Hello everyone and welcome back to The Light that Binds Us. Last time, Drake and Ruby met professor Ozpin, who offered them an opportunity to attend Beacon. They both Accepted, but the good times didn't last as Ruby realized the time. Enjoy.
In the end, will they even survive?
What do you mean?
I mean, are you really putting all your hopes on that boy?
You know him, so you should know my answer.
Your not wrong about that, but you know that he's a dangerous one.
I know the risk, but I've learned to have faith in those who seem unlikely.
I guess we will just have to see how events play out.
I guess we will.
But who knows. As you've said, Light is full of surprises.
True.
However, what if things don't go as planned?
Then Maybe the boy can defy fate, and help light prevail in this endless struggle.
It was 10 PM in the dead of Night within Vale. Many people and Faunus had turned in, save for those who worked at those times and the common Night Owls. With most of the populace in bed, one would expect there to be near steadfast silence within the many districts of Vale. Unfortunately, that statement laid invalid as unusually loud footsteps were heard within a part of the Residential District. Through the natural darkness, it could be seen that one person was being dragged by another.
"Drake, stop for a moment!" Ruby yelled out to the boy.
"I'm trying to get you home!" Drake replied.
"But you don't know where I live!"
Drake slowed down for a moment and processed what Ruby had said. He opened his mouth to respond but was at a lose for words. He stopped completely, right on the edge of another house, holding onto Ruby's hand tighter to keep her from going off. Once she was safe from falling off, he let go of her hand, looked at her and blushed while rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment.
Ruby giggled. "It's okay. I understand you were only looking out for me, but you should seriously let me lead."
"Hehe. Yeah." Drake replied with a dopey smile.
"Now, let's get off the rooftop before one of us gets hurt."
"Yeah, good idea."
The Red Cloaked girl quickly ran over to the house ledge and lept down. The Blue scarfed Faunus went to do the same, but lost his footing and fell off, landing flat on his chest. Ruby gasped and kneeled at his side.
"You okay?" Ruby asked, keeping her calm.
"Yeah. I'll live." Drake said. "Unfortunately." He mumbled.
"Are you sure? You fell pretty hard."
"I said I'm fine! What more do you need me to say?"
"S-sorry." She said, mildly upset.
Ruby backed away from the now aggressive Faunus. Drake sat up, somewhat angry for whatever reason Ruby couldn't discern. He looked over to her and dropped his aggression after seeing her fearful reaction.
"I'm sorry Ruby. It's just that no one ever offers to help me up if I fall or whatever. Most people just look at me with disgust and usually tell me that I'm nothing." Drake admitted.
"I had no idea. D... Do you have any friends?" The Young Reapette asked.
Drake chuckled before responding, "Nope. Been on my own for quite some time. That's why I'm exstatic for being enrolled in Beacon."
"Well. I'll be your friend if you want."
"I'd like that. You should be heading on home Ruby."
"Wait, don't you have anywhere to go?"
"Nope. Haven't got a job, so can't rent an apartment."
Ruby immediately bolted to his side and pulled him up rapidly. She almost pulled him up too fast as he lost balance for a moment. Quickly finding it, he looked at Ruby, who had an enormous grin plastered on her face. She look ready to explode in excitement.
"Uh... Why so excited?" Drake asked meekly.
"What if I, Ruby Rose, brought you over to my house for the night?" She said, excitement sneaking into her voice.
"Ruby, I don't exactly know how your family works, but I can almost guarantee that your parents are gonna say no."
"Nah, my dad won't mind. Besides, who can say no to a face like this?"
Ruby gave Drake an adorable look. Her eyes looked bigger, with more light shining on them. Her cheeks were lightly puffed out, and her lip gave the ever so slightest quiver.
"Okay. That is cute. But still, I know your father won't let some random boy you just met into his house. Especially if you show up with him after your curfew." The Faunus reasoned.
"I guarantee I can convince him to let you stay for at least tonight." Ruby said.
Drake sighed. "Okay. Lead the way, Rose girl."
Ruby giggled before grabbing Drake by the wrist and lead/dragged him to her house. Little chatter had happened between the two, but that could be expected from two people who barely know much about one another. They were left to their own thoughts and ideas, though most of them were diverted to the person with them.
This girl is so strange. Why is she so nice to me when she barely knows a thing about me? Well, I suppose that I may as well try and make a friend before I take off tomorrow. Drake thought.
Drake. He's so mysterious, so knowledgeable. Not to mention, he seems interesting. Although I can only learn so much without talking to him. Ruby thought.
After some walking, the time accelerated to 11 PM, and the two had ended up in a section of the neighborhood that was unfamiliar to the free running Faunus. Ruby abruptly turned right, walking onto a driveway holding a Black and Yellow motorcycle, and a Bronze and Yellow four seater car. Drake raised an eyebrow in suspicion of the red cloaked girl who'd lead him. She walked up to the door and knocked twice before the sound of running sounded from within the abode.
The door to the house flew open at lightning speed, revealing a young woman with bloody red eyes and a massive amount of golden blonde hair. She was clad in a bright orange shirt with a darker Orange heart like emblem. As for lower body apparel, she was wearing a pair of black shorts that stopped mid-thigh. Though her eyes were a piercing shade of Crimson, they immediately turned to a brighter shade of lilac purple when she looked upon Ruby. The blonde woman pulled Ruby into a tight hug.
"Ruby! Your okay!" She said.
"Can't... Breathe." Ruby choked out, feeling the air slowly drain from her body.
"I'm just so happy that your okay!"
"Yang, I'm 16. You don't need to treat me like a little kid."
"You had dad and me worried about you. Where have you been anyways?" The girl now know as Yang asked.
"I sort of got wrapped up in a store heist, but that's not all. I met someone new."
"Ooohhh. Did my baby sis finally get a boyfriend?"
Ruby immediately blushed a deep shade of scarlet "Yang! Don't tease me about that. Anyways, meet Drake."
"Hey." Drake said meekly.
Yang simply stared at him, whether in confusion of trying to figure out a possibility of what had happened. Drake's darted left and right rapidly, nervous about the whole situation of meeting Ruby's sibling. Yang's eyes turned red again, and the faunus boy took that as a sign for trouble to come. He took a step back from the door, but Yang beat him to the punch and tackled him to the ground.
"What did do to my sister!?" Yang yelled at him.
"Are you crazy?! I didn't do anything!" Drake replied fearfully.
"Oh yeah, then where have you two been?"
"How should I know?"
Yang raised one her hands back, balled it into a fist, and readied to punch the boys lights out. He winced in fear and waited for what he believed to be the inevitable. A few moments passed, and no pain had transcended upon him. Squinting one eye open, he watched as Ruby struggled to hold back the raging blonde's arm. Afraid that if he moved, more pain would be to come, he just lay still as can be. Not that it was much of an option, as Yang was holding one of his arms pinned against the ground.
"Yang stop! He's not the reason I'm late, and he didn't do anything to me." Ruby pleaded.
"Oh yeah? Then why are you late?" Yang asked.
"I told you, I had to stop a dust shop heist. Then I met a Huntress and now I've been accepted into Beacon."
"Wait. What?" The blonde asked skeptically.
"Uh, I met a Huntress?"
"After that."
"I got accepted into Beacon?"
As soon as Ruby finished her statement, Yang's body froze up completely. She stopped resisting Ruby's grasp on her arm, and eased her grip on Drake's arm. Her eyes returned to purple and the fury behind them vanished all but completely. Yang slowly got off of Drake and stared at her sister, who was still a little confused. At what seemed like Lightspeed, Yang was suddenly holding Ruby in a bone crushing hug.
"I can't believe it! My baby sister is going to Beacon with me! This is the best thing ever!" Yang shouted in absolute happiness and excitement.
"C-can't... Breathe..." Ruby choked out as she felt the air leave her body.
"I'm so proud of you Ruby."
Ruby's body fell limp as she remained stuck in her sisters arms, unable to breathe. The blonde released her sister from the deadly bear hug she'd held her in. Ruby fell to her knees and breathed deeply, trying desperately to get air in her lungs.
"Well, it's nice to meet you Yang." Drake said.
"Same. Sorry about, y'know, accusing you." Yang apologized.
"It's fine. Your not the first to accuse me of something."
"Oh. S-sorry. So, uh, are you gonna head home or something?"
"Haven't got a home, so you might find me on a building in the shopping district."
Yang looked to Ruby, who was giving her the famous Ruby begging look. Feeling guilty about just leaving him outside, Yang sighed.
"If you want, you can stay here for the night." Yang offered.
"I'm pretty sure your father would gut me in my sleep."
"He's not that mean, and besides, he's out on some sort of Huntsmen job. He shouldn't mind."
The Faunus sighed. "Fine. But where will I sleep?"
"On the couch of course. You may seem nice, but I won't let you bunk with Ruby. Yet."
"Yang!" Ruby cried in embarrassment, punching her sister.
"I'm just playing Ruby." Yang said with a giggle.
Drake gave a small chuckle at the two sisters antics. The way they played with one another, and still knew they loved each other warmed the boys heart of ice. His quiet chuckle spiraled into laughter, spawning confused reactions from the two sisters. The two simply looked at him with a questionable look on their faces.
"What's so funny?" Yang asked.
"It's you two. You seem like your opposites to an extent, but your still the best of siblings." Drake explained.
"Of course we get along together. Yang practically helped raise me after all." Ruby said.
"Still, I'm glad to see two sisters getting along."
"What about you? Got any siblings?" Yang asked.
That question alone brought about pure silence in the night air. Not another word was uttetered from anyone within that moment. An expression of darkness came across Drake. It was almost as though all the life was taken away from the Faunus boy.
"Uuhhh..." Yang said, easing the silence out of the air.
"As far as I know, I either don't have any siblings, or they died." The Faunus spoke, an almost venomous tone taking his voice.
"That's not good. Drake... I'm sorry if you've lost someone important to you."
"You couldn't have known it was a sensitive subject, so it's fine."
"No it's not. It clearly hurt you, and even though I don't know you all that well, I still want to make sure your okay." The Blonde said.
"I appreciate that Yang, but I've already intruded on your lives enough as it is. I'm leaving. Maybe I'll see you in Vale, Maybe I won't."
Drake went to leave the premises of the two sisters' home, but his body refused to obey his commands. It were almost as though he were magnetized to them. To Ruby and Yang though, he looked like a frozen statue, rather than someone struggling to move from one spot.
"You okay there Drake?" Yang questioned.
"Sort of. I'm still thinking about your offer." Drake responded.
"Please say you'll stay? Pretty please?" Ruby begged, giving him a look that was cute enough to kill.
Unfortunately, the Fox Faunus wasn't made of Ice, so he responded with "Fine. But only because of your damn cuteness."
"Yay!"
Ruby threw her arms around Drake squeezing him tightly against herself. Rather than fight the girls grasp, he accepted, wrapping his own arms around the girl. Once again, it felt as though time had slowed down for the two of them. Though the moment felt sweet, cute, and mildly romantic, it was bound to be ruined.
"You two are so adorable!" Yang outright screamed.
"Yang! Shut up!" Ruby whined back.
Once again Drake chuckled at the sisters. He released Ruby from the hug she'd pulled him into, as she did the same for him. He smiled at the shorter girl, feeling a sudden rush of thoughts flood into his mind.
Maybe. Maybe I shouldn't do it. Maybe there is a reason to be alive. Drake thought.
"C'mon you two. Let's get inside." Yang said.
"Yeah. You coming Drake?" The reapette asked.
"Yeah." He responded.
The three of them walked into the house, closing the door and sealing the cold night air outside. The feeling of warmth washed over Ruby and Drake's senses. Looking around, Drake noticed that the front door opened to a cozy looking living room. The furniture occupying sed room was a large three person couch, a two person love seat, a coffee table in front of the two and a 48 inch flat screen television.
"Nice house." Drake complimented.
"Thanks. Oh, I should show you my room." Ruby said.
Before the faunus could reject, Ruby had already taken hold of his arm and proceeded to drag him to her room. Choosing to just stay quiet rather than protest, Drake felt better off for it. Ruby had led him to a door which, unsurprisingly, had a large red rose where the doorknob would be. Ruby grabbed the knob and opened the door up, revealing her not quite girly room. Ruby pushed him as she joined him, closing the door behind her.
"So. What do you think?" Ruby asked, grinning ear to ear.
The boy was simply at a loss for words. In one of the rooms corners, he noticed a sort of work table, cover in instructions, weapon parts, and what could be discerned as oil of sorts. However, that seemed to be the only thing that looked out of place, aside from all the red and rose patterns on several of the rooms surfaces. What he had expected to see was there of course; such as bed, nightstand, dresser, etc. Regardless of that though, his attention was still kept primarily on the workbench full of weapon part and instructions.
"I can see you like weapons." Drake said, feeling awkward about it.
"Like weapons?" Ruby said in a questioning tone. "I don't like weapons..."
"Oh, I s-"
"I love Weapons!" Ruby screamed in joy.
"Hehe. I can tell. Especially from that scythe thing you used during the robbery."
"It's also a customizable, high-impact sniper rifle."
"Soooooo. A gun?"
"Yeah."
Drake smiled at the girls admirable excitement over what he believed to be a trivial matter. The fact that she had put such effort into a weapon like the sniper-scythe showed that she was quite devoted to her work.
"It's quite impressive. All I did to get my weapon was get them from some blacksmith or whatever." Drake said.
"Well I think they're nice. It's good to go back to the simpler things." Ruby stated with a smile.
"Still though. They melted from that fire burst attack, so I'm gonna need a new one if I'm going to Beacon."
Ruby gasped just as he finished his sentence. The reason for her surprise could've been from the destruction of his weapon, or that he was simply attending Beacon, although she already knew the latter. The oddest part was the fact that she had continually gasped for 30 seconds before closing her mouth to catch a breath. Once sed breath was caught, she started to act more giddy and excited over a matter what unbeknownst to the Faunus in the room. To him, she looked ready to explode in excitement.
"You okay Ruby? You look a little excited." Drake questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Uh huh." Ruby said, though she said it at a speed where the words were harder to descern.
"Well. Whacha excited about?"
"I can help you make a new weapon!" The reapette shouted in one loud outburst.
"What? Really? You'd help me make a new weapon?" Drake inquired, his Fox ears twitching as well as his Tail swishing back and forth in through the air.
"Uh huh. And we can make it awesome. With a hidden blade, and guns, and-"
"Whoa girl. Calm down some. We can work on the design tomorrow, okay?"
"But. But I wanna work on it now." Ruby whined.
"Sorry Ruby, but it's late, and we need to rest." Drake reasoned.
"Okay..."
Ruby looked downtrodden that she couldn't work on the weapon design. Drake placed a hand on Ruby's shoulder and gave a her a comforting smile, which actually made her smile a little. He left her room, leaving the rose girl all by her lonesome. Ruby sighed and went to her dresser to pull on some pajamas.
Its too bad that we couldn't talk more, but at least I've made a new friend. Ruby thought
Standing outside of Ruby's door was Yang, leaning against the wall, arms crossed over her rather wellfully endowed chest. Once Drake had closed Ruby's door, he and Yang stared one another down with mixed emotions between their gazes. Within Yang's, she held excitement, adventurism, and a need to defend her loved ones. Behind Drake's eyes, there was yearning, a loss of hope, and the ever lingering sense of regret. The two read one another through their locked eye contact.
"You know, Rubes and I can convince dad to let you stay until we all start attending Beacon." Yang offered.
"Like I told you outside, I don't want to intrude in y'alls home. I'm sorry Yang, but this is just something the hands of fate have locked into place." Drake replied, becoming semi-poetic near the end.
Yang sighed. "Then at least stay for the night. I'm not sure if you could tell, but Ruby cares about you. She considers you as a friend."
Drake broke his gaze with Yang and looked to the beige shaded carpet. Hearing that someone considered him as more than just some kind of animal. The fact that someone even remotely cared about him brought a bit of hope back to him. He looked back up to Yang, this time with a small glimmer of hope.
"I'll... Consider your offer." Drake replied simply.
"Thank you. Do you want something to change into? Y'know, get more comfortable." The blonde asked.
"Nah. I keep a pair of night clothes in my internal coat pockets, though I don't use them often."
"Alright. Well, goodnight. I'm heading to my room."
"Okay. Goodnight Yang."
As Yang left the boy in the hall, a singular thought ran through her mind. Just what was Drake hiding from her and her sister? Shoving it off as something that she shouldn't get involved with, Yang entered her room at the beginning of the hall, and went straight to bed. With her in bed, only one person was still awake. With a sigh, he headed to the living room to change into some night clothes since he didn't know where the bathroom was, and was sure no one would walk in on him.
"I wish that I could find more people like these two, but I already know the world just isn't that way." Drake said to himself.
He quickly finished changing and looked over how he appeared in the remarkably reflective Living Room window. He wore a short black sleeved shirt depicting a night sky with a blue and purple like cloud cover similar to an aurora. Bottom wear was just a pair of solid black shorts. Drake sighed and turned to see the scarf he'd discarded while changing. The sight of it brought about a calming gaze from him, but at the same time, a tear filled look. His Fox ears flattened against his head as memories began to resurface to him. The boy brought the scarf the his cheek and nuzzled it while sniffling from the memories it held.
"I promised I'd never forget you." He said, as though someone had heard.
He carefully folded it and placed on the coffee table before walking to what he called a bed for the night. He layed down on the three person couch and closed his eyes, hoping to put away the memories the piece of apparel brought up.
And that's all I wrote. Sorry if the chapter is shorter than usual, but I wanted to release a chapter before my Winter Break. I can't post over it due to lack of internet at home. Sorry, but that won't stop me from at least writing. Happy holidays, and see y'all next year. Drake Belladonna, signing off.
