Disclaimer: Don't own either Rwby or Type Moon. So enjoy or don't
Chapter 45: A Week of Healing and Preparation
The morning of the second week was unusually quiet, with a peaceful stillness in the air that wasn't typical of their lively mornings. But as each member of Team RWBY, Jaune, Nora, Ren, and Oscar began to wake up, a tantalizing aroma wafted through the halls, leading them one by one into the kitchen.
The kitchen table was transformed, almost overflowing with plates of food that spanned the length of the table, each dish carefully prepared and presented with Shirou's characteristic precision and care. At one end, a stack of fluffy buttermilk pancakes was layered high, sprinkled with fresh blueberries, and accompanied by pitchers of maple syrup and fresh cream. Beside it, a basket held golden-brown croissants and buttery biscuits, still warm from the oven, their scent mingling with the sharper notes of cheddar and rosemary in a plate of perfectly-baked scones.
In the center of the table sat an impressive spread of savory dishes. A large serving platter held scrambled eggs, cooked to a light and creamy texture, garnished with fresh chives and a sprinkle of white pepper. Next to it was a plate of bacon and sausage links, crisped to perfection and arranged around roasted tomatoes and seasoned mushrooms. A side of sautéed vegetables—bell peppers, spinach, and onions with a touch of garlic—added a vibrant color to the feast.
Another dish held Shirou's signature dish: rice porridge with a soft-boiled egg nestled in the center, drizzled with soy sauce and a dash of sesame oil, and topped with finely chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. He knew that not everyone might be familiar with the dish, but he hoped the team would enjoy something a little different and hearty to start their day.
A bowl of fresh fruit sat nearby, filled with sliced strawberries, kiwi, and orange segments, a hint of mint adding an aromatic freshness to the mix. He'd even placed small dishes of homemade jam—strawberry, apricot, and blackberry—alongside the breads, allowing everyone to personalize their choices. Small pots of tea and coffee had been brewed and set out with an array of cream and sugar options for each person's taste.
Amid the spread, they found a neatly written note. Oscar was the first to spot it and lifted it, reading Shirou's message aloud:
"Good morning! I wanted to make something special for all of you before the week began. I'll be with Dr. Pietro for the rest of the week to work through some personal matters. Don't worry—I'll be back in time for the mission. Enjoy the meal!"
They all exchanged glances, touched by Shirou's thoughtfulness, but concern flashed briefly across Blake's face. The others noticed it too, and while they were comforted by Shirou's note, they could see that Blake's worry lingered.
Yang, sensing Blake's unease, gave her a warm smile and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Hey, he'll talk to you when he's ready. Right now, he's taking care of himself, and that's a good thing."
Blake nodded, feeling a bit of the tension ease from her shoulders. She knew Yang was right, but the absence of Shirou at the table left a quiet ache she couldn't quite shake.
As they settled into the meal, the kitchen filled with conversation and laughter. Nora was delighted by the scones, slathering them with apricot jam and taking big, appreciative bites. "He really knows how to make an amazing breakfast," she said with a mouthful, giving a thumbs-up as she reached for another scone. Ruby helped herself to the pancakes, stacking her plate with enough syrup to make Yang chuckle.
Weiss, savoring a small bowl of the rice porridge, murmured, "I didn't think I'd like this, but it's… really good." The comforting warmth of the dish, with its delicate flavors, surprised her. It was clear to everyone that Shirou had put thought into every part of this meal, crafting it to suit each of their tastes while adding his own personal touches.
Between the familiar voices, the clinking of dishes, and the warmth of the food, they felt Shirou's presence, even in his absence. The breakfast feast was more than a meal—it was a reminder of the bond they shared and a comforting start to the challenging days ahead.
For Blake and Yang, the week became a chance to address the pain and misunderstandings that had lingered between them since their time at Beacon. Although both had forgiven each other, the unspoken rift was something they had often avoided directly addressing. Now, with Shirou's absence as a subtle reminder of the importance of confronting their own struggles, they found themselves taking steps toward true reconciliation.
The first real moment came one afternoon after a grueling training session. Blake and Yang had been sparring together, testing their close-combat coordination. Though their movements had improved, their timing still occasionally faltered. After a particularly clumsy clash where they ended up stumbling into each other, they both laughed, the tension breaking as they picked themselves up.
"That was… not great," Yang admitted, smiling as she dusted herself off. Her usual confidence had softened, replaced by a vulnerability that surprised Blake.
Blake chuckled, nodding. "Maybe we're just out of practice with each other," she said, and for a moment, their eyes met, an unspoken understanding passing between them.
Yang took a deep breath. "Blake, can we talk?" Her tone was more serious now, her violet eyes searching Blake's face for permission.
Blake felt her heart tighten, but she nodded. "Yeah, I think we should."
They moved to a quieter part of the training grounds, away from the others. Sitting together on a low bench, Yang gathered her thoughts before speaking. "Back then, after Beacon… when you left," she began, her voice steady but low, "it felt like you just… vanished. I didn't know why. All I knew was that you were gone, and I thought… maybe it was my fault."
Blake looked down, guilt weighing heavily on her heart. "I didn't know how to stay, Yang," she admitted, her voice a mere whisper. "I was scared. Scared of how much I'd hurt you, scared of what I'd brought into your life. I thought leaving was the only way to protect you—from me, from everything." She clenched her hands together, her fingers digging into her palms. "But I see now that it was the wrong choice. I hurt you in ways I never intended to."
Yang listened quietly, her expression softened by understanding. "I was angry at first," she said. "But more than that, I was hurt. I wanted to understand why you felt like you couldn't stay. But I think, deep down, I've always known it wasn't about me. It was about what you were going through, and I wish I'd seen that sooner."
Blake shook her head. "You have every right to feel that way, Yang. And I know I have a lot to make up for. I just… I never wanted you to get hurt because of me."
Yang reached over and placed a gentle hand over Blake's. "I know that now. And you don't have to keep running from it. We're here together, fighting side by side. I trust you, Blake. I just need to know that you trust me, too."
Blake's heart swelled with a mixture of gratitude and relief, feeling the weight of years of guilt and fear begin to ease. "I do trust you," she said, meeting Yang's gaze with a newfound strength. "And I promise, I won't run again. I'll stay, no matter how difficult things get."
Their hands remained clasped, a silent promise passing between them. Yang gave Blake's hand a final, gentle squeeze before letting go, her face breaking into a soft smile. "Good. Because I'm not letting you get rid of me that easily," she teased, her tone lightening as the tension faded.
The rest of the week saw their partnership and friendship deepen in small but significant ways. During training, they focused intently on building their coordination, each taking the time to learn the other's rhythm and movements. Yang adjusted her strikes to better flow with Blake's more agile style, while Blake incorporated Yang's strength into her own attacks, finding a balance that allowed them to move as a seamless unit.
In quieter moments, they shared stories and memories, rekindling the bond they had at Beacon. They spoke of simpler times, laughing at shared jokes and recounting the first missions they had tackled together. With each conversation, they found themselves growing closer, each one affirming their friendship and learning to rely on one another in a way that felt unbreakable.
On one of the last nights of the week, they took a moment to look up at the stars, sitting on the roof of the building in comfortable silence. Yang broke the quiet, her voice thoughtful. "You know, I'm not the same person I was back at Beacon. Losing my arm, going through everything we did… It changed me. But I'm finally starting to feel like I'm okay with that."
Blake smiled, reaching over to give her friend's shoulder a light squeeze. "I think we've all changed. But you're still one of the bravest, most loyal people I know, Yang. And I'm grateful to be here with you."
Yang looked over, a glimmer of emotion in her eyes. "Same, Blake. And whatever comes next, we'll face it together."
By the end of the week, they had grown closer than ever. They were no longer just two teammates forced to reconcile but true friends who had chosen to stand by each other. Their friendship, forged through hardship and healing, had become a source of strength for them both, and they felt ready to face whatever lay ahead.
Throughout the week, Team RWBY and their allies dedicated themselves to rigorous training, refining their abilities and pushing the limits of their stamina and skills. Each day began with early-morning conditioning, where they ran obstacle courses designed to test their agility, endurance, and reflexes. These sessions became grueling tests of strength and resilience, pushing them to the edge of their abilities, yet motivating them to grow stronger as a team. The obstacles were modified daily to simulate unpredictable environments, ensuring they were prepared for any challenge they might face on their upcoming mission.
Afternoons were reserved for intense combat drills and team exercises. Ruby led several sessions on tactical maneuvers, leveraging her speed and precision to devise strategies that would allow each member to play to their strengths. Weiss focused on refining the team's coordination, demonstrating ways to combine her glyphs with their attacks to enhance both offense and defense. They practiced using Weiss's glyphs as quick launch points, allowing Yang to deliver powerful aerial strikes while providing Blake with more agility and positioning options during close-combat encounters.
Blake and Yang, with their renewed partnership, delved deeply into paired drills to improve their combined attack strategies. Blake's nimble movements allowed her to draw opponents' attention, setting up opportunities for Yang to deliver decisive, explosive blows. They developed quick signals and subtle gestures, learning to anticipate each other's moves with practiced ease. Jaune, Nora, and Ren joined in, their teamwork adding more dimensions to the training sessions, as they rotated through different roles, covering each other's weaknesses and fortifying their team dynamics.
Oscar, though still learning, became an essential part of their training as well. Ruby, recognizing Oscar's potential and wisdom from Ozpin, took extra time to spar with him, helping him adapt his Cane techniques to be more versatile. His presence added a layer of magic-based tactics that strengthened the team, giving them a strategic edge they hadn't yet fully explored.
Meanwhile, in the lab, Dr. Pietro worked with the team to upgrade their weapons, and Shirou's unique reinforcement magic added another layer of enhancement to their gear. Dr. Pietro, a master of engineering, showed each member new ways to maximize the potential of their weapons, fine-tuning aspects of their design to improve efficiency, durability, and power output.
Ruby was thrilled as Dr. Pietro carefully examined Crescent Rose, strengthening its frame and optimizing its mechanisms to make it lighter and more responsive. The scythe's recoil was reduced, allowing her to fire more rapidly without sacrificing accuracy. Shirou added a layer of reinforcement, giving the weapon an almost unbreakable resilience, which Ruby eagerly tested by spinning and slashing with newfound precision and force.
Weiss's Myrtenaster underwent significant upgrades as well. Pietro fine-tuned the Dust chambers, allowing for quicker and smoother Dust-infused attacks. He even added a new internal system that enabled Weiss to switch between Dust types more seamlessly during combat. Shirou's reinforcement amplified the durability of Myrtenaster's blade, allowing Weiss to create larger glyphs and summon her constructs with more power. With this newfound strength, Weiss's summons had sharper detail, embodying her family's glyph magic with elegance and potency.
Blake's weapon, Gambol Shroud, was modified to enhance its dual-purpose functionality. Pietro added a reinforced cable mechanism, making the weapon's chain far more durable and giving Blake additional control when using it as a grappling tool. Shirou's magic reinforced the edges of her blades, making them sharper and less prone to wear during extended use. Blake could now cut through tougher materials with ease, and her chain strikes were quicker and more precise, making Gambol Shroud a more deadly and flexible weapon.
Yang was particularly excited for the upgrades to her Ember Celica gauntlets. Pietro upgraded the internal firing mechanisms to allow for higher-impact explosions, enhancing her punches with greater force. Additionally, Pietro and Shirou worked together to reinforce the gauntlets' exterior, allowing Yang to throw even more powerful punches without risking damage to her equipment. The combined efforts gave her a new level of confidence in her striking power, and her punches now reverberated with greater intensity, allowing her to launch foes farther than before.
Shirou played a vital role throughout the upgrades, using his reinforcement magic to strengthen each weapon's structure on a fundamental level, imbuing them with a magical resilience that made each piece of gear feel brand new. His reinforcement magic not only amplified their durability but also harmonized with the unique characteristics of each weapon, enhancing them in ways that aligned perfectly with their owners' combat styles.
By the end of each day, they took part in combat simulations, designed to replicate high-stress battle scenarios. Using Dr. Pietro's holographic technology, they faced virtual enemies that mimicked the Grimm, allowing them to hone their responses to attacks in real time. The simulated Grimm, which included Manticores, Beowolves, and even an Ursa, provided a safe yet intense environment for the team to test their new skills and weapon upgrades.
By the end of the week, Team RWBY and their allies felt the effects of their hard work. They moved with newfound fluidity, their teamwork sharper and more precise. They had adapted their skills to each other's strengths and gained confidence in their individual abilities. In the evenings, they gathered to discuss what they'd learned, sharing insights and tactics they could carry forward into battle.
As they cleaned their weapons and prepared for the upcoming mission, the team felt an unbreakable bond solidify among them. Their skills had been honed, their weapons fortified, and their spirits lifted. They were ready for whatever challenges awaited, united by trust, strength, and a deep sense of camaraderie.
Throughout the week, Shirou spent long hours in deep conversation with Dr. Pietro, who, with his gentle demeanor and patient wisdom, offered a space for Shirou to begin exploring the grief and trauma he had carried alone for so long. Though these sessions didn't erase his pain, they helped him take his first steps toward understanding and, eventually, healing.
The journey began slowly. Initially, Shirou struggled to open up, his responses short and cautious as he grappled with how much of his past he felt comfortable revealing. Dr. Pietro noticed Shirou's hesitation but didn't press, allowing Shirou to take his time. He created a calm, understanding atmosphere, gently guiding Shirou toward exploring the memories he was ready to share. It was a gradual process, filled with uncomfortable pauses and careful words, yet by the second day, Shirou felt a glimmer of trust and allowed himself to speak a little more freely.
He spoke of the fire in Fuyuki that had reshaped his life and instilled a sense of purpose that had turned into obsession. As he described his journey to become a hero, he recounted his memories in fragments, his voice quiet but steady. Yet, the weight of each word reminded him that he was not yet free of his past. Dr. Pietro listened intently, his gentle nods and thoughtful silence conveying a respect that made Shirou feel heard, yet Shirou felt an ache in his chest that told him he was only scratching the surface.
As the sessions continued, Dr. Pietro helped Shirou explore some of his most painful memories. They discussed the Fifth Holy Grail War and the emotional scars it had left—scars that were still tender and raw. Shirou's voice faltered as he recounted the lives he couldn't save and the dark choices he had made along the way, particularly regarding Sakura. Pietro listened with unflinching compassion, helping Shirou see that his guilt, while understandable, wasn't something he had to carry alone.
"I keep thinking that maybe I could have done more," Shirou admitted one afternoon, his gaze downcast. "Maybe if I had just been a little stronger, a little wiser... things would be different."
Pietro placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It's natural to question yourself, Shirou. And it's okay to feel that guilt. But part of healing is learning to accept that sometimes, no matter how hard we try, things may still not go as we wish. And that doesn't make us failures."
Though Pietro's words offered a glimmer of comfort, Shirou knew that accepting them fully would take time. His guilt wasn't something he could simply let go of overnight; it was woven too deeply into his sense of self. Yet, Pietro's words began to plant a seed, a small realization that he didn't have to carry that burden alone forever.
One of the most significant moments of Shirou's journey that week came when he chose to end the glamour spell that had been hiding his unique physical changes. Over time, and due to the nature of his powers and experiences, Shirou's appearance had altered subtly, yet distinctively: a streak of white ran through his hair, and a ring of steel colored the outer rim of his irises—a reminder of the battles he had fought and the unyielding steel resolve he had developed along the way. For weeks, he had concealed these changes, feeling they made him stand out as a reminder of the past he wanted to bury. But now, encouraged by Dr. Pietro, Shirou felt ready to reveal his true self.
As their sessions progressed, Dr. Pietro's words helped him see these marks in a new light. "These traits are part of you, Shirou," Pietro had said kindly, a gentle smile on his face. "They don't define you, but they do tell a story of strength, of resilience, and of change. Embracing them doesn't mean surrendering to your past; it means acknowledging that you're still here, despite everything."
With a newfound sense of acceptance, Shirou made the decision to end the glamour. As the spell faded, he looked at himself in the mirror, taking in the thin streak of white against his otherwise dark hair and the steely rings in his eyes, like fragments of metal reflecting his inner fortitude. The changes were subtle yet striking, symbols of everything he had endured.
Dr. Pietro nodded approvingly, his gaze warm and proud. "You're showing the world who you truly are now," he said softly. "And that's a powerful thing. You don't have to hide anymore."
As Shirou looked back at his reflection, he felt a surge of conflicting emotions—relief, nervousness, and even a faint trace of pride. The marks were reminders of his journey and his survival, not just signs of the weight he carried. They represented growth, a life still in motion, and the willingness to accept himself, even if he was still learning how.
Despite these breakthroughs, Shirou knew his journey was far from over. His progress felt fragile, like a thin layer of ice covering a deep, turbulent lake. There were still parts of his past he struggled to talk about, wounds that felt as raw as the day they were inflicted. Some nights, he still lay awake, haunted by memories he hadn't yet shared with anyone, not even Dr. Pietro. But for the first time, he felt that he didn't have to face those memories alone.
Dr. Pietro gently reminded Shirou that healing is a long and uneven path. "Some days, you'll feel strong and ready to face the world," Pietro said, his tone warm and encouraging. "And other days, the weight might feel as heavy as ever. That's all right. What matters is that you keep going."
These words resonated with Shirou, helping him see that setbacks wouldn't mean failure, just as progress wouldn't mean the end of his pain. He had taken his first steps, but he understood that true peace would take time, perhaps even a lifetime.
As the week drew to a close, Shirou felt a cautious optimism he hadn't known in years. He was still grieving, still healing, but he was also more willing to believe that there was a future where he could live without being shackled by his past. Though he hadn't shed all of his doubts and fears, he felt stronger for having begun to confront them, however tentatively.
Pietro's support had given him something he hadn't thought he deserved: hope. Hope that, one day, he might learn to forgive himself and find a sense of peace. The journey was only beginning, and Shirou knew that more challenges lay ahead. But he was ready to take them on, one step at a time, surrounded by friends who cared for him and with the quiet guidance of Dr. Pietro's words to sustain him.