Jaune was released from the infirmary after two more days, and while Doctor Peach made a show of admonishing Jaune before his team about being so careless with his training, she had about twenty minutes before JNPR and Ruby's arrival stressed that Jaune was to come to her if anything was getting too much for her to handle.
"That's about it. Are there any questions?" Peach asked the assembled group of Jaune's friends.
"Is Jaune capable of training now, or should we wait a few more days?" Pyrrha asked, while standing almost uncomfortably close to her partner, and not so secret crush.
"I would give it a few more days before doing anything substantial. Some light exercise is encouraged, but nothing too strenuous." Peach informed the collected students. "Any other questions?"
Receiving multiple head shakes in response, Peach moved to her office door and opened it.
"If anything comes up, or if Jaune starts exhibiting symptoms, I expect a call, or a visit."
The gathered team plus one all nodded their heads in agreement before escorting Jaune out of the office, exiting the infirmary, and starting on the long trek back to JNPR's dorm.
Excused from classes for the next day or so, Jaune split off from his team and Ruby, to sequester herself in JNPR's dorm. She still felt off, and had told Doctor Peach that prior to her friend's arrival. Curling up on her bed, she pulled out her scroll and opened the messenger application. Jaune frowned upon seeing almost twenty messages waiting for her response.
Rolling on to her back, she held her scroll between her hands and started the arduous process of going through the assorted messages from his sisters Saphron and Violet, as well as the ones she had revived from Coco. Instead of replying to each one individually, she decided to read them all and then send a single response to each recipient.
Jaune was just about ready to answer Coco when she received a chat notification. Her thumb hovered over the accept icon. Jaune knew she should answer, but she just didn't feel up to it, though she also knew that if she attempted to ignore or blow Saphron off… that was asking for trouble.
(Jaune joined the chat)
Saph: WTF Jaune! Where have you been? Why haven't you answered before now?
Jaune: I was… busy.
Saph: Bullshit.
Jaune: It's true.
Saph: Bullshit. You can't just NOT respond to us for days and then say nothing happened!
Jaune: Nothing happened.
Saph: Don't lie to me, Jaune. I know something happened, because I know you.
Jaune: I'm serious. I was just busy… school, you know.
Saph: Jaune DO NOT make me call Mom, because I will, and you KNOW what will happen then.
Jaune: YOU CAN'T!
Saph: Then fess up. WTF is going on with you? Is it that girl? Did she do something? Do I have to get Jade and Vert involved?
Jaune: Leave Coco out of this. She did nothing.
Saph: Then what is going on with you? Where were you? Why didn't you reply?
(Vi joined the chat)
Vi: Jaune you little BITCH! What the fuck? Mom's pissed!
Jaune: About what?
Vi: She talked to Aunt Glyn… and didn't like what she heard, I don't know what it was, but Mom is pissed, so WTF happened.
Saph: That was what I was asking her.
Vi: Has she said anything?
Saph: No.
Vi: Start talking Jaune.
Jaune: There's nothing to talk about. Nothing happened.
Saph: That's what someone who HAD something happen to them would say.
Vi: You've never held anything back from us before. So why now?
Jaune: I'M NOT!
Saph: You are!
Vi: Don't you even think of leaving this chat! You start talking now sis, or I will tell Mom you are hiding something… see what happens then.
Jaune: PLEASE DON'T!
Saph: Then start talking…
Jaune:…
Jaune was at an impasse. She wasn't sure what or how much she should tell her sisters. She couldn't give them the whole truth, but a lie would be quickly torn apart.
Vi: Jaune we can't help if we don't know. We're worried about you.
Saph: You've NEVER not replied to our messages… EVEN when you were mad at us for teasing.
Vi: Does this have something to do with that… girl?
Jaune: Coco has nothing to do with what happened! Leave her alone!
Saph: So something did happen…. So spill it.
Jaune:…
Jaune bit her lower lip. Facing off against one of her sisters wouldn't be so much of an issue but being grilled by Saphron and Violet was a bit much. Jaune was very close to both of them, and they both knew her inside and out.
Vi: We are not going to quit until we know what's going on. I swear to the brothers that if you leave this chat I WILL show up at Beacon…
Saph: As will I…
Jaune: You can't!
Saph: Why not? What are you hiding?
Jaune: I got hurt okay. Happy now?
Saph: No. How did you get hurt?
Vi: Jaune?
Jaune: I overtrained and stressed my body… as a precaution, they kept me in the infirmary for a few days…
Vi: But…
Jaune: I didn't have my scroll… my team had it and… I didn't think to ask for it while I was being treated.
Saph: This sounds serious, Jaune. A stay at the infirmary… What happened?
Jaune: I overtrained… suffered Aura Exhaustion…
Vi: I heard Dad warn Jade and Vert about that.
Saph: I don't understand though…
Jaune: Don't understand what?
Saph: Why are you trying so hard? You never showed interest in this whole Huntress thing before.
Vi: Saph has a point. We were going to open a Dance studio together sis… and as I recall you wanted to get married and start a family… So why this change?
Jaune: I just kind of have to, okay?
Vi: What do you mean?
Jaune knew there was an obvious reason why she needed to train so hard, even though that was not the reason for her stay in the infirmary. But she did have a viable excuse… one that was very close to the truth.
Jaune; I'm a team leader and everyone is so much more skilled than me. I need to catch up so I don't drag them down.
Vi: I don't like this Jaune. This was not what you wanted to do. Not what you trained to do, and now you're telling us…
Saph: that you're getting hurt trying to catch up to people who have been training their whole lives to be huntresses.
Jaune knew her sisters had a solid point. Jaune had never had an interest in being anything but a dance teacher and housewife. Even now, the thought of being a Huntress scared her. It was because of this power that she never asked for that Jaune was now forced to train.
Jaune: I know. I know.
Vi: Then why?
Jaune: I just have to. I have to.
Saph: You don't have to do anything you don't feel comfortable doing… or that is causing you harm.
Vi: And it sounds as if you're not comfortable doing this… I think you should come home.
Saph: or come to Argus… Terra and I have the room… Vi could come to stay too.
Vi: There is a well known Dance Academy in Argus. We could both enrol, work towards certification…
Jaune: I…
Jaune paused, unsure as to what to say. Dancing, and homemaking, were her dreams. Those were the things she most wanted to have a fulfilling life, and now with its mention, she was intrigued by the idea of being a dance teacher. But this power. The warning from her Aunt Glynda and Headmaster Ozpin about being targeted just because she had this power. That there was a possibility that her family could be scared her, deeply and fully terrified her.
Jaune: I need to do this for now… besides…
Saph: Besides?
Vi: Jaune?
Jaune: Coco… I need to be around her… she means a lot to me… and I think I mean a lot to her.
Vi: She wants to be a huntress though, doesn't she?
Jaune: Yes.
Saph: Are you sure you want a relationship with someone in such a dangerous career? I hate to say it Jaune… but there is a chance if she stays active and with you… that she might go on a mission and not come back.
Jaune: DON'T SAY THAT!
Vi: It's the truth, though. It is something you NEED to consider.
(Jaune left the chat)
Vi: I think we pushed too far, and I'm really worried about her.
Saph: Maybe, but if Jaune is serious in her feelings about Coco, she needs to understand. She needs to consider that possibility, and TBH with you… I don't like any of this… I know she's with Aunt Glynda… but…
Vi: Things seem off with her.
Saph: She's hiding something, do you think Mom or Dad know?
Vi: I can try and ask… but I was serious about Mom being pissed. She had a very loud conversation with Aunt Glynda just before I logged in.
Saph: About?
Vi: About Jaune being hurt, and wanting her to come home.
Saph: So you knew, before you joined?
Vi: I did… not specifics… just that something had happened.
Saph: This fucking shit has gone on long enough… I'm going to call mom.
Vi: About?
Saph: Getting Jaune either home or better yet to Argus. Jaune needs away from that fucking place.
Vi: I agree. She's not being Jaune… something is happening, and she's not coping with it.
Saph: No, she's not, which is making me wonder about Aunt Glynda's ability to take care of her.
Vi: You don't think?
Saph: No, but she is a professor and deputy headmistress… she has obligations and can't be around Jaune like we can at home.
Vi: Well there are six of us, eight if you and Terra would just move home, compared to one of Aunt Glynda… by why Argus over Ansel?
Saph: Ansel is where IT happened. Everyone there knows about it. If Jaune is here in Argus with me, no one would know… she can just be herself without worrying about people judging her.
Vi: Good point… you have room for two?
Saph: Why? Are you thinking of finally moving out?
Vi: If Jaune is going to end up in Argus, I should be there too.
Saph: We can make room.
Vi: Mom's calling me. Have to go.
Saph: Hold on for a second.
Vi: Saph?
Saph: This Coco girl… what do you think?
Vi: I'd like to meet her, but going on just what Jaune has said, and how she just acted… Jaune has it bad for her… I just hope it works out.
Saph: Me too. You better get going. TTYL
Vi: TTYL. 3
(Vi left the chat) - (Saph left the chat)
Jaune had tossed her scroll aside as soon as she had left the chat with her sisters. She was upset, what they had said bothered her. Deep inside, she knew it was a true concern, and it was one that she had been ignoring… considering everything else that was happening in her life at this point.
Jaune knew her sisters were worried about her, but still, even if they didn't know the full story, threats of not coming home were now a part of her life. A life that she didn't want. Taking a few shaking breaths, she retrieved her scroll, and forced herself to send a message to Coco. She told the young woman she was falling for that she was sorry about not responding, that she had been ill.
Jaune paused, her thumb hovering over the send icon. She wanted to say more. To tell Coco and in fact her whole family what was going on… not that they would believe her. Jaune bit her lip and tapped the screen to activate the cursor…
"As soon as I'm well and back at Beacon, I want to see you, to spend the day making it up to you. Anything you want to do, I promise… Love You."
Jaune hit the send button, before she could second guess herself, and then turned off her scroll. Placing it on her nightstand, she grabbed one of her pillows and hugged it against her chest.
/==/
Everyone in class stared as the scruffy, dishevelled man stepped through the doors of the Combat Class auditorium and moved to stand before the class.
"Uncle Qrow!?" Yang and Ruby shouted out in unison, as the pair rose from their seats in preparation to charge.
"Don't and sit down!" Qrow commanded using his teacher's voice, while also emphasizing the statement by pointing with his finger. This caused Ruby and Yang to look at each other, unsure whether they should listen to their Uncle as a teacher, or they should do what they normally did and ignore him and follow through with their desire to hug him. His tone became slightly kinder, "Ruby, Yang. Take a seat."
Not wanting to risk getting detention due to the actions of their teammates, Weiss and Blake both reached up and assisted their partners in taking a seat.
"As you have already heard, my name is Qrow. None of that 'Mister', or 'Professor' bullshit. It is Qrow." He let his eyes look over the collection of first year students. "Headmaster Ozpin and Professor Goodwitch asked me to come to Beacon and fill in as a substitute for this class."
"Sir?" Weiss asked as she raised her hand.
"It's Qrow, not 'sir'." Qrow responded, "Ask your question?"
"Why is Professor Goodwitch not instructing us?"
"The Headmaster has become very ill and can't perform his duties, so Professor Goodwitch has to cover for him due to her station as also Duty Headmistress…. So you kiddies get me. Any other questions?"
Qrow scanned the group, noticing more than a few showing no interest at all in the class. He smirked, this was going to be good. Looking down at his tablet showing the entire class roster, he picked a couple names.
"Winchester. Nikos. Front and centre. Yang, Ren and Lark, get ready at the edge of the arena." Qrow's smirk deepened. Yang and Ruby knew the drill, but the rest of this class… were in for a wake-up call.
/==/
Glynda was tired, physically and mentally. Even though Ozpin was true to his word and was doing the paperwork side of the Headmaster Duties, the actual meeting and dealing with people face to face was draining. Especially when the council was a bunch of self-pleasuring idiots, and of course there was the stream of complaints about Qrow as the substitute Combat Instructor.
Glynda knew it was going to be a stark change from how her classes were held, and she in truth had no issue with Qrow's style, even though it was a little more rough and unorthodox. The results spoke for themselves. Yang was near the top of the class, because she did have the ability to think outside the box… now if she could only get her temper in check.
But of course Qrow's style wasn't appreciated, especially by those who had been near the top of the class. Having top ranked students facing lower ranked students and then part way through the bout, giving the losing side 'reinforcements' was ruffling more than a few feathers. Fortunately, there were a few, such as Pyrrha Nikos, who relished such a challenge.
Then of course there was the rather strained CCT call she just had with her sister. Glynda had, since Jaune arrived at Beacon, been giving Jasmine and Nathaniel weekly updates about everything. It was a concerted effort to ease their worries and impress on them that Jaune's situation was not only unique, but seriously dangerous.
The first conversation between her, Nathaniel, Jasmine and Ozpin was an eye-opener for the pair that had been raising Jaune as their own. Maidens were real. Magic was real, and there were entities and organizations that would hunt Jaune if her condition was ever discovered. Though they had declined to inform the pair about magically transforming Jaune into a young man, as one of those efforts to keep her safe.
This last call was not a happy one, and Glynda couldn't find fault with Jasmine's reaction to finding out that Jaune had ended up in the infirmary. Even if Jaune wasn't biologically her child… Jasmine was still a Momma-Bear. Glynda sighed, as she replayed the conversation and the rather off the cuff remarks Jasmine had made about Glynda, and her efforts. Glynda didn't refute them, and also knew those statements arose from frustration and a feeling of helplessness. Jasmine and Nathaniel would do anything in their power for Jaune and their own children. Even if it required them to walk through the fires of Hell to do it.
"I agree with you, Jas." Glynda mumbled to herself as she returned to her apartment. She bit her bottom lip as she gazed through the open door of Jaune's unoccupied room. "I have to do better… for Jaune's sake. I HAVE to do better."
/==/
While Gynda and Jaune mulled over recent interactions with their family. Ruby was during lunch championing the cause of having a movie night, with the sole aim to improve the mood of the obviously down looking Jaune.
"It's the best idea ever, and Jaune will love it!" Ruby cheered herself on.
"She does have a point. Jaune hasn't been… himself lately." Ren added.
"I'm all for it." Yang agreed, "I mean, it couldn't hurt, and it would be fun."
"But really?" Weiss groaned, "Is that the best we can think of doing? I mean Jaune and I are not… close… scratch that we're not even really on friendly terms, though I am happy he has stopped the asinine pick-up lines and apologized for not accepting my answer of no…"
"Then what would you suggest, Weiss?" Blake asked.
"I don't know. But I do agree he has been rather morose, and needs cheering up." Weiss conceded, "But are horror movies really the way to do that?"
"What are you scared, Weiss-cream?" Yang commented with a smirk.
"They're not horror movies." Nora interrupted before Weiss could offer a rebuttal to Yang's claim. "Their Slasher Flicks… totally different."
"Horribly Cheesy, terribly written, repetitive, badly acted, overly sexualized, and gory movies." Pyrrha sighed. "What was the last couple Jaune got us to watch?"
"Grimm Stalker Twelve, Camp Grimm Lake Twenty-Seven, and I think Grimm-Mary Four." Nora offered, with Pyrrha's face paling further with each name Nora mentioned. "I think Camp Grimm Lake Seven was the best of the series."
"Those aren't my cup of tea, but all in all it is worth a try." Yang commented.
"So we are seriously considering this… idea?" Asked Weiss.
"Yes!" Ruby replied.
"I'm not a fan… but for Jaune I'll be there." Pyrrha offered with a weak smile, which changed to a slightly sick one.
"Movie Night! WOO!" Nora cried out, before stopping herself and looking directly at Ruby, "When?"
"Friday after classes?" Ruby suggested.
"That would be a good night. No classes on Saturday so we can stay up later…" Ren started to add.
"That means more movies!" Nora hollered, her voice ringing with excitement.
"Plus, the latest direct-to-video release of Nightmare on Grimm Street is on Thursday!" Ruby informed Jaune's assembled friends.
Weiss sighed, Pyrrha grew pale, Yang smiled, and Blake and Ren shared a look. One that no one else noticed, with Nora and Ruby excitedly firing out various movie titles as suggestions for the night. The pair knew the real reason for Jaune's mood and her stay in the infirmary, the look they shared was a hopeful one, that this event would remind Jaune that she had good friends that cared for her.
/==/
Jaune had fallen asleep, and was suddenly awoken by a twisting pain in her gut. She whimpered through the flash of pain, crushing her pillow against her chest. The pain seemed to recede for a moment before lancing right through her, causing her to soundlessly scream, and roll off her bed. Landing back first on the tiled floor, Jaune rolled onto her side and curled in upon herself.
She whimpered through a couple more waves of pain. By the time everything seemed to pass, she was shaking and pulled herself off the floor by her bedding and back on to her unmade bed. Where she promptly passed out.