Spring was one of the best times of the year in Patch. Tourists would come in waves as buds blossomed into an array of colors throughout the small island. The weather was on the chillier side this year, but the people still came. Many of them were aristocrats from Atlas or professors from the local academies. However, the numbers this year were much smaller due to the recent fall of Beacon.

Today was one of the slower days in town. The morning sun gave way to a massive storm in the afternoon. Yang Xiao Long, one of the only permanent residents in Patch, trudged through the street, soaked down to the skin. She decided to take a stroll through town earlier in the day to try and forget yesterday's training session. Her father kept telling her that she would improve and that she needed to keep trying, but all she heard was pity behind the words. Yang used to be one of the best huntresses in Vale. That was until she lost her right arm.

Now Yang was only a shadow of her former self, unable to keep up with even the local ruffians.

As she made her way through the downtown area, she couldn't help but curse herself for not bringing an umbrella. She could easily creep into one of the many stores that lined the street, but then she would have to talk to the keepers of the shop. She didn't want to talk to any of them at this point. She didn't want to hear another pity statement about her arm or about how they are "Sorry about Beacon".

She didn't want to be reminded of that day.

That day was the worst day she had ever faced. She lost her arm, her school, her confidence, and she lost her.

Yang growled in frustration as her partner's image came to mind. After the fight, Blake abandoned team RWBY. Blake abandoned her. That very thought sent a wave of anger through the blonde girl, her left hand baling in a fist. She turned and punched the building next to her, her fist slamming right into the brick. Her breaths were short and quick and her eyes glowed red for a moment. Yang removed her fist from the wall, pieces of brick falling down and littering the sidewalk.

Mew

Yang's head snapped up and she looked up and down the street.

"What in the hell?..." she murmured, bringing her arm to her side.

Mew.

There it was again. Yang followed the sound, taking her to the alley on the side of the brick building. She walked cautiously through the narrow walkway, looking for the source of the sound. Soon enough she came up to a large brown box, darkened from the rain.

Mew. Mew!

Gently she opened the damp flap to the box and gasped. Inside there was a small black bundle of fur curled up in the only dry corner of the box. The creature immediately stood up, looking at the human with deep amber eyes.

"Just like her," Yang whispered, stepping away from the box with a huff. Memories of her once best friend began to come back to Yang. Orientation. Their first mission. Hanging out in the dorm. The food fight in the cafeteria.

Yang growled and stomped away. She didn't need this now. She didn't want to remember Blake. She clutched her chest as her heart cried in agony.

She didn't want to remember the partner she loved.

Mew?

The small kitten cried out, standing on her back paws to look over the top of the box. Yang turned back and narrowed her eyes at the creature.

"What do you want?!" she cried, small tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

The kitten tilted her head to the side in confusion. Yang walked up to the box and looked down at the small kitten. Her eyes were again glowing red and she was shaking uncontrollably. She was about to unleash her fury of words when she noticed a small nick in the kitten's ear. She knelt down and looked the small bundle over a bit closer. The kitten was lifting her left back leg, wincing whenever she dared to put it down.

Yang carefully picked up the small kitten, lifting her up to Yang's face. That's when she noticed the large gash on the kitten's left flank.

"She looks like she was in a nasty fight," Yang said, looking over the rest of the rest of the kitten's body finding small cuts all over.

Mew?

The kitten looked at Yang with pleading eyes. The young girl stared at the kitten for a moment, memories of her partner still flooding her mind. Yang then pushed the kitten under the flap of her jacket, cradling the small bundle of fur with her left hand.

"It's okay, little guy. Yang's here. You're safe now."