Sisters
Yang woke up late to find both Weiss and Blake had already gone. It had been a late and exhausting night, albeit a very, very pleasurable one. She swiveled to the edge of the bed, yawned and stretched. Getting to her feet she stumbled out of the bedroom and into the main room of Weiss' private chambers. "Good morning Yang." Weiss said. She sat across the table from Blake, the pair sipping tea.
"Morning." Yang groaned. "You two are up early."
"It's almost midday." Blake said.
"Like I said, early." Yang said. She yawned once more. "So, when do we leave for the honeymoon?"
"There isn't going to be one." Weiss said. "There's too much business to take care of. Once things settle down a bit we'll be able to enjoy ourselves, but until then we'll have to settle for what we can do here."
"Oh well." Yang shrugged. "We can have a lot of fun here. Take last night for example."
"I always imagined my wedding night would be one of magical bliss, but I never imagined I'd wake up so sore." Weiss complained.
"Worth it." Blake laughed.
"I could go for a second round, but I should probably see how Ruby's doing." Yang said. "As drunk as she was...that hangover must be killer."
"She and Pyrrha have already departed for Rosanne." Weiss said.
"Yeah, I guess they have business to take care of too." Yang sighed. "That duchy isn't going to rule itself and Ruby's got a lot to learn. I should probably see Qrow before he heads back to Ylisse though."
"He's already gone too." Blake said.
"Damn, I know the capital is kind of boring but does everyone really hate it that much?" Yang asked. "Dad probably…"
"Also gone." Weiss said.
"But he doesn't even have a place to be." Yang observed. "What the hell?"
"They all have somewhere to be." Blake said.
"Shut up Blake." Weiss warned.
"They all…" Yang gasped. "They're not!"
"Damnit Blake, you just couldn't keep your mouth shut." Weiss admonished.
"She was going to figure it out eventually." Blake shrugged.
"How could you let my sister get married without telling me?!" Yang demanded. "Without me even being there?!"
"Because we knew this was how you'd react." Blake replied.
"I'm going after them." Yang declared. "I'm going to stop them!"
"It's too late." Weiss said. "They left in the middle of the night. They're probably in Chon'sin by now, and they'll be in Rosanne by sundown. You'll never catch them. Besides, I need you here. The last army units need to be demobilized, paid and sent home, then you need to organize the Imperial Guards. Once that's done, you can go wherever you want."
"If you're hoping time will make me less angry, you're very wrong." Yang growled. "I'm going to kill Pyrrha. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but I'll do it."
"Not the first time you've made that threat." Blake said. "Chill out will ya?"
"As my wedding present to the two of you, I'm not going to shout, or scream, or break stuff." Yang seethed. "But I will not forget this." Yang stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
"That could have gone better." Weiss sighed.
"Really?" Blake laughed. "No broken bones, all the windows are still intact, none of the furniture is smashes. I'd say it went far better than expected."
Ruby stood at the altar. She was clad in a military dress uniform, crimson with gold trim and buttons. A gilded sword hung from her waist. All gifts from Weiss. To one side of her stood Taiyang, clad his own dress uniform of black and gold. To the other stood a priest of Naga, dressed in his traditional vestments. In front of them the tiny chapel was empty. Given the expectation of a duchess to have a grand and public wedding, Ruby was practically eloping. It was just as well. She wanted nothing to do with big formal ceremonies.
The doors at the far end of the chapel swung open to reveal Qrow - in the blue formal attire that went with his position as Exalt - and Pyrrha who wore a simple white dress trimmed with red. With Pyrrha using Qrow as a crutch they walked down the short aisle to the altar where they parted. Pyrrha took her place opposite Ruby and the ceremony began in earnest. It was all quick and simple, just the way they wanted it. When called for by the priest a teary-eyed Taiyang produced the rings for Ruby and Pyrrha to exchange. Blessings were given, the couple kissed, and they were officially married.
The couple said their goodbyes, hopped on Pyrrha's Pegasus, and departed. Taiyang headed back to Chon'sin and Qrow to Ylisse. Ruby and Pyrrha made their way to a secluded mountaintop manor in northern Rosanne. It was an old vacation retreat Weiss and her family had used in happier times, and had been a particular favorite of Winter. Weiss had given Ruby the tip as they planned the whole affair. Ruby had warned Weiss that Yang would be angry and frantic when she learned of it, but Weiss just told Ruby that she and Pyrrha deserved a break from life after all they had been through.
As the days passed Yang grew less angry and more worried. Ruby's well-being was always her top priority, and the pair had never been separated for so long. Yang desperately wanted to leave the capital to give chase but Weiss refused to budge. So Yang threw herself into her work. The unnecessary units of the army were demobilized at record speed, the soldiers disarmed and paid with peak efficiency. The Imperial Guards would take a little longer to sort out. The soldiers had to be thoroughly vetted, and only the best would do. They would be the ones guarding Weiss and Blake after all.
Luckily Nora was still in town. Ren was still getting the empire's finances in order and Nora did not have much to do, so Yang enlisted her to help select and train the new Guards. Nora's weekend workout made for a perfect initial selection process. All the professional soldiers kept under arms in the capital were put through it, and those that were able to keep up got to move on to the second stage. Yang and Nora tested their combat prowess, weeding out those that got by on fitness alone. In just three days Yang had her Guards, now nicknamed 'The Hammers' thanks to Nora.
"I did everything you asked of me." Yang said, kneeling before Weiss and Blake as they sat upon their thrones. "Now can I go after Ruby and Pyrrha?"
"No." Weiss said. Yang had finished her work far too quickly and Weiss wanted to give them more time alone. "Blake mentioned that you wanted to found a tavern. Is that true?"
"Yes, but what could that possibly have to do with this?" Yang asked.
"I've given the idea some thought, and decided to support it." Weiss explained. "A tavern that caters to travelers, with special consideration for women, located just outside the city walls. I want you in charge of its construction and management."
Yang groaned something unintelligible, torn between her desire to go after her sister and her wish to run a tavern. "I...I fine." Yang sighed. "I guess this is the only chance I'll get to live this dream. But as soon as the preparations are sorted I'm leaving."
"Of course." Weiss agreed.
"Make sure you stock the place with liquor from Ferox." Blake suggested. "I like the strong stuff."
"I'll keep that in mind." Yang grumbled, knowing that would only make the task take longer. "You're really testing my patience with all this."
Ruby and Pyrrha reclined on a sofa before the fireplace. The burning logs crackled away, casting a gentle glow over the pair. "I wonder what Yang's up to." Ruby thought aloud.
"Probably enjoying Weiss and Blake." Pyrrha laughed. "I bet she's having the time of her life."
"Yeah." Ruby said wistfully. "She must be so happy."
"It's done." Yang said. "I hired an architect, signed off on the design, hired the builders, procured the construction supplies, put in orders for the provisions required once the place opens, hired some barmaids and I even found entertainment." Yang took a deep breath. "It was a nightmare. I never thought having a tavern of my own would be so much work. If I had, I never would have wanted one. But it's done. Now, can I please, please go?"
"You may." Weiss said. "And try not to be too hard on Pyrrha."
Yang glared at Weiss. "I make no promises."
Ruby and Pyrrha rode up to their new home astride the Pegasus. They had visited the estate once before and were looking forward to settling in. A dip in the luxurious baths was particularly appealing after their arduous journey from the mountain resort. As they approached the manor house there was a surprise waiting. Along with their assembled servants, Yang was waiting at the front door. "Oh gods…" Pyrrha gasped.
"Ruby Rose!" Yang shouted as the pair approached and dismounted. "This is the second wedding I've been robbed of. Come here." Yang strode up to Ruby and wrapped her in a tight hug.
"I'm sorry Yang." Ruby said.
"I missed you." Yang said with a gentle smile. "How was your honeymoon?"
"It was peaceful, and exciting, and happy." Ruby replied.
"No fighting?" Yang asked. "No curses?" Pyrrha was visibly agitated.
"Yang, stop." Ruby said.
"You scared me Ruby, just leaving like that." Yang admitted.
"We can take care of ourselves." Ruby said.
"You ran off without saying goodbye." Yang sighed.
"Because I knew how you'd react." Ruby explained.
"I almost lost you, Ruby." Yang said. "I almost lost everyone. I…"
"You won't lose me, Yang." Ruby declared. "I have Pyrrha by my side. We won't let anyone hurt us anymore."
"Yes...Pyrrha." Yang said through gritted teeth. She stepped past Ruby and locked eyes with Pyrrha, who was still holding the reins of the Pegasus.
"Yang...h-hello again." Pyrrha stammered.
"We need to talk...sister." Yang hissed.
"Yang!" Ruby shouted.
"No Ruby, it's okay." Pyrrha said. "She's right."
"Are you sure?" Ruby asked.
"Positive." Pyrrha replied.
Ruby hugged Pyrrha and gave her a quick kiss. She then took the reins of the Pegasus and approached Yang. "Don't be harsh with her, please." Ruby sighed.
"I make no promises." Yang said.
Yang put her arm around Pyrrha's shoulders, acting as a crutch for the still injured girl. Pyrrha was surprised to find Yang acting so considerately toward her, but that soon faded as she struggled to keep up with Yang's long, fast strides. Yang led Pyrrha into the cellar where a longue was set up, directing her to sit at a table. As Pyrrha did so, Yang poured two glasses of wine from a decanter. She gave one glass to Pyrrha before sitting opposite her. Yang took a large sip as Pyrrha gulped down half her glass.
"It was Ruby's idea, wasn't it?" Yang asked.
"Wha...no." Pyrrha said. "No, I was afraid of what you would say...and suggested we elope."
"Don't lie to me Pyrrha." Yang said, glaring at her. Pyrrha downed the rest of her glass. Yang refilled it and topped off her own. "Ruby suggested it because she knew I would object."
Pyrrha sighed and nodded. "I...I objected at first." Pyrrha admitted. "I knew what she was thinking, and I knew you wouldn't be happy, but she wanted a break from all the drama. She wanted to just get away from it all, if only for a while, with no one questioning her."
"That's the me in her." Yang laughed, shaking her head. "Just wanted to get away from it all, and screw anybody who's unhappy about it."
"She didn't want to make you unhappy." Pyrrha said.
"She wanted to make you happy." Yang said. "The fact that she was willing to worry me so much says a lot about how much you mean to her. And the fact that your first instinct was to lie in her defense says a lot about what she means to you."
"She's gone through so much." Pyrrha sighed. "And I hurt her, twice. She nearly died for me, and I know that's why you're angry, because of my actions you nearly lost her. I...I still...I'm always thinking about it. When I nearly killed her...it haunts me...I have nightmares about it. About her not waking up...Ren's magic not working...you being angry at me...you...you…" Pyrrha convulsed and sobbed, hunching over her drink. She flinched as she felt Yang's arm wrap around her shoulders.
"Pyrrha, Pyrrha, no more crying okay?" Yang said in a surprisingly soothing tone. "You're my sister now. You're part of our family. I love you, my dad loves you, and most importantly, Ruby loves you. Sure, I was angry at you, but no one was more angry at you than you were. Don't let any of it weigh you down. I've forgiven you for that, and I forgive you for this as well. I know you'll take good care of Ruby. You should be happy...we should both be happy because Ruby is happy, and for both of us, nothing is more important than her happiness."
Pyrrha reached up and embraced Yang. They held each other until Pyrrha calmed down and stopped crying. Yang took a long sip of her drink and Pyrrha downed her own, swaying a bit afterwards. "This may have been...a little strong for a heart-to-heart." Pyrrha said, her speech beginning to slur.
"Nothing like good wine to knock some emotions out of ya." Yang smirked. "Now, let's have another round, and then you get back to your lovely wife, alright? I love you sis."
"Thank you...thank you Yang." Pyrrha wept. "I love you too...sister."