Chapter 1
Pyrrha was frustrated. She needed to blow off some steam. For her the only effective way to do that was a good workout. It would get her mind off of what was bothering her and have the added benefit of improving her capabilities. It was already very late. Beacon's gym was open around the clock but during Pyrrha's frequent late-night visits, she had never run into anyone. That was good. She would not have to hide her anger with her usual façade of perpetual good cheer. In the locker room she changed into her workout clothes, a red tank top and green compression shorts with goldish lining. She taped up her hands and feet, expecting high impact. Practicing her striking was particularly cathartic.
Pyrrha emerged into the gym and was surprised to hear the grunts, the clinking of chains and sounds of flesh smacking leather that signaled someone was beating the tar out of a heavy bag. It was Yang. She had not bothered to change out of her casual attire which told Pyrrha her decision to hit the gym had been spur-of-the-moment. "Hello Yang." Pyrrha said, doing her best to sound cheerful in spite of her mood.
"Hey Pyrrha." Yang grunted, continuing her offensive against the punching bag.
"Why are you here so late?" Pyrrha asked.
"I'm…" Yang punched the bag. "…just…" Left. "…having…" Right. "…a bad…" Left. She reared back and put all of her strength into a punch. "…day!" The heavy bag – specially reinforced for use by highly skilled fighters with superhuman strength – exploded in a cloud of sand. A bad day indeed. Yang took a deep breath to calm down a bit. "How about you?"
"Same reason I guess." Pyrrha admitted. "Would it help if you talked about it?" In truth Pyrrha wanted to talk to someone about her problems. She was just too embarrassed to say so. In the context of helping each other out it would be easier for her.
"I guess but there really isn't much to say." Yang said. She and Pyrrha walked over to a bench and sat down. "First Ruby and Weiss got into a stupid argument. Ruby did something immature, I don't even know what, and Weiss went ballistic. I guess she was having a bad day too. Anyway, I took Ruby's side. She wasn't hurting anyone so let her have some fun. Then Blake jumps in and take's Weiss' side! She's been doing that a lot lately. She's supposed to be my partner and she's teaming up against me and against our team leader. Well, Ruby was taking it all pretty badly and bailed out. She said she had to go to the bathroom and then just ran off. That left me to argue alone about something that shouldn't have been an argument. I felt like I was going to punch one of them, so I decided to come here to punch something that wouldn't get me in trouble." Yang looked over at the burst bag and pile of sand. "I think I might end up in trouble anyway. That's the third one this month."
"Remind me to never make you mad." Pyrrha said in an attempt to add some levity to the conversation.
"So, what's bothering you?" Yang asked. She seemed to have calmed considerably. "I told you my story, it's only fair."
"I suppose it is." Pyrrha said. "I'm just getting very frustrated with Jaune."
"Yep, I can see that." Yang said. "What is it this time? Did he fail a test? Concoct some crazy scheme to win over Weiss? Play his damn guitar incessantly? Wet the bed?"
"No, none of that." Pyrrha replied. "It's a bit more…personal."
"Oh, well, spit it out already." Yang said.
"If you haven't noticed I sort of have a thing for him." Pyrrha admitted.
"Of course I've noticed." Yang laughed. "Everyone's noticed."
"Not him apparently." Pyrrha sighed. "I finally just flat out told him how I felt. He laughed at me! He thought I was kidding. 'Good one Pyrrha, that's a funny joke.' It's like he's incapable of seeing me that way."
"Forget him." Yang suggested. "He's not worth it."
"Yang I couldn't…" Pyrrha started.
"Pyrrha, listen to me." Yang cut her off. "This is for your own good. I've tried to be polite and just drop hints but now I just have to say it. You're way too good for him. He's immature, disrespectful, selfish and dishonest."
"Why would you say he's dishonest?" Pyrrha asked.
"I know about his little fraud." Yang answered. "Come on. There's no way someone that incompetent, someone who didn't even have an active aura, could get into Beacon without lying or cheating. Besides, the rooftop where you two train is right above our window. We can hear everything. He puts on that goofy nice-guy act but he can't be trusted."
"He was honest enough to admit it to me." Pyrrha countered.
"But not honest enough to not lie in the first place." Yang shot back. "He's only going to hurt you. It might be through his continued disregard for your feelings. It might be through direct malice. There is one way he's guaranteed to harm you though, his weakness. I'm sure you've thought about it. He's a liability in combat. In our profession we don't have the luxury of dragging around someone like that. If you keep obsessing over him like this, it will destroy you when he's inevitably killed. Worse, you or one of your teammates will be killed because of him, either because he fails to do his job or in an attempt to save him."
"Yang, that's all very…cruel." Pyrrha said.
"But every word is true." Yang said. "This is a cruel world. I know you want to be the perfect friend and help him be his very best. Maybe his weakness is part of why you like him. Unfortunately, whether or not you're willing to admit it, he's a danger to you physically and psychologically."
Pyrrha went over it in her mind. She tried to find some flaw in Yang's reasoning but she was absolutely correct. The doubts had already existed in her mind for a long time. "What you say may be true, but that doesn't change how I feel." Pyrrha sighed.
"Why do you even like the guy in the first place?" Yang asked.
"My whole life I've been set apart from everyone." Pyrrha explained. "I'm treated differently. Being viewed as some sort of hero or idol isn't exactly good for developing normal relationships. He was the first person I ever met who didn't care about my skills or what I've accomplished. He doesn't see Pyrrha the superstar, he sees Pyrrha the person."
Yang placed a hand on Pyrrha's shoulder. Her demeanor shifted from one of annoyed anger to one more comforting. "Do you really think he's the only person who sees the real you?" Yang asked. "Your team, your friends, we don't care about how many competitions you've won or how amazing a fighter you are. We only care about the beautiful, caring, all around wonderful person you are."
"It's nice of you to say that, but I'm not sure you can speak for the others." Pyrrha said.
"Then let me just speak for me." Yang implored. "All your victories, all you achievements, they're fantastic but they have nothing to do with how I feel about you. If I need help with something, I know you'll be there for me. If I need someone to talk to, I know you'll lend a sympathetic ear. If I need someone to watch my back, there isn't a better candidate than you. You're someone I can always count on. Beyond that you're just fun to be around. You might feel like you don't interact with people all that well, but you've got a great personality. It also doesn't hurt that you're easy on the eyes."
"You flatter me." Pyrrha said. "So Jaune isn't the only one out there who can treat me like a normal person. Maybe he isn't good for me. I can admit that. Still, this is a lot to think about. I don't like to make rash judgements."
"There's no rush." Yang said. "But the only one you're hurting is yourself." Yang's motherly side was usually reserved for Ruby. Pyrrha was not quite sure why Yang would take such an interest in her personal life. "I know it's late, but how about we do some sparring?" Yang suggested. "It always helps me clear my head."
"That sounds like a good idea." Pyrrha agreed. She walked over to the boxing ring and ducked in between the top and second ropes.
"Now we're talkin'!" Yang exclaimed. She took off her belt and jacket and tossed them aside. She took off her boots and socks, slipping the latter into the former. "So, what'll it be? Boxing, grappling, something else?" She jumped over the ropes and landed in the ring across from Pyrrha.
"Kickboxing sounds good." Pyrrha said. "Whenever you're ready."
"Let's do it." Yang said. She rushed forward and unleashed a quick combo, right-left-right. Pyrrha blocked each shot with her forearms and ducked under as Yang loosed a left hook. Pyrrha threw a right uppercut that caught Yang in the chin. Yang stumbled back and Pyrrha hit her with a left kick to the midsection. Yang absorbed the blow and caught Pyrrha's leg. As Pyrrha hopped and struggled to keep her balance Yang tugged Pyrrha's leg back, pulling her in, and hit her in side of the head with a straight left that knocked Pyrrha down onto her back.
Pyrrha lay on her back stunned for a moment. "That was excellent." She praised Yang.
Yang reached down, offering her hand. "You're not bad yourself." Yang said as she helped Pyrrha up. "That uppercut really stings."
The pair backed up and reset. This time Pyrrha took the initiative. She charged at Yang, ducked under a wild but powerful punch and punched Yang in the gut. Yang was unmoved and kneed the bent-over Pyrrha in the face. Pyrrha stumbled back and Yang pursued with a powerful right. Pyrrha slipped to the left and smacked Yang's forearm with her own, twisting Yang to the side. Yang snapped back toward her just in time to catch a spinning left kick to the head that knocked her to the canvas with a thud.
"Are you alright?" Pyrrha asked Yang who was down on all fours. She extended her hand to help Yang up.
"I'm fine." Yang replied as she took Pyrrha's hand. "I'm a little annoyed that you caught me with that shot though."
Pyrrha looked up at the clock. "It's much later than I thought." She said with concern.
"One more." Yang implored.
"Alright, just one." Pyrrha agreed.
The two reset again. Yang rushed in, not throwing a strike. Pyrrha punched at her but Yang dodged the attacks, slipping inside Pyrrha's effective range. Then she did something completely unexpected. Yang grabbed Pyrrha by both sides of her head, pulled her in close and kissed her on the lips. Pyrrha was dumbfounded and panicked. Yang backed up and winked as Pyrrha stood stunned. Then Yang jump-kicked her in the chest. Pyrrha staggered back, bounced off the ropes and right into a devastating leaping right punch that flipped her over backwards. She landed on her face.
Pyrrha lay on her stomach, gathering her thoughts. Yang offered to help her up but Pyrrha pushed her arm aside and stood on her own. "What was that?!" Pyrrha demanded.
"Oh, I just wanted to see how you'd react." Yang laughed. "That was certainly not what I was expecting. I never thought I'd see the day someone left you frozen."
"I don't…that was totally uncalled for!" Pyrrha protested.
"Like you said, it's getting late." Yang ignored her anger. "I'll see you here tomorrow, same time." She slipped her socks and boots on, tossed her jacket and belt over her shoulder and walked out of the gym.
Pyrrha was not sure exactly why she returned to the gym late the next night. She was still angry at Yang. Part of her wanted a chance to yell at Yang in private but part of her was curious. What was Yang thinking? Why would she do that?
When Pyrrha arrived at the gym Yang was already there. Tonight Yang was dressed for a workout in a yellow tank top and black short shorts. "I was wondering when you'd get here." Yang said.
"How did you even know I'd show up?" Pyrrha asked.
Yang shrugged off the question. "So, given any thought to the Jaune situation?" Yang asked.
Pyrrha walked over and sat beside Yang. Maybe if she answered Yang's questions, she could get some answers too. "I have." Pyrrha replied. "I don't think I could just let him go."
"Seriously?" Yang demanded. "After all we talked about? Why?"
"Jaune may not look at me the way I want him to, but what's the alternative?" Pyrrha asked. "Guys aren't exactly lining up for me. At least not guys I would want anything to do with."
"There's always me." Yang said, putting her arm around Pyrrha's shoulders. "And I hear you've got a thing for blonds."
"Yang, stop joking around." Pyrrha snapped, pushing Yang away. "I'm being serious."
"I'm being serious too." Yang insisted. "I really care about you. You said you wanted a normal relationship with a person who sees you for who you are. Well, here I am. Is that so surprising?"
"Yes." Pyrrha admitted.
"Did you never even consider it?" Yang asked.
"Not really." Pyrrha replied.
"Is it because I'm not a guy?" Yang asked. "I can understand if you're not interested but let me tell you, I'm very interested."
"Is this what that kiss was about last night?" Pyrrha asked. "Was that not just a trick?"
"Like I told you, I was curious to see how you'd react." Yang answered. "Honestly I was hoping you'd reciprocate. At least you didn't freak out and beat the crap out of me. I would have taken that as a hard no."
"So all this – the talk about Jaune, the sparring, this conversation – it's all because you're romantically interested in me?" Pyrrha asked.
"Not exactly." Yang said. "I do genuinely care about you. I don't like to see you angry or in pain. Regardless of how I feel about you, what I said about Jaune is the truth. When you said why you're interested in him, I realized that the person you're looking for could be me. And it's not like I asked you to spar just so I could kiss you. It was a spur-of-the-moment sort of thing. I kind of regret it now. I should have just said something or at least asked you first. I actually want to apologize. Like you said, it was uncalled for."
"How long have you felt this way about me?" Pyrrha probed.
"Pretty much since we first met." Yang said. "I'll be honest, it was a pretty shallow infatuation at first. I know it's a bit crass to just say it but you've got an amazing body. As I got to know you I found that you've got an amazing personality to match. I've never met someone so friendly and selfless. I love everything about you, your kindness, your grace under pressure, the fact that you'll go out of your way to be helpful. You're everything I wish I could be. I don't want to just be the girl with a big chest and anger issues. I want…"
"Yang, you're much more than that already." Pyrrha cut her off. "You're a great friend and a great sister to Ruby. You've got a big heart, I can tell."
"You really think so?" Yang asked.
"I know so." Pyrrha assured her.
"Well, I'm glad you're not mad about last night." Yang said. "So, what do you think? Might I be the person you're looking for?"
"Uh…maybe…I…I don't know." Pyrrha struggled to find the right words.
"Would another kiss tip the scales?" Yang asked, leaning in.
"I should give this some thought." Pyrrha said, pulling back.
"Fair enough." Yang said. "Want to spar?"
"I'm not falling for that again." Pyrrha replied.
Yang laughed. "It was worth a shot."
Pyrrha had a lot to think about. Getting things sorted in her mind as they related to Jaune was easy. Yang was right. Jaune was bad for her. She had been so fixated that she ignored the evidence. Now that she had been forced to see it, there was no going back. As for how she felt about Yang that was a bit more complicated. Yang was a good friend and her talk about Jaune was the kind of intervention she desperately needed and certainly appreciated. She was flattered by Yang's feelings but also confused and a bit embarrassed. Pyrrha had been angry at Jaune for not taking the hint. Had she really done the same to Yang? Yang was kind and fun and – Pyrrha had to admit – damn good looking. Maybe there could be something there.
Pyrrha walked across campus, tossing all the questions around in her head as she made her way back to the dorm. Even almost an entire day of consideration had not made the situation any clearer. She swung the door to her team's room open. Jaune was sleeping while Ren and Nora had a conversation. Pyrrha sat down on the edge of her bed and took a deep breath. She flopped onto her back, closed her eyes and returned to thinking.
After a few minutes, Pyrrha became aware of someone standing over her. She opened her eyes to see Nora. "Do you need something?" Pyrrha asked.
"Can we talk…in private?" Nora asked. Ren took the hint and slipped his headphones on, focusing his attention on some homework.
"What is it Nora?" Pyrrha asked as she sat up.
"Is everything okay?" Nora asked.
"Yes, why do you ask?" Pyrrha replied.
"I've just never seen you so lost in thought." Nora explained. "Plus you would usually wake up Jaune to go train. Did something happen between you two?"
"Not exactly." Pyrrha answered. "I guess I've just decided he's not right for me."
"It's about time." Nora said.
"Nora!" Pyrrha shouted.
"Well it's true." Nora shrugged. "That doesn't explain all the daydreaming, funny looks on your face or the fact that you left your bag behind after the last class." Pyrrha reached back to find that she had indeed forgotten her bag. She began to panic but Nora gestured toward the door next to which her bag sat. "So, got you eye on someone else?"
"I might I suppose." Pyrrha replied. "I'm not really sure. I don't know exactly what to think."
"Do you want my advice?" Nora asked. Pyrrha hesitated for a moment but nodded. "Just go for it. If it doesn't work out, so what? It's better than agonizing over it."
"Practice what you preach, Nora." Pyrrha said, laying the sarcasm on thick. Nora crossed her arms and pouted. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I'm just having a hard time."
"It's alright." Nora smiled. "Come on now, go for it! I'm sure he'll say yes. Who is it by the way?"
"I'm not really comfortable saying." Pyrrha said.
Nora made a sad puppy face to end all sad puppy faces. "Pleeeeeeeeease." She implored.
Pyrrha looked around, confirming that Jaune was still asleep and Ren was engrossed in his work. "You promise you won't tell anyone?" Pyrrha sighed.
"I promise." Nora said, dramatically putting her hand over her heart.
"It's Yang." Pyrrha whispered.
"YANG?!" Nora exclaimed loud enough for the deaf to hear. "Oops." Ren looked up for a moment then went back to his work. Hopefully he would not have heard the context. Jaune rolled over but stayed asleep. "Man, you really do have a thing for blonds." Nora said with a contemplative look on her face.
"That's not it." Pyrrha said. "She was at the gym the other night and we talked for a while. She said some things I really needed to hear, then she kissed me."
"She kissed you?" Nora said. "Was it romantic?"
"Not really." Pyrrha admitted. "Immediately after that she kicked me in the chest and punched me so hard I saw stars."
"Sounds romantic to me." Nora shrugged.
"Then last night she told me she was interested in me." Pyrrha said.
"I thought the kiss would have cleared that up but okay." Nora interjected.
"Now I don't know what to think." Pyrrha continued. "I never really thought about her or really anyone else before."
"At least you don't have to worry about her rejecting you." Nora said. She glanced longingly at Ren. "You should just see what happens."
"Maybe." Pyrrha sighed. "I'll sleep on it."
"Don't do that." Nora said. "Go talk to her now. You'll only lose sleep if you keep thinking about it."
"You're right." Pyrrha said. She stood up and gave Nora a friendly hug. "Thanks for the advice."
Pyrrha walked across the hall to Team RWBY's room. She knocked lightly and seconds later the door swung open. "Oh, hi Pyrrha." Ruby said, standing before the doorway. Pyrrha could not see anyone else in the room but felt compelled to ask anyway.
"Hello Ruby." Pyrrha said. "Is Yang here?"
"Nope." Ruby replied.
"Do you know where she is?" Pyrrha asked.
"Nope." Ruby replied with a shrug. "If I had to guess I'd say she's at the gym. She's been going there a lot lately."
"Well, thanks anyway." Pyrrha said.
"What did you need?" Ruby asked. "Can I take a message?"
"No, I just need to talk to her." Pyrrha answered. "I'll see you later. Have a good night."
"Thanks, you too." Ruby said. She closed the door as Pyrrha walked off down the hall. It would make sense for Yang to go to the gym again. After all, it had worked well for her before.
Pyrrha headed across campus toward the gym. Her mind was racing. What would she say if Yang was there? What would she do if Yang was not? Maybe she should just go back and forget the whole thing. Was that even possible at this point? Was there really anything to worry about? How bad could things go? Well, very bad. Could she lose a good friend over all this?
"Pyrrha!" Yang called from just behind her.
Pyrrha jumped and spun around to see Yang sitting on a bench next to the path. The smile on Yang's face was one Pyrrha had never seen before. "Oh hello Yang." Pyrrha said, flustered. She could feel that her face was flushed, and knowing that her embarrassment was on display was even more embarrassing.
"You're cute when you're thinking." Yang laughed. "You walked right past me. I assume that's why you're out here, looking for me, right?"
"I…I was." Pyrrha admitted. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and clenched her fists. She needed to regain control of her emotions. "I wanted to talk to you." Her voice was still a little shaky but at least she was more or less composed. She moved to take the seat beside Yang.
"Don't." Yang said, waving her off. She stood. "Come with me." She offered her hand to Pyrrha but Pyrrha remained stiff. Yang shrugged and started walking.
"Where are we going?" Pyrrha asked.
"I want to show you something." Yang replied. Yang had a joyous bounce to her step as she led on. After a short walk the pair arrived at the cliff at the edge of campus. "Take a look." Yang made a grand sweeping gesture with her hand. Below them the glittering lights of Vale lit up the night, in stark contrast to the land and sea that stretched out to the horizon. Above the shattered moon was joined by innumerable shimmering pinpricks of light. It was a dazzling and beautiful sight.
Somehow, in all her months at Beacon, Pyrrha had never seen it. It had always been there but she had never taken the time to notice. "It's stunning." Pyrrha gasped.
"Not nearly as stunning as you." Yang said with a playful wink.
"Yang…I…ah…" Pyrrha stammered. And there went her composure. "Cheap pickup lines like that don't work on me." She finally said.
"Judging by the fact that you're sweating and your hands are shaking, I'd say they do." Yang grinned. "It's too cute."
Now that she was aware of it, Pyrrha noticed that she was indeed trembling. Was it nerves or something more? "Yang, what's all this about?" Pyrrha asked. "Why show me this view?"
"I'm making a point." Yang replied. She gently took hold of Pyrrha's hand and gazed into her eyes. "Sometimes we overlook wonderful things that are right in front of us. You never thought to take in this view but now that you have, you wonder how you ever missed it." Pyrrha wanted to say something but there was a lump in her throat. Her stomach was in knots. Yang seemed to assume she had not gotten the point. "Maybe the reason you never thought about me was that you never even considered it a possibility."
Pyrrha desperately wanted to say something. She could barely get out a breath and had no idea to say anyway. The smile on Yang's face was beginning to fade as she was overcome with worry. Was Pyrrha about to reject her? Pyrrha could not allow it to go on. In the end, actions would have to do the talking. She grabbed Yang by the shoulders, bent over and kissed her.
It was Yang's turn to be surprised. Her eyes shot wide open and she froze for a moment. The shock soon subsided; she relaxed and began aggressively exploring Pyrrha's mouth with her tongue. Pyrrha was not ready for that and gasped. Yang ignored it and kept at it, wrapping her arms around Pyrrha's neck and arching her body in until they were pressed together. They broke to breathe but Yang maintained the embrace. Yang smiled at Pyrrha as they gazed into each other's eyes. It was another new look, but Pyrrha had not trouble understanding this one.
Pyrrha was trembling but she could finally speak. She still had not found the words though. "Was that…good?" She asked.
Yang burst out laughing. "First kiss huh?" Yang said. "You were great!"
"That's a relief, I think." Pyrrha said. Her muscles were still tensed up.
"You just get cuter and cuter." Yang said. "I never would have guessed you'd be so awkward with intimacy. You're always so confident."
"This is uncharted territory for me." Pyrrha forced a laugh, still desperately trying to overcome her nerves. "It's still embarrassing."
Yang released her embrace and took a step back. "I can tell." She laughed. "There's no need to be embarrassed though."
"I know, it's perfectly normal." Pyrrha said. She was beginning to relax and after being tensed up for so long, was feeling a bit weak.
"I take it that kiss means you've decided to give us a shot." Yang said.
"I have to admit, that was not how I envisioned things going." Pyrrha said. "This all happened so fast."
"So, you want to go somewhere more private and take it slow?" Yang said with a playful wink. Once again Pyrrha had no words. She had just managed to stop blushing but her face burned bright red once again. "I'm just kidding." Yang laughed. "It's so easy to get you worked up, I just can't resist."
Pyrrha was feeling weak. As much as she wanted to spend more time with Yang, she needed a rest. She also had even more to think about. She had hoped that talking with Yang would help resolve things but her mind was filled with brand new questions. "I think it's time we went back." She said. "It's late and we have class tomorrow." It was just the kind of plausible excuse she needed.
"You're right." Yang said, much to Pyrrha's relief. "If I don't get back soon Ruby will start to worry." She reached out her hand. "Shall we?" Pyrrha took her hand, intertwining their fingers. They walked back to the dorm, leaning against each other, exchanging glances. By now there was no need for words.