway, we'll have an early start tomorrow. You need to be able to not only suppress your abilities, but also know how to effectively manifest them, and you know why."

"Because they make me a target, and I need to be able to protect myself." Jaune sighed.

"This is serious, Jaune. We showed you the result of the attack on Amber, or have you forgotten." Glynda asked, knowing beforehand that Jaune could never have forgotten what she was shown. Glynda had spent the night consoling and comforting the traumatized young woman. She knew Ozpin had taken a big risk showing Amber to Jaune, but in the end he had gotten his desired response.

"How can I forget a girl in a coma, trapped in a glass tube?" Jaune snapped, seeing that horror show was the final push Ozpin needed for her to reluctantly agree to the plan. "I didn't ask for any of this shit to happen."

"Language, and I know, sweetie." Glynda tried to placate her distressed niece. "But it has happened, and I'm going to make sure you're prepared to keep yourself safe in case myself or your parents are not around to assist you."

"I know, but…"

"It's a lot. Almost too much to have just thrust upon you, and I know it's unfair, but it is what it is, and we have to make the best of the situation."

"It still hurts." Jaune commented after swallowing her last spoonful of cereal. "The change, I mean. It really hurts when it happens."

"I'll speak to the headmaster about it, and I'll see if Doctor Peach has anything she can give you to ease the pain." Glynda offered.

"Do I need to see her?"

"Yes, Jaune, you do need to have your sessions with her. They're for your own good. This whole situation is…"

"Fucked up?" Jaune cut Glynda off.

"Language, and yes, that is an accurate summary of what you are going through."

"Can I cancel for today?"

"No. Doctor Peach will be here this afternoon, while I'm out teaching my tactics class."

"I wish there was another way." Jaune almost moaned as she pushed her bowl aside and dropped her chin down on to her crossed arms.

"So do I, sweetie. So do I." Glynda agreed as she rose from her seat and gathered the dirty dishes. "We'll find a better solution, maybe after you are more confident in the use of your abilities we can end this farce."

"Do you really think that's possible?"

"I will make it possible." Glynda replied. "One way or another, I will make it possible."

/=/

Without Jaune to jumpstart idle conversations, JNPR had returned to their dorm, and found themselves sitting around on their beds in an uncomfortable silence. There had still been no word from Jaune, which meant the trio was now playing out various scenarios in their minds. Everything ranging from being suddenly ill, to him just quitting.

"Maybe an older team kidnapped him, and are trying to turn him into a submissive sex toy?" Nora offered, in an attempt to break the silence with her voice, over actually sharing her rather unlikely reason for their team leader's disappearance, and lack of contact.

"That is highly doubtful." Ren countered. "He would have raised an alarm if someone tried something like that."

"He left on his own." Pyrrha added, "That is obvious, what I don't understand is why he hasn't contacted at least one of us to let us know he's okay, or where he is."

As if summoned, all three of their scrolls pinged, announcing that they had revived a message. Since Pyrrha's scroll was in her hand at the time she was the first of the three to open and read the message. Pyrrha knew a Dear John letter when she saw one, and what Jaune had sent them was just that. But at least it was something.

"This is a little…" Nora started to offer her opinion on the message.

"Suspicious?" Ren asked, completing Nora's comment.

"I agree." Pyrrha agreed. "If he had gotten a message late at night that woke him up, one of us would have heard the notification as well."

"Not unless it was on vibrate and …"

"Jaune always leaves his scroll on his other stand." Ren informed the group, "I've seen him set it up on his charger, and we've all heard his alarm."

"He could have been expecting a message, and didn't want to disturb us when it came in. His message does mention a family illness. Someone could have reached out to him earlier when none of us were around." Nora tried to counter, obviously playing Devil's Advocate for this situation.

"That is possible." Ren considered.

"I agree." Pyrrha chimed in. "I guess all we can do is wait for him to message us again, or to return after everything is settled with his family."

All three internally hoped he would message them again.

/=/

Jaune sighed as she sat on the couch across from Doctor Peach. The rather short almost childlike woman, with light pink hair and matching eyes, sat with a small notebook balanced on her knee. The woman had yet to say or ask Jaune anything. She was just sitting there, literally staring at her, and Jaune was starting to fidget. Doctor Peach gave Jaune a warm smile before pulling a pen from her breast pocket of her lab style white coat. It was their first meeting for an actual session, since Jaune was in her female form. The others happened once a week while she was male.

"So, how are you feeling today, Jaune?"

"Sore, tired, annoyed." Jaune listed off adjectives.

"And why is that?"

"You know about the situation, right?"

"I do. Professor Goodwitch and Headmaster Ozpin have told me everything in regard to your situation and why it is necessary."

"Bet he didn't tell you that the change hurts when it happens."

"No, that is something he did not disclose. So it hurts? How would you describe it?"

"Describe it? It hurts. My whole body hurts, add in my cramps… it hurts."

"I could use a better description, more than it hurts. Your Aunt did mention your discomfort, and I am willing to prescribe something both for the cramps and the pain associated with this change… however, I need to know painful it is before I do."

"Have you ever broken a bone?"

"I have."

"Take that type of pain and apply it to my entire body, even my hair, when it first starts to happen, and then it gets dull and achy."

"Thank you. I definitely have an idea for something you can take when needed, to help alleviate those sensations. It's a patch and is rather fast acting, so you can take it as soon aches you start to feel the pain. Would that help?"

"I'd have to try it to find out. Will it help with the cramps?"

"It would, but it is rather strong, so I would suggest over the counter pain medications for those, which I will provide as well." Doctor Peach made a couple notes in her little book, before returning her attention to Jaune, "So aside from the physical issues, how are you?"

"Tired, and bothered."

"Bothered? How so?"

"I just spent three weeks with a dick between my legs, while knowing all the time that it is not supposed to be there."

"Does it make you feel self-conscious?"

"More like embarrassed."

"How so?"

"I'm forced to change with guys, and I definitely don't want to see what they have, bad enough I have to see my own every time I use the bathroom. So why do you think I feel embarrassed?"

"So you are still physically attracted to women, that has not changed. Have you been having physical reactions to women you find attractive?"

"Are you asking if I get a hard on?"

"I am."

"Obviously, I do, and it's mortifying! I don't get how guys can deal with that garbage day in and day out."

"How do you deal with that sign of sexual attraction?"

"I hide it, or take an ice-cold shower."

"Have you tried masturbation to relieve yourself?"

"Are you insane? I don't want to touch it to use the bathroom or take a shower, fuck no am I going to do that!"

"It is a relative easy solution. I'm sure you have taken care of yourself prior to this situation? This would be no different."

"I am not talking to you about that! As for being different… you go get a cock and then tell me it's the same thing!"

"I notice you're being rather crass…"

"Crass? You want crass, how's this?" Jaune snorted before continuing. "I was born with a cunt, and grew a set of tits when I was thirteen. Good tits, now I get magically bullshittedly changed into him! A flat chested, noodle of an average dicked goof. I go from a total babe to a loser, and the only time I get to be me is during my period!"

"It's okay, Jaune, I was only making an observation, nothing more." Peach jotted a few more notes, before returning her attention to Jaune. "How do you know your average?"

"I… um…"

"Jaune there are no judgments. I am a safe and impartial way for you to vent, and discuss items of concern you may not feel comfortable speaking to the Headmaster or specifically your Aunt about. You also know that unless something you tell me indicates that you are about to harm yourself or others, I can not tell anyone, unless you specifically tell me I can."

"I was curious, and I might have measured it the second or third night I was him."

"And I assume you looked up the average size of a penis online, correct?" Jaune just nodded, so Doctor Peach continued, "So how did that discovery make you feel?".

"Like the loser he is." Jaune replied with a snort.

"I notice you seem to be referring to yourself as him when we discuss things associated with this change. Why is that?"

"Because that Jaune is him, not me." Jaune snapped. "I didn't ask for this, I don't want this. I want to be me, I want to strut my stuff, wear my heels and be the babe I am. But here I am, forced to hide like a little bitch, by being a little bitch! I'm disgusted by him, by what I have to pretend to be!"

"Good, let it all out, Jaune. Let me see your true feelings about this situation, so I can assist you in coping with it until it can be reversed."

"Like that douche is ever…"

"Jaune I am on your side, and while I understand why, I do not think this was or is the solution to your situation, and the more you talk to me honestly about what is going on with in you emotionally, the more ammo I have to assist your Aunt in getting the Headmaster to admit he made a mistake."

"You?"

"Yes, I did speak at length to your Aunt about this and her feelings, now I am speaking with you. It was obvious that she feels like she has failed you, and it is becoming obvious that this situation might be putting you under some serious emotional strain."

"Emotional strain?" Jaune suppressed a laugh, poorly.

"Why do you find that amusing?"

"You know what I saw about two days ago? This will perfectly demonstrate how I'm feeling."

"No, what did you see?"

"This delicious brunette, had the cutest beret on her head. She was perfect. The type of girl I would love to get to know, and maybe more… and do you know what happened?"

"It's obvious that I don't Jaune, so just continue."

"Nothing happened, that's what! I didn't get her name, or her number. I was unable to flirt, I couldn't do any of that because I was him!"

"You could have…"

"No I couldn't! I can't show interest in someone who I'm interested in as him! It's wrong and it's a lie!"

"But you routinely make attempts with Weiss Schnee."

"How?"

"I have been in the cafeteria during more than one instance."

"That's different."

"How is that different? Aren't you actively…"

"Weiss is a pretentious bitch with a stick up her ass… I'm just doing it to embarrass her. I have no interest in her like that… who would? Now if she could get over herself, and that SDC Heiress crap, she'd be cute. She has that whole doll like quality to her, but it's her attitude, that sense of self-importance that just turns me off."

"So if she overcame her less desirable qualities, you would actively pursue her? Even though you're currently poisoning the waters with your current actions towards her."

"I…"

"Jaune, I understand that you don't identify as this other Jaune, but you do need to understand that what you do as him will impact you as you are now."

"I guess I should make amends?"

"It couldn't hurt."

"Can I ask you something?"

"You can ask me anything, Jaune."

"What should I do, about one of my teammates and her interest in me?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's obvious she is attracted to him, at least a little bit, but he's not real, how do I deal with that?"

"That's a tough one, and if it is, as you say, only a minor attraction, ignoring it would be best. It sounds like a minor crush, and it will run its course in time."

"And if it develops further?"

"Be honest with her, as honest as you can be, considering your situation."

"But I can't be that honest, because she is attractive, she's basically a goddess, I would totally love to go out with her, but…"

"She's interested in males."

"Yeah. I can't lie, but I can't be honest either."

"Let's take a wait and see approach, shall we. Her possible attraction may pass, and if it doesn't, we can discuss options then. Sound fair?"

"I guess."

"I think we've covered enough topics for today, unless there is something specific you would like to discuss, I say we call this session as done."

"Um, there is one thing."

"What is it, Jaune?"

"Can you help me convince my Aunt to let me leave this apartment? I know going into Vale wouldn't be considered, but I would like to be able to maybe walk the grounds, or go to the gym."

"I can broach that subject with her."

"Thank you."

"Your welcome, Jaune." Peach closed the notebook on her lap, "Now if there is nothing else, I think you could use some time to yourself."

/====/

AN: It has been suggested that I "re-upload" the two prior versions of this story/idea.
I am tempted to do that, after some minor editing to clean up typos and similar mistakes.
The only reason I took them down was because I feel this is the much better version of the three.