Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Alright,” Yang said, coming into the kitchen of their house in Mistral. “I’m going to make a run to the store to stock up on whatever else we need before we head out in a few days. Anyone want to add to the list?”

“Oh! I need some more electric dust!” Nora popped up, beaming.

“A few extra bullet rounds couldn’t hurt.” Ren admitted.

“You can have some of mine,” Blake offered. “Sun and the others left me with a pretty decent stock before heading to Vacuo. I don’t see us running into much trouble on the train.”

Ren nodded. “Thank you.”

“We should probably get some snacks for the train too,” Jaune suggested. “It’s a few days ride and the meals are on a pretty tight schedule.”

Yang nodded, scribbling everything down on a notepad as she leaned in the counter. She smiled to herself.

“What’s that look for?” Weiss asked skeptically. “I hope you aren’t planning something utterly ridiculous.”

“Nope,” Yang chuckled. “Just thought I might make some cookies to take with us.”

“Like the ones you and Ruby used to make at Beacon?” Nora asked excitedly. “Those were the best! I could eat an entire batch myself.”

“You did eat an entire batch yourself,” Ren reminded her.

Nora waved him off. “That’s beside the point. We haven’t had them in forever!”

“They were really good.” Jaune admitted. “Kinda reminded me of home.”

Yang softened, a sad fondness in her eyes. “I’m glad that you guys liked them so much. It’s our mom’s recipe. She taught it to me and I taught it to Ruby.”

Ren came over, setting a hand on her shoulder. “Would you mind teaching it to me too? I…don’t have many family recipes. I’d like to add this one to the list, if that’s alright.”

Yang blinked, feeling tears prick at her eyes. She sniffled and nodded, ducking her head. “Y-yeah, sure. I…that won’t be a problem.”

Ren hugged her shoulders gently, a small smile shared between them. He pulled back as Yang got herself composed.

“Alright,” she said, sliding the notepad over to the others. “Write down some snacks and things you’d like to get. I’m gonna go ask Ruby what she wants.”

“Got it.” Jaune took the list to keep track as Nora started to list off possible snack options. Yang snorted in amusement, heading towards the hall. A hand grabbed her metal wrist and she paused, looking at Blake. The other woman’s ears went flat and she quickly let go, averting her gaze.

“I-I just…wanted to ask how you’re holding up?” she murmured. “From the fight?”

Yang narrowed her eyes slightly, before heaving a weary sigh. She brushed a hand through her hair. “Sore, tired, pretty usual for after a major fight.”

“True,” Blake said. She shifted nervously, fiddling with the side of her coat. “I…sorry, I shouldn’t keep you.”

“It’s okay,” Yang said softly. She shrugged. “It’s…nice of you to check in.”

Blake’s head raised, surprised by the comment. She pursed her lips and nodded slightly. Yang nodded in return before continuing down the hall. Once she was out of sight of the others, she sighed, shoulders slumping. It was so hard to keep up appearances with Blake. She knew that Ruby wanted the team back together desperately, and running into Blake at the battle in Haven surely had to be the sign of some kind of divine intervention. Yang simply couldn’t get over the way her heart clenched so painfully in her chest every time they interacted.

She was angry at her. Furious. Blake had left her. She had ran. When Yang threw herself between Blake and Adam to protect her, lost her arm for her, she had simply ran. It wasn’t that Yang didn’t understand her need to get away, the desire not cause more pain by her presence. But it had. Her absence had carved something jagged and deep from her chest. It had left a hollow hole that sat empty, abandoned, in the long months past. Now, that she was back the piece no longer seemed to fit, growing far too small for the depth of the hole left behind. Yang feared it would never slot back into place, that it would forever teeter at the rocky edge, always waiting for the day to would slide free and be lost forever.

She shook her head, trying not to let herself get too deep in her thoughts. It never helped, letting her mind dwell and sink into the shadows that always awaited her now. She couldn’t afford to slip up. Not now. Not when they had a job to do. Yang pushed open the door to Ruby’s room, not even bothering to knock.

“Yo, Rubes. Are there any snacks you wa-“

“Yang!” Ruby shrieked, turning quickly at her entrance, cream blouse pressed to her chest in a modicum of decency as she was getting dressed. “Can’t you knock?”

Yang, however, had froze, eyes going wide in horror at the sight before her. She hadn’t seen much of her baby sister since they arrived. Sure, she’d trained with the others in the prep for going to Haven, and the RWY portion of their team had been sleeping in the same room for nearly two weeks now. Yet, in all that time, Yang had never seen her sister unclothed as she was, showing more skin than her outfit typically allowed.

And with it, the scars.

They littered every inch of her body. Gashes across her thin arms, a slash in her back, tiny cuts across her thighs and hip. There was a scar of three deep claws in her thigh that had obviously healed wrong, and a cut through her side that couldn’t have been anything, but deep. She had a burn in her shoulder, and the bruises from their fight were already turning mottled. Yang felt dizzy. She wanted to throw up. Her baby sister was a tapestry of pain, wounds marking her skin that Yang was never there for, injuries her big sister didn’t protect her from.

Ruby shifted, hugging herself to cover the marks. She swallowed thickly, voice small as she murmured, “Yang?”

The call snapped Yang out of her stare, body moving towards her sister. She couldn’t help the way her eyes scanned her body, calculating and taking stock of every mark she could find. There was the one from when she cut herself with Crescent Rose while working on it. There was the scar from when she fell out of the treehouse when they were kids. There was the mark left after she’d taken the sharp end of a talon in the middle of a mission at Beacon. So many of them she could trace to memories and moments, every one burned into Yang’s mind more certain than even her own name. Yet, there were so many she didn’t know of, missing memories from a time she wasn’t close. How many had she gotten from the Fall of Beacon? How many from the months they were apart?

“My baby…” she breathed, setting her trembling hands on Ruby’s arms. “My beautiful, beautiful baby…”

Ruby hugged herself tighter, as if trying to hide her scars, hide the reminder of their separation. “Y-Yang…I’m alright, I promise. They’re so old. It isn’t-“

“Don’t!” Yang snapped, silencing her in a moment. When Yang looked up, tears burned in her red eyes, her jaw clenched tightly to keep the tremor out of her lips. “What happened to you? Please, Ruby, what happened?”

Ruby swallowed thickly, once again averting her eyes to a random spot off to the side of the room. “I-it wasn’t bad…not really. Traveling through two countries takes a lot. We got blisters and sores and scrapes. It was normal.”

“Ruby,” Yang didn’t care how desperate her voice sounded, pleading from the depths of her shattering soul. Her hand came up to cup her cheek. “Tell me, please.”

Ruby closed her eyes, tilting her cheek into her hand. “M-my aura shattered a few times. I-I got hit by an Ursa, thrown around a bit by a Beringel, attacked by a few villagers. It really isn’t anything to worry about.”

“You were attacked by villagers?” Yang breathed. “Why?”

Ruby shrugged, looking down at the floor. Anywhere, but at Yang, really. “Didn’t like Huntsmen…they…they heard about Beacon, were siding with Salem’s beliefs. I…I tried to convince them against it, but…”

She gestured loosely to the burn on her shoulder. “They didn’t take it very well…”

Oh, Yang wanted to hunt these people down and murder them. How dare they hurt her baby sister. How dare they lay their hands on the sweetest child to ever walk this wretched planet. Yang would end them. If she ever got the chance, she would rip them to shreds. She was seething, smoke slipping through the edges of her lips. She didn’t even realize how hot she’d become until Ruby’s cold hands tapped her cheeks on either side, a gentle slap to bring her back to herself.

“It’s…it’s okay, Yang.” Ruby murmured, looking up at her. “It’s alright. I’m fine.”

Yang shook her head. She slipped her hands up to close around Ruby’s wrists, keeping her hands on her face. Yang tried to keep them at bay, but her traitorous tears burned at her lash line. “It isn’t okay, Rubes. I…I should have been here. I should have protected you.”

Ruby shook her head. “No, Yang. You needed to recover. You needed to take time for yourself. You had been through so much. If anything, I should have stayed longer. I should have been with you, helped you, found another way.”

Yang shook her head between Ruby’s hands. “No…no, you shouldn’t have. I don’t think…I think I needed the worry. I think I needed to fear for you being away to pull me out of it. The only thing I could think of was if you’d be okay, if you would make it here in one piece. Just wanting to see you again helped me so much.”

Ruby smiled slightly. “Then…maybe everything worked out for the best in the end?”

Yang sighed, moving Ruby’s hands off as she let go of her wrists. “I still don’t like the thought of you being in so much pain when I couldn’t be there for you.”

“Uncle Qrow says it builds character.” Ruby shrugged and giggled. “I’m sure we’ll gain many more along the way.”

Yang shook her head, frowning. “I don’t like it, but I know I can’t do anything about it.”

“Yep!” Ruby pulled on her cream blouse, adjusting it at the shoulders. “Besides, you have plenty too.”

She nodded at Yang’s arm. The blonde snorted humorlessly, grasping the wrist of the metal. “Yeah…more than just on the surface.”

“Mom had scars,” Ruby said suddenly as she pulled on her black and red corset.

Yang came over to help her with the ties, an instinct built by years of practice. She sighed, tugging it in place gently. “Yeah…she did.”

Summer Rose was a map of the battles she’d survived. Gashes and bruises and cuts all marring her porcelain skin, building her into the amazing Huntress and mother she was. Even Dad had his fair share of scars, one covered by the tattoo on his bicep. Uncle Qrow carried his own as well, both the physical kind and those far deeper. Each one amazing. Each one full of love. Each one a promise of another day.

Ruby pulled on her skirt and grunted as Yang tightened and tied off her corset. As se straighted, Yang hugged her sister tightly, nuzzling against her shoulder.

“I love you,” she whispered.

Ruby tipped her head against hers. “I love you, too.”

Maybe Yang couldn’t protect Ruby from everything. Maybe she couldn’t keep her from scraps and bumps and claws. She could be there to clean up the mess, though. She could be there to offer aid. She wouldn’t let Ruby be alone. Not now, not ever.

Yang would always be there.

Chapter Text

Cinder summoned a flaming spear to her hand, smirking as she sauntered away from Jaune, eyes trained on Weiss who was trying to pull herself from the ground. It didn’t take much for Jaune to figure out what she was planning, the images conjured by Ruby’s story of what happened to Pyrrha when she created the top of the Beacon tower flashing through his mind. He cried out, begging Weiss to move.

Ruby stirred at the sound, grunting in pain as her head throbbed where Emerald had cracked her grapples against her skull. One of many issues with using her silver eyes, dropping her Aura for a moment, making her more susceptible to injuries, and Emerald had used that flaw to her advantage. She shook off the fuzzy ringing in her ears, looking up just as she saw Cinder take aim with the spear, point directed straight at Weiss.

Her eyes widened as the end of Jaune’s cry filtered through her ringing ears. Her body moved, scrambling off the ground in a desperately uncoordinated dash. Emerald tried to grapple her with her chains, but Ruby disappeared, body breaking down into a dozen rose petals as she shot across the battlefield like a bullet. Cinder loosed the spear and it soared towards Weiss, only for a whirl of red to appear between her and the edge, shoving Weiss out of the way. The blade landed true, albeit, a new target in her stead, sinking through cloth and skin and muscle as it penetrated her back and tore through her abdomen before it stopped, caught halfway between.

Ruby let out a choked cry, back arching as the spear tore through her aura, shattering it in a brilliant burst of red light. It hurt. Oh gods, it hurt. It hurt. It hurt. Ruby gasped, choking on air as her wide eyes met Weiss’s, a reflection of horror on her face. She had never felt such blindingly white pain before, both numb and agonizing at once. Ruby’s knees gave out, cracking hard against the floor and she gasped at the renewed pain that lighted up the side of her body. Weiss’s face had gone pale and hands covering her mouth, barely able to believe what Ruby had done. But it was fine, Ruby thought distantly. Weiss was safe. That was all that mattered. It should have been all that mattered, but it hurt, it hurt, it hurt so bad she couldn’t stand it. She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t move. She couldn’t think.

She was scared. She was so scared. She wanted Yang. She wanted her sister. Copper stung her tongue, red dribbling out the side of her mouth. Her eyes searched frantically through the fight, landed on a flash of blonde. Ruby saw her turn, her lavender eyes going wide, and she reached for her sister.

“Y-Yang…” she choked, edges of her vision going grey.

Yang’s mouth moved as if to say something, but Ruby couldn’t hear her. She was so tired. It hurt so bad. Her older sister dashed towards her and Ruby blinked.

Once.

Twice.

And then everything went dark.

———

Mercury paused in his assault against Yang, no longer looking at her, but behind. Yang sneered, turning to see what had caught his attention so effortlessly in the heat of a fight, and her heart stopped dead in her chest.

Ruby. Her baby sister. Her world. Her everything. Yang’s eyes widened, shrinking to pin pricks as she saw the blade sticking through her gut, heard the choked noises spilling from her gapped mouth as blood trickled down her lips. No. No, this couldn’t be happening. Anyone, but her. Anyone, but her baby sister.

“Ruby!!!” The scream tore from her throat as she raced across the battlefield, Mercury long forgotten. Yang fired off a blast to boost her steps, desperate to get to her sister. The blade disappeared in a whirl of smoke, Ruby’s body pitching forward and Yang slid on her knees, catching her before she could hit the ground.

“No. Nononono,” Yang gasped, laying Ruby in her lap. Her sister had gone so pale so quick. This couldn’t be happening. It couldn’t be real. This had to be a nightmare. She cupped Ruby’s cheek, patting it to wake her up. “Don’t close your eyes! Come on, Ruby. Look at me. Stay with me. Ruby!”

“Well, isn’t this a surprise.” Cinder purred, a chuckle at the end of her tone. “Guess it doesn’t pay to be the hero, hmm?”

“Shut up!” Jaune growled, glaring at her as he ran by, sliding to Yang’s side. He glanced at Weiss who was frozen in place, staring at Ruby’s wounded side, the way Yang was crying for her sister in heart wrenching desperation that shook them all to their core. He knew Weiss was in shock, he was too, but they didn’t have time to shut down. Not now. Not when their friends needed them.

“Weiss!” He snapped at her, startling the girl out of her daze. “Go help Nora and Ren. Hurry!”

She nodded stiffly, eyeing Ruby’s unmoving form a second more before running off to join the fight. Yang, on the other hand, was pressing her hand to the wound, tears rolling down her face.

“Please, no, no,” she chanted like a mantra between heaving sobs, like maybe if she begged enough things would be okay. Her sister would be okay. “You can’t…not you too. I can’t lose you too. Not like Mom…”

“Yang,” Jaune said, shakily pushing her hand so he could see the wound. “Oh, gods it’s bad.”

“W-what do we do!?” Yang turned wide, pleading eyes to Jaune. He swallowed, breath caught in his throat. He’d never seen the normally composed and confident woman so shaken. It was jarring, to say the least, but her sister was dying in their arms. It was only natural. He wasn’t exactly composed himself, hands trembling as he applied pressure to the wound, blood spilling between his fingers from his best friend’s stomach. It was a thorough wound. At this rate, she was going to bleed out in minutes.

“I-I uh…I don’t…” No! Jaune shook his head, biting his lip hard enough to hurt, to ground himself. Dammit. He couldn’t freeze up. Not now. Not when Ruby was in trouble. Yang was looking to him to lead, to take over in her sister’s stead, to fill in the gaps that had fractured along her unshakable resolve. Gods, Ruby always made it seem so easy with her endless hope and optimism. She carried the world like it weighed nothing, but he knew that was a lie, a mask she wore for them all. She was still only a kid. Two years younger and the most capable of them all. She’d stop at nothing to save one of them, and he wouldn’t either. He was the leader of team JNR, the co-leader of RNJR, and he would not let her down.

Footsteps rang nearby, Ren sliding beside them. He grabbed Ruby’s wrist, pressing his fingers to her pulse to get a reading on her Aura.

“Ren, talk to me,” Jaune ordered.

His friend’s face fell. “It’s…it’s not good. Her Aura’s gone. Without self-healing she’s going to bleed out soon.”

“Do something!” Yang cried, holding Ruby tighter as she sobbed. “Please, I can’t lose her!”

Jaune shook his head, tears falling down his face as he tried to stem the bleeding. “I-It wasn’t supposed to be like this. It wasn’t…we can’t lose anyone else. Not again. Dammit!”

This wasn’t fair. They’d fought so hard to get to Haven, to make Cinder pay. Yet, they couldn’t even do that right. Now, she’d succeeded in getting them away from the vault, taking Ruby down in the process. They were failing. Pyrrha. Penny. Even Yang. They were suppose to get revenge and instead they lost. They couldn’t let things end this way. Not again. Not now. Not Ruby.

“Jaune!” His eyes snapped open at Yang’s cry, looking down to see Ruby covered in a soft glow. He blinked, looking between Ren and Yang’s shock expressions.

“W-what?”

“Your Semblance,” Ren breathed. “It’s unlocked.”

“What’s happening?” Yang demanded, watching as the light spread over her sister like a blanket, edges bleeding from gold to red as they seemed to disappear into her. Ruby’s head lulled in her grasp, a weak gasp pulled from her lungs. She shuddered, wheezing softly.

“He’s…he’s healing her,” Ren marveled.

“No,” Jaune shook his head. “It doesn’t feel like I’m healing her, but…but I think I’m amplifying her Aura.”

“Ruby!” Oscar and Nora rushed over to them, looking on in equal shock. Jaune glanced at Ren who checked her pulse again, nodding that it was improving. He could have sobbed in relief, instead focusing more energy into her.

“She’s going to be okay,” Yang sobbed, a half hysterical laugh at the edge of her voice. “She’s going to make it.”

“Ah!” They all glanced over, seeing Qrow and Weiss doing their best to keep their opponents at bay. Hazel was going on a rampage and Mercury and Emerald were intent on trying to get to them.

“They need help.” Jaune said.

“I’ve got Weiss.” Ren said, standing as he grabbed his weapons. “You going to be alright?”

“Yeah,” Jaune said. “Oscar, you go help Qrow.”

The boy nodded, running off with Ren.

“You still need cover.” Nora argued, tightening her hold on her hammer.

Yang gently laid Ruby on the ground, making sure her hood cushioned her head. Her fingers brushed her bangs to the side with a gentle touch, thumb wiping the blood from the side of her lips. She rose slowly, eyes turning red as she engaged her gauntlets. “I’ve got them covered. Anyone tries to come near her and I’ll fucking kill them.”

Nora nodded, assured enough to hurry off to help Ren. Yang took her spot, standing defensively in front of Jaune and Ruby as her hair flared with embers.

“Keep doing what you’re doing, Jaune,” she said over her shoulder. “Just don’t burn yourself out.”

Jaune snorted humorlessly. “Pyrrha once said I have a lot of Aura. I believe her. So I don’t think we have to worry.”

Yang grunted in affirmation, watching the fights going on around them. Weiss summoned a Killer Queen to go after Mercury and Emerald while Nora helped Qrow with HazelThe large man had stabbed Dust crystals into his skin, going on a rampage. The place shook with his growls and she glanced at where Cinder and Raven had disappeared into the vault. She gritted her teeth. They needed to go after them, but she wasn’t going to leave until she knew Ruby was okay.

In just a few more minutes Ruby groaned, weak and pained. Yang spared a look to see her shift, eyes fluttering open.

“Mm…Jaune…?” She croaked weakly, wincing in pain. “Ah!”

“Hey, hey, easy,” Jaune said gently, keeping his hands over her wound. “Don’t move.”

“What…what happened…?” She murmured.

“You took a heavy hit,” Yang said from in front of them. “Take it easy and let Jaune help you.”

“It hurts…” Ruby breathed, whimpering in pain.

Jaune hushed her gently. “I’m sure it does, but we’re patching you up as quickly as we can. Just stay with me, okay?”

“We…we gotta help the others…” she slurred, trying to reach her fingers for Crescent Rose. Instead, Yang dropped to her knees, clasping Ruby’s hand in hers.

“They’re handling it just fine.” Yang reassured, kissing the back of her knuckles. “Focus on yourself for now, Little Rose Bud. Big sis has gotcha.”

Ruby made a noise, eyes fluttering closer once more. Jaune pushed more Aura into hers, shifting his hands to see the wound was closing, albeit slowly. After a few more moments in closed completely, skin knitting itself together, and leaving a gnarled scar across pale skin in its place. A little bit more and she shifted, eyes opening again as she grunted, slowly siting sitting up.

Jaune hooked an arm around her back, helping her up as he kept pumping his Aura into hers. “Easy now, easy, how do you feel?”

“Woozy,” she admitted, blinking a few times. “But…better. A lot better.”

“Thank the brothers,” Jaune sighed in relief. “You had use scared half to death there.”

Ruby smiled tiredly at him. “See? I told you your Semblance would come in when you needed it most.”

Jaune snorted softly. “Yeah. Yeah, you did. Good thing it came when it did.”

Yang helped her stand after a few more minutes of rest, making sure she had the strength to move. Ruby’s legs wobbled a moment, but she took a deep breath, setting her jaw as she forced her legs to stabilize. Jaune set a hand on the small of her back, offering extra support while Yang grabbed Crescent Rose where it had skid away after Ruby got hit. The younger hefted the weight in her hands once it was handed over, nodding to herself as she moved to stand beside Yang, glancing at her. “Sorry for worrying you.”

Yang glanced at her in turn, before she threw an arm around her, tugging her in for a kiss on the temple.

“If you ever do something like that again I will kill you myself,” she said seriously, before breaking the tension by poking her on the nose.

Ruby chuckled. “Deal. Now, come on, Sis. Let’s go kick some butt.”

“Good,” Yang hissed, knocking her gauntlets together as her eyes turned red, hair flaming at the edges. “I’ve got some anger to give back.”

Ruby glanced at Jaune as he pulled out his sword, smiling at him in thanks before they rushed off. He sighed, glancing at his hand. Jaune clenched his fist tightly, taking a deep breath, before running out into the fray as well. He could worry about everything else later.

Right now, they had a job to do.

Chapter Text

Atlas was intimidating, to say the least.

It was hard to believe that a little less than a year ago Oscar was just a simple farm boy, waking up at the crack of dawn to go into the fields with his aunt and tend to the crops, the livestock, the simple life that they’d had. He thinks about her often, wondering what she was doing, whether she was handling the farm alright on her own. There was a part of him that regretted leaving the way he did. Nothing, but a note, a poorly scribbled apology, as he set out for an uncertain road, following the strange voice in his head. Now, that voice had betrayed him, had lied to not only him, but others too, and then simply ran away when the truth finally spilled free. Part of Oscar wanted to rage, to yell, to scream, to fight against the unfairness of it all. He’d come so far only to be left alone to fight in a war he never asked to be apart of. He’d left his life, his family, hoping for some kind of adventure, only to find out the path he was walking wasn’t even truly his. One day - who knows how soon - he wouldn’t even be Oscar anymore, but just another life taken for Ozpin to try again. And again. And again.

Try as he might, Oscar couldn’t be completely resentful of everything that had happened. Not really. After all, this path had lead him to his friends. If he’d not taken the chance, then he’d have never met Jaune, Ren, or Nora. He’d never have been introduced to Weiss, or Blake, or Yang. He’d never have learned from Qrow, or Maria for that matter. But most of all, he’d never had the chance to know Ruby, and that, he thought, would have been the ultimate travesty.

“It’s freezing!” Ruby cried, practically attached to Yang’s side like a sloth to a tree, hugging her sister’s flesh arm as she trembled during their walk through the shopping center.

“That’s exactly why we’re here,” Weiss said. “Aura and central heating can only do so much to keep back the cold of Solitas. If we’re going to be doing missions with the Ace Ops we need to dress more appropriately.”

“She has a point,” Blake said reluctantly, shifting subtly closer to Yang’s other side. The blonde chuckled, flaring her aura out as her hair took on a faint ember glow, casting a curtain of warmth around those nearest.

“You guys are such lightweights,” she teased. “It actually feels kinda nice.”

Ruby gave her an unamused expression. “That’s because your blood runs as hot as the air in your head. Of course, the cold wouldn’t affect you.”

Yang gasped in mock offense, proceeding to unceremoniously drop Ruby on the ground with a yelp from the younger girl. “So rude to your kind older sister providing you warmth. If that’s the tone you want to take, then you can just freeze. I can give all the warmth to Blake instead.”

“Yes, please,” Blake shuddered, shifting to press her side against Yang’s as her teeth chatted.

Ruby jumped up, whining. “Yaaannnggg, no fair! You’re my sister, your warmth is mine!”

“Ruby, you have a cloak,” Yang pointed out. “Blake lost her jacket in our fight with Adam. She doesn’t have anything to fight back the cold with outside of her Aura.”

Their fearless leader pouted, looking every bit her age. She grumbled, storming ahead of them as she tugged her red cloak around her shoulders, tugging the hood up.

“I think Oscar is the only one of us really dressed for this weather,” Nora said, huddling between Jaune and Ren.

“He did get his clothes in Argus, which isn’t much different from Atlas’ weather,” Ren pointed out.

Oscar blushed, rubbing the back of his head. “That’s true. I feel a little bad now that I’m comfortable with you all so cold.”
“Don’t be,” Yang smiled. “It’s good that one of us prepared properly.”

A blur of red suddenly jumped by his side and Oscar yelped, before Ruby’s pleading silver eyes looked up at him from the edge of her cloak.

“Can I borrow you jacket, Oscar?” She asked, “Pretty please? My cloak is all worn and torn up from Mistral and my legs are freezing!”

“I-I…” Oscar blushed darkly, his pulse skyrocketing in his veins. Brothers above and beyond, why was it every time he was around her he felt like he was going to keel over within the next second? If Ozpin was here, he was sure he would chide him about his childish thoughts, much like he would do back in Mistral. Thankfully, he wasn’t here, but that did mean tat Oscar couldn’t help noticing how cute Ruby looked with her pleading pout, the way her lips were still pink from the chapstick she borrowed from Nora earlier. He swallowed thickly, but when he realized his voice was once again failing him, he settled for a slow nod, unbuttoning his coat.

“Ruby!” Qrow snapped at her from nearby, narrowing his eyes at his niece. “We’ll be going into a store soon, you’ll be fine. Don’t hound the poor boy.”

“I-it’s fine,” Oscar squeaked out, shrugging out of his green coat to hand to Ruby. “I don’t mind, honest.”

The squeal of joy Ruby let out made his heart do all sorts of crazy things. He was a bit mesmerized, watching her slip it on only to find that it was a bit big on her. Oscar wasn’t as tall as Ren or broad like Jaune or muscled as Yang, but he’d hit a bit of a growth spurt on their travels and, well, it seemed the training paired with his farming days certainly paid off. The coat fit her well, if baggy in some places, and the ends stretched passed her skirt to give her legs more cover. She pulled it tighter around her, humming happily.

“And it’s warm,” Ruby sighed, beaming at him. “Thanks, Oscar!”

He barely even registered the chill without his jacket, the heat in his face doing plenty to keep him warm. Oscar nodded dumbly, watching as Ruby skipped off to walk beside Weiss. He didn’t know why, but watching Ruby be so happy made something inside him yawn open, a crack, a fissure, something that was impossible for him to name. Whatever it was, it burned with such ferocity every time he saw her smile, bloomed with heat at the sight of the excited sparkle in her eye for a weapon or a fight or even a treat. He found himself wanting to make her happy, almost desperate to coax those little grins and silly laughs out her her, to be the one that made her look that way. It was dizzying, confusing, even a little terrifying. It was almost like he was losing control of his own body, like his movements were no longer his own, his heart functioning on someone else’s tempo. Could he be losing himself already? So soon? He wasn’t ready for that. He wanted more time. Just a little more time, especially with her.

———

Oscar sat in one of the ridiculously comfortable chairs in the private changing room they’d been brought back to upon entering one of the luxury stores Weiss deemed appropriate for them to find their gear. Despite her being cut off from her family’s funds, General Ironwood had permitted her the use of his business credit card, siting that making sure teams RWBY and JNR were properly outfitted was of the utmost importance to their security efforts. He certainly wasn’t about to complain, especially when the staff took his gloves to have them mended and equipped with hand warmers to make sure his fingers didn’t lock up in the field. Everyone was pulled away by a personal stylist to pick out their new gear, leaving Oscar to wait for their big reveals. At least he’d gotten his coat back from Ruby, still warm from where it had been wrapped around her body. Though, now the collar had a distinctive scent of sweet roses embedded into the fabric. He never wanted to wash it again, hoping the scent would last forever.

Oh, brothers, just what was he thinking? He felt his face heat once more, hands pulling up to cover it so no one happened to see as he internally freaked out. There was something seriously wrong with him. It made no sense that even the thought of Ruby made him feel like he couldn’t breathe. He wanted to be beside her at the same time of running as far away from her as possible, if only to prevent himself from doing something stupid. Ugh, he was hopeless, utterly hopeless.

A door nearby opened and he looked up to see Yang coming into the room, stretching her arms out. She was dressed in a brown fur-lined jumpsuit with thick combat boots, her signature orange scarf around her neck and purple band at her knee. She grinned, taking a moment to look at herself in the full-length mirror.

“Oh, yeah,” she smirked. “That’s what I’m talking about. This is so much better.”

Oscar smiled slightly. “It suits you well.”

“Thanks, Farm Boy.” Yang winked. She came over, throwing herself into the chair beside him with a grunt. “Wow, rich people do get all the comfortable stuff.”
“It would seem,” he chuckled.

Yang shifted to lean back, crossing her ankle over her knee as she relaxed. Oscar shifted, fidgeting nervously. He liked Yang well enough, the older girl was nice and funny, but could definitely be intimidating at times. She kind of reminded him of his aunt. She’d been his mother’s older sister, and carried a similar for of demeanor. That motherly-yet-authoritative vibe that always gave Oscar whiplash with how seamlessly she moved between them. Beside him, Yang tipped her head, lilac eyes watching him with mild interest.

“You like Ruby.” It wasn’t a question, stated as a simple fact, as if it wasn’t completely out of left field.

Oscar sputtered as he was proverbially knocked off balance, snapping his head to her so fast he was surprised he didn’t pull something.

“I-I what?!” He squeaked, face turning five shades of red. “W-why would you…I mean, o-of course I-I admire her as a leader, a-and she’s a good friend, so I guess, in that context, maybe, but I don’t…I mean I couldn’t…”

Yang broke into a toothy grin, metal hand reaching to pat his shoulder. “Ey, easy, easy there, kid. Don’t short circuit on me. I’m just saying, I’ve noticed the way you look at her, how nervous you always are around her. It’s kinda cute, actually. You make her happy.”

Oscar swallowed thickly. “I-I do?”

“Yep.” Yang pushed herself up from her slouch, turning to face Oscar with such a serious expression he had to shrink back a bit, if only to make sure he didn’t appear as a threat. “Which is why I’m giving you only one warning. You make good friends, keep it that way, understand?”

“C-can I ask why?” It was probably foolish to ask. Surely, he’d just given himself a one-way ticket to the afterlife. Yang narrowed her eyes slightly and he flinched, shifting his arms slightly to protect himself if need be. Instead of hitting him, however, Yang merely sighed, leaning her elbows on her knees. Her hands clasped and Oscar realized it was so they wouldn’t shake, that intense stare melting to something softer, sadder.

“Ruby is a good kid,” Yang murmured quietly. “She has a big heart with so much love to give. I’m often a little jealous, the way she sees the best in everyone, the way she’s so eager to welcome anyone close. Problem is, she doesn’t know when to shut it off. Ruby’s never been one to be cautious, not when it comes to making new friends. You know what that means, right?”
Oscar swallowed thickly. “She…she gets hurt easily.”

Yang nodded. “Yep. Ruby is the best of us, but that’s why we have to work twice as hard to protect that goodness. She’s tough, but you can only be tough for so long before the cracks in the walls straight to break down. I know that a little too well myself.”

She looked at her metal hand, clenching it into a fist. “When Beacon fell and we lost Pyrrha and Penny, Ruby was devastated. Our team was…separated not long after. She woke up to find her school gone, friends dead and scattered, and older sister just a shallow version of who she once was. She picked herself up though, dusted off the pain and focused herself on stopping anyone else from getting hurt again. I don’t…I don’t think she’s ever grieved, not properly, at least.”

She hadn't. Oscar knew, she hadn't. He remembered their talk in the dojo back at the house in Mistral. The pain in Ruby's eyes, the way she fought against the tears threatening to spill down her face. He'd heard it in the quiver in her voice, the way she tried so hard to be strong, despite her heart surely bleeding on the inside. Oscar knew grief, he knew what it did when you didn't take the time to let it wash over you, through you, run its course. He'd tried to move on from his parents' death, tried to keep going despite their absence. Bottling it all up, it did nothing, but torment him for weeks, months, until his aunt finally sat him down, begged with him to let it out. And he had. It left him hollow, torn to shreds in the wake of its immensity, but he'd felt hopeful too. In place of the grief, he'd become calmer, more clear-headed. He could appreciate what was around him, ahead of him, instead of being dragged back into the darkness of what was and wouldn't be any longer. He knew Ruby hadn't yet hit that wall. She hadn't yet allowed herself to process that grief, not fully. There were small doses, small changes he noticed that gave him hope to her recovery. The way she'd stood up to Qrow, the way she'd grown more determined in their fight against Cordovo. He saw it when she fought Emerald and Mercury beside Yang. He saw it in the way she'd led them against the Grimm atop the train. There were moments, slim as they were, of her grief morphing into something stronger. But there was still so much pressure building behind what was left.

How much longer would it hold?

“I think you’re a good kid,” Yang sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Don’t get me wrong. You’ve been dealt a shit hand yourself. I can’t imagine it’s a walk in the park for you, either. I just…if you and Ruby get…if you become more than just friends, with the whole two souls fighting for one body thing, and Ozpin’s constant bullshit, I don’t know what it would do to her. I don’t know what losing any of us would do to her right now, not when things are so uncertain. I just want to make sure to mitigate as much pain as possible, you know?”

Oscar slowly nodded, despite his chest feeling slightly hollowed out, his stomach knotting. He hadn’t…thought of that. It had been unconscious, his slow pull into RUby’s orbit. He couldn’t help the way he turned to her for advice, or came to her side to help with a problem, or desire to defend her in battle. He remembered seeing Emerald drop Ruby in the Battle at Haven and his blood had roared through his ears louder than he thought possible. The only thing he could think about was getting to her as soon as possible, making sure she was okay. It had become as natural as breathing, but that was the problems isn’t it? Something that comfortable, that unconscious, that natural, it was bound to leave a crater in its wake when eventually the bomb blew. Oscar realized that he was that bomb, a ticking uncertainty growing ever closer to an unspecified end. He’d been so focused on how much he wanted to live his own life, or desperate he was to experience whatever he could before the time was out, he never thought to think about the people he’d met, the friend’s he’d made. How would his leaving affect them too? How would it affect Jaune, Nora, and Ren? How would it affect Qrow?

How would it affect Ruby?

He couldn't be the breaking point for her. He would never allow it.

“I-I understand,” Oscar whispered softly, swallowing around the lump in his throat. “I-I’ll be careful. I promise.”

Yang reached out, setting a hand on his shoulder to squeeze softly. “I’m just asking you to keep your eyes open, that’s all. We love you, Oscar. All of us. We want you with us as long as possible, and we’re going to find a way to let you live the life you deserve. Just…some precautions wouldn’t hurt.”

He nodded. It was completely reasonable and he couldn’t blame her, not in the least. Yang was doing what she felt was right to protect her sister, and Oscar couldn’t say he wouldn’t do the same. He wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he thought he caused Ruby pain. They were friends, good friends, and that…would be alright. Maybe if things changed, maybe if they found a way to stop the merge of his and Ozpin’s souls, found a way to stop Salem, maybe then things would be different. Until that time came, he needed to be more careful.

It didn’t mean his heart wasn’t breaking in his chest in the process.

Chapter Text

Yang yawned as she came downstairs early that morning, unable to get back to sleep after a particularly rough nightmare. Thankfully, she hadn’t woken Ruby who had been sprawled out over top of her on the bed, carefully extracting herself from underneath her sister’s weight so she could get up. The house was still quiet, everyone else exhausted from running around to find Oscar the day before. The kid really knew how to give them all a heart attack, that was for sure.

A heavy sigh and muffled curse came from the kitchen, Yang arching a brow as she quietly peaked in to find Saphron dressed and moving about the kitchen, seemingly distressed.

“Everything okay?” She asked.

“Oh!” Saphron startled, setting a hand on her chest as she turned to see Yang. “Hey, good morning. Uh…yeah, no, things are…it could be better.”

“What’s up?” Yang stepped into the kitchen, seeing Adrian sitting on the counter as he kicked his little legs.

The older woman heaved another sigh, shoulders drooping. “A friend called me this morning and urgently needs some help, but Terra had to run out this morning to check on something with the tower, and I can’t take Adrian with me. I don’t want to wake Jaune when I know you all are exhausted, and Terra’s parents are too busy to take him so suddenly and for such a short time. So, I don’t know what to do.”

“I can watch him.” Yang suggested.

Saphron blinked, perking. “Wait, you will? But…but I can’t ask that of you.”

“It’s no problem.” Yang came over, as the bottle warmer on the counter went off. She plucked the bottle free and checked the nip was screwed on tight, testing it against her wrist to make sure it wasn’t too hot. She scooped Adrian into her arm, smiling as the baby laughed, giving him the bottle. “You won’t be gone long, right?”

“Just an hour, two tops.” She nodded. Saphron smiled at the way Adrian snuggled against Yang as he sucked his bottle. “You’re…really good with him.”

Yang gave a one armed shrug, looking bashful. “I have a little bit of experience with babies. It’s no biggie.”

“It’s a big biggie,” Saphron giggled. “You’re a life saver. They teach how to deal with babies at Beacon?”

“No, no,” Yang chuckled. “Some civilian management classes and field medicine, but nothing like that. Actually…I raised Ruby when she was a baby.”

“What?” Saphron furrowed her brows. “But you two don’t seem that far apart.”

“Two years,” she admitted, looking at Adrian instead of at her. “Our mom passed when we were kids, and things got…complicated with parental figures at home. Qrow helped a lot, but was an active Huntsman so could only be there so long. Ruby couldn’t talk yet, was just getting the hang of walking. Someone needed to step up and take care of her, so I did.”

Yang chuckled sadly. “Guess all the days I begged Mom to let me take care of things with Ruby paid off. Changed a lot of diapers, made up the bottles, taught her to read. The whole thing.”

“Sounds like me with Jaune,” Saphron smiled softly. “Our parents worked a lot, so the older girls helped out where we could. Cant tell you how many diapers I had to change with him. Definitely prepared me for Adrian.”

Yang snorted. “I bet. We saw his propensity for motion sickness when Ruby and I first met him. Don’t doubt that was miserable as a kid.”

“Horrible,” Saphron laughed. “Had to have a spare bag everywhere we went.”

Yang chuckled. “Ruby was a climber, as a kid. Before she could even talk properly, if she wanted something, she’d find a way to get it herself. I can’t tell you how many times I walked into the kitchen to find her on top of the fridge where Qrow had hid the cookies.”

Saphron giggled. “I’m not looking forward to this one getting is independence, but I think growing up with Jaune has me prepared.”

She looked at Yang worriedly. “And you really don’t mind?”

“I promise,” Yang smiled at her. “It’ll be fine. It’s the least I can do for you and your wife allowing us to stay here. Go help your friend.”

“Thank you!” Saphron hugged Yang gently and pressed a kiss to Adrian’s forehead, before grabbing her bag to rush out the door. Yang watched her go, heaving a sigh as she looked down at the baby.

“Come on, you,” she murmured, going to the living room. “You’re going to be my buddy this morning.”

She sat in the corner of the couch, curling up as Adrian finished his bottle. She set it off to the side once it was empty, putting him over her shoulder to pay his back lightly until she heard a good burp. She chuckled, lowering him back into her arms.

“You’re taking after your auntie Nora,” Yang teased, rubbing gentle circles on his belly. She softened as she watched the baby coo and tug at the sleeve of her jacket.

“You’re so lucky, you know,” she murmured softly. “You’ve got two moms that love you so very much. They’re so kind and smart and wonderful people. Not everyone gets to grow up in such a happy home. I hope you appreciate it when you get older. Hopefully, you’ll never have to know the pain we have.”

Yang sighed, forcing a small smile as she tickled Adrian to make him laugh, letting him wiggle in her arms to get more comfortable. She couldn’t help thinking about Ruby when she was this small. Yang was only two when she was born, but she still remembered the day she saw those big silver eyes open and fell so in love with her. She remembered marveling at Summer, at her mother, as she cuddled Ruby in one arm and her in the other, always making time for both her daughters. She wondered absently if Summer would be proud of the woman she had become, or if she’d been disappointed in all the bad decisions she’d made. She wondered how different life would be if her mom was still here, how much better she’d have grown up. Without all the pain, the stress, the anger, the resentment, what kind of person would she be? Would she be more like Ruby, ever the optimist? Or would she be like CoCo, confident and more self assured in who she was as a person?

It was a life she would never know, but she did know that looking at Adrian, she wanted to make sure he had a chance to become something greater than them.

Arms wrapped around her suddenly, pulling Yang from her thoughts. She startled, but a blur of red and black dropped in front of her face, Ruby smiling sleepily at her.

“Gooodd morning~” she sang, planting a kiss to Yang’s cheek.

Yang snorted, giggling. “Hey, you. What’s got you up so early?”

“My heater left, so I got cold.” Ruby stuck her tongue out. She looked down at Adrian who giggled and cooed, little hands reaching for the edge of her cloak. She grinned, dangling the edge over him, letting it try and grab for it.

“Where is Saphron?” She asked.

“Emergency with a friend,” Yang said. “She needed someone to watch him for about an hour or so, but didn’t want to wake Jaune. I was already up so I offered.”

“You’re so lucky,” Ruby cooed at Adrian, grinning. “You got the best big sister in the world as your babysitter. That means you’re extra special.”

Yang chuckled. “Shush. Hey, do me a favor and go make me a cup of coffee, yeah? I’m going to need it today.”

Ruby nodded. “I’ll make some for everyone. They’ll be up soon anyway.”

“Thank you.” Yang smiled as her sister walked off to the kitchen.

Yang looked down at Adrian as he yanked her, growing sleepy. She smiled softly, flailing her aura a bit to warm him as he snuggled against her chest. This was the reason they were out here fighting, wasn’t it? So they could make the world a better place for people like Adrian. So no child had to suffer as they did. If they didn’t stop Salem, who knew how things would turn out. They couldn’t do that to Adrian, to all the young kids out there who had hopes and dreams and futures awaiting them. The world was counting on them to fight back the darkness, and they would.

They’d find a way. They had to.

Chapter Text

The Mistral Central Station was bustling with people going to and fro, picking up tickets, grabbing something to eat, or meandering around waiting for the departure of their train. Yang sat with the others, chatting with Ren and Nora while they waited for Blake to say her goodbyes to Ilia and for Ruby to get back from…wherever she went. Speaking of which. She turned her head to Oscar, the boy reading a magazine while he leaned back against Jaune who was playing a game on his Scroll.

“Hey, Oscar,” Yang called, smirking in amusement when the boy jumped and looked at her like a deer in headlights. It was kind of cute that, despite him having the soul of their headmaster in his body, he was still nothing more than a skittish country kid.

“Y-yes?” He blinked, straightening a bit.

Yang leaned an elbow on her knee as she pitched forward a bit. “You know where my adorable baby sister went?”

“Oh, y-yeah,” Oscar stammered, clearing his throat. “Ruby went to the station gift shop. Said something about getting you a present.”
Yang beamed. “Wait, seriously? That’s so cute.”

“Right, though?” Nora laughed. “Ruby is so precious. You should have seen her when we got to the costal city in Vale. She found a little shop and got us these as a present for making it so far.”

Nora held up a little keychain she kept on her belt that was a wood carved turtle, Ren holding up his as well.

“I almost forgot about those.” Jaune admitted, holding his up as well. Upon closer inspection, Yang realized that each of them had Team RNJR engraved on the underside of the belly. She’d seen Ruby wearing one on her belt as well, a memento to the time spent with the other three. Something painful twisted in Yang’s chest, thinking about her little sister desperately trying to fit into another team, leading their friends on a cross-continental trek for answers as to why their entire lives had been shattered. It gnawed at the guilt inside her soul, and awoke the little voices that whispered that she was a failure. She had done to Ruby exactly what she feared others would do to herself - abandoned her when she needed her sister the most. Ruby was still just a kid, barely 16, struggling to take on so much weight with a smile and a laugh and a gleam of hope to pick up anyone who fell down. Ruby never would have needed to get little turtle charms to remember her time with another team had Yang simply been strong enough to reach out to her instead of shove her away. She’d promised Mom she would watch out for her, raise her right, be by her side no matter what. Would she be disappointed to know her eldest daughter had failed?

She couldn’t think about that now. It was done and over with. Regretting the past was not going to get her anywhere, and certainly wasn’t going to help Ruby. Yang shook her head slightly, plastering a smile on her lips. “That’s Ruby for you.”

As if on cue, a whisp of red blew into the food court where they were sitting, Ruby materializing with a beaming grin on her face and hands behind her back, feet dancing back and forth in excitement.

Yang rose, eyeing her with a humorless look, “And?”

Ruby brought her hands forward, holding a bag from the Mistral Train Station Gift Shop. “Ta-da!”

“What a waste of time,” Weiss snorted, rolling her eyes fondly.

Yang broke into a grin. “What did you get me?”

Ruby pulled the bag back when she tried to grab it, smirking mischievously. “You’ll have to wait and see.”

Pouting, Yang tried to lung at her to grab it. “Hey, no fair!”

“You’ll get it on the train!” Ruby yelped, pushing her foot into Yang’s stomach as she tried to keep the bag out of her reach.

“You girls heading to Argus?”

Yang paused in her playful fighting with Ruby to glance over, seeing two men approach them. Yang pushed Ruby’s ankle down, sneering at the way they leered over the both of them. Her body moved, shifting between the men and her sister.

“So what if we are?” Yang shot back.

“Well, we’re the Huntsmen on duty.” The brown haired man with a spiked club said, leaning forward as his eyes roamed over Yang. He winked at her. “And we have a deal for you.”

“It can get pretty rough out there,” the other man with a black and gold rifle said. “But, for a special price we can make sure your train car gets a little extra attention, if you know what I mean.”

The brown haired man glanced at Ruby with interest and Yang’s blood boiled, eyes going red. She shifted to block his view, glad when she caught Ren moving out of the corner of her eye to wrap an arm around Ruby and pull her half behind him as well. Jaune shifted an arm in front of Oscar, Weiss and Nora reaching for their weapons.

“I got an idea for ya.” The familiar voice calmed some of Yang’s rage, Qrow sauntering his way over with a hand in his pocket. He glared at the two Huntsmen, a sneer on his lips. “Back the fuck off before I break your legs.”

The guy with the rifle glared at Qrow. “This doesn’t concern you.”

“I see Mistral is scraping from the bottom of the barrel these days.” Qrow grunted, “What? All the good Huntsmen taken so they had to pick Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dumb to cover the train? Sure feel safe here.”

The brown haired man with the club scowled, growling, “Watch your mouth!”

“Maybe we think you have something suspicious on you,” his partner said, “As Huntsmen, we have a right to deny you access to the train.”

“Yeah?” Qrow challenged. He pulled out his Scroll, holding it out to show his Vale Huntsmen license. “Sure would look suspicious to have two Huntsmen stopping another that out ranks them, wouldn’t you think?”

The two men paled, backing up a step.

“Whatever.” The one with the club said. “Let’s get out of here.”

“We won’t forget this.” The other grumbled as they walked away.

Jaune sighed, slumping in his seat. “Well, that…happened.”

“Guys!” They all turned to see Blake jogging over. She noticed the way Ruby was shaking slightly behind Ren, frowning worriedly.

“Did something happen?”

“Two disgusting men happened.” Weiss said disdainfully.

Yang moved over to Ruby, hugging her close. “You okay?”

“Fine!” Ruby perked, smiling slightly. “It’s alright. They were just full of themselves is all.”

Yang frowned worriedly, brushing a hand through her sister’s hair. “Yeah, good thing Qrow showed up to put them in their place.”
“I’d rather have put a bullet through their face.” Qrow grumbled.

“Or break their legs.” Nora added.

“Violence wouldn’t have solved the issue,” Ren said wisely. “It would have merely gotten us banned from the train.”

Oscar shifted nervously. “I don’t like that they’ll be the ones in charge of security, but I don’t think we can do anything about that.”

“It’ll be alright.” Jaune reassured. “No one will be sleeping alone, and we just make sure to always move about the train in pairs. They kind of remind me of Cardin. Don’t want a fight with too many people, nor with too big of a crowd to see it done. I don’t think they’ll try anything on the train, but we’ll just be prepared.”

Yang nodded in agreement. She kissed Ruby’s head, letting her slip away as she plopped beside Weiss, talking excitedly about being able to see Argus, wondering what it was like. Lavender eyes glanced over to Blake who was watching her worriedly.

“What?” It came out a little harsher than she would like, Blake flinching.

“I just…” Blake took a breath, rubbing her arm. “Are you alright? After that?”

“Yeah,” Yang brushed her off. “It doesn’t phase me much, but…”

“You were worried about Ruby,” Blake said knowingly.

Yang rubbed the back of her neck. “Yep.”

It wasn’t much longer before their train was called, the group of them carrying their luggage to the train and passing their tickets to the conductor. They had to undergo a search before being allowed on, all weapons stored in cargo instead of with their personal affects. Ruby hugged her collapsed scythe to her chest.

“Do I have to?” She whined.
“I’m afraid so, Miss.” the security officer said.

Ruby made a face, clearly not wanting to release it. Weiss sighed and came by, snatching Crescent Rose from Ruby to hand over to the officer. She yelped, trying to grab for it, but Yang hooked her around the waist, hoisting her over her shoulder.

“Let’s go.” She said.

“No!” Ruby whined, trying to reach for her weapon as they passed. “This is cruel! You can’t part me from my baby! She needs me!”

“She’ll be fine.” Weiss half-heartedly comforted her. “Quit whining.”

“Uncle Qrow gets to keep Harbinger.” She pointed out.

Qrow snorted. “Cause I got a license, Pipsqueak.”

“What about Oscar? He gets to keep his.” Ruby frowned.

“It’s really just a cane.” Oscar admitted sheepishly. “Nothing sharp and pointy about it.”

“Crescent isn’t sharp and pointy!” She argued.

“You have a collapsible, fully-customizable, high-impact sniper rifle scythe,” Jaune said. “Anyone would be concerned.”

“Yang gets to keep Ember Celica!”

Yang snorted. “Only half, and that’s because they cannot take off my literal arm.”

“I hate you all.” Ruby whined.

Yang chuckled, patting Ruby’s back as she carried her through the train. “Come on, I’ll give you a cookie if you behave.”

“I’m not five,” she huffed. After a beat, she murmured, “And I want two.”

The others laughed.

———

It started to snow within the first few hours of the trip.

Blake watched out the window as the snow drifted in thick flurries along the ground, covering the cliffs and mountainsides in blankets of pure white. She hadn’t seen much snow in her life, Menagerie always ridiculously warm. The first time she’d really seen it was last year when they were at Beacon, the campus covered in ice and wet snow making it difficult to get back and forth between classes. She remembered how she’d shivered, unprepared for the biting cold of Vale in the midst of winter. Yang had wrapped an arm around her, flaring her aura to help keep her warm. It had been nice, the way she’d always migrated to her side, making jokes, a comforting presence she could always rely on.

Now, there was a chasm between them, a gorge that she didn’t know how to cross. Blake had hurt her. For a while, she didn’t even know if the others would ever take her back. On the way to Mistral, she’d been fraught with worry, fearing the day she would reunite with the rest of her team. Would Weiss shun her like she had when they’d first met? Would she use her absence as confirmation that Blake was not to be trusted to have their backs? Would Yang ever forgive her for leaving her that day? For being the cause of her missing arm? Ruby…Ruby was the worst. She was petrified to face the young girl again, so terrified to have that bright smile turn into an angry frown. She’d not only abandoned their team, but hurt her sister. It was Blake’s fault Yang almost died. It was Blake’s fault she suffered so much pain. Would Ruby ever be able to look at her the same way again, or would she always stare at Blake with disdain? Would she swear against her ever returning to team RWBY?

It had been a shock, to say the least, when Ruby had been the first one willing to extend her arms and welcome Blake back to the team. She had been the one to squeeze her a little tighter, to smile at her a little brighter. Where Blake had feared retribution, she had only been met with relief. It had taken a conversation with Jaune to realize why. Ruby had missed their team something awful, a shell of herself through most of their travel to Mistral. Ruby loved their team, their family. A young girl who had lived with such a broken home for so long, desperate to find something stable, something lasting. Over the last year and a half of being at Beacon, Blake had begun to think of Ruby as a little sister herself. Never much one for tactile connection, Blake would find herself brushing an arm against Ruby’s, standing closer to her in dangerous situations, always looking to make sure she was okay. It had extended to Weiss as well, a friend she confided in, trusted. So many days they’d shared tea, studied together, even gone shopping. And Yang…she’d been so much more. She’d been a solace in the darkness of her nightmarish past. She’d been an anchor, keeping her from drowning in her own self-loathing, her despair at the things she had done, the person she’d been. Yang had seen her for who she truly was ever since the start. She’d believed in her, supported her, cared for her.

And Blake had done the one thing Yang had begged her never to do - abandon her.

Where Ruby and Weiss had been quick to accept her back, Yang was a cold as the Solitas Tundras. Their conversations had been brief, stilted. Gone was the warmth and the ease built in their partnership. Now, it was replaced with a reluctance, a forced tolerance. It hurt. It hurt more than Blake could ever put into words, but it was a bed of her own making. Blake knew it was going to take time to get close to Yang again, that was if Yang would ever let her. She may not want anything to do with Blake again. It would be her right. Blake just hoped that maybe, just maybe, she could prove to Yang she would never leave again. That maybe she could show her, earn her trust back, be someone she could rely on again instead of fear.

She sighed, turning from the window. Weiss was reading a book beside her and across the table Yang sat staring out the window herself, eyes distant and lost in whatever was running through her head. Ruby, on the other hand, had abandoned whatever game she’d been playing on her Scroll, slumped against Yang’s shoulder and snoring softly. It was only now that Blake noticed the soft bruises under their young leader’s eyes, the exhaustion written into every fiber of her person. Blake had been filled in on what had happened the last 8 months of their separation, the trek to Mistral, Yang’s recovery, Weiss’s dismissal from her position as heiress. They’d all been through so much, changed more than they ever had. Ruby, it would seem, had changed the least, still as optimistic as ever and determined to shoulder the weight of everyone else around her. It had to have been taking a toll on her, the physical symptoms only just now starting to show.

Ruby shifted a bit, curling up more against Yang. The movement seemed to pull her from her thoughts, looking down as her eyes softened at Ruby’s sleeping face. Yang shifted her arm around her sister, resting her hand on her stomach to keep her close and better cushioned on her chest. She grabbed the edge of the cloak, tugging the red fabric over Ruby’s body before pressing a kiss to her hair.

“I’m glad she’s finally getting some sleep,” Weiss murmured, careful to keep her voice quiet. She reached over to turn Ruby’s Scroll off, collapsing it back down to its smaller form.

Blake nodded. “She’s been the one getting up early every morning to prep for training sessions and making sure everyone is alright from the battle. I’m sure it’s been a lot on her too.”

Yang gave a noncommittal noise. Blake softened at the little cocoon Ruby had become, though upon closer inspection she realized the other girl was a bit pale in contrast to her cloak.

“Yang,” Blake said tentatively. She tried not to flinch when those lavender eyes turned hard as they glanced her way. “Check Ruby’s temperature.”

“What?” Yang frowned. “Why?”

Blake shifted, shrugging slightly. “Just…a gut feeling. Please?”

Yang arched a brow, but complied. She slipped her human hand up to her sister’s forehead, a deeper frown settling onto her lips.

“What’s wrong?” Weiss pressed, closing her book.

“Ruby’s running a fever.” Yang said, turning her eyes back to Blake. “How did you know?”

Blake rubbed her arm nervously, cat ears twitching. “Heightened senses, remember? I could hear a little hitch in her breathing, and she’s a bit paler than normal.”

Yang marveled at her a moment, eyes wide. “You can do that?”

She shrugged, blushing. “Remember how I was able to tell you were hiding three broken ribs after you got back from your fight with Neo? Or that I knew Weiss had sprained her ankle after the Mountain Glen trip?”

Both Yang and Weiss seemed to finally connect the dots between those incidents and Blake’s cat-like senses, looking rather embarrassed with themselves.

“Ugh,” Weiss set a hand on her face. After a moment, she rose. “You know what? Before I manage to realize anymore embarrassing mistakes, I’m going to go hunt down Jaune to see if we have any medicine for Ruby. You two get her to bed.”

Before either could protest about her going alone, Weiss was already making her way out of the train car. They glanced at each other, gazes quickly averting. It was quiet for a long moment, save Ruby’s soft breathing. After a time, Yang sighed and shifted.

“I, uh…” she stopped and sighed again. “I need your help. Can you get Ruby so I can stand?”

“O-oh, sure.” Blake quickly climbed out of her chair, coming around. Yang pushed Ruby up a bit so Blake could grab her around the shoulders, sliding an arm under her knees to lift the younger girl up. She frowned.

Yang was just climbing out behind her when she noticed, brows furrowing. “What?”

“She’s lighter than usual,” Blake said. “I know we’ve all gotten stronger, but I think Ruby’s lost weight.”

Worry etched itself into every line of Yang’s face as she looked at her sister. “I…I helped her with her corset the other day. I did notice that it needed to be tightened a bit more than it used to…”
“And she has her belts on a tighter notch as well,” Blake murmured. “Do…do you think she hasn’t been eating?”

“Her appetite has been a bit off since Weiss and I found them,” Yang admitted. “At first, I thought it was just the shock of everything happening. I never noticed that her weight had changed since I’m used to picking her up she always feels light to me.”

Blake carefully transferred Ruby into Yang’s arms, taking out her scroll to pull up everyone’s Aura readings. Jaune, Ren, Nora, Oscar, and Weiss were all at full. Same for Blake and Yang. Ruby, however, was at 75%, dropping to 74% before her eyes.

“Oh, Ruby…” Blake murmured, putting her Scroll away. “She needs rest, and to eat a good meal.”

Yang tightened her hold on her sister ever so slightly, a pained look on her face. She said nothing, merely nodded, before turning to head towards the sleeper cars. Blake trailed along, getting doors for her and helping to unlock their room. Yang brought her in and set her sister gently down on Blake’s bottom bunk, taking off her boots, cape, and corset, before tucking her into the blankets. In the meantime, Blake slipped off to the bathroom, returning with a cool cloth in hand. Yang accepted it gratefully, gently smoothing it over her sister’s forehead and eyes to help soothe the light swelling from the fever.

Ruby shifted slightly, a small whimper in her sleep. Yang sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing soothing circles into her sister’s stomach.

“It’s okay,” she soothed. “I’m right here. Shh. It’s alright.”

The young Huntress whimpered once more, before settling back into her sleep. Blake was no stranger to Ruby’s nightmares, having woken up many a night to either Yang moving across the way to her sister’s bed, or Ruby climbing into Yang’s. She’d heard the little cries, the way Ruby tried so hard to be quiet so as not to disturb her and Weiss. She had seen how - though rare as it was - when a fever would hit their young leader she would be wrought with nightmares so vivid and strange Ruby would come awake screaming herself hoarse. On more than one occasion, Blake herself had slipped into Yang’s bed beside the young girl while her sister was out for a moment, holding Ruby through her cries and comforting her as best she could. Despite their history, it never ceased to amaze Blake how effortlessly Yang’s presence brought comfort to their leader. Though, Ruby responded well to her and Weiss, it would never compare to the pure ease in which Yang’s touch could melt the girl into utter safety. Blake suspected it had something to do with what Yang had told her about their past, being the only mother figure Ruby ever truly knew. It made sense, their relationship often mirroring that of a mother and child far more than two sisters.

“She’s worried about us,” Yang said suddenly, catching Blake off guard.

She blinked, floundering to find her voice a moment. “I-w-what? How?”

Yang didn’t look away from Ruby. “I see it in the way she looks at us, a constant hint of concern and fear that things will fall apart again. I think she’s afraid we won’t get along like we used to.”

Traitorous hope bloomed in her chest. Blake swallowed thickly. “You…you think we can?”

Yang shifted, glancing at the floor, then the window at the snow covered trees flying by. “I…don’t know.”

There it was. The truth. That hope fizzled and burned within her chest, Blake looking away as her ears pressed to her head. She should have known. She never should have allowed even a spark of hope for something different. She didn’t deserve things to be that easy. Not after what she did.

“I’d like to think we can. One day.”

Blake’s head jerked to look at Yang, finding her staring back with a cautious sadness in her lavender eyes. Blake opened her mouth to speak, only to find her voice frozen in her throat. It took a moment before she croaked out, “Y-you…you do?”

Yang sighed, coming her metal hand through her messy blonde hair. The strands ruffled like wind through wheat, and Blake could recall the memory of the heat burning off every lock of hair nearly enough to burn. She missed running her hands through those curls, feeling her partner close.

“I would like to,” Yang admitted. “One day. I-I miss you. I’ve missed you for so long.”

Blake blinked, tears burning her eyes. “I missed you too…Gods, Yang, not a day went by I didn’t think about you, worry about you. I…I’m so sorry, for the way I left. I thought…it doesn’t matter what I thought, I left, that’s all that matters and I am so horribly sorry.”

Yang nodded, seemingly more to herself than anyone else. She pursed her lips, heaving another sigh through her nose as she clasped her hands together.

“I know you are,” she said after a moment, “And I know there was a good reason. You have no idea how glad I am to see you back in one piece, to know you’re safe. I worried for so long that Adam would find you, hurt you, or someone else would. I’m happy you’re here, I really am.”

Slowly, Yang turned her eyes up to her. “But I’m not ready to forgive you. Not yet. Is that…okay?”

Blake didn’t think it would have been possible for her heart to break any further, but those words deepened the cracks, leaving a painful throb behind. She swallowed again, bile burning her throat. It hurt, to be so close, yet so far from someone she cared about so much. However, it was her burden to bear, her retribution to suffer. There was hope, a silver, a thread, but it was there. Yang had said not ‘yet’, which meant maybe one day she could earn that forgiveness. Maybe one day, she could prove to her partner she was here to stay for good.

Blake would take whatever she could get. So long as she had a chance, she’d do anything she asked.

Nodding, Blake stuck her hands into het coat pockets.

“It’s more than okay,” she promised. “I can wait. However long you need.”

Yang nodded in return. “This…doesn’t mean I don’t want to talk to you, or work as a team with you. We still fight well together, and the others need us to be at our best. I think…it will just take a while before I’m ready to move on elsewhere.”

“I understand.” Blake said. She smiled ever so slightly. “Thank you, Yang, for telling me this.”

Yang chuckled humorlessly, a small smile at the edge of her lips. “Look at us, actually communicating. Maybe you can teach a dog old tricks, or rather, a cat.”

Blake couldn’t help the snort-laugh that bubbled in her chest, half hysteric and half relief. She covered her mouth, trying not to disturb Ruby. “That was so bad.”

“I know.” Yang grinned. “Got you to laugh though.”

“Only because your jokes are as bad as your puns,” she teased.

Yang mock gasped, looking fake offended. “Blake Belladonna, you take that back. I will have you know I’m the funniest girl alive.”

“Whatever makes you happy.” Blake chuckled.

The door to their room opened and Weiss slipped inside with a package of peanut butter crackers, a water bottle, and a bottle of medicine. She glanced between the two of them, a small relieved smile on her lips, before she crossed to Yang. Blake couldn’t help the small blush on her cheeks. Had Weiss been worried about them too? Just how obvious had they been?

Yang accepted the items from Weiss, looking over the medicine bottle.

“Jaune said this should help with her fever, and any other aches she may have. It’s an herbal remedy Ren’s grandmother used frequently in his village.” Weiss said.

“Can’t taste great, then,” Yang snorted.

Weiss crossed her arms. “Hence, the peanut butter crackers.”

Yang set the items in her lap, shifting the cloth up on Ruby’s forehead as she gently rubbed her sister’s shoulder.

“Ruuubbyy,” she called gently. “Ruby-roo. Can you wake up for me?”

Ruby shifted, making a noise. Tired silver eyes slowly opened, unfocused and glazed with fever.

“Huh?” She murmured. “Yang…? What…what’s going on?”

Yang smiled gently. “You’re running a little fever. Weiss got you some medicine from Jaune to help break it. Think you can sit up and eat a little to take it?”

Ruby whined shifting half on her side. “I’ll be okay…just need’a nap…it’s fine…”

Weiss frowned. “Ruby, you need to take your medicine so you can feel better.”

She pouted. “No…not bossy Weiss again…bring back nice Weiss…”

“You little…” Weiss huffed, trying to keep her temper in check. “Always so stubborn.”

Blake smiled slightly and came over, shifting to ease an arm under Ruby to sit her up anyway. Ruby made a noise of protest, but Blake was already sitting on the bed and letting Ruby lay against her for support.

“Just a little bit,” Blake said softly, “Then you can go back to sleep. Promise.”

Ruby blinked slowly, taking a moment to register that Blake was behind her. When she did, she leaned back and snuggled against her, a weak smile playing against her lips.

“Hey…I missed how comfy you are…” she hummed, tipping her head against her shoulder.

Blake chuckled, gently rubbing up and down Ruby’s arms. “Glad to help.”

Yang already opened the package of crackers, handing one to Ruby. Reluctantly, she took it to nibble on. It was a slow process, Ruby kept nodding off and Yang would have to shake her awake again. Blake pressed the cool cloth against Ruby’s cheeks to help quell some of the heat. Weiss opened the water bottle to encourage her to take a few sips. When she was down to two more crackers, Weiss measured out a cap full of the green herbal medicine and handed it to Yang. Blake could see her doing everything in her power not to make a face at the sludge, not wanting to give Ruby even more of a reason to refuse it.

“Alright, Rubes. Here ya go.” Yang said. “Just gotta take this and then you can go back to sleep.”

Ruby took the cap and made a face of her own at the medicine. She obviously didn’t have the energy to keep fighting as she quickly tossed it back, swallowing it. Her hand covered her mouth and a full body shutter ran through her frame as she kicked her legs, whimpering at the foul taste. Yang quickly took one of the last crackers, giving it to her.

“Here, here, eat this to get rid of the taste.” She said .

Ruby wasted no time shoving the cracker into her mouth, chewing it quickly and trembling at the awful taste. Yang gave her the last one to help cover it, Ruby eating that one a bit slower and drinking more of the water.

“Ugh…” she groaned. “Medicine is so gross…”

Yang chuckled. “Especially, when it’s a Ren recipe.”

“That explains it,” Ruby grunted. Her eyelids fluttered tiredly. Blake softened and shifted to help Ruby lay back, getting an extra pillow to prop her a little more comfortably. The young girl snuggled on her side, looking at the other three sleepily.

“Will you all stay…?” She murmured. “I…I don’t want to be alone…”

“Of course, you dolt.” Weiss said gently. “We won’t leave you.”

“Never,” Yang said, reaching to hold Ruby’s hand.

Blake smoothed the cloth back on her forehead. “We’ll be right here when you wake up.”

Ruby smiled slightly and closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep. Glancing over, Blake noticed the worried expression on Yang’s face, the concern for her sister palpable. Instinctually, she reached out, holding Yang’s free hand. The gesture seemed to startle her, but before Blake could pull away, Yang’s fingers tightened around hers.

The surprise wore off quickly and Blake smiled gently at her partner, “She’ll be okay. I promise.”

Yang glanced at her softly. “I believe you.”

Blake’s heart throbbed, but this time in a good way, a hopeful way. It would be a long time before things were truly fixed between them.

But right now, it was a very good start.

Chapter Text

“Searching. Seeking. Scouring. Stalking.”

Ruby froze, eyes widening at the sight of the gangly creature before them. It was all long limbs and curled claws, humanoid, yet quadrupedal, with a horned mask over its long face. It moved in jerky starts and stops, as if it was caught in some kind of perpetual lag. Little shifted in the collar of her hood, peering out to see why they stopped, gasping at the sight of whatever this creature was. Ruby stiffened as the creature paused. Slowly, it turned towards them, lowering, staring, and then a growl rumbled through its throat.

“Stay behind me,” Blake told Ruby, setting a hand out in front of her as she pulled out Gambol Shroud. Beside her, Weiss took out Myrtenaster, slowly moving closer with Blake following close behind. Ruby tried to reach for Crescent Rose out of instinct, only to remember her holster was empty. She swallowed, that sick feeling of uselessness making her feel off kilter. With nothing to do, she took a step back, holding her hands up over Little to offer what small protection she could. The beast eyed them, head moving both slow and fast, before it pounced.

“DANGER!”

It lunged for Blake, swiping at her with a razor sharp claw. She dodged out of reach, slashing her blade against its arm. Weiss stood nearby and summoned a glyph of ice to push the monster back. It snarled, stalking closer, but before it could swipe at either of them again a bolder flew over the tree tops, coming seemingly from nowhere.

“Hey! I said I wasn’t done with you yet!”

The bolder crashed into the beast’s head, sending it sprawling against the ground. Ruby froze in place, eyes widening in realization. She knew that voice better than her own. It was the voice that read her stories every night before bed. The voice that sang to her to chase away the nightmares, or distract from the pain of a scrape. The voice that woke her up for school every day, that laughed when she lost a sparing match, that would tease her in the midst of a video game session. The voice that had screamed Ruby’s name back on the bridge, before strong hands had shoved her out of the way to take Neo’s surprise attack in her stead. The voice she feared she’d never hear again.

Yang emerged from the trees with a pissed off scowl, walking with the purpose of someone ready to knock a few heads loose. Sans her arm, she looked blessedly unharmed and Ruby’s knees nearly gave out right there. Weiss, Blake, and now Yang advanced on the creature as it shrank back, clearly realizing it was outnumbered and outmatched.

“Recede. Retreat. Wait. Return.”

The beast quickly turned and left up the side of the cliff, scouring the rock with an ease that only came with knowing one’s habitat intimately. The moment it reached the top, the beast looked back at them, and then leapt off into the forests above. Ruby’s eyes turned back to Yang just as her sister sighed heavily, dropping down to her knees to catch her breath. Worry and relief in equal measure overwhelmed Ruby’s chest and she bolted forward.

“Yang! I-“

“You aren’t supposed to be here!” Yang hissed, punching the ground.

Ruby flinched slightly at her tone, but refused to back down. She slowly knelt in front of her, setting a hand on Yang’s thigh to regain her attention. Ruby smiled ever so slightly at her sister’s tired lilac eyes. “If you thought that we wouldn’t come to find you, then you must have forgotten who raised me.”

That pulled a smile across Yang’s lips, albeit a small one. She reached her arm out to hook around Ruby’s shoulders, pulling her sister into her chest tightly.

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” she breathed against her dark hair.

“Don’t you ever do something like that again, okay? I-I was so scared when I saw you go over. I thought…” Ruby blinked as tears spilled down her cheeks. She tightened her hold on Yang, nuzzling her face into her shoulder. “Don’t leave me alone, please.”

Yang nuzzled her cheek against her hair. “I…I can’t promise I won’t do that again, because I would. I’d take a hit for you any day, no matter what happened. But…but I promise, I’ll do my best so that I never leave you alone. I told you I’d be with you forever, and I mean that.”

“I love you,” Ruby croaked.

Yang sniffled, cupping the back of her head. “I love you, too.”

She pulled back after a moment, rubbing a hand over her eyes. “What happened to your arm?”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” Yang sighed.

“Why not?” Little popped up from Ruby’s collar suddenly, and Ruby had honestly forgotten about her for a hot minute. The mouse tipped their head curiously. “You seem trustworthy enough.”

Yang, however, looked as if she just saw the weirdest thing in her entire life. Which, to be honest, was fair.

“Uhh, Ruby? What is tha-“

She didn’t get to finish before Blake was tackling her to the ground. The Faunus hugged her partner tightly, nuzzling in her shoulder.

“Yang,” she breathed.

Yang blinked, utterly stunned for a moment, but as the realization set in her expression softened. She set her hand on the back of Blake’s head.

“Hey,” Yang said.

“Hey,” Blake echoed.

Slowly, they sat up, smiling slightly at each other.

Weiss came closer, sheathing Myrtenaster at her hip. “You know, I kind of thought you’d be a little…happier to see us.”

Yang sighed, shoulders slumping. “I am, I just…if you’re all here, that must mean things went pretty bad, huh?”

Ruby looked down a moment, swallowing against the pit in her stomach. She, Yang, and Blake all turned to Weiss as she was the last one to fall. A sniffle caught Ruby off guard and her eyes widened as Weiss raised her head to show tears welling in her blue eyes. Oh, no. Oh, nononono. That wasn’t good.

“W-Weiss?” Ruby breathed, standing slowly. She didn’t know whether she should go comfort her best friend, or give her space.

Weiss shook her head, rubbing her wrist against her eyes. “I-It all…it happened so fast. No one came back from Vacuo to help. And Penny…she…”

Ruby’s heart stopped beating, her lungs seizing up. NO. No, no, no. Gods, no. Please. Don’t. She can’t. Not Penny. Not again. Not after everything.

“Jaune tried to help,” Weiss continued, heedless to her friend’s inner turmoil in the heat of her own. “But…but Penny, she-she sacrificed herself to give us all a chance to…”

She didn’t hear anything else after that, the world going grey around the edges. Penny was dead. She was gone. Again. Ruby had tried so hard to save her, to protect her, and she’d failed. They’d made her human. She’d only just gotten to experience what a hug was like. There was so much more Ruby wanted to show her, so much more for Penny to see. Yet, she’d failed her. Ruby had promised herself she wouldn’t lose anyone else, and she had failed. Penny was gone. She was gone. She was gone.

The world started to spin, a ringing in her ears. Ruby blinked slowly, the grey growing across her vision, her knees unsteady. This was all too much. This strange world. The Relics in Salem’s hands. The crushing grief threatening to suffocate her. Ruby couldn’t handle this. Too much. Too much. Too much. Weiss seemed to notice something wrong, but Ruby couldn’t open her mouth to say anything. Her vision twisted and morphed and the last thing Ruby saw was the world tilting on its axis.

Then, nothing at all.

———

“Ruby?”

Something was wrong, Yang thought as she looked at her sister. Ruby’s skin had lost all color, eyes wide, pupils blown. It happened so fast. One moment she was still as a statue, the next, her body crumbled like a marionette. Instinct took over and Yang lunged, arm grabbing hold of Ruby as she slid under her, catching the younger girl’s limp body against her lap. Blake was at her side in a second, adjusting Ruby into a recovery position as Yang brushed hair out of her sister’s pale face.

“Ruby!” She cried, trying to rouse her. “Ruby? Ruby, come on, wake up. Ruby!”

Yang looked between Blake and Weiss, eyes flickering color in her panic, shifting rapidly between lilac and red.

“What happened?” She demanded. “You two were with her, did she get hurt? Is it from the fall?”

Blake set a hand on her shoulder, ears flat on her head. “Yang, breathe. Panicking isn’t going to help her right now.”
Weiss frowned worriedly. “She didn’t say anything about being in pain, or not feeling well. She was just…worried about finding you.”

“I think I saw a water source nearby,” Blake said. “Maybe she’s dehydrated? I can bring some back.”

“That’s a good idea,” Weiss said. “I’ll stay and stand guard.”

Little popped out from Ruby’s hood, looking worried. “Will big friend Ruby be okay?”

“Yeah,” Blake assured quickly, for both the mouse and Yang. “Of course. She’ll be just fine. Want to come with me? Maybe you can point out some herbs I can use.”

“I can do that!” Little pounced onto her arm, scurrying up her shoulder to sit by her collar.

Blake stood, frowning. “I’m going to need something to make her a cold compress with. Does anyone have an extra scrap of fabric?”

Yang tugged off the scarf around her neck, tossing it to Blake. “Use this.”

“I’ll be back.” She promised, taking off down the trail. Yang barely heard her, gently cupping Ruby’s cheek as she brushed her thumb against her apple, dread settling like a pit in her stomach. Weiss slid down to sit beside her, looking on with just as much worry. Yang shifted to combing her fingers through Ruby’s hair, gently massaging the back of her neck as she tried to coax her awake, anything to make sure her sister was okay. None of them knew what kind of world they were in, how it worked, or how it would affect them. She worried that maybe something had happened everyone missed or Ruby had hid an injury in favor of pushing forward. Either way, it wasn’t good.

Barely a minute had gone by since Ruby collapsed - though it felt like an eternity for Yang - before her sister’s eyes fluttered open slowly.

“Huh?” She murmured drowsily, scrunching her eyes closed as she pressed her face into Yang’s thigh. “Ugh, what happened…?”

“Easy, easy,” Yang soothed, gently rubbing her hand up and down Ruby’s arm to comfort her. “Don’t move too much, Blake will be back soon with some water.”

As if on cue, Blake returned at the mouth of the trail, the orange scarf damp with water and a small leaf-cup in hand. She rushed over, dropping to her knees beside them as she coaxed Ruby to turn her head a bit and laid the cloth over her forehead. The younger girl whimpered, seemingly not knowing whether to lean into it or away, a full body shiver traveling down her body.

“I’ve got some water,” she said, gently setting the leaf cup down beside them. She looked at Ruby worriedly. “How are you feeling?”

“Woozy…” Ruby slurred, “‘m okay…I’ll be okay…”

“Blake,” Yang looked at her partner. “Would you check her for injuries?”

Without needing further instruction, Blake gently danced her fingers along Ruby’s body, searching for tears or open wounds. There were a good few bruises, probably sustained from the fight with Neo and when she pressed gently against Ruby’s back she gave a hoarse cry of pain, no doubt from the fireball she’d taken to the back before they’d fallen.

“What?” Yang shot a panicked look at Blake. “What was that? Is she hurt?”

“Bruised,” Blake corrected. “She took a hard hit from Cinder’s fireball to the back just before she and I fell. It’s…it’s what knocked her off the edge of the bridge. I jumped after her and tried to pull us back with Gambol Shroud, but…well, Cinder cut through the cord so we fell.”

“I’m going to fucking murder that bitch,” Yang growled, hair flaring.

Little yelped, hiding against Blake’s collar.

“‘M okay…” Ruby murmured, struggling to try and pull herself up. “‘M fine…don’t…don’t worry. Just…help me up.”

Weiss frowned. “Stay down, you dolt. You just fainted. I don’t believe that constitutes as okay.”

Yang mirrored her frown, worry churning her gut. Ruby had seemed just fine a moment ago, but the second she found out about Atlas she’d collapsed. It was all too much, for any of them, but most importantly Ruby. She was just a child, two years younger than them and carrying the entire world on her shoulders. It wasn’t right. It wasn’t okay. No child should ever have to suffer through this much heartbreak, this much death and destruction. She always tried to shoulder the weight herself, but non more. Yang couldn’t let this continue.

It stopped now.

“Ruby,” Yang said softly, cupping the back of her sister’s head. “It wasn’t your fault, you know.”

Ruby blinked, looking up at her sister in bleary confusion. “Huh? W-what do you mean?”
“Atlas. Penny. Neo.” She said softly. “It wasn’t your fault. None of it was your fault. You didn’t know that they would find out the keyword for the Lamp. You didn’t know that they would use the last question to see what we were up to. It was a good plan with unexpected variables thrown in, but that isn’t on you.”

Her sister didn’t seem to know how to process this and that was fine, Yang didn’t either. She just hoped that maybe her words would reach her. Ruby frowned, shaking her head slightly.

“I-I didn’t…” she swallowed. “W-what are you talking about Yang? Of course it…Amity fell, no one came, the plan failed. I failed. It is my fau-”

“No!” Yang snapped, looking down at her with serious, yet tearful eyes. “Look, Ruby, things didn’t go perfectly, but that doesn’t mean they failed. Look at how many people made it across? They survived the collapse of Atlas and Mantle because of you. They got to Vacuo, they survived. Parents and children and Faunus all survived Salemn because of what you did, the idea you came up with. You couldn’t have known Cinder and Neo would be there, you couldn’t have known what would happen to Penny, but you did your damn best to keep everyone safe and you succeeded. Nothing is for sure and no plan goes perfectly, but a win is still a win. In this case, you were a hero.”

“T-that isn’t true…” Ruby murmured, voce small as her lower lip trembled. “It isn’t..I..”

“Ruby,” Yang breathed softly, petting her hair. “It isn’t your fault.”

Ruby’s expression broke, crumbling as she hiccuped, throwing an arm over her eyes as she curled up tighter against Yang. Blake slid a hand around her lower back, careful of the bruises as she leaned over her curled body, nuzzling her shoulder.

“I’m so proud of you,” Blake said quietly. “I’m proud of all of us. We wouldn’t be here, grown, stronger, braver, if it wasn’t for you and your heart. I’m so lucky to have you as a friend, Ruby.”

Weiss reached to grab Ruby’s free hand, lacing their fingers and squeezing it softly. “Things…didn’t go perfectly, but we made a difference. The fight…it was horrible, but bad things happen. I think we’ve seen that better than anyone. What matters is the good outweighs any of the bad. After all, we’re all together again. That’s what matters most. Even if we do have a stubborn little leader.”

“Life isn’t a fairy tale,” Yang murmured softly, “But, that doesn’t mean we can’t get our own happily ever after, together. I’ll always stand by your side, you know that, right?”

She swallowed, blinking back tears. “I love you, Ruby.”

Ruby sobbed, turning her head into Yang’s stomach as she cried. Yang curled half over her sister, feeling Blake wrap an arm around her, another around Weiss. Weiss bowed her head and the three of them shielded Ruby from the world as she grieved and cried, their tears falling into the mix.

They’d lost a dear, beautiful friend, and those civilians caught in the cross fire. They’d lost a city, a Kingdom, and their way back home. They’d survived a battle to continue the war.

It wasn’t over yet, not by a long shot.

But right now, they could spare a moment for the grief. They could fall apart. After all, they had each other to pick their pieces back up.

Chapter Text

A whistle wheezed through their air, quickly followed by a loud bang that made Ruby flinch hard enough to nearly topple the basket containing the Growth Parfait ingredients, and her team, off the table. Yang, despite her doll-like size, jumped onto the handle and set her hand on Ruby’s, a small, but welcome moment of comfort. Ruby slowly looked up, seeing fireworks exploding in brilliant colors across the night sky, drawing the awed attention of the other Afterans milling about the market.

“Hey, it’s a festival.” Yang said excitedly. “Once we’re big again we can check it out, what do you say?”

A festival? Ruby didn’t remember anything about a festival in the tale of The Girl Who Fell Through the World, but then again she didn’t exactly remember much of it at all. She shook her head, needing to focus. They just needed to get the Leprechaun Nose Hairs (gross!) and then her team would be normal again. She went to barter with the Teapot when suddenly a loud roar sounded through the air, overtaking the fireworks.

“It’s the Jabberwalker!”

“Or…not…” Yang murmured, sharing a concerned look with Blake and Weiss.

The market quickly flew into a mad frenzy, stalls tipped over, items swept off tables, and people screaming as they ran by, desperate to get out of the close quarters of the market. The Cat was just picking up the of Leprechaun Nose Hairs they needed when the Teapot Lady yelped, quickly sucking up her wares. He just barely managed to hold his paws around the jar, resisting the tug of her strong wind.

“W-wait! Wait!” Ruby cried. “We need those!”

“N-no time! No time!” The Teapot Lady whimpered. “Must leave, before it’s too late!”

Ruby’s hands shook, mind running a million messy miles a minute. She had to think of something. Quickly. Quickly. If they didn’t get that jar, they were done for. What was something of value she could offer? Her cloak? A symbol of a sister’s love. No, she could never part with it. Her pouch? A symbol of care beyond one’s self? No, that wasn’t going to be good enough for that. Her eyes landed on the rose emblem she kept hooked to her clothes ever since the night Summer left and never returned. Before she could think much of it, Ruby tore it free from her belt, holding out the emblem.

“Take this,” she begged. “I-it’s a symbol of a mother’s promise.”

“Ruby, you can’t!” Yang cried, but the Teapot Lady snatched it from Ruby’s hand, leaving the jar as she ran off with a whimpering scream.

Ruby’s belt suddenly felt so empty, her hand too light to be normal. She wanted to throw up. The last thing she ever had of her mother, gone, just like that.

“This…this is exceedingly bad,” The Cat muttered, clutching the jar to his chest.

“Wait,” Blake said, hopping out of the basket. “What’s a Jabberwalker?”

The Cat looked nervously to where everyone was running from, then back at the small girls as they lined up on the table near him.

“It’s a truly terrible creature.” He said. “If the Jabberwalker eats one of us, then we can no longer Ascend. We won’t be granted our next purpose and will cease to exist.”

Blake’s ears flattened, glancing between Weiss and Yang worriedly.

Yang stepped forward. “How do we make the parfait thing? Hurry, so we can fight if that thing shows up.”

The Cat quickly unscrewed the top of the jar, placing it on the table. “Put everything in here. Hurry.”

Ruby scrambled, grabbing the ingredients out of the basket to pour them into the bottle. Her hands were shaking so badly she was surprised that she didn’t spill stuff all over the table. Her lungs felt like they were going to close in, but she couldn’t panic, not now. With the last ingredient poured in there was a poof of magic and the jar transformed into a pretty little parfait.

“Careful,” The Cat warned the girls as they ran towards it. “Eat too much and you’ll grow too big, then we’ll have to shrink you again. That, however, is an entirely different list of ingredients.”

Yang spared Ruby a worried look, before hurrying over to the parfait. They each grabbed a handful, eating it quickly. With a poof, they got bigger, but not back to their normal size.

“It wasn’t enough,” Yang huffed.

“Try another, hurry.” Blake said.

Before they could, however, the Jabberwalker burst through the side of the market. It turned its face towards Ruby and the girls, snarling before charging at them. Little shrieked inside Ruby’s hood and she lunged for the table, grabbing her team and the parfait as she tried to Petal Burst out of the way. The Jabberwalker flung its tail, aiming true and slammed right into Ruby’s side. She yelped, the parfait slipping out of her hand and tumbling to hit the Jabberwalker in the head, rolling to the floor. Ruby herself crashed into the ground, gasping in pain as her Aura shattered upon impact, red lines breaking along her skin.

“Ruby!” Yang rushed to her side, setting a tiny hand on her cheek. Ruby grit her teeth, holding her side. She glanced down, hissing as she found a in her side from the tail, blood seeping from the wound.

“Oh, dear. Oh, dear.” The Cat looked worried. “Humans bleed?”

“W-when our Aura breaks,” Ruby confirmed, struggling to sit up. “And mine just did…”

“Shit!” Yang cursed, frustrated as she helped push Ruby up a bit. “Just hold on, Ruby. We’ll fix this.”

“Guys!” Weiss called out, watching in horror as the Jabberwalker shook parfait off its head, growing two times bigger.

“No, no, no, this isn’t good.” The Cat arched his back.

Ruby shook the dizziness off, hefting herself to her feet as she scooped up her team. She grunted in pain, but quickly ran the opposite direction, trying to put some distance between them and the raging Jabberwalker. It snarled and clambered after her, far faster than Ruby was without her Semblance. She whimpered in fear, only to have a cry ring out before the bird, Hawker, from earlier went crashing into the Jabberwalker. Ruby glanced as The Cat appeared.

“What is he doing here?” she asked.

“I gave him something else to do for now,” The Cat said, tugging on her cape. “Now, let’s go! You must get your friends big again before we all become Jabberwalker dinner.”

She turned just in time to see the Jabberwalker slam Hawker into a stall, shattering it and leaving the bird groaning in pain. Ruby narrowed her eyes at the beast. Oh, she was so done with things in this world trying to kill them. The beast turned to her, stalking closer. Ruby hugged her friends closer, backing up. She shook as the beast toward above her. Instinctively, her free hand reached for Crescent Rose only to remember her holster was empty. A claw came up to swipe and Ruby yelped, turning to protect her friends with her body.

“Ruby!” Yang screamed at in helpless desperation.

“Get away from her!” A voice rang out before a large jackalope slammed antlers first into the side of the Jabberwalker, sending it flying across the market. Ruby looked up, awed at the sight of the knight pulling his sword out to face the creature.

“Is that…the Rusted Knight?” Blake perked.

“Hurry, Ruby, the parfait!” Weiss called.
Ruby shook herself back to focus, moving towards the parfait, only to trip and gasp in pain. She grabbed hold of a stall to support herself, panting.
“S-sorry…” she breathed.

“Don’t be,” Blake said quickly, ears down in worry. “I know it hurts, but you can do this. We’re almost there.”

Yang set her hands on Ruby’s finger, face distressed. “Just a little more, Sis. I’ll take care of things once I’m big again.”

The little burst of encouragement helped Ruby shove herself forward, limping quickly to the tipped over parfait. She dropped to her knees, releasing her team as she cupped a hand over her side, hissing in pain. It wasn’t, but a moment later before strong hands were pulling her back, Ruby looking up to see Yang staring at her worriedly.

“Hey…now you’re my big big sister again…” Ruby murmured, blinking when she realized that Yang was fuzzy at the edges. Oh. Oh, no. That certainly wasn’t good. She looked down, seeing blood covering her hand. She was bleeding, a lot. That was definitely not good. Yang quickly shrugged out of her jacket, folding it up to press over the wound, getting Ruby to hold it down. She hushed her sister gently when she whimpered, knowing she was in pain.

The beast roared behind them and Ruby flinched against her sister. Yang hugged her close protectively, looking to see the Knight struggling to hold the beast off. He was going to need help.

“Go!” The Cat cried, leaping out and pushing Yang back. “I’ll watch her, but you must get that thing away from here!”

Yang didn’t look pleased about leaving her sister, but quickly stood as The Cat helped Ruby off to the side where she would be safer. Yang turned to the Jabberwalker, eyes going red as she slammed her fists together.

“I told you I wasn’t done with you yet!” She yelled, rushing at the beast.

The Rusted Knight swiped his sword against the Jabberwalker, stumbling it back. Weiss hit it with a shard of ice, making it snarl at her. Before it could turn to attack, a gravity glyph appeared at the beast’s feet, yanking it down to the ground. It smacked its tail towards her, but the cord of Gambol Shroud wrapped around the end of the tail, yanking it back and away from Weiss. The beast turned to Blake, snarling and trying to snap its jaws, but Yang launched herself with a blast onto the beast’s back, grabbing its horns to yank back before she delivered a flurry of blows to its head. She jumped off and the beast tried to free itself from the gravity dust, but Weiss merely used the gravity to launch the Jabberwalker into the air. Blake pulled herself up higher in the air than the beast, flipping to slam her heel into its back to send it plummeting back to the ground. Yang’s hair ignited and she grunted as she punched her fist right into its gut as it landed, firing off a blast from Ember Celica to finish it off.

The Jabberwalker vanished, disappearing in a sparkling of pink. Blake landed on her feet, furrowing her brows in concern.

“Neo?” She asked.

Weiss’s eyes widened. “Neo’s here?”

Yang growled, eyes still burning red. “Good, because I have a bone to pick with that bitch.”

Behind them, more growling sounded. They turned to find several more Jabberwalkers coming out of the surrounding areas.

“What?” The Rusted Knight grunted. “There’s only supposed to be one.”

The Cat shrieked in fear, Ruby barely keeping her feet under her. More Jabberwalkers were coming from everywhere. There was no way they could fight them all off.

“Run!” The Rusted Knight called, rushing forward with his jackalope. He held onto the side of an antler, sliding half-off the creature’s back as he hooked an arm around Ruby’s waist, hoisting her into his lap.

“Ruby!” Yang yelled, running after him.“Hey, don’t touch my sister!”

“This way!” The Knight ignored her. “Hurry!”

Ruby winced at the hard ride, laying against the Rusted Knight’s armor. She was so dizzy and so tired, her teeth chattering faintly. She looked up blearily at the Knight, noticing the handle of his broken sword. The same one she helped fix so many times.

“J-Jaune…?” She croaked, looking up at him in dizzy disbelief.

“Stay with me, Ruby,” the Knight ordered. “I know it’s hard, but don’t close your eyes.”

“Y-you fell too…?” She murmured. “W-what about…Ren…Nora?”

He said nothing, focusing on the road ahead. Ruby glanced behind them, seeing her team following close behind. Hawker had gotten up, fighting off the hoard of Jabberwalkers with The Cat. Her vision blurred and she was so tired. Jaune said not to sleep, she should listen to him, but she was so cold and so tired. Just a little nap should be fine. Her eyes slipped shut for just a moment.

And everything went black.
———

“Salutations, friend!”

“I am combat ready!”

“Don’t worry, Ruby. If anything should ever happen to me again, I will always be with you. That is what love means, yes? We will always be the best of friends.”

“Ruby? Ruby!”

“Are we in a storm? Where are Blake and Yang?”

“This is too much. All of this has been too much.”

“I’ve stemmed the bleeding for now, but she’s lost a lot of blood. I’m worried about anemia and infection.”

“She’s running a fever.”

“Dammit. I should have protected her better. If only that stupid brat hadn’t shrank us to the size of dolls.”

“I know where we can get some help.”

“Yes, we can help her. We are designed to please anyone by granting their desire, within reason. This is most certainly a good reason.”

“It will be alright now, little one. You will feel better soon. Rest.”

Voices. So many voices. They slipped in and out of her mind in fits and starts, distant and close, coming from all sides. It was overwhelming, it was too much. Ruby just wanted to sleep. She was so tired. She hurt so much. She couldn’t do this anymore. Leave her alone. Please, just leave her alone.

“You are free to leave your burdens behind, should you so choose. Cast this life off for another, maybe with less burdens.”

Wait. She knew that voice. It was from that lady, the blacksmith. Her stall had been covered in all sorts of weapons, many of them ancient, one of them oddly familiar. What did she mean set her burdens down and cast away this life? Be someone different? No, no Ruby couldn’t do that. She wouldn’t. That would mean leaving Yang. She’d never leave Yang.

“Who are you, Ruby Rose? Are you a huntress like you always dreamed of? Or, are you a failure who cannot hold the weight of the world or this war on your shoulders?”

She didn’t know what, or who, she was. Ruby was only 16. She was a leader, she supposed. A sister. A friend. Was she really meant to be a Huntress, though? She’d made so many mistakes. Was she a good or bad leader? She wanted to hope that she was decent at it, but her plans weren’t working. Everything was falling apart. How was she going to get them all back to Remnant? How was she going to get the Lamp and Staff back from Salem? Atlas fell. Penny was gone. No one had come to help them. They saved people, that was the only good thing they’d done. Everything else? It was a mess.
She didn’t know if she could fix it.

She didn’t know what to do.

“I love you,” a voice whispered, “just the way you are.”

“I’m right here, Ruby. I’m right here.”

Ruby slowly opened her eyes, blinking as the ceiling above her came into focus. Where…was she? She remembered the…the beast, a Jabberwalker, and the fight…but…how did she get here? In bed?

Carefully, she sat up. Her head felt a bit off kilter, but not nearly as bad as she had felt before. Ruby looked down, realizing she was no longer in her combat gear, but instead dressed in a loose white blouse and long gauzy skirt. She went to swing her legs over the edge of the bed, wincing when she tugged on her side. Oh, yeah, she’d shattered her Aura, but it seemed to be coming back slowly. There was a familiar hum over her skin, like a faint barrier protecting her body from the world, and the pain eased on its own. She stood, holding the wall to keep her balance as she slowly shuffled out of the room and down the hall to where she heard voices conversing.

“You’ve been here 20 years?” Weiss was saying, frowning where she sat at a table with Yang and Blake, looking at Jaune who was…very much not Jaune. Well, he was, but like, much older than he was supposed to be. Everyone was older than Ruby, except maybe Oscar, but Jaune was really, really older now. If he’d been there for 20 years, then really he should be about 39. Oh wow, he was about as old as Dad. Weird.

“Yes,” Jaune sighed, holding a cup of tea in hand as he leaned on a wall nearby, still in his Rusted Knight armor. “I guess since I was one of the last ones that fell, time just messed up for me.”

“Gods, this place is the worst.” Yang groaned, setting a hand on her face, the other laced with Blakes. “And you haven’t been able to find a way home?”

Jaune shook his head. “No, unfortunately. I believe it has something to do with the Tree, but I can’t get close enough to figure it out. Lately, I’ve just been here in this village, keeping them safe from the Jabberwalker.”

Right. The Cat said that if the Jabberwalker ate an Ever Afertan then they wouldn’t Ascend, they wouldn’t get their new purpose. There was something else in Jane’s face though, that furrow in his brows and lines of exhaustion across his face that Ruby knew all too well. It was the guilt of failure, the weight of carrying everything on his shoulders. Alone. Gods, to be alone for 20 years, without Ren or Nora, or anyone else. Ruby’s heart broke for her friend. She only knew bits and pieces of what happened after she and Blake fell, but it was enough to gather that the fight had been horrible on their end. At least, people got to Vacuo safely. Small mercies, she supposed.

Weiss took a sip from her tea, glancing to the threshold of the hall way. She choked, eyes widening.
“Ruby?”

All eyes turned to her, Yang’s head whipping towards her so fast Ruby was mildly concerned she was going to tear something. It didn’t seem to matter, in the end, as Yang was jumping up and rushing to her side not a breath later. The firm metal of her prothetic arm wrapped carefully around her waist to help support her and Ruby didn’t argue, leaning into Yang’s chest. A shiver wracked her body and Ruby only realized then just how cold she was in contrast to her sister’s unnatural warmth. Human fingers pressed over her forehead, brushing messy bangs out of the way, and Yang frowned, that worried furrow between her brows.

“You’re still warm,” Yang murmured. “You shouldn’t be up and moving around like this.”

“‘M not warm,” Ruby grumbled hoarsely, pressing her face into Yang’s shoulder. “Cold…”

“That’s the blood loss,” Jaune said with a heavy sigh. “The People Pleasers did what they could to help replenish what was lost, and I boosted your Aura as much as I could, but it’ll take a few more sessions to get you healed up.”

Ruby peaked over Yang’s shoulder at him, tired silver eyes taking in his warrior’s wolf tail and authoritative stance. It was weird, hearing such a stern, deep voice come out of the awkward blond she’s known for so long now, but it also tickled a memory in her head. Right, the market, the jackalope, the feeling of strong arms picking her up, telling her not to fall asleep.

“You saved me,” she murmured.

Jaune shrugged, as if it was nothing special, but she could see the look in his eyes, the unwillingness to take credit for something he felt was a given.

“Of course,” he said. “You’d have done the same for me.”

“Come on, let’s get you off your feet.” Yang scooped Ruby into her arms effortlessly, carrying her over to the table they’d been sitting at. She set Ruby down on a spare pillow Blake had moved between them and Ruby instantly leaned into Blake, sighing at her support against her back. Blake nuzzled her nose against her temple, a soft purr on her lips.
“Don’t you ever scare us like that again,” Weiss said, sliding over a cup of fresh tea. “You had us really worried.”

“What happened?” Ruby asked, carefully picking up the teacup. Her hands still shook, so Blake cupped her hands around her own to help support her grasp.

Yang frowned. “After the Jabberwalkers attacked the market, Jaune lead us out of there, but you’d passed out from the blood loss from your wound. The Jabberwalker had cut you pretty deep. Without your Aura, it couldn’t heal or start closing up so we had to wrap it the old fashion way.”

“We got lost though,” Weiss murmured. “Jaune, you and I were trapped in some sort of mirror storm, while Blake and Yang went off…somewhere else.”

“We were caught in a storm too,” Yang admitted. “It was just…different. Intended to make us tell the truth.”

Jaune stepped closer to the table. “By the time we all found each other again, you were getting feverish. Some kind of infection from the Jabberalker’s tail.”

Weiss swirled her tea absently. “We didn’t know what to do. None of us really know the herbal landscape here enough to have foraged for medicines. Jaune, however, knew the People Pleasers, has been guarding them for years. They know pretty much anything you need and were able to help patch you up.”

“You wouldn’t wake up, though,” Yang said quietly, continuing her absent massage down Ruby’s calfs. Ruby knew it was because she was still worried. Yang hated to feel useless and her most important love language was service. She always had to be doing something for someone else or she went stircrazy. “You’ve been out of it for three days.”

Ruby choked on her tea, jerking out of her comfortable lean against Blake as the tea cup clattered to the ground.

“What?!” She gasped, hissing as she held her side. Ow. Ow. Owie. Ow. That hurt. A lot.

“Ruby!” Yang grabbed her shoulders, supporting her as Ruby groaned. “Don’t move so fast. You’ll reopen your wound.”

“T-three days?” Ruby grit out. “W-we have to go. We don’t have time to be stuck here. We have to find a way back to Remnant. Get the Relics back. We can’t just sit here.”

“Ruby Rose,” Weiss snapped, slamming her hand against the table. Ruby startled, looking at her angry team partner. “You nearly died in this gods forsaken place. We are not rushing this. Not when you need rest.”

“I’ll be fine,” she argued.

Yang shook her head. “You’re still holding on to the fever. Pushing your body like this will only make it worse.”

“The People Pleasers say you need at least another two days of rest” Jaune said.

“We don’t have two days!” Ruby snapped. “I have to get us back home. I have to figure out how to get the relics back. I need to help everyone prepare for Salem. She’ll get to Vacuo soon enough and I can’t let her get another Relic or we’re done for. I don’t have time to be useless!”

The room fell quiet, everyone looking at her with expressions of mixed pain and surprise. Ruby blinked, realizing tears were rolling down her face. She sniffled and rubbed the heel of her hand against her eyes aggressively. She couldn’t cry. She didn’t have time to cry. She didn’t have time to be injured. She had to keep going. She had to. She had to.

Who was she, if she didn’t lead them?

“That’s enough, Ruby.” She startled at Jaune’s stern voice, looking up at him as he stared her down. It scared her a bit to see him like this, so much older, so much more subdued. He’d always been her partner in leadership, her solace in understanding the weight of what they had to do. But when did she stop seeing him as someone beside her and instead someone behind? He still led team JNR, they’d shared the responsibility with RNJR. Yet, since getting to Mistral it had seemed she was always the one in the lead, always the carrying the most weight.

When had she stopped looking to him to help her carry it?

Now, it seemed he’d carried his own weight for far too long. All alone, with no one to share it with.

“You are going to stay here and rest until your wound heals.” Jaune said in a tone the brokered no room for argument. “We’ll go in teams of two to scout the area, see if there is a way to get to the Tree and find a way home. Two people need to stay here to take care of you and keep an eye out for any Jabberwalker attacks.”

“But…” Ruby tried to get up to argue, but Blake gently tugged her back by her shoulders, resting the young girl against her chest.

“No, buts.” She said sternly, hugging her shoulders gently. “You are in no position to argue. Please, you need to rest. At least, do it for us?”

Ruby glanced at Blake’s imploring look and sighed, feeling far too tired to keep up the argument. “I…fine, but only two days.”

“We still need to find Ruby’s weapon too.” Weiss sighed. “Mine and Blake’s were easy enough, but hers has been tricky.”

“I think I can help with that.” Jaune set his tea cup down and went to another room. He came back shortly with a large wooden box he set on the table and opened. Inside, Crescent Rose sat in her collapsed form. Ruby hesitated, staring at her weapon with an almost hollow sort of resignation. She could feel the weight of it in her arms by sight alone, the years of using her weapon as an extension of herself, a piece of her soul, she knew how it felt, how it weighed her down. She felt so fragile, so weak, would the pain weight drag her down if she picked it up? Would it drown her in the sea of her failures? She was almost afraid to find out.

Yet, her hand reached towards the weapon, ready to take what may come, only to have to box snap shut. She startled, turning to Jaune who had a knowing look on his eyes.

“You can have her back when you’re better,” he said softly. “When you feel a little more steady to hold her.”

Ruby could have cried again at that moment, the way he saw her, knew her. She never had to be anyone else around Jaune. He always knew. She didn’t know how, maybe it was Pyrrha in him, her guidance making him the kind of leader their friend always knew he could be. Whatever it was, he always knew what she was going through, even when he was suffering the same.

Before she could argue, Jaune took the box back to the room. Ruby tried to sit up, but she felt too weak, too tired, so she sank into Blake’s hold, sighing softly.

“Here.” Yang’s voice coaxed her to look up, her sister holding a bowl of soup as one of the star-shaped paper people waddled away. She held a spoonful out for Ruby to take and though she had no real appetite, she opened her mouth to accept it anyway. The soup was surprisingly good, tasting like something from home. It was warm and easy to swallow, and though she feared her stomach would reject it, it seemed to instantly soothe the uneasiness that had taken residents there.

Weiss pushed another cup of tea across the table, and Blake massaged her shoulders from behind, purring softly against the top of her head. Ruby couldn’t help marveling at the pure comfort she was surrounded with, the care she’d craved, but didn’t feel like she deserved. Jaune came back into the room to reclaim his tea, giving Ruby a small nod of understanding.

Life was heavy and grief was painful and failure was a burden she could barely carry. But maybe, just maybe, she didn’t have to let herself carry it alone.

After all, misery loved company, but company never let you weather the storm alone.

Chapter Text

Ruby’s fever finally broke after two days of Jaune’s Aura boosting sessions and a few doses of some purplish medicine the Paper Pleasers were able to whip up with the local herbs.

It was a good thing to, because, surprisingly, a 16-year-old girl no more than 110 pounds soaking wet was a lot harder to get to stay in bed than one would think. Weiss had seen Ruby sick plenty of times since becoming partners and teammates, but it had always been at a distance. She’d be the one to attend classes in her teammates’ stead when one of them were down, take care of the notes, sit nearby to go over the lectures, or fetch the medicines, teas, and keep track of dosages for the others. It wasn’t that she was adverse to taking care of her teammates, not in the slightest. Weiss was often who helped to tend to wounds, sew stitches with careful hands, lecture them on being careful while still bringing them a cold compress to help with swelling. She just…wasn’t as affectionate as the rest of Team RWBY.

Yang was a nurturer by nature, slipping into care mode as easily as she ignited into fiery confidence in the heat of battle. She’d see the little things that could often go missed, a smile not as bright, shoulders slumped just a bit too much, a tone slightly off, and would instantly come to the rescue. She always knew when someone needed a hand, a shoulder, or a hug. She’d be the one to make them soups when they were sick, or check on them in the middle of the night to make sure they were doing alright.

Blake was quieter in her care, but it came with no less of an impact. She was the silent presence when you didn’t want to be alone, but weren’t ready to talk just yet. When you were, she’d listen with a careful ear, take her time to mull over a response, and give an objective perspective on whatever problem you had. She’d make them the best teas when they weren’t well too, or just needed a pick-me-up.

Ruby, often, didn’t know what to say, but it didn’t stop her from being earnest, honest, and, somehow, always inspire hope in everyone around her. She would be quick to offer a cuddle when needed, or a distraction in the form of a video game.

Weiss, on the other hand, didn’t do affection as easily as the others. To them, it was simple, merely a part of who they were. To Weiss, it was something she’d had to grow into, and it was all thanks to them. Her childhood hadn’t exactly been filled with hugs and cuddles or warm talks when things were wrong. All she ever knew was that emotions were a weakness and showing them just gave others something else they could hurt you with. Winter was the closest thing she ever had to a role model, but even she was distant, cold, rigid in her militaristic ways. All Weiss ever knew was tough-love, the kind that came quick, cut deep, but was said from a place of care, or whatever constituted as such. Maybe that was why everyone labeled her Ice Queen, and really, were they wrong?

Her edges had only just begun to soften with Team RWBY, in the time they were apart, and she realized just how good she’d had it while with them. They may not have been together a long time, but they’d thawed part of her hardened heart, made her feel warm for the first time since she’d lost her grandfather. They’d showed her what a real family was, not the fake one she’d been trapped with, held under the thumb a small man who craved power over familial ties. She’d thought that the girl of ice was melting away, being cast to the side in favor of someone who was less afraid to be who she’d always wanted to be, not who she thought others wanted to see. Then, Atlas fell, and she’d seen her new family fall, and had to watch another friend die in this senseless war.
She’d been too hard on herself, on her friends, but most importantly, on Ruby. She’d been selfish when they’d first found her, so wrapped up in her own pain she hadn’t noticed just how much Ruby had been in long before the fall. She was supposed to be her partner, her best friend, yet she’d ignored all the signs in favor of her own desperate need to go home, return to Remnant, see what was left in the wake of the battle, if anything could be saved. Weiss couldn’t get the image of Ruby bleeding out in Jaune’s arms out of her head, how pale she’d been, how badly she flinched when Weiss had snapped at her. Gods, she needed to apologize.

Weiss found Ruby sitting on a paper bench just outside of the house they’d been staying in, watching the Paper Pleaser’s move about. She was still in the gauzy white ensemble the Paper Pleaser’s had made for her, Weiss despising the thing with every fiber of her being. It made Ruby look…colorless. Like a ghost of herself. She’d be a little less on edge when the Paper Pleaser’s finished stitching up the hole in the side of Ruby’s dress so she could don her usual red cape, get back to normal a little. That was, if Ruby wanted to. She’d seemed distant, lately, out of it worse than the fever or blood loss could excuse. She remembered the way Ruby had been so adamant about leaving, demanding that everyone stop trying to make her rest, slow down, like she was trying to carry a weight on her own that was slowly crushing her, but refused to allow anyone else to help.

Well, she was going to be in for a rude awakening when she realized they would all refuse to allow her to carry it alone.

“Hey,” Weiss said gently, letting Ruby know she was there as she stepped lightly around the bench to sit beside her.

Ruby slowly looked at her, a ghost of a half-smile briefly on her lips. “I promise, I’m not doing anything too strenuous.”

“You’ve been cleared by Yang’s ever watchful eye,” Weiss reassured. “Jaune has you on Paper Pleaser duty?”

Ruby nodded, looking out at the little town. “Yeah…it’s a bit strange though. Yang filled me in on everything going on once I was a bit more coherent, and I still kind of feel like it’s a fever dream.”

“It is a bit weird that Jaune named several of them after us,” Weiss admitted. “Then again, he’s been here for 20 years, alone. I…can’t blame him too much for having to do something to cope.”

“But, it isn’t right, is it?” Ruby murmured, keeping her voice low. “They…if they want to ascend, isn’t him stopping them like this just…cruel?”

“Maybe.” Weiss sighed. “There is something more too it, though, I think. Only Jaune knows why he’s keeping them around despite their purpose being done. However, it does seem like taking care of you has postponed their reckless desire to ascend. It’s given them another piece of their purpose. Jaune has been able to relax a little bit. I think it’s helped him start to come back to some level of rational thinking.”

“We can’t stay here,” Ruby said. “We have to find a way to the Tree, get back home. Would…Jaune ever leave them, knowing that without him to stop them, they’ll ascend?”

“I don’t think Jaune really understands what ascension is,” Weiss said softly, looking down. “Not really, at least. He seems to have a misconception, or at least a warped sense of what it is. Regardless, there must be a piece of him that knows he can’t stay here forever. He may just not want to admit that.”

Ruby huffed, putting her head in her hands. “This is all too much…”

Weiss looked at Ruby worriedly. She reached out, hesitating a moment, before laying her hand on Ruby’s shoulder. Ruby looked at her. Weiss swallowed, meeting her eyes.

“Ruby, I’m…I’m sorry, that I haven’t been a good partner, or a good friend, since we got here. I’m sorry for snapping at you like I did, and for not being as aware of what you’re going through as I should have been.”
Weiss hadn’t exactly expected for this to all blow over easily, to make an apology and things go back to normal. However, she certainly had not expected for Ruby to shut down like she was, curling into herself as she hugged her arms around her middle, as if to protect herself from the world, from Weiss.

“It…” Ruby took a shaky breath, looking away. “It’s fine. We need to focus on getting home anyway. I understand that you’re upset, that you want to get back. We don’t have time.”

“Ruby,” Weiss stressed softly. “That isn’t…Please, don’t think that.”

Ruby shook her head and stood up, plastering that smile that held none of the normal warmth in it to her lips, like a mask. Weiss knew masks all too well, and she hated it on Ruby.

“I need to go check on the Paper Pleasers.” She said. “Let me know when the others get back.”

Weiss tried to reach to stop her, but thought better of it, watching Ruby tiptoe on bare feet across the town to go check on what the Paper Pleasers were doing. Her heart broke on the inside as tears welled in her eyes. This wasn’t good. It wasn’t good at all.
She didn’t know what to do.

———

The town was in one piece when they returned, but it was quiet, far too quiet for Jaune’s liking.

Jaune leapt off Juniper’s back, running into the center of town to find none of the Paper Pleaser’s around. HIs heart started racing. This was wrong. It was all wrong. They should be working, feeding the fish in the fountain, collection berries and herbs, making things pretty, chatting together. Quiet meant something happened. Quiet meant they were gone.

“Where are they?” Jaune asked no one in particular, running his hands through his hair. “Where are they? Where did they go? They should be here. They never leave. Why is no one here?”

Yang and Blake caught up with him, looking around the too quiet town.

“If they’re gone, where is Ruby?” Yang asked, desperation coloring her voice. She headed deeper into the town, “Ruby? Ruby!?”

“Weiss!?” Blake called. “Weiss, where are you?”
Jaune couldn’t think. He couldn’t process what was happening. Not again. Not again. He couldn’t fail someone again. He’d promised to keep them safe, he’d sworn to watch out for them. He’d been doing it for weeks, months, now. He’d promised. He’d promised. He couldn’t fail them again. He couldn’t let his team down again. He couldn’t let Pyrrha down again.

There was a rustle nearby, Yang and Blake jumping. Yang’s gauntlets activated, Blake pulling out Gambol Shroud, and Jaune turned just in time to pull out his broken sword before a figure emerged from behind one of the houses. Weiss stumbled out, panting heavily with Myrtenaster in hand.

“Oh, thank the gods you’re back.” Weiss huffed, resting a hand on her hip to catch her breath.

“Weiss?!” They all shouted. Jaune hurried over, wrapping an arm around her to support her.

“Where are the Paper Pleasers?” He demanded desperately.

“Where is Ruby?” Yang asked.

Weiss waved Jaune off, glowering. “Let me catch my breath before you start yelling at me, dammit!”

“I-I’m sorry,” Jaune said guiltily.

Weiss took a deep breath, slowly letting it out. “The Paper Pleasers are okay, they’re safe in the house. Ruby was protecting them.”

Jaune nearly sagged with relief that they were okay, immediately followed by a twisted sort of regret. He’d not even thought twice about whether Weiss was okay, or Ruby, all that mattered was the Paper Pleasers. Of course, they mattered, they were his goal, his purpose, his driving force. But…but Weiss was his friend too, and he hadn’t thought about her well being at all. Gods, his head was so screwed up. Not like that was anything new, he’d known he was going crazy for years now, but he’d been feeling better since Team RWBY showed up, since he knew that he hadn’t failed at least one group of people. They still lived. He could still protect them, too. Yet, he’d failed now, hadn’t he? He hadn’t taken care of them, he hadn’t worried about Weiss, something happening while they were gone. So, he was just a failure, like always, right? He couldn’t even protect his real friends right. He was a failure. A failure. A failure. Maybe Alyx had been right. Maybe everyone had been right from the beginning.

“Jaune!” He snapped back at Weiss’ raised voce, her blue eyes looking at him in concern.

“H-huh?” He blinked.

Weiss frowned up at him. “You were spiraling. It’s okay. Everything is okay, now. Alright?”

Jaune swallowed, nodding. “Y-yeah. Yeah. Sorry.”

Yang stepped forward. “Weiss, what happened? Where is Ruby?”

Weiss sighed, sheathing her weapon. “We were attacked by two Jabberwalkers out of no where. They just...lunged out of the water. Luckily, Ruby had been with the Paper Pleasers further into town, so she took them and hid while I took care of the Jabberwalkers. I wasn’t able to do much on my own, but I mangled to scare them off, at least.”

Jaune frowned deeply. “What? They shouldn’t…that doesn’t make any sense.”

“Well, it happened,” Weiss shot back at him testily. Tears burned in her eyes and she quickly blinked them back. “I hate the Ever After so much.”

“I’m right there with you.” Yang murmured. She glanced at Blake, “Stay with her and Jaune. I’m going to find Ruby.”

Blake nodded as Yang ran off. Jaune swallowed, seeing Weiss trying so hard to keep her tears at pay. He slowly came over, gently wrapping his arms around her. Weiss stiffened slightly, and he just now remembered she wasn’t always keen on hugs unless she initiated them, but before he could pull away she leaned into him, hugging him tightly. Jaune marveled for a moment how nice it was to have someone human hug him back. He’d hugged Juniper plenty, but this was warm and nice, and he hugged her a little tighter. Weiss sniffled, struggling to wipe her tears away with her sleeve. Jaune rubbed her back in small circles. He didn’t understand how this happened. The Jabberwalkers were multiplying, but that didn’t make sense. There was only supposed to be one. Only ever one. So why were there more? And why did they keep attacking them?

He didn’t get much time to think about it before the Paper Pleasers were bounding out of one of the homes, hurrying to surround them. He released Weiss, quickly doing a headcount. All of the Paper Pleasers were there. They were all okay.

“Hooray for friend Weiss!” One of them cheered. “We have been saved from a horrible fate. Thank you! Thank you!”

“Hooray for friend Ruby!” Another cried. “We were kept safe! Thank you! Thank you!”

Jaune saw Yang coming out of the house with Ruby in her arms, the younger girl was a bit pale and tired looking, an arm around her sister’s neck, another holding her side. He, Weiss, and Blake hurried over to them.
“Ruby,” Blake gently brushed a strand of
dark hair from the girl’s face. “Are you alright?”

“What happened?” Weiss asked worriedly. “I told you not to try and fight.”

“I didn’t,” Ruby murmured, laying her head on Yang’s shoulder. “But I had to use my Semblance to get everyone inside before the Jabberwalkers saw us. I’m a just a little dizzy…”

Yang frowned. “You almost fainted as soon as I helped you up. You’re still not well, Ruby.”

“I’ll give you another Aura boosting session,” Jaune said. “And you should take more of the medicine the Paper Pleaser’s made. It’ll help speed up the recovery.”

“Fine…” Ruby murmured reluctantly.

Jaune sent the others to the house they’d been saying in while he did a quick patrol of the town with Juniper, trying to make sure that none of the Jabebrwalkers were coming back. He stayed outside long past dusk to make sure the town was safe, and when it was clear that things would be settled for the night, at least, Jaune finally made his way back to the house. As he stepped inside, the girls were sitting around the table, Ruby laying between Blake and Yang with her legs across her sister’s and head in Blake’s lap, fast asleep as her teammate combed careful fingers through her hair.

“Hey, everything clear?” Yang asked when she noticed him.

Jaune nodded, taking off his gloves as he walked over. “Yeah, everything’s clear. Ruby been asleep long?”

“About twenty minutes,” Blake said. “We ate and got her to take the medicine. She was out pretty quick.”

“That stuff has been a life saver with keeping her from putting up too much of a fight this whole time.” Weiss sighed.

Jaune was a little worried about what, exactly, the herbs were meant to do, but he trusted the Paper Pleasers. They wouldn’t give her anything bad. He walked around to kneel on the floor by Yang and Blake, glancing at Yang for permission before he gently lifted the side of Ruby’s shirt to check the wound. The gash had closed up well over the last few days, leaving a scar that trailed into the one in the center of her stomach where Cinder’s spear had nearly killed her several months back. He’d managed to save her, but only just. He should have been stronger. He should have been able to stop Cinder before she ever even aimed the tip of her spear at Weiss, before Ruby ever needed to take her place. Just another failure to add to his long list of them.

The wound was red around the seam, serous fluid oozing from the raw edges. She’d tugged it pretty good in her haste to save the Paper Pleasers. He pressed gently at the skin around the wound, making sure there was no bruising or internal bleeding. He was grateful, now, for Pyrrha and Ren’s insistence that he take up reading medical books in their downtime. It had been boring at first, but Pyrrha had believed that it would help in awakening his Semblance. Ren had merely thought it a good idea to know as much as they could for the field, even regularly holding study sessions with him so they could learn together. Gods, he missed his team so much. Ruby’s face suddenly scrunched, whimpering softly in her sleep when he pushed a touch too hard.

“Sorry, sorry,” Jaune murmured. Blake hushed Ruby, comforting her while he carefully laid his hands over the wound. Pale gold light engulfed his hands, rippling out along her body like shallow waves across a pond. Ruby settled slowly. Jaune watched as the redness around her wound gradually dissipated and the aggravated edges healed into a smooth scar. He poured more energy into her anyway, to help her feel like her old self. Then again, could any of them be their old selves again? They’d gone through so much, suffered so many loses. There was no going back. They were changed, he had changed. Would Ren and Nora even accept him like this? Would they be disappointed in him, for what he’d had to do? Would they hate him? He…he couldn’t survive that. No. He loved them. He loved them so much his heart ached with how much he missed them. It they turned away, if they lost hope in him, he…would there even be a reason to go back?

“Jaune…” a voice croaked and he blinked, realizing that Ruby was looking up at him sleepily. She reached a hand up, cupping his cheek and wiping away the tears rolling down his face. Oh, he’d been crying. When had that started?

The other three were looking at him with mixed expressions of concern and understanding. So much had happened. They were all a little broken inside. Jaune sniffled, shaking his head.

“Sorry, sorry.” He cleared his throat. “I don’t mean to wake you.”

Ruby shook her head. She said nothing, sitting up slowly and breaking the connection of his Semblance to her Aura. Before he could question her, Ruby wrapped her arms around him as tightly as she could. Jaune froze. He didn’t know how to respond, how to react. He hadn’t expected this. Why…why was she hugging him? After everything, after he failed her, failed Penny, why would she want to be anywhere near him?

Yet, she only tightened her arms. In that moment, Jaune knew. Ruby was grieving as much as he was. It was the walk to Mistral all over again, the two of them, side by side, understanding without words. They’d shared so much in their lives, the stresses of leadership, the pain of the weight they carried, the decisions they had to make. He wondered if she knew, knew that he protected the Paper Pleasers so he didn’t lose them the way he did Alyx, Penny, Pyrrha. He had to fight for something, someone, or he would lose his mind. What little there was to lose already. He didn’t know what he was doing anymore, just trying to survive, trying to move forward.

This was the first time in a long time he so desperately wanted to go home.

Jaune wrapped shaking arms around Ruby’s small frame, holding her close. He sniffled, fighting to keep the tears in. Yang wrapped her arms around them both from the side, followed by Blake, and then, to his surprise, Weiss. This was real. It was warm. It felt right. Gods, Jaune had missed his friends. He’d missed his family.

He missed home.

Maybe, maybe they could do it. Maybe, they could find a way to the Tree. Maybe, things wouldn’t be so heavy alone.

He hoped so.

——

Yang stepped quietly into the room they’d been sleeping in over the last few days, Ruby’s clothes folded under one arm and cloak draped over her shoulder.

Ruby was sitting at the edge of the makeshift bed, staring at the floor with that distant look she’s had for a while now. It worried her, the way Ruby was acting so…different. A lot had happened, not much of it good, but Ruby had always bounced back quickly. Maybe, that was the problem. Sometimes, it was easy to forget that Ruby was still just a child. She’d hit her stride as a leader, taken charge, made her job to be the one to uplift and inspire everyone. It left little room for herself. Yang blamed herself, having gotten too comfortable in taking a step back, letting someone else make the hard decisions in her stead. She had been struggling for a while with Blake back on the team, oscillating wildly between the desire to return to their old comfort, and the desire to keep her as far away as possible, no longer trusting her not to break her wounded heart once more. It was no excuse for not noticing the signs that things were getting too much. She’d seen them in Atlas, when Ruby had finally snapped, but they’d not had the time to properly dig into the issue like Yang had wanted, to smooth over the cracks together. Their talk had been a bandaid on a larger wound, and now the edges were festering open, turning septic without the care needed to help it heal.
She just hoped that it wasn’t too late.

“Hey,” Yang said softly, noticing the way Ruby flinched at the sudden noise. Dulled silver eyes turned up to her, a faint smile more forced than natural on her lips.

“Oh, hey,” Ruby murmured. She noticed the red contrasting against Yang’s neutral colors. “Clothes fixed?”

“Yep!” Yang smiled for the both of them. “Want some help?”

Ruby stood up, shaking her head as she accepted the clothes from Yang. “I can do it.”

“Come on, it’s no trouble.” Yang strode over to toss the cloak on the bed, setting a hand on her hip. “Besides, you always need a hand with those corsets.”

“I can do it myself, Yang!” Ruby snapped.

The room fell quiet, Yang blinked in shock.

Ruby’s shoulders curled into herself, turning away. “Just…just go, okay?”

“Ruby,” Yang murmured, reaching for her, but Ruby flinched away. She retracted her hand, taking a deep breath as she forced a smile. “Okay. Let me know if you need anything.”

Yang quietly left the room, smile dropping into a worried frown. Weiss had said when she tried to talk to Ruby the other day she’d been like that too. Well, really, Ruby had been like this since they found Penny’s sword. Yang had tried to comfort her, but Ruby had just pulled away, brushed it all off. Yang didn’t understand. She’d tried so hard to comfort her sister, but nothing seemed to be working. Ruby just kept going deeper and deeper into herself, leaving Yang feeling utterly helpless.

Was this how Ruby felt when they were at home? This sickening uselessness of not being able to help the one person you loved above all else? Gods, Yang had done this to her, back when everything was unsteady, when everything was fresh and raw and vulnerable. She’d closed herself off, curled into the darkness suffocating her from all sides. Yang had hid her breaking point, when nothing she did could rebuild the wall she’d tried so hard to construct. Now, Ruby was going through the same.

Yang headed back to the main room, sitting near Blake as they waited for Ruby. She knew the other girls could tell something was up, but she didn’t want to talk about it. So, Yang merely laid her head on Blake’s shoulder, lacing their fingers.

She just hoped that Ruby would talk to her, before it was too late.

———

Yang whirled when she heard a scream, heart dropping in her stomach like a stone.

Ruby lay underneath a Jabberwalker, eyes wide and breathes coming out in short, panicked bursts, but she wasn’t seeing the beast. No, Yang could see the glaze over her silver irises, the distant stare. She knew that look far too well, saw it in their father’s eyes when he was having a bad episode, saw it in her reflection after a rough flashback. Ruby was trapped in a flashback of her own, a conjuring of her mind to freeze her in place, and that beast was using the distraction as an excuse for a quick meal.

Over Yang’s dead body.

She roared as flames burst around her, firing a bullet at the ground to propel her forward and bodily slammed the Jabberwalker to the side. It stumbled to its feet, growling at Yang, who quickly punched it in the face, unloading two shots before flipping back to land by Ruby. Blake shot at the beast, Weiss summoning a glyph to keep it in place. Yang trusted her team to keep them safe as she rounded on Ruby, scooping her up.

“Hey, hey, Ruby? I need you to come back to me. Hey!” Yang called, patting the side of Ruby’s pale face frantically.

Silver eyes blinked, and then blinked again, shaking her head. Ruby looked around, panting softly from the lack of air. “I-I…what? What happened?”

“PTSD, my dear sister,” Yang joked grimly. “Congratulations, your as screwed up as the rest of us. Come on, up you go. We got creepy monsters to kill.”

Yang hooked her arm around Ruby’s chest to haul her to her feet, giving her a once over for injuries before she jumped back into the fight. It wasn’t strictly necessary, as the beast growled and jumped away from them. It landed on the hill, dissolving in a glittering flash of pink, before Neo was standing there with Torchwick’s hat on and her umbrella.

“Neo,” Blake murmured.

Yang growled. “What the hell do you want!?”

Neo narrowed her eyes, pointing her umbrella at Ruby. She gave her a sarcastic smile, before vanishing. Yang hissed between her teeth, wanting nothing more than to chase after her and beat her to a pulp for what she’s put them through. However, the cracking of a wall broke her focus and Yang turned just in time to see the rock tower collapse and take out the dam, purplish water flooding the Paper Pleaser’s town and drowning everything in its wake.

“NO!!!!” Jaune cried, rushing to the bridge, only for that too to be submerged in the shallow waters. His knees gave out, head in his hands. “No. Nononono. This can’t be happening, I couldn’t…I was supposed to protect them. I-I…they’re gone!”

“Jaune…” Blake folded her ears down, coming over to kneel on one knee beside him. “I…I’m so sorry. I know they meant a lot to you, but…”

“They wanted to ascend,” Weiss said gently. She came over to set a hand on his shoulder. “You did such a good job protecting them, you helped them achieve their purpose. Now…they need to find their new one.”

“You don’t understand!” Jaune snapped. “Ascension is death! It means they’re gone! They don’t exist anymore!”

“I do understand.” Weiss said firmly. “I talked with the elder Paper Pleasers. They know about ascension far more than us humans, and they were ready. They completed what was needed of them in this life, and now, they’ll be recreated for a new life. A new purpose. This is what they wanted, Jaune. Not just for themselves, but for you too. You needed to let them go. You’ve done your job here. It’s time to go home.”

“What home?” Jaune laughed, half-hysterical as tears ran down his face. “We can’t find a way out, I…I can’t find a way out. I’ve searched for years, there’s no way to get to the tree without ascending.”

“We’ll figure something out.” Weiss rubbed his shoulder, looking over to Ruby. “Right?”

Yang looked to her sister, freezing as she saw the way Ruby ducked her head, eyes half hidden by the shadow of her bangs, arms wrapped tight around herself as if to shield away from them.

“Why are you asking me?” She asked venomously.

Weiss blinked, stepping towards her. “What do you mean? You-“

“Because I’m the leader?” Ruby gives a humorless, half-hysterical laugh. “I’m just supposed to have something to say, right?”

Weiss frowned. “That isn’t-“

“Cuz I don’t!” She snapped, cutting her arm through the air as she turned on the team with narrowed eyes. “I mean…why do I even have to be the leader anyway, huh? Why do I always have to be the one to pick everyone up, make every decision? What about me? No time, right?”

Ruby turned on Weiss who stiffened, backing up a step as she approached. “Gotta get home. Gotta help Jaune. Gotta find someone who isn’t going to just screw everything up!”

“Ruby.” Blake murmured, brows furrowed in worry.

“Gotta stay positive, right?” Ruby rounded on Blake, spitting the words out. “Gotta have hope. Even when everything is falling apart, gotta just keep smiling. Maybe that will fix all the problems. Cause running away and leaving someone else to pick up the pieces certainly doesn’t work, right?”

Blake flinched, wincing. Yang calmly stepped in front of Blake to redirect Ruby’s ire. “Hey!”

It worked, Ruby glaring daggers at her sister. “Oh, look, you got all those messy feelings worked out, now. Good for you! We’re all so happy for you, by the way.”

“Ruby!” Yang raised her voice, gritting her teeth against the rage burning in her chest. “That’s enough.”

“What?” Ruby snapped, throwing her hands up. “I’m sorry, am I hurting your feelings? Wouldn’t want you to shut down like Dad again now, would we?”

Yang flinched violently, feeling like a bullet just tore through her heart. Blake set a comforting hand on her back, but it did little in the way of soothing the wound that had been made. She knew what Ruby was doing, lashing out at any and every one like a wounded animal. She was scared. She was hurting.

How had things gotten this bad?

“Yang,” Blake whispered worriedly, but Yang gently shrugged her off.

“Ruby, please.” Yang pleaded.

“Is it a bad time?” Ruby snipped. “Oh, thats right, we have to mourn Jaune’s make-believe friends!”

“They’re gone…because of YOU!” Jaune seethed, rising to his feet as he stormed over to Ruby. He towered over her, jabbing his finger in her chest. “The Walkers came for YOU. Because Neo. Hates. You! Let’s not forget the reason we’re even in the Ever After is because of YOUR plan that didn’t work! It failed, like every other plan you’ve had since Atlas! What about you? Everything is because of you! Because you failed!”

“Jaune!” Weiss cried.

Jaune blinked, snapping out of his rage. A look horror fell over him as he looked down. Ruby glared up at him, tears welling in her eyes as she grit her teeth. He swallowed, stumbling back.

“I-I…” he started, running his hands through his hair. “I know I’m not…not right, everything is crazy, but I…I’ve been alone for so LONG. I was alone on that bridge, in this world, I-I…I was the only one who could help her…Penny begged me, but I didn’t want to! But it was the only way…a-and I’ll have to live with that for the rest of my life.”

Yang grimaced. Gods. The shit Jaune had to go through. The scars he would carry. She…she understood. She and Blake both. Some days she could still feel the pressure of sliding the end of the blade into Adam’s back. It would haunt her forever, but it was a choice that was made and now had to be lived with.

“Everyone is hurting.” Blake said gently, stepping forward. “We can talk this out. We can-“

“Shut. Up.”

Yang, and everyone else, turned to Ruby, seeing her glaring at Blake. Blake’s ears flattened.

“Don’t,” Ruby croaked, tears spilling down her face. “Don’t…do…that…”

“Ruby…” Yang reached out to pull her into a hug, desperate to comfort her baby sister, but was cut off a roar rang through the air.

A Jabberwalker raced towards them from the forest. Blake pulled out Gambol to shoot at it, but it quickly dodged, jumping around, missing Yang’s blasts that followed and Weiss’s glyphs. It shrieked, tail swiping them all back. Yang grunted as she hit the ground, scrambling up as the Jabberwalker stalked towards Ruby and Jaune. It growled, lunging for Jaune, but before he could pull his shield up, Ruby shoved him out of the way, using her collapsed Crescent Rose to shove in the Jabberwalker’s mouth, blocking its teeth.

The Jabberwalker roared, tossing Ruby and the weapon to the side. She yelped as she hit the ground, disoriented for a moment before the beast tackled her, claws curling around her.

“Ruby!!” Yang cried, making a mad dash for her.

The beast hefted Ruby up as it ran off into the Origami Acre at inhuman speeds. Yang stumbled to her knees. The beast had gotten out of reach with her sister, probably carrying her off to Neo. Yang felt tears burn her eyes and she screamed at the top of her lungs, punching her metal hand against the ground.

“Damn it!!” She yelled.

Weiss helped Jaune up, the blonde looking on in shock.

“S-she…” he murmured. “I…I’m sorry. I never should have…dammit, I never should have said those things…”

“It’s said and done,” Weiss said, helping him stand. “We…have a lot to talk about, but first we need to get Ruby back.”

“I’m going to murder Neo.” Yang snarled, eyes turning red as flames burst along her body. “Let’s go save my sister.”

Chapter Text

“Where could she be?”

The four of them, plus Juniper, had been walking through the Origami Acre for ages, trying to find any signs of where the Jabberwalker could have taken Ruby. Everything was constructed out of paper, leaving no room for tracks to take root in soil to lead them in some sort of direction.

Yang growled, running her hands through her hair. “Dammit, this never would have happened if we hadn’t been arguing.”

Blake frowned, looking at the ground as they walked. “Ruby clearly was upset.”

“That wasn’t upset.” Yang swallowed thickly around a lump in her throat. “That was…Gods, that was a breaking point. Why didn’t she just talk to us?”

“Maybe she didn’t feel like she could.” Weiss said from up ahead, looking over her shoulder. “We’ve put so much pressure on her to always have the answers, to always know a way out. We say things like ‘you’ve got this’ and ‘we believe in you’, but I don’t think that’s what she needed. Not really.”

Blake sighed. “It’s been too easy to forget that she’s younger than us. All of this? It’s too much for us to handle, let alone a 16-year-old.”

“It’s my fault.” Yang said through gritted teeth, tears burning at her eyes. “I knew something was wrong. Gods, she’s my baby sister. I’ve raised her our entire lives. I know her better than I know myself, and I knew. I knew, and I didn’t push enough. I wasn’t there for her enough.”

“It isn’t your fault.” Blake said softly, setting a hand on her back. “Ruby closed off on herself. This world has prevented us from having even a moment of peace to gather our bearings, let alone talk about our pain.”
“It made plenty of time for us to get together,” Yang spat. She pressed the heels of her palms into her eyes. “Dammit. No wonder Ruby was so upset. She was sick when the bridge happened. She didn’t know what the world forced us to do. All she saw was us, happy, and it wasn’t fair. None of this has been fair.”

Weiss stopped, turning to them. “It is our fault. We had plenty of signs. Penny’s sword. Ruby’s panic at the chessboard. Her far off stares. We saw them all, and we didn’t do enough to support her. Yes, the world has been screwing with us since we got here, but it’s no excuse for us turning our backs on her when she needed us most. Maybe Ruby closed off on us, but it was our job to let her know it was safe to break with us, and we didn’t. We failed. Now she’s gone.”

Jaune frowned, petting Juniper’s side when she nuzzled him.

“We’ll find her.” He murmured. “And when we do, we all need to apologize.”

“If Neo touches my baby I’m frying her to dust,” Yang growled in rage.

Gun shots rang out nearby and Yang’s heart plummeted. She’d know the sound of that high-impact rifle anywhere.

“Ruby!” She cried, taking off running towards the sound.
“Yang!” Blake hurried after her as Weiss and Jaune followed on their heels.

———

Oscar was bleeding out.

Ruby’s eyes widened in devastated horror, fingers trembling along the shaft of Crescent Rose as red seeped out of the long gash she’d cut in her friend’s chest. She shook her head slowly, stumbling back a step, two, before her knees collapsed and she fell to the floor, scythe clattering as it slipped from her hands. A wheezing breath caught in her throat, chest heaving as she shook her head, tears running down her face, salt burning against the cut in her cheek, but she barely registered the pain. Ruby hunched in on herself, gasping for breath, panic and denial warring in her chest.

“I-I didn’t…it’s not my fault…” she croaked, shaking her head. “It’s not my fault….its not my fault…”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk.” Roman leaned over his cane nearby. “Poor Little Red. Not very heroic to kill your friends now, is it?”

“I-I didn’t do it!” Ruby snapped, turning to him only to freeze when instead she was met with the horrified face of her sister. Blake appeared beside her, eyes wide as Weiss frowned, and Jaune looked devastated. Nora looked away, Ren frozen in shock.

“Just how many more friends can you stand to watch die?” Roman asked, leaning down with a hum.

Ruby shook her head, whimpering. “Stop…it…please…”

Footsteps sounded nearby and Ruby looked up to see Yang holding a tea cup. Weiss, Jaune, Blake were all surrounding her, looking down in various degrees of disappointment and disgust. Her sister kneeled down, setting the cup on the ground as she tipped Ruby’s chin, looking at her gently.

“Don’t you think the world would be better off without you?” Yang asked with a tip of her head. “No more loss at your hands.”

“Y-Yang…” Ruby sobbed, tears rolling down her face in heavier streams. “Please, I…”

“You’re a worthless leader, Ruby.” Blake said. “Always failing us.”

“Have you ever thought maybe you aren’t cut out to save anyone?” Weiss asked.

“All anyone who knows you does is suffer.” Jaune murmured, looking at his hand as he frowned. “When is it enough for you?”

Yang smiled coldly. “Drink the tea, Ruby. Do us all a favor and disappear. After all, the world has no place for hero-kegh!”

A metal fist wrapped around Yang’s throat, squeezing hard to cut off air. She choked, clawing at the hand. Ruby startled back, watching in dulled confusion as flame erupted behind her and a…a second Yang picked up the first, eyes red as embers and smoke billowing from her mouth.

“Get the fuck away from my sister.” Yang growled.

Another cry had Ruby turning, eyes widening as she saw a blade sticking through Blake’s chest. Another Blake with a face twisted in rage growled out, “Don’t you dare spew lies to her.”

Ice shards stabbed through Weiss as another one pointed her rapier at the first one. “Ruby is the hero the world needs.”

A cry rang through the room as the Rusted Knight leapt off Juniper and parried his sword with his younger counterpart.

“Ruby is a great leader,” he grunted. “The kind that never lets us down!”

Yang’s imposter kicked her in the chest, flipping out of her hold. The true Yang knocked her fists together as flame erupted around her body, lunging to land a flurry of blows on her face. She kicked her doppelgänger in the stomach, sending her flying across the room and into the table.

Yang turned, snarling as flame licked from her mouth. “You may have gotten stronger, Neo, but you can’t copy Semblances. I’m going to fry you to a crisp.”

Neo frowned, backing up. She glanced at Ruby who was looking around in confusion, a dullness to her eyes as she couldn’t tell what was real and what wasn’t. She smirked and charged Yang, clashing her umbrella with Yang’s gauntlets. Meanwhile, the Cat jumped over to Ruby, nudging her shoulder.

“Poor thing,” he purred. “You look so lost. Don’t worry, Ruby. It’s all over now.”

Ruby blinked slowly, tears trailing down her face. “Over?”

“Yes,” he smiled. “You don’t have to fret about a thing.”

The Cat pushed Ruby over so she laid on the ground and he jumped on her chest. He hummed, wiggling his tail. “I can make you better.”

Ruby frowned. “I…I don’t…want to be me anymore…”

“Perfect, Little Huntress.” He grinned wickedly. “I can be you instead. I’ve waited so long to break you down.”

The Cat’s paws thrust into Ruby’s chest and she screamed in pain, arching her back.

“W-what are…you doing…?” She gasped.

“My purpose. When a poor little heart is broken, I can fill it with mine. But you, oh Little Ruby, so different from the Afterans. You see, I am cursed with curiosity, so I must know all things. But more than anything, I must know why I was made only to be abandoned!”

He dug his paws in deeper as his eyes turned black and Ruby screamed, writhing in agony.

Jaune dispelled his clone and looked to the scream, face twisting in fury at the sight of the Cat.

“Get away from her!” He snarled, lunging for him. The Cat looked up just as Jaune slammed his shield into him, sending the Cat flying across the floor.

Yang grappled Neo’s umbrella, kicking her hard in the stomach, before blasting her away with a fiery punch. She turned and bolted to where Ruby was trembling on the ground, coughing as she grasped at her chest. Jaune knelt beside her, setting a hand on her back.

Yang slid on her knees as Blake and Weiss finished off their clones and came to their side. She brushed Ruby’s hair to the side, cupping her cheek as she wheezed and coughed.

“Ruby? Ruby, look at me.” Yang called softly, rubbing her shoulder. “Sweetheart, I’m right here.”

Blake looked up, immediately jumping over Yang and Ruby as she caught Roman’s cane with Gambol. “Yang, get her out of here! Neo isn’t going to stop!”

“She wants Ruby to ascend.” Jaune hissed, standing, “and the Cat wants her body.”

“We’ll watch your back.” Weiss said, rising. “Hurry!”

Yang needed no more instruction, scooping Ruby into her arms as she ran out of the manor. She hurried as far as she could, Ruby lying limp in her arms. Ruby stared at her in confusion, unable to tell if this was really her sister or not. She was warm, the other Yang cold. But..

Yang finally slowed to a stop, dropping to her knees to catch her breath. She laid Ruby in her lap, fingers dancing over her body to search out her wounds.

“Your Aura is broken,” Yang murmured, seeing all the bruises and cuts. “Damn her, that fucking psychopath.”

Ruby blinked at her slowly. “Y-Yang…is that really…you?”

Yang frowned. “What? Of course, it’s me. Who else-“

She froze, realization dawning on her. Yang’s eyes widened in horror and tears welled at her lash line.

“Oh, Ruby.” Yang hugged her tightly. “Yes, it’s me. The real me. I’m right here, Sweetheart.”

Ruby hiccuped, breaking into sobs as she clutched Yang tightly. She cried and cried and cried, heavy sobs that shook her entire body.

“Yang….Yang…” she whimpered, heaving a sob. “I-I can’t…I can’t do this…I can’t…I can’t…”

“Shhh.” Yang held Ruby in her lap, rocking her back and forth as she rubbed her back. “Shh. I’ve got you. Big sis has got you. It’s going to be okay. You don’t have to do this alone, Ruby. I’m right here to carry the weight with you. I’ve got your back, Sweetheart. Always.”

Ruby clung to her like a lifeline. At the moment, she truly was. Ruby had almost drank that tea. She’d been so close to succumbing to Neo’s fakes. And the Cat had tricked her this whole time, trying to possess her body. If Yang hadn’t shown up…if the others hadn’t been there…

Yang pressed a kiss to her hair, burrowing her nose into black and red strands as she swayed them.

“I’m so sorry.” Yang murmured. “I am so so sorry. I should have made time to talk to you more. I knew you were grieving, but I thought…we’d have time once we got out of here. I didn’t realize how much had compounded and I’m so sorry.”

Ruby hiccuped, shaking her head. “I-I didn’t…I didn’t want to talk…I just…it got too much….a-and then you and Blake and…and it felt like everyone was okay, but me…I-I was so angry….at myself for being so broken…”

Yang tightened her hold on her. “No, Ruby. You had every right to be angry. I should have sat down and talked about it with you as soon as you were feeling better. I was a coward, I was afraid…I didn’t think you’d accept it.”

Ruby weakly hit Yang’s shoulder. “O-of course, I’d accept it…you idiot. I just…I was afraid I was going to lose you…”

“Oh, Ruby.” Yang sobbed. “Never, baby girl. You’re always going to be my number one, no matter what. You’re my soul. My everything.”

Ruby hiccuped looking up at Yang with tear stained cheeks and red eyes. “I-I…I don’t know who I am anymore, Yang…I almost…I almost drank the tea. I just…I don’t want to be me anymore…”

Tears rolled down Yang’s face and she cupped Ruby’s with both of hers, pressing their foreheads together.

“I know who you are.” Yang murmured. “You are Ruby Xiao-Long-Rose. You are a kind, brilliant Huntress. You are the daughter of Summer Rose and Taiyang Xiao-Long, and the baby sister to Yang Xiao-Long-Rose who would be lost without you. You are brave and brilliant and a fighter who never gives up. You are a leader who takes way too much on her own shoulders when you have a team to help carry the weight. You are stubborn and reckless, and a massive weapons nerd. You are loved so dearly that without you, the world would be a horrible and miserable place.”

Ruby hiccuped. “T-that isn’t true….I’ve failed….I’ve failed so much….Atlas…everything was a mess….”

“You did the best you could with what you had.” Yang stressed. “It was a horrible situation, one no one could predict. That isn’t your fault. You are no failure, Ruby. You are a child in a war that even the adults can’t navigate. You are trying and learning and doing the best job you can. I am so proud of you.”

Ruby sobbed. “S-shut up…”

“No.” Yang smiled slightly, nuzzling her nose against Ruby’s. “I love you, just the way you are. Every flaw and imperfection and broken piece. I love every single part of you. Mom was imperfect. She burnt toast and turned her cloak pink with a red sock. She killed flowers by overwatering them. She made Dad a too short sweater. And she took a risk the day she left that didn’t work out, and she lost her life because of it. She left us to grow up without her. She didn’t get it all right either.”

Ruby pulled back, hiccuping as she rubbed at her face. “T-the others are going to hate me…”

“That isn’t true.” She startled, looking up as Blake, Weiss, and Jaune hurried over to them.

Blake dropped beside Ruby, wrapping her in a hug. “We love you, Ruby. I’m so sorry we didn’t see your pain. I’m so sorry we weren’t there for you.”

Weiss dropped on her other side, hugging her gently. “I’m sorry for pushing you so hard to find a way out. For expecting you to always be positive and carry the responsibility of our team. We should have been sharing the weight, and instead put it on you. I’m so so sorry.”

Jaune swallowed thickly, kneeling nearby. He gently took her hand in his.

“I am so sorry for what I said to you,” Jaune croaked as tears welled in his eyes. “I didn’t mean any of it, I was just…I was angry and took it out on you, which wasn’t right. It wasn’t fair. You didn’t know what I went through. You didn’t plan for any of this to happen. Your idea…it was a good one. It was my fault for losing the Lamp. If I hadn’t, then Cinder wouldn’t have known about the plan. We would have succeeded. That…thats on me, and I’m sorry…”

Ruby’s whimpered. She leaned into Blake and Weiss, squeezing Jaune’s hand. Yang set her hand on Ruby’s knee, staying close.

“We’ll get through this together.” She murmured. “You don’t have to do this all alone. We’re right here. I’m right here.”

Ruby sniffled, nodding tiredly.

———

A little summary for your enjoyment:

After baring her soul to her friends and finally grieving Penny’s death alongside releasing the tension from all the built up stress of Atlas, Ruby felt lighter. Not better, but less impending doom. There was a lot they all still needed to cope with, but they would figure that out as a team. Jaune gave Ruby a much needed Aura boost to help her wounds heal and energy return, and Blake had made sure to grab Crescent Rose on their exit from the Manor. Ruby found out that the Cat had possessed Neo in the process, which…wasn’t good.

Needing to find a way out, Juniper helped guide them through the forest, only for them to end up back where the Paper Pleasers had been. However, the town was no longer flooded, in fact it was being rebuilt. There were gemstone stars waddling about, the Genial Gems, who, it appeared, were the reincarnations of the Paper Pleasers. Jaune had realized this is what he’d been keeping them from for so long. They didn’t really die, they merely reinvented themselves in a stronger way.

With new found resolve and understanding, they made their way through the Origami Forest, until they stumbled upon the tree. Neo-Cat was waiting for them, blocking what should be the exit. As a team, they took on the Cat, eventually defeating him, with the added bonus of Neo having the Jabberwalkers she’d created maim and eat the Cat. It was, uh…brutal, and Yang was quick to tug Ruby against her chest with a hand over her eyes so she didn’t have to witness the full brunt of it.

With Neo taking her chance to explore who a new her would be, the others stepped through the door, believing it would lead them all home. However, instead it lead them to a workshop where the Blacksmith was waiting. Ruby recognized her from the market, and the Blacksmith was pleased to find that Ruby had found herself not by tossing off her broken pieces, but by learning to accept them as they molded her into the girl she was. The girl who was enough.

Jaune was displeased, seeing Alyx’s knife on the table and asking what had happened to her. The Blacksmith weaved the tale of the truth of The Girl Who Fell Through the World. Told them of the Brothers Grim, how she created them, how the Ever After was their first home before she sent them off to what would later become Remnant. None of them truly knew how to process this information, an entirely different understanding than what they’d once known.

Upon Jaune’s return to his original age and appearance, Ruby couldn’t help asking about the axe she’d seen back in the market. It had seemed strangely familiar, yet she couldn’t recall where she’d seen it. The Blacksmith was careful in presenting the axe to Ruby and her friends, except Yang had collapsed to her knees as soon as she saw it, eyes wide in utter disbelief. Blake, kneeling to support her, and Ruby, at her side in worry, didn’t understand what was going on.

However, the Blacksmith knew, and Yang did too. The axe was Summer Rose’s. Yang had seen that weapon so many times. Had held it. Aimed it. Laughed beside her mother as she watched her work on it, making upgrades, polishing the metal, amazed as she trained beside Summer as a tiny child.

“How did you get that?” Yang demanded.

The Blacksmith merely was a holder of the weapons that defined a person. An extension of themselves, a piece of their soul. It resided with her, for whenever the soul was ready to return as someone new when their time was up.

Ruby held the weapon with such care, marveling at the work of a mother she didn’t remember. Yang finally stepped by her side, brushing her fingers over the metal. A spark and a gasp, and the two of them saw a scene they knew nothing about. The night their mother read them The Girl Who Fell Through the World, fast asleep as she kissed their heads and left her emblem on the book. The night she lied to dad, leaving for a mission, only to meet with Raven as they left together.

Neither knew how to cope with such a scene, an earth-shattering reveal. Ruby dropped the axe on the floor, looking to Yang who was fury incarnate.

“She lied…” Ruby murmured.

“Why would she lie!?” Yang snapped. “She left…with Raven?! She knew this entire time?”

“Who knows why people keep the secrets they do?” The Blacksmith sighed. “Maybe she too felt the burdens of leadership, the weight of the world on her shoulders. Like you.”

Ruby swallowed thickly, unsure and mind reeling. Yang set an arm around her to hold her close, even as angry tears welled in her eyes. When they returned home, Yang was hunting Raven down and she was getting answers.

“I have a gift for you. One that should help in your new found path.” The Blacksmith motioned Ruby closer, the girl stepping to the table as she allowed her hand to be taken. When the Blacksmith pulled away, Ruby’s eyes widened as her mother’s emblem rested in her hand, polished and shiny.

“A mother’s promise, you said?” The Blacksmith smiled.

Ruby blinked back tears, replacing it on her belt. Behind them, a portal opened, much like the doors Ambrosias had created for them.

“Is that our way home?” Jaune asked.

“Where is it taking us?” Weiss frowned.

The Blacksmith smiled. “Not where, but when you are needed most. Good luck in your journey. All of you.”

They approached the door and Yang laced her fingers with Blake’s. They all glanced at each other, before Jaune took a step through, following by Weiss, and Blake and Yang. Ruby paused, looking back at the Blacksmith.

“Thank you.” She smiled.

The Blacksmith nodded, smiling back.

Ruby took a breath and walked through the portal. Sand shifted under her feet and she stumbled, being caught by Yang who grinned with tears rolling down her face.

“Look.” She breathed.

Ruby looked up and her eyes widened. They stood on a dune in Vacuo where airships packed the sky.

“Guess your call for help really did go through.” Yang murmured.

“We have an army.” Weiss breathed.

Ruby grinned, tears welling in her eyes.

“Maybe, we can actually do this.”

Chapter Text

“Why did you make me do this?”

Ruby whined as she waddled into the ballroom, knees knocking together as her ankles trembled trying to hold herself up right. The red dress they had purchased the weekend before fit her well, a more defined silhouette than her normal clothes allowed. The front side of her hair was twisted and pinned back with a rose hair clip, eyes lined in the barest hint of black, and mascara making her eyelashes pop. Pink lipstick adorned her lips, and a soft blush dusted across her cheeks. Blake had been the one to sit her down to do her hair and makeup when they were getting ready, Weiss and Yang already heading to the ballroom in preparation for the dance. It had been a nice little teammate bonding moment, before Blake had to leave to meet up with Sun. Meaning, Ruby was on her own at a dance she didn’t really even want to go to, but was only doing so to support her sister.

Her sister, who gasped as soon as she saw her walk through entrance. Yang’s face lit up, her eyes and cheek bones dusted in golden glitter, complementing her curled blonde hair that fell around her like a halo. She walked around the podium with confident strides, white dress swishing with each sashay of her hips, not at all fearing the consequences of a misstep in the villainous heels that gave her sister a good 3 inches more of height over Ruby.

“Look at you!” Yang cried, beaming with the full power of the sun. “You look beautiful!”

Her hands closed around Ruby’s small waist, lifting her up with all the effort one would use to pick up a sack of flower petals.

“Up, up, goes the pretty rosebud~” Yang sang sweetly.

Ruby, however, yelped, and flailed lightly in her hold. “Y-Yang! Put me down!”

Having mercy on her little sister’s dignity, Yang set her down, but not without a pout. “Aww, come on, Rubes. You loved when we did the rosebud song.”

“Yeah, when I was five!” Ruby hissed, cheeks burning red. She glanced around, thankful no one had seen them. She heaved a sigh, looking at her big sister softly. “You do look really pretty, though. Like a princess.”

Yang grinned, twirling in her dress. “Aw, thanks, Sis. It’s nice to get to dress-up for a change. And, thanks for coming, even though I know this isn’t your thing.”

“The things you do for family,” Ruby teased. “It’s fine. I’ll pay you back next time we’re at the bookstore.”

“Fair is fair.” Yang laughed. “Go on, try to have some fun. I’ll come find you when my greeting duties are over.”

“That is if I don’t break an ankle in these demon shoes beforehand,” Ruby complained, waddled away.

“You’ll be fine!” Yang called after her.

Ruby wasn’t too sure about that, nearly face planting not a moment later. She glanced around the ballroom, impressed with how well everything had been set up. All things considered, Yang and Weiss had done a nice job, though Ruby’s frame of reference was next to zero. Regardless, with all the fighting those two did over making decisions, it was nice to know they’d managed to work as a team to make this all come to together. Team-building was working!

It wasn’t long before Ruby spotted Blake and Sun, the former in a pretty black and grey dress that looked like it was inspired by Mistral fashion, her eyes dusted in purple with cat-eye eyeliner and a glittery black bow in her hair, the ends of her hair curled. She was smiling, dancing with Sun in his suit across the dance floor. Ruby couldn’t help thinking how strange it was that Blake had accepted Sun’s offer to got to dance, having thought that she would have asked Yang. Then again, Yang would be busy most of the night, so maybe they’d agreed this was the best option for both of them to have fun. Ruby didn’t assume to know the romance life of old people, or, eh, older people? Yang would kill her if she heard her thinking she was old.

Then again, everyone here was older than Ruby. Maybe that was why she hadn’t had that ‘spark’ Yang talked about, the kind that meant you like-liked someone. It didn’t matter, not really, Ruby had far more important things to focus on, like leading her team. Or trying to, anyway. It had been hard, figuring out a way to support everyone when she was barely able to support herself. Headmaster Ozpin said it would get easier, but it had been months and Ruby wasn’t too sure it was ever going to get easier.

“Hey.” She startled out of her thoughts to find Jaune, dressed in an ill-fitting suit, loitering beside the punch bowl.

“Hey, Jaune.” Ruby smiled at him, coming to take up a spot beside him. “Avoiding people too?”

“Yeah.” He sighed. “Nora and Ren went to go dance, so I’ve just been hanging out here.”

“Didn’t get a date?” She meant it as a tease, accepting a cup of punch as he handed it to her. His face, however, fell, and she frowned. “Wait, really?”

“Weiss rejected me.” He dropped his head, slouching. “And I couldn’t think of anyone else to ask.”

Ruby furrowed her brows. “What are you talking about, you had Pyrrha.”

Jaune shook his head. “What? No, no, she already had a ton of asks. Someone better would have asked her.”

Ruby rolled her eyes. “I hope when I get to 17 I’m not so thick.”

“Hey!” Jaune pouted. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means,” Ruby stressed, poking him in the chest, “That you should know better. Why are you chasing Weiss when she’s not interested? Pyrrha has been trying to get your attention since Initiation.”

Jaune frowned. “There’s no way. You’re mistaken, surely. Why me? Pyrrha could do so much better. She deserves so much better. How could she ever want to be with someone like me?”

“Don’t you think she should be the one to decide that for herself?” She asked. “I don’t know why she likes you, but if I had to guess, probably for the same reason I like being your friend. You’re funny, you’re a good tactician, and you’re a good friend. Even if you are a bit dense at times, but I think that’s just a boy thing.”

“Hey!” Jaune shook his head. “I don’t…I just can’t understand it. Why didn’t she just say something? We talked, and I…I told her of course she’d have tons of people ask her.”

“Well, looks like you were wrong.” Ruby turned him around, pointing to where Pyrrha stood off to the side dressed in a beautiful fire red gown, looking nervous and alone. Her heart broke for her. Pyrrha was such a beautiful and kind friend. She really did deserve better than to be alone like this.

At least, she had some hope with Jaune whose eye widened, before he frowned.

“How…how is she alone?” Jaune murmured. “She’s…well…she’s perfect. Strong, smart, beautiful, kind - who would ever allow this?”

Ruby shrugged. “Stupid people is my guess, but that just means this wrong needs to be remedied.”

She plucked Jaune’s drink from his hand, bumping her hip against his leg. “Go get her, Jaune. Come on. Take a chance.”

Jaune scowled at her. “For someone who doesn’t like going out of her own comfort zone, you really have no issue throwing others out of theirs.”

“Do as I say, not as I do.” Ruby grinned. “Now, go!”

He moped, making his way over to Pyrrha’s side. Ruby smiled, taking a sip of her drink.

“Having fun?”

Ruby nearly dropped both cups as Yang popped up beside her. She stuck her tongue out at her elder sister. “Stop scaring me like that.”

“It’s fun.” Yang teased. She threw an arm around Ruby, glancing at her drinks. “You hanging out with Jaune?”

“Was,” she hummed. “Now, hopefully, he’ll be hanging out with Pyrrha.”

“Nice.” Yang kissed her head. “Come on, dance with me while I’m on break.”

Ruby made a face. “I can’t dance, Yang.”

“Come on, it’ll be fun.” Yang plucked the cups from Ruby’s hands to set on the table, tugging her towards the dance floor. Ruby reluctantly stumbled along, though her pout didn’t last long as Yang twirled her around. She couldn’t help laughing as they moved together, finding a little corner that wasn’t too crowded. She clung to Yang’s hand as she spun her out, trying to mimic the way her sister swayed her hips and danced to the music. Yang grinned at her, pulling Ruby in close to hug her tightly, before twirling her around again.

Ruby - as uncoordinated as ever - lost her footing on the spin, and her hand slipped from Yang’s. She yelped, stumbling back on her heels. Yang tried to grab her, but Ruby’s knee buckled and she was going down, not before another pair of arms caught her instead. Blake arched a brow down at Ruby, holding her up.

“Told you the flats would have been better.”

“That’s what I said!” Ruby exclaimed in exasperation. She straightened with Blake’s help, smiling sheepishly. “Thanks.”

Blake nodded, smiling uncertainly at Yang. “Mind if I join?”

Ruby saw the way her sister shrugged as if to appear unbothered, but the thinly veiled hurt was etched into the way her lilac eyes dulled just a touch in the light.

“It’s fine,” Yang said, glancing away. “Isn’t Sun going to be upset, though?”

“Doubt it.” Blake rubbed her arm shyly. “He ditched me for Neptune.”

Yang blinked, turning to her in disbelief. “What? Is he crazy?”

Blake snorted. “No, just air headed. We danced a bit, then he got distracted. I think he just got caught up in everything going on.”

“It is a lot.” Ruby agreed. She smiled. “But, that doesn’t mean you can’t come dance with us. Come on!”

She took her teammate’s hand in hers and Yang’s in the other, tugging the girls along. They smirked and formed a circle with Ruby, holding the younger up as they moved and danced together, laughing. Ruby caught sight of Weiss nearby as they danced, sitting alone in the chairs, looking sad. Well, that wouldn’t do. She pulled away from the others, hurrying over to her partner.

“Weiss!” She beamed, taking her hand to tug her along. “Come on!”

“What?” Weiss frowned, yelping as she was pulled from her seat. “Hey, Ruby!”

Ruby dragged her over to the others, the four of them making a circle. They danced together, hands locked, laughing brightly as they took turns twirling each other and moving as one. Yang paused and choked on a laugh, pointing behind them.

“Oh my gosh, look!” They all turned, gasping at the sight of Jaune strolling back into the dance in a full length dress and his sneakers. The music stopped as he strode past everyone’s snickering laughs, going straight to a very shocked Pyrrha. Ruby couldn’t hear exactly what was being said, but whatever it was made the other girl smile brightly.

“Hey, hit the music!” Nora cried, dragging Ren over to the other side of their team.

With the entire room’s attention on them, Team JNPR started dancing to the next song being played, doing pretty well with an impromptu routine. The room was laughing and whistling, Ruby nearly doubled over with how hard she giggled. It was nice, though, the way Team JNPR came together to support each other. They were growing, and Jaune was breaking out of his shell to set a good - if not hilariously embarrassing - example for his team.

Neptune suddenly slipped up out of nowhere to ask Weiss if she’d like a dance, much to the other girl’s surprise, but she quickly accepted, being tugged into the dance as the rest of the room migrated back to the dance floor.

Ruby snickered, before sighing, leaning most of her weight on her prosthetic leg. Dancing had been fun and all, while it lasted, but she was ready to go home. The heels were really digging into her ankle now.

“You good?” Yang asked worriedly, noticing her discomfort.

“Can this count as fulfilling my sisterly duties so I can go back to the dorms?” Ruby asked sheepishly. “I’m tired and so over these heels. They’re hurting my foot.”

Yang softened, ruffling Ruby’s hair. “Alright, alright. That‘s fair enough. Want me to walk you back?”

Ruby made a face at her hair being messed up, but shook her head. “Nope. I’ll be alright.”

Yang didn’t seem too sure, but relented, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Text me when you get back, okay? And make sure to take your makeup off. Don’t just fall asleep with it on.”

“Yes, Mom,” Ruby teased, hugging Yang. Yang snorted, hugging her back gently.

Ruby then went over and hugged Blake, smirking, “Be good, you two~”

Blake’s face flushed as red as Yang’s eyes.

“Ruby!”

“See ya!” Ruby was already rushing out of the ballroom, before Yang could strangle her, laughing at her sister’s expense.

———

It was both strange and a dream come true as Yang danced with Blake, smiling at her partner as she laughed, twirling her across the floor. Blake’s smile always did something strange to Yang’s heart, made it flip and flop around like an aerobatic act. They were just friends, that was all, but something had shifted between them. Ever since the day Yang begged Blake to get some rest, to pump the brakes on her mad search for Roman Torchwick, exposing her and Ruby’s troubled past, there seemed to be something else in the air between them. A level of common ground, of understanding, that had never been there before. They weren’t so different, after all. At least, not as different as they’d once thought.

Yang couldn’t help wondering if it was possible for their friendship, this new found closeness, to ever become something more. Maybe it was just wishful thinking. It was too soon to wish for something like that, anyway, and not worth getting her hopes up for. Who knew how long Blake would stay? Who knew how long it would be before the curse that seemed to follow Yang took effect? After all, people didn’t tend to stay long by her side. No one had, except Ruby, but she was the exception. Her flower that would perpetually bloom by her side.

She was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of music screeching to a halt, looking up to the DJ booth to find Professor Goodwitch towering over the party. She picked up a microphone, garnering the attention of the room.

“Attention students,” Professor Goodwitch announced, “A code 3 security breech has been put into effect as there is an active assailant on campus. Teachers have been dispatched to handle the culprit, but all students are to immediately head back to their dorms. DO NOT try to find this assailant yourselves. Go back to your dorms immediately and lay low until instructed otherwise. Dismissed.”

Students began to look around amongst each other, murmurs rising in concern and frustration at the turn of events. The teachers that remained began shepherding everyone out of the ballroom, echoing Goodwitch’s instructions. Many of the attendees rushed amongst the crowds, trying to find partners, teammates, friends, or love interests, heading back towards the dorm buildings.

Yang kept her hand locked around Blake’s so as not to lose her in the chaos, the two hurrying through the mass of students.

“Do you see Weiss anywhere?” Blake asked, looking around for their white haired teammate.

“No,” Yang said, looking around as well. She frowned. “She was with Neptune. He’ll surely watch out for her and make sure she gets to the dorms.”

“Sun is probably with them too,” Blake agreed.

Yang pulled her Scroll out from her bra, sliding it open as she scanned through her texts. Her heart sank as she realized Ruby hadn’t texted her that she’d gotten back to the dorms. She quickly hit her sister’s number, holding her Scroll to her ear. It rang and rang and rang until it went to Ruby’s voicemail recording. She hung up and called again with the same result.

“Dammit!” Yang cried, trying to call her sister once more. “Pick up. Pick up!”

“What’s wrong?” Blake asked worriedly.

Yang grit her teeth as the rings droned in her ear. “Ruby isn’t picking up her phone. She should have been at the dorms by now.”

Blake set a hand on her shoulder. “Breath. She’s probably just asleep. Let’s head to the dorms and check on her.”

“She knows better than to not answer her phone when I call more than once.” Yang huffed, but collapsed her Scroll, sticking it back into her bra.

“She’ll be okay,” Blake reassured. “She’s our leader. She’s capable of watching out for herself.”

Yang didn’t seem to agree, but didn’t argue either, letting Blake pull her along as they headed to the dorms. The crowds started to thin more as they went the back way to their building, hurrying up to their floor. To Yang’s relief, Weiss was waiting by the door with Neptune and Sun, Team JNPR lingering in the threshold of their door.

“Hey!” Sun perked when he saw Blake and Yang coming down the hall. “You guys are okay! We were worried.”

“Yeah,” Blake sighed. “We got caught up in the crowds.”

“Everyone is on edge with the announcement.” Pyrrha said, looking worried. “I wonder what could be happening.”

“I don’t know,” Yang admitted, getting her key as she hurried to their door. “All I care about is checking on Ruby. She better be asleep or I’m going to go throttle her for not answering her phone.”

She unlocked the door, pushing it open to find the room empty, and quiet. Dread hooked into her chest as Yang ran into the room.

“Ruby?” She called, ignoring the way the others came to the door in her wake. “Ruby?”

Yang jumped onto the bookcase by Weiss’s bed to toss back the canopy of Ruby’s bunk, finding it empty. Panic started to set up as she hoped down, rushing to the bathroom, only to find it empty as well. She went tot he wardrobe, Ruby’s dress and heels not out back, and her cape laying abandoned on the back of her desk chair.

“She isn’t here.” Yang breathed, rounding on the others. “Ruby isn’t here!”

“Wasn’t she at the dance with you guys?” Jaune asked worriedly.

Blake shook her head. “She left early, because she was tired.”

“You don’t think she got caught up in whatever breech happened, do you?” Neptune asked, only to get smacked in the head by Sun as Yang’s face went pale.

“I have to find her.” Yang said, fear buzzing like bees through her veins. She dashed to the door, pushing everyone out of her way.

“Yang, wait!” Weiss grabbed her wrist, frowning. “What do you think you’re going to do? Professor Goodwitch said not to go out.”

Yang rounded on Weiss, smoke billowing from her mouth as her hair burst into flames. “I’m not sitting around doing nothing while my sister is in danger! You can stay here if you want, but you aren’t stopping me!”

Weiss flinched under her voice, gritting her teeth as she challenged Yang with an icy glare of her own. “I’m not trying to stop you, but you aren’t going alone.”

Yang blinked, flames taming slightly. “Really?”

Weiss scoffed. “She’s my partner too, you know.”

“Come on, we’ll go too,” Sun offered, slinking an arm around Neptune.

“We’ll stay here just in case Ruby finds her way back first.” Jaune said. “I’ll call you immediately if she shows up.”

“Thank you.” Yang nodded. “Let’s go!”

Yang took off down the hall with the others, heart pounding. Ruby needed to be okay.

She had to be.

———

Of all the ways Yang expected to find her little sister, it was not limping across the courtyard with General Ironwood of Atlas as her escort. There was probably some level of decorum that was expected in the presence of the general, but whatever it was, Yang punted it straight out the window. The second she caught sight of a red dress and silver eyes, she was sprinting across the courtyard, catching Ruby in to her arms with her hand cradling the back of her head.

“Ruby Xiao Long-Rose!” Yang growled, “Don’t you ever scare me like that again. When I tell you text me if something happens, I expect you to do so.”

Ruby swallowed thickly, mumbling against her shoulder. “Yes, Yang…Sorry, Yang.”

“Full name.” Ironwood hummed. “I suppose that’s a level of trouble even I can’t wiggle someone out of.”

Yang glanced at the general, not yet releasing her sister. “Sir?”

Ironwood smiled gently. “All is well, Miss Xiao-Long, I assure you. Your concern is reasonable, which is why, I presume, you all are out here despite the explicit command to stay in your dorms?”

“Nothing and no one gets between me and my sister.” Yang eyed Ironwood, almost daring the man to try and challenge her.

He did no such thing, merely heaving a sigh. “Miss Rose may have…gotten into an altercation with the assailant, but will receive no punishment for doing so. In fact, her ability to recognize a threat, pursue it, and try to naturalize are all outstanding characteristics of a Hunstmen, especially, one that is a leader.”

He smiled slightly at the two of them. “Certainly, something to be proud of. However, I will recommend that Miss Rose give herself some time to heal properly, it seems she has injured her ankle in the fight.”

“What!?” Yang quickly kneeled down, checking Ruby’s legs. She was barefoot, heels dangling from her fingers. Her prosthetic seemed in tact, no damage, but her right ankle was swollen and red. A sprain.

“It’s fine.” Ruby rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry. I’ll get to the dorm and ice it and be good as new.”

Yang scowled up at her, before raising to her feet, scooping Ruby up against her back so she could pick her up in a piggy back. Ruby yelped, wrapping her arms around her sister’s neck.

“Thank you for watching out for her, Sir.” Yang said to Ironwood.

He nodded. “You kids head back to your dorms now. I’ll pretend that I didn’t see you disobeying orders, just this once.”

Neptune and Sun smiled sheepishly. “We’ll be going, then.”

The two boys hurried off to their temporary dorm while Team RWBY headed back to theirs. It was silent between the four of them, Blake and Weiss wisely staying quiet as Yang fumed. Ruby swallowed, fingers fidgeting against the straps of her heels.

“Yang, I-“

“Zip it,” Yang hissed.

Ruby flinched, but went quiet. As they made it back to their floor and room, Weiss went to tell JNPR that Ruby was alright as Blake went to get the first aid kit. Yang set Ruby down on the edge of Weiss’s bed, kicking off her own heels as she paced around the room, embers licking at her hair with her rising temper. Blake slinked back, coming to Ruby’s side as she knelt on the floor, applying numbing cream to her red ankle. The younger looked at Yang, frowning.

“Yang,” she tried, “Please, just li-“

Yang turned red eyes on her. “Don’t. Say. A. Word. I have half the mind to ground you for the next month. Do you have any idea how stupid, how careless, how utterly immature that was, going after the assailant like that?”
Ruby narrowed her eyes. “Hey! General Ironwood said I did a good job!”

“Screw what the general says!” Yang snapped. “He doesn’t have to live with the consequences if something happened to you! Do you have any idea how terrified I was when I couldn’t find you? Do you? I know you’ve been doing a good job as a leader, Ruby, but you can’t just go off on your own like an invincible hero to save the day. This isn’t a comic book, or a video game, it’s real life and there is no second chances if you screw up.”

Ruby flinched and lowered her head. She swallowed thickly.

“I-I…” Tears dropped onto her skirt. “I’m sorry, Yang…”

Yang sighed, shoulders slumping as her temper fizzled out. She came over, mouthing a thanks to Blake for patching Ruby as she dropped to her knees, wrapping Ruby in a tight hug.

“Hey, don’t cry.” Yang murmured, kissing her head as she rocked her back and forth. “I’m proud of you, I am, but…I don’t like you taking the world on your shoulders. We’re a team for a reason, you know. You can always call on us for backup.”

“That’s what partners are for too,” Weiss spoke up as she slipped quietly into the room. She softened at the sisters. “Why do you think Beacon has use paired up like they do? No Huntsmen goes into the field alone.”

Blake returned to Yang’s side as she handed over a warm washcloth, smiling gently at Ruby. “I seem to remember some wise woman telling me once that going after things alone is far more difficult than doing it together. Lean on us, okay? We’re here for you.”

Yang blushed slightly at Blake’s words, winking at her as she took the warm cloth to wipe off Ruby’s face, cleaning her tears and makeup off. “Call us next time, okay? And don’t scare me half to death like that again.”

Ruby nodded, sniffling as she let Yang wash her face. She blinked, looking at the three of them. “Thanks, guys. And…I’m sorry, for scaring you.”

Blake rubbed her back. “It’s okay.”

“We’re just glad you’re safe now.” Weiss said.

Yang smiled, kissing Ruby’s forehead. “Come on, let’s get to sleep. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m all partied out.”

“The party girl, tired?” Blake teased. “The world really must be ending.”

“Har, har, very funny.” Yang threw the cloth at Blake who caught it, laughing.

Ruby and Weiss dissolved into giggles as well. Yang smiling slightly.

Well, at least it had been an eventful night. No one could say Beacon was boring, that was for sure.

Chapter Text

Jaune groaned as he lead Team JNPR into their room.

They were all lagging and dragging their feet, zombified versions of their usual selves. Ren slunk off to the shower while Nora collapsed on her bed, Jaune following suit beside her.

“I can’t feel my legs.” Jaune moaned.

Nora grunted. “My arms are limp noodles.”

Pyrrha strode over to them with a tired smile, but looked no more worse for wear than usual. She set her hands on her hips as she looked down at her two teammates.

“Hey, now, don’t go lying down when you’re all sweaty and gross,” she admonished. “Go on, get in the showers. You’ll make Nora’s blankets smell if you stay there too long.”

Nora held up a hand to flick Pyrrha off, but Jaune pulled himself up reluctantly. He grunted as he stood, taking off his armor to lay next to his own bed before peeling off his sweaty Pumpkin Pete sweatshirt he always wore underneath. Pyrrha gasped, and Jaune was confused as he tossed his sweatshirt into the dirty clothes, before realizing he’d forgotten one important detail.

His back and chest were littered in various bruises, all in different stages of healing. They wrapped around his rib cage, over his stomach, along his lower back and shoulder blades. He had a large one forming at his collarbone and shoulder, another poking out along his hip. He turned quickly to see Pyrrha and Nora staring at him in horror and his face burned red. Jaune covered himself, laughing nervously.

“I-it’s nothing!” He squeaked. “Nothing at all, just…just broke my Aura during training, is all. It was rough on everyone.”

“Liar.” Nora spat, lunging up with new found energy. “I kept tabs on your Aura and you weren’t low enough for this yet. This is…”

“Many of them are old.” Pyrrha murmured. “But not old enough to be prior to me showing you how to activate your Aura. Jaune, what happened?”
“It’s nothing.” He stressed. “Guys, it’s fine. I’m just…I’m tired, please. I don’t want to talk about this.”

“Too bad!” Nora snapped, jabbing a finger at him. “You don’t get to hide things from us, Jaune Arc. I’m getting Ren.”

She slipped passed them to hurry to the bathroom and Jaune sighed in irritation. He frowned at Pyrrha, though his heart was breaking at her increased worry.

“What?” He practically snapped.

Pyrrha flinched slightly, before frowning herself. She looked at him sadly. “Jaune, it’s Cardin, isn’t it?”

He blinked, surprised, but averted his gaze. “It’s fine, I’ve got it handled.”

“This isn’t handled!” Pyrrha cried. “Why are you letting him do this to you? It doesn’t make any sense.”
“You wouldn’t understand.” Jaune murmured, turning away. “Just…let it go. I want to shower and go to bed.”

His Scroll vibrated on his bed and he stiffened, quickly trying to grab it, but Pyrrha was faster, snatching it off the bed to see that it was Cardin calling him. Her jaw set as she stared Jaune down, almost daring him to try to get it back from her. He didn’t, lowering his eyes. She waited until it went to voicemail, playing it on speaker just as Ren and Nora emerged from the bathroom.

“Hey, Jaundice, pick up your damn Scroll, you lazy good-for-nothing. Need you to get your ass to our dorm; got some homework for you to do. Sky’s got a paper due tomorrow, but you see, we’re too tired from actually training, unlike some people, so you’ll just have to get it handled for us. Remember, if you don’t do it, and do it right, I’ll make sure Goodwitch and Ozpin find out about your little secret. Better get here soon, dumbass, if you know what’s good for you.”

Jaune stood, frozen and lowered in shame, as his teammates heard the message left by Cardin. He felt like he was going to be sick, stomach swirling, chest aching with each breath. He hugged himself, not wanting to look at any of their expressions, but unable to keep himself from doing it, either. Dark blue eyes slowly rose, glancing around at his team. Where he’d expected to find disgust, disappointment, pity, instead was varying degrees of fury. Pyrrha’s hand trembled, physically restraining herself from crushing his Scroll in her hand. He really hoped she didn’t break it, because he could not afford another one.

“That…that pig headed, no-good, disgusting, small man.” Pyrrha growled.

Nora hissed, cracking her knuckles. “I’m going to break his fucking legs.”

Ren took a deep breath, slowly letting it out as he struggled to reign in his own anger that only manifested itself in the vein throbbing along his jaw.

“The important thing right now,” he said carefully, “Is to tend to Jaune’s wounds. I’m worried about internal bleeding with how large those bruises are.”

“T-there isn’t,” Jaune murmured, voice low. “I-I checked, they just…hurt…”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Pyrrha asked, slowly moving over to Jaune’s side. She cupped his cheek so he couldn’t lower his head or avoid her gaze. “Please, Jaune, why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because I’m supposed to be the leader!” Jaune snapped. “I’m…I’m supposed to be the strong one. I’m supposed to have it together, and I-I don’t! I thought if I…told you, you guys wouldn’t respect me, you wouldn’t want me around anymore. Even Pyrrha walked away when you…found out the truth.”

Pyrrha frowned. “Jaune, I walked away because I was frustrated that you wouldn’t listen to me. I was angry, because you were shutting us out. It had nothing to do with that. I do, however, think we need to tell Nora and Ren too.”

“No…” Jaune whimpered, turning his face away from her hand.

“Jaune,” Nora said softly, coming closer. “Whatever it is, Ren and I would never think less of you. We love you. You’re our leader.”

Ren nodded, moving to set a hand on Jaune’s uninjured shoulder. “Teams are like family, according to Ozpin, and I believe in the family we can become, but only if we do not hide things from each other. Please, let us help you.”

Jaune felt tears well in his eyes, sniffling as he grit his teeth. He swallowed against the bile rising in his throat, trembling slightly. “I-I…I lied. I forged my transcripts to get into Beacon. I never went to a combat academy. I’ve barely trained. I didn’t earn this, not like you guys have. I’m a fraude, and a fake, and Cardin heard me tell this to Pyrrha the other night. He knows, and he keeps threatening he’ll tell the headmaster if I don’t do whatever he and Team CRDL tell me to do. I don’t…I don’t know what to do, I don’t want to lose everything…I don’t want you lose you guys…”

“I do not believe it is as big of a concern as you think,” Ren said not unkindly.

Jaune frowned as he looked at him. “What do you mean?”

Ren sighed. “Headmaster Ozpin is a knowledgeable man, and I do not believe him a fool. He more than likely already knew about your transcripts, yet, accepted you already.”

“It is pretty obvious,” Nora admitted sheepishly. “Your awareness is a little shoddy, and you aren’t as comfortable in the field as most of us are. That doesn’t mean you don’t have potential, though.”

“I think that is what the headmaster saw,” Pyrrha added. “Someone with great potential. You have an immeasurable amount of Aura, Jaune. That is a very rare trait, and makes you a wonderful asset in the field. I believe that means your Semblance could have healing qualities to it, and with the proper knowledge and training, you could save lives on the battle field.”

Jaune looked between the three of them, uncertain. “Y-you aren’t…ashamed that you have a fraud as a leader?”

“Are you ashamed to have two street orphans as your teammates?” Nora teased. “Ren and I didn’t exactly go to a combat school either. We got in on pure fighting skill alone.”

“Even then, we still have to work odd jobs to help pay for basic necessities.” Ren said.

Jaune balked at the very thought. “What? No! Never! You two are, like, the most wonderful people I know.”

“None of us are ashamed to be together,” Pyrrha said softly. “Not in the slightest. We all have our faults and flaws, things to work out, together. We’re here to help one another, not to cut each other down. Or, hide stuff.”

Jaune looked down, sighing softly. “I-I guess you’re right.”

“Oh, she’s totally right.” Nora giggled. “Besides, now that we know what you don’t know, then we can start the crash course in making you the best leader that Beacon has ever seen!”

She hugged Jaune, squeezing tightly. He winced, but chuckled around it.

“That’s a tall order,” he grunted, patting Nora’s back. “I’ve got to compete with Ruby.”

“We’ll crush her!” Nora laughed maniacally.

Ren sighed. “We will not be crushing Ruby. She’s a child, struggling just like Jaune.”

Pyrrha softened, setting a hand on Jaune’s lower back. “Please, don’t hide things from us again, and let us help you with Cardin. You don’t have to do things alone.”

Jaune nodded. “Alright. I’m sorry, guys.”

“You’re forgiven.” Nora hummed. “Now, let’s go shower. I stink!”

The four of them broke into laughter as they headed to the shower.

———

Ruby grinned and giggled to herself, dancing from foot to foot as she held her hands behind her back, standing at the head of the table Team RWBY occupied in the dining hall. Blake had her nose deep in a new Ninja Lovers book, not paying a lick of attention, while Weiss eyed their leader suspiciously, and Yang arched a brow at her little sister.

“What’s got you so excited this morning?” Yang prodded.

“I’m glad you asked.” Ruby’s grin widened as she produced a massive binder from her cloak, the rings practically bursting with pages. “Ta-da!!”

She dropped it on the table with a heavy clatter, Blake nearly jumping a mile high as she was startled out of her book. She blinked, eyeing the binder with offense.

“What is that?” She asked, rather unenthusiastically.

Weiss frowned. “Hey, did you steal my binder?”

Ruby held up two peace signs. “I am not a crook.”

Yang propped a chin on her hand. “Got something to share with the class, Rosebud?”

“Yyaaannnggg,” Ruby whined, stomping her foot. “Stop calling me that. I’m not five.”

“Never.” Yang smirked, waving a flippant hand. “Now, explain.”

Her little sister pouted, before taking a breath and flipping open the binder. “We are going to have the best semester EVER. I know things didn’t exactly start off on the right foot with Weiss and I fighting, and Blake being, well, Blake.”

“Hey!” Blake frowned.

Ruby ignored her. “But, I’ve been studying really a hard and researching a ton of leadership and team building things to help us get along better. I’ve got an entire plan of trust exercises and bonding missions for us to do. I’ve even started coming up with attack names for combos in battle. What do you think? Cool, right?”

The three of them looked at Ruby like she’d grown a second head. Blake glanced over the large pile of papers crammed into the binder.

“Uh…I don’t know about this,” she murmured.

“Ruby, there is more to being a leader than games and silly exercises.” Weiss frowned.

Yang grinned. “I’m totally in.”

“See?” Ruby slammed the binder closed. “Yang is on board.”

“She’s your sister,” Blake said. “She kinda has to support you.”

“Not necessarily.” Weiss huffed. “Older sisters are supposed to push their sisters to grow. Yang just holds Ruby back.”

“Hey!” Yang scowled. “You want to start something, Ice Queen?”

“Ladies don’t start fights,” Weiss shot back. “But, I’ll happily finish it, Meathead.”

“This is what I’m talking about!” Ruby snapped. She sighed, slumping against the binder. “Our team is a mess. We gotta do something to work together and get along. So, we’re doing trust exercises all week so we can get to know each other better.”

Blake closed her book. “You’re the leader, so I’ll follow your guidance.”

Weiss crossed her arms. “I suppose so.”

“Great.” Ruby grinned. “Then we can-“

“Ahh! That hurts!”

The four girls looked over to see Cardin pulling on Velvet’s ears. He laughed cruelly.

“See? I told you they were real.”

The rest of his team laughed.

“What a freak.” Russel jeered.

“Please, let go.” Velvet whimpered. “Stop it. That really hurts.”

Sky snorted. “Hear that? The Faunus said please. I think she’s begging.”

“Maybe if you beg a little more, Cardin will consider it.” Russel smirked. “Get on your knees, like you belong.”

Blake growled, fury coursing through her bones. How dare they mistreat Velvet like that? Those disgusting, lowlifes. They were the scum of humanity, the real reasons people like her had to hide in plain sight. Hidden, or not, Blake wasn’t going to just sit here and watch this. She rose, ready to give him a piece of her mind, when she saw Yang’s hair burst into flames. The blonde stood, eyes red, but before even she could move petals flashed by then.

Ruby was the one that got to Cardin first and Blake watched in stunned amazement as such a tiny girl slammed her fist into Cardin’s cheek. He cried out, knocking into the table, and Ruby materialized with her back to him, arms around Velvet to bodily protect her.

“Are you alright?” Ruby asked worriedly, looking up at Velvet.

Velvet winced, rubbing the side of her head. “I will be. Thank you.”

It was almost comical, what with their height difference, Velvet was much taller than Ruby, yet was being protected by her with no less ferocity. It would have been funny, had Cardin not recovered so quickly. Ruby smiled up at Velvet, only to choke, gasping as Cardin yanked her back. He stood up, holding Ruby off the ground by her cloak.

“You little bitch,” he growled, cheek swelling from the punch. “I’ll make you regret that.”

“Think again.” Yang snarled, stalking up to them with her hair engulfed in flame, smoke pouring from her mouth as her eyes were burning red. “Get your hands off my sister, before I break them.”

“You want to start something?” Sky challenged, he and the other two ready to leap over the table to defend their leader.

“It’s already started,” Blake hissed.

Heels clicked by them, Pyrrha walking up with Nora cracking her knuckles at her side.
Ren stood beside the girls and glared at Team CRDL.

“And we’ll gladly finish it,” she said sternly.

Cardin sneered, shoving Ruby away from him. She stumbled, yelping as she hit into Velvet who wrapped her arms around Ruby to steady her.

“Let’s go.” Cardin grunted, motioning his team along. He cast a look at Jaune behind them who shrank back and narrowed his eyes. However, the rest of Team JNPR stood at attention, glaring dagger sat Cardin.

“Don’t even think about it.” Nora growled. “Unless you want your legs broken.”

Cardin huffed and Team CRDL was heading out of the dining hall. Ruby glared at them the whole time before looking up at Velvet worriedly.

“Are your ears okay?” She asked. “Do you need to see the nurse? They didn’t do anything else, did they?”

Velvet released her, smiling gently at the smaller girl. “I’m alright. Thank you for helping me.”

“Of course!” Ruby said, smiling brightly. “Huntresses have to stick together!”

“Where is your team?” Blake asked worriedly as she came over to check on her as well. She was surprised that Cardin and his team were even able to get away with such a heinous act. Coco and Fox would have had him in a full body cast the second he tried something.

Velvet smiled sheepishly. “Training session instead of lunch. I’ve been working on some upgrades to my weapon, so I skipped out to eat as I worked.”

“Upgrades?” Ruby practically had hearts in her eyes. “Can I see? Can I see?”

“Ruby.” Yang grabbed her sister’s shoulder before she levitated off the ground and into the ceiling.

Velvet giggled. “Tell you what, as thank you for saving me you’ll be one of the first people I show it to.”

“Yes!” Ruby pumped the air.

Blake came over to Velvet. “Does he do that often?”

Velvet shrugged. “Sometimes. Never when my team is around, though. Coco would kill him.”

“I stand with women’s wrongs.” Yang muttered, grunting as Ruby elbowed her in the gut.

“It isn’t like he’s the only one.” Velvet sighed. “Anti-Faunus sentiment is still kicking.”

“Well, it’s dumb.” Ruby pouted. “Faunus are awesome and important members of our society. They deserve the same respect and consideration as everyone else.”

Blake smiled softly at her, exchanging a look with Velvet as they giggled.

“So this is the little team leader you were talking about.” Velvet cooed. “Oh, you’re the absolute cutest ray of sunshine. I’d never have a bad day with you around.”

Ruby preened, swaying side to side. “Thank you.”

Yang set a hand on her back, grinning. “That’s my baby sister for you.”

“Better not let Coco find out,” Velvet teased. “She’ll want to keep Ruby as a dress up doll.”

“Hey!” Ruby pouted. “I’m not that short.”

“It’s cause you’re cute.” Blake said fondly.

Ruby was content with that, smiling brightly again.

Weiss rolled her eyes, sighing. “Well, I’m glad that’s over, but we have class soon.”

“Right, right.” Velvet nodded. “Thank you again. I’ll see you guys around.”

She hurried off to go meet her team as the rest of them cleaned up from lunch and headed outside. Ruby looked at Blake.

“Hey, are you okay?” She asked.

Blake sighed. “I’m…alright, I think. Just, upset that things like this happen.”

“Is that why you still wear your bow?” Ruby asked.

“Ruby!” Yang hissed, frowning at her. “A little more tact, maybe?”

Ruby blushed darkly, looking sheepishly at Blake. “I’m sorry!”

Blake shook her head. “It’s okay, it’s a valid question. I guess I just…prefer keeping it to myself.”

“Kinda like me and my leg.” Ruby said thoughtfully. “I don’t like showing it off, cuz people look at me differently when I do. It’s always pity or judgement. Less hassle to just leave it be.”

Blake blinked in surprise. She hadn’t considered that maybe Ruby would understand her in that way. While they weren’t exactly the same, they had similar issues. Ruby had expressed her insecurities with her leg, the way that people expected less of her. Blake didn’t like the various looks she got when her ears were out, the judgements, prejudice, it was always just better to hide it. Less trouble, as she said. “That’s…exactly it.”

“Aw, Ruby getting all wise on me.” Yang teased, ruffling her sister’s hair.

“Shut up!” Ruby whined, swatting at her sister.

Yang laughed and Blake smiled softly at the sight.

Weiss walked quietly behind them, frowning the entire time.

Chapter Text

Lightning lit up the sky outside of their dorm room, quickly followed by a loud crack of thunder that did little in the way of dampening the sound of Yang’s angered scream.

The blonde fighter stalked back and forth across the room as Weiss sat on the side of her bed filing her nails. Blake was sitting on her own and reading a book, occasionally shooting glances at Yang. The fourth bed in their room sat empty, void of any of the nicknacks and personal affects that had just been there that morning.

“How the hell could she transfer like that without saying anything?!” Yang snapped, eyes red and smoke billowing from her mouth. “Nadia was one of our best fighters. Why would she just transfer to Atlas like this?”

“I suppose we weren’t a worthy team for her tastes,” Weiss said with an annoyed sneer. “As if winning the Vytal Festival our first year wasn’t testament to our skills enough.”

Blake snorted. “Good riddance, if you ask me. She was a shit leader, anyway. She never tried to get us to work together and always wanted the limelight for herself.”

“Still!” Yang turned to her girlfriend. “This leaves Weiss without a partner and us without a leader. What are we going to do?”
“I’m more than capable of filling the leadership role,” Weiss said haughtily. “I’ve got far more training that Nadia in that regard.”

“No offense, Weiss.” Blake glanced at her. “But you aren’t exactly the most inspiring of leaders. You still have a long way to go with your communication skills, and you still hold yourself too rigidly in battle. I’m not exactly eager for another leader that is going to rule with militaristic ideals.”

Weiss gasped. “Offense fully taken, Belladonna. I am nothing like Nadia. She was…ugh, she was the worst of the worst. She is the exact reason I didn’t want to stay in Atlas for school. She has no respect for boundaries, individuality, and she even told me that I didn’t deserve to be a Huntress due to my father’s actions. I have nothing to do with anything he has done. I’m trying to change it, not follow in his horrid footsteps.”

Blake sighed, softening a bit. “Alright, I can’t fault you there. At least you kind of changed your perspective on Faunus, unlike Nadia. She didn’t even want me on the team anymore once she found out.”

“That could have been the reason she transferred,” Yang murmured. “Which, good riddance then. Ugh, I just can’t believe she didn’t say anything. I know we all didn’t exactly get along great last year, but I thought there would be enough respect to not leave without a word.”

Blake set her book to the side, sitting up to motion Yang over. The blonde finally seemed to calm down enough to come over, sitting beside her. Blake wrapped an arm around her shoulders, nuzzling against her neck.

“I know you hate being abandoned,” Blake murmured. “She was an ass, but it’s okay that it still hurts.”

“I feel so conflicted.” Yang admitted, running a hand through her hair. “It will be good to not have her being a drill sergeant every day, but this means we’re down a person and I don’t know who would be able to fill the spot that isn’t going to be worse.”

Weiss crossed her arms. “How do you think I feel? I’ve lost my partner, and I’m not too keen on having a new one selected for me. It isn’t like we can just have a new teammate drop out of the sky, though.”

There was a knock on the door, but they ignored it. Yang didn’t exactly feel like seeing anyone else right now. Team JNPR had already tried to console them earlier, offering to bring food to their dorm, but none of them were hungry after hearing the news. She was sure they were trying to see what else they could do. She liked Team JNPR, even though Jaune was a bit of a mess, but certainly didn’t have the bandwidth to deal with them right now. She turned her head to nuzzle against Blake’s hair before the knocks sounded again, this time, though they kept going. Must be Nora, then.

Yang growled, getting up to storm to the door as her temper reignited. She was not in the mood for this.

“What!?” She threw open the door, smoke spilling from her mouth. Red eyes turned lilac as Yang suddenly froze in place. Where she had expected to see the overenthusiastic redhead from across the hall, instead stood a young girl dressed all in black with a crimson cloak that was far too familiar for her liking. It couldn’t be…

“R-Ruby?” Yang asked, still unable to believe what she was seeing. Her sister was soaked through, a red backpack dropped at her feet. She turned her head up to Yang, silver eyes rimmed red with tears that started to roll down her face. She hiccuped and launched herself at the older girl, holding her tightly as she cried. Her arms immediately wrapped around her little sister, holding her tight despite her being cold and wet.

“Ruby, what are you doing here?” Yang frowned, not understanding how or why her sister was here. She should be back in Patch, already tucked in bed, not all the way in Vale, let alone the Beacon dorms. How did she even get to the campus so late? She glanced back at Blake and Weiss, both of them looking just as confused and worried.

Ruby, however, did not seem keen on answering. She merely nuzzled her face in her stomach, crying harder.

“P-p-please, l-let me stay,” Ruby hiccuped. “P-please, Yang. I’ll…I’ll be good, p-promise…”

Yang’s heart broke in her chest. If anyone ever wondered the weakness of the infamous Fire Dragon of Beacon, they would find it right here. The girl in her arms was her entire world, her everything. Yang could never say no to her, at least, not easily.

“Alright. Come on, Rosebud,” Yang said softly, ushering her sister into the room. She shared a look with Blake and motioned to Ruby’s bag. Thankfully, her girlfriend understood and went to grab the bag as Yang guided Ruby across the room to her bed, sitting her sister down as she took up the spot beside her. Yang wrapped her arms around her sister, flaring her Aura to coat her in a wave of warm as she rocked Ruby back and forth.

“Shh,” she hushed softly. “It’s okay, Rosebud. Everything is going to be okay now that big sis is here.”

Blake set Ruby’s backpack down beside the bed, glancing at Yang worriedly. Yang could only helplessly shake her head, having no idea what was going on. She couldn’t even fathom what could have caused her sister to be so upset, let alone would make her run away all the way to Beacon. The whys didn’t matter right now. Taking care of Ruby was the priority. Yang kissed her hair, grimacing at how wet and cold it was.

“I know,” Yang said, forcing her normal cheer into her tone. “Let’s get you into some dry clothes, and I’ll make you a cup of hot chocolate. You’ll feel a lot better once we warm you up. What do you think?”

Ruby nodded slightly, hiccuping as she rubbed the back of her wrists against her eyes. Yang coaxed her up, removing her collapsed scythe from her back holster, and lead her into the bathroom. She turned on the shower to warm it up as Ruby stripped out of her clothes. Yang set out a towel for her and took Ruby’s cloak and clothes to hang up to dry.

“Use the soaps in the fancy bottles,” Yang told her. “They’re Weiss’s and they smell great. Don’t tell her I said that though.”

That got a faint little giggle out of her as she stepped into the shower, a small amount of relief washing over Yang at the sound. She smiled. “I’ll be right back.”

She stepped out of the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. Her shoulders dropped, a grim expression on her face as she went to grab a hanger to hang her sister’s soaked clothes.

“What’s going on?” Blake asked tentatively, coming over to her side.

“I don’t know.” Yang sighed and hung up her sister’s clothes on the open wardrobe door. She turned to Blake, brows furrowed together in concern. “Ruby wouldn’t…she isn’t the type to just pack up and run off like this. Maybe she must missed me?”

She tried to stay positive as she walked over to Ruby’s backpack, practically bursting at the seams as she opened it to rummage through. It was hastily packed, no order to the contents. Ruby wasn’t usually a careful packer, but this was too much even for her. A few pairs of clothes just shoved inside, some snack bars (a few already eaten), her pink wallet that was down to just a few coins. There were a few of her favorite books, her repair kit for Crescent Rose, and a couple of Dust cartridges. Necessities, important items, not the kind of things one brought with them just for an impromptu visit to their older sister.

Yang’s stomach dropped.

Blake glanced at the contents from over her girlfriend’s shoulder, frowning. “Yang?”

“She ran away…” Yang murmured in disbelief, tearing her hands through her hair. “She…she really ran away. But…but why? I don’t understand? Why would she run away?”

Blake set a hand on her shoulder, kneeling beside her. “Kids run away for all sorts of reasons, they don’t all have to be bad ones.”

Yang shook her head. “You don’t understand, Ruby…she’s not the rebellious type. She isn’t…she isn’t me. She’s always been sweet and kind and docile. She doesn’t go around doing things like…like this.”

“Should you call your father?” Weiss asked. “Maybe something happened?”

“I-I need to see what Ruby has to say first.” Yang murmured. “She’d have told me already if he was…if something happened. I know she would.”

“One thing at a time.” Blake agreed.

“Want me to make the hot chocolate?” Weiss offered.

Yang looked at her gratefully. “Thank you.”

Weiss nodded, getting up to go over to the little coffee station she’d made in their dorm. Yang finally found Ruby’s pajamas, but got up to dig into her own drawer to find a big purple cardigan and socks to help her warm up. She took a breath to steal herself, replacing her carefree air, and walked into the bathroom.

It wasn’t long before she was coming back out with Ruby all bundled up in her pajamas and Yang’s cardigan, hair dried and looking very tired. Yang guided her back to the bed to sit down. Weiss came over to hand Ruby a steaming mug of hot chocolate with little marshmallows.

“Careful, it’s hot.” Weiss said.

“Thank you.” Ruby murmured as she wrapped her hands around the mug. She smiled slightly. “You’re a lot nicer than Yang’s stories.”

“Excuse me?” Weiss shot an accusatory glare at Yang.

Yang winced. “That was before we worked on things.”

Weiss didn’t seem convinced and huffed as she walked back to her bed.

Yang made a mental note to apologize later with some of the macarons Weiss liked from the bakery in the city. For now, she wrapped her arm around Ruby, letting her sister lean into her side as she sipped at her hot chocolate. She didn’t want to rush her, but Yang couldn’t stand the gnawing worry in her gut.

“Rubes,” she said gently. “Not that I don’t love getting to see you, but…what are you doing here? Did something happen at home?”

Ruby’s head dipped and by the way her shoulders curved into herself, Yang’s fears were confirmed. Something did happen. That couldn’t be good.

“Ruby?” Yang murmured worriedly.

Tears welled on her eyes once more and Ruby hiccuped, lowering her head.

“I-I’m sorry…” Ruby sobbed. “I-I just…I couldn’t take it anymore and I didn’t…I didn’t know where else to go.”

“Take what?” Yang pressed, frowning. “Ruby, what do you mean? Things were fine at home when I came back at break. You said Dad was doing well.”

Ruby sniffled. “I-I…I lied to you…”

“What?” Yang breathed, eyes widening in horror.

She nodded, rubbing a hand over her eyes. “I-I knew you wouldn’t…wouldn’t go to Beacon unless you knew things were okay at home…a-and they were…but…but a few months after you left for your first year…Dad started to slip. It was just an episode here or there, nothing major, but then…then they started to get more frequent and longer and then…”

Ruby hiccuped, sobbing as tears dripped down her face. “H-he started taking more missions…b-being gone longer…staying at work later…I-I didnt know what changed, but I didn’t…I couldn’t tell you. I knew if I did you’d leave. You’d have come straight home and I didn’t want you to throw away your future. So…so I handled it. It wasn’t awful, not at first, but I didn’t understand where the change came from. I wanted to fix it, like you always do, but I didn’t know how.”

“I-I thought I could deal with it,” Ruby murmured. “I thought…maybe it would run its course. And it did, and Dad got better, for a little while. He came home early and we even watched all your Vytal Festival fights together. He still slipped some, but he was doing better. Then you came home for a little while and I thought it would all be fine. But…but it wasn’t. Not long after you left he…he slipped again, but this time was different. T-this time he…he started drinking, like Uncle Qrow.”

Yang’s stomach bottomed out at that. What? Dad had started drinking? Tai wasn’t abstinent, but he wasn’t much of a drinker either. He’d have a mixed drink after a tough week of work, or a straight shot after a rough mission, and when he did really drink it was no more than one or two at some kind of event, like a cook out. He’d never drink when he was upset, or angry, had always taught them to be careful, to never use it as a way to numb the pain like Qrow. Hearing that Ruby had been dealing with the episodes on her own was making her queasy enough. This though?

Yang wanted to hurl.

“It wasn’t often,” Ruby sniffled. “But…but enough…he never got angry, but he’d get so sad and just…stare off, like he was there, but gone. I wanted to know why this happening, I wanted to know why things weren’t just going back to normal. So…so I asked him, and…and…”

More tears fell down her face. “H-he said it was too hard…taking care of me…he…he couldn’t look at me, talk to me, b-because I looked so much like Mom now. T-the growth spurt I hit over the summer…he said I look too much like Mom in their first year…that…that it just hurt too much…he said he was sorry, he was so sorry, he didn’t understand what was wrong with him. He knew it wasn’t fair or right, but he couldn’t make it stop. H-he went to bed after that and didn’t come back out for days. I-I stopped going to school…only for a few days, but I knew I couldn’t live like that anymore. Not after knowing the truth…so I waited until Dad left the house, I don’t know where he went, but I packed up as much as I could and just left. I-I knew if I came to you, then things would be better…right? It’ll get better, right, Yang?”

Ruby looked up at her with a hopeful, broken smile, only to freeze. Yang had her head bowed, every muscle in her body trembling as she ground her teeth together, smoke spilling from the corners of her mouth as her hair ignited into raging flames.

“Y-Yang?” Ruby asked worriedly.

“Yang.” Blake called, trying to snap her out of it.

Yang shook her head, turning furious red eyes to Weiss.

“Weiss,” she growled, voice like hot coals, “You got a good lawyer, right?”

Weiss didn’t even need an explanation, pulling out her Scroll and typing in a number.

“I’ll get it handled,” she said simply.

“Yang, what are you planning to do?” Blake asked.

“I’m getting full custody of Ruby,” Yang rumbled, rising to her feet as she got her own Scroll, pulling up their uncle’s contact. “And I’m cashing in a long overdue debt.”

“Yang!” Ruby dropped her mug on the ground as she jumped to her feet, not even caring as it spilled over the floor. She rushed to her sister’s side. “I-I’m sorry, okay? I’m sorry. I shouldn’t…I shouldn’t have come, I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry. I-I’ll go back. It’ll be fine. It’ll work out. Y-you don’t have to do this! Please, don’t throw your future away because of me. Please!”

Yang rounded on her, grabbing Ruby’s shoulders. Red eyes brimmed with tears as she stared in shining silver.

“Ruby,” Yang croaked. “You are my future. You are my past and my present and my everything. I swore to Mom that I would protect you, give you a good life, and I will not go back on that. Not now, not ever. I’ll work something out, but for now you aren’t going back with Dad. Understand?”

Ruby sniffled, nodding slowly.

“Blake.” Yang looked at her girlfriend, but Blake was already stepping around the spill to come and wrap an arm around Ruby, taking her over to the bed. Blake looked at her with an approving look, nodding in assurance.

Yang nodded back, a wave of relief to have Blake supporting her in this. She’d been worried for a moment that Blake wouldn’t want to be thrust into something like this so suddenly, but she was nothing if not adaptable. Gods, how did she get so lucky?

Taking a breath, Yang dialed Qrow’s number. It rang and rang and rang and just when she thought that he wouldn’t answer, the line connected.

“Heeey, Firecracker.” He slurred slightly. “Kinda late in Vale, ain’t it?”

“You need to get to Patch before I do, or I’m going to murder my father.” Yang growled into the Scroll.

“Whoa, what?” Instantly, Qrow seemed to sober up. She never understood how that worked so well, but tonight she was grateful for it. “What’s going on?”

“Ruby ran away from home,” Yang said, rubbing a hand over her face as she paced back and forth, hair still burning. “She came here, she’s in my dorm, and I’m five seconds away from grabbing Bumblebee and driving straight to Patch to wring Dad’s neck.”

“I need a little more explanation there, Yang.” Qrow grunted. “Why did Ruby run away? What happened?”

Yang took a breath, trying-and failing-to calm herself down from a murderous rage to a simmering anger. “Dad’s been slipping for the last year, apparently, and recently got into drinking more than usual. He…he’s been taking more missions, not coming home till late, all to avoid Ruby. He told her…he told her that he couldn’t stand to look at her. That she looks too much like Mom in your first year and he just can’t. Ruby left, because she couldn’t stand knowing she was hurting him.”

Qrow was silent on other line, but Yang heard the low growl tear through his chest.

“Godsdammit, Tai!” He snapped. Qrow let out a rumbling breath. “Alright…alright. I’ll be there in a day or two, three tops. Get his head back on straight if I have to knock it off him first.”

Yang braced herself against one of the desks, fingers digging against the wood as she prepared for what she was going to say next.

“I’m taking full custody of Ruby.” Yang said. “And I need you to talk to Headmaster Ozpin about allowing Ruby to live with us in the dorms until I figure out what to do.”

“What?” The question was barely a whisper, strangled out of her uncle’s throat like a choked off cry. “Y-Yang, you can’t…kid, you don’t gotta do that. Let me figure this out. You’ve got your career ahead of you.”

“I wasn’t looking for permission.” Yang clipped, tipping her head back as she closed her eyes. “I’m doing this, and I need to cash in the favor you owe me to make sure that Ruby is taken care of. Please, Uncle Qrow. I can’t…I can’t let Ruby go through this. Not again. Not alone.”

A heavy sighed. “I-I understand, Firecracker. I’ll see what I can do, but you know that Tai…this might hurt him even worse.”

“I know.” Yang whispered, fighting back the tears in her eyes as she grit her teeth. “I know…and I hate being the one to do it, but I can’t let Ruby suffer like this. It isn’t fair. She’s just a kid. She deserves a good life.”

“Your mother would be proud of you.” Qrow murmured, and Yang had to fight down the sob that nearly tore through her chest. “But…I think she would also be sad that you’ve had to do so much. Summer never wanted this for either of you. She loved you so much.”

“I know.” Yang croaked, swallowing past the lump in her throat as she opened her eyes to look at the ceiling, willing her tears not to fall. “I loved her too.”

“We’ll get this figured out, Kiddo.” Qrow grunted. “Love you.”

“Love you too.” Yang hung up the line and closed her eyes, taking a few breathes as her hair slowly stopped burning and her eyes returned to normal. Once she was sure she was composed, she turned to see Ruby curled up in Blake’s lap, face buried into her neck as she trembled and shoulders heaved with sobs. Blake hugged her, holding the young girl safely. Yang’s heart broke. Ruby was only a child, weeks away from her 15th birthday, and now her entire world had come crashing around her. Yang couldn’t stop the sickening twist of guilt in her stomach. This was all her fault. She never should have gone to Beacon last year. She should have waited, she should have postponed her acceptance, or better yet, not gone at all. Ruby had lied to protect her, suffered for an entire year in silence while putting on fake smiles and forced laughs. How many of their video calls had been a mask? How many times was Ruby crying, alone in their room at home while texting Yang silly videos and laughing emoji’s so that she didn’t worry? It was Yang’s job to protect Ruby. She was the older sister. She was the one that promised Mom to watch out for her. It wasn’t right. It wasn’t fair.

It was all Yang’s fault.

“Stop that.”

Yang startled, turning to see Weiss glaring at her as the shorter girl walked over.

“What?” Yang frowned.

Weiss gave her a look that clearly said she thought Yang an idiot. “Do you really think I wouldn’t know your guilty face by now? You’re taking all the blame for this, when you had no way of preventing it. Ruby made her choice to hide it from you, so you could have your chance at school. She chose to suffer, because she loves you. Beating yourself up about this is only insulting what she went through.”
“She never should have had to.” Yang hissed quietly so Ruby couldn’t hear, but she knew by the way Blake’s ears twitched atop her head that she certainly could, though. “It’s my job to protect her.”

“And you can, you will,” Weiss murmured, setting a comforting hand on Yang’s back. “Now that she’s here and you know the truth, you can do something about it. You can’t change the past though. It’s better to move forward, and you won’t be doing it alone. You have Blake and I here.”

Yang frowned worriedly. “I can’t…this isn’t your problem, it’s mine. Ruby’s my responsibility, my family.”

“And you’re our teammate,” Weiss said. “Family of yours is family of ours as well. Or did you forget about what Headmaster Ozpin said about teams being a family too?”

Yang softened, feeling those traitorous tears welling again. She sniffed. “I…thanks, Weiss.”

Weiss nodded. “I’ve called my lawyer. He’s going to get some paperwork in order, but it’ll just require a few signatures and then things will be set. I assume your uncle will be handling your father?”

She sighed. “It seems like it, but I just…I don’t know what I’m going to do if I have to see him in person. I…I love my dad, and I know he’d never do this on purpose. He doesn’t want to be this way. He loves Ruby more than anything else in this world. He’s just…it’s been so hard on him. That doesn’t mean it’s right to do this to Ruby either.”

“Unfortunately, no amount of love we have for someone is an excuse for causing them pain.” Weiss murmured, looking away. “I…I know my mother loves me, and I know she would do anything for my siblings and I, but her way of coping with the pain has only caused more for us, as well. When the way you cope is doing more damage than good, perhaps, it’s time to find a healthier way to deal with it all. Maybe it’ll do your father some good to seek treatment, and perhaps, with Ruby safe with you, he can take the time to focus on his own recovery. So that then, when he’s really better, he can be there for both of you. Not as a shadow of himself, but as who he really wants to be for you.”

Yang’s lips trembled as she tipped her head, forcing out a cracked laugh. “Wow, Weiss, you really have changed since first year. I almost miss the mean Weiss.”

Weiss glared half-heartedly at her. “I may be…difficult, but I’m not heartless. I’m trying to be a Huntress to make the world better. It just so happens that better can also start with the people closest.”

Yang wrapped an arm around her, hugging Weiss tightly. “Thank you…really.”

Weiss hugged her back. “We’ll be here for you. You won’t be going through this alone.”

Yang sniffled, nodding as she pulled back to wipe at her eyes. She took a breath, straightening her back as she put on her sister smile and walked over to Blake. Her girlfriend shot her a worried look, but Yang winked at her reassuringly before she scooped Ruby into her own strong arms.

“Heya, Rosebud.” Yang said, kissing her forehead as Ruby wiped her tears with the sleeve of the too big cardigan. “I know something that will help you feel better?”

“What?” Ruby murmured, wrapping her arms around Yang’s neck. Yang could tell Ruby was exhausted, her eyelids drooping as she sank into Yang’s warmth. She wouldn’t be awake much longer, but that was just fine. Yang would be here to comfort her and chase away the nightmares. She’d never have to be alone again.

“How about I read you a story?” Yang smiled softly at her. “I think The Four Maidens would be just right for a stormy night.”

Chapter Text

Out of all the places she could have ended up, Patch was probably the last one on the list. Which was exactly why it was perfect for Blake to lie low and figure out what the hell she was going to do. Leaving the White Fang was already difficult, leaving Adam was even more so. She just…couldn’t do it anymore. Not after the last job. Not after what she had seen.

No one would expect to find her on a small country island just a ferry boat away from Vale. The town seemed quaint, large enough that she had hopes of finding a job, but small enough that they weren’t likely to keep up with some of the rapid fire news from the mainland. It was just the cover she needed. Now, if only she could find a place to stay. It was late, the clock on her car radio reading just past midnight. Not a single place was open, not even the few inns she passed by. Maybe she could just sleep in the car? But that wouldn’t fix her food issue. Blake hadn’t eaten since before she drove through Vale and got on the two hour ferry, and her stomach was currently growling at her for not having the forethought to grab some snacks at the gas station. She would have, if she hadn’t seen someone reading the latest issue of Thistle and Thorn magazine with her face on the front cover and ran out before anyone could realize it was her.

She was so hungry.

Suddenly, her car gave a lurch, letting out a loud clanking noise, before the accelerator cut out, the car slowly rolling forward. White smoke billowed from under the hood as Blake watched in increasing despair.

“No, nonono.” She hit the steering wheel, groaning as she pulled the car to roll to a stop off to the side of the road. Blake got out, rushing to the front to open the hood. She yelped as more hot smoke poured out, coughing as she waved her hands to clear it away. The cat Faunus frowned, not able to see a single thing in the low light of the street lamps. She didn’t know much about cars, just that whatever happened certainly wasn’t good.

“Piece of shit,” she huffed, kicking the side of the car. “Junky, no good…you lasted all this time and now decide to croak on me?”

Above her, the cloudy sky let out a thunderous roar before raindrops started to fall in a light sheet. Blake growled as some landed on her outstretched hand, tilting her head back. “Seriously? Can this night get any worse?”

Just as she slammed the hood of the car down, the heavens opened and what began as a drizzle quickly became a downpour. Blake trembled in both rage and chill as the cold rain quickly soaked through her clothes and flattened her hair to her head. She screamed, storming over to slam her car door shut. Nearby, she noticed a few people running across the street and into a half-hidden little place, multi color lights glistening from inside the door as they pushed it open. At least something seemed to be open right now.

Not about to question it, Blake hurried over to the building, slipping through the door just behind them.

———

The Dragon’s Lair was bustling with patrons, people chatting, laughing, and rough housing as was expected with the lot on a Friday night. The bar was spacious, a long counter top with stool seating, several tables and chairs sporadically placed throughout the room, and even a spot for a small dance floor. It was one of those colloquial hole-in-the-wall spots that got plenty of traffic if you knew where to look for it, or just so happened to stumble in at the right time. Nothing too big or too hidden, situated in just the right place where most of the customers tended towards old friends, locals, and the occasional straggler that found there way there by happenstance, which suited the beautiful blond bartender well enough.

Helped her keep a low profile while keeping lien in her wallet.

Music blared from the stereos mounted in the ceiling, lights low with the sporadic casts of blues, oranges, pinks and purples from signs and back lighting along the walls. Behind the bar, Yang was mixing up another order as she danced to the music, long hair loose down her back and a cowboy hat strung at her neck, dressed in tight black shorts and a black crop-top tank with a long brown jacket, coat tails dangling at her knees. Her boots tabbed to the sound of the music as she poured out the drink into an iced glass, adding a twist of lemon as garnish, and passed it off to a waiting hand at the counter with a wink and a smirk at the handsome man there. His face flushed red as he accepted his drink, slinking back to his friends that ribbed him as soon as he sat down.

Yang chuckled to herself, grabbing a towel to wipe down the bar. Hard to believe that just three years prior a late shift at the bar would have been replaced by night out in the streets of Vale, stealing information from the underbelly of the city, smuggling illegal contraband, and bashing in the heads of anyone that tried to get in their way. That life was long gone now, and if Yang had anything to say about, it would remain as nothing more than a distant distasteful memory. The Branwen Bandits could rot in hell for all she cared, her mother included. The door suddenly opened, a few new guests pouring in, rain coats drenched from the downpour outside. They talked amongst themselves, shaking off the extra water at the door. A shadow slipped passed them, almost imperceptible if it weren’t for the fact that Yang had plenty of years of knowing how to read every movement in a room. The shadow materialized shortly as a young woman with raven hair, lean and tall with the build of a willow tree and completely soaked to the bone. She looked five flavors of annoyed, trying to shake off some of the water, though her movements were careful, close, trying not to draw attention. 

Grabbing a clean towel, Yang carefully saddled up to the woman’s side, offering it to her. “Get caught in the downpour?”

The woman startled, taking a step away from Yang as she seemed to curl into herself ever so slightly. Defensive, and skittish, Yang noted. She glared at Yang with the kind of look a prey did a predator, trying to surmise the level of danger they were in, and whether or not they could get out of it. She might have thought she was being subtle, but spending time amongst the worst bandit group in the kingdom had given Yang plenty of skills of her own, most importantly the ability to read people. It came in handy when she wanted to make sure none of the demons from her past tried to get the jump on her, and to help soothe cautious strangers.

“Something like that,” the woman murmured, wrapping an arm around herself as she shivered against the cold dampness. She certainly wasn’t dressed for the storm: fitted black jeans, a crossed cropped tank top, and a long white coat with no hood complete with a sizable bow in her wet hair. Tourist then, or visitor passing through. Either way, she certainly hadn’t accounted for the rainy season. Despite that, and looking like a drowned rat, Yang couldn’t help finding the woman utterly breathtaking, if a bit standoffish.

So, she smiled easily, leaning back against the side of the bar counter to give the woman some space, but still held out the towel in offering. “Well, best get dry now, yeah?”

The woman watched her for a long moment, before seeming to relent and carefully accepted the towel. She wrapped it around her long black hair, wringing out some of the water. Yang watched her for a few moments, a silent observer. Based off her clothes she certainly wasn’t from Patch, the fabrics far too expensive looking and cuts too dramatic to be anything, but city style.

“You aren’t from around here,” Yang said after a moment, breaking the quiet between them.

The woman stiffened in her periphery, seemingly caught. She glanced at her. “What makes you say that?”

“Not having a raincoat or an umbrella in the middle of the wet season,” Yang chuckled. “Never know when it’s going to hit.”

Her wayward companion snorted humorlessly. “Well, that is the understatement of the century.”

Yang softened, crossing her arms. “Thought the clouds would pass, huh?”

“Thought the heavens weren’t going to open the floodgates,” she grunted. The woman sighed heavily. “My…my car broke down on the side of the road and I couldn’t get it to start. I was trying to find a repair shop nearby when the rain started. At first I thought it would be a drizzle, but then the downpour came. I saw a few people coming this way, so…thought it was a safe bet.”

“A bet well made.” Yang winked. “Welcome to the Dragon’s Lair. Come, have a seat and I’ll make you some tea to warm up.”

The woman hesitated. “I left my bags in the car, I don’t…I can’t pay…”

Yang held a hand up to stop her, not missing the way she flinched. She slowly lowered it, trying to show the dark haired woman she meant no harm. “Easy, don’t worry. It’s on me.”

The woman seemed unsure, but ultimately decided to take the offer. She moved slowly, carefully, like a stray cat that wasn’t certain about the human trying to offer it food. Sliding onto the stool, she wiped the towel along her neck, watching as Yang grabbed a cup and a tin of loose leaf tea. She carefully set the cup and coaster on the counter once it was done, steam pouring from the cup, and the woman looked at her in concern.

“Will the owner be alright with this?” She asked.

“I don’t think she’ll mind.” Yang leaned forward conspiratorially, before a smirk grew on her lips. “After all, I am the owner.”

It caught the woman off guard, just as she expected it to. Most people found it difficult to believe that Yang ran this place on her own with only Nora and Fuchsia to help on occasion. And Ruby, but that was only when she was desperate. It never got old, being unexpected. It charged the spark inside her, the one that always craved something more than normalcy. The little hits kept her satisfied, and for now, they’d have to do.

“Don’t look so shocked,” Yang teased as she pulled back. “I’m pretty, and smart, you know.”

The woman flushed red. “N-no! I mean, I didn’t…I was just startled, is all. The place is so…nice.”

“I try.” Yang shrugged. “Call it a local staple. I’m Yang, by the way. Yang Xiao Long-Rose.”

The woman seemed to be debating if she should give her name or not, Yang noting the weariness in her eyes. There was something about this woman she couldn’t place, like a tug between them. It just felt right. But there was a wall, too, one built thick to keep anyone else out. It made her wonder, what was this woman running from? And why?

In the end, she seemed to make up her mind and simply said, “Blake.”

“Well, Blake.” Yang leaned on the counter. “I’ll be sure to check out your car in the morning, once the light is out and the rain has stopped.”

Blake blinked at her in disbelief. “Wait, you’re…a barkeep and a repair person?”

Yang chuckled. “Yes, to the first part, not really to the second. I like to tinker around with things. Cars just so happen to be something I spend a lot of time on.”

“If it’s not too much trouble,” Blake murmured. “I really need to get back on the road.”

“You got a hot date?” Yang teased.

Blake shrugged. “It’s…it’s complicated.”

“Complicated is good, means you have options.” Yang smiled. “You got a place to stay the night?”

Blake went quiet, gently holding the warm cup between her hands. Yang hummed, drumming her fingers on the counter before coming to a decision. She tapped the bar lightly, careful not to be too loud and startle her skittish guest.

“You can stay with me,” she offered.

Blake nearly spat out her tea, but quickly swallowed it instead. She looked at Yang as if she’d grown three heads within the next second. “W-what? How? I can’t…you don’t even know me.”

Yang shrugged. “I got a spare room, and all the inns will be closed by now. Better than sleeping in your broken down car.”

“I couldn’t…” Blake murmured.

“Hey, it’ll be fine,” Yang assured. “That way I can give you a lift and we can pass by your car on the way so I know where it is in the morning. It gets pretty cold at night when it rains, anyway. Wouldn’t do you well to sleep in a cold car still damp as you are.”

Blake looked down into her tea, unsure and worrying her lip as she thought. Yang could practically see the gears turning in her head, watching her eyes shift ever so slightly as she worked out a thousand different possibilities in her head. Finally, she seemed to surmise that Yang was right.

“Fine,” Blake said softly. “But, just for the night, and I’m paying for the repairs.”

“Deal.” Yang winked. “Now, anything I can get you to eat? Still have about 45 minutes before I hand closing off.”

She seemed about to deny it before her stomach gave a loud growl. Blake blushed and Yang laughed.

“Do…do you by chance have any fish?” Blake asked.

“Not tonight,” Yang said. “But I can get the cook to make you up a grilled cheese?”

“That’s fine.” She said. “Thank you.”

Yang went back to the kitchen, putting the order in to Magus. It wasn’t long before the plate was set out and Yang brought it to her new friend, shooting her wink before she was whisked off to make more drinks. Yang was all smiles and laughs as she entertained the guests at the bar, slinging out drinks and flirts as she went. Fuchsia came by to release her for the night and Yang slipped into the back to grab her bag and keys before coming back out to meet Blake.

“You ready to go?” She asked.

Blake nodded, sliding off the stool with her coat as she followed her outside the back. There was a red pick up truck waiting just outside, the two have to make a mad dash back through the rain to get inside.

“Phew!” Yang laughed as they closed the doors. “It’s really coming down.”

“That’s what I told you,” Blake snorted.

Yang set her bag at Blake’s feet, buckling up. “Alright, point me in the direction of your car so we can grab your things and head on home.”

It didn’t take long for Yang to find the car, parked just a few feet outside the front of the bar. Yang dashed out to grab Blake’s bag for her and lock the car, coming back to shake the rain off.

“You…you didn’t have to do that.” Blake said. “I’m already soaked. There was no since in you getting wet too.”

“I dry quickly,” Yang said, steam rising from her skin as she said it.

Blake blinked in surprise. “You have a Semblance?”

“Yep!” Yang smirked. “Pretty hot, right?”

The frown she got in response told Yang everything she needed to know. Wincing, she smiled sheepishly. “Okay, yeah, that’s was bad. I’ll shut up now.”

She drove them off down the road, heading out of the downtown limits and passed some of the closer residential areas. It took a little while before they were pulling down a dirt road closer to the tree line, a large log cabin house coming into view. The front porch lights were on and it looked like the tv in the front room was playing. Yang frowned at the sight, parking the truck.

“Why is the tv on?” She grumbled, more to herself than Blake. “It’s nearly 1:30 in the morning. I swear, if she’s still awake…”

“You live with someone?” Blake asked hesitantly.

Yang nodded. “Yeah, it’s fine. Don’t worry. She won’t mind you being over.”

They hopped out of the truck, hurrying to the front door. Yang unlocked it quickly and pushed the door open, a wave of warmth brushing off some of the cold dampness. While Blake shrugged out of her wet coat, Yang headed over to the couch to turn the side light on, the TV indeed still on, playing some monster movie. She looked down to find Ruby dressed in her black and pink pjs, fast asleep on the couch with a half eaten bag of chips lying on the floor. Yang sighed, a mix of fond exasperation as she reached to grab the remote to flick the screen off. Leaning down she hooked her arm around Ruby’s shoulders and under her knees, picking the smaller girl up.

Blake hovered by the door, blinking in surprise when she saw Yang lift Ruby from the couch.

“Do you have a kid?” She asked as Yang came over with her sister in her arms.

Yang nearly burst out laughing, but caught herself with a quick purse of her lips so she didn’t wake Ruby. She shook her head, chuckling softly despite herself.

“No, no,” she assured, “But I do get that a lot. Ruby’s my little sister. I’m her legal guardian.”

Blake looked surprised. “O-oh, does that mean your parents…?”

Yang smiled sadly. “It’s a little complicated. Our mom passed when we were kids, but our dad is still around, just…not as around as a barely-a-teenager needs, ya know? I’m pretty much primary parent in this whole thing.”

“I’m sorry,” Blake said softly, and Yang knew she meant it in more ways than one. It felt a little strange, spilling a piece of herself to a stranger like this. Then again, she felt like she could trust Blake. She seemed a guarded, yet kind sort of person. It was easy to talk to her. A lot easier than it was to talk to most people.

Yang shook her head. “It is what it is. Come on, I’ll show you to the spare room. Just let me put this one to bed.”

They climbed the stairs and half way up, Ruby shifted in Yang’s arms, slowly wrapping her arms around her neck and nuzzling into her shoulder. Yang smiled. “Hey, sleepy head. You awake?”

A muffled grunt was all she got in return, followed by a few weak coughs. Yang frowned worriedly, making a mental reminder to have Ruby go through one of her home treatments tomorrow as she kissed her sister’s forehead. She carried her down the hall, nodding to a room off to the left.

“Here’s the bathroom,” Yang said, and the nodding off to another door a bit further down. “Room with the rose wreath is Ruby’s, the yellow sunflower is mine, and the one with the periwinkle ribbon is the guest room. Feel free to make yourself at home.”

“Yang?” Ruby slurred sleepily, “Someone here…?”

Yang glanced at Blake, smiling softly. “Just a friend, Rosebud.”

She hummed, nodding off back to sleep. Yang silently chuckled, mouthing to Blake that she’d be back. She went down the hall to the door with the rose wreath, knocking it open with her hip. Yang stepped inside, carefully maneuvering around clothes and abandoned what nots. She really was going to have to make Ruby clean this room soon. She carefully laid her down in bed, tucking her in with the comforter. Ruby shifted in her sleep and Yang smiled softly, leaning down to kiss her forehead.

“Sleep well, my little rose bud.” She whispered before quietly leaving the room, closing the door behind her. Yang sighed, going to check on Blake. She heard the shower running in the bathroom, nodding to herself before she went to her own room to change. It had been a long and tiring day, and she’d have to get up and do it all again in the morning. It was worth it, though. So long as she was able to provide a good life for Ruby, Yang would happily work as long as it took.

After changing into her pajamas she went back down the hall to check on Blake, knocking on the door before she poked her head in. The smile that was on her lips paused as she saw the two cat ears that had been hidden by the bow earlier. Blake startled, trying to cover them quickly.

“Hey!” She shrieked in panic.

“Shit, sorry,” Yang squeaked in return, flailing her hands. “I didn’t mean to…I-I wasn’t thinking…I’m sorry.”

“You should at least wait until someone gives you permission.” Blake snapped, an edge of hostility to her voice. Yang noticed her body had shifted into a defensive position, hair brush held more like a weapon than a beauty tool. Something in her heart throbbed. Thinking about this poor woman being put through so much that she would be this quick to prepare for a fight, it made Yang want to be sick.

“You’re right,” Yang said softly. “You’re right and I’m so sorry. I wasn’t thinking. It’s been a long day and I just…I’m really really sorry.”

Blake shook her head, shoving her brush back in her bag. “I-I should go…this wasn’t a good idea.”

“Wait,” Yang came forward, setting a hand on her arm. Blake jerked back and Yang was quick to step back as well, hands up so she could see she wasn’t a threat.

“Please,” Yang begged, “It doesn’t matter that you’re a Faunus, not here. It’s safe. I promise. I never should have walked in like I did. I never should have taken away your choice to reveal this when you were ready. I am so so sorry for that. Just please…don’t leave. It’s too far back to town, and your car still needs to be fixed. Nothing will happen to you, I swear it.”

Blake didn’t seem like she believed her. It hurt, but Yang wasn’t exactly always the most trusting either. Something about Blake made her feel less on guard, less ready for something to happen. That didn’t mean it extended to Blake herself, though. Yang had made a careless mistake and shattered what little trust she’d earned. She’d have to be more careful, that was only if Blake was willing to give her the chance.

They stayed staring at each other for what felt like ages, before Blake finally sighed, sitting on the end of the bed.

“Okay,” she said quietly, putting a hand to her face. “Okay, I…I’ll trust you. But it’s just for the night.”
Yang nodded. She softened. “I really am sorry. If…if it makes you feel any better, Patch has plenty of Faunus here. We’re pretty accepting. It isn’t like it is in the cities.”

Blake glanced at her wearily. “How would you know that?”

“A friend,” Yang admitted, rubbing the back of her neck. “Her name is Velvet. She’s a portrait and landscape photographer. She used to run her business in Vacuo, but…since she’d a bunny Faunus the cities could be a lot to deal with. She travels to smaller towns, and her girlfriend, Coco, lives here in Patch, but commutes to the city for work every now and again.”

Blake looked down, fitting the the hem of her pajama shirt. “If…if it’s okay, I’d like to go to bed.”

“Of course,” Yang said quickly. She backed up to the door. “No problem. I’ll get breakfast ready in the morning, but feel free to sleep as long as you want, okay? I don’t have to be at work until later in the evening, so it’s fine.”

Blake nodded. Yang went to close the door, but the other woman looked at her, making her pause.

“I…” Blake started, stopping, and then tried again, “Thank you, for helping me.”

Yang smiled. “Of course. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” she said.

Yang closed the door and heaved a heavy sigh, silently kicking herself for her stupidity. She was enthralled by this woman and it was making her careless. She need to keep her head on straight. Giving her cheeks a light smack, Yang resolved herself to do better tomorrow, heading off to bed.

Chapter Text

“If you choose to leave now,” Raven said with uncharacteristic care, “Then I cannot promise that I will be as nice the next time we meet.”

Yang paused her bike, glancing at her mother— at Raven. Like a carefully slotted stone nestling into an empty place in her heart, she realized that title no longer fit the woman before her. ‘Mom’ belonged to one person and one person only - Summer Rose. Summer, who read stories and baked cookies and played with her as a child. Summer, who mopped her brow when she was sick, made her soup, rocked her through nightmares. Summer, who had held her as an infant and fell irreparably in love with her, raising Yang as her own flesh and blood with a care that could never be quantified.

Raven did not deserve such a title, had done nothing to earn the honor. The only good thing she’d ever done for Yang was to carry her to term and make the merciful decision to leave her on Tai’s doorstep with nothing, but a note. As far as Yang was concerned, Raven was nothing more than a biological inconvenience.

At least she could get her to her sister. So maybe she wasn’t entirely useless after all.

Yang snorted, tapping her sunglasses down over her eyes. “You weren’t exactly nice this time, either.”

With Weiss securely sat on the back of the bike, sword and Dust case carefully held in her lap, Yang pushed the throttle and sent Bumblebee into the twisting darkness of Raven’s portal. It felt, for a brief moment, like the air had been sucked out of her lungs, body thrown from one place to the other in a disorienting thrust that reminded her far too much of first time Ruby carried her in her Semblance. At least this time, it didn’t result in both of them vomiting into Tai’s flower box.

In moments the darkness cleared, replaced by the twilight scenery of Mistral’s bustling streets. It was a bit jarring, to say the least, to go from a bandit camp in the middle of nowhere to the heart of a thriving kingdom. There was a choke and she flicked up her sunglasses to rest on her head, lavender eyes staring down her Uncle Qrow as he sputtered mid-drink from his flask.

“Y-Yang?” He coughed, disbelief balked across his face.

She smirked, quite enjoying getting the drop on her uncle for once. “Heya, Old Man.”

Yang had just enough time to set a foot on the ground to stabilize Bumblebee before Qrow was hugging her tightly. He cupped the back of her head, holding her close.

“You look better,” he breathed, “Gods, I’m so glad. You had me scared shitless, kid.”

She let out a hollow laugh, squeezing him tightly. “You and me both. Good thing Dad has plenty of practice with knocking heads back into shape.”

Qrow chuckled as he pulled back, swiping a hand over his eyes. “That he does.”

It did not miss his perception that Weiss Schnee was on the back of the bike, politely looking away a moment so as to give the family members privacy. He softened, giving her a nod in greeting that she caught out of the corner of her eye. She returned a polite nod, before looking to Yang.

The levity left Yang as quickly as it had come, her lips setting into a deep frown. “I need to see Ruby.”

Qrow hesitated a moment, before she pinned him with a hard glare.

“You were supposed to bring her home the second you found her,” Yang reminded. “Yet, here we are, with you all in Mistral and me having to chase you down. Now, take. Me. To. My. Baby. Sister.”

Each word was punctuated with Yang leaning forward, her eyes flaring red at the end. He flinched.

“Alright, alright,” Qrow said, rubbing the back of his neck in defeat. He turned, leading the way up the street. Yang followed at a slow roll. “You know I didn’t not bring her back on purpose, right? Circumstances merely…prevented it.”

“Like what?” Yang challenged.

“The ‘your uncle got poisoned and nearly died’ kind.” He said simply. “I’m fine now, by the way. Thanks for asking.”

Both Yang and Weiss balked at him.

“What!?” Yang shouted, nearly standing up on the bike. “How? What happened? Is Ruby okay? Are you okay?”

Qrow waved his hand at her. “Don’t freak out, it’s fine. Ruby’s perfectly okay. A bit shaken up, but handling things far better than I expected. Look, it’s a long story and one I’d rather not recount it out in public. Let’s get to the house and then I’ll answer everything, promise.”

Yang scowled, but held her tongue. They weaved through a few sidewalks before coming to a surprisingly nice house that had been their board for a few days. Yang parked her bike, holding out a hand to help Weiss down. The two glanced at each other, a silent exchange of nerves and worry, before they followed Qrow inside.

“Don’t…say anything just yet, okay?” He murmured to Yang at the door. “Let me get her in here so she doesn’t run.”

Yang nodded. Qrow unlocked the door with his key, pushing it open as the girls followed him. He closed it and called out, “Uh, Ruby? Come here a sec.”

“Be there in a minute!”

Yang was not prepared for the way that familiar voice slammed into her with the force of a bullet. She staggered back, swallowing around a knot in her throat. Gods, how long had it been since she heard that voice? Weeks? Months? The silence in the house has been nearly deafening, driving her mad day after day. She’d missed Ruby’s random monologues about new upgrades to Crescent Rose she wanted to try out. The way she nagged at Yang for not oiling Ember Celia often enough. She’d missed her sister coming to the guest room every day to check on her, asking when she was going to come back to their room, offering to help her walk around the house. Ruby had been so earnest in her desire to help, and Yang had done nothing but snap and huff at her. She’d pushed Ruby away when really she’d needed her little sister the most. When Ruby had needed Yang the most, too.

She had been selfish, there was no way around it. Yang was hurt, yes. She was heartbroken and betrayed and angry at everything that had transpired. Betrayed by Blake, leaving when Yang needed her so badly. Choosing to run away instead of relying on her team that loved and cared for her. Angry at the loss of their school, their friends, their futures. Heartbroken at the loss of her arm, but also, herself. Yang had been shattered that night in more ways than one. She’d been a hollowed version of herself when she’d woken to find herself at home, drugged up to numb the pain, Aura working overtime to heal her wounds. Unfortunately, it couldn’t heal the deeper ones, the emotional ones, the ones that really counted.

Qrow shifted uneasily beside them. He took a deep swig of his flask, capping it as he shot a glance at Yang who narrowed her eyes. He quickly stowed his flask in his chest pocket before clearing his throat and calling out, “Uh, Ruby?”

“I’m coming!” She called back, a hint of annoyance in her voice that almost made Yang laugh. She could hear her grumbling about burning food and handing things over to Ren. Then, the sound of dishes rattling, her footsteps growing closer. Yang’s heart thundered against her ribs, nerves starting to grow and take root with every step. What would her sister say? Would she be happy to see her? Angry? Would she shove Yang away?

It was too late to worry about it now, as not a moment later that familiar flash of red appeared in the doorway. Yang’s breath caught. Her baby sister looked so…grown. Her hair had grown out some and she’d clearly lost weight, her face no where near as round and babyish as it had been so many months ago. And her clothes…well worn and torn in places, but still so different than her usual little combat skirt. She almost looked the spitting image of Summer and the very thought made Yang’s eye burn.

Ruby giggled nervously, the sound like music to Yang’s ears. “We didn’t know how many people would be coming, so we just kinda…fixed everything. Hope that’s ok-ah!”

Lavender met silver for but a brief moment before the tray slipped from Ruby’s hands, teapot and all crashing onto the floor. Shock quickly turned to fear as Ruby curled in on herself, taking a step back. She glanced at Qrow, then back to Yang, clearly unsure what to do.

“Y-y…” she tried and failed to speak, before the words came out as little more than a whimper. “Yang! I-I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have left you like that. I-I should have stayed! But I didn’t…you were hurting and I couldn’t help and I just…I didn’t know if you wanted me around and-“

Yang couldn’t bear it for a moment more, watching her sister stutter and shrink into herself as if Yang was someone to fear. She crossed the room in a few long strides, grabbing hold of Ruby and crushing her against her chest. She cupped the back of her head, cradling her in her arms. Yang could feel Ruby stiffening, but she didn’t care, burrowing her nose in Ruby’s hair. She still smelled of roses and sugar. Tears welled and Yang did nothing to stop them from streaming down her face.

“I love you,” Yang breathed, “I love you so much, my little rose bud.”

A sob racked through her sister’s body. Yang only held her tighter. She felt Ruby’s arms wrap around her, hands curling into the back of her jacket.

“I love you, too,” Ruby sobbed. “I’m sorry, Yang. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

“I know.” Yang murmured, heart breaking as Ruby broke down against her. Deep, heaving sobs wracked her frame, a keening wail piercing the air. Yang wondered absently how long Ruby had been keeping this in. Had she ever mourned her friends’s deaths after returning home? Had Tai had time to comfort her while making sure Yang herself didn’t get swallowed by the dark abyss that haunted her? Had she thrown herself into the perilous journey to Mistral as a way to cope with her powerlessness that night? To deal with the grief by not dealing with it at all?

Yang didn’t think she’d ever find answers to those questions and it was fine by her, just so long as she was able to help her sister now. Ruby cried against her. Tears soaked through her shirt, but Yang couldn’t care less. She held Ruby, humming softly as she swayed them back and forth, rocking her gently. It reminded her of the weeks following Summer’s disappearance, the way Ruby would wake up crying for Mommy. Yang would crawl into Ruby’s bed and pull her into her lap, rocking her just like this and humming Mom’s song, holding Ruby until she finally fell back asleep. She was always safe in her sister’s arms.

Yang waited patiently until the wails turned to sobs which then turned into hiccups and then to whimpers, before finally stopping all together. When Ruby could only sniffle - snotty and stuffy and all levels of gross - Yang pulled away just enough to cup Ruby’s cheek with her flesh hand. She touched her forehead to Ruby’s as they always did, smiling softly.

“Better?” She whispered.

Ruby nodded slightly.

“Here.” Yang glanced up to see Jaune holding out a wad of tissues. She nodded her thanks as she accepted them, handing the tissue to Ruby so she could wipe her tears and blow her nose. It sounded a bit like a sick elephant and both sisters giggled softly.

Ruby glanced up, only now noticing Wiess as she subtly wiped away a few stray tears. She smiled at her team partner and opened her other arm. Yang smiled and did the same.

“Come on,” she teased, “More the merrier.”

Weiss smiled and hurried over, throwing her arms around them both. She hugged the sisters tightly.

“I missed you,” she murmured to Ruby, “So much.”

Ruby sniffled, blinking back more tears. “I missed you too. I thought about you every day.”

Yang squeezed the girls tighter together. Their family wasn’t completely fixed, and probably never would be, but for now this was enough.

More than enough

———

Enough food to feed a small army littered the table and Yang had never seen a more beautiful sight. She hadn’t had a decent meal in days, surviving off protein bars and water in her mad-dash to find Ruby as soon as possible. Given that Weiss had been captured at Raven’s camp as she was, the sentiment was surely shared. The two came to eat after taking much needed showers, changing into more comfortable lounge clothes from their luggage. Yang took up a seat beside Ruby, smiling as she leaned into her sister’s side.

Ruby giggled, leaning back into her, a bright smile on her face. She’d excitedly given her and Weiss the impromptu rundown on Oscar/Ozpin, the boy seeming to shrink every time he glanced at her. It wasn’t a surprise, per se, but interesting nevertheless. Yang wasn’t much worried about him anyway, far more focused on Ruby and the others. They regaled her and Weiss with tales from their journey as they ate. They’d rescued a town from a Grimm attack and started taking on missions wherever they could get them in exchange for supplies and Lien. Yang nearly spat out her tea when she found out that they were able to rent such a nice house because of the reward money for killing the Nickoleve terrorizing the area.

“70 thousand Lien!?” Yang shrieked, slamming her hands on the table. “Are you joking?”

“Nope.” Nora grinned wickedly and held up a card between two fingers. “All on here and ready to be spent as we so desire. I’m thinking a shopping spree is in order.”

Ren deftly plucked the card from Nora’s fingers, slipping it up his sleeve despite her pout. “We need to worry about our next plan of action, first. Then, take care of for the necessities.”

“Aww.” Dropping her head to the table, Nora whined, “You’re no fun.”

Yang snorted. She glanced at Ruby, noticing she wasn’t eating much. Strange, as Ruby usually ate everything in sight. Her flesh hand was on Ruby’s forehead in a second, feeling her temperature.

Ruby started, blinking out of her stare. “Huh? Hey, Yang! Don’t, I’m not a baby.” She whined.

Yang ignored her, sliding her hand to cup her cheek, lower fingers sliding along her jaw to check for swelling. She frowned. “You’re a bit warm. A fever may be coming on.”

Her cheeks flushed at being called out at the table. She averted her eyes, swatting Yang’s hand away. “I’m fine, just…tired. Today was a lot.”

Yang hummed. She understood completely. Emotional turmoil was a doozy. Even more so when you aren’t prepared for it while simultaneously trying not to deal with in the first place. She slid her hand behind Ruby’s neck, fingers massaging the tension along the bone.

“Eat light,” she said, “it’ll help. We’ll make sure to go to sleep early.”

Ruby hummed, practically melting into goo at her touch. The others chuckled softly, remembering how Yang would do this frequently at school. Oscar was the only one who seemed amazed by the quick change in Ruby, the way she immediately caved into Yang’s care. It came with the territory of being a mother. Most of their friends didn’t realize Yang had raised Ruby. When they lost Summer, Ruby couldn’t even talk yet. Her memories were few and far between. She only had the stories Yang told her. All she ever knew was Yang most her life. Tai was always busy with school, either working himself like crazy, or laying in bed for days with no energy to move. Yang had to step up, she had to take control of the house and finances and Ruby’s care. It all fell on her.

She didn’t dwell on that, letting Ruby lay against her as she ate a bit here and there. That was fine. So long as she ate, that was all that mattered. Conversation danced around them, stories exchanged as they all caught up. Yang felt her heart warm, a happiness she hadn’t felt in months settling into her chest at finally being back with her friends, her family.

Once the food was cleared dishes were pushed to the side, Yang and Nora grinning wickedly as they slammed their elbows onto the table, ready for a showdown. Nora grasped her metal hand and pushed, Yang resisting easily.

“Well, it certainly feels like the original,” Nora said with a determined grin. “But I’m still better.”

“You wanna bet?” Yang challenged, an amused smirk on her lips.

“Go, Yang!” Ruby cheered behind her. “Kick her butt!”

“Hey!” Shrieking, Nora glanced at Ruby with betrayal in her eyes. “You’re supposed to be my friend!”

“Sorry.” Ruby stuck her tongue out playfully. “Sisters come first.”

“Oh, I’ll show you both.” Nora pressed into her hand with a renewed determination. She and Yang grunted under the strain. Nora had certainly gotten stronger in their time apart. The constant threat of Grimm on their travels surely honed her muscles and strength. But she wasn’t the only one with tricks up her sleeve.

Yang smirked, the sight of which made Nora startle in sudden surprise. “I’ve got some tricks of my own.”

The mechanics in her port disengaged and Nora yelped as she went flying back with the force of the arm’s propulsion. She slammed into the wall behind her, groaning. Nora sat up slightly, blinking the spots from her vision, only to find that she was still holding Yang’s now detached arm. Nora screamed and flung it off, making Yang double over with laughter. The blond caught her arm easily, reattaching it through her laughter. Nora, on the other hand, scowled.

“That so wasn’t funny!” Despite her words, a smile spread on her lips. Ren was half-way to kneeling beside her to check for injuries when Nora pounced up and over to Yang, grabbing her robotic arm. “What else can it do?”

Yang chuckled, a sparkle in her eyes. “Just some pretty cool stuff, like this.”

She activated the shotgun barrel to slide out from her wrist joint, the arm altering itself to add more of a protective layer around her forearm. Ruby gasped and dropped to her knees beside Yang, holding her arm between both her hands as she looked over it with that familiar gleam of child-like excitement.

“Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. This is Atlas tech.” She breathed, turning Yang’s arm this way and that to check out every angle. “It has Dust stores, and even propulsion mechanics to increase your punch strength, and oh my gosh are those customizable dual range shot gun barrels?”

Ruby’s eyes might as well have been hearts with the way she was eyeing each component of Yang’s arm. Yang couldn’t help chuckling at her sister’s enthusiasm, though the sight warmed her. It was so good to see Ruby so enthralled over something as simple as a prosthetic. It had been far too long since she saw her like this, tugging at a sore spot in Yang’s soul. To think how much weight a 16-year-old had to carry, how much grief had hung around her since the Fall of Beacon. If the bittersweet looks from the rest of Team JNR were anything to go by, it had bee a while since Ruby had been this happy.

Yang was just going to have to change that now that she was here. Ruby would no longer have to carry that weight herself. She would take it for it. She would fight for her, with her. Yang would make sure she was never alone again.

“How can a group of teenagers make so much noise over dinner?” Ruby turned to find Qrow and Oscar coming into the room. Oscar glanced at Ruby, blushing softly as he waved at her. Yang didn’t miss the blush that spread on her sister’s cheeks before she quickly took her hands away from Yang’s arm, laughing nervously.

“Sorry, Uncle Qrow.”

Qrow shook his head, a heavy sigh spilling through his lips as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Hate to break up the party, but we have some things to talk about.”

Yang stood, glancing at Weiss. “Yeah, so do we.”

Chapter Text

Four months into dorm living and Yang was fairly used to the oddities she found when she returned to the room. Whether it was Blake idly knocking around one of Weiss’s yarn balls, Ruby trying to find a way to add a gun to her prosthetic leg, or Weiss doing some kind of fancy hair mask, Yang was no longer phased by her teams quirks. Yet, she was still mildly surprised upon walking into the dorm to find Blake reading on her lower bed with Ruby lying on top of her like some of human blanket.

“Am I interrupting something?” Yang teased.

Blake glanced over, smiling slightly over Ruby’s hair. “Hey.”

“Hey, yourself.” Yang came over, looking down at Blake. “Is there a reason my sister is using you as a body pillow?”

“Just wanted a cuddle.” Blake admitted, setting a hand on Ruby’s back to rub up and down her spine gently. “I was cold, so it was a win-win solution.”

Yang chuckled. She combed her hand through Ruby’s hair, pushing it out of her face. The younger girl was dead to the world, breathing softly against Blake’s collar. Yang had been worried about her lately, dark bags forming under her sister’s eyes, a steadily growing slump to her shoulders. She’d been training nonstop to be a good leader, always honing in on their battle strategies, refining their team moves. She’d been studying and re-studying every book, every note she could on leadership. Yang couldn’t help worrying that Ozpin made a mistake. Ruby was too young for this level of responsibility. Why would he ever put this much pressure on a child?

“Did you find what you were looking for at the library?” Blake asked, voice quiet so as not to disturb their resident lump.

Yang sighed softly, shrugging. “I found a few books that mention the legends and stories of silver-eyes warriors, but nothing really concrete. My mother had silver eyes, so if the tales are to be believed that they have some kind of power, then she must have had it too.”

“You said she didn’t like the fact that Ruby had them, correct?” Blake murmured.

Yang nodded.

Blake glanced down at Ruby. “Do you think it’s possible she wanted to keep it from her? So she wouldn’t be used for it?”

Yang sighed, running a hand through her hair. “That’s what I’m thinking too, but if that’s the case, then whatever reason Ozpin has for bringing her here early can’t be trusted. At least, not until I know more.”

“You think he could be trying to train her power to use himself?” Blake asked.

Yang shrugged a shoulder. “I-I don’t know. I hope not, but I really don’t know. This is all so strange to me and it doesn’t sit right. He mentioned her eyes the first time they met. He knows something. I want to know what.”

Yang clenched her fists, angry she couldn’t figure this out quickly enough. She needed to know, she needed to protect her sister. A hand touched hers, startling Yang out of her thoughts. She looked at Blake who smiled softly.

“We’ll figure it out.” Blake said softly. “Together.”

Yang softened. She opened her hand to catch Blake’s, squeezing it softly.

“Together.”

Chapter Text

Yang was here.

Blake would be a fool for her insides not to be twisting in on themselves, a gnawing terror screaming at her to run as fast as she could away, away, away. She was so tired of running. She was so tired of hurting the people she cared about. Running had never been a solution. It just caused more problems, more pain, and she was done running away.

Even if that meant having to face the consequences of her choices.

Blake looked back to make sure that Sun and Ilia were helping the Mistral Police with the remaining White Fangs captured, before she turned back, surveying the damage done in the foyer of the Haven building. Pillars were destroyed, walls cracked, let alone the gaping hole that Blake currently walked through. Everyone looked like they’d seen better days. Jaune was supporting a bruised and beat up Ren on one side, a dizzy and tired Nora on the other. The man Blake vaguely remembered as the Xiao-Long-Rose sister’s uncle Qrow staggering to his feet, and a boy that Blake didn’t recognize. Weiss was using her sword as support, Ruby seemingly an unshakable pillar checking up on everyone.

Then there was Yang.

A radiant harbinger of burning sunlight, standing tall and strong, though down one arm. The sharp reminder of what Blake had caused made her flinch back, but she couldn’t look away. Not when she saw the look of grim resolution set in her jaw. Something had happened in the vault, but she didn’t know what. Qrow came to meet her, taking the odd lamp from her hand. As they talked, something made her eyes shift to Ruby, just in time to see the color drain from her young friend’s face.

Blake was across the room in a second, lunging just as Ruby groaned, legs crumbling and body pitching forward. She caught an arm around the girl’s chest, falling with her as Ruby’s entire body tipped into hers.

“Ruby!” Weiss cried, rushing to their side.

Blake saw Yang abandon her uncle to hurry over, dropping beside them.

“Ruby?” Yang called worriedly, a wash of fear in her eyes as she tried to shake her sister with one hand. “Ruby?”

Blake’s fingers quickly went to Ruby’s pulse at her neck, finding her heartbeat thready, but strong. That was when she noticed the blood staining the front of her corset, a hole torn through the middle that looked the same width of a weapon. How she took a hit to the solar plexus and lived was beyond her, but that didn’t matter now.

“Her pulse is stable, but off,” Blake said, ears twitching atop her head. “Her breathing is shallow too.”

“The adrenaline must have worn off.” Weiss said with a worried frown. “Her body couldn’t have possibly continued with all those injuries. And her silver powers.”

Yang swallowed thickly, nodding slightly. She seemed pale herself, having gone through hell and back. Blake couldn’t imagine how scared she must have been when Ruby got the initial injuries, let alone now.

“She’ll be okay.” Blake murmured, her voice just above a whisper as she eyed Yang wearily. The other girl turned sharp lavender eyes to her and Blake ducked her head, ears pressing down. She knew she had no right to be disappointed at that look, but it still hurt nonetheless.

“What are you doing here?” Yang grunted.

“It’s…it’s a long story.” Blake murmured. “What happened to you guys?”

“Long story…” Ruby slurred against her chest.

Blake startled, looking down to see Ruby prying open a bleary silver eye. “Hi, Blake…”

“Ruby,” Blake said worriedly. “How are you? Don’t push yourself.”

“‘M fine…” Ruby murmured, shifting to push off her gently, forcing herself to sit up. Ruby smiled slightly. “See?”

She then proceeded to fall back, collapsing against Yang who just barely managed to catch her with her arm. Ruby groaned.

“Maybe not…”

“You dolt.” Weiss scorned, but it was absent her usual bite. She sniffled, wiping tears at her eyes. “Stop pushing yourself so much.”

Ruby gave her a weak thumbs up, groaning against Yang’s collar. “We won, right…?”

Yang snorted, wrapping her arm around Ruby as she kissed her hair. “Yeah, we did.”

“Good.” Ruby grunted. She opened her arms to Blake and Weiss. “First order of business. Team RWBY hug…”

Weiss scoffed, but moved over, hugging Ruby and Yang from the side. Ruby motioned Blake closer, but she couldn’t move, glancing at Yang for permission. She could see the way Yang was glaring at her, trying to decide whether she should allow it or not. It seemed, eventually, she decided it was okay. A small smile spread across her lips.

“Come on.” Yang murmured.

Blake felt tears well into her eyes. She leaned over and hugged her team tightly, hiccuping as they all pressed their head together. She didn’t know what was going to happen now. She didn’t know if she would be welcome back. She didn’t know if they could have the same dynamic. Whatever it was, Blake would work hard to prove herself worthy. She would earn their forgiveness. Yang’s forgiveness.

After all, she was home.

Chapter Text

The book slammed closed and dropped on the table, Yang groaning as she slumped back in her chair, pressing the heels of her hands into her eyes.

“This is impossible!” She growled in frustration.

Blake sighed, closing her book as well as she rubbed her temple. “It doesn’t make sense. How are the only records of Silver-eyed Warriors myths and legends? If the powers exist as the story’s suggest, then surely there would be biological research into their usage, right?”

“That’s the logical answer.” Yang huffed out a long breath, dropping her arms to her sides. She tipped her head to the side, looking at Blake with a frown.

“It seems, however,” the blonde said sarcastically, “that logic doesn’t apply to mythical abilities.”

Blake frowned as well, grabbing her notebook to look over the notes they’d made. She and Yang had been coming to the library after classes every day for nearly three weeks under the guise of studying. Thankfully, Ruby hadn’t questioned it much, instead deciding to have her own study sessions with Weiss. That lasted all of a week, before she decided studying with Weiss was boring and instead spent her time with Team JNPR. At least Pyrrha enjoyed studying with Weiss so she wouldn’t be alone. In that time, however, Blake and Yang hadn’t made much-if any-progress in their research.

Two weeks in, Yang had broken down to call her father and ask him if he knew anything about the silver eyes. Apparently, he claimed to know nothing, just that they were a source of worry for Summer Rose. Yang knew that wasn’t true and knew her father was hiding the truth from her, the same way he hid the truth about her biological mother. So, she’d called her uncle, only for his Scroll to go to voicemail claiming he was on a mission and couldn’t get back to the message anytime soon. There was apparently a special number she could call, one that always got her uncle to answer in the case of an emergency, but Blake had talked Yang down from the temptation. She didn’t know anything about Qrow, but Blake highly doubted the man would enjoy Yang abusing an emergency call like that.

“We’re just researching ourselves in circles now.” Yang groaned, running her hands through her hair. “All we’ve discovered is that silver eyes are apparently a genetic trait, possibly an evolutionary development for natural preservation.”

Blake’s eyes scanned their notes. “That would mean, that if the stories are to be believed then those with silver eyes have some kind of special power to turn Grimm to stone, or even disperse them completely.”

“That’s how it’s looking.” Yang sighed. “But it doesn’t make any sense. A Semblance isn’t that powerful. They’ve never been capable of such a thing alone, and the stories seem to suggest that the power comes from the life force of the warrior. It’s immensely draining, though and should only be used in emergencies.”

“Legends say that those born with silver eyes are meant to be warriors.” Blake pointed out. She set the notebook down. “What if…what if Ozpin believes that Ruby a descendent of the previous Silver-eyed Warriors? What if he’s putting Ruby in a leadership position-“

“To unlock the powers.” Yang murmured, looking thoughtful. “But…but that would mean the stories would have to be real, at least in some part. I can’t see someone like Ozpin taking a risk like this if there wasn’t some kind of truth to it. That would mean that my mom was capable of using similar powers.”

Blake gnawed her lip. “Yang, don’t you think this sounds crazy, though? Magic eyes capable of eliminating Grimm? Warriors of old? It all sounds like a fairy tale.”

“I know.” Yang slumped on the table. “It sounds ludicrous when you say it out loud, but this is all we have to go off of. Ozpin has to know something that we don’t. Something that might not even be in the books. It just doesn’t make sense that there is no trace of factual, historical information on them.”

“It’s possible that Ruby’s eyes are just simply a genetic mutation.” Blake reasoned, closing her notebook. “Just like your eyes changing red when you’re angry. There could be nothing special about them at all. Perhaps, even, Ozpin is merely giving her this chance because he saw her potential.”

Yang snorted as she sat up. “That’s what he wants us to think. It’s easy to dismiss it, but I can’t help the nagging feeling that there is something more to all this. I just know it.”

Blake stood up, looking at Yang softly. “I think, perhaps, we should stick a pin in the research for now. We need to be focusing on our classes, and we’ve exhausted every resource we can get our hands on. For now, maybe all we can do is just keep an ear and eye out for anything else. See if we can’t find some tips that will start stringing things together.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Yang heaved a sigh as she stood. She looked at Blake softly.

“Thank you,” she murmured. “For helping me with all this. I really appreciate you being here.”

Blake smiled softly at her. She came over, setting a hand on Yang’s.

“Of course,” she said. “I care about Ruby too. I wouldn’t want anyone to use her either. We’ll figure something out, and until then, she’ll have us to watch her back.”

Yang laced her fingers with Blake’s, looking at her fondly. “Together?”

Blake squeezed her hand. “Together.”

Chapter Text

Yang remembered the day her entire world changed.

No one would believe her if she said as a 2-year-old she remembered everything, but she did. She remembered snuggling up on the couch with Summer Rose as her mother read her story after story. She remembered setting her small hands on her growing belly, peeling with laughter at all the little kicks she felt from the baby growing inside. She even remembered Summer cuddling with her in bed one night, playing with Yang’s hair as she told her this didn’t change anything. That no matter what, Yang was always going to be her baby too. That just because Yang was a big sister didn’t mean she couldn’t still come to Mommy and Daddy for attention, for hugs, for help. There was more than enough love in their hearts for both of their children and that would never ever change.

Yang knew that Summer had been worried how she would handle a new child being around, especially one biologically connected to Summer. It took many years before Yang realized that that fear had haunted her mother, a desperation to make sure that Yang always knew she loved her just as much, regardless of blood. What Summer hadn’t realized in those years, though, was that Yang was so excited to be an older sister.

From the day she and Tai told her the news, Yang had been impatiently awaiting the arrival of her sibling. She didn’t know what they would be, a little brother or a little sister, but she didn’t care either way. She was just excited to have a playmate, someone she could love just as much as her parents loved her. 8 months was a very long time, but it was worth it.

Finally, Ruby was born.

Yang remembered being curled up in Uncle Qrow’s arms as she covered her ears, whimpering at the sound of her mother’s hoarse cries from the upstairs bedroom. She remembered the way her dad was frantic and worried, the local doctor barking orders. She had looked up at Qrow, afraid that mom and the baby weren’t going to be okay. He had smiled softly at her and kissed her hair and said that Summer was the strongest woman in the world, she and the baby would be just fine.

She remembered Tai coming downstairs to get her, carrying her into her parent’s bedroom. Summer was tired and sweaty and propped up on pillows as she held a small bundle in her arms. Tai had set her down on the bed, let her crawl to curl up against her mother. Summer wrapped an arm around her, kissing her hair, before pulling her closer to the bundle.

“Yang,” Summer had said, voice hoarse and tired, but so very happy. “Meet your baby sister, Ruby.”

Yang beamed with excitement. She had a sister! A little girl just like her! They’d be able to play dress up, and have tea parties, and climb dirt hills together. She had looked over, peering into the bundle to see a tiny red face all scrunched and whimpering. Yang reached out very very gently to poke Ruby’s cheek, only to have a tiny little hand wrap around her finger. She was so warm and so tiny, and so very very ugly, but in a loving sort of way.

Then, Yang had started to cry.

Summer startled, Tai quickly scooped her up, and the sudden movement had set Ruby off to start wailing as well. Yang felt bad for startling Ruby and making her parents worried, but she didn’t know at the time how to put her feelings into words. How could she possibly tell them she was crying because she loved Ruby so much her heart hurt? How could she explain how Ruby was the ugliest thing she’d ever seen, but that’s why she was the most beautiful? How could she possibly articulate how the moment those tiny fingers curled around hers, her very soul had lit up like a firework with the earth shattering realization that she couldn’t imagine a day of her life without this tiny, blotchy, wrinkly, potato in her life?

Yang was far too little herself at the time to understand the true immensity of her own emotions. Overwhelmed by their sheer depth and enormity. She was sure she gave her parents a heart attack that day, if the ice cream she got every night for the week was any indication. Yang felt bad, but not enough to correct it at the time so long as they were going to spoil her. It didn’t matter, anyway, because that moment forward Yang was glued to Summer’s hip. She wanted to spend every waking moment beside her sister, watching her grow and change and go from being a wrinkled, blotchy, ugly thing to a pale chonk of a baby.

Every morning, Yang would jump out of bed, run to her parent’s bedroom and greet Ruby when her little eyes opened. She would play with toys with her when she laid on her tummy on a blanket in the living room. She would hold her as she fed her a bottle that Ruby greedily drank. She would snuggle her on her chest as her sister slept and Yang knew that her world had changed.

She knew that a Ruby shaped piece had been carved into her heart and she would do anything to keep that space full.

Chapter Text

Why was it so damn cold?

Yang shivered as she walked back to the dorm, hugging herself to try and stave off the chill that seemed to have taken up permanent residence in her bones. Her limbs wouldn’t stop shaking, her teeth nearly chattering if not for the way she’d locked her jaw in a stubborn frown. If she was honest with herself - which she vehemently refused to be - she’d known this was coming. She had woken that morning with her body stiff, muscles aching, and feeling like she hadn’t slept for a week despite going to bed far earlier than normal the night before. Try as she might, she’d been unable to keep her eyes open most of the previous day, and her normal training routine had felt ten times harder than it should have.

Yet, Yang would not admit defeat.

She was fine. Just a little tired. That was all. She certainly wasn’t sick. She didn’t have time to be sick. She had classes, and training, and Ruby to look after. Her sister had been having phantom pains more recently, brought on by the stress of school and her role as leader. She’d been laid out on Weiss’s bed just a few days prior, sobbing into Blake’s chest as Yang worked hot hands into her thigh, trying to relieve the crippling spasms burning through her muscles and singeing her nerves. She certainly hadn’t been happy about having to remove her leg for the last couple of days, bound to a wheelchair and relying on others to get around.

Yang didn’t have time to be down and out. Not when Ruby needed her at her best. So, whatever these chills were they were just going to have to fuck right on off. Yang Xiao-Long-Rose didn’t get sick. And she wasn’t about to start now.

The dorms were blessedly empty by the time Yang finally managed to get there. Weiss was studying with Pyrrha and a few other classmates in the library. Blake was supposed to be meeting up with Velvet and Coco in the city for a cafe date. And Ruby was with Ren and Nora as they helped tutor Jaune in his physical training. Normally, Yang would go nuts in a room void of friends and noise. She was never one to enjoy solitude, always wanting to get involved in a fight or a party. Right now, the quiet was a mercy for her aching head and Yang was grateful for the chance to drop her hold on the mask she’d been wearing all day. Her shoulders slumped, her teeth chattered, and she shook worse than she had on her walk here.

Okay, maybe she could admit that she was a little under the weather. Just a bit. But it was nothing a hot shower and a nap wouldn’t fix. By the time her team returned for the evening, she’d be good as new. Yang struggled out of her uniform, leaving it in a pile by her and Blake’s bunkbed as she went to the shower to turn it on as hot as possible. She stepped under the spray, letting the scalding water run over her skin, wet her hair, coat her body in a waterfall of heat. It was so nice, chasing away the chill that had haunted Yang all day. Steam filled the room and Yang basked in the feeling of finally feeling warm again. She didn’t know how long she’d been in there, but she never wanted leave the comfortable confides of this warmth. Her muscles relaxed, the ache in her bones finally melting away, her eyes fluttered closed and Yang swore she could stay there forever.

“Yang!”

Yang jolted awake with a sharp gasp, blinking as her vision swam violently. She gripped the side of her head, groaning as her head throbbed from the quick movement, a drum pounding her skull. Her throat felt scratched raw, sinuses pressing like a brick into her face, and her muscles that had been so relaxed moments ago were now as tough as concrete. It took her a moment to realize what was going on, no longer in the shower, but laid in Blake’s bottom bunk, dressed in her orange pajamas and wrapped in three blankets. Yang furrowed her brows. She didn’t remember getting out of the shower, let alone getting dressed. What the hell happened?

“Y-Yang?”

She slowly turned her eyes to the voice, finding Ruby sitting in her wheelchair by the bed, still in her school uniform and face pinched in a mix of fear and worry, tears in her eyes. Yang’s brows furrowed.

“Rubes?” She croaked, reaching a hand out to her. “Hey…hey, what’s wrong…?”

“You.” Weiss hissed as she came into view with a glass of water and a bottle of medicine. “You’re what’s wrong, you dolt. Do you have any idea how scared we were when Blake found you unconscious in the shower?”

“W-what…?” Yang blinked in shock. She looked at Ruby and the way her sister curled in on herself was confirmation enough. A sick feeling twisted in her gut, acid burning her throat. This wasn’t supposed to be happening. No one was supposed to know. Yang had planned it all out so she would be able to nap and make it through the evening with no one being the wiser. She just needed some sleep was all. There was nothing to worry about. She wasn’t sick, dammit.

Yang shook her head, despite the action making her dizzy. She sat up, putting a smile on for Ruby.

“It’s okay, Ruby…” she said, clearing her throat when it croaked. “I’m fine, see? Just ran the shower to hot and got dizzy is all. Really, everything is okay.”

“It’s not!” Ruby snapped, looking at her sister with tearful eyes, lower lip trembling.

Yang was taken a back, frowning worriedly.

“Ruby…” she tried, but Ruby shook her head.

“Don’t…don’t lie to me,” Ruby murmured, sniffling as she glared at Yang. “You don’t have to treat me like I’m a child who can’t take care of myself. I’m capable of getting by just fine, Yang. So please, stop pushing yourself. Stop trying to be strong all the time. You don’t have to be the one to shoulder everything. No here. Not with us.”

Yang was dumbfounded, having no idea what to say. Had Ruby seen through her this entire time? Had her guard slipped that much since she started not feeling well? Guilt swirled in her stomach, making it feel uneasy once more. This wasn’t right. She was the older sister. She was the protector. She was the caretaker, not the other way around.

Ruby’s small hands, calloused as they were from hours of training with Crescent Rose, closed around one of Yang’s. She squeezed it tightly, silver eyes pleading.

“Please, Yang.” Ruby murmured. “Please, rest. For me?”

That was a low blow and Ruby damn well knew it. Yang grit her teeth. She couldn’t say no, not when Ruby looked like that. Finally, she sighed, giving in. Yang slumped back against the pillows.

“Fine,” she croaked. “But only because I’m a little tired. That’s all.”

Ruby smiled, and dammit, if that didn’t make it worth it. “Okay, sis.”

“Come on, let’s get some medicine in you, miss just-a-little-tired.” Weiss shook two pills from the bottle and handed them to Yang as the elder released her sister’s hand. Yang accepted the glass of water and took the medicine with a few gulps from the glass. There was a slight sweet tinge to the water; Weiss must have added an electrolyte packet to it. Clever woman.

Yang set the glass on the bookshelf by Blake’s bed, bundling herself back into the blankets as her chills started up with vengeance. She bit back a groan. Dammit. Just when she thought she’d be warm again, too.

Ruby laid her hand on Yang’s forehead, frowning slightly.

“You’ve got a fever.” She said.

“Don’t stay so close…” Yang murmured from her blankets. She coughed into the fabric. “I don’t want you to catch it.”

“It’ll be fine.” Ruby waved her off.

Yang scowled at her and Ruby glared right back.

“I see you’re still alive.” Yang perked at the sound of Blake’s voice, the Faunus returning with a tray of soup and bread from the dining hall.

“I just gave her the medicine.” Weiss said, taking hold of the back of Ruby’s wheelchair to pull her out of the way so Blake could set the tray on the bookcase.

“Good.” Blake nodded. She looked at Yang with a frown of disapproval. “Next time you’re sick and hide it from us, I’m kicking your ass. So much for just needing to take a nap, huh?”

Yang’s cheeks colored at the call out. How dare she use her own words against her like that! Even if it was true. She tugged the blankets over her head, grumbling in annoyance.

Blake heaved an exasperated sigh. She set a hand on Yang’s back, rubbing circles into her spine. It helped release some of the ache in her muscles.

“Think you can stomach some soup?” Blake asked.

Yang swallowed. The thought of food not very appealing, but she knew she had to eat something.

“A bit,” she murmured.

“Come on out, then.”

Yang begrudgingly emerged from her cocoon, sitting up a bit. Ruby and Weiss had snuck out in that time, leaving her and Blake alone. Little sneaks. Blake smiled knowingly at her, taking the bowl and gently spoon feeding her some of the broth. Yang blushed, heart fluttering at the way Blake cared for her. It was sweet and so dearly appreciated. However, it also made Yang feel weak and she hated that feeling more than anything else. She wasn’t weak. She was the strong one. She was the brawler. The tank. She took the hits and dished them right back twice over. Yang was supposed to be un-defeat-able, and yet, here she was, defeated, by a damn germ.

Blake coaxed her into drinking at least half the broth before her stomach refused anything else, and helped her lay back against the pillows to rest. Yang tugged the blankets around her shivering frame, annoyed as her eyes struggled to stay open. Blake smiled softly at her, cupping her cheek.

“Get some sleep.” Blake said gently, brushing her thumb against the skin. “I’ll lecture you later.”

“Lecture me now,” Yang grumbled. “I know I screwed up.”

Blake sighed again. “Yeah, you did. Big time. You scared me half to death. Do you have any idea how terrifying it is to walk in and find your partner on the floor of the shower unresponsive? Ruby just about had a heart attack.”

Yang made a face. “I didn’t mean to. I was just so damn cold. I thought the shower would help, but I guess I made it too hot.”

“Are you still feeling cold?” Blake asked as she pulled her hand back.

Yang nodded, shuddering slightly. “It’s like my blood is ice. It’s so annoying. My temperature usually runs higher than normal, but it drops when I’m…sick. Damnit.”

Blake smirked at making her admit it and Yang pouted at her.

“Low blow,” she grunted.

“All is fair in the game of getting you to stop denying reality.” Blake snorted. She looked at her softly. “Would you like me to lay with you?”

Oh, that was tempting. So very tempting. Yang squirmed, biting her lip. Eventually, she sighed.

“No,” she murmured disappointedly. “Don’t get me wrong, I’d love it, but…I don’t want you to get sick too.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not the one that was running myself ragged.” Blake winked as she climbed over Yang, lying behind her as she wrapped an arm around her. “I’ll be fine.”

Yang grumbled, but didn’t fight it. She turned so she could snuggle into Blake’s chest. This was actually…pretty nice. Blake’s arms curled around her, pressing her close so she could leech from her warmth. Yang sighed, relaxing. It felt good, being the one being held for a change. Maybe…just, maybe…she could get used to this.

Yang’s eyes slipped closed and she drifted off to sleep, content.

———

Ruby poked her head into the room a few hours later, checking to make sure Yang hadn’t gone into a stubborn rage and destroyed anything. Thankfully, it seemed the coast was clear, so she pushed the door open the rest of the way and wheeled herself into the room with a tray on her lap for Blake. It was so annoying being stuck in a chair, having to maneuver around carpets and over thresholds and around discarded clothes. They really needed to clean up their room more often.

Eh, that was a problem for future Ruby.

“Blake?” Ruby called.

“Over here,” Blake whispered from her bunk. She leaned up and put a finger to her lips to signal for Ruby to keep it down.

Ruby quickly pursed her lips, nodding as she wheeled herself over to the bed. She softened at the sight of her big sister curled up close to Blake, fast asleep and snoring softly. Well, it was more of a congested grumble, which was how Ruby really knew Yang was sick. Normally, she’d be as loud as an Ursa in a honeypot fight. Sometimes, it was hard to believe that anyone got any sleep with her in the dorms. She noticed how much paler her sister looked now that she had caved into the illness, her cheeks pinked with fever and body trembling with chills. Ruby’s heart ached at the sight, worrying about her big sister. She always pushed herself so hard, she was bound to crash eventually. She just wished it didn’t have to go that far.

Shaking her head, Ruby looked at Blake.

“Thank you for watching out for her,” she whispered.

Blake smiled softly, rubbing a hand up and down Yang’s back. “Of course. It’s my job to look after my team partner, anyway.”

“And mine to look after my team.” Ruby grinned. “I brought you some food. Weiss said you’d like a salmon rice bowl. Something easy to eat.”

Blake’s ears twitched and she purred softly. “You guys are the best.”

Ever so gently, Blake extracted herself from Yang, stretching to work out the stiff muscles from being stuck there so long. Blake took the tray from Ruby, going over to her desk to sit and eat as Ruby wheeled over to her.

“Where is Weiss?” Blake asked before shoving a spoonful of warm rice and flaky salmon in her mouth. She practically melted, shoveling three more bites in her mouth.

Ruby giggled quietly at her. “Weiss is helping Pyrrha and Ren tutor Nora and Jaune in Geography. They failed the last terrain preparedness test and Professor Peach was not happy.”

“I’m sure.” Blake snorted. “Nora does have a habit of not thinking before she acts, and it can cause issues with her lightening in certain terrain.”

“Exactly.” Ruby nodded. “Hence, the tutoring.”

Yang stirred slightly in her cocoon of blankets, Ruby wheeling herself over to check on her sister. She furrowed her brows at Yang’s pinched expression, pressing the back of her hand to Yang’s forehead and cheek to check her temperature. It was too high for Ruby’s liking. So, she wheeled herself to the bathroom to get a cold rag and return to gently clean the sweat from her sister’s face, before setting it over Yang’s forehead and eyes to help cool her down.

“Hey.” Ruby blinked, looking over to Blake who was watching her softly.

“Yang’s going to be okay,” she assured. “You know she’s stronger than this.”

Ruby glanced at Yang, a somber look in her eyes.

“Yeah…” Ruby murmured, “That’s what worries me though.”

She was quiet a moment, but Blake gave her the room she needed to figure out what to say. How to word the things she didn’t know if she could say aloud. “Yang always has a smile on her face. She laughs and takes life on as one big game, a challenge she has to overcome, an adventure to be thrilled by. I just…I can’t help worrying that one day, she’s going to run into a problem she can’t just fight her way out of. Like…like…”

“Like with Mountain Glenn.” Blake murmured. “When she almost got killed.”

Ruby flinched, curling into herself a bit. She nodded, though, and swallowed thickly.

“I don’t…I don’t remember our mom, not really.” she admitted quietly. “I have vague memories. Some of it I’m not even sure is real, isn’t just images I’ve made based off the stories Yang told. But, I remember Yang. I remember her always brushing my hair and helping me get dressed. I remember her being there when I was sick, making soup, or baking cookies for my birthday. When I think of a mom…I don’t think of our Mom, I think of Yang.”

Blake set her empty bowl to the side, rising as she came over to Ruby. She knelt beside the wheelchair, setting a hand on her arm.

“I think Yang feels similar towards you,” Blake said. “You two have a special and close bond. It’s only natural to be afraid for each other, but you don’t need to be right now. Yang only has a bad cold, but she’ll beat it and be alright in a few days. She’ll be back to her normal self. When she is, we’ll remind her how important it is to take care of herself. So she knows she doesn’t have to be strong all the time. No one does. We’re a team. It’s okay to lean on each other.”

Ruby glanced at Blake, smiling slightly. She reached out and hugged her tightly, nuzzling against her shoulder.

“I’m so glad you’re in our team,” Ruby said, voice muffled by her shoulder. “And that you’re Yang’s partner. I love you so much, Blake.”

Blake froze, eyes widening in shock and surprise at the young girl’s words. Hearing her say ‘I love you’ made something in her heart crack, a warmth she hadn’t known in a long time flooding through her. Tears welled in her eyes and Blake smiled, hugging Ruby back.

“I adore you,” Blake murmured, cupping the back of Ruby’s head. “I’m glad you’re our leader, and that you’re part of our team as well. I’m so glad to have you and Yang here. And even Weiss, when she isn’t being prissy.”

Ruby giggled, pulling back to wipe her own eyes. “We’ll take care of Yang together.”

Blake smiled and nodded, a determined look on her face. “Yep. Everything will be okay.”

It wasn’t too much longer before Weiss returned to their room, the three of them getting ready for bed. Weiss coaxed Yang awake long enough to take another dose of medicine before the blond passed right back out again, face pressed into the pillow. Weiss kept a log in her Scroll and beside the pill bottle of the intervals Yang needed to take it, making sure to send an email to their professors that she wouldn’t be class the next few days.

Blake pushed Ruby’s chair back into the main room, kneeling by her as she rolled up the left leg of her pajamas pants to check her port.

“How are you feeling?” she asked, massaging the skin around her port. “Any pain?”

“A little,” Ruby admitted. “It’s still sore.”

Weiss breezed over with a water bottle in hand and a purple pill.

“You’re due for your pain medication as well.” Weiss said, handing it over. Ruby made a face, but took it anyway.

“I’ll take charge of writing extra notes for Yang in our lectures tomorrow.” she added. “Are one of you going to stay with her?”

“I will.” Blake offered. “I know she’ll worry too much if Ruby stays. Besides, I can catch up on my assignments with her.”

Weiss nodded. “Then, I’ll take care of your notes, as well. Be sure to text me before lunch time what you and Yang would like and I’ll swing by to drop it off before our next class.”

Blake softened. “Thank you, Weiss.”

Weiss blushed, turning her head away. “It’s nothing. The bare minimum that is expected of a teammate, is all. When one of us is down, we’re all to do our part. This is no different.”

Ruby and Blake exchanged a look, giggling. It was nice seeing Weiss opening up more to them and becoming a little more friendly after the last several months. She walked back to her bed to sit and brush out her silver hair and Ruby yawned, her medicine making her sleepy.

“Come on, let’s get you to bed.” Blake said, rising as she pushed Ruby over to her and Weiss’s bunk. Weiss was taking Ruby’s top bunk for now, and Ruby settled in Weiss’s so she was closer to her wheelchair if it was needed. Blake tucked her in, making sure she’d be warm through the night.

Ruby yawned again, rubbing her eyes. “Mm…what about you?”

Blake softened, brushing hair behind Ruby’s ear. “I’ll probably sleep next to the big lug over there. I’m taking some supplements to help ward off the germs, so it’ll be fine.”

Ruby nodded, nuzzling into the pillow as she closed her eyes. “Night, Blake…”

“Night, Ruby.” Blake murmured, smiling softly as Ruby dropped right off to sleep.

“Goodnight, Weiss.” Blake whispered as she stood, turning off the overhead lights.

“Goodnight, Blake.” Weiss waved from the canopy, sliding them closed.

Blake went over to Yang’s side, removing the washcloth to check her temperature. It seemed to be ebbing a bit, but she went to refresh it in the bathroom, before coming back to smooth it over Yang’s forehead and eyes. She climbed back behind her, wrapping an arm around Yang. She leaned over, kissing her hair.

“Goodnight, Yang. Get better soon.”

Chapter Text

The train derailed.

Ruby stirred, cold biting into her cheek. She blinked her eyes open, groaning as she held her aching head. Actually, all of her ached, like one giant bruise. She slowly sat up, ears ringing and head spinning dizzily. Ugh, she was going to hurl. Acid burned the back of her throat and she struggled to swallow it down, before she felt a comforting hand spread across her back.

“Ruby?” Yang called, voice laced with worry. “Ruby, are you okay?”

“I’m alive…” she groaned. “Does that count?”

Yang snorted. “Good enough. Come on. I gotcha.”

Yang wrapped her arm around her waist, the other around her front as she helped hoist Ruby to her knees. Ruby blinked a bit to clear her vision, before holding onto Yang’s shoulders as they stood together. Her right knee nearly gave out, but Yang caught her, keeping her steady. Ruby tested out the strength of her prosthetic, grateful the metal limb hadn’t been damaged. Her older sister smiled gently at her, moving one hand to tug the sides of Ruby’s cloak down around her shoulders as she helped her walk over to the others.

“Everyone alright?” Qrow grunted as he stood, brushing snow off his shirt.

“I’m good,” Oscar groaned as he shook the snow off of him.

“We’re fine as well.” Weiss said as she and Blake came over.

“Well, isn’t this a mess.” A little old lady said, mechanical eyes looking at them all in what a Ruby could only assume was disapproval. Ruby’s heart sank. Oh, no. Oh, no! Everyone else was supposed to be on the other half of the train. Had she been missed?

Ruby pulled away from Yang, rushing over to the woman.

“Are you okay?” She asked worriedly. “I’m so sorry you got caught up in this. You were supposed to be with the others”.

The woman waved her off. “Don’t you fret over me, child. I’m not so old I need to be coddled. The cars separated before I could get over. My own fault, no one else’s.”

Ruby pulled back, uncertain, but the woman made her way over to Oscar who helped her over to Qrow. She sighed, Ruby moving to pick up some of the Dust shells that had been scattered from the wreckage. Behind her, Yang growled under her breath, marching over to where Bumblebee had gotten stuck in the snow.

“This is just great!” She grunted, tugging on the handles. “We’re in the middle of nowhere, we’ve lost a third of our party, and we’ve gained a defenseless old lady!”

Yang tugged harder and the bake came free, not without her losing her balance and crashing back into the snow. Her bike tipped over and Yang gave an angry cry, smoke spilling from her mouth.

“Excuse you,” the old woman turned to frown at Yang. “My name is Maria Calavera, and I am not defensive-less. Im merely hard of hearing, and blind, without my eyes…that are in desperate need of repair…okay, I see your point.”

Ruby winced, about to go help Yang, when Blake beat her to it. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught something shining and turned to see the Lamp lying in the snow. Ruby went to pick it up, marveling at the thrum of power she felt inside the ancient relic.

Qrow sighed as he came over. “Yang, cool it, would ya? If we lose our cool now it’s only going to attract more Grimm.”

“Does it even matter?” Blake frowned, turning to Qrow after she got Yang back on her feet. “Apparently, we’ve been attracting Grimm since we left Haven.”

“How could I forget,” Yang snorted humorlessly. Her eyes shifted to Oscar, glaring. “What happened to no more lies and half-truths?”

Oscar pulled away from helping Maria, turning to the group. “Yeah, I think it’s time we got some answers.”

His eyes flashed gold and his posture straightened, his hands folding behind his back.

“I did not lie to you.” Ozpin’s voice said, glancing over the group.

Weiss set a hand on her hip, arching a brow. “Well, you certainly didn’t tell us everything about the relic.”

“Please,” he implored gently, raising a hand out to them. “Now is not the time-“

“No,” Yang cut him off, sneering. “We’re past that. I want to know why you’re still not telling us everything.”

Ozpin sighed. “It is true that the Grimm are attracted to the Relics. It’s faint, but undeniable. I believe it has to do with their origin, but I’m not entirely sure. Regardless, I feared that making you all aware would only add anxiety and negativity. It seemed like the safer option.”

“You know, I’m getting real tired of people choosing what’s best for me.” Weiss snipped.

“Is that why you chose to lie to everyone about Lionheart too?” Yang shot back.

“Yes, as a matter of fact,” Ozpin snapped right back. He turned, walking a little bit away from them as he looked at the sky. “I believed the people of the Kingdom of Mistral deserved better from the truth, and I believed that Leonardo deserved to be remembered for his lifetime of service and not the unfortunate missteps he made in his final years.”

“Missteps?” Yang growled as she and the others followed Ozpin.

“What Professor Lionheart did was reprehensible.” Ozpin said. “I am not here to argue differently. But does one lapse in judgement eradicate all the years of good? Do we not all have regrets?”

Ozpin glanced at them over his shoulder. “You may have seen Professor Lionheart, but you never met the man he was before Salem found him.”

“Look, we’re supposed to be in this, together.” Yang said in frustration, running a hand through her hair as she set a hand on her hip. “You can trust us. We’re not going to turn our backs on you.”

“Do you really think Leo was the first!?” Ozpin rounded on them with a hiss.

Everyone froze.

Ozpin frowned. “That he didn’t say those exact same words to me? I’m sorry, but you have to understand that my behaviors are backed by experience. I’m not saying that I have reason to believe you’d betray me. I’m saying that I have reasons for the things that I do. The secrets I keep. The reason I..”

Ozpin looked down to Oscar’s belt, only now realizing that is was void of the Relic he had been carrying.

“Where’s…” he trailed off, eyes wide as he looked around, “the relic?”

“Right here.” Ruby spoke up, voice quiet. She held up the relic, clasped gently between both hands. “It, uh, got scattered in the crash.”

His shoulders relaxed slightly. Ozpin smiled gently at her, holding out his hand. “Good work, Miss Rose. Please, hand it over.”

Ruby, however, didn’t move. She looked at the relic, swallowing thickly, as she turned her eyes to Ozpin.

“So…so all those times you talked about having faith in humanity…” she murmured, “That was just for everyone else?”

Ozpin lowered his hand as he sighed heavily, averting his eyes to the snow. “That is not what I meant to suggest.”

He looked back to Ruby. “Miss Rose, the relic is a powerful item, and I simply feel as though it is my burden to bear.”

“But…” Ruby took a half step back, frowning as she furrowed her brows in confusion. “Y-you said it couldn’t do anything right now.”

“Why does it matter who carries it?” Blake asked suspiciously, taking a protective step forward.

Ozpin frowned. He walked towards Ruby. “I need you to listen to me. The relic-“

He froze, caught mid stride, hand outstretched. Ozpin’s teeth grit, his eyes flashing slightly.

“Oz?” Qrow asked worriedly, taking a step forward.

“Hurry…” Oscar croaked, struggling as he looked at Ruby with a pleading gaze. “He’s…trying to stop you…”

“Stop her from what?” Yang asked, stepping defensively next to her sister.

“He’s…he’s afraid…” Oscar choked out. “That you’ll…find out…what he’s…hiding…”

Oscar dropped to his knees, gasping.

“Oscar!” Ruby cried, trying to move towards him, but Yang stuck her arm out, frowning as she shook her head slightly. Yang stepped forward, narrowing her eyes at Oscar as Ruby took a fearful step back, holding the relic close.

Oscar grunted, struggling as he raised his head. He looked to Ruby, reaching out to her.

“H-her name is Jinn. S-say her name…” Oscar croaked. “To summon her…”

“H-her name?” Ruby asked uncertainly. A cold wind blew through the air, ruffling her hair and cloak. She looked to Yang, unsure if this was the right thing to do or not. Yang glanced at Blake and Weiss, who nodded, and she turned to her sister, nodding as well.

Ruby swallowed, looking at the relic.

“Jinn?” She called

Suddenly, the world seemed to stop. The snow paused in mid-air, the wind cutting out, the sounds of the world dissolving.

“What?” Qrow looked around in confusion.

A blue light glowed from the lamp in Ruby’s hands, and she held it out, watching it awe as the Lamp levitated out of her hold. It wrapped around Ruby, floating off behind her. She turned, watching as a blue mist unfolded, spiraling out and up. The mist took shape of a large, ethereal woman, completely naked save for the golden chains that fell over her body in some poor semblance of modest. She stretched, yawning.

“Wonderful!” The woman looked down at Ruby, who stared back with wide silver eyes. She smiled at the young girl. “Tell me, child, what knowledge do you seek?”

Ruby fumbled, unable to get a word out, unable to grasp this was happening. The woman smiled in amusement, leaning back as she spread her arms.

“I am Jinn,” she said, “A being created by the God of Light to aid humanity in its pursuit of Knowledge. I’ve been graced with the ability to answer three questions every 100 years. You’re in luck, as I’m still able to answer-“

“That’s enough!” Ozpin snapped.

Everyone turned to look at him, expressions a mix of shock and betrayal.

Jinn cleared her throat behind them. “Two questions this era,” she finished.

Ozpin ducked his head, gritting his teeth as a hand curled into the snow.

Jin chuckled softly. “Ah, it’s a pleasure to see you again, old man.”

“Ruby…” Ozpin said, voice a gravely plea as he looked up at Ruby, teeth grit, brows furrowed. “Please, don’t.”

Ruby curled her arms around herself, unsure of what to do. She looked between her team and Jinn, worrying her lip.

“Hey,” Qrow started towards her, but Weiss, Blake, and Yang moved in front of her, weapons drawn and pointed at Qrow. He stopped, hands up in surrender. “You do whatever you think is right, Kiddo.”

“I don’t know what is right anymore…” Ruby murmured, hugging herself tightly. She swallowed, mind buzzing with questions and uncertainty. Why was Ozpin lying? What was he hiding from them? What was happening?

She slowly looked at Jinn. “Jinn…what…what is Ozpin hid-“

“No!!” Ozpin burst from the ground, sprinting across the snow. Ruby whirled around just in time to see him duck under her team’s defense before he was slamming straight into her. She yelped, crashing into the snow with Oscar’s gloved hand over her mouth.

“You can’t,” Ozpin cried, “I’m sorry, but I can’t let you do this!”

Ruby squirmed and bit his hand. He hissed, rearing back and she tried to roll out from under him, but Ozpin was quicker and wrapped his arm around her neck, teared the cloth off Oscar’s belt to bind her hands together behind her back in a quick motion.

“Get off of her!” Yang snapped, charging at him with hair flaming and eyes red.

Ozpin jerked Ruby to her feet, yanking her against her chest as he held her, glaring wearily at Yang and the others.

“Stay back,” he growled. “You know I have far superior powers to your own, and I will use them if I must.”

Yang snarled, smoke spilling from her mouth. “You let my baby go right now, you lying son of a bitch!”

“Oz!” Qrow snapped, his hand on Harbinger. “I don’t know what game you think you’re playing at, but you keep your hands off my niece.”

“This is exactly why I could not trust you all with the truth!” Ozpin hissed. “This is why it is my burden to bear. You cannot possibly understand.”

“You don’t get to make that choice for us!” Blake cried, “Not when our lives are on the line too!”

Weiss turned to Jinn.

“Jinn, what is Ozpin hiding?” She asked.

Jinn frowned. “Regretfully, young one, I cannot answer your question. I am only permitted to answer the questions of the one who called me. Your friend Ruby must be the one to ask.”

“Jinn,” Ruby grunted, trying to stretch her neck out of Ozpin’s hold, “What is-erk!”

Ruby choked as Ozpin tightened his arm, cutting off her air. She grit her teeth, squirming. She tried to slam her heel back into his leg, but he kicked her foot down easily. He took a step back with her.

“I do not wish to cause any harm to Miss Rose,” Ozpin said genuinely. “Please, do not make me do so. You all need to back down and calm down. I can explain.”

“Like hell we’re going to trust a damn thing you say!” Yang snarled, flame spitting out of her mouth. “You release her right now, before I make sure you don’t come back to another body.”

“Not until she calls off Jinn,” Ozpin hissed.

Ruby struggled, coughing. She shook her head. This wasn’t right. It wasn’t fair. If it was anyone else she’d be able to do something. Her hand-to-hand wasn’t all that great, but she would at least be able to try. Yet, she was too afraid. She didn’t want to hurt Oscar. It wasn’t his fault.

Spot started to dance in front of her vision, but Ruby tried to speak anyway.

“Jinn…” she gasped, “What…”

“I’m sorry,” Ozpin murmured, “You’re leaving me no choice.”

He grabbed the side of Ruby’s head, a golden light casting over her.

“I’m going to need to you to go to sleep,” he whispered, “I hope you can forgive me.”

Ruby tried to protest, but a wash of something foreign and strange casted over her body. Suddenly, it felt like she had no energy, no control of her limbs. Her eyes dulled, lashes fluttering closed as her body went limp on Ozpin’s hold. At the same time, Jinn sighed, sliding back into the Lamp as it fell into the snow.

“Ruby!!” Yang cried, firing off a shot-gun round as she soared towards Ozpin. He dropped Ruby into the snow, pulling out his cane to block her hit and easily twist Yang around, smacking her in the background to send her out of reach. Blake lunged for him, striking with Gambol Shroud. He parried and Blake vanished, an icy form in her place. He quickly shattered it just before ducked to avoid her punch. Ozpin shoved his cane up into her stomach, pushing her back with a grunt.

“Oz!” Qrow growled. “What the fuck!?”

“You know why I must do this, Qrow.” He hissed. “You’ve seen with Leo, with James, even Raven. This is why I keep my secrets. This is why I trust no one!”

Oscar turned, heading for Lamp, but before he could get it, a glyph appeared, trapping him in place. He grit his teeth, scowling at Weiss. She held him there, glaring as she moved and grabbed the Lamp, backing up.

“You don’t get to make choices for us,” she snapped. “We’ve given you loyalty, and you repay us with lies. If we’re going to risk our lives for you, we deserve to know everything.”

“Don’t!”

“Jinn!”

The mist spilled from the Lamp and Jinn reappeared, arching her brow at the scene before her, at the sight of Ruby lying in the snow.

“Old man, you really have sunk low.” She sighed.

“Ruby!” Yang scrambled over to her sister, picking the unconscious girl into her arms. Ruby didn’t stir, head lulling against Yang’s chest.

Weiss frowned, turning to Jinn. “Please, tell us what Ozpin is hiding.”

“No!” Ozpin cried, tearing free from the glyph and trying to knock the Lamp away, but it was too late.

The scene changed, a white world wrapping around them. Yang startled, clutching Ruby close as she looked around.

“Blake?” She called. “Weiss? Uncle Qrow!?”

“Relax, dear.” Jinn appeared before her, slowly lowering herself to her knees. “I have separated everyone so that Ozpin cannot try to alter the story. Or use his magic on anyone else. I am here to answer your friend’s question, but first, I would like to aid your sister.”

Yang eyed her suspiciously, but slowly unfurl her arms, holding Ruby in her lap, her sister’s head on her shoulder. Jinn reached out, gentle hands smoothing over Ruby’s chest and stomach, fingers threading through her hair.

“Alright, little one. It’s time to wake up. You have some very important things to see.” Jinn coaxed, a blue mist encircling Ruby’s body.

Ruby stirred, groaning as her eyes scrunched shut, slowly fluttering open. She blinked, dazed and confused.

“H-huh?” She blinked, “W-what…?”

Ruby coughed hard, reaching a hand to touch just under her throat, where a bruise was forming from how hard he tried to choke her out.

“Ozpin,” Yang growled. She combed a hand through Ruby’s hair, looking at her worriedly.

“Are you hurt anywhere? Did that bastard do anything else to you?” She asked.

Ruby shook her head slightly, feeling woozy from the spell. “‘M just dizzy…”

“That will happen from the use of magic on a body unfamiliar.” Jinn said. “I do not make a habit of giving information for free, but I will make an exception for you all. I’ve known the old man for quite awhile, and I do not appreciate his usage of tactics, no matter how understandable given his predicament. I will answer your friends question for free, leaving two questions left in the Lamp. Now, let me show you the truth.”

Yang rose, helping Ruby stand. She wrapped an arm around her sister’s waist to stabilize her as Jinn vanished into her blue mist and the scene around them changed. It showed the story of the Girl in the Tower, a tale made real by the ages of history. They saw Ozma, the marriage, the death, the attempt to turn humanity against the gods. They saw it all, from the end of days, to the second wave of humanity, Oz’s reincarnations, his curse of burden by the God of Light, and his inability to stop Salem for the years to come.

“He asked me his questions,” Jinn said as the white space cleared, bringing the team back together again. “And he did not like all of my answers.”

“How do I kill Salem?”

“You can’t.”
Yang couldn’t move, arms around Ruby as her sister leaned into her, hand gripping the lapel of Yang’s jacket. The young girl pressed her face against Yang’s exposed skin, soaking in her warmth as she struggled to wrap her mind around what they’d just learned. This couldn’t be right. It couldn’t be. She pulled away from Yang, taking a few steps away from her as she looked at Ozpin who was on his knees in the snow, hands in Oscar’s hair with devastation and horror across his face.

“Professor…” he looked up dully at Ruby.

She frowned, clenching her hands. “What is your plan to defeat Salem?”

“I…I…” He looked away. “I don’t…have one…”

“You don’t have one!?” Yang snapped, raging as flames licked off her hair and she moved past Ruby. She grabbed him by the front of the shirt, hoisting him off his feet. “You mean to tell me that we’ve been risking our lives this entire time, for nothing?! You’ve had us on this crusade for the relics, only to have no idea what you’re going to do? You’ve had years to handle this, Ozpin, centuries! Why haven’t you stopped her!?”

“I can’t!” Ozpin cried, hands around the wrist of Yang’s prosthetic. “I don’t know how!”

“Yang!” Blake called worriedly.

Yang shook her head, smoke pouring from her mouth as she snarled. “You knew. You knew all along! You knew she was a threat to the world, to Beacon…why didn’t you do anything?! Why didn’t you stop this so we wouldn’t lose our friends? Lose Pyrrha? Is this all a fucking game to you? News flash, Professor, but none of us are the gods favorite! We don’t get to come back if we die!”

“Yang, please,” Weiss begged.

Yang ignored her though, staring down Ozpin with the fury of the fucking sun. “Is that what you were planning to do with my sister? Use her for her silver eyes, for whatever the hell she did to that Grimm in Beacon, make her your front line warrior just so she could get killed for your cowardice? Was the plan just to lead us all to our deaths and expect us to fight for you with no qualms about our own lives? Is that what you wanted?!”

“Yang, stop!”

A body slammed into her back, Ruby’s hands curling into the back of her jacket. She hiccuped, trembling against Yang.

“Please…” her sister sobbed. “Please, stop it…don’t hurt Oscar…”

Tears pricked at Yang’s eyes and she snarled, throwing Ozpin back into the snow.

“Maybe you were right,” she hissed. “You can’t trust everyone’s words. You can’t just believe them at face value. But mark my words, Ozpin. You have no allies. You are alone, and you will remain alone. This is your fucking fight, so you finish it. When we get to Argus, I’m getting on the next Bullhead back to Patch and Ruby and I are going home. This is over.”

Ozpin got to his feet, a look of utter devastation on his face. He tried to say something, but was stopped by a fist in his face. He grunted, thrown across the clearing before he slammed into a tree. Qrow growled, huffing as he stared Ozpin down.

“I fucking trusted you!” Qrow raged. “I put my life on the line for you, and you lied this entire time?!”

“Qrow, please!” Ozpin pleaded.
“Raven was right!” Qrow snapped, tears held back in his eyes. “We never should have trusted you.”

Tears fell down Oscar’s face, before his eyes flashed and the boy slummed, gasping.

“Ow!” He whined, holding his cheek.

Qrow frowned. “Did he run away?”

“H-he’s gone…” Oscar croaked, looking up at him in confusion.

“What?!” Yang snapped. She pulled away from Ruby, storming over. “You tell that son of a bitch we aren’t done yet!”

“No,” Oscar cried, looking at her in panic, then at Qrow. “He’s…he’s gone. I can’t feel him anymore. It’s like he just…vanished.”

“Well, that’s just fucking great!” Qrow kicked the snow, growling as he stormed off, taking out his flask.

Yang shook with anger, but took a deep breath through her nose, slowly letting it out as her flames dissipated. She frowned, reaching a hand to help Oscar up. He stumbled a bit, disoriented, but he righted himself with her help.

He looked up at her worriedly. “Is Ruby okay? I tried to stop him, I promise, but he wouldn’t…I wasn’t strong enough…”

Yang sighed, patting his shoulder. “I know. You’d never do that. She’s…”

They looked back to where Ruby was wrapped up in Blake’s arms, shoulders shaking as she cried. Blake’s ears were down, holding onto her tightly, a cheek on her hair.

Oscar swallowed. “Oh, Ruby…”

“We need to get out of the cold.” Weiss sniffled, sheathing her rapier at her hip. She held herself rigidly, jaw tight with restrained anger. “We’ve all gotten too upset. If we don’t move now, then we’ll attract the Grimm and be too vulnerable.”

“Right,” Yang murmured.

Oscar went to grab his weapon that had fallen in the snow, while Yang fetched her bike. The group made their way into the forest, hoping to find some sense of direction towards Argus. It was quiet. No one really knew what to say.

What in the world were they going to do now?

Chapter Text

Welp...have you heard the news?

Rooster Teeth is officially shutting down this year after 21 years of being open.

I have to admit, I cried quite a bit upon hearing this news today.

Am I surprised? A little. Part of me knew that this was coming, but the more optimistic side wanted to hope that it wouldn't be so.

I don't really know how to feel about this, as for right now this means that RWBY is no more.

I fell in love with RWBY since the Red Trailer. I watched it with eyes wide and immeasurable awe. I was so excited to see this story come to life.

I bought the DVDs for the first 3 Volumes, watched every commentary video that RT put out, dreamed of one day working on the RWBY team.

Though that dream would never become reality, though Rooster Teeth would go on to do some pretty not-okay things, RWBY still held strong to me.

Sure, the writing could be better and the characterization isn't where i want it to be, but it didn't make me love the story any less. I still cheered for every fight, celebrated every victory, and was hooked in for each new Volume.

It's strange, to imagine there would be none of that anymore. That RWBY would just be another show, another project, another story, that falls to the wayside. Another part of my childhood just gone.

They're saying that RT is in talks with other companies to try and find someone who will purchase the RWBY IP, but I think whoever does will end up rebooting the entire series. Probably put it into a different animation style, clean up the world-building and the plot, maybe mold it into something with some familiarity, but some new aspects too.

Whatever the case may be, I don't think they'll just buy it and jump straight into Volume 10. With a different team, different animators, different style, it wouldn't work. It would have to be started fresh, in my opinion.

Or, not be done at all. It is quite possible that with the way profits go a lot of animation companies may see it as too much of a hassle, too much of an investment, with not much return given how divided the fandom can be at times. They may not think it has much value in continuing, especially being so far into the story. They would have to shake it up massively in order to create enough interest to want fans to return, as well as to attract entirely new fans as well.

This is all merely my own speculations, but regardless, it's a very very sad day. I hate to see this company close down. Even more so, I hate to think we will lose our most beloved show.

I don't really know how to grasp all of this.

For now, I'll just keep Team RWBY in my heart, and in my fanfics.

Chapter Text

Summer Rose never wanted to be a mother.

She had no grand illusions of the white wedding dress, a picket fence, her stomach swollen with life. It was careless, irresponsible, even, to bring a child into the world given the life she chose to live. Huntsmen never knew when, or if, they’d return from a mission. Every job considered with the possibility of being their last. How could she curse a lover to live in constant worry of her return? To suffer the pain of her loss if she never did? How could she ever doom a child to growing up without a mother? Bring a new spark to the world that would be forever hunted by the Grimm for the mere sin of their very existence?

No, Summer knew from the beginning that she would not settle down, would not have a family of her own. She chose instead to fight to give others that privilege, to protect those who could not protect themselves. It was her duty as the daughter of a dying people, a wielder of silver-eyes. She was born with warrior’s blood in her veins and she would cull the ranks of the Grimm to insure that peace reigned for the children who did come into this beautiful, yet terrible world. She would be the people’s sword and shield until the end of her days.

That was, until she met Yang.

Yang, with her beautiful lilac eyes and wide smile and tiny strands of golden hair as pure as the sun. Yang, who peeled with laughter every time Summer tickled her belly, or made a face, or blew raspberries against her neck. Yang, who filled Summer’s heart with so much love the moment she was born Summer feared it would burst from the sheer amount of it all.

Raven had gone into labor not long after Summer and Qrow had returned from a mission. Tai had called them, the words barely out of his mouth before Summer was dragging Qrow behind her as they rushed to the hospital. The two of them slid to the door of the room just as a wail pierced the air, the baby bundled and handed to Raven to lay on her chest.

The two had loitered by the door, watching worriedly until the doctor cleared Raven as healthy and the parents had had a few moments to connect with their baby. Raven was the one who noticed them first, and smirked tiredly.

“What are you two idiots doing?” She had said. “Get in here and meet your goddaughter.”

Summer hesitated before she trailed to the side of the bed, looking at the baby in awe. She was so tiny, skin red and blotchy, and perfect in every way. Raven practically shoved the baby into her arms and Summer quickly held her with a natural grace, cradling her to her chest. The baby had snuffled and snuggled close to her and that was the moment she knew she was done for.

She was deeply and irreparably in love.

“Got a name for the pipsqueak?” Qrow had asked, sauntering over to prop an elbow on Tai’s shoulder.

Tai had nodded, a grin already spreading on his lips. “Yep. Yang Xiao-Long.”

Qrow scoffed. “Don’t you usually name a son after yourself?”

“Hey!” Tai pouted. “It’s a good name. It stands for ‘Little Light Dragon’.”

“I think it’s perfect.” Summer murmured, having turned to them with tears in her eyes. “Our bright little light of Team STRQ.”

Raven had chuckled at her. “Oh, don’t go getting all emotional now, Sum. You’re going to be a bigger crybaby than the actually baby.”

Summer stuck her tongue out at Raven, before she had walked over to smile at her best friend. “I hope she grows up to be just as strong as you are.”

Raven snorted. “She better. Branwen’s don’t have weak children. Well, unless you count Qrow.”

“I will fight you, woman.” Qrow hissed. “Just given birth or not.

“Hey, no fighting.” Tai stood between them. “This is a happy time.”

The twins had made faces at each other, only to dissolve into laughter. Qrow had gone over to hug his sister, kissing her head. Summer smiled at Yang, utterly besotted by her.

“I think you’re perfect,” Summer had murmured. “Just the way you are. Welcome to Remnant, Little Light.”

She had looked around at her team, her family, soul burning with love and passion. This is the reason she fought, why she risked it all to be a Huntsmen, to protect moments like these. No matter how small, or how big, these simple joys made everything worth it. Now, they had so much more to look forward to. Tai and Raven’s wedding, Yang growing up, their team ever growing.

Summer couldn’t wait to see what the future held.

Except, it seemed, the future was never as clear as they expected it to be.

Two weeks post birth, Raven left. She’d waited until Tai returned from a mission briefing, fully clad in her gear, a bag packed, and told him that she could not do this anymore. She was not built for domesticity, for sleepless nights and crying babies. She was the blood of a Branwen, the Tribe built into her bones. She did not belong in a little apartment in Vale, in the throngs of a city. Tai’s begs and pleads had fallen on deaf ears as Raven had placed her engagement ring in his hands, apologized that this was the way things had to be, and kissed him before turning her back on not only her lover and daughter, but on her entire team.

Qrow had raged when he heard the news, disappearing to hunt his sister down to the ends of Remnant and make her pay for breaking Tai’s heart, for abandoning her family. Where Qrow burned quick and hot, Summer simmered, her anger a kindled flame burning brightly in her chest, growing ever larger when Tai sobbed into her shoulder, not understanding what he did wrong, why he and Yang weren’t enough to make her stay. She had held him as he broke down, heart shattered, lost in the sudden whiplash of becoming a single parent when he had expected to spend his days with Raven at his side.

Raven may be okay with turning her back on those who needed her most, but that had never been Summer’s style.

So, as team leader, Summer made the executive decision to move into Tai’s apartment to help him with Yang. It wasn’t perfect, not by any means, but eventually, they’d made it work, a routine sliding into place. It was natural, really, Summer waking every morning to greet Yang in her crib, cradling her in her arms as she fed her a bottle and told all sorts of made up stories that the baby couldn’t possibly follow. Tai would make the two of them breakfast - three, if Qrow had crashed on the floor that night - before one of them had to hurry off to debriefings with Oz, and the other would stay with Yang. So natural, in fact, that if Summer were to be asked when she had fallen in love with Tai, her only answer would be that it was like asking when did one learned to breath, when did the heart learn to beat?

Yang was a year old when Summer and Tai got engaged. Tai had commissioned a custom ring, the band made of golden vines with a diamond set into the heart of a blooming rose. It was the most beautiful ring that Summer had ever seen and she had tackled Tai to the ground before he’d even finished asking the question.

They were married two months later, a small wedding with close friends and family, and Yang dressed as a tiny flower girl. Though, she had no idea what was going on and kept insisting upon putting flowers in her mouth that had Qrow struggling to wrangle her for most of the day. It was a perfect day, Summer unable to stop smiling, tears in her eyes as she basked in the overwhelming wash of love.

It was terrifying, how much she loved, because it meant she just had that much more to lose. Summer never wanted this for herself, never dreamed of such a reality. Yet, now she could not imagine a life without it. It was selfish, she knew, but it also served to make her fight even harder. After all, she had people counting on her.

Only a few days after their wedding did Summer adopt Yang as her own. It wasn’t hard to make Raven face her, to hold out the paper to waive all rights to Yang and have her sign it. Raven had congratulated her on the wedding, but Summer hadn’t said word, merely leaving once her work was done. She had known Raven was there, had seen the black bird in the trees. It made Summer furious that Raven would drop in, check on Yang, check on her and Tai and Qrow as if she cared. As if she hadn’t just ripped their hearts out a year ago, leaving their family to suffer in her absence. Well, Summer refused to dignify her with a response.

Yang was 14 months old when they moved to Patch, into a beautiful two-story cabin at the edge of the woods. It was perfect in every way; a perfect home for their little family. Something just felt right about being closer to nature, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It was calming, and Summer had found herself sitting at the cliff edge just down the path of the house, Yang in her lap as they watched the sunset on the horizon nearly every evening.

It was one such evening when Yang, who had begun to walk and get into all sorts of baby troubles, had looked up at Summer with those big beautiful lilac eyes of hers, and said. “Ma…ma.”

Summer had blinked, utterly in shock, refusing to believe the words she had heard.

“What did you say, baby?” She asked, looking at Yang in awe.

Yang had smiled with her tiny teeth and giggled, snuggling into Summer’s chest. “Mama. Mama.”

Summer didn’t think it was possible for her heart to ever fill as much as it had already, but Yang proved her wrong as her heart grew another several feet in her chest. She had snuggled her and cried, completely and totally blessed to be this perfect little girl’s mother. Summer had never known a greater joy than watching Yang learn to walk, help her to read, listen to her little babbles as she tore up grass beside her and Tai as they tended the back gardens.

Summer had also never known a greater terror than the day she found out she was pregnant.

It was in the middle of a mission of all times, when she and Qrow had saved an old woman from being caught by a pack of Ursa unawares. They had quickly dispatched them and the old woman had thanked them, but warned Summer against pushing herself so hard with a life inside her womb. Neither Huntsmen knew how to process what was said, until they’d brought the woman back to the village and found out she was an expert medicine woman, one that was never wrong. Part of Summer had known she should be excited, a new baby to add to the family, a sibling for Yang, a creation of her and Tai’s love, but all she could feel was bone chilling terror. The full realization of everything she’d been trying to avoid crashing into her at such full force, she had passed out.

Needless to say, Qrow had nearly had a heart attack and it was the one time he and Tai combined efforts to make Oz bane her from missions until the child was born. It was a smart decision, but Summer still thought it was stupid anyway.

Thus, she was stuck at home while Tai took her place on missions, tending to the garden and playing with Yang. The more her stomach grew, so did her terror. The fear that she was making a mistake, bringing this child into the world, everything she’d wanted to avoid coming true. Summer had almost sympathized with Raven’s choice to run away when tiny hands patted her stomach.

Summer had looked down to find Yang patting her swollen bump, giggling to herself.

She couldn’t help softening at her sweet daughter. “What are you doing, huh?”

“Sissy…” Yang cooed, nuzzling Summer’s belly. Summer had been surprised as she and Tai had purposefully decided not to know the gender. Yet, Yang seemed to know, and she loved her and was excited for her to come out to play.

Summer had cried that night, not because of fear, but because for the first time in the pregnancy she had been excited too.

It was almost funny, the way Summer had gone into labor on Halloween. They’d taken Yang, now 2, to a gathering in the park in town where all the little kids went to different stalls for candy. The contractions had been nothing serious, Summer being prone to false contractions given her smaller frame. But the further they’d walked the more painful they became until her water broke and there was no mistaking it then.

Ruby had been born just before midnight, three weeks early and as tiny as could be. Yang had cried the moment she saw her, Summer afraid that she was jealous or upset that maybe Ruby would get more love. She had tried her hardest to raise Yang as her own child, to never let her know the truth, or doubt her love was any less pure. In the end, she had nothing to worry about as Yang had cried because she loved her sister so much and the emotions were too big for her tiny heart to handle.

Yang wouldn’t leave her side the moment they got home from the hospital, and Summer couldn’t help but laugh. Yang was so determined to take care of Ruby, hold her while she had her bottle, help with her baths, pick out her clothes. She even dragged books to Ruby’s bouncy chair to read to her, though she couldn’t read herself.

With Tai’s arms around her and his heart in her ear, the sound of their baby’s laughing nearby, Summer knew that her life had changed, her mission forever altered. Now, it was no longer just about protecting the world, but protecting her world, and the beautiful souls that made it.

Summer Rose was a huntress, but she was also a wife, and a mother, and a best friend, and she would stop at nothing to protect her family.

No matter who she had to face.

Chapter Text

Hey, guys.

I wanted to do another update as I've been watching the livestream and doing my own research into what is going on.

As of right now, apparently, it sounds like Dillon Goo Studios, who worked directly with Monty on the first 3 Volumes of RWBY, has come forward with heavy interest in purchasing the rights to RWBY.

They say that they would continue it from Vol 10 and carry on the rest of the show to give it a proper conclusion. They also said that they would bring in a lot of CRWBY in order to work with them, and many of the animators at the DGS have stated that they would be more than happy to finish the show in Monty's memory.

So, there is some positivity for you all!

We will see how the rights acquisition goes through. In the livestream they stated that they're hoping things will go through as they are, though they didn't give much details on exactly what it was. That said, I'm hoping for the best.

If you can, send a message to Rooster Teeth. Tell them how much RWBY and their company means to you, and just give them some good energy through this tough time.

My heart goes out to the Rooster Teeth crew and all the wonderful things they've done over the last 21 years. Yes, they've had their issues, but they created such a beautiful company, had such a massive impact, and they deserve the love and celebration of 21 years worth of creation and hard work.

Rooster Teeth will be missed dearly.

Chapter Text

They’d been walking for what felt like hours, and snow was now steadily falling faster.

Ruby heaved a wary sigh, huddled under her cloak, the hood up in an attempt to ward off some of the biting chill. She’d give anything to snuggle up against Yang’s side right now, bury her freezing hands into her sister’s long hair to feel the licks of heat when she flared her Aura, but now wasn’t exactly a good time for that. They were all tired and drained from not only the Grimm fight on the train, but the news that had seemingly shattered what little morale they had left. There was a somber air around them, and Ruby couldn’t exactly blame the others for it. She could hardly wrap her mind around it all herself. So, Ozpin had known that Salem was immortal this entire time? He knew what she was planning, he knew what kind of person she had become, and he hadn’t stopped her yet? Why? It didn’t make any sense. But, at the same time, Ruby also felt kind of sorry for Ozpin. How many lives had he lived? How many lifetimes had he gone through, forced to become a protector of all of humanity that he never asked for? He’d said he’s been betrayed more than once, had people turn on him while he tried to battle his fate all alone. No wonder he’d lied to them, kept secrets. He must be so tired of being abandoned, of being turned against. She couldn’t help, but think of the conversation they had had her first day of classes in Beacon. Back then, Ruby was floundering under the pressure of being a leader, let alone dealing with Weiss’s terrible attitude. He had told her how it was the responsibility of a leader to put their team above all else, even themselves. That leaders carried a weight far greater than anyone truly realized.

Now, Ruby wondered if Ozpin had been talking more about himself that day.

“Ungh,” Qrow sighed heavily from up ahead, frowning as he held a hand out at the steadily falling snow. “It doesn’t look like this has any intention of letting up.”

“I just want to get this stupid Lamp to Atlas,” Blake grumbled. “Then be done with it.”

“Let’s just hope we don’t have to walk all the way there,” Weiss snorted sarcastically.

Yang grunted behind Ruby and she looked back at her older sister, seeing her eyes burning red in anger.

“You two can do whatever you want,” Yang huffed as she pushed Bumblebee. “But Ruby and I are going home.”

“Yang…” Ruby murmured.

“Not a debate, Ruby,” Yang said sternly. She let out an annoyed huff, glancing at Maria mockingly. “Thought trails led somewhere, huh?”

“Do you have nothing better to do than harass a defenseless old lady?” Maria shot back from her perch on the bike with a sickly-sweet tone.

Yang scowled, rolling her eyes as she kept pushing the bike. Ruby heaved a sigh, adjusting the backpack on her back. She was glad they’d rummaged through the cargo of the train before leaving, at least. They’d managed to find the car that had their rooms, grabbing their bags and any blankets, ammo, and supplies they could find. Ruby still had her gifts for her friends stowed away in her backpack. Though, she’d wished she’d had a chance to give it to them before now. It might have made things a little better.

A strong wind cut through the air and they all groaned under the biting cold. Ruby winced as she felt the skin around her prosthetic port ache. She hoped since Yang’s jacket covered hers, she’d be alright. There was still a pit of guilt in her stomach for not being there when Yang got her prosthetic arm. She said it was alright, but Ruby didn’t think it was fair. Yang had been by her side for everything when she’d lost her leg. She’d helped with the phantom pains, helped her learn to walk again, supported her through thick and thin. While Ruby had just…left…when her sister needed her most. Granted, they had gotten into a huge fight, and Yang had said some pretty mean things that Ruby knew she didn’t actually mean, but Ruby had genuinely thought that Yang didn’t want her there, that she was a burden hindering her sisters care. Still…she should have done something, stayed, been there for her. Sometimes, Ruby didn’t know if she was a good sister. She felt like she could never help Yang the way she helped her, and she didn’t know what to do. How do you get someone to let you in, when they’re convinced they’re strong enough to carry it all alone?

She really didn’t want to think about that, right now. Ruby’s head was pounding behind her eyes and she felt a bit nauseous. It was probably from dealing with so much so fast, and lingering effects from the magic. The way her body had shut down so quickly under Ozpin’s spell was a bit scary. Ruby had always thought magic in stories was romantic and amazing, but this…she could deal without.

Ruby’s shoulders drooped. She was so tired. Everything ached. She just wanted a hot meal and to go to sleep. She could already feel her Aura waning, and at this point, so was she.

Suddenly, her foot caught on a rock buried in the snow and she yelped, flailing, before face planting into the snow.

“Ruby?” Yang called worriedly.

Ruby groaned, slowly sitting up. She held her head, the world spinning slightly. Stupid rock. Stupid snow. Stupid everything. Maybe going home wouldn’t be such a terrible idea, after all.

Blake dropped to her knees beside her, concern lacing her tone as she set a hand on Ruby’s knee. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine…” Ruby murmured.

Blake frowned. Ruby looked up at her tiredly and Blake’s brows furrowed, concern etching her face further. Her hand slipped into the hood, finding Ruby’s forehead with the practiced ease of nearly a year looking after her as a secondary big sister.

“Ruby,” Blake breathed, “You’re burning up.”

“Wait, is her fever back?” Yang asked worriedly.

“Just our luck”. Weiss sighed.

“I’m fine.” Ruby repeated as she weakly waved Blake off. “Really. I just…need a second…”

Blake, however, didn’t seem too keen on letting Ruby brush her off. She took off her own backpack, swinging it around to her chest, before she knelt so her back was too Ruby.

“Come on,” she said.

Ruby frowned. “Blake, I can-“

“Wasn’t a request, Ruby.” Blake said sternly, before offering a gentler look over her shoulder. “You can help keep me warm, okay?”

Ruby grumbled, but hooked her arms around Blake’s shoulders, letting the older girl secure her legs around her hips as she stood. It was kind of nice to be off her foot, her leg throbbing slightly. She sighed, throwing her cloak around Blake’s shoulders as well and burrowing her cold nose into Blake’s neck. It wasn’t long before they continued on, Ruby letting her eyes fall shut, half-drifting as she listened to the others bicker and grumble. There was a distant squeak, the sound reverberating through the air, and Ruby startled.

“Quiet!” She snapped at the others, and everyone fell silent immediately. “Do you hear that?”

Qrow tipped his head, seemingly catching the squeak as well. “This way.”

It didn’t take them long to follow a secondary path, coming upon a massive farm settlement, an arch overhead reading Brunswick Farms, and the gate left open to swing noisily on its hinges in the wind.

“Well,” Yang sighed. “It’s better than nothing.”

“I don’t know,” Qrow murmured despite going to hold the gate open for them. “I don’t have a good feeling about this place. Stay on your guard.”

As everyone passed through, he cast an uncertain look around the forest, before following close behind.

———

Qrow kicked the door in to the main house, everyone rushing in with weapons at the ready.

It was silent. Not a soul around. It didn’t make any sense.

“I don’t understand.” Ruby murmured, collapsing Crescent Rose as she ran a hand through her hair, knocking her hood down. “All the abandoned towns we passed through were damaged, or unfinished. This place looks perfectly okay, though. Why would it be abandoned?”

“Maybe they decided to leave before things got bad?” Weiss suggested.

“Could have been money issues,” Blake reasoned as she holstered Gambol Shroud. “A lot of smaller rural towns struggle with self-sufficiency if they don’t have a good relationship established with another well off town or city nearby when hard times fall.”

Maria shut the door behind her as she waddled in. “Whatever the reason, we need to get this place warm.”

“I saw a chimney outside,” Blake said. “So there should be a fireplace.”

“In here,” Oscar said from the threshold of a nearby room. “It looks…like a study?”

“Good, you get that fire going, boy.” Maria said, before turning her robotic eyes on Ruby, “And you, girl, you need to sit down before you make your health worse.”

Ruby frowned tiredly at her. “I’m fine.”

“You’re not.” Yang came over to set her hands on Ruby’s shoulders, looking down at her tired, glazed silver eyes and flushed cheeks. “Leave the rest to us. Go with Oscar and sit by the fire to get warm.”

Ruby looked like she wanted to argue, but Yang gave her a gentle push towards Oscar before she could. Ruby grumbled. Oscar offered her his arm for support and she laced hers with his, following hm into the study.

“I’ll go look for some more blankets.” Weiss said. “We should bundle up for the night.”

“Yang, go with her.” Qrow grunted.

Yang shot her uncle a look, before she followed Weiss up the stairs. Blake looked around the foyer, slowly walking over to the large portraits on the wall.

“What do you think happened here?” Blake asked Qrow hesitantly.

Qrow glanced at the portraits, sighing. “I don’t know, but I don’t exactly have a good feeling about this place. Especially, not with me around.”

Twin screams sounded from upstairs, Blake’s heart going into her throat.

“Yang! Weiss!” She cried, rushing for the stairs. Ruby was scrambling out of the study behind her, Oscar, Maria, and Qrow close behind. They rushed to an open door in the upstairs hall, Blake seeing Weiss and Yang on the floor, trembling.
“What-“ she paused, freezing as her eyes widened in horror at the sight of the two corpses lying in their bed.

“Oh, no…” Ruby breathed, and Blake saw Oscar take a protective half-step in front of Ruby.

Well, this…this was not good.

Blake moved forward to coax Weiss and Yang out of the room quickly as Qrow shut the door tightly behind them. They all made their way back down to the study, a grim silence befalling the group. Weiss migrated to the fire, sitting down close to warm herself up as she shivered.

“You kids stay here,” Qrow ordered, making his way to the door. “I’m gonna go check out the other houses. See what the hell is going on.”

No one argued. As Qrow opened the door, he had to put up an arm to protect himself from the blast of chilled air that came in. The storm outside was getting worse, the steady flurries that had followed them to the settlement were now becoming a blizzard. Ugh, Blake hated the cold. Qrow disappeared into the storm and they quickly shut the door behind him. Oscar sighed, making his way back into the study to help stoke the fire. Blake, on the other hand, fetched a blanket from one of their bags, draping it over Weiss’s shoulders with a soft squeeze of comfort. She turned to Yang who was guiding Ruby to sit down on the couch, letting her sister lean into her. Ruby wasn’t looking good, panting softly and face pinched in pain. Yang’s hand rubbed at the skin around Ruby’s port, talking softly to her. Ruby seemed to shake her head at something Yang said, laying her head against her older sister’s shoulder tiredly.

“Blake,” she turned back to Weiss who was looking up at her. “Grab me my case for a second, please.”

Blake nodded, getting Weiss’s metal case and bringing it over. Weiss flicked it open, rummaging around inside until she found a familiar bottle. The medicine that Ren had made.

“You kept it?” Blake sighed in relief. “Oh, thank goodness.”

“Of course, I kept it.” Weiss said, closing her case. “Jaune isn’t the only one that should have a medical kit. I’ve been building one since the Battle at Haven.”

She measured out a cap full of the medicine, before handing it to Blake. Blake took it carefully and came over to the sisters, kneeling in front of Ruby. She was starting to doze off against Yang, shivering slightly. The elder sister gently shook her, making Ruby blink her eyes open slightly.

“Huh?” she murmured.

“Here, Ruby. Take this. It’ll help you feel better.” Blake said softly, holding the cap to her mouth before she could see what it was and tipping it in as soon as her lips parted.

Ruby’s hair nearly stood straight up, jerking back as she swallowed it on instinct and covered her mouth, shuddering.

“Ugh!” she whined. “Ew. Ew. Not that stuff again!”

“It helps.” Yang said, rubbing her back in soothing circles.

Oscar came over, holding out a pack of peanut butter crackers from his bag. “Here, I have some of these”.

“Thanks.” Yang took the pack and broke it open, handing one to Ruby who shoved it in her mouth just as fast, shuddering as she tried to get the bitter taste out of her mouth. Yang shot a glance to Blake, softening as she gave her a nod of thanks. Blake had to fight the smile that threatened to overtake her lips, nodding in return. She came back to Weiss’s side where she was already inputting the dosage into her Scroll, recapping the bottle.

“Do you…still have all of our files on your Scroll?” Blake asked.

Weiss didn’t looked up, but Blake could see the blush at the edges of her cheeks. “Of course, I do. They’re in desperate need of an update, though.”

Blake smiled slightly. “We’ll get on that as soon as we get to Argus.”

Yang coaxed Ruby to eat the rest of the package of crackers, despite her sister’s insistence that one was enough and they should share the rest with the others. Oscar dissuaded her worries by pulling two more packs from his bag, giving one to Blake. He went to hand the other one to Yang, but she shook her head.

“You and the old lady split it.” She said. “Qrow and I will be fine for now.”

“Yang,” Ruby argued. “At least take some of mine. Please.”

Yang sighed. “Alright, Ruby. But you have to eat the rest.”

Ruby nodded, handing two of the crackers to Yang. Oscar saved two for Qrow as he returned, shuddering from the cold.

“It’s freezing out there,” he grumbled, coming to kneel by the fire. Oscar handed him the two crackers, and Qrow was surprised, but ate them quickly without complaint.

“Verdict on this hellhole of a place?” Yang asked, letting Ruby lean against her for warmth.

Qrow swallowed, sighing heavily. “Same thing. Every house I went to, the people were dead in their beds. No signs of a Grimm, though.”

“Seriously?” Yang asked, frowning in concern.

Weiss turned to Qrow. “We aren’t…we aren’t staying here then, right?”

“Got no choice, kid.” Qrow said reluctantly. “Storms getting too bad out there, we’d freeze to death before we even figured out which way Argus was. Even if we could, Ruby isn’t in any condition to travel.”

“I’m alright,” Ruby insisted. She stood, putting on a dimmer version of her usual smile. “Look, if the place wasn’t abandoned, then I’m sure there must be supplies we can use.”

“Right,” Oscar piped up with her. “There could even be a car to help us get to the city faster.”

Qrow heaved a sigh, standing up. “Alright. I’ll go check the other buildings, see if I can’t find anything. But I don’t want any of you going around here alone, got it?”

“Uh, Yang and I could check the storage shed?” Blake offered, pressing her ears down.

Yang cast her a look, before she pulled herself up from the couch. “Yeah, I’ll go.”

As the three of them ventured out into the storm, Ruby watched them go with a worried look. She turned to see Weiss wrapped in the blanket, standing at the threshold of the study.

“Um…” Ruby rubbed the back of her neck. “We could go search for food?”

Weiss scowled. “Ruby, you really need to rest.”

“I’ll be okay.” Ruby insisted. “Really. The medicine is already helping.”

Weiss still didn’t look convinced, but she sighed and tossed her blanket to the couch, trailing further into the house with her. They passed through a kitchen that was pretty bare bones, the tap didn’t even work. They were going to have to boil some of the snow to get drinking water, and use some of the water bottles they’d nabbed from the train. Ruby took out her Scroll, using the flashlight function to help as they wandered into a darker room.

“Hold on.” Weiss pulled out Myrtenaster and held up the tip, flames bouncing off as they found any nearby wick to cast the room in light.

Ruby watched in awe, until she realized the room they were in was filled with bottles. She cringed, making a disgusted face.

“That’s…a lot of alcohol,” she murmured. “Maybe…maybe we should keep this room sealed off.”

Weiss frowned. “Why?”

“It’s just…” Ruby shrugged, fiddling with the edge of her skirt. “My uncle doesn’t seem to be handling this well. He…he tends to drink a lot, when he’s sad. And I don’t think it’ll be good for him to have the temptation.”

Weiss set a hand on her shoulder comfortingly. “Okay, I understand.”

Ruby smiled slightly at her, before they continued on. There was another room just beyond that had more alcohol in it, but no candles to be lit. Ruby turned back on her flashlight, looking around. On the floor was a large cellar door, chained closed.

“Ugh, a wine cellar?” Weiss set a hand on her hip. “These people were a little excessive.”

“It seems.” Ruby said, looking up. “There must be a pantry storage some-oh!”

She dashed over to the side, beaming. “Weiss, look! Food!”

Ruby held out a can from the shelf.

Weiss looked disgusted. “Canned food?”

“Oh, don’t worry,” Ruby waved her off. “Put enough salt on anything, and it’ll taste just fine. Got through a lot of Yang’s failed cooking at the start that way.”

Weiss rolled her eyes good-naturedly, before coming over to help her gather some of the cans, and a small bag of flour, salt, and what looked like leveling.

“Hey, uh…can I ask you something?” Weiss murmured softly.

“Of course.” Ruby smiled, using the end of her cloak to help hold things. “You can always talk to me about anything.”

“Should we really worry about going to Atlas?” She asked. “I mean…why should we bother when it isn’t going to make a deference?”

Ruby looked at her in surprise. “Weiss…you can’t really mean that. Of course, it’ll make a deference. We can’t let Salem get ahold of the relics.”

“I know, I just…” Weiss sighed, shaking her head. “Never mind, forget I said anything. I’m just…really tired, and this place gives me the creeps.”

“I’m right there with you.” Ruby snorted. “I’ll be a lot happier when we get Argus. I hope JNR is okay.”

“They’re strong,” Weiss reassured as they headed out. “They’ll be just fine.”

“Right.” Ruby smiled as she followed her. “So will we.”

Neither of the girls saw the cellar door jostle behind them.

———

Yang pushed open the shed door with a grunt, she and Blake slipping inside before she closed it again to block out the chill. The shed was pretty bare, mostly just equipment for the farm. They split up a bit, looking around the shelves. Blake noticed the blue tractor in the corner, snorting.

“Don’t think that’s street legal, huh?” Blake teased, looking at Yang.

“Yeah,” Yang said distractedly, “Very funny.”

Blake frowned. Yang moved ahead, looking over the shelves for anything useful. She turned a corner, perking.

“Hey, I found something.” Yang called, walking over to the wagon. “We can use this to hook to Bumblebee and get to Argus faster.”

She looked up, catching her reflection in the mirror. The wind howled outside and then the reflection flashed to show Adam swinging his sword in her direction. Yang yelped, jumping back.

“What!?” Blake ran over, looking around. “What’s wrong?”

Yang shook her head, squeezing her eyes shut as her heart raced in her chest. Ugh, get it together, woman. She was a Xiao Long-Rose. She was stronger than some petty nightmares. Yang felt her flesh hand start trembling, grabbing her wrist to try and steady her hand.

“I-I’m fine,” she murmured, more to herself than Blake. Yang cleared her throat. “I just…I still get flashes, from that night. They catch me off guard sometimes.”

“I know what you mean.” Blake murmured. “I always feel like the second I turn around, he’s going to be there:”

Yang swallowed, looking at Blake. “Do you…do you think Adam’s still out there?”

“Probably?” Blake shrugged, worrying her lip between her teeth. “He’s strong, and smart, but he can be careless due to his ego. He wouldn’t go back to the White Fang, they’d turn on him too quickly. So if he does anything else, it’ll be on his own. I don’t know where he could be, though.”

“I was afraid of that.” Yang murmured, looking down.

Blake took a step forward, both hands taking Yang’s flesh one in hand as it stopped shaking. Yang looked at her in surprise, and Blake smiled slightly.

“I don’t plan on going anywhere,” Blake said earnestly. “I promise, if he ever does show up, I’ll be right here. I won’t run away ever again.”

Yang smiled back at her, closing her fingers to squeeze her hand. Her heart felt a little lighter, Blake’s promise warming something in her. It was still hard to trust her partner, to release that hurt, but maybe, just maybe, they’d be able to start moving forward. Together.

“I’ll be here to protect you.” Yang’s smile fell as soon as those words left her mouth. Protect her? Yang didn’t need protection. Not from Blake. Certainly, not because of Adam. Gods, was that what Blake saw her as now? Some weak and fragile girl that needed protecting? Did she just pity her? The poor armless brawler, needing to be rescued? No. Yang would never need someone to rescue her, because she would be the one to save herself. She wasn’t some damsel to be protected.

Yang growled, pulling her hand away from Blake. She turned away, taking a deep breath. “It doesn’t matter, anyway. Ruby and I are going home, and I’m never leaving Parch again once we do.”

“Yang…” Blake tried to speak, but Yang headed for the door.

“Come on,” she grumbled. “Mission fucking accomplished…”

———

It would seem that Maria was not as defenseless as Yang had previously thought.

Qrow had returned from his search with a few healthy potatoes, and a rabbit that had been hiding from the storm in another storage shed. Maria had made use of one of the pots from the kitchen, boiling some of the snow down to water and ordering Oscar around to peel potatoes and skin the rabbit to make a stew with what they’d gathered.

Yang watched them idly as she sat on the floor, Ruby lying between her legs, head pillowed on Yang’s chest and bundled in her cloak, as well as a blanket, finally dozing off. Yang rubbed circles into Ruby’s back, helping to soothe her in her sleep. She always had terrible nightmares when she was feverish, and this house wasn’t exactly the most relaxing of places to be forced to sleep. Yang didn’t much care right now. All they had to do was get through the night and they’d be gone by morning.

She was so tired.

Qrow knelt down beside Yang, pulling her attention to him. He frowned worriedly, glancing at Ruby panting softly against her chest.

“How’s the Pipsqueak holding up?” he asked softly.

Yang glanced down at Ruby, then at him. “As well as she can, I guess. Do you think…could this be a reaction to what that bastard did to her?”

Qrow glanced at Oscar who was busy helping Maria knead some of the flour in a bowl. He turned back to Yang, shaking his head.

“Nah, magic can make someone tired, maybe a little queasy, but not this. You said she wasn’t feeling well a few days ago when we first got on the train, right?” he asked.

Yang nodded. “Yeah, low grade fever. We gave her some of Ren’s medicine and it broke by morning. Hoping it’ll work now, too.”

Qrow nodded. He combed a hand through Ruby’s hair, pressing a kiss to her head, and one to Yang’s as well.

“Hey,” Yang murmured as he started to stand. “How are you doing with all this?”

He snorted. “Could be better, Firecracker.”

“I get what you mean.” she sighed.

Qrow slipped out of the room, Yang knowing it was so he didn’t sit too close and risk his Semblance. It was the story of her and Ruby’s childhood. She pressed a kiss to Ruby’s hair, holding her as she slept. Her uncle only returned when the stew and flat bread was ready, a bottle of wine in hand that made her frown.

Maria dished some out to them in whatever bowls or cups they could find in the kitchen. It wasn’t the best in the world, but it was decent for what they’d been able to scrounge together, at least. Yang had to coax Ruby awake to get her to sip some of the broth and eat some of the flat bread. She was struggling so hard to stay awake, Yang didn’t force her to eat too much, letting her settle back into sleep.

“Here.” Weiss said, bringing over a damp strip of fabric to lay over Ruby’s forehead and eyes to help block the light and cool her fever. Yang smiled at her slightly in thanks.

The ice queen sat on her knees nearby, rubbing her arm uncertainly. “Yang, could I…ask you something?”

“Of course.” Yang murmured, taking a bite out of the flatbread she’d been feeding pieces of to Ruby.

Weiss shifted nervously, looking down. “Are you…really planning to return to Patch?”

Yang swallowed, nodding. “Yeah…yeah, I am. This isn’t a war that Ruby, nor I signed up for. The chance of them getting a Relic from Vacuo, let alone Atlas, is slim to none. Nothing will probably happen within our lifetimes anyway. There’s no reason we have to be the ones to risk our lives for this shit.”

Weiss nodded in agreement. “I see. Would it…I mean, would you mind if…if I came with you?”

Yang arched a brow. “You want to come back with us?”

“I don’t know where else to go.” She admitted, fidgeting with her skirt. “I just know I can’t go back to Atlas. Not alone. Not after I…not after I escaped.”

Yang softened. “Yeah. I don’t think it’ll be a problem.”

Weiss smiled slightly at her before going back to her seat. Yang’s eyes caught Blake’s across the room, the way her ears pressed down. Yang looked away quickly. She couldn’t do this now. Not after everything.

She was too tired for this.

———

Somewhere in the house, a bottle clattered to the floor, and Ruby woke with a choked off cry.

She bolted upright, looking around, until she realized where they were, memories of last night slowly coming back. The fire had long since gone out, allowing a chill to settle into the house once more. Yang was snoring loudly beside her, seemingly having rolled onto her back at some point in the night. Oscar, Blake, and Weiss were curled up with their own blankets, and Maria was asleep in the chair she’d taken residence in as she read the journals of the house. Ruby sighed, setting a hand to her chest as she tried to calm her racing heart, covering her mouth with the back of her wrist to muffle her coughs. She didn’t feel great, but at least she was a little more rested than the day before. Sunlight was spilling into the room from the curtains, giving hope that at least they’d finally be able to get out of this creepy place.

Ruby pulled herself up from the floor, wincing at the aches in her body, the throbbing in her port. What she wouldn’t give for a hot bath and a good bed right now. She just needed to hold on a little longer. The young leader made her way to the window, throwing the curtains open. She smiled at the sunlight engulfing her frame, the clear skies proof of the storm’s passage and their way to Argus secured.

Behind her, Weiss groaned, rolling away from the light. “Ngh, close the window…”

Ruby smiled slightly at her best friend, never one for early morning wake ups. She made her way out to the foyer, finding Uncle Qrow asleep in the chair he’d taken up for nighttime watch. If she remembered right, Yang had said something about him waking them up around sunrise. Guess that was out of the question. She noticed the wine bottles scattered about the floor, a sick feeling settling into her stomach. Great, he’d found the storage room. No wonder he didn’t wake them. Had he even been able to do a proper watch last night? They didn’t know what could have caused the deaths of the settlement, and he had spent his time getting drunk when they had trusted him to keep them safe?

Anger boiled inside her chest. Anger and resentment and betrayal and pain, a maelstrom of emotions that burned hot as coals. It wasn’t fair. Why did all the adults in her life keep failing? Why did they always have to shut down when things got bad? First Dad, then Ozpin, now Qrow? Didn’t they ever realize that they weren’t the only ones hurting? Ruby never asked to enter this war. She just wanted to go to school and be a huntress. She just wanted to protect people, like Mom did. She didn’t ask to fight an immortal witch. She didn’t ask to have her life shattered by cruel villains who only wanted power for themselves, and damned anyone that got in their way.

Blake was right. Life was nothing like a fairy tale. At least in fairy tales, the hero didn’t have to deal with so much alone.

Ruby took up one of the wine bottles, her hands starting to shake, teeth gritting as she tried to force the tears welling in her eyes back. She glanced at her sleeping uncle, before she chucked the bottle against the far wall as hard as she could. It exploded on impact and Qrow jerked up, snorting as he woke.

“Huh?” He slurred. “What?”

“It’s morning, Uncle Qrow.” Ruby snapped. “You didn’t wake us.”

He squinted at the light, rubbing his eyes. “Oh…right…morning, yeah…”

Ruby clenched her hands into fists at her sides, squeezing them so hard her knuckles went white. She sighed heavily, dropping her hands. She wanted to get angry. She wanted to rage at him, but she was just…too tired.

Instead, she came over to hug him.

“Uncle Qrow,” Ruby murmured. “It’s okay to talk to us, you know? Yang and I are here for you. You don’t have to deal with everything alone.”

Qrow sighed as well, patting her side. He then tugged her closer, pulling Ruby into his lap as he sat back in the chair. She went willingly, curling up into his lap and laying her head on his shoulder like she always did as a little girl. Even though he reeked of alcohol, she could still smell some of his cologne against his collar, nuzzling her nose into it. He smelled of home, of early mornings in Patch when she and Yang would burst into the guest room and tackle Qrow on the bed. Of afternoon training sessions. Of family nights, when Qrow and Dad came home from Signal with pizza and ice cream and she and Yang would snuggle up between them to watch movies late into the night together.

Gods, she missed home. She missed Zwei. She missed her dad, so much.

“I was thinking last night,” Qrow murmured, holding her close. “It’s time I get you girls home to your dad.”

Ruby’s heart sunk slightly. She pulled back, looking at him with a frown.

“Uncle Qrow…” she murmured.

He shook his head. “No. I’m serious, Ruby. This isn’t…this isn’t how things were supposed to be. Your mom would never have wanted this, for either of you. I can’t go against her like that. Not now. Not after everything.”

“We have to get the Lamp to Atlas.” Ruby argued. “We can’t let Salem get it.”

“I’ll take it to Atlas myself.” Qrow grumbled. “Or throw it into the ocean. We have two questions left. Maybe find out how to destroy it. Either way, it’s my mess. You girls aren’t cleaning it up.”

Ruby opened her mouth to argue, but was cut off as she turned her head away, coughing into her sleeve. Qrow rubbed her back soothingly, moving his other hand to her forehead.

“Still a bit warm, Pipsqueak.” Qrow coaxed her up as he stood with a grunt, stretching out the kinks in his back. He groaned. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

Ruby didn’t like the deflection, but decided they could talk more about it later.

“Let’s go.”

———

Getting everyone awake was a far harder task than it should have been.

Ruby didn’t know what was going on with everyone. It was like morale had dropped to an all time low. Everyone was so lethargic, pulling themselves along like they were on autopilot. Maybe it was just from poor sleep? The floor hadn’t exactly been comfortable.

Weiss got a ball baring welded to the edge of the hook up rigging they’d managed to cobble together from some scraps of metal in the shed. Yang hooked it to Bumblebee, and Ruby helped Qrow push the wagon forward so everything was connected.

“It’s ready.” Weiss said.

“Good,” Yang murmured. “Then we can get out of here”.

“Won’t be long now until we get to Argus.” Qrow grunted, setting a foot on the tire of the wagon. Not a second later, the tire on the other side burst, deflating within seconds and causing the entire thing to sag. They all watched in horror, before Qrow let out a frustrated cry and stormed off.

“Oh, great.” Yang groaned.

“I’m too tired to deal with this right now.” Weiss rubbed her temples.

Oscar slumped against the rail of the porch stairs, elbow propped on his knee with his cheek in his hand. “Can we just go back to bed?”

“Maybe if we’re all so tired, we should make breakfast?” Blake suggested.

Oscar side-eyed her. “You feel like making it?”

“Not really.” she murmured.

Yang heaved a sigh, going over to sit on the ground against the well. “I’m starting to think the universe just doesn’t want us getting to Argus.”

“It’s just a flat tire, Yang.” Ruby reasoned, “I’m sure there is a spare in the shed.”

“It’s not just that,” Yang argued. “Finding out about Salem, about Ozpin’s lies, it’s just…it feels like everything is against us.”

“We can’t just back down now.” Ruby pointed out.

“We signed up to save the world.” Oscar pointed out. “Not delay the inevitable.”

“I was thinking about it last night,” Weiss admitted, rubbing her arm. “Why are we bothering going to Atlas? Why not just…bury the Relic where she can’t find it? Be done and go on with our lives”.

“Weiss, what are you talking about?” Ruby frowned.

“She has a point.” Yang stood up, looking at Ruby dully. “We could throw the Lamp in the well, or bury it somewhere. Salem knew the relics were in the schools behind these massive protective doors, but…how long would it take her to find it in the middle of nowhere?”

“But the Grimm…” Ruby murmured.

“Sure, they could find it eventually, but more than likely not in our lifetime.” Yang sighed. “Then, it wouldn’t be our problem anymore.”

“I agree.” Blake said as she came over.

“So do I.” Weiss said.

Ruby unhooked the Relic from her hip, looking at it uncertainly. No one else knew the passcode to summon Jinn. They could toss it. Go home. She could see Dad again. Maybe Ruby could just go work at Signal as a training instructor, help curb the local Grimm. It would be simpler life, an easier life.

Mom wouldn’t mind, right?

“I am…pretty tired…” Ruby murmured, feeling a bit sleepy, her mind foggy and slow. She went to the well, holding the Lamp over the mouth. It would be so easy. Just let go and be done. She could go home. This could all end. Her hand shook. She tried to let go, but she…she couldn’t. It wasn’t right. None of this was right.

Ruby went to pull her hand back when red eyes flashed up at her from the well. She jerked back with a cry, but her hand slipped on the Lamp. She scrambled, trying to grab it. The Lamp tumbled out of her hold and went clattering into the well below.

“No!” Ruby yelped. She slumped against the well, panic spiraling through her as she held her temples. “Nononono, I didn’t mean to!”

“Ruby,” Weiss sighed in muted annoyance.

“There was something down there!” She insisted, turning to her friends. “It was looking at me!”

Ruby turned back to the well, looking tentatively down into the blackness, almost afraid to see those piercing red eyes again. What was she going to do? She had to get the Lamp back, but something was down there. Could it be a Grimm? Could it be whatever killed the settlement?

Yang approached her, setting a hand on Ruby’s shoulder. “Hey, it’s okay. You just said you were tired. Come on, let’s go.”

“What’s wrong with you?” Ruby snapped, smacking her sister’s hand away as she turned on her in anger. “We can’t go without the Lamp. Ugh, what was I thinking? How could this have happened?”

“All we have to worry about is getting the tire fixed and get out of here.” Qrow said, taking a swig from his flask. “Hey, Farm Boy, go check if there is a spare in the shed.”

Ruby’s blood was nearly boiling. What had gotten into everyone? Why were they acting so apathetic about all of this? She turned to Yang, glaring fiercely.

“I am not leaving without the Lamp!” She yelled.

“I’ll go with you.” Blake sighed, shoulders slumped tiredly.

Weiss stepped forward. “We’ll all go together.”

“Fine!” Qrow groaned, hefting himself up as he sulked to the house. “Get the stupid lamp. Oscar, fix the stupid tire.”

“And where are you going?” Maria asked from her perch on the stairs.

Qrow shook his nearly empty flask at her. “Where do you think?”

She rolled her mechanical eyes, scowling.

“Stupid man,” she hissed.

Ruby couldn’t exactly disagree with her, though now was not the time to worry about it. She hoped up against the well, swallowing thickly, before dropping down into the darkness. Yang followed close behind, Weiss and Blake after. They landed in shin-deep water, a steady current flowing around them. Ruby looked around, but didn’t see the Lamp.

“Where is it?” She frowned. “It should be right here.”

“The current probably carried it off.” Yang said. She pulled out her Scroll to turn on the flashlight. Ruby followed suit.

The four of them made their way through the waterway, but there was still no sight of the relic. Ruby couldn’t believe she’d done something so stupid. She’d just felt so tired, but it didn’t make sense. Nothing in this place made sense. She just wanted to get out of here as soon as possible. They rounded another corner, again with no luck. The tunnels seemed almost endless.

“Come on, it has to be here.” Ruby grumbled. She covered her mouth as she coughed a few times, a chilled shudder running through her.

Yang set a hand on her back. “Ruby, just forget about it. You really need to rest. You’re making yourself sicker like this.”

Ruby brushed her sister off with a glare, continuing forward. They followed, albeit reluctantly. She was worried at their lack of response, especially Yang. What was happening to everyone?

“Come on, come on,” Ruby murmured under her breath.

“Try turning the lights off and look for the glow?” Blake suggested.

Ruby frowned, uncertain, but it was the best bet right now. “Maybe…”

She and Yang turned off their Scrolls. Ruby pulled out Crescent Rose, locking a round in place just in case. They continued on and up ahead she saw the familiar blue glow of the relic inside the mouth of another tunnel.

“There!” Ruby holstered her weapon and rushed forward, rounding the corner. The relic sat in the water, bobbing along the current. She quickly grabbed it before it could get any further away.

“Guys!” She called back happily. “I found it. We can-“

A low groan sounded in front of her. Ruby paused, slowly looking up. Her eyes widened in horror, a horde of humanoid looking Grimm standing before her. Several of their heads turned towards her, jaws hanging open and red eyes flashing.

Ruby screamed.

———

Ruby’s scream of terror smacked Yang in the face harder than any fist.

She shook her head, clearing the strange fog that had taken control of her. In its place was pure fear, heart pounding in her throat at the sound of her sister’s voice.

“Ruby!?” Yang cried, running forward with Blake and Weiss hot on her heels.

Ruby screamed again, the sound something that was going to haunt her nightmares. Up ahead, her sister came scrambling out of the tunnel she’d gone in, skin as pale as a ghost and pure terror in her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Blake asked worriedly.

Ruby shook her head, running towards them.

“Run!” she ordered. “Now!”

Yang looked behind Ruby, eyes widening when she saw the horde of Grimm stalking their way out of the tunnel. She cursed, grabbing Ruby’s arm and pulling her forward as they all turned tail. The Grimm continued to spill out towards them, a deafening cry making them all stumble and fall.

“Ugh!” Blake groaned. “What…is this?”

“My body…feels so heavy…” Yang grunted.

Ruby looked behind them to see the beasts gaining and she sprang up, throwing her cloak out over her friends. In seconds they all vanished, shooting forward and down the path they’d came. They burst around another corner, taking a sharp turn, before Ruby suddenly dropped them out of Petal Burst. She stumbled forward, falling to her knees on solid ground as she coughed and gagged. Yang had just enough time to shake the dizziness off before she lunged to pull Ruby’s hair back just as her sister wretched against the rocks of the cave.

“What…what the fuck were those things?” Blake gasped, helping an equally frazzled Weiss up.

“I don’t know.” Yang said, rubbing Ruby’s back. “I-I’ve never seen Grimm like that before.”

Ruby heaved again, coughing as she gagged. Yang winced rubbing her back. “We gotta get out of here. Come on, Rubes. I got ya.”

She nodded, panting heavily as she spit and wiped her mouth on her sleeve. Ruby trembled as she stood with Yang’s help, her arm around her sister’s shoulders.

“This way!” Yang turned to see Maria standing in the mouth of a nearby tunnel. “Hurry!”

How she found them was beyond her, but Yang wasn’t about to question it. They quickly followed her, more of those Grimm pouring out of the other tunnels. Blake pulled out Gambol Shroud to shoot a few of them, but it had almost no effect.

“Why are there so many!?” She cried.

“They’re called Apathy!” Maria called over her shoulder. “They travel in large packs. I’ve never seen so many of them under a settlement though.”

Yang growled. “Fuck this place.”

“My thoughts exactly.” Maria agreed.

The Grimm let out another cry and they all groaned, collapsing once more. Yang grunted, pulling Ruby close to shield her, glancing over her shoulder to see the Grimm getting closer. She had to dig deep for an extra reserve of strength, hefting herself and Ruby up. Ruby stumbled to Blake’s prone form as Yang went to help Weiss and Maria.

“Blake, come on!” Ruby tried to pull the cat Faunus up, but Blake was limp.

“It’s fine…” she murmured. “Just…just go.”

The Grimm were getting closer, Ruby’s breathing picking up as tears rolled down her face in fear. Yang turned, seeing just how close the beasts were and made to lunge for her sister and teammate, when Ruby screamed.

“NO!” Her silver eyes flashed brightly, a burst of white light sparking through the cave. The Grimm shied away, retreating a bit.

Blake gasped, shaking herself back into focus. “What? I…”

“Come on!” Yang ordered, grabbing her other arm as she and Ruby yanked her up, hurrying after the others.

“What just happened!?” Maria demanded.

“I-I don’t know!” Ruby cried. “It just…the light happens sometimes. I don’t understand it.”

“This way!” Weiss motioned them towards a set of stairs. Yang ran ahead, getting up to the top. She shoved at the doors, growling.

“It’s locked!”

Yang slammed her fist into the door, barely budging. Oh, fuck this. She was not letting her team die down here. She punched the wood again, and again, feeling it crack under her hits. She was about to unleash another, when that scream cut through. Yang hissed, yelping as she tumbled down the stairs. She ended up on her back at the bottom, groaning low.

“Ruby!” Maria demanded, crawling over to the girl that was lying on her side. She pushed her onto her back, placing her head in her lap. “Listen to me, child, focus. What color are your eyes?”

“My…eyes…?” Ruby murmured distantly. “They…they’re silver…”

Maria gasped. She looked up at the Grimm, then at Ruby. “Think, child. The people you love, the people who love you. Hold them in your mind. Think about that love. Think about your desire to protect them. Hurry.”

Another cry tore through them, the girls writhing under the suffocating pressure. Yang groaned, trying to reach out for Weiss who had collapsed at the top of the stairs. Ruby coughed, kicking her leg as she whimpered.

“You must…” Maria gasped, half-slumped. “Hurry. Humanity is precious…it is something…that must be protected.”

Ruby felt the light well in her eyes, the tears as well as she desperately wanted to do something to protect her friends. She sat up quickly, glaring at Grimm as they tried to approach. The light flared out, more like wings than a flash this time. It engulfed the entire space, making the others have to shy away. Yang covered her eyes, the mental fog and suffocating weight disappearing. As the light faded, she looked up to see all the Grimm disintegrating at once.

“Ruby…” Blake breathed.

Ruby blinked in dizzying shock. “I…I did…that?”

A low groan sounded far off into the caves, the rest of the horde coming towards them. Yang waisted no time scrambling up the stairs and passed Weiss who was getting her bearings. Her hair flamed up as Yang roared, punching the doors hard enough to slam them open. Weiss slipped passed her into the room, and Yang looked back to see Maria hobbling up the stairs quickly, Blake supporting a nearly unconscious Ruby. She made sure they all got out before hurrying behind them, confusion falling over her face as they stumbled into what looked like a mini bar.

“We’re back in the house?” Weiss frowned. “How?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Maria said. “We need to go, now.”

Yang heard a groan and glanced over, fury burning in her chest as she saw her uncle completely drunk and passed out against the bar. They had just almost died. They were seconds away, and he was here? On the other side of the fucking door getting drunk!? She wanted to rage, she wanted to smack the ever loving fuck out of him, but they didn’t have the time.

“Blake, get Ruby to the wagon.” Yang ordered.

“On it.” Blake said, scooping Ruby into her arms as she ran outside with Maria.

“Qrow!” Yang snapped, shoving her uncle hard. “Get up, you drunk bastard!”

“Wha?” Qrow groaned, sitting up slightly. “Wha’re ya doin’ here?”

“We need to go.” Yang growled, tugging him to his feet.

Weiss glared at the open cellar doors. “One second.”

She grabbed several of the bottles and lobbed them at the entrance to the cellar. Alcohol quickly coated the floor, spilling along the frame of the doors.

“Hey!” Qrow slurred. “Wha’re ya doin?”

Weiss ignored him and stepped back, summoning a glyph as a burst of fire shot out into the alcohol. The liquid quickly erupted into flames.

“Now we can go.” she said.

Yang nodded. “Impressive.”

She turned and didn’t even bother to push her uncle along, just grabbed him at the waist and hefted him over her shoulder in a fireman’s carry. He was a few inches taller, but the awkward angle was his own damn fault.

“Yang,” he slurred in annoyance. “Put me down! Stop it! I-“

Yang knew when he saw the Grimm, knew the moment the terrible realization set in as he stopped fighting her. Yang grit her teeth. If only it hadn’t come to this.

Oscar had thankfully gotten the wagon ready in their stead, the wheel replaced and their bags already inside. Yang shoved Qrow into Oscar’s grasp as Weiss jumped in and Yang leaped onto her bike. She revived the engine, hitting the gas as they peeled out of there, the house burning brightly behind them.

———

Ruby was not doing well.

She’d pushed her body too far, too fast, and the use of her silver eyes had been the final straw to break what remained of her strength. Yang had to focus on driving, even though everything in her wished she was in the wagon by her sister’s side. Thankfully, she had Weiss and Blake with her. She certainly didn’t trust her uncle right now.

When she’d looked back to check on them, Yang’s heart had shattered in her chest. Ruby was curled against Blake’s lap, bundled in two of the blankets from their bags and shivering. Her fever had risen, cheeks a dark flush as she panted heavily, face pinched in pain. It certainly didn’t help that their clothes were wet from the water tunnels, the cold air still biting at their skin.

“The Apathy are not strong creatures, or particularly fierce,” Maria said from her seat at the edge of the wagon. “But what they lack in physical strength, they make up for in other ways. An Apathy does not merely seek to destroy its prey. Rather, they eliminate their will to go on.”

Yang frowned. The others were just as disturbed. To think a Grimm was capable of such a thing. It was horrifying.

“Bartleby’s estate was hemorrhaging money by the end.” Maria continued, “He wanted to cut costs on Huntsmen, but the only way to reduce the Grimm would be to keep everyone in the estate calm. Always. So, he lured two of the Apathy away from the horde and hid them in the locked cellar. His wife had thought he was sealing the old water tunnels, and he eventually did, but not before the rest of the horde followed their missing pair into the tunnels.”

Oscar read over the remainder of the journal Maria had given him, shuddering. “The people were calm, the Grimm attacks settled, but…no one had the will to go on anymore it seems.”

“Apathy do not need to be in close proximity to have an effect. It’s slower, and less noticeable than being right beside them, but their cries still hold power.” Maria took the book from Oscar, looking at the last page.

“No one was sad, or angry, or anything at all. Until, no one was left. Bartleby got what he wanted, at the cost of everyone that depended on him.”

Maria tossed the book off the side of the wagon, turning to the kids. She glanced at Ruby’s sickly form, frowning. “A leader cannot go unchecked. Carrying such weight alone is the quickest path to disaster, and the destruction of the one forced to carry it all. No leader should be forced to bear it all alone. Sharing the weight is a far more sustainable strategy. You kids would be wise to learn that quickly. In this world, being alone is as certain as death.”

No one had really said a word after that. They didn’t really know what to say. That place had brought out the worst in them. Yang still berated herself for not being stronger, not being more aware. Ruby had been sick, yet still kept her positive attitude, still tried to cheer them all up. She had carried the team in her lowest moment, and used everything she had to protect them when they were too weak to fight it themselves. Yang grit her teeth, squeezing her hands tightly around the handles of her bike. She fought to get Ruby’s side to protect her, but all she’s done is show Ruby how much her sister can’t rely on her. Yang was the big sister, it was her job to watch out for Ruby and keep her safe.

And she had failed. Again.

Weiss looked to Maria.

“Miss Calavera,” she said softly, “How do you know so much about the Grimm? And about Ruby’s…strange ability?”

Maria turned to her with a small smirk. “Well, isn’t it obvious, girl? I was a Huntress with silver eyes.”

Yang halted her bike, jerking everyone at the sudden stop. She turned to Maria with wide eyes.

“Y…you had silver eyes?” She asked.

“At one point, and I was fairly good with them too.” Maria nodded.

Yang swallowed thickly. She glanced at Qrow, then at Maria before she lost her nerve.

“Did you…did you happen to know a Huntress named Summer Rose?”

Chapter Text

“RUBY!!”

It was less conscious thought and more pure-blooded reaction, the moment Yang saw Neo lunge for Ruby with her blade ready to stab her through the back, her body simply moved. Two shots from her gauntlets and Yang was propelled across the bridge, eyes burning red and hair ignited in a blazing flame. Ruby didn’t know what was happening until it was too late, turning just in time for her eyes to widen at Neo’s unexpected appearance before Yang was barreling into her and taking the full brunt of Neo’s slash. She’d pumped some serious Aura behind the hit, Yang gagging as her own snapped under the pressure of the blade only for the rest of her body to take the full force of the blast that followed. She hit the ground hard enough to crack her skull against the bridge, holding on to consciousness just long enough to see Ruby’s horrified expression before Yang felt her body tumble over the edge of the bridge.

And then, she was falling.

———

“Y-Yang?”

This wasn’t happening. It couldn’t be happening. It had to be a nightmare. A horrible, horrible nightmare.

Except, it wasn’t.

Yang had thrown herself in front of Ruby, taken Neo’s attack in her place, and had now disappeared over the edge of the bridge.

‘Do not fall.’ Ambrosious’ words rang in her head, an echo akin to a gong, striking her mind in time with every thundering heartbeat.

Do not fall.

Do not fall.
Do. Not. Fall.

And Yang had fallen.

Not for long.

Ruby parried Neo’s attack from the side, fire burning in her chest as she roared and grabbed the woman’s arm, throwing her into Cinder’s flame pillar with as much as strength as she could. The scream of pain as she was blasted back barely registered as Ruby was already holstering Crescent Rose as she made a dash for the edge. Blake had just thrown Gambol Shroud, clutching the edge of the ribbon, and Ruby barely spared them a glance before she dove off the side of the bridge.

“Ruby!!” They both screamed at the same time, but it was already too late.

Ruby folded her arms at her sides to dive faster, tears blurring her vision, but not enough to prevent her from seeing Yang’s half-conscious body falling further into the darkness below.
Do not fall.

Do not fall.

Do. Not. Fall.

Ruby refused to lose anyone else.

Especially, not her sister.

It was a gamble, risky and reckless, and she only had once chance to pull it off.

Let’s see if her luck had really run dry.

Quick as a whip, Ruby’s arms shot out, one hand grabbing Yang’s ankle as her other latched onto the barrel of Gambol Shroud. The two of them jerked to a stop so fast Ruby cried out as she felt her shoulders strain under the weight. Thankfully, adrenaline was a beautiful drug and she grit her teeth against the pain, growling with the effort it took to yank Yang up enough for her ankles to curl around her sister’s abdomen, pulling her up against her own body as she swung on the tail of Gambol and fit her finger along the trigger. Ruby fired off the pistol several times to give them a boost to swing as high as they were able before Ruby let go and in a second, the two of them vanished into burst of red and yellow, making it just to the edge of the bridge before Ruby threw Yang out of her Semblance, just barely having the time to grab the edge to keep herself from falling.

“Ruby!” Blake slid across the edge of the bridge, grabbing her arm as she hoisted her up, Weiss rushing to Yang’s side.

Ruby gasped the moment she was on the bridge, panting almost to the edge of hysterical hyperventilation.

“It worked…” she laughed, “Ooh gods, we almost died…”

“What were you thinking?!” Blake snapped at her, grabbing her shoulders tightly. “We could have lost both of you!”

If Yang had gone over that edge, Ruby would have already been dead inside, but she didn’t think she needed to say that now. She was about to comment when a blast of flame came at them and Ruby quickly shoved Blake down for them to dodge the fireball.

“Well, isn’t that interesting?” Cinder laughed. “Certainly didn’t expect that level of a death wish from you, Rose.”

Ruby snarled, rising to her feet as she pulled out Crescent Rose again. “Why don’t you come say that to my face, Cinder!”

“As much as I would like to,” she purred. “Someone else wants the chance to run you into the ground.”

Ruby threw the shaft of her scythe up just in time to block Neo’s blade as she popped up out of nowhere once more. She grit her teeth, backing away from her friends as she blocked Neo’s moves, Petal Bursting back to give herself enough space to swing her blade. They parried. Neo was strong, much stronger than Ruby, but Ruby was fast and clever. And she was angry.

“I didn’t kill Torchwick!” Ruby snapped at Neo. “But you almost killed Yang, and you’re going to go down!”

Neo smirked tauntingly before feinting right, then kicking Ruby in the gut. She gagged, hitting the ground, and Petal Bursting to her feet as she spun her scythe, firing off a shot to give her downward swing more momentum as she caught Neo in the side, sending her flying across the battlefield.

Ruby spared a look to see Jaune had gotten to Yang, boosting her Aura to help her get up and back into the fight while Blake and Penny took on Cinder. Weiss was pressing the comms in her ear, yelling at someone she assumed was Oscar and the others to make sure to get the citizens to safety. This entire thing was a mess, all because they’d lost the Lamp.

She turned just as Neo was charging for her, dodging her strike and swinging her scythe at her, only to get kicked back. Ruby stumbled, feeling her Aura wavering. She growled and the two parried weapons, Ruby shoving her to shoot her in the chest. Neo blocked with her umbrella, vanishing and reappearing at Ruby’s side, about to strike her when a flaming fist slammed Neo in the face and sent her sliding across the ground.

“Don’t touch my sister, you bitch.” Yang snarled, flames spitting from her lips.

Tears sprang to Ruby’s eyes and she weakly hit her shoulder. “Scare me like that again and I’ll kick your butt.”

“Hey, you’re the one that was reckless enough to jump after me.” Yang huffed. “You are in so much trouble for that, young lady.”

“I’ll let you lecture me as much as you want later.” Ruby sniffed, smirking as she and Yang stood back to back. “Let’s take these guys down, first.”

Yang slammed her fists together, flames erupting around her. “Oh, you’re speaking my language now, Sis. Let’s do it.”

Neo had gotten much stronger than their last fight. So much so, that even with both Yang and Ruby on her tail she was formidable. In the end, they didn’t stand a chance.

None of them did.

A well placed blast from Cinder had Yang falling over the edge once more, but this time, Neo prevented Ruby from being able to do anything to save her sister.

Rage made Ruby careless and she lost Crescent Rose to the darkness below. Ruby scowled, spreading her arms to open herself for an attack from Neo.

“I hope it was worth it.” She spat.

Neo charged, and Ruby fell back. Using the momentum she Petal Burst under the path, reappearing behind Neo to punch her hard in the face and send her over the edge, scrambling to hold on to something. In the process, she dropped the Staff that Ruby reclaimed, only for her Aura to shatter as a blast of fire singed her back under her cloak. Ruby screamed in pain, tumbling over the edge and dropping the staff in the process. She tried to grab Neo’s shoe to hold on, but Neo kicked her and she fell.

Blake went with her. She’d tried, she really as. Penny threw her friend and Blake’s arms had wrapped around Ruby, keeping her safe as she swung on Gambol Shroud’s cord towards the edge. Cinder’s flame cut straight through, and they both fell together, screaming.

All Ruby knew, then, was nothingness.

Chapter Text

“This is not up for debate, Blake!” Yang snapped at her girlfriend.

Blake scowled. “Oh, it very much is, Yang.”

“She isn’t going to do that.” Yang frowned, crossing her arms. “And that’s final.”

“Oh, it’s final now?” Blake arched a brow. “And who said your word is the last, huh?”

Yang glared, eyes flashing red. “You want to test that, Belladonna?”

“Please, I’d wipe the floor with you, Xiao Long.” Blake scoffed.

Weiss carefully inched around the feuding couple with two mugs in her hands. One, black coffee for herself after having to listen to these two idiots go at it for hours now; the other, hot chocolate with mini marshmallows for the young girl currently sitting on Blake’s bed playing a game on her Scroll.

“Here you go, Ruby.” She said, handing the mug to her.

Ruby perked, setting her Scroll to the side as she carefully took the mug in both hands. She took a sip, humming happily.

“Thanks, Weiss.” Ruby beamed.

“Don’t mention it.” Weiss winked and took a seat next to her, sipping from her own mug. Ruby had only been a part of their team for a month now. It was…unconventional, to say the least. After all, she was only 13-years-old on a team with three 18-year-olds, moved up to the second year of Beacon by Headmaster Ozpin. Weiss still didn’t know exactly why the Headmaster had been so amiable in hearing Yang out about Ruby living in the dorms with them after she’d gotten custody of her sister, only to decide to enroll her in the school instead. All Weiss knew was it had something to do with Ruby’s fighting ability, a prodigy in weapon’s building, and her silver eyes. Yang had been suspicious since the moment her eyes were mentioned. Apparently, it was a trait passed down by their mother, but not something quite welcomed in their household. Yang herself didn’t much know the problem with it, but she’d said how their mother had been worried upon realizing Ruby’s eyes were silver like her own and had been adamant on Ruby being careful around those who took interest in their color. Like Ozpin.

That, however, was a problem for another day. Right now, Weiss had more pressing matters to contend with.

She sighed. “Is there a reason those two are at each other’s throats?”

Ruby merely shrugged, plucking a gooey marshmallow from her mug to eat. “Mm, they’re arguing about whose last name I’m going to take. Ya know, cause they’re my moms now and all.”

Weiss arched a brow. “But you and Yang’s last names are the same, just hyphenated.”

“Not legally.” Ruby pointed out. “Mom never took Dad’s last name, and Yang’s mom left after she was born. So, Dad gave Yang his last name, Xiao Long. When Mom and Dad got married and had me, they decided to give me Mom’s last name, Rose, since they didn’t want Yang to be upset about not having a hyphenated name on her papers, as well. Whenever we were introduced to anyone, though, they always hyphenated our names. Now that Yang has custody of me, the papers would let her change my last name to make it hyphenated, and move Mom’s maiden name as my middle name. But, since Blake is on the papers as well, she thinks they should add her last name so that people don’t question it when she comes as an emergency contact. Especially, you know, with Faunus negativity and all.”

Weiss blinked a few times as she tried to process everything Ruby had just said. It made…absolutely zero logical sense. But then again, when did anything with this team make sense? Heaving a sigh, Weiss glanced at the couple that was still arguing with each other. There was one way to end this argument, once and for all.

“They don’t need to bother.” Weiss said, raising her voice a little so the others heard her. “I’ll just put you down as Ruby Rose Schnee. My name carries far more weight and privilege to insure you better respect, anyway.”

Yang and Blake instantly stopped their argument and snapped their heads to glare at Weiss. The heiress merely took a long drink from her mug, shrugging.

“Oh, don’t you even think about it, Princess!” Yang hissed, hair burning brightly.

Blake scowled. “My daughter will not be wrapped up in your family’s issues.”

“Hey, there are issues, but it still has massive pull.” Weiss pointed out. “It isn’t like I don’t already have a trust fund set up for her.”

Ruby blinked, looking at Weiss. “Wait, what?”

“Not now, Darling. The adults are talking.” Weiss said, absently patting Ruby’s head.

“You can’t just set up a trust fund for her without asking me!” Yang cried. “And that’s not fair, you have more money than either of us!”

“It doesn’t matter.” Blake huffed. “Ruby is going to be a Belladonna which has plenty of influence itself.”

“Yeah, around criminals.” Weiss pointed out.

Blake growled. “That’s not true, and you know it!”

“It won’t matter, because my name already has reputation to it.” Yang huffed. “Everyone knows me as the Fire Dragon of Beacon. They won’t mess with a Xiao Long.”

“Or, you piss off enough people and it’ll make her a target.” Weiss snorted.

Yang glared. “As if Schnee is any better, miss Abuse of Labor.”

Weiss scowled. “That is my father’s work and has nothing to do with me! Once I have the company, things will be better.”

“You gotta get it first. Last I checked you were having Daddy issues.” Yang sneered.

“Not a good prospect on your end.” Blake added.

“You two are the worst!”

Ruby sighed and silently slunk around the three of them as they argued. She slipped out of the room and across the hall, peering in to see team JNPR lounging around. Pyrrha was reading a book on her bed as Jaune and Nora were playing a video game and Ren was working on homework. The former looked up, green eyes bright as a warm smile spread on the athlete’s face.

“Hello, Ruby.” She said sweetly. “You can come in, if you like.”

“Little cute squish Ruby!” Nora cheered, abandoning her controlled to rush over and hug Ruby tightly. Ruby squeaked, careful not to spill what was left of her hot chocolate.

“Nora,” Ren warned gently. “She needs to be able to breathe.”

“My bad.” Nora giggled, setting her down and ushering the girl into their room. “What are you doing here, Beautiful?”

Ruby blushed and shrugged. “Eh, my team’s having an argument and I don’t want to be in the middle of it.”

“Wise choice.” Ren nodded.

“Yeah, those three can get into some pretty gnarly arguments.” Jaune laughs nervously.

Pyrrha set her book to the side, looking curious. “What are they arguing about?”

“Whose last name I’m going to take now that they’re my moms.” Ruby snorted. “It doesn’t matter, though. They don’t know I already submitted the paper work.”

Jaune blinked. “You did?”

“Ooh, what did you put down?” Nora asked excitedly.

Ruby took a sip of her hot chocolate, smiling. “Ruby Xiao Long-Belladonna-Schnee-Rose. Though, I’ll just go by Ruby Rose normally.”

Nora barked a laugh. “That’s precious!”

“Very long, though.” Ren admitted.

Ruby looked sheepish. “I know, but…I didn’t want to choose. I’m grateful for they’ve decided to take care of me and give me a chance to prove myself on the team. My family’s always been a little…broken, but they make it feel whole again. Besides, this way we’re all connected a little more.”

Pyrrha rose to come over and wrap an arm around Ruby, smiling. “That’s a very wise and mature choice. You did well, Ruby.”

The younger girl preened, rolling on her heels. “Thanks. I try.”

Jaune arched a brow. “Are you going to tell them?”

“I’m sure they’ll figure out I’m not there eventually.” Ruby snorted. “Once they calm down, I’ll tell them.”

“Well, until then, you can just hide out here with us!” Nora grabbed her hand and yanked Ruby over to where she and Jaune had been. Ruby yelped, stumbling along before she was pulled down to sit in Jaune’s lap.

Jaune looked at her nervously, but had a small smile on his lips. “Guess this means you can help me kick Nora’s butt, huh?”

Ruby grinned, “Yeah!”

He wrapped his arms around her to hold the controller, resting his chin on her shoulder. Ruby snuggled back, happy and content as Nora and Jaune got back into their game.

Her family may have been broken before, but now she’d never felt her heart more full.

Chapter Text

“Did you truly think that you could get away from me? My dear, there is no where you can go where I will not find you.”

Blake jerked awake with a gasp, amber eyes darting around the room and her hand under the pillow where she’d hidden Gambol Shroud just in case. It was a dream. Only a dream. The realization came slowly as Blake fought to catch her breath. She pulled her hands to her face, rubbing over her cheeks as she heaved a sigh and ran her hands through her hair. She was sure that Adam had realized she was gone by now, her Scroll long since thrown into the ocean to prevent him from finding her. She knew it was only a matter of time before he went searching. Surely, he wouldn’t be happy to have his prized asset anywhere, but by his side. She shuddered, hugging herself to ward off the memory of their last meeting, the look of pure sadistic glee on his face. He didn’t care who he hurt, just so long as his dream became reality. Blake refused to be apart of that dream. Refused to hurt people when all she’d ever wanted was peace. Even if it meant one day having to die at his hands, she would never allow herself to be a puppet in his ploy.

Her ears twitched as she realized someone was moving around downstairs, the distant sounds of pots and pans clanking together, followed by the slowly growing smell of cooked food. Yang must be awake. Blake didn’t know why the thought of the blond bartender made her heart do a funny little jump. She’d only just met her, and yet the memory of her confident smile and gentle tones made Blake want nothing more than to melt into her warmth. It wasn’t a good idea to get too attached. Especially, when she didn’t know when, or if, Adam would find her. She couldn’t get someone else wrapped up into this. She just needed to get her car fixed, find a job and a place to stay, and lay low for a while. Wait until she came up with a better plan, something more permanent. It would have to do, for now.

Blake got up to store Gambol back into her bag, changing into black jeans and a white crop top with a black cardigan sweater. She quietly closed the door behind her as she slipped from the guest room, carefully making her way down the stairs. She glanced towards the kitchen, hearing the sound of laughter as she got closer.

“Yaannggg!” A young voice whined, Blake assuming it must be Ruby. “You have to add more chocolate chips than that. What use are chocolate chip pancakes without any chocolate chips?”

Yang laughed, the sound belly deep and making Blake’s heart do that little flip once more. Heat rose to her cheeks, silently cursing her ill-advised infatuation.

“Ruby, if I add any more it will defeat the purpose of it being breakfast.” Yang teased. “Then, it’ll just be desert.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

A bark sounded and Ruby laughed. “See? Zwei agrees!”

“He can’t even have chocolate. His vote doesn’t count!”

Blake paused at the door to the kitchen, taking in the sight of the two of them. Yang had her blonde hair pulled back into a high ponytail, dressed in an orange tank top with a hand towel over her shoulder and brown cargo pants. She was able to see the full length of Yang’s prosthetic, metal painted yellow, and the port just under her right bicep. Beside her was Ruby, all lean limbs and built like a runner, though petite in size, at least a good head shorter than her and Yang, maybe more so. Her black hair was dipped in red, contrasting against pale skin and molten silver eyes, and clad in a black t-shirt and bright red shorts, a pair of leggings underneath, and red and black plaid button up thrown over the whole thing. By the size of it, Blake had to assume it had once belonged to Yang. There was a rose shaped emblem hooked to her belt, and a long thick red scarf that trailed down her back like a cape loosely wrapped around her neck. She reminded Blake of a video game character she had once seen on a poster in the city, as otherworldly as some kind of fairy.

To her surprise, those silver eyes turned to her and Ruby smiled shyly, giving a little wave.

Blake waved back. Yang glanced her way, those lilac eyes gleaming brightly in joy at the sight of her. Blake felt a traitorous flutter of warmth she had to quickly tamp down.

Thankfully, Yang turned away to look at the young girl helping her mix batter. “Ruby, this is Blake, the lovely lady I was telling you about. Her car broke down last night so I let her stay over while I see about getting it fixed today.”

“Hello.” Ruby smiled as she trailed over, looking up at her with awe. “You’re a Faunus.”

Blake could feel her defenses rising, but she carefully kept them under wraps. Instead, she smiled tightly. “I am.”

“Cool.” Ruby smiled. “You’re pretty.”

That took her aback. Blake smiled slightly. “I uh….thank-thank you. So are you.”

Ruby preened, rocking on her heels as she absently stirred the batter bowl in her arm. “So…what kind of weapon do you have? Yang’s friends usually have weapons and they’re always really cool. Though, I think Yang’s is the coolest. Did you know she has dual-shot gun gauntlets? One is built into her prosthetic arm, which is super cool, and the other folds out into a full gauntlet to protect her other arm. She designed most of it by herself, but I helped, and I suggested the name Ember Celica. It’s like really badass, but also pretty, kinda like Yang. Do you have a weapon? Did I ask that already?”

“Uhhh….” Blake blinked, unsure how to handle this situation. Thankfully, she didn’t have to figure it out on her own as Yang grabbed Ruby by her scarf to pull her back with a yelp.

“Alright, Gear-head,” Yang looked down at her in exasperated fondness. “Stop pestering our guest first thing in the morning.”

Ruby pouted, looking down. “I was just trying to have a conversation.”

“You have to actually allow someone else to respond to have a conversation, Sweetie.” Yang chuckled. She plucked the batter bowl from Ruby’s grasp. “Why don’t you go out to the garden and pick some strawberries to go with breakfast, yeah?”

Ruby beamed and nodded.

“Come on, Zwei!” She quickly headed out the back door, the Corgi following after.

Blake rubbed her arm, looking at Yang gratefully. “Thank you.”

“No problem,” Yang chuckled, walking back to the stove to set the bowl down and flip another pancake. “Ruby means well, but she has a difficult time talking to new people. Weapons are her way of finding common ground.”

Blake slowly followed her, leaning against the counter. “I’m assuming that means she wants to be a Huntress?”

Yang’s smile faded as she stared at the freshly poured pancake in the pan, watching the little bubbles start to form as it cooked.

“She did,” Yang said and Blake didn’t miss the past tense. She sighed, flipping the pancake over to cook the other side. “But…with her condition, she wouldn’t be able to get into a formal training academy, let alone make it into the Huntsmen system. Her Aura is working so hard to keep her functional, it’s too big of a risk to take.”

“I’m so sorry,” Blake murmured. “I’m sure that was hard for her.”

Yang nodded, placing another cooked pancake on a stack with tin foil over it to keep them warm, pouring out another into the pan. “She was devastated, but Ruby is strong. She bounces back quickly. She decided that if she can’t be a Huntress, then she’ll just have to protect people in another way. She wants to go into engineering, try to make things to help better protect Huntsmen and the less protected towns”.

“That’s a very admirable goal for a child.”Blake said.

Yang smiled. “She’s a hero at heart. Just like in the fairy tales.”

“But life isn’t a fairy tale.” Blake reminded her carefully. “It’s best not to hold to unrealistic ideals too strongly, or else you can get hurt.”

“I know,” Yang admitted. “But…well, Ruby’s still a kid. Can’t hurt to let her hold onto a little good in this screwed up world, ya know?”

Blake softened. “I suppose so.”

Ruby came skipping back into the kitchen not long later with a bowl full of bright red strawberries. She grinned, red juice around her mouth. “Got some!”

Yang looked at her and laughed.

“Ruby! You were supposed to pick them to go with breakfast, not have them instead.” Yang admonished lightly, taking the towel from her shoulder to wipe Ruby’s mouth off.

Ruby whined, trying to wave her away. “Yang, I’m not a baby anymore.”

“Nonsense,” Yang smiled and hugged her close. “You’ll always be my baby.”

Yang placed obnoxious kisses over Ruby’s face, and Ruby whined louder, squirming to pull away and get out of her grip.

“Yaaaannggg,” Ruby complained. “Ugh, cut it out!”

She pulled herself out of Yang’s grip, her older sister laughing heartily. “Alright, alright. Go set the table, we’re ready to eat.”

Blake couldn’t help marveling at the two of them and the ease in which they bantered. Was this what it was like to have siblings? She had been raised an only child, though grew up close to some of the other Faunus children in the White Fang, like Ilia. She was the closest thing Blake ever had to a sister, though they’d drifted farther apart over the years, despite working for the same organization. It would seem that it was harder to keep relationships when rank determined how close you were allowed to get. Power had a way of changing people. Adam had been proof enough of that.

Yang grabbed a plate of bacon and another loaded with pancakes, making her way to the small kitchen table off to the side. She laid out the spread with butter and maple syrup and the bowl of strawberries.

Blake slinked over, taking a seat. Ruby came by not a moment later to set down a mug of tea for her, coffee for Yang, and milk for herself. The young girl took her seat and pouted at Yang.

“I still don’t know why you won’t let me drink coffee more,” she said, reaching to spear a few pancakes with her fork to bring them to her plate.

Yang sat down in her own spot between the two, setting napkins on the table. “Because, you only drink it with a ridiculous amount of sugar and cream. The last thing I need is an already hyperactive kid to be bouncing off the walls.”

“Five sugars is hardly a lot,” she argued, taking a bite of her pancake. “Besides, it’s the only way to not make it so bitter.”

“It’s coffee, it’s supposed to be bitter.” Yang poked her shoulder with her fork.

Blake took a sip of her tea, relishing the warmth. She smiled slightly. “Tea is far better in my opinion. It can be naturally sweet and far less bitter.”

“It’s okay, I guess.” Ruby shrugged.

Yang chuckled. She dished out some pancakes and bacon between her and Blake, offering her the berries. Blake was more than happy to take a few, wanting to be a little healthy with the chocolate packed breakfast. She took a bite, pausing a moment in surprise. To say that the pancakes were good would be an understatement. They were amazing. Blake hadn’t had much by way of indulgences in the last few years. Adam was always saying she needed to keep her weight in check for the camera. It had been so long since she had something like this, and thankfully it wasn’t too sweet. Everything balanced out just right.

She glanced at Yang who was silently preening at her expression alone. Blake blushed, wondering just how she’d looked when she took her first bite.

“Hey, Yang,” Ruby piped up, saving Blake further embarrassment. “Is it okay if I go hang out at the station with Jaune, Ren, and Pyrrha today?”

Yang took a sip of her coffee before responding. “Have you finished your homework?”

“Yep!” She puffed her chest proudly. “And I already studied for my test.”

“I don’t know,” Yang said with dramatic thoughtfulness. “Your room really needs to be cleaned. I almost tripped over all your clothes carrying you to bed last night.”

“Yyaaannnnggg,” Ruby whined. “I’ll clean it tomorrow. Come on, please? Please?”

Blake could see Yang trying to keep a serious expression, but it soon cracked with a smile.

“Alright, alright,” she conceded with a laugh. “I’ll drop you off on the way to work. Have Jaune bring you by the Dragon’s Lair by 7, though, okay? I’ve got the night shift again and I don’t like leaving you home alone too much.”

Ruby beamed and launched herself from her chair to hug her sister tightly. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Yang laughed, patting her back. “Don’t act like you’ve been stuck here for months, you’re going to make me look bad. Sit back down and eat.”

Ruby pressed a kiss to her hair before hopping back to her seat, gleefully shoveling pancake in her mouth.

Blake watched them, a bit worried at the mention of a station. Did they have friends in the police force? That might not pan out well for her. She didn’t know if Adam would put out a missing persons, but even then, it would take a long while before it got to a back country island like Patch. She could never be too safe, though.

“What…” she hesitated, before continuing carefully. “What kind of station?”

“Fire and rescue,” Yang clarified. “A few college friends of mine work as EMTs here in Patch and they’ve kind of taken Ruby in as an unofficial member.”

Ruby sat up straighter, puffing her chest out. “I’m the official station assistant and help everyone with whatever they need. I also get to fix things when they’re broken, cause I’m the best.”

Yang chuckled, shoving Ruby’s shoulder gently. “Real humble there.”

Ruby stuck her tongue out, taking a sip of her milk.

“Soo,” Yang smirked at Blake. “Where are you from? You have a nice accent.”

“I do not,” Blake grumbled in embarrassment. She worried her lip, trying to think of an excuse, but she eventually decided that it couldn’t hurt to be a little honest. She’d been lying about her origins for so long to please Adam, she didn’t really want to do that here. Not when she had a chance to start over. “I’m from Menagerie, actually.”

Yang whistled. “That’s a long way from home.”

Blake shrugged. “Sometimes, home starts losing its feeling, and it’s time to start over somewhere else.”

“Patch is great for that.” Ruby piped up. “You’re just in luck, too, because once the rainy season clears up it’ll be festival time and then it gets a whole lot more fun around here. My best friends Penny and Oscar always come to Patch for the season. I can’t wait.”

Blake smiled softly. “Sounds like a lot of fun.”

“It is.” Yang said, leaning an elbow on the table to rest her cheek in her palm. “Patch goes all out. You’ll love it.”

She grinned at Blake and Blake felt her cheeks heat up, ducking her head to look at her place. Ugh, she needed to get it together. She didn’t have time to fall in love, not with a near stranger, and especially not when she didn’t know what the future held.

She couldn’t risk putting them in danger, not because she was too selfish to keep her heart in check.

Chapter Text

“Ruby, look.”

Tears burned her eyes as Ruby’s hands covered her mouth, looking up to the dusky Vacuo sky littered with not only thick clouds, but dozens of air ships. Amity colosseum a beacon in the distance, hovering above the landscape of the distant capital.

“T-they came,” Ruby croaked, lowering her hands to clench over her heart as she walked a few steps ahead of her friends, no, her family, taking in the sight before her. She could hardly believe what she was seeing. Was this real? Really real? Tears rolled down her cheeks as she smiled, a laugh bubbling out of her chest. They came. They came. The world had heard her call, and they had answered.

“We have an army.” Jaune murmured, walking up beside her.

“We have hope.” Weiss said, stepping up to his other side, smiling at Ruby with tears in her eyes. “And she can’t take that away.”

Yang wrapped an arm around Ruby, pulling her into her side. “You did it, Ruby. You did it.”

Ruby let out what could only be called a sob-laugh, hugging Yang tightly as she reached a hand out to lace her fingers with Blake as the other woman pressed in against her back, squeezing her between her two big sisters.

“No,” she croaked, sniffling as she pulled back to look at the four of them. Ruby whipped at her eyes, grinning. “We did it. We all did.”

“And we still have more work to do.” Yang said, kissing her forehead. “But, we can do it together.”

“Together.” Ruby nodded, smiling.

“No one takes it all alone.” Blake pressed a kiss to crown of Ruby’s head. “Never again.”

Jaune looked out to the city, taking a deep breath. “Well, the Blacksmith said we’d arrive when we’re most needed. So, lets go see what we can do help.”

Ruby nodded, lacing her hands with Blake and Yang as they started to slide their way down the dune. Weiss held on to Jaune as they made their way down as well. Ruby was grateful for Blake and Yang’s support as she surely would have fallen on her own, eyes still straying up to the sky in complete and utter awe. She could hardly believe what she was seeing, afraid this was just some other mental manipulation from the Ever After. They really came. Maybe the world would finally be united. Maybe they could really do this.

Maybe, she could finish what Summer Rose…what her mother, started.

———

“Eat my fist, fucker!”

Yang slammed her fist into a Wyvern, firing off three rounds of dust into its face before turning to kick a Sulfur Fish the tried to sneak up on her. Beside her, Blake pierced her blade through the Wyvern she’d previously been attacking while Ruby sliced her scythe through another. Jaune and Weiss tag-teamed two more Sulfur Fish, Weiss’s glyphs keeping them in place as Jaune sliced through each of them with his sword. Ruby backflipped out of the air, landing in the sand. Her heel sunk and she yelped, about to fall until Blake grabbed her hand, yanking the young girl into her chest.

“Thanks for the save,” she gasped, huffing to catch her breath as sweat dripped down her face.

Blake rubbed her back, nodding as she panted heavily, her hair clinging to her face in the heat. “Watch out, the sand moves around a lot.”

“I noticed.” Ruby grunted, straightening as she collapsed Crescent Rose. She squinted into the sand blowing around them. “The Grimm are highly active around here, but I don’t understand why. There usually isn’t so many on the outskirts of the larger cities.”

“It could be due to the emotions of the army arriving?” Jaune suggested, supporting Weiss as she caught her breath from the fight.

“No,” Yang said, taking off her jacket to tie around her waist and give her arms room to breathe in the heat. “Grimm are drawn to negative emotions. An army would be cause for celebration. This…this is saying there is something far worse going on.”

“Good to see that you didn’t lose your edge.”

All eyes quickly turned as Raven stepped out of a red and black portal nearby, a hand on the hilt of Omen. Her eyes, however, stayed on Yang. Ruby noticed there was something like relief in her gaze, like she was trying to commit Yang’s appearance to memory. It set something strange off in Ruby’s belly, a sinking feeling that she didn’t yet want to acknowledge. Yang, however, didn’t seem nearly as relieved as Raven, and Ruby knew exactly why. The Blacksmith had only just showed them the vision of their mother and Raven leaving together, and the fact that Raven had never once told them anything about it.

“You,” Yang snarled, eyes going red.

“Yang,” Blake called, trying to grab her arm, but Yang yanked it away, storming towards Raven in a raging fury.

“Me?” Raven arched a brow.

“You…you lying bitch!” Yang fired off a round of dust to propel herself quickly towards Raven, fist raised to punch her in the face. Raven readied her stance, like she was going to take it, but before the fist could connect Yang was struck from the side by a red blur. She grunted as she hit the sand, Ruby flipping over her with the momentum and crashing down on her back. She coughed, wincing.

“Ow…” Ruby whined.

“Ruby!” Yang bolted up, glaring at her sister even as she tried to help her sit up. “What the fuck?”

“It isn’t worth it.” Ruby coughed, taking Yang’s metal hand as they both stood up, helping each there. “I know you’re angry, but that isn’t going to solve this.”

Yang didn’t seem to agree, but she didn’t make a move to go after Raven again. Instead, she kept an arm around Ruby to support her.

“Well, that was anticlimactic.” Raven snorted, crossing her arms. “Hello to you too, brat.”

Yang narrowed her eyes at Raven. “Don’t sit there and look so smug. We know.”

“You know?” Raven rolled her eyes. “And what could you possibly know after being dead for 3 months.”

What Yang was about to say dried up on her tongue. Her eyes widened, and so did the others.
“3-3 months?” Jaune croaked.

“Dead?!” Weiss gasped.

Blake frowned. “What do you mean?”

Raven heaved a sigh. “I think it’s best I show you. Follow me, before more Grimm show up.”

“And why should we trust you?” Yang demanded, squeezing Ruby’s shoulder protectively.

“You shouldn’t.” Raven said. “But you have questions. I have answers.”

Raven started walking further down the sand dunes. The five of them exchanged looks, before reluctantly following Raven. Blake flanked Ruby’s other side, keeping an hand on her weapon just in case. As they got closer to the gates of the city, a tall stone structure came into view. The closer they got, the more they realized it was some kind of memorial. Raven stood beside it, motioning them to check out the stone. Ruby was the one to step forward first, going up to the stone. At the top it read ‘In Honor of Those Lost’ and engraved in the stone were the names of all those who were lost. Ruby could only assume they were the ones who fell when Cinder attacked, and possibly those lost when they were attacked by Grimm on the other side. However, her breath vanished from her chest the moment she saw a familiar name. Ruby shakily reached out, fingers running over the engraving of Penny Polendina’s name. Her nails caught on each groove, each diver that formed her friend’s name. Another loved one lost. One of many now immortalized on the stone. She swallowed around the knot that formed in her throat. Then, she noticed it. Just underneath Penny’s name, two down, was Jaune Arc. Weiss Schnee. Blake Belladonna. Yang Xiao Long-Rose. Ruby Xiao Long-Rose. Their names.

“Oh, gods,” Ruby breathed, feeling her friends come up behind her. She could hear Weiss’s gasp. Jaune’s wince. Yang’s choked noise, and Blake’s shocked breath.

Everyone…everyone had believed they’d died that day.

Their friends and family had mourned them.

“I don’t know everything,” Raven said, leaning her shoulder on the side of the memorial. “Just whatever Qrow actually felt like telling me. Apparently, after your friends got everyone across that bridge that the staff created between Mantle and Atlas to hear, they’d waited for you five to return. However, Winter Schnee is the one who told them she’d seen all of you fall. They waited. For weeks, they waited to see if by some miraculous chance you kids would return. When it was clear that wasn’t going to happen, the quiet kid, Ren, I think his name is, suggested making a memorial to the lost in the same place the door opened up. And here it stands.”

“Y-you said, we’ve been gone 3 months?” Jaune breathed, looking at Raven.

She nodded. “Everyone has tried moving on, but the grief is still too thick in the city between civilians and refugees. It’s brought in a lot of Grimm, but things are slowing down a bit lately. Don’t know whether that’s a good thing, or just a sign She’s plotting again.”

“How did you even know we would be out here?” Yang frowned. “If everything thinks we’re dead, then there would have been no way you’d have found us so soon after we came out?”

Raven looked away, saying nothing.

“Raven?” Yang pressed, taking a step forward.

“I may…have been trying to open a portal to you every so often.” Raven sighed, looking down. “Just to see if it would ever connect again. And today, it did.”

Yang blinked, taken back. “O-oh…”

Ruby’s fingers curled into a fist against the memorial. She lowered her head, resting her forehead against the warm stone. She had so many questions, so many things she wanted to know, but she really just wanted to see her friends. She wanted to find Ren and Nora. She wanted to see her Uncle Qrow. She wanted to be with Oscar.

“Take us to them.” Ruby demanded, pushing away from the memorial to look at Raven. “Yang said you can make portals to people, right? Take us to Uncle Qrow. Please.”

Raven eyed her, looking like she was about to make some kind of snide remark. Surprisingly, she merely nodded, taking out her sword to tear a hole in the air, a black and red portal appearing. Ruby looked to Yang and the others. Blake stepped forward, taking Yang’s hand in hers. Yang reached for Ruby who took her hand and then reached for Weiss. Weiss laced her fingers with Jaune, swallowing thickly. Raven made her way through the portal, leading their way through.

———

Ruby blinked a few times as they stepped through the portal, finding themselves onto of Shade Academy at the center of the city.

From this view, they could see just how many ships were in the sky. Some bore the emblem of Vale, while others bore the emblems of Mistral and Atlas. Ruby pulled away as she and the others walked to the rail, holding on as they looked out at the sheer number of ships above them.

“I don’t understand.” Ruby murmured. “How did so many get here?”

“Because,” a choked voice said behind them. “You put a message out to the world, and the world answered.”

Ruby turned around quickly, seeing Qrow standing beside Raven. He looked…strangely healthy, though his face was a bit gaunt with sorrow. It didn’t matter. Not right now anyway. Tears burned Ruby’s eyes as soon as she saw her uncle. She pushed away from the rail at the same time as Yang, the two of them dashing across the floor to throw themselves into Qrow’s waiting arms.

“Uncle Qrow!” Ruby cried, nuzzling into his neck as she hugged him tightly.

Qrow held them both to his chest like he never wanted to let go. He let out a broken laugh. “Did you miss me?”

“Nope!” Ruby and Yang said at the same time, laughing through their sobs they held him just as close. Ruby sniffled. She couldn’t imagine what he’d had to go through, thinking he’d lost both of them in this war. Just like he’d lost Summer. She was just relieved that it seemed he didn’t succumb to alcohol again. He looked healthier, felt stronger. She was just so glad to be close to him again. After what felt both like ages and not enough time, they pulled away.

Qrow smiled tearfully at them both, a hand cupping each of their cheeks. His thumbs wiped away their tears, nothing, but pure love and adoration in his eyes.

“My beautiful girls,” he breathed. “You did so well. I am so so proud of you.”

Yang’s lips trembled, tears pouring down her face even as she smirked despite it. “We learned from the best.”

“Yeah,” Ruby croaked, sniffling.

“Qrow!” A familiar voice called out and he turned just as Nora, Ren, Emerald, and Oscar walked out onto the terrace. “Are you coming to the meet-“

Nora gasped, hands flying to her mouth as the four of them froze, eyes widening at the sight of the five other who had arrived. Jaune stepped away from the rail, eyes wide as well.

“Nora?” Jaune breathed, voice cracking as tears welled in his eyes. “Ren?”

“Jaune!” Nora sobbed, her and Ren rushed across the terrace to meet him. She threw herself at his chest as Ren curled against his back, the two sandwiching him between them.

Jaune choked as she sobbed, holding her tightly and curling his fingers tightly into Ren’s arms around his shoulders, feeling the other boy’s tears wet his neck. Tear streamed down Jaune’s face as he held his teammates, his best friends, close to him.

“I missed you,” he sobbed. “Gods, I missed you so much.”

“We thought you were dead!” Nora wailed, sobbing heavily into his chest.

“I know,” Jaune hiccuped, shutting his eyes tight as he burrowing his face into the side of Ren’s hair. “I know. I know. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t you ever do that to us again.” Ren wept, squeezing him tightly. “We were so broken without you…”

“So was I,” Jaune whimpered. “I’m here now. I’m never leaving you again.”

“You better!” Nora cried, hitting his chest with her fist. “I’ll kill you myself if you ever think about this!”

“I know.” Jaune smiled through his tears. “I love you too.”

“I love you.” Nora hiccuped, hugging him tightly.

“I love you.” Ren murmured, squeezing him just as tight.

Oscar took a step forward, his eyes never leaving Ruby. She, too, was watching him, pulling away from Yang and Qrow as she took in the sight of him. He looked…more mature, standing straighter, holding onto The Long Memory as if it was supporting him at the moment. For a moment, Ruby was afraid that in the time they’d been gone, he’d fully merged with Ozpin. That he wasn’t…that Oscar was gone for good. Her worries were quickly blown away as tears ran down his tawny skin, his hand reaching for her.

“Ruby,” Oscar breathed.

That was all it took for Ruby to Petal Burst across the terrace, coming out of it just before they collided as she threw her arms around him.

“Oscar!” She cried, holding onto him tightly. He caught her, stumbling back as his arms wrapped around her tightly. She burrowed her face into his shoulder, feeling his warmth against her. He still smelled like he always did, like spiced oranges and warm earth. The image of him lying on the floor, a gash through his chest and bleeding out still burned in her eyes, but his warmth assured her that he was here. He was real. This was reality. This was home.

“I missed you so much.” Oscar croaked, nuzzling her hair.

“I missed you too,” Ruby sobbed, curling her fingers into his jacket. “I was so afraid I’d never…I didn’t know…I’m so sorry I hurt you.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t save you,” Oscar murmured.

Ruby felt his tears against her here, but she didn’t care. They were home. Finally, home. Slowly, Ruby raised her head, looking at Oscar. He smiled slightly at her and Ruby did something crazy. She grabbed his face, and kissed him. Oscar made a surprised noise, but easily kissed her back, wrapping his arms around her waist.

“Finally!” Nora cried, but Ruby ignored her.

She pulled back, resting her forehead against Oscar’s. They smiled at each other, giggling softly as their tears still fell.

“W-wow,” Oscar chuckled.

“Yeah,” Ruby murmured. “I don’t know why, I just really wanted to. I-I probably should have asked first…”

“It’s okay,” Oscar said softly, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear. “I’d have said yes anyway.”

Ruby pulled back, seeing Emerald hugging Weiss and the others. She looked up again at the ships, smiling brightly.

They could do this.

This would be the day they'd waited for.

This would be the day that finally opened up the door.

And victory would be in a simple soul.

Chapter Text

“So…what’s this big surprise about?”
Ruby looked up at Yang as the two of them walked through Vacuo’s dusty streets. It was hard to believe that they’d been back in Remnant a few weeks now, and that the days they’d spent in the Ever After had been months here. Ruby still couldn’t quite get her mind around the whole thing. Especially…everything they’d learned. Vale had been attacked not long after Atlas had fallen, the city destroyed in Salem’s mad search for the Crown of Choice that had yet to be found. Winter Schnee the new Winter Maiden. Raven the Spring Maiden. The Summer Maiden still yet to be revealed, though she suspected Raven knew who it was and was once again keeping things to herself. The refugees were still struggling, and the people of Vacuo had their own resentments to deal with. It was…a lot…and to imagine that their friends had to deal with all of this on their own.

Perhaps, that’s why Yang came into their room that morning suddenly demanding that Ruby be ready to leave in five minutes, and promptly dragged her out of the dorms on the dot. She’d been throwing herself headfirst into any and every job she could manage, desperate to do whatever she could to relieve some of the stress on everyone’s shoulders. And maybe she was being a little more reckless in battle, but she just wanted to cleave through as many of the Grimm as she could to cull down the numbers of Salem’s army. Was that really so wrong? Okay, she knew how stupid that sounded, but really, she was fine. Her family was back together again, what more could she want? Well…not all of them…

“It’s not that big of a surprise.” Yang admitted, brushing a hand through the end of her ponytail, fidgeting with some of the strands of her blond hair. “More like…a little surprise.”

“Got it, small surprise.” Ruby nodded.

“Not really a surprise, if I’m being honest.” Yang murmured, looking down. “Maybe more of a little gift?”
“Tempering expectations as we speak.” Ruby teased. She softened, brows furrowing worriedly as she watched the way Yang lowered her head like she usually would when she wanted to hide in her thick hair, but couldn’t with it all tied up like it was. Vacuo was much hotter than any of them were used it. Except maybe Blake, who said it wasn’t that much different from Menagerie. Regardless, they hadn’t been back long before deciding their Atlas gear was not going to cut it here. Thus, wardrobe change. Yang had gone with short neutral shorts and brown boots that came up over her knees with knee pads to protect her with her fighting style. She had a cropped bright orange tank top with a brown Vacuo-style poncho over her right arm, helping to shield her prosthetic port from the heat of the sun, and she’d thrown her hair up into a high ponytail with her signature orange bandanna as the tie. She’d wrapped the strip of purple fabric she always carried around her right bicep, with a long black glove up her arm to protect from the blowback of her gauntlets. To Ruby, she looked really badass.

Ruby had gone for something closer to her Mistral style, wanting something airy, but combat ready. So, she’d opted for a white off the shoulder blouse with a black under-bust corset, a red circle skirt with a slit up the side, black tights, and knee-height combat boots. She’d taken to wearing a pair of red and black goggles in her hair, helping to push some of it away from her face, but also very helpful when they were on missions in the desert and the sandstorms hit. Her cape huge looser around her shoulders, trailing behind her in the occasional whips of wind that cut through the streets.

“Yang,” Ruby tried gently, “Why are you being so weird?”

“I’m not weird!” Yang stiffened. “You are?”

She smiled slightly at her big sister. “Come on, you know you can always talk to me.”

“It’s nothing, Ruby, really. I just…It’s been a while since we got to do the..sisterly thing, ya know?”

“Still doesn’t explain why you’re so worked up about this.” Ruby pointed out.

Yang gave a self-deprecation scoff, hugging herself. “Well…maybe I’m worried this won’t be as good as I thought…”

Ruby rolled her eyes fondly, knocking her shoulder into Yang’s side.

“Right,” Ruby snorted. “Cause if this isn’t good, I’m totally not going to want to be your sister again.”

Yang pouted and punched her shoulder. “Shut up!”

“Ouch!” Ruby laughed, rubbing her arm. “Geez, Yang. Careful with that prothetic. I know you’re ‘armed’ and ready for anything, but I bruise easily here.”

Yang choked, staring at Ruby in shock. “Did you just…did you just make a pun?!”

Ruby grinned, winking. “I did learn from the best punster I know.”

Yang sniffled, wiping a fake tear. “Oh my gods, they really do grow up too fast.”

“Shush, you!” Ruby laughed, shoving her gently. Yang laughed, as well, pushing Ruby back as they knocked each other back and forth as they walked.

“Hey, are you Ruby?”

Ruby startled, looking up to see a small crowd of people had gathered nearby, watching her in a mix of awe and interest. She swallowed thickly, turning to them as she rubbed the back of her head nervously.

“Uh, yes?”

“You’re the girl who sent the message to help save the world.” Someone said in awe.

A younger girl came forward, holding out a notebook. “Can I get your autograph?”

“I’d like a picture, too, please!”

“Ehehe,” Ruby smiled sheepishly, looking at Yang, who nodded, before she turned back to the others. “Uh…oh…ummm…y-yeah. That’s okay. I guess.”

———

“Ah! Hold on.” Ruby yelped as she got quickly swallowed by the crowd of people. “Uh…where do you want me to stand? Oh, I’m in the way. Sorry. Sorry. Excuse me.”

Yang huffed humorously through her nose, standing back with a hand on her hip as she watched Ruby take pictures and sign autographs. To think, her baby sister was the face of the world’s hope. She had believed in her idea to get Amity Tower up, to send a message to the world for help, and it had paid off. The world answered her call, coming together to help stop Salem, however that was going to look. A fond look crossed her face, taking in the fact that though all these people saw Ruby as this big mighty hero, yet all Yang could see was the tiny girl who would follow her around everywhere, clinging to the back of her shirt. Tears, unbidden, welled in her eyes, and Yang blinked quickly, turning her head away as she tried to get herself under control. Ugh, this was not the time for waterworks.

“Yang?” She startled, turning to see Ruby looking at her worriedly.

Quickly swiping her wrist over her eyes, Yang smiled slightly. “Hey, you all done?”

“Y-yeah.” Ruby nodded. She waved to the crowd of people, before following Yang down the street. She sighed heavily, shoulders slumping.

“Fame that exhausting, huh?” Teased Yang.

Whining, Ruby nodded. “I’m never going to get used to this. I’m grateful, but at the same time, Vacuo needs more than a mascot. I don’t…I don’t want to disappoint them. Or…or fail…”

Yang frowned, looking down. She sighed, reaching a hand over to lace her fingers with Ruby’s.

“Look,” she said softly, “We have no guarantees with how this war is going to turn out, but right now, I think you’re doing a damn good job of helping everyone.”

Ruby squeezed Yang’s hand, looking up at her softly. She hugged Yang’s arm, pressing close. “Thanks, Sis.”

Yang leaned down to kiss her head. “Always. Now, we’re almost there. Close your eyes for me, yeah?”

“What?” Ruby looked uncertain.

“Come on, don’t you trust me?” Yang grinned.

Ruby arched a brow at her skeptically, before the facade fell into a laugh. “Of course.”

Eyes closed, Yang gently led Ruby around the corner, their hands staying locked. Yang looked up at the shop, then at Ruby. “Okay, open.”

Ruby’s silver eyes fluttered open, before they widened as she inhaled sharply. She pulled away from Yang, taking a few steps forward as she tried o figure out if this was a dream or not. Yang could understand. She felt the same way when she saw it for the first time last week.

“Oh. My. Gosh!!” Ruby shrieked, pointing at the building as she looked at Yang. “Bubba Bubba Boba!? But, how? It isn’t…I didn’t think…weren’t they only on Patch?!”

Yang shrugged a shoulder, setting a hand on her hip. “Turns out they were looking to franchise and expand. Had a deal set for a place here in Vacuo that opened up just before the Vale attack happened. Since Patch was damaged in the assault, they relocated their entire flagship here. They help give teas and food to the refugees, and apparently, Headmaster Theodore is sponsoring them for their service so they can sell to the locals while helping out.”

“How could you think this wouldn’t be a good surprise?” Ruby asked, her, coming to take Yang’s hands in hers as she grinned up at her. “The teas. The flavors. The boba. This is the best! I’ve been craving their drinks like crazy for nearly forever. I want four!”

Yang laughed as Ruby dragged her by the hand towards the building. “Okay, okay. Slow down!”

———

Ruby groaned happily as she chewed on a mouthful of brown sugar boba balls, holding two teas in her hands with another already empty on the table.

Yang laughed, working on her second strawberry mango tea with lychee jelly. Ruby had gone with a taro milk, a strawberry, and a brown sugar milk tea, deciding to have a flavor for every year she hasn’t had them.

“I’m so glad you burn through sugar so quickly,” Yang teased. “Otherwise, I’d have to deal with you bouncing off the walls like crazy.”

Ruby swallowed and sighed as she melted into her chair. “It’s just as good as I remember.”

Yang smiled fondly. “Hey, remember how Dad used to bring us here once a month as a treat after school?”

“Oh, yeah!” Ruby perked, smiling brightly. “And Uncle Qrow would always take us when he came to visit after missions.”

“Yep.” Yang chuckled. “Though, by the end of our time at Signal we were going at least twice a week.”

“Hey, it was a good reward for training sessions.” Ruby giggled. “And, ya know, when we needed a pick me up.”

Yang hummed, taking a small sip of her drink. She chewed the jelly thoughtfully, swallowing.

“Don’t…” she hesitated, before sighing. “Don’t you think it’s kinda weird that…Dad isn’t here?”

Ruby looked down. “I…I’ve thought about that too, but….Uncle Qrow says he’s on assignment, that means he’s okay, right? I-I’m sure he has his reasons…”
“Maybe…” Yang murmured. “It just feels weird that he didn’t come here, to be with Qrow, and now with us. We need him more…”

“Do you think Uncle Qrow ever told him?” Ruby asked, voice almost a whisper as she glanced sadly at Yang. “About…us?”

Yang grit her teeth, averting her eyes. “If he did…then that’s even more reasons for him to be here. I told Raven to go bring him, but she said he wouldn’t come with her.”

Ruby looked down, blinking quickly. “I miss Dad…”

“So do I…” Yang croaked. She blinked a few times herself, taking a deep breath as she shook her head. She turned to Ruby. “I know things have been difficult for us lately. And I know…I know we talked about some things, in the Ever After, but I still…just want you to know how terribly sorry I am for being the cause of you…feeling like you couldn’t rely on us.”

Ruby looked at her in shock. She shook her head, reaching to set her hand on Yang’s. “What? No, I…Yang, you…it isn’t you fault. I…I guess I’ve kind of learned that really, the hardest thing about being a leader is…knowing how to ask for help.”

“The one thing I wish you never learned from me,” Yang joked.

Ruby giggled brokenly. “Yeah…you, Dad, and Qrow aren’t exactly the best teachers in that department.”

“No,” Yang admitted. She set her hand over Ruby’s, looking at her sternly. “However, that stops now. From here on, none of us carry the weight of everything on our shoulders, got it? I won’t let us, or anyone else, make you carry the fate of the world alone. We’re here. We’re all here, to do this together.”

“That’s the thing though…” Ruby croaked. “I don’t…know how to ask for help when I need it?”

“I know.” Yang murmured. She leaned over, pressing her forehead to Ruby’s, “But we’ll learn, together. Maybe…maybe we can have a word we use when things are getting too tough and we need some help.”

“Like a code word?” Ruby asked.

“Yeah,” Yang smiled. “Something special so we’ll know, but no one else will. Like….what about Boba? That okay?”

That’s okay” Ruby giggled. She sniffled, smiling softly at her. “…I love you, sis.”

“I love you too, lil sis.” Yang smiled, kissing her nose. Yang looked into her silver eyes, squeezing her hand. “Just know that no matter what, I’m here. And I’m going to work harder to be a better big sister and team mate for you, so you never have to feel alone or forgotten again.”

“And I’ll do my best to rely on you more.” Ruby smiled as she pulled back. “It’s almost funny, don’t you think? When I joined Beacon, you were trying so hard to get me to do things on my own. Now…I have to learn how to cling to you again.”

Yang laughed. “Be careful what you wish for, I guess.”

“Hey,” Ruby looked at her sister softly. “You know I never blamed you, right? This has been hard on all of us, and I…I’m glad you’re with Blake. Even though I said some…not nice things. I’m sorry.”

“No, you were right.” Yang sighed. “It wasn’t the best time for Blake and I to act on our feelings, but…it wasn’t exactly our entire fault either. That tripped world kind of forced us to admit our feelings to each other and it kind of just spiraled from there.”

“I’m glad,” Ruby said, fiddling with her straw. “That you two are together, I mean. I kind of like the idea of having Blake as a sister-in-law.”

Yang choked on her drink, turning away to cough. Ruby yelped, jumping up to pat her back.

“Yang?!”

Yang whipped her head up, looking at Ruby in shock. “W-where did you get that idea from?!”
Ruby blinked, before snorting, rolling her eyes. “Oh, please, Yang. I see how you two have looked at each other since imitation. I knew this was coming a mile away. I’ve even talked to Dad and Qrow about how good it’ll be to have two big sisters now. At least, Blake is less annoying.”

“You horrible little brat!” Yang gasped. “How could you do that to me?”

“It’s in the little sister handbook.” Ruby stuck her tongue out.

Yang made a face at her. “Oh, yeah? Then let’s talk about you and Oscar. That kiss was pretty suspicious, huh?”

Ruby yelped, face turning red. “S-shut up! W-we aren’t talking about that!”

A sly grin spread on Yang’s face. “Oh-ho? Have you two confessed? My, my, how interesting it will be to have a little brother-in-law.”

“Yang!” Ruby shrieked, flailing her hands. “Shut up, please!”

Yang chuckled. “Fine, fine, but just know that while I’m happy for you, I am worried.”

“You and me both.” Ruby sighed, slumping across the table as she dropped back into her seat. “Oscar…he said that Oz is trying to his best to fight the merge, to find another way, but he…he doesn’t know how long it’ll last.”
Yang softened. “Oh, Ruby…I’m so sorry…”

“I knew it was a possibility.” Ruby murmured. She curled her arms to rest her cheek on them. “Funny…how I never thought I’d have that…that spark you always talked about, and yet the first time I have it…its with someone that’ll disappear, just like everyone else I’ve cared about…”

“I’m always going to be here.” Yang murmured, looking at Ruby softly. “No matter what, I promise.”

Ruby smiled softly. “Yeah…and I promise, too. At least…at least our team will always be together.”

“Damn right,” Yang nodded, grinning. “Team RWBY can never be beat.”
“Yeah!” Ruby cheered, sitting up as she punched her arms in the air. She then looked at Yang, smirking.

“By the way,” she rested her arms on the table, chin on her folded hands. “You said we were going to go shopping, yeah? When are you going to take me?”

“Oh, sis,” Yang gasped, setting a hand on her chest. “You wound me. I have so much planned for our sisterly day.”

She held up a credit card, smirking. “Special thanks to Weiss’ credit card at that.”

Ruby gasped. “Yang, you didn’t!”

“It’s the last one she had from her deadbeat dad,” Yang snorted. “Account still works with no limit. She said to go wild.”

Ruby’s eyes shined. “I’m getting so many things to upgrade my baby.”

Yang laughed, standing. “Then, what are you waiting for?”

“Let’s go!”

Chapter Text

Yang had always been quite particular about her hair.

She treated each curl with the utmost care, nurturing from root to tip. One would have thought Weiss the member of team RWBY to have the most products shoved into their shared bathroom, monopolizing a majority of the limited space for her many luxurious creams and lotions, but Yang was certainly a valiant rival. She had her own small army of skincare, but her forces strength laid mostly with her hair products. She had everything from curl creams to hairsprays to deep conditioning masks and everything in between. Yang slept on silk pillow cases, brushed her hair at least a hundred times every night, and rarely ever blow dried it. Oh, she took care of her skin and body just as thoroughly, but no where near as much as her hair. It was her pride and joy, and anyone who touched it without permission would very quickly get their teeth knocked into their own throat before they could utter a word.

Her protectiveness over her long blonde tresses had been a point of great curiosity for the middle half of team RWBY, and team JNPR for that matter. They’d seen first hand Yang’s rage when it came to her hair, from the Ursa during initiation, to the time a guy at the club tried to touch her hair and got a broken hand in the process. Yet, despite all that, she would still use those very curls to dance in Ruby’s face to make her laugh, or allow her younger sister to shove her hands into the mass of thick hair to comb her fingers through absently to calm her nerves. It was a surprise, to say the least, the first time Blake and Weiss walked into their dorm to find Ruby braiding sections of Yang’s hair while her sister napped on her lap. At first, they’d held their breath, waiting as Yang stirred for the explosion of rage to happen at someone messing with her hair. Instead, Yang had merely laughed at the braids, nuzzled against Ruby’s stomach and proceeded to leave the braids in for the remainder of the day. Now, it was common place to find their leader brushing through Yang’s hair in the evenings while she talked about some new weapon design she’d concocted in class that day, or hiding herself amongst the curls when she was feeling particularly shy.

It still didn’t answer the question as to why, exactly, Yang was so precious about her hair.

They’d had their theories, of course. Weiss thought it was merely vanity. Yang always acted like she was the hottest thing to walk through a room, and her hair added to her voluptuous feminine wiles. Jaune, on the other hand, thought it must have something to do with her semblance; perhaps the length adding to the strength it had. That was quickly dismissed, as Blake had seen Yang trimming the ends and even cutting an inch off once to make it a little lighter. Nora had made some pretty unhinged speculations herself, before Ren shut her up, though none begged to be repeated.

In the end, it was Blake who finally decided to put an end to the mystery by simply asking Ruby.

“Oh, Yang’s hair isn’t that big of a deal,” Ruby snorted, looking down from her canopied bunk as the sound from her video game filtered from her Scroll. “Even though she likes to be overdramatic about it.”

“Yes, well,” Weiss huffed, looking up at her with arms crossed and an annoyed glare. “It is a bit of a big deal to us.”

Blake shot Weiss a look, before glancing at Ruby softly. “We just want to understand her a little better, is all. Would you mind elaborating?”

“Sure.” Ruby jumped down from her bunk, smiling as she took a seat on the end of Blake’s. “Yang keeps her hair all long and shiny because of Mom.”

The girls blinked, surprised. Blake looked a little unsure. “You mean…Raven?”

Ruby made a face at the mention of the other woman, shaking her head. “Nope,” she popped the ‘p’ for emphasis. “I mean our actual mom. Summer. She would always play with Yang’s hair whenever we cuddled next to her. According to Dad, Mom used to have her hair, like, super long. It was all the way to her waist at one point. Though, she had to cut it shorter when she was pregnant with me. Apparently, her hair thinned a lot during the pregnancy and it was getting matted too often. So, she chopped it shorter. When Yang’s hair started growing, though, Mom went all out in taking care of it as much as she could. She’d brush it every night and morning. It was their bonding time. She and Yang would even have at home spa days and she’d do face masks and hair masks and manicures, the whole thing.”

Ruby giggled at the memories. “One time, we got Uncle Qrow and Dad involved. Yang and I painted their nails and Mom gave them cucumber face masks, though Dad kept trying to lick his off.”

“Sounds lovely.” Blake smiled softly, sitting on Weiss’ bunk with her.

Ruby nodded, her face falling into a more bittersweet smile. “Yeah…it was. But…when Mom passed…things got pretty difficult. Yang couldn’t take care of it the way Mom did, and Dad was…not really there, and Uncle Qrow had missions, so she figured it out herself. The bottom was starting to get matted because of the tangles Yang couldn’t get out, and by the time we got Dad’s help it was too bad. I don’t think Dad was really thinking things through, but he, uh…he figured it would hurt her less to cut the tangles than try and work it all out.”

Weiss cringed. “Is that the first hair cut incident?”

Ruby nodded grimly. “Yang saw the chunk of hair in his hand and went ballistic. Her Semblance came in early and her hair just burst into flames as she screamed and just about hit Dad through the wall in her attempt to get away to our room. She was pretty upset and cried a lot. Dad didn’t mean to upset her so much, and he came to apologize profusely for making the wrong call. Yang forgave him, but took extra good care of her hair so it wouldn’t happen again. It sounds silly, to be so precious about your hair, but…Yang sees it as a connection to Mom. Mom loved it when Yang’s hair was long, so she takes good care of it. Keeps the memories around.”

Blake and Weiss ached for Yang. Neither could possibly fathom what would be like to lose their own mothers, let alone at such a young age. It made sense, for Yang to cling to the one thing she could carry every day to feel closer to Summer, the routine a comforting call back to better days.

“Is that why she reacts so violently when someone touches her hair?” Weiss asked thoughtfully.

Ruby shrugged a shoulder. “Nah, that’s just Yang being Yang.”

Blake snorted, a fond smile on her lips. “That doesn’t surprise me.”
“What doesn’t surprise you?” All three girls looked over as Yang came into the dorm, dressed in her workout bra and shorts, blonde tresses up in a ponytail. Blake was certainly doing a very subtle once over of the defined abs that were on glorious display while Weiss dramatically rolled her eyes.

“You being obnoxiously temperamental,” Weiss huffed.

Yang gasped in mock offense, setting a hand on her chest. “How dare. I will have you know that I am perfectly in control of all of my emotions, thank you.”

“Is that what you call getting mad at Nora for eating the last pancake this morning?” Ruby teased.

“She knew I wanted it and ate it to spite me!” Yang grumbled. “I was totally justified.”

“Sure.” Blake giggled.

Yang went over to their mini fridge to grab a water bottle and come to plop down next to Ruby on the edge of Blake’s bed. “So, what were you three really talking about?”

“Your hair,” Ruby piped up.

“More specifically, why you’re so protective of it.” Blake admitted gently.

Yang took a swig of the water bottle, chuckling. “Oh. You could have just asked.”

Weiss flushed. “If we thought we could, we would have.. It seemed like a touchy subject, so we didn’t want to upset you.”

“It is a little on the touchy side, but I don’t mind. Think Rubes already explained it though, yeah?” She looked at her little sister, receiving a nod in reply.

Blake looked at her softly. “I hope you can forgive us for being so nosy. It’s just…nice to understand you a little more, I guess.”

Yang blushed slightly, but grinned. “Hey, remember what Ozpin said at the start of the year? Teams are like family. It’s only natural for us to get a little closer with everything we’ve been through already.”

“Hard to believe an entire semester has gone by already.” Weiss admitted.

Ruby hummed, kicking her legs absently. “The Vytal Festival will be coming up soon. I really want to make sure to do my best, especially since Dad and Uncle Qrow will be watching.”

Yang threw her arm around Ruby, kissing her head. “Don’t worry, Sis. You’re going to do great.”

Ruby made a face, struggling to pull away. “Ew, Yang, you’re all sweaty. Get off.”

“Oh? What’s that? You want to hug your big sis?” Yang smirked, reaching to grab Ruby, only have her sister Petal Burst away to the other side of the room.

“Keep your sweat to yourself!” Ruby cried.

Yang jumped to her feet, chasing her around the room. “Come on, Rubes. Gimme a hug.”

“Gross. Gross. Gross!”

Blake and Weiss sighed heavily at their partners antics, looking at each other, before they broke out into quiet snickering.

They’d never quite understand the Xiao Long-Rose sisters, but that’s what they liked most about them, really.

After all, loving each other no matter what they learned was what families were all about.

Chapter Text

“What are you two getting dressed up for?”

“Team FNKY invited us to go to the club.” Blake said while putting on mascara in the small desk mirror they had in the dorm. “Been a while since we were able to just have some fun, you know?”

Yang glanced up at Ruby from where she was adjusting her golden one-sleeve shirt, smirking at her sister who was hanging upside down from her top bunk.

“Ruby, you’re going to get a head rush sitting like that,” she warned playfully.

Ruby stuck her tongue out. “Am not.”

She rolled over on her belly, anyway, kicking her feet back and forth. “Why are you going out with Team FNKY, though? Thought you guys couldn’t stand them.”

“I certainly can’t,” Weiss huffed, brushing her hair out from her perch on the bottom bunk. “Neon is far too…much for my tastes, and given that we live with Nora that is saying something.”

“True,” Yang admitted, fluffing up her own blond tresses. “However, that’s the benefit of a club. The music is too loud to hear them.”

Blake snorted, turning her head away to giggle.

Yang grinned in victory, turning back to Ruby. “You should join us, Rubes.”

Ruby made a face. “Yeah…no thanks. I don’t do clubs. I’m probably just going to go run through some more training drills and then play video games the rest of the night.”

Weiss looked up at her worriedly. “Ruby, we’ve all been working incredibly hard since we got to Atlas. There is nothing wrong with taking a break, you know.”

“I know.” Ruby blushed, scratching her cheek bashfully. “I just…I’m not as extroverted as you guys are, I guess.”

“Please,” Yang snorted, jabbing her thumb at Blake. “Miss Nose-In-A-Book isn’t exactly the picture of extroversion either, yet she’s going.”

Blake gasped. “Hey!”

“Point is,” Yang said, ignoring Blake’s glare, “It’ll be fun and you should come.”

Ruby looked unsure, but slowly sat up on the bunk, crossing her legs. “What would I even wear?”
Weiss stood, looking up at her with a devilish grin. “Oh, you just leave that to us.”

Ruby swallowed thickly, backing away from the edge. “Maybe this is a bad idea….”

“Oh, no you don’t!” Blake tossed the cowl of Gambol Shroud up and around Ruby’s waist, yanking her down not a moment later.

Ruby yelped.

Yep, she was going to regret this.

———

“There!”

Weiss spun their fearless leader around to see herself in the little mirror on the desk. Ruby’s eyes were winged with black eyeliner, lashes darkened by mascara, and cheekbones highlighted with a dusting of silver powder to bring out her silver eyes. One side of her hair was tucked in with a bit of hairspray and a rose hair clip, the rest lightly ruffled and bangs framing her face. They’d picked out a black camisole with a tightly woven white fishnet shirt over top that had thumb holes in the sleeve cuffs, her brown leather harness, black leggings, and a short red circle skirt with her boots.

“Whoa.” Ruby blinked in shock at herself, gently touching her cheek. She actually looked kind of…cool.

“Hold up.” Yang grabbed the back of the chair, turning Ruby towards her as she leaned down, a lipgloss wand in hand. She smeared it on her bottom and top lip, a scent of strawberries filling Ruby’s nose. She looked in the mirror to see that her lips glittered with a soft pink gloss and she blushed. Yang grinned.

“You look beautiful, Ruby.” Blake said fondly.

“Of course, she does.” Weiss flicked curled white hair over her shoulder. “We did good.”

Yang took Ruby’s hands to pull her up, smiling lovingly. “You always look beautiful. Now, you look badass, too.”

Ruby giggled. “Thanks, you guys.”

“Hey,” Jaune was suddenly poking his head into their room. “We’re going to the movies, anyone wanna join-whoa.”
His jaw was nearly on the floor, looking between the four of them. Yang’s hair was in her high ponytail, sprayed with golden glitter to give it a nice sheen to go with her glittering one-sleeve shirt, her gauntlet bracelet, and fitted black pants with black boots. Blake had put waves in her hair, the tips dyed purple, smoky purple eye make up, and a purple cold-shoulder crop-top with high-waisted white pants and her normal boots. Weiss had left her hair down, curled and half pulled back in a twist, with icy blue eye make up, a white, sheer high-neck tank top, white and blue ombred maxi skirt with a high slit in the side, and her heels.

“See something you like?” Yang teased.

Jaune’s face went read. “N-no, I-I mean…you guys look amazing, I mean…”

The girls giggled, though Weiss merely rolled her eyes.

“Jaune, did they want to go-oh.” Oscar froze as he came to the door, wondering what was taking Jaune so long. Now, he could see why. Though, his eyes were trained mostly on Ruby who blushed shyly, smiling at him in such a way he was sure his heart was going to stop.

“Are you guys going to the movies?” Ruby asked.

“I-I, uhh.” Oscar blinked, suddenly not able to remember how to speak.

Yang smirked, throwing her arm around Ruby’s shoulders, other on her own hip. “Sorry, boys, but we’re spoken for tonight. You’re more than welcome to come with us to the club, though, if you’d like.”

Jaune shook his head, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah…clubs aren’t really my thing. I think I had my fair share of dancing after the Beacon Ball incident.”

“Hey, you guys were awesome then.” Yang pointed out.

Blake smiled. “You certainly can dance when you want to, but…we understand if that isn’t comfortable for you.”

“Thanks guys.” Jaune smiled slightly.

“What about you, Oscar?” Weiss asked. “You’ve never seen a club before, have you?”

Oscar startled, looking uncertain. “W-well, no, but I…I already told Jaune I’d go with him to the movies.”

“You can go with them if you want,” Jaune offered, nudging Oscar lightly with his elbow. “Ren and Nora would definitely go with me if I asked, so it’s no big deal. You should check it out at least once.”

“W-what?” Oscar flushed, stumbling at the nudge. “But I’ve never…I-I don’t even know what you do there.”

“Don’t worry.” Yang grinned. “We got you covered.”

Yang and Blake were quick to grab Oscar’s arms and drag him into the room as he yelped. The door slammed shut behind them, leaving Jaune to blink in surprise.

—

Station Rhyme was one of those city dives that only the right people with the right kind of know could find, and Flint just so happened to be that one such person.

“Welcome to my paradise,” he said, arms wide as he lead the way into the building after they’d passed security. Their huntsman licenses got them through with little hassle, and weapons kept tucked away, not that any of them expected to use them that night. The place beat with the pulse of the music, a DJ stand risen on a stage high above the multicolored dance floor. Neon lights in blues and greens and pinks glittered throughout, people handing out glow bracelets and necklaces to everyone who passed.

“Whatcha think?” Neon grinned at Team RWBY, plus Oscar.

“It’s glorious.” Yang said in awe, violet eyes twinkling in the light.

Blake snorted, elbowing her lightly. “Careful, you’ll start drooling.”

“It’s definitely…loud.” Oscar said. He’d been throughly made up by the combined efforts of Blake, Weiss, and Yang, brown hair slicked back and pushed to one side, high lighter on his cheeks, and a thin swipe of smudge eyeliner on his upper lash line. His usual clothes had been changed in favor for a light brown button up with the sleeves rolled up, a closed dark green vest, black jeans, and his boots and orange gloves. They’d added an extra pack belt to his waist so he could store his cane, and for the edgy-ness. Ruby had been doing her best not to stare at him the entire time they’re made their way down to Mantel.

Spoiler alert: she failed miserably.

“What?” Ruby called over the noise, rubbing her ear from the loud noise .

“Exactly!” Oscar called back.

“Come on!” Yang threw an arm around each of the youngest members, grinning. “Let’s go have some fun!”

The two of them were dragged along into the crowd as the others plunged straight in. Ruby was very glad she’d gotten over her extreme fear of crowds, but this was definitely pushing a resurgence. Though, the butterflies didn’t last long before Yang was spinning her into a dance. Pretty soon, nerves turned to laughter as the group of them followed the tempo of the music, swaying their hips and dancing along.

It reminded Ruby of the Beacon Ball, when she, Blake, Yang, and Weiss had all danced together as a team. They’d come so far from being students. Now, they had traveled continents, received their licenses, and had more friends to share with it.

Someone grabbed Ruby’s hand, spinning her as she laughed. She stumbled, turning into a solid chest that caught her. She blinked, finding herself face to face with Oscar. They stared at each other a moment, dark blushes spreading on their cheeks, before they dissolved into laughter. Henri gently held her hands, the two of them dancing together. Weiss had paired off with Flint who moved with ease. Neon had found herself a pretty partner. And Yang and Blake were clearly lost in their own little world.

“This…this has been fun.” Oscar said, having to raise his voice a bit for her to hear him.

Ruby nodded. “It has…I didn’t know what to expect, really.”

“Me either.” He admitted, swaying with her.

She smiled. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me too.” Oscar smiled shyly at her in return.

The two of them locked eyes, either really wanting to pull away. They leaned closer, ever so slowly, giving the other a chance to back out if they wanted. Ruby’s heart was thundering in her ears louder than the music ever could, deafening her as she could feel his breath on her skin.

“Hey, let’s go get a drink!” Ruby yelped as Yang suddenly scooped her away, shattering the moment as she was dragged to the bar.

“Yang!” Ruby’s face turned bright red, realizing just what she and Oscar had been about to do. “I-hey! Get off!”

Yang grinned, pretending as if she didn’t know exactly what she had just done. Violet eyes shifted over her shoulder to make sure Blake had gone to check on Oscar and make sure he didn’t faint from the after shocks. The two sisters saddled up to the bar, Yang rapping her metal knuckles against the counter.

“One orange twist, and two Strawberry Sunrises, please. Make one of those a virgin, okay?” She winked at the male bartender, leaning lazily against the counter as she pretended not to notice Ruby silent freak out as her face turned redder and redder.

“Hmm?” Yang glanced at her sideways smiling. “You good, Sis?”

“What!?” Ruby startled, flushing even brighter, if that was even possible. At this right, she was going to blend in seamlessly with her cloak that she was wringing between her hands. “O-oh, uh, y-yeah, I’m…I’m good. I’m good. Is it hot in here?”

Yang chuckled. Once their drinks arrived, she shoved Ruby’s in her hand. “Here, this’ll help you cool off.”

Ruby quietly sipped through the straw as she followed Yang to where Flint and Neon had pushed two tables together for them to sit. Weiss returned to the tables just as they were getting comfortable, handing a drink to Neon and Flint, and a lemon lime soda for Oscar. Neither Ruby nor Oscar glanced at the other, missing the smirks their friends were shooting over their heads.

“Not a bad find, Flint.” Yang said as she laid an arm around the back of Blake’s chair. “Maybe we’ll have to come out with you two more often.”

Flint winked. “Don’t get too comfortable, Brawler. Who says I want you lot cramping my style?”

Yang barked a laugh, Blake shaking her head in amusement.

“Maybe we don’t want to be cramped by you, ever thought of that?” Weiss shot back

“Ice Queen, you’re hilarious.” Neon grinned. “Like you guys could ever be as cool as us.”

“Hey!” Weiss scowled, though it didn’t last long as they all dissolved into laughter.

—

“So,” Yang slid her arm around Blake’s shoulders, a hand in her pocket as they wandered down the street with the others. “Have a good night, Ms. Belladonna?”

Blake hummed, side-eyeing Yang with a playful smile. “I suppose so. Helped that I had a decent partner to dance with.”

“Only decent, huh?” Yang chuckled. “You definitely know how to keep a woman humbled.”

“Just like you know how to ruin a moment?” Blake teased, glanced over to Ruby and Oscar who were walking close to each other, but always keeping just a bit of distance. They were still blushing every time they glanced at each other.

“He certainly didn’t listen

Yang huffed, leaning into Blake a bit to lower her voice. “He certainly doesn’t listen to warning, that’s for sure.”

“Yang Xiao Long-Rose,” Blake gasped in mock offense. “Did you threaten that poor boy?”

Yang flushed, jerking back a bit. “It isn’t like that. I just…”

“I know, I know. You just want to keep her safe.” Blake softened, looking at Yang. “I worry about it too.”

Heaving a sigh, the blonde glanced up at the sky, able to see Atlas hanging above them, and the edges of the shattered moon waning. “Oscar’s a good kid. If circumstances were different I’d practically be pushing the two of them together myself. But…”

“It’s difficult,” Blake agreed, “With the Ozpin thing and the rest of what is going on. It hasn’t exactly been easy for us, either.”

“Yeah, but that’s…different.” Yang murmured.

Blake arched a brow. “Is it? Sure, one of us isn’t battling with a second soul, but we’re still dealing with our own traumas and ghosts. After what we did, I still can’t help feeling like maybe…I don’t deserve to be happy.”

“Hey, hey.” Yang frowned at her. “No, none of that. We did what we had to with Adam. He wasn’t going to stop.”

“I know.” Blake looked down, rubbing her arm. “My point is…if we’re still able to try, shouldn’t they?”

Sighing, Yang glanced over at the two dejectedly. “I…want to say yes, but…Ruby is my baby sister. No matter how much she grows up, I’m always going to want to protect her. And now, with everything going on that I can’t protect her from, I just…want to shield her from what I can.”

Blake looked up, reaching a hand to cup Yang’s cheek. “You’re a good big sister.”

Yang smiled sadly, tipping her cheek into Blake’s palm. “I hope so. Some days, I wonder if anything I’m doing is right.”

“It is,” Blake assured. “You may not be perfect, but you try. I see the difference it makes with Ruby. Having you here is the reason she can be so strong. I know it is.”

Yang softened, pressing a kiss to Blake’s wrist. Blake blushed and she smiled, enamored by how warm she felt with Blake by her side. She was about to lean in, take advantage of the moment, when a loud roar pierced the night air. Yang’s head shot up, Blake’s ears twitching.

Ruby rounded on the group, eye’s wide. “Was that a Grimm?”

Flint was already taking out his Scroll, Hard-Light screen flashing red. “We got a breech. Southeast sector.”

“We’re on it.” Weiss said, pulling Myrtenaster from her belt.

Oscar took out The Long Memory from his pouch, snapping it open to full length as Blake unholstered Gambol Shroud from under her jacket.

“A Huntsman’s job is never done.” She sighed.

Ruby tossed her cloak to the side, tugging Crescent Rose off her belt to shift into her scythe, glancing at her sister. Yang sneered, shoving her sleeve up as she engaged Ember Celica, eyes turning red and hair crackling with flame.

“They picked the wrong fucking night,” she growled.

“Let’s go.” Ruby said, taking off running with the others.

Chapter Text

Weiss panted heavily, nearly doubled over as she struggled up the sloping path, praying to whatever power may listen they found help soon.

Things weren’t supposed to be like this. It was just a simple mission, clear out a few Ursai that were blocking a transport road to Mistrel. They’d taken out dozens of them in the Neverfall Forest back at Beacon. It was a piece of cake.

That was, until, it wasn’t.

Their information had been wrong, and they’d walked not into a few Ursai, but an entire pack lead by an Ursai Major. Ruby had been quick to divide the teams, sending Team JNR with Oscar to get the attention of half of the pack, while Team RWBY divided the other half between their two partners, leaving Qrow to face the Ursai Major on his own. Yang and Blake dragged their half of the pack away, Ruby and Weiss doing the same. Blades swung, bullets soared, and Dust crackled in the air as the two of them danced around the battle field, making quick work of the Grimm. Ruby was a reaper through the forest, slicing down Ursai with each boost of her Semblance, laughing all the while. Weiss would never cease to be amazed at how much she seemed to thrive in battle, laser focused in a way she’d never seen her friend before. It had been so long since they’d fought together like this.

Maybe that was why she’d lowered her guard, let her focus slip for a second too long. Weiss didn’t notice the Ursai coming up behind her, too focused on the one at her front. She didn’t know it’d raised its claw, ready to swipe at her. She didn’t see it coming down, not until Ruby screamed her name and the world had turned red.

“W-Weiss…” Ruby whined into her partner’s neck, weakly squeezing her shoulders. “I-I’m scared…I can’t feel my legs…”

Weiss grit her teeth, tightening her hands under Ruby’s thighs. She could feel the warmth of her friend’s blood seeping into the back of her dress; her shoulders, neck, and hands already sticky with it. It was probably the blood loss. Ruby had lost so much already. She’d done her best to wrap the wound at her side, to patch the gauge in her shoulder, but it wasn’t enough, not with her Aura broken as it was. Weiss needed to find Jaune, have him boost her Aura, or else Ruby might not make it back to the city to a doctor.

“Just…just hold on, Ruby.” Weiss gasped out, knees trembling as they struggled to support herself and Ruby’s weight on her back. “It’s okay. Everything is going to be okay. Yang would have my head, otherwise. So, hang on. We’ll find the others.”

Ruby whimpered along her shoulder. Weiss knew she was in pain, could hear her hitched breathes with every step. Gods, of all the times she cursed her delicate upbringing. She was so weak compared to everyone else. Weiss could take out an enemy with well timed jabs, summon glyphs to fight in her stead, but she had no physical strength, not like the others. Blake was raised in the White Fang, always training to be as nimble and strong as possible. Yang was a brawler, all solid muscle and raw power. Ruby had built plenty of upper body strength with how heavy Crescent Rose was, not to mention her enjoyment for running. Weiss had none of that. Her tutors had focused on sword work and posture over physical strength, leaving her with a quick mind, but little force behind her. Now, it was a tragic loss, especially, when she needed that strength most.

Gritting her teeth, Weiss put one foot in front of the other, keeping herself moving. It didn’t matter. She just needed to get Ruby to the others as soon as possible. She wasn’t going to lose her friend, not here, not now. Not after fighting so hard to get back to her. It was funny. They’d fought so much at Beacon. Weiss had hated that Ruby was their leader, looked down her nose at this child two years younger than herself being put at the head of their team. She thought she was immature, childish, incapable of ever amounting to a worthwhile huntress.

Oh, how wrong she’d been.

It wasn’t until she was alone in her room back home that Weiss realized her team was more than just that - they were family. She missed the sound of Yang’s obnoxious snoring that helped lull her to sleep. She would make two cups of coffee instead of one, turning to find Ruby only to remember she wasn’t there. When she found an outfit while window shopping, she’d look to Blake to get her opinion, finding the space beside her void of her friend’s company. How she’d missed them, ached for their presence over the last few months. Faced with the silence, the oppressive control, the aching loneliness, Weiss finally realized just how much she loved her team, how much she would do anything to return to them.

She refused to lose all of that, now. She wouldn’t lose Ruby.

Not now. Not ever.

Weiss had a single focus, to just keep going. Her knees screamed, thighs burning, ankles threatening to snap, but she refused to stop moving. She had to find the others. She had to.

“Weiss!?”

“Ruby!?”

Weiss’s head shot up, eyes widening as she heard Blake and Yang calling out for them. With new found energy, she hurried towards the voices.

“Guys! Over here!” Weiss cried. “Hurry!”

Leaves rustled, twigs snapping as boots beat across the ground. In moments, Yang and Blake broke the tree line, and their eyes widened.

“Ruby!” Yang shrieked in fear, rushing forward. She scooped her sister off Weiss’ back, and as soon as her weight was gone, Weiss collapsed to her knees.

“What happened to you two? There’s so much blood.” Blake dropped beside her, hands carefully dancing across her body to check for wounds.

Weiss shook her head, panting heavily “N-not mine…Ruby’s…she…she took a hit from a Ursai…Aura shattered…”

Yang gasped in horror as she cradled her sister in her arms, taking in the blood soaked bandages. “Oh, gods, Ruby…”

Ruby whimpered, pressing her face into Yang’s shoulder as she weakly held her side. “Hurts…Y-Yang…it hurts…”

“Shh. Shh.” Yang nuzzled her cheek against Ruby’s forehead, struggling not to shake in her fear. “I’ve got you. I’m here. Big sis is right here, Ruby. Hang on, we’ll find Jaune.”

Blake helped Weiss up with her arm over her shoulders, letting Weiss lean her weight into her side. They rushed through the trees, coming out in a small clearing where the others were waiting.

Oscar turned with a smile. “Hey, you guys find-Ruby!?”

“Oh, gods.” Nora gasped, covering her mouth at the sight of them.

Jaune bolted towards Yang, meeting her in the middle as his hands were immediately going to Ruby’s wounds.

“What happened!?” He cried.

“Ursai.” Yang breathed. “Shattered her Aura.”

“Ren!” Jaune yelled, the other boy rushing over. Yang kneeled to lay Ruby on the ground, head pillowed in her lap as Ren took off the bandages to examine the wounds. Jaune paled at the sight of the claw marks in her side and shoulder.

“These are bad.” He said. “Jaune?”

“On it.” He dropped on her other side, holding his hands out as his body glowed. Aura pumped into Ruby, filtering over her body in gold waves. She whimpered, arching slightly in pain, but Yang held her steadily. She hushed Ruby, combing a hand through her hair as the healing started. It was slow, but the wounds started to close up bit by bit, tissues knitting back together. He pulled back after several long moments, leaning into Oscar as he panted heavily, reaching the edge of his Aura stores.

“I-I got them closed a much as I could,” he croaked, wincing as sweat dripped down his temple and neck, “But I’m all tapped out.”

“It’s okay.” Blake said, pulling bandages from her pack. “She should be stable enough to get to a doctor now.”

She knelt by Ruby, checking the wounds carefully. The claw marks in her side were still bleeding sluggishly, her shoulder a knotted inflamed mess oozing clear fluid. She wrapped each wound, cupping Ruby’s cheek as she looked down at her.

“We’re going to get you back to the city, okay?” She said softly.

Ruby leaned into her touch, nodding slightly. Her eyes were blurry from blood loss and Blake could feel a fever setting in. She noticed that Ruby had been clutching Oscar’s hand the whole time, the boy stunned in silence, but holding hers just as tightly. He looked at Blake in fear, but she shook her head slightly. Ruby would be okay. No one had to worry.

“Come on, Rosebud.” Yang said softly, gathering her sister into her arms. She rose, holding Ruby close to her chest. “Let’s find Uncle Qrow and get out of here.”

She paused, looking back to Weiss who was covered in her sister’s blood, hugging herself as Nora tried to comfort her. Yang softened, Blake going to their friend’s side to wrap an arm around her as well.

“Weiss,” Yang said softly.
Weiss’ head shot up, eyes blown from shock and fear. Yang gave her a small smile, tears in her lavender eyes.

“Thank you,” she breathed, “For saving my baby sister.”

Weiss sniffled, glancing away as she tried to fight her own tears.

“I’ve always got her back,” Weiss croaked.

“Just as we have yours.” Blake smiled, pressing a kiss to Weiss’ hair before they all headed out of the forest.

Chapter Text

Okay, I'm a few hours late, but WHO CARES!!!!

WE'RE BACK BABY!!!!!

VIZ Media has officially picked up the licensing for RWBY and will be producing the story and all its future adventures from here out!

I am so freaking excited for this and happy that we didn't lose our favorite show.

And have yall SEEN the new Vacou art?!

I'm freaking screaming!!!!!!

We finally get Ponytail Yang!!!!

They didn't give us a ton of new information, but I do know that the soundtracks will be returning to streaming platforms soon under the new contract and according to Kerry and Barbara there is tons of exciting things like new merch and stuff in the works.

I am SO thrilled!

Let me know what you're thoughts are about the new acquisition. Would you rather they do an entire reboot in a more anime-style? Or would you rather they continue the story from where we left off?

We're so back guys!!!