Weiss stepped through the front door of the rented house where her friends were staying. She was exhausted and in need of a shower, but there was something she needed to do first.
"Weiss!" Ruby yelled, jumping up to give her a hug. "You're here! After your dad dragged you back to Atlas, I didn't know if we'd ever see you again." Ruby stepped back, sniffing. "Guess it's been a rough journey, huh?"
"You have no idea. Who's here?"
"Blake and her parents won't be back for a while. Ghira had a meeting, coordinating support from Menagerie. Some of the Mistral council are still leery of accepting their help, so he's having to be extra diplomatic. Yang is in the garage, working on her motorcycle. Jaune, Ren, and Nora are sparring out back. You know about Oscar, right?" Weiss nodded. "Okay, then. I'll give you the Lien tour after you clean up."
Weiss didn't know if she was relieved or not. "That sounds excellent. Which way to the shower? And is there coffee?"
"It's pretty much the water of life around here. Even Qrow is drinking that more often than he's drunk these days. I'll make a fresh pot. And find you something else to wear while we wash that."
An hour later, Weiss felt herself again. Freed from the gilded cage her family had become, she could focus on Weiss, not Weiss Schnee, but simply Weiss. Now to see if she could carry something unspeakably precious forward from the past.
Voices at the door drew made her look up. Ghira, Kali, and Blake had returned. "And look who's here! Weiss!" Ruby shouted.
Weiss stood and bowed. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Belladonna, Mrs. Belladonna."
"We're glad to see you. Given what's going on, we can use all the allies we can get. And how's your family?"
She looked aside. "After he took me back to Atlas, my father made me a prisoner, and my brother was helping him. I escaped and made my way to Mistral. Ran into Qrow and he directed me here." Weiss looked at them again, but her eyes were focused on Blake. "So I come to you with nothing, really. Well, except the briefcase full of Lien I helped myself to on the way out."
Ghira rested a hand on her shoulder. "Don't sell yourself short. From everything I've heard, you're a capable Huntress and a solid ally, both of which we need. Blake, show her to a room. I'm going to go work out some aggravation in the practice ring."
The room Blake showed her to was small and spartan. A small bed, dresser, desk, and an uncomfortable-looking chair. To Weiss it felt like a palace. "Sorry, it's not much. We're getting a bit crowded here, with everyone showing up. Did... did Ruby explain Oscar to you?"
"Qrow did. Well, sort of. He was somewhat drunk when I ran into him. Oscar has Ozpin's soul in his head, and he's cursed for not defeating someone called Salem who's behind all this?"
"Best get the whole story from them yourself, then. I'll leave you to get settled." Blake turned to go, but Weiss reached out and laid a hand on her arm. This moment was what Weiss had come here for if she had to be honest with herself. "Blake... we need to talk. About us."
"Weiss, I-"
"You left. You left me alone." Weiss sat on the bed, staring at Blake. "You said I wasn't alone, not anymore. And then you ran away again."
"I couldn't-I didn't want to drag you into my mess."
"After you left, I felt lost. When my father came, I didn't have the strength to fight him. And he dragged me back to Atlas, tried to make me his princess in a gilded cage again. It... didn't work. I wasn't that person anymore." Weiss stood, taking Blake's hand in hers, meeting Blake's eyes. "I won't go back there again. I can't; I don't fit anymore. But I want... us again. This time without all the hiding, everything out in the open. It was foolish and selfish of me to insist we keep our relationship a secret. I was... trying to have you, without losing the comfort of my family, and my selfishness blinded me to how much you meant to me. I'm sorry."
Blake was silent for what seemed like an eternity. Then, "I don't know if I can, Weiss. I'm afraid I'll run away again, and I don't want to hurt you a second time. You mean a lot to me too."
"You are not alone. Remember what we said, to each other that night in the rose garden? 'I am your sword and shield, I will stand by your side to my last breath, that you may live to draw another.' This time, if you run, I'll be running with you."
"The Oath of Blades." Blake smiled. It was an old Hunstman's oath, sworn between two partners who had decided to spend their life together, fighting side by side.
"Yes. You know, that oath used to be taken more seriously than marriage. In effect, partners who swore that oath had married themselves to each other."
Blake paled and started to pull away, her ears folding flat on her head. "Uh..." Weiss chuckled and gripped her hand tighter, just enough to make her pause a moment. "Don't worry, I won't hold you to that. Unless and until we swear it again, with witnesses this time. But I reserve the right to earn the honor of standing by your side again."
Blake's ears flicked in amusement. "And how do you mean to do that, Weiss?"
Weiss grinned and stepped over to the window, opening it. "For starters, would you do me the honor of going out on a date with me? I need to go shopping, and I'm fairly certain we might find sharing a meal enjoyable."
Blake moved next to her, smiling wistfully. At Beacon, her time with Weiss had been rare and precious, time stolen from classes or training. A chance to step back from the stress they were under, with someone who seemed to understand the guilt she carried better than anyone else did. Things were different now. Could it still work? Without really thinking about it, she wrapped an arm around Weiss. Weiss hesitated a moment, then put her arm around Blake, leaning into her. Blake sighed as she realized she'd made her decision without really thinking about it. "I missed this." she murmured.
"Me too."
"Blake! Weiss!" Yang yelled from the hallway. "Lunch is ready! Ruby made stir-fry."
Weiss blinked. "Ruby can cook?"
"Sort of. Stir-fry is her best dish, and it's easy for her to make enough for everyone. Yang's chili, on the other hand, is delicious but you pay for it afterward." Blake took a deep breath and decided to take the plunge. "So, lunch out or lunch in? Your choice."
"Out, definitely. I want some time alone with you before we face everyone. And there's a handy window to make our exit." Blake's jaw dropped, and Weiss grinned again. "Blake Belladonna, don't tell me you've never left through the window? Let's go."
After lunch, Sun Wukong went out roof-running. His combat style depended on high mobility, and obstacle courses were okay, but nothing could compare to the unpredictability of leaping from rooftop to rooftop. Mistral's roofs were a challenge he was coming to enjoy.
He frowned and skidded to a stop as a stray thought broke his concentration. It had been odd for Blake and Weiss to both skip out like that. Weiss he could get, but Blake really liked Ruby's stir-fry. Maybe the two of them had skipped out to do girl stuff together? He didn't think they were besties like that, but you never knew. He crouched down at the edge of the roof, scanning the plaza in front of him and the buildings around it, planning his route. Something familiar caught his eye and he looked closer. There they were. Weiss and Blake were sitting on the patio of a cafe, laughing and talking, shopping bags piled around them. Maybe he could join them, offer to carry stuff, or at least carry some of it home while they went on. Score some points with Blake. He started to stand, then froze. Weiss had just leaned forward and kissed Blake. Not no friend kiss on the cheek, but on the lips, and it looked like Blake was returning the favor.
Sun laid back on the roof, slamming his fist down. Damn. He'd always figured Blake was out of his league, but he had to try, you know? She was just so gorgeous and awesome. So what was he gonna do?
Nah, no question about it. He had no chance with Blake now. Sun Wukong was a goofball, but even he knew it would be a pretty jerkass move to try to break them up just so he could make a move on Blake. And he just wasn't that guy.
Sun rolled to his feet. No more roof-running today, his focus was gone. Back to their base. Maybe Ruby would spar with him for a while. That huge scythe of hers was tough for him to handle, it'd make for a good challenge.
That night, Ghira frowned and looked around the living room. "Blake and Weiss still aren't back? I'm starting to worry."
Kali laid a hand on his arm. "Dear, I'm sure they're fine. They're both capable Huntresses."
Sun glanced over from where he was sitting next to Ruby. "Uh, I think they went shopping? I saw them when I was out roof-running."
"Did they say when they would be back?"
"I, uh, didn't talk to them. They had lots of bags of stuff and I didn't want to end up carrying it. Plus it looked like they were doing some serious catching-up, you know? Didn't want to interrupt."
Ruby stopped field-stripping Crescent Rose. Something in his voice... She leaned over and whispered in Sun's ear. He nodded and whispered back in her ear. "I'm sure they're fine," Ruby said as she went back to work. Crescent Rose was a complicated weapon and took a lot of work to keep in peak fighting condition.
Ghira growled and stalked towards Ruby. "Young lady, if you know something..."
Ruby shook her head. "It's not mine to tell."
"If something happens to them-"
"You'll what?" Blake and Weiss stood in the doorway. "I can look after myself, dad."
"I was just worried about you. Having you back after being gone for so long, I didn't want to lose you again."
"I went on a date with my girlfriend. No big deal. Come on, Weiss, let's get this put away."
Ghira sat down and went back to reading reports. A few minutes later he looked up, surprise on his face. "Girlfriend?"
Ruby giggled. She knew she shouldn't, but with the look on his face she couldn't keep it in. "Took you long enough."
Upstairs, Blake and Weiss barely made it into Weiss's room before they burst out laughing. "I can't believe you said it like that! I know we said we weren't hiding anymore, but spitting it out like that-" Weiss collapsed on the bed, banging her head on the wall. "Ow," she muttered, rubbing the sore spot.
"Sorry the bed's so small."
"It's not your fault I took so long finding you. I'm just glad I'm here with you now. Speaking of which," Weiss paused, looking at Blake, "I think it's best for now if we have separate rooms. To give everyone time to adjust."
Blake shrugged. "Ren and Nora share a room, nobody said anything. She just followed him in when he picked a room."
There was a knock at the door. "Blake, Weiss, can I come in?" Ruby leaned up against the doorframe. "Blake's dad is freaking out, so you might want to give him some time to calm down. I don't think he's mad, just really surprised. And I'm glad you two have decided to be open about things now. I could tell it was killing you before."
Blake's eyes went wide. "Ruby-how-when-you knew?"
"Yup. Since Beacon, not long after the dance. I caught you making out in the library. Decided it wasn't my business. Even covered for you a few times." A muffled "WHAT?!" came from downstairs. "Sounds like somebody just told Yang. I'll go play damage control, you two stay here."
Ruby stepped into the living room. Ghira was pacing the floor, arguing with Kali. Yang was sitting in a chair, a bottle on the table in front of her and a glass in her hand. Sun looked terrified to move. Jaune, Nora, and Ren had various looks of shock on their face. Oscar had that look on his face he always got when they were talking to themselves. Ruby took a deep breath, then shouted, "What in the world is going on here? Yes, it's a bit of a surprise, but it's their business, not ours, and you"-pointing at Ghira-" need to remember something. Yes, Blake's your daughter, but she's her own person! If you don't back off and let her live her own life, you will lose her again! Just like Weiss's father lost her. And you"-this time her finger found Yang"-aren't allowed to break out that bottle unless you're sharing! So pour me one too!"
"Little young for that, aren't you, Ruby?" Qrow smirked from the corner.
"Shut. Up."
"It is rather ironic that Ruby is being the voice of reason, given she's the youngest one in the room," Ren remarked. After Oscar cleared his throat, Ren amended that to "Second youngest."
"Indeed." Oscar's voice had that weird echoey tone that meant Ozpin was speaking. "And while this does change the team dynamic, our mission remains clear. We can't let this distract us. Miss Rose, as the leader of Team RWBY, will you please let Ms. Schnee know that starting tomorrow, she'll be expected to begin training with us? I can't imagine her father permitting much of it while she was in his custody."
Ruby knocked back a healthy gulp of her drink, then coughed. "Gah, what are you drinking Yang, engine degreaser? Yeah, no problem, Professor."
Kali poked Ghira in the chest. "From the mouths of babes. And before you talk to our daughter about this, I want you to remember what my father thought about you. 'He'll break you in half!' is a direct quote."
Jaune looked at Ghira and Kali, noted the size difference between them, and shuddered. "Yang, pour me a double. I need some brain bleach after that."
It was like pulling the pin on a grenade. Silence descended on the room for a moment, then Ghira laughed. "Yes, he didn't like me very much, did he? Thought I was too ambitious, not a good match for you." Taking Kali in his arms, he looked down at her. "But it's worked out for us. I still think I got the better end of things. You keep me grounded, remind me of what really matters. And I won't pretend I don't have doubts about Blake's choice. But as Ruby reminds us, it's her choice to make."
Ozpin hadn't been kidding about the training. Bright and oh-my-gods-early he'd started putting Weiss through her paces, having her spar against everyone except Blake in punishing bouts. Even Qrow and Ozpin (via Oscar) had stepped into the ring with her. When Ozpin called their bout done, Weiss was breathing hard and barely standing. But she was still standing. When Weiss had arrived at Beacon, this much training would have floored her. Now she stood staring at him, wondering what was next.
"Well done, Miss Schnee. You've managed to stay in fighting form better than I would have hoped. Endurance still remains a challenge for you, but it's still better than your arrival at Beacon. And now Miss Belladonna, if you will step into the ring. You fight well alongside each other, now let us see how you fare against each other."
Blake stepped in, Gambol Shroud in hand. "Can you handle this?"
Weiss brought Myrtenaster to a ready position. "That's not the real question, the question is"-she lunged at Blake, an easily deflected strike-"can you handle your girlfriend kicking your ass?"
Blake deflected it and came around for an overhand blow. "Oh, is that how we're going to play it? Fine."
The two of them went back and forth for a few minutes, then Ozpin interjected, "She's playing for time, Miss Belladonna, time to recover her strength. You must push her harder." Blake nodded and called upon her Semblance, leaving a shadow clone behind her to take Weiss's strike as she jinked to the left.
Except Weiss didn't fall for it. She whirled around the shadow clone and came around for a strike at where Blake was going to be. Blake brought Gambol Shroud up to block barely in time. "How'd you know where I was going to be?"
"I watched your feet. You've got a real tell when you're about to do that, and which way you're going to go."
Ozpin slurped his coffee. "Good, Miss Schnee, using your familiarity with your opponent to your advantage. Although I would suggest not keeping something like that from an ally in the future."
Blake grimaced and flipped backward, leaving a shadow clone in her place, then jumping two more times and leaving clones behind. Weiss sighed. "I still know which one is you."
She brought Myrtenaster up before her face and closed her eyes in concentration. Blake's brow furrowed. What was Weiss doing? Then Weiss brought Myrtenaster to a ready position. "And now I finish this." Blake caught movement out of the corner of her eye a fraction of a second too late to dodge. The armor gigas Weiss had called behind her backhanded her, sending her sprawling. Before Blake could hop back up, Weiss had leaped on top of her. "Yield?"
"Yield. That's a new trick, calling the gigas."
"I finally mastered it while I was father's prisoner. It's saved my life once already. And to the victor go the spoils." She leaned forward to kiss Blake.
"Uh, guys, you do remember we're all right here, don't you? Including Blake's parents?" Yang called, laughing. Blake spared a hand to make an obscene gesture in Yang's direction. "Yeah, get a room!" Ruby chimed in. Other comments ensued; Ghira just facepalmed.
Weiss climbed off Blake, laughing and dusting herself off. "You're still bright red, Blake. You'd think nobody ever kissed you before."
"Not with that much of an audience," Blake grumbled.
"I'm sorry, I'll try to restrain myself in the future."
"Please do." Everyone turned to look as Winter Schnee stepped into the backyard. "If nothing else, it might distract you while someone who intended you harm snuck up on you, instead of your older sister. Weiss, we need to talk."
Weiss folded her arms and glowered at her sister. "I'm right here, start talking."
"Father is looking for you." Before Weiss could protest, Winter continued. "I'm not here on his behalf, I'm just warning you that he's looking. Tycho Caine was sitting in my quarters when I woke up this morning. I was less than amused. He told me that Father was looking for you and that if I reported your location, Father would 'make it worth the trouble.' But I haven't seen you, so what would I have to report?"
Weiss sighed. It was too much to think she could hide forever, she supposed. "Thank you, Winter. I... escaped Father, and made my way here. I don't want anything to do with him anymore. Clean break, we go our separate ways."
"Then we exiles will keep each other company." There was a twinkle in Winter's eyes as she turned toward Blake. "Do try to keep my sister out of trouble. I tried to teach her better, but she still runs towards the fight. Takes after our grandfather, I suppose."
After Winter had left, Weiss sighed. "You have got to be kitten me."
Yang gaped. Weiss, puns? "Oh come on, it's not a cat-astrophe!"
"No, no, we're really in trouble meow."
"Weiss..." Blake glared at her soon-to-be-dead girlfriend.
"Sorry, it just sort of pup-err, popped out. If Tycho Caine is looking for me, that's bad news. He's Father's pet monster. No morals, does exactly as he's ordered."
"What'll he do if he finds you?"
"Not if, when. And that depends on what his orders are. He's smart enough to know when his original orders can't be made to work, and when to ask for new instructions."
"Another wrinkle in the situation." Ozpin pondered for a moment. "Well, there's not much that can be done except to keep an eye out for this Caine fellow. In any case, Miss Schnee, your combat skills are still at the level they were at Beacon. Their technical quality has not faltered, and you've added more improvisation and flexibility, which is good. Plus you've mastered another ability that's part of the Schnee heritage. Your endurance has faltered a bit, but that can be brought up to par quickly, I hope. In any case, I must rest and give young Oscar back his body for a while." He slumped, and then Oscar was looking out at them. "Sorry for letting him tire you out like that, but he said it was necessary."
Wess reached out and ruffled his hair. "It's okay. From what I hear, this has to be extra hard on you."
"Hard enough for me not to get sent to bed when the booze comes out?"
Ruby snickered. "Keep trying, kid."
Later that evening, Blake answered a knock at the door. The man that stood there was so nondescript he set off alarm bells. Nobody was that un-memorable unless they tried to be. "Miss Belladonna? My name is Tycho Caine. I have a message for Miss Schnee."
"She's not here." Blake started to shut the door, but Caine put his hand in the way. "Please, Miss Belladonna, I mean no harm, but I have my orders. I have a message to deliver. Allow me to deliver it, and I will be on my way."
"I'm right here." Weiss stood at the top of the stairs, arms crossed. "Deliver you 'message' and leave." Caine's eyes turned towards Blake, and Weiss sniffed. "Anything you say to me, you can say to her. I have no secrets from her."
"Indeed. I observed your relationship with Miss Belladonna before deciding how to approach you. Very well. First, as long as you don't make trouble for him, your father is content to leave you be for now. Second, he would like to establish a line of communication, if either of you feels the need to contact the other. You are under no obligation to use it, or answer should he contact you. Third, a question: Is your mission here related to the Fall of Beacon?"
Weiss's grip tightened on Myrtenaster. "It is."
Caine nodded. "I will so inform him. If I may offer a personal observation? I do not feel you were ever cut out to be what your father wishes you to be. You have a warrior's spirit, that of a guardian and protector. Good evening, Miss Schnee, Miss Belladonna. I will return when I have Mr. Schnee's response."
Blake slumped up against the door after he'd left. "That was creepy. I almost drew on him when I answered the door."
"Now you see why I called him Father's pet monster." Weiss slumped next to Blake, shivering. "That last bit really disturbed me. It's the first thing I've ever heard out of him that made me think there might be an actual human being in there. That question, though... it makes me wonder. What does Father know about Beacon?"
"I wonder as well." Ozpin was standing at the top of the stairs. "My apologies, I didn't mean to eavesdrop. Your father was never privy to the truth about the Maidens and the Academies; we deemed his ambition too dangerous. But he does have considerable intelligence assets of his own, and he may know things we do not. I think it's time I let General Ironwood in on my... change. Of those we trust, and who already know at least part of the truth, he's the best placed to observe your father, and pass him further information if it's appropriate."
Blake blinked. "Ironwood doesn't already know?"
"James already knows most of the truth, just not about me. As Headmaster of the Atlas Academy, it's past time I brought him up to speed. But in the morning. Good evening."
Blake and Weiss sat there for a while, leaning against each other. "I am exhausted," Weis murmured. "But it feels good to be home again."
"Home? I thought that was in Atlas."
"Not anymore. What Caine said is true. I'm not the perfect little princess my father wants. It's not enough for me to hone my skills. I want, I need to use them, to help people. If... certain things hadn't happened, I think I would have enrolled in the Atlas Academy. Ironwood made it clear that I had a place there, if I wanted it. Or Shade Academy, if I thought I could get that far from my father."
Blake shivered. Weiss wouldn't talk about it, but something had happened between her and her father to push her over the edge into running away, something bad. "I'm glad you're here. Weiss... stay with me, tonight?"
Weiss froze, then giggled. "And here I was trying to work up the nerve to ask you to stay with me!"
"My bed's bigger."
"A very valid point. Your offer is accepted, Miss Belladonna."
"Why thank you, Miss Schnee."
