Shadows:
Story Word Count: 1994
Dear Journal,
I looked at the picture, taken from the start of our second year at Beacon, our first night in our new dorm. I looked at Yang in the picture, an image our overall happiness together. Then I looked at myself, happy, smiling slightly. Ruby and I were looking at each in the picture, knowing looks over Yang's over exuberance. Weiss was letting out a little frown, her eyes concentrated on something in the opposite direction of our ebullient blonde friend. I felt a smile creep onto my face, the memory of the picture being taken sending a feeling of joy through me. It was quickly trodden on by the memory of the final time I had spoken with them. It was hostile, angry, and ferocious. We weren't relenting on tearing down each other's mental and emotional barriers and breaking each other. It was all against all, none of us cared for any other, it was just anger and hatred.
The only one who had tried to stop it had been Ruby, and she had broken most from it. Although she went on to be a famous and powerful Huntress, she was never the same after that day. Weiss left for the Schnee Dust Company, stating that even her father was more like family to her than we now were. And she was right. After that argument, I left too. I was unable to cope with what we were doing to each other. I didn't say much, but when I did it was those words that were easily the most hostile words I had even spoken. I guess we should never have left, Weiss and I, if we hadn't. Then maybe, just maybe, we would all still be together.
And Yang. Yang and I's relationship sank from best friends to hated enemies of each other. I believe Ruby and her do live together, over on Patch, but I have no idea how close they are now. I hope they're still similar to what they were in Beacon, but from the amount of missions 'Huntress Extraordinaire' Ruby Rose takes, I doubt she even sees much of her sister. The last thing I heard of the blonde was from Ruby herself. Who I think has kept in touch with all of us, at least a little. She told me Yang was depressed. Not very depressed, but was experiencing symptoms of depression. This hurt me, and I knew this would never have happened if we had stayed together.
Back at Beacon, a few people said that I looked like a shadow of Yang, similar hair was really all they meant, but I guess that's all they need to say someone looks similar. The same hair, just black rather than gold. I can sometimes see where they were coming from, but knowing the amount of difference between usually made me wonder what they had truly meant. I miss the times we were all a team, together and happy, we all felt like we were loved. Like we had a true, proper purpose, to protect and help each other. But I guess all good things come to an end, and this was no exception. I wish… I wish that we could all come back together. See each other again, one more time, in a friendly way. If we ever do do this, and I doubt we ever will, I don't think friendly will actually happen.
Sincerely yours,
Blake Belladonna.
Dear Journal,
Ruby called today, actually called, rather than just a text like usual. She said… She said how she wanted us to get together as a team. I said maybe. Why did I say maybe? I know that I should have said yes. She didn't seem happy with my answer, but she told me where it was happening anyway. Beacon. She's taking us to our first year dorm room. Apparently that's where she's been staying while clearing out Grimm in the Emerald Forest. I… I hope we can sort things out finally. After so long, even if we can sort things out, I don't if that will make a big difference.
Sincerely yours,
Blake Belladonna.
I stepped out of the Bullhead, setting foot on the landing pad. I looked at the large building ahead of me, and took a deep breath before I started off, heading toward the dorm building. After a few minutes, I pushed the door open, and quickly started up the stairs, heading to the third floor. I saw, about halfway down the corridor, a door left wide open, and I sighed before walking down the corridor. I saw rose petals falling from the doorway, I rolled my eyes as I turned into the room, and saw my three former teammates stood in the room, Weiss sat on her bed, her arms folded and she glanced over her shoulder at me, and instantly looked away.
"Now. You're probably wondering why I called you all here today." Ruby said, a small smile on her face, and none of us said anything. "As you can see, this room isn't like how we had it. So, as a team bonding experience, we are going to rearrange this room to how we had it during our first year at Beacon and we are all going to sleep in this very room for two months, to mend our relationships. Now, get to fixing you three." She told us, and Yang spoke up in annoyance.
"You've gotta help too." She muttered angrily, and Ruby shook her head. "Yes you do." Yang spoke again, but Ruby still shook her head.
"I'm on a good relationship with all of you. I don't need to fix anything. Since you all seem to hate each other. I'm ordering you to do something about it." Ruby told Yang sternly, and Yang sat down, giving up with arguing with her younger sister. "Well. Get to it!" Ruby shouted, and we looked at each other. "And when I said we, I actually meant you." She told us, and crossed her arms, taking a seat on a chair, staring as we began to work. It took us about half an hour to finish, and all three of us were out of breath after it. "Now you're done, you're not leaving. I'm getting us some food. I'll see you three in a few minutes." She informed us, and the door slammed shut. We all looked at each other again, and Weiss spoke up.
"She'd have us executed if any of us left." The former heiress spoke, and I nodded. "We better actually get to work. I don't want Ruby killing me, I don't know about you." She said, and we raced to it, each doing our own thing. After what felt like days of work, we were done.
"Objective, complete." Ruby piped up from the doorway. "Good job team." Ruby smiled, her eyes, however, conveyed no emotion. "Now. Night time. Sleep. Now." Ruby ordered coldly, and the other three climbed into their bunks. "Great! Night guys!" She said, jumping up to her bunk, and dropping into a deep sleep instantly.
"I remembered Ruby was a deep sleeper, but, wow. Just wow." I muttered, shaking my head. I heard Yang snort from above me.
"I thought you'd remember that." Yang growled very quietly. I still heard her though, and I punched the bottom of her bunk.
"And I'm a Faunus. So I heard that." I shouted back at her, and Weiss coughed from the other side of the room.
"Be quiet. Some of us are trying to sleep." Weiss told us, and Yang jumped from her bed.
"You sleep. I'm leaving. I refuse to stay with her." Yang said with hostility, and she made for the door.
"No!" Ruby shouted from the doorway, shoving Yang to the ground. "None of you are leaving this room. Understand?" Ruby screamed at us, and Yang looked down in shame after pushing herself up from the floor. "UNDERSTAND!" She screamed again, louder, and far more terrifyingly that time.
"U-Understood… Understood Ma'am." Weiss muttered, and Yang sniggered.
"You are not in a position to be laughing, Yang." Ruby spat, and Yang went silent instantly. "OK. Since I've now seen I can't trust you, I'm going to lay out the rules. Rule One, don't break the rules. Rule Two, if you cross me, you will regret it. Rule Three, you are not to leave this room without my specific permission. Rule Four, anything I say goes. This won't be like our time in Beacon." Ruby informed us, and we watched her intently. "And Rule Five, any hostility to one another, such as what Yang displayed just now, will be punished severely and without hesitation from now onwards. Do I make myself clear?" Ruby finished, and we all nodded. "Oh, and Rule Six. You will always answer vocally and, in the same fashion as Weiss, address me as Ma'am." She growled at us.
"Yes Ma'am." We all said simultaneously, and I could hear the hesitation in Yang's voice as she did so.
"Good. Now, sleep. Properly this time." Ruby ordered yet again, and Yang climbed into bed.
Dear Journal,
Ruby had Yang and I do one hundred and fifty pushups and situps today after we… Started acting in a not-so-good manner. It was tiring, but I wouldn't let anyone see that I was incapable of doing what I was told to do, so I didn't give up. And I think I saw Ruby smile today. I wasn't sure at first, but I'm ninety percent sure that I glimpsed the now rarest of occasions, of Ruby Rose actually seeming truly happy. Yang and I have been able to hold a conversation without breaking down to insults and assault, though that's only due to it having happened more than once before.
Weiss has been following Ruby like a dog for the last few weeks. Doing her every bidding. I guess being the President of the biggest Energy Propellent Company on the planet means you want to be ordered around every so often. Or something like that, I don't really know. Although Ruby is always in a sour mood, she always seems that tiny bit happier with Weiss around. When it's just her, Yang and I, she'll dish out punishments if we move an inch away from each other, saying how it's proof of hate for each other. No matter what Ruby thinks, Yang and I don't hate each other. We just aren't the people we used to be. Time's changed us, and we became suited to the lives we led alone. If we'd stayed together, together like Ruby always wanted us to be, then none of this would be happening.
And Ruby. Ruby, she used to be so happy and so innocent and so sweet. And now she's angry, hostile, moody, and generally being an unlikeable person. I hope, I really hope it's an act. I don't know what Weiss sees in her any more to even want to be close to her. Ruby just lets Weiss outside the room, even though it's only around Beacon Campus, it's further from this room than Yang and I have gone in the last two weeks. We're are allowed outside for two hours every Monday and Friday, the three of us. But with Weiss going out so often, we rarely see her. I guess it makes sense. The less she's around Yang or me, the less likely she is to snap, and have Ruby punish her too. I guess I just want to be seventeen again. Even though it felt so horrible back then, being the only ones trying to stop Cinder, I'd give everything from where I am now to be back there. Happy and loved again. But, I guess, not all stories are happy, and the ones that are always have a dilemma. I only hope that I, and my team, get the happy ending I'm hoping for.
Sincerely yours,
Blake Belladonna.
Ooh, a longer one. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this more... Sad oneshot. If you have any requests that you want me to write about, PM me or leave a review and I'll try my best to write it (NO SMUT)! Anyway, Remember that Constructive Criticism is always Useful, Reviews are Welcomed, and Keep Moving Forward!
Stinger out!