Jaune was taking his sweet time getting back to his room. It's 8:42 and there's no way he can force himself to settle in for the night. He's still trying to wrap his around the last 8 hours of what actually happened. Not wanting to accept that this could be his new reality.

Jaune didn't want to break curfew, so he kept wandering around to the dorm building. Other students probably thought he was crazy or something after he's gone past their doors several times now. On his ninth lap around the dorm he runs into Blake, already in her kimono with a book tucked up under her arm.

"Hey Blake."

Blake was a little more chipper than her typical mysterious vibe. "Oh, hey Jaune! How are you?"

Jaune sort of just chuckled to himself. He wanted to scream, ask why is this happening to him. He decided it wasn't even worth trying to ask Blake if she noticed anything different about him. To anyone that would have noticed, it would have been the first they pointed out. So why waste your time asking when you know it's just going to lead to disappointment.

"You know, I've been better. Today has just been a day."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I'm heading to Velvet's room if you want to join us."

"Oh um what are you guys planning on doing?"

"We're just going to hang out for a little while. Read, maybe talk a little bit."

Jaune still wasn't ready to turn in for the night. He saw his options between wandering around the dorm or hanging out with Blake and Velvet. He couldn't wander around forever.

"Uh yeah, I'll join you. As long as you guys don't mind."

"I invited you, Jaune. It's fine, now let's go."

Team CFVY's room was just around the corner, but that walk to Jaune felt like an eternity. He started thinking to himself 'was it wrong of me to agree to going? Would Blake have invited me if she remembered me as I was before? Is this supposed to be like a girls night type of thing?' Jaune started down a path of guilt and self doubt. Moments away from convincing himself to politely decline and turn around, except as he opened his mouth Blake announced they're there.

"Hey Jaune, we're here."

Trying to muster up an enthusiastic response that wasn't laced with regret proved to be a challenge when Jaune muttered out "Oh…great."

Velvet opened the door before Blake could even knock, she heard them coming down the hall.

"Hey Blake! Oh and Jaune, I didn't know you were joining us. Please come in."

"Thanks Velvet. I ran into Jaune on my walk here and thought she could use a relaxing evening. Today has been one of those days for her."

"The more the merrier! You guys are always welcomed."

As Blake and Velvet continued to exchange a couple of words, Jaune got hung up on the answer to the question he didn't even ask. Being referred to as 'she' was like a slap in the face he was waiting for. This can't be his new reality. Snapping him out of his train of self deprecating thought was Velvet repeating her question again.

"I'm sorry, what did you say again, Velvet?"

"No worries, I was just asking what's got you down today? Did your team not do well greeting tourists today?" Velvet chuckled as she lightly elbowed Blake making sure her jab didn't go unnoticed towards team RWBY's outing last week.

Blake rolled her eyes, "haha very funny. Honestly, Yang's actions were justified. You should have heard that tourist group. They were terrible"

"Sure they were, Blake. Or are you just trying to defend your 'girlfriend'?"

The blush across Blake's face couldn't have appeared faster than it did. "Yang is not my GIRLFRIEND!"

Velvet couldn't help but keep making comments about Yang to Blake after seeing her initial reaction. "Oh we get it now, you WANT her to be your girlfriend. So you're technically defending your crush, same page now."

Jaune couldn't help but laugh with Velvet while Blake's face darkened several more shades of red. She brought her knees to her chest to hide her face while she tried getting some words out to defend herself. Jaune still felt kind of guilty for being here. He felt like he was intruding and learning things that wouldn't typically be brought up to him. He didn't even have the slightest idea Blake had a crush on Yang.

After the laughter receded, and Blake's face was an acceptable shade of red, Jaune finally answered Velvet's question.

"A lot of things changed for me today and it's kind of driving me crazy. It's making me question everything about myself."

Blake and Velvet shared a look before Blake asked Jaune what they were both wondering.

"Did you discover your sexuality today or something?"

Jaune didn't want to go into details about his day just for his friends to forget about it all so instead he decided to change the subject. "Um not quite that, but I really don't want to get into it right now. Um, what did you guys have planned for the evening?"

"Nothing too extravagant. Blake brought her book we were going to get into!"

"That sounds like it could be fun!"

Blake laughs to herself while standing up off the floor "Oh it will be. Let me grab it off the desk real quick."

Velvet just now took notice of Jaune's attire. "Hey Jaune, do you want something a little more comfortable than training gear to relax in?"

"Oh um that's okay. I don't want to put you out."

"Nonsense. Let me see what I have."

Jaune was really hoping that Velvet would just toss a t-shirt at him, maybe with some shorts. As much as he did like the training gear he borrowed from Pyrrha, it was starting to dig into his sides.

After rummaging through her drawers, Velvet pulled out an old nightgown she doesn't really care for anymore.

"Ah, here we go. Head up Jaune."

She tossed the gown to Jaune and dread filled him. He doesn't want to be rude, but he really doesn't want to put on a nightgown either. "Um thanks. I'll step into the bathroom and change real quick."

Standing in the bathroom, looking in the mirror he still couldn't believe his eyes. He's wearing a short, white nightgown that's sitting on his womanly form all too well. His long hair framing his face in the most flattering ways. This can't be real. Splashing cold water on his face to try and pull himself together, there's a knock on the door.

"Jaune, you okay in there?"

He's been in here way longer than he realized. Jaune finally opened the door. "Yeah, sorry I took so long."

Blake patted the floor between her and Velvet. "Come sit we have another idea to help you destress a little before the book."

Jaune only nodded before sitting between them. Velvet turned so she was behind Jaune and Blake moved slightly so she was sitting in front of him.

Since Blake was in front of him she spoke first. "We're going to do a facemask, you know so you don't get any premature wrinkles from the stress."

Jaune was reluctant to agree, but Velvet already started braiding his hair back while Blake slid a headband over his fly away hairs. Reaching up to feel the headband, Jaune hesitantly asked, "Uh does this headband have dog ears on it? Isn't that like offensive or something?"

Blake answered since she still wore her bow everyday despite her friends knowing of her heritage. "It can be. Depends on the situation."

Still working on french braiding the mountains of blonde hair, Velvet filled the other two in on the origin of the headband.

"My cousin got that for me a couple years ago to go along with this little inside joke we have. He's a faunus too and has the smallest little mink ears, they're barely there. Obviously my ears are a little more noticeable. So we'd always have little competitions of putting our hearing to the test, and there were tons of shared laughs in between. When I left home for Beacon, as a going away gift he gave me that headband and said 'we'll always be able to meet in the middle.' It makes more sense once you know the joke, but I'm not getting into all of that."

"So it's okay that I'm wearing it, right?"

"Yes, Jaune, you're the reason I got it out."

As Blake applied the facemask and Velvet finished up the braid, Jaune really did feel more relaxed. He could get used to being pampered like this more. Maybe he should suggest a self care night to his own team later.

Blake finished the last few swipes of the facemask "Alright that mask needs to sit for the next 30 minutes, so why don't we dive into the book?"

Velvet was clearly excited for it, it made Jaune excited to hear about it.

"Yeah let's do it. What book did you bring, Blake?" Jaune asked with the utmost curiosity.

"Ninjas of Love. I've read it a few times, it's a really good read. I bookmarked some stuff."

Jaune felt the dread creep back in. A title like that could only mean one thing, this book is an erotic read. Now he really feels like he's stepping over some boundaries.

"Start reading, Blake! I've been looking forward to the next section since the last time we hung out!"

Blake cleared her throat. "Alright, alright I'll start:

The moonlight spilled through the shoji screens, casting delicate shadows across the room. Hana knelt beside the low table, her fingers lightly tracing the intricate design of the katana's hilt. The sword, an heirloom from her family's proud lineage, seemed to hum with a silent power.

Takeshi entered the room silently, his presence as commanding as the weapon she held. He knelt beside her, close enough that she could feel the warmth of his body. Gently, he took her hand, guiding it along the blade's edge, careful not to cut her.

"The katana," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear, "is an extension of its wielder. It requires both strength and delicacy."

His hand moved to her waist, pulling her closer. Hana's breath quickened as he leaned in, their lips brushing. The room seemed to pulse with an intensity that matched the tension in her body. She felt the cool metal of the katana against her skin, a sharp contrast to the heat of Takeshi's touch.

In that moment, surrounded by tradition and desire, she understood the true power of the katana—an instrument of both protection and passion.

Jaune's face told its own story. How extremely uncomfortable he is in this situation. With his mouth hanging open from what he just heard, he took quick glances at his friends. Velvet was completely engrossed with Blake's reading, obvious now that she really was waiting for the next part of this book Blake graciously shared. Looking over to Blake, her eyes still glued on the pages, she had a slight brush across her cheeks. Her mouth moving ever so slightly as she continued silently reading to herself.

If he couldn't convince himself fully before, he could now. This was overstepping. These moments were definitely ones that would have never been shared with him if his friends remembered him as he was, and still is mentally. Knowing his friends were enjoying this in a much more mature way made one thing clear; he has to get out of here now.

Starting to stand up from the ground "Well, guys this evening was definitely needed, but I think it's time for me to turn in for the night."

Velvet immediately grabbed Jaune's arm. "You can't go now! She's just getting into the good parts. Stay."

"Uh ha ha…. I'd love to, but I don't want to intrude on the rest of your evening." Jaune didn't even realize he started playing with the braid in his hair, absentmindedly trying to collect his nerves.

Blake finally looked up from the book. "Jaune, you're not intruding. We told you that earlier." It didn't take Blake very long to realize why Jaune wanted to leave so suddenly. She's a smart girl, but also didn't want to cause any embarrassment. What she decides to say next needs to have some delicacy to it.

"Jaune, you know it's okay to give in every once in a while, right?"

"Uh mhm… yeah."

"Even if it is more of a guilty pleasure. There's nothing wrong with being a little indulgent from time to time. Plus it can be enthralling to discuss with friends, especially in this type of scenario."

Jaune's face might stay permanently red if things continue at this rate. Thank goodness for the facemask hiding some of his discomfort. Blake was literally telling him it's okay to relish in guilty pleasures, and DISCUSS them with friends! Girl friendships are really something else.

"I… I don't know Blake. This isn't something guys typically do."

Blake looked puzzled for a second. Jaune didn't realize his mistake since he's as flustered as he is from the book. Plus how bad it makes him feel knowing his friends are really into it.

Blake laughed softly before speaking again. "Wow Jaune, I didn't know you exclusively hung out with guys now. It kind of makes sense of some other things though."

"Wait wait… what makes sense?"

"I don't know just the way you act. Since I met you and have gotten to know you, you've always just seemed more masculine in a lot of ways. Emotionally, your attire, attitude, etcetera…. It's not a bad thing by any means, just something I've noticed."

Did Blake's memory of him remember more of the real him? In her mind is everything the same except his physical image? Maybe there is hope of things going back to the way they were. Jaune wanted to poke and prod Blake's mind a little more to see if there was the faintest memory of him being a boy, but that window has completely passed. How could he even approach that now without having to explain the entire story and then risking his friends being furious with him.

He would be upset if roles were reversed. It all feels like an invasion of privacy.

"Oh well um yeah… just how I am haha."

"Why don't you stay a little longer? Haven't you enjoyed hanging out with us so far?"

"Yeah… I have… like I said… I just didn't want to be a burden."

"You're not, so sit. Let me at least read the rest of this part and then we can all discuss."

Hesitantly, Jaune agreed and sat back down. "Alright."

Blake's eyes fell back on the pages and she continued:

Hana's pulse raced as Takeshi's hand slid along her waist, pulling her even closer. His fingers deftly undid the obi that held her kimono together, the silk fabric slipping away to reveal the smooth curves of her body. The cool air caressed her skin, sending shivers down her spine.

Takeshi's lips found the sensitive spot just below her ear, his kisses trailing down her neck with a slow, deliberate pace. His hand, firm yet gentle, guided her to lie back on the tatami mat. The katana lay beside her, its presence a reminder of the balance between danger and desire.

As Takeshi's lips traveled lower, his breath warm against her skin, Hana felt a surge of longing she could no longer suppress. Her fingers tangled in his hair, urging him closer, deeper. Each touch, each kiss, seemed to ignite a fire within her, a passion that burned as fiercely as the blade of the katana.

With a slow, deliberate movement, Takeshi's hand slid down her thigh, his fingers tracing patterns of desire along her skin. Hana arched her back, a soft moan escaping her lips as he found the most intimate parts of her. His touch was both tender and commanding, a reflection of the warrior's spirit he embodied.

In the moonlit room, their bodies moved together with a rhythm that spoke of ancient traditions and newfound pleasures. The katana, a symbol of strength and honor, lay forgotten as they lost themselves in each other, their desires as sharp and unyielding as the blade itself.

Blake hummed as she closed the book and set it down. "Well what did you guys think?"

Velvet responded immediately. "I can't believe Takeshi finally gave into his desire. That entire scene was so hot. The katana being the final symbol, my god."

"Right! Such a beautiful movement of intimacy. Jaune, your thoughts?"

Out of all the embarrassing moments Jaune's experienced since hitting puberty, this moment took the cake. It was one thing already to suddenly be a girl, but now being turned on in a girl's body, completely new territory. Like this entire situation wasn't confusing enough already.

Not knowing why to the full extent, Jaune was rubbing his hands up and down his thighs. Feeling like a fire has been lit in the pit of stomach, making his entire body burn, craving something he didn't know how to give.

Swallowing "Uh…mhhhm… um yeah it was good. The desire and… uh intimacy and… all that."

Blake and Velvet both started laughing. Not out of cruelty, but in solidarity. The first time Blake read that excerpt it had her reeling. Her body was ignited with that same fire that was so clearly burning Jaune alive.

Reaching new heights of embarrassment that he didn't even think were possible at this point, Jaunce covered his face with his hands. "Am I that obvious? Oh my god?"

"No, Jaune, it's okay." still chuckling softly "It's a pretty spicy book. Don't be embarrassed. You should have seen me the first time I read it. Plus look at Velvet, she's flushed. Practically foaming at the mouth."

"HEY! I am not. I was just… enjoying the moment."

Blake was pleased with herself throwing a little jab at Velvet. Getting her back for all the Yang comments earlier. Looking back over at Jaune it was clear he was still hot and bothered.

"Jaune, why don't you go wash off that facemask now and make sure you use cold water. It will help with… everything."

Jaune shot up and went right into the bathroom. He finished washing his facemask off, but kept splashing cold water on his face. Wasn't sure if Blake was giving him a subtle message or if you were actually supposed to use cold water to wash this mask off. It didn't matter, he was going to drown himself in cold water until he couldn't feel the flames of desire in his body anymore.

Finally feeling pleased with the needy aches receding, he stared himself down in the mirror. Wondering to himself what other experiences would he have until he figures out a way to get back to normal, if there even is one.

Walking out from the bathroom, Jaune decided it was really time for him to call it night.

"Thanks for tonight guys. I think I'm going to head out."

"You don't have to leave if you're feeling embarrassed, Jaune! I mean did you not hear Blake's foaming at the mouth comment at me….haha."

"No… no I mean I am embarrassed, but I'm just ready to turn in."

"Okay well thanks for coming! It was fun and I hope you were able to de-stress a little."

"Yeah, I'm glad you agreed to come, Jaune."

Smiling, Jaune is glad he came, despite the embarrassment. Still having conflicting feelings of breaching privacy, he really did feel closer to his friends.

"Thanks guys, I do feel better."

As he was heading out the door one last thought popped into his mind. "I meant to ask earlier. Where's the rest of your team, Velvet?"

"Oh Fox and Yatsu went to visit their families for the weekend, and Coco went out. We get the whole room to ourselves this weekend. I'm excited for her to get back tonight, if you catch my drift."

Not being able to take it anymore, Jaune replied quickly "Okay." and bolted out the door. Speed walking back to the safety of his own room.

Blake headed out soon after, but not before indulging in one more excerpt from 'Ninjas of Love.'