Can't Afford to Lose

Everything went into chaos. The school, slowly but surely, reduced to rubble and ash. The White Fang and the Grimm took over a majority of the school, and the hunters and huntresses, feeling unprepared for the invasion, escaped the turmoil set off by Cinder Fall. And now, with the powers of the Fall Maiden, Cinder became closer to reaching her goal, which was still a mystery to everyone.

But there were those still willing to fight against the White Fang and the Grimm. Those who were willing to bring down the injustice and the very misguided. Those willing to sacrifice everything and bring up arms to defend their school and their home. And those very people would do whatever it took to achieve that.

Even two young first-years: one who was having difficulty with what she wanted to do for her future, and the other with her past. Blake Belladonna, carrying the literally-disarmed blonde to safety, found a hidden area by the fountain in the courtyard. She knew she could only stay there until Adam caught up with her. She would have kept watch if not for her worry about her partner, Yang Xiao Long. The blonde beauty, unconscious from her one-sided bout with Adam, still drew breath, and that gave Blake a moment of relief. Adam could have killed her there and then if he wanted to. But to him, it wouldn't satisfy him if it were that quick. And Blake knew it.

"I'm… I'm so sorry…" Blake groveled and cried at the sight of her partner's condition. She undid her bow and started to wrap the stub in them. Blake brought her hand up to her face only to wipe her sweat and tears.

"It's all my fault… If I ran, maybe you wouldn't have…"

Yang started to groan, slowly waking up. When lilac eyes met amber, Yang smiled and reached up to Blake "You're okay."

"Yang…."

"Why are you crying? Are you hurt?" Yang's voice was soft and choppy. Whether it was obliviousness or out of concern, Yang was calm about her missing dominant arm.

Blake placed her hand over Yang's, pressing it against her cheek. She sniffled and smiled "I'm just relieved you're alive. I got you out in time…"

But her smile didn't last. Tears fell from her cheeks and landed on Yang's face. Placing her own hand on Yang's abdomen, Blake clutched a tight fist. Strong enough to draw blood if she wanted.

"Blake?"

"I'm so sorry… None of this was supposed to happen. Not like this. No one was supposed to get hurt because of me."

"Hey, hey, hey. Nothing bad happened." Yang reassured her.

"How can you say that?! You lost an arm because of me."

"Better than the alternative." The brawler argued with her. With a smile, she looked up to Blake, eyes filled with kindness "Blake, I've lost so many over my lifetime. I've lost my mother. I've lost my step-mother. In a sense, I even lost my own father." Yang placed her hand on Blake's clenched fist. "If I lost you… If you had died back there, I..."

"Yang..." Blake smiled.

Yang sat up slowly, with Blake's help "We're still breathing and able. If running is our only option, I'll do it, so long as the both of us survive. I can't afford to lose someone else I love."

Blake nodded. Out of instinct, Blake pressed her forehead against Yang's. She didn't speak, but Yang could understand. She closed her eyes and held onto Blake's fist as tightly as possible. Her hand, shaking with worry and frustration, felt strong to the Faunus. Though she knew Yang was scared for her, Blake could confidently say Yang was someone she needed. If either of them were to disappear, the other would follow.