Chapter 3: Bumbleby

The night before the start of the doubles round, months after the Beacon Ball, the blonde waited for a red-haired warrior goddess to finish training her leader to become a better fighter before she went out to get some air. She also thought about her again. It was the only time she could without being distracted by something. The blonde stood at the edge, looking furious. It wasn't like she was mad at anyone in particular. She was mad at the usual person: herself. For the last year now, since she met the cat and fell in love with her, the blonde cursed at herself for letting all those she cared for pursue their happiness.

The blonde was reminded of the teams round match: Team SSSN vs Team NDGO. She saw how deep into the battle her cat partner was to the battle. Whether it was for the concern of the blue-haired teammate and friend or cheering for the monkey boy, the blonde could help but be envious of them. And it hurt her to feel like she did.

Is this worth my happiness? Can I keep this act up? The blonde thought to herself, drawing blood from her tightly-clenched fist. She took a deep breath and screamed at the top of her lungs. She did this periodically to release some stress. She couldn't afford to break any more gym equipment.

She fell back, laying on the roof. She felt tired, eyes closed after screaming. Maybe I should stop. I'm just going to worry the campus the blonde beauty came to the conclusion.

Suddenly, her cat partner appeared before her "What are you doing?"

The blonde looked up at her, not surprised she would have eventually showed up. She sat up, sitting over the edge "Nothing. Just having fun messing with everyone."

"By screaming bloody murder?"

"Well, what can I do?"

"Not scream bloody murder, maybe?"

The blonde smiled at the cat and looked forward. She took a small breath and exhaled. The cat sat with her soon later, leaning against her. It made the blonde jump in shock, but not enough for it to be noticeable. She smiled and patted the girl's ribbon.

"What's up? I thought you were celebrating with Sun and the others." The blonde asked. She was invited too, and she had attended the celebration. She only stepped out for a moment.

The cat followed her out, hoping to catch what was wrong with her. As of late, she felt as if her partner had been working extra harder. As if she was trying to take her mind off of something. And tonight confirmed it. The cat would know a scream induced by stress. She wanted to scream too when she was working endless nights to solve the Stolen Dust case. Instead, it ended up with her arguing with her blonde partner. It was a memory she both hated and treasured. It was that moment where she saw the blonde's angry red eyes for the first time and hopefully the last. That moment was also the moment she realized her true feelings for the blonde. The cat only smiled, curling up next to her.

"Needed some air. A dozen people in a dorm room isn't exactly ideal."

The blonde smiled and looked ahead "Yeah, I feel ya. It was getting claustrophobic in there."

The cat nodded at the blonde's remark. She rolled her head to look up at her, admittedly distracted by the blonde's neck "Um, Yang?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you okay? You seem stressed out lately."

"Stressed?"

The cat looked forward "It's like… you're trying too hard. Thinking too hard about anything just so you don't have something else to think about." The blonde sighed in relief. She looked forward as well. After a moment of silence, the cat spoke "Is it your mother again?"

"What? N-no. I'm not thinking about her. Well, I guess I always do, but it's not like it's anything new."

"Then what is it?" The cat said as she sat up. She still held onto the blonde's arm, holding it tight.

The blonde sighed Might as well fess up then. If the cat asked for anything, the blonde would oblige to it.

"I'm... " The blonde started. She took a breath and looked forward "You know my mother left me when I was born, and that Summer never came back from her mission when Ruby was still a toddler, right?" As a response, the cat nodded. The blonde smiled and continued "I never told you how I felt after that. While my dad just shut down, and I was left to take the mother role for Ruby… don't get me wrong, I love Ruby and my dad with all my heart. But… I feel like I'm cursed."

"Cursed?"

"Yeah, someone doomed to let go of everyone she loves. Doomed to never truly love someone in fear that they'll one day leave and never come home. And growing up, I thought it was okay not to feel anything for anyone. I may seem like a big flirt or a player… but really, I'm always scared that everyone that I love, the people I care about… I'm scared they'll just abandon me. I learned to hid my fear in the form of smiles and jokes and puns, but even I have limits." The blonde stood up and turned away from her faunus friend. "I thought… I was worried we'd never find you when you ran away… And you'd be added onto a list I never want you to be on, Blake."

The cat stood up and held her partner from behind. The blonde looked at her, turning to meet her eyes. She stepped back and took off the ribbons that hid her cat ears. She looked at the blonde "Trust me, Yang. I know how you feel. Not only the night I ran away, but how you felt growing up. I didn't know how to hide my fears and pain through a smile, because a Faunus like me is always to blame. I've always been accused because I'm what I am." The cat said. She paused to breathe. "I know a cursed child. And to me, Yang, you're not cursed. Not even close. You have so many people around that love and care about you. You showed me that I'm not like the other Faunus of the White Fang. I have people who care about me too; people who love me for me, and I'm glad you were the one that made me realize that." The cat walked back to her, closing the distance between them. She took the blonde's hands and lifted herself to kiss the blonde's cheek.

"Bl-blake?" the blonde glossed over the cat's kiss. "why did you-?"

The cat smiled and lightly laughed "You aren't cursed, because you have me. I'm not going to leave you, even if it kills me."

The blonde smiled. She tightly held the cat's hand "And neither are you. If anyone messes with you, they'll have to answer to me."

The cat nodded in agreement. She tied her bow back together and the two girls left the roof to head back to the celebration, hand-in-hand. A raven was perched at the rooftop across from the building the blonde and the cat entered. When the door closed behind them, the raven flew away.

It seems the curse has been lifted.

-THE END-


A/N: And that's it :) Hope you liked it. See, happy ending :D Everyone's happy~ Hee hee. Please R&R, if you wish.