Yang was late. Again.
Since this was becoming a common thing, she didn't really thing her dad would mind. Taiyang was just happy one of his daughters came home at the end of the day. It was a sad thought, but true. The tiny town on the island of Patch was calming down. The setting sun making everything glow with a warm orange light. Yang tugged at her jacket with her one good arm. The weather had been playing with them lately, teasing at winter but not full committing just yet. But the trees sure seemed to ready for the cold.
As Yang walked down the path towards home, all of the trees around her were sheading there leaves. They fell on her almost like rain getting caught in her hair and smashed under her shoes. The piles forming all around her made her remember when she and Ruby were kids. They'd rake up all the leaves and make piles right by the door, jumping out and scaring their dad when he came home. She always had the best pranks to put on their dad. But that's when they were kids. And they sure as hell weren't kids anymore.
Yang reached a fork in the road; one side heading deeper into the forest and the other to home. She turned left and was welcomed with the sight of her little home. The house never seemed to change, even though everything around it had. And everyone in it, Yang thought. Lately she seemed to be thinking all kinds of things like this. The harsh truths of the world finally had caught up to her. After years of looking on the bright side, she was just tired.
Yang dug around in her pocket for her keys. She jammed them into the lock and went inside.
"Dad?" she called. "Hello? I'm home."
There was no answer. Yang slipped off her jacket and tossed it on the couch. She went to the kitchen and noticed a note on the counter.
Yang,
I have to leave Patch for a few days. One of my old friends from Beacon needs help on a job and asked if I would come along. I wasn't going to go at first, I haven't been doing much Huntsmen work lately but she insisted. Don't worry about your old man. Were just taking care of some Grimm that have been spotted on the borders of the city. Apparently there's too much for just one person to handle, but I'm sure she's just being cautious. I'll be home in a few days. Keep your scroll on you and call if you need anything.
Taiyang
"Well that explains where he is." Yang sighed and tossed the letter back on the counter. After making two trips around the kitchen, she decided she wasn't hungry and headed to her room. Yang hurried past the bathroom trying not to catch a glimpse of herself in the mirror. It had been over a year since it happened, but the sight of her missing arm was still shocking. It's not something she was sure she would ever get used too.
Yang rounded the corner to her room. It was exactly how she left it; bed unmade, scroll sitting in the same place and her single gauntlet collecting dust on her desk. The Ember Celica looked odd by itself but Yang didn't have the heart to get rid of it. She forged that beauty back when she just 13; in Signal Academy when everything still seemed so exciting. When being a Huntress was the goal she was working non-stop towards. When she dreamed of living everyday as an adventure. Not knowing where her life would take her or even who she'd meet along the way. Now the only goal she had was to get a good night sleep. Yang fell onto her bed, kicking off her shoes in the process. She glance at her pajamas, but decided they were too far away for her to care.
Sleep was so very close. She closed her eyes and began to feel it creep up on her.
Buzz buzz.
"Aw come on…" Yang rolled over. Far away from her scroll.
Buzz buzz.
She covered her head with her pillow.
Buzz buzz.
Yang sat up and grabbed her scroll. It took her a moment to realize who exactly was calling. She considered for a minute not answering at all. It had been nearly a year since she talked to Sun and she wasn't sure if she wanted to deal with that much well, sunshine. Yang took a deep breath and hit answer.
"Hello?" she tried to sound casual.
"Wow, didn't think you would answer." Sun sounded pretty much the same, even though so much time had passed. "What's up, Yang?"
"Not much. You're the one who called me, remember?" Yang lay back down. "What do you want, Sun?"
"Can't I just call a friend when I'm bored?" she could hear the smile in his voice. His bright additude was already getting on her nerves.
"I guess you don't get bored very often then, huh?"
"Hey I'm not the one whose been ignoring everyone for the past year."
"I'm not ignoring anyone-"
"Oh really? The how come this is the first time you've answered my call?"
Yang didn't have answer. There was silence for a while and for a moment she thought about hanging up and falling asleep. Forgetting all about this awkward conversation. Then again, she didn't want to prove him right.
"Alright, you have a point. But can we not talk about that right now? Besides you didn't just call me out of the blue. What's up?" the change of subject worked.
"Right, well I saw something. Actually someone kinda well… would interest you? Or it might make you Yang-gry… it could go either way." Sun was mumbling all the sudden. Almost like he didn't want to talk anymore.
"Spit it out, monkey boy."
There was a long sigh on the other end and then, "I saw Blake yesterday."
The name took a long time to register in her mind. Yang had spent the better half of her solitude trying to forget the name and the former best friend it belonged too.
"Yang? You still there?" Sun asked, his voice softer then she had ever hear it before.
"Y-yeah." She took a breath. Her heart pounding. "Where did you see her? Did you talk to her? What did she say? Did she-?"
"Whoa, whoa one at time!"
"Where did you see her?"
"At a White Fang meeting. Don't worry it's not like she was a part of it or anything. She was hiding out in the crowd like me. I go to those things every once and a while Just to keep up with what the baddies are doing. Which, to be honest isn't much lately. Their leader seems to be taking a vacation."
"Hmph. Where ever he is he should stay there." Yang glanced down at her arm but then quickly looked away. A mixture of grief and anger began bubbling up in her.
"Anyway, I tried to talk to her but it's like she disappeared. One second she was there and the next; poof. I wish I could say I was surprised but I guess disappearing is what Blake's best at."
Yang didn't know what to say to this. She had never heard Sun say anything so spiteful before. Then again, he really liked Blake. Her running away must have hurt him too.
"Thanks for telling me, Sun. It's been awhile since I've heard anything about anyone."
"So I guess Ruby and those guys still haven't shown up?" he yawned.
"Nope. Can't reach them on their scrolls either. Everything has been so messed up since that day."
"You got that right. Hey I got to go. I'm supposed to meet up with Neptune soon."
"Do you guys go everywhere together?"
"Pretty much."
"Y'know people are gonna start talking if you keep that up."
"Yang Xiao Long, did you just get your sense of humor back?"
"Good bye Sun."
"Later Yang!"
The line went silent. Yang looked down at her scroll and sighed. It was the first time she had talked to any of her friends in so long. She'd be lying if she said the Sun's call wasn't the best thing that had happened to her in weeks. She'd be lying again if she thought that it wasn't important to see them every once and a while. Whenever thoughts like this entered her mind, Yang reached up and rubbed her arm.
She pulled at the bandage that hid the scar. It fell in a heap on her bed and she was left with the harsh reality. Her fingers trace the bumpy surface, the skin felt warm on her finger tips. Yang closed her eyes. Every time she did, she saw herself whole again. And not just with both arms intact, but standing next to Blake. Ruby and Weiss on the other side. She saw Jaune and the rest of Team JNPR laughing and smiling with Pyrrha. Penny smiling wide at them and say salutations. Everyone had lost something that day, but at least when they looked in the mirror they were still themselves. They still looked the same. Yang was left with a scar where her arm used to be and bruise on her heart that only seemed to get worse.
The sun had completely set by now, and Yang just wanted to forget for a little while. She went from feeling great to complete crap in two seconds. Sleep was a well needed break. She lay down and huddled underneath her blanket. The moon light shined in her room, covering everything in its pale light. Yang stared her gauntlet, her eyes drooping more and more until they closer all together. Sleep came quick.
Yang wasn't sure how much time had passed, or even if anytime had passed at all. All she knew was that she heard gunfire.
"One… two, three….four…. five… what is going on out there?" Yang sat up and went to her window. There was nothing for a while, just trees and moonlight. Then a flash lit up the tree tops off to the west. There were several more flashes and shots and Yang leaped out of her bed. She put on her shoes and hurried the outside.
The crumbling moon was bright enough to light her way. The down side of that were all the creepy shadows it made in the trees. Yang turned left, opting not to go to the town. Nothing ever happened there anyways. However everything seemed unusually quiet. There wasn't any owls hooting, bugs chirping into the night. Even the wind seemed to die down after those shots. Yang walked for a little while longer, wondering to herself if this was a good idea.
"Hmm… let's see. It's the middle of the night, I have no weapon and practically ran towards gunshots." Yang stopped in the middle of the road and sighed. "I guess somethings don't really change."
She chuckled a bit and spun around on her heel. It wasn't much of an adventure, but at least it got her out of bed. The wind picked up, ruffling the leaves around her. "Huh?" something not a leaf caught her eye. Yang strode over to the edge of the path. Fluttering in the breeze was a torn piece of fabric stuck on branch. She reached out and grabbed it. It was still warm to the touch. It was a dark color, nothing really special about it. Still she put it in her pocket and looked around.
Behind the tree there were foot prints in the grass and a whole heap of twigs littering the ground. By the look of things they all had been broken off when whoever ran off the path and into the woods. She squeezed through the branches and followed the steps deeper into the forest.
Going to the more wild parts of the island didn't scare her that much. After all, she had this place mapped out before Ruby was out of diapers. Still, going out here alone and without a weapon probably wasn't the best idea. Grimm had been spotted more and more over the past year, and they were getting more powerful. While Patch hadn't seen too much activity everyone was still pretty cautious. Except for Yang that is.
Bang.
Yang froze. She quickly looked around and saw another flash of light followed by a gunshot. A loud, low roar rumbled the very ground. There were several more gunshots and Yang took off running. The trees opened up to a large meadow. One that Yang and her family had visited many times. Only now it was full of Ursa and one loan figure fighting them off. Yang stood on the side lines, watching whoever it was fight for their lives. It wasn't a place she was used to being, but what other choice did she have? She hadn't been in a fight in over a year, her single gauntlet was at home collecting dust, and she didn't even know how to fight with one arm.
There were four Ursa left, tons of dead one's scattered on the ground. Yang watched the mysterious fighter leap up into the air as one charged. Their foot came down on the beasts head, plunging it into the ground. Two more swiped at him, but he rocketed up in the air again using the blast from his weapons. Just like she used too. The fighter dodge every swipe from the beasts claws, and fought back by delivering some of the most powerful kicks she'd ever seen. Soon enough, there was only one left.
All the sudden, Yang noticed something move in the shadows. On the opposite side of the meadow the biggest Ursa she's ever seen was lumbering towards the fight. It must have been drawn out by all the noise just like she was. The fighter didn't notice.
"Turn around… turn around." Yang mumbled. The fighter was taking his time with the last Ursa. Probably feeling confident that the battle was almost over. The giant Ursa was right behind him. "Turn around you idiot!" Yang sprinted from her safe spot and right towards the action. The fighter looked up and shouted something. Yang barreled past him and aimed from the Ursa. She planted her feet and punched as hard as she could. Her aura lashed out to her fist, both protecting it and making it more powerful. The Ursa was sent flying back, howling in pain. The fighter whooshed past her and took out the beast with one loud shot.
Yang took a moment and shook her hand. "Owwwww…. That's what I get for being unprepared…." She groaned. Punching a two ton monster with her bare fist was kind of a bad idea. Even with her aura protecting her. She looked down at her hand. It was already red.
"Well, well, well. Didn't expect to see you here." Yang froze. She knew that voice, and it wasn't one she wanted to hear. Very slowly, she turned. Mercury Black was standing on top of the Ursa looking just as cocky as she remembered.
"You!" she shouted, regretting very much saving his life.
"And you." He smirked. "Now, what was your name again? Yawn?"
"It's Yang." Her fist clenched by her side.
"Right, Yang. The fiery one with the bad temper."
"I don't have a temper!"
Mercury smiled, almost triumphantly. Yang decided to let that one go.
"What are you doing here in Patch?" she asked.
"Is that where I am? Hmph I thought I was a little too far south. Later." He jumped off the Ursa and began to walk off.
"Hey! You can't just come here, beat up a bunch of Ursa and leave!"
"It's not like I'm hurting anyone."
"Not yet anyway." She spat back. "Where are you going anyway?"
"Why do you care?"
"Cuz I got a little sister out in the world to worry about. The last thing she needs is some jerk like you on her tail."
Mercury spun on his heel and glared at her. His eyes narrowed, like he was sizing her up. He had the same look on his face before they fought in the tournament. The tournament. Yang glanced down at his leg. Guilt suddenly filled her entire being. He was a jerk, and a bad guy but she still broke his leg. In her mind, she was still absolutely sure he attacked first but it still didn't make her feel any better. Yang's shoulders dropped.
She glanced up at Mercury only to realize that he was staring at her missing arm. Yang tensed up and hid her arm behind her back. She had almost forgotten. Mercury crossed his arms and looked at the ground.
"I'm pretty sure you had two of those last time we met." He looked up and tried to catch her eye. "How did that happen?"
"Why do you care?" Yang asked.
"I don't, not really. Just a little curious." He shrugged.
Yang reached up to grab her arm, but missed. She always aimed too low. "Think about it. I bet you can figure it out."
Mercury nodded. After that it was quiet for a while. Neither of them spoke or moved, they just stood there. Yang looking at the ground, while Mercury was looking at her. The wind picked up, blowing leaves all around them. Yang's long blond hair whipped around, getting tangled in the process. She felt like crying, but wasn't going to let herself fall apart in front of this jerk.
"Here." Mercury had appeared right in front of her. His hand held out with a piece of paper fluttering in the wind. Yang looked up at him, confused.
"Uhh, what's that? Is it explosive?" she glared at the paper.
"Don't be weird. It's a number of this guy I know. He can help you out if you want."
"Help me with what?" she took the paper cautiously.
"He makes prosthetics; strong enough even for a brawler like you."
Yang flipped open the paper, expecting it to be a joke. But it wasn't. There was a name a number, and even an address to a shop on the mainland. Yang had passed this place before. It was real.
"Wait a second, how do you know this guy? And why are you helping me?"
Mercury glanced at her, his finger twitching at his side. He rolled his eyes and knelt down.
"Uhh what are you doing?" she asked. Mercury answered by rolling up his pants leg. For one of the few times in her life, Yang was speechless. Shinning in the moonlight was a metal leg where Mercury's real one should have been. He fixed his pants and stood up quickly. There was a funny look on his face. Like a mixture of embarrassment and regret. So many questions and realizations flew her mind, but the first one blared at her like a siren.
"So you had a metal leg this whole time?" she stared at him, unblinking. "So you faked it when I supposedly broke your leg?" Anger was beginning to bubble up in her.
"You did break it, but it's not that hard to fix. And not leg; legs." He crossed his arms and stared at her. Almost like he was challenging her to say something. Yang wanted to be angry; that one event catapulted her into the worst day in her life. But for some reason, her anger just faded away. She didn't understand why, and didn't try too. It was too much to think about right now. She pocketed the paper.
"That explains your weird fighting style. I thought you just really liked leg day at the gym." She put her hand on her hip and smirked.
Mercury returned the gesture. "Coming from the girl who can probably bench press a train."
Laughter bubbled up inside Yang until it she couldn't help it anymore. She laughed, her shoulders bouncing up and down.
"It really wasn't that funny." Mercury almost had to shout to be heard. Yang took a few more seconds to calm down, taking a few deep breaths.
"Your right, it wasn't. But I wasn't just laughing at that. This whole situation is just weird. We have no reason to be talking to each other. No reason to help one another." Reality began creeping up on her again. "There are so many reasons for me to hate you. So many reasons."
"You have a point." He said. That blank, tactical look back on his face. "I'm not exactly a good person, and I don't really want to be. I guess it is kind of funny."
Yang turned away and looked up at the stars. The crumbling moon was glowing brighter than ever. The stars twinkling faintly. If it wasn't for the strange company, this would have been a nice night. Yang glanced over at Mercury. He had been looking at her, but turned away quickly. It was time to go home.
"Thanks for the number. I'll think about it." Said Yang. "Oh and if you see my sister out there, you better not hurt her. I don't know what you and your gang are planning, but she's going to stop you."
"She? What you're not gonna try? Last I remember, you had a pretty good punch."
Yang glared at him, not ready to have this conversation with anybody. And especially not with him. She turned and began walking home. "Just, get out of here. I'm tired."
"Giving up isn't a good color on you." Mercury called out to her. "When you're done moping, I want a rematch."
"What?"
"I want to beat you fair and square. It's that simple." There was glint in his eye, a dangerous one.
"Tch, whatever." And with that, Yang walked off. Mercury lingered for a second longer before turning around and doing the same. The two walked off in opposite directions, towards two completely different goals. But there was a moment where it didn't fell so different. Where everything felt kind of normal. Yang tossed the thought out of her mind. There'd be plenty of time to think about what just happened tomorrow. But right now, the only thing that she wanted to do was sleep.
