Disclaimer: RWBY is the property of Rooster Teeth. I do not own any of the characters or locations present, just the scenarios I have created.
Chapter 4: Reunion
"Thank you for the ride" The blonde woman said to the captain of the ferry. "Anytime miss. I hope you find who it is that you are looking for." The captain said with a smile on his face. "Oh I'm sure I will, but thanks again." Yang got on her bike and started to drive off as the captain waved goodbye. She still had a ways to go to get to Mistral. For now though, she was left alone with her thoughts.
"To think only a short time ago we were just attending a Hunter academy, sparring, going out into Vale on the weekends, eating in the cafeteria, making jokes, studying for tests, doing projects, hanging out with JNPR, prepping for the Vytal Festival... all without a care in the world... and now... it's all gone, Beacon, Ozpin, Penny, and…Pyrrha..." A tear began to form in the blonde's eye, "We got lucky... I got lucky…" She looks down at her now mechanized right arm, "I suppose I can be thankful Weiss is safe in Atlas, Ruby is with Jaune, Nora, and Ren, and Blake… sh-she's probably fine…" Yang tensed up as a frown marred her face until the thoughts of her estranged partner faded, "either way, the answers I'm looking for are in Mistral, hopefully Ruby is there and hasn't gotten into too much trouble… or worse hurt..."
Weiss jumped as she was awoken by one of the crew members of the airship she was on. "Ma'am, are you alright?" he asked her. "Hmm? Yes, I'm fine." She stated, still trying to gain her bearings. "Where… where are we?" The man smiled, "We're about five minutes outside of Mistral. Once we land you're going to have to sneak off the plane. If you're caught however, I will deny any knowledge of you, and declare you a stowaway." Weiss stood up, "I understand, and again, thank you for the ride." The crew member nodded and walked back to the front of the ship.
Weiss stood up and made sure she had everything. She had to be prepared to get away clean, or run if that wasn't an option. She let out a sigh and hoped everything would work out the way she was hoping it would. She hoped she would be able to find Ruby quickly, and the rest of their team so they can track down the people responsible for the attack on Beacon, and find out how they infiltrated they school. If they can do this, maybe they can prevent this from happening again at another school.
Weiss was shook from her thoughts when the airship landed. She walked towards the cargo bay door, but stopped and hid around the corner when it started to open. She was relieved when it was only the pilot. "The coast is clear for the moment Miss Schnee, I suggest you hurry." He called out. Weiss moved out of the corner into the view of the pilot and nodded at him. She got off the ship and started towards the door on the far side of the hanger.
As Weiss reached the door the handle started to turn. She ran to the wall so when the door opened it would hide her behind it. She reached the wall and pressed herself up against it so that she was as flat as possible, and so the door wouldn't hit her. From the door, in walked 4 armed guards to check the cargo ship. The door started to close again as the last guard walked passed.
Just before the door closed all the way Weiss caught the handle to prevent it from doing so. The slowly opened it up just enough to slip herself and her bag though the opening. She looked back towards the guards to see the pilot talking to them. He gestured towards the ship allowing them to search it. Weiss let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding. She was clear of the guards and started running down the hallway.
Weiss was exhausted. It didn't take her long to get out of the building, but it took a lot out of her. She had found a side door that opened to service road. Thankfully there was no one around. She followed the service road out towards the main street. Once there she hailed a taxi that would take her into town. She could finally relax a little.
The taxi stopped at a café near the center of town. Weiss paid the driver and got out. She pulled out her scroll to see the time. It was just after 2 pm. There was no time to waste, she needed to find Ruby as soon as possible, but she had no idea where to even start looking. As she was about to start walking, the smell of freshly baked breads and other delicacies filled her nose. Weiss' stomach grumbled at the idea of food. Weiss grumbled too, "Why must I be hungry now… I don't have time for this…" she said to herself. She let out a sigh, "I might as well eat, Ruby would be furious if she found out I haven't eaten anything today." Weiss smiled at the thought of Ruby, with that she walked into the café to purchase some lunch.
Weiss was glad she had stopped to eat. She didn't realize it at first but she had been starving. Plus it gave her a few minutes to think about where to start her search. Ruby had to be staying somewhere so she was going to start by heading to the Hotel nearest Haven Academy. It made sense to look there first because that's where she figured Ruby would have started her search for Cinder.
As she walked she noticed a clothing store, "maybe I should stop and get some less distinguishable clothing." she though as she entered the store. Twenty minutes later she emerged wearing a faded light blue tee shirt and some navy blue jeans. She traded her heels for a pair of navy blue converse. To complete the look, she put her hair into a braid, that way it was still kept out of the way. This really wasn't her style, but she really didn't need to stick out or get recognized. Weiss then continued towards the Hotel.
After about another hour and a half of walking, Weiss had finally reached the hotel. She pulled open the front door and entered the building and approached the front desk, "excuse me, I was wondering if you could tell me if my friends are staying here?" The woman smiled at Weiss, "Sure, what is the name they would be staying under?" Relieved, Weiss responded "Ruby Rose."
The woman looked down at her computer for a moment, "I'm sorry, we don't have any guests with that name, is there another name it they would be staying under?" Weiss frowned a little, "What about Yang Xiao Long, or Blake Belladonna?" After a moment the woman looked back a Weiss, "I'm sorry but neither of those names are coming up either. Is there another name that you'd like me to check?" Weiss let out a sigh, "No, thank you very much."
Weiss ordered herself a room and was then escorted by a bellhop to said room. She tipped the bellhop and walked inside. She started unpacking her stuff when she realized how little dust she had actually brought with her. "Alright, I guess I'll need to head to a shop after I unpack this stuff." she thought. 15 minutes later she was back in the lobby of the hotel. She asked the woman at the front desk for directions towards the nearest dust shop.
The walk took her about half an hour. She entered the shop and started browsing all the different types of dust available. She started collecting a few different vials of dust, each varying in color. As she collected the last of what she needed she started towards the clerk so she could purchase them.
"Weiss…? Is…is that you?" squeaked a woman's voice from behind her. Weiss almost jumped at the sound, but the voice was unmistakable, one that despite startling her, also brought her warmth and comfort. "Ruby?" Weiss said as she turned around to face where the voice had originated.
Ruby rushed forward using her semblance and engulfed Weiss in a hug that forced all of the air out of the girls' lungs. "Ruby… can't… breathe…" Weiss tried to say. Ruby quickly released Weiss and looked at her apologetically "I'm sorry, I just got excited and I missed you, and I didn't know what to do and that was just the first thing that came to mind, and I am sorry, I just…" "Ruby!" Weiss interrupted as Ruby tensed up, "it's okay, calm down. You don't need to apologize, just be more careful, you dolt." Ruby relaxed again and nodded with a smile.
"How'd you find me?" Weiss asked as she turned back to pay for her dust. Ruby stepped to her side, "Well, me and d-" Ruby paused for a moment, considering her wording, "Me and Qrow left the hospital earlier and went to a hotel and when I gave my name to get our room, the receptionist said that someone with your description was asking for me and had left towards this shop so Qrow went up to the room and I rushed her as quick as I could using my semblance. I needed to know if it was really you."
Weiss looked Ruby over, "Why were you at the hospital? Were you hurt? What happened?" Ruby shook her head, "I'm fine Weiss, it was Qrow… He got hurt protecting me, Jaune, Nora, and Ren. But he's okay now. We spent the past three days there and got out just a couple hours ago." Was felt a wave of relief wash over knowing that Ruby wasn't hurt. "Wait, Jaune, Nora, and Ren? Where are they? And where's Yang? Or Blake?" Weiss asked as she led Ruby out of the store.
"They're at the hotel we're staying at right now. Yang's at home still… She's…not doing too well. And Blake…" Ruby's voice faltered a little, "She disappeared shortly after your father picked you up according to Yang. Wait, how did you know to come here? How did you know I would be here?" Ruby and Weiss walked out of the store and started working their way back to the hotel before Weiss gave her response. "While I was back in Atlas, before I ran away, I met with my sister, Winter. She told me that she had met with General Ironwood, who along with Qrow believed that the best place to continue the investigation into the attack on Beacon was here, so I had a hunch I would find you here. It seems my hunch was correct, I'm just lucky to have gotten here when I did."
Ruby and Weiss walked in silence for a few minutes before Ruby responded quietly "I'm glad you're here Weiss, the last few weeks have been really difficult, even with the rest of JNPR." Weiss let out a sigh, "Ruby, I owe you an apology. I shouldn't have let my father take me away. I should've stayed with you and helped out. I know you're probably mad at me for leaving the way I did and I can't change what happened, but just know that I'm sorry." Ruby stopped walking and placed her hand on Weiss' shoulder causing Weiss to turn and face her, "Nope!" Ruby said with a popping sound at the end of the word and a smile on her face. Weiss raised an eyebrow and was about to speak, "I'm not mad, Weiss. I mean sure when I found out you went back to Atlas I was sad and it would have been nice to have you helping us out, but I'm not mad. I don't blame you for leaving, and you didn't really have a choice."
Weiss was happy that Ruby wasn't mad, but that didn't change how she felt about the situation or the fact that she was still mad at herself. "But I should have fought to stay! I shouldn't have let him control me like that! I didn't want to leave!" Ruby pulled Weiss into a much softer hug than before causing her to stop talking. "It's okay Weiss. I'm happy you're here now, that's what matters. Don't worry about it, okay?" Weiss let out a shaky breath and pulled back from the hug. "O-Okay."
The two girls continued walking back towards the hotel in peaceful silence. As they rounded the last corner they heard the sound of tires screeching behind them. They both turned to find the source of the sound. They spotted a yellow and black motorcycle behind them with a blonde woman sitting on it. "Yang?!" Ruby yelled as she ran towards the motorcycle. The blonde got off her motorcycle and took her helmet off revealing her crimson colored eyes. "Ruby Rose! You are in so much trouble!" yang bellowed causing Ruby to freeze in her tracks with a look of confusion and a hint of fear on her face.
Yang stormed towards Ruby with a scowl printed on her face. "Yang, I'm sorry, but I couldn't just sit there and do nothing." Ruby said sheepishly as she started backing up. "After everything I lost… we lost, I couldn't just sit and wait for Cinder to make another move, so I left…" Yang reached Ruby and wrapped her arms around her younger sister in a soul crushing hug "You had me so worried! I was afraid you were hurt… or worse…" Yang fought back a tear at the thought of losing her sister. "I'm glad you're okay though. Dad was really worried too, and he was pretty upset that you left without actually saying anything." Yang released Ruby and she looked up at her older sister. "I know, I know, and I really am sorry but I just couldn't sit there…" Yang let out a sigh, "I know you couldn't Ruby. I was just afraid I wouldn't see you again. I can't lose anyone else…" Yang could feel the tears form and start to freely fall down her face.
"I'm okay, Yang. You are not going to lose me. Besides, I had Jaune, Ren, Nora, and even Qrow to make sure nothing happened." Yang raised an eyebrow and the mention of Qrow, but before she could ask the question on her mind Ruby continued "And I found Weiss!" Ruby gestured behind her towards the heiress. Weiss looked at Yang with a smile. Weiss was genuinely glad to see her. Sure they had their differences, but she did still care about Yang.
"Weiss? I thought you got taken back to Atlas by your father?" Weiss walked over to the two sisters "I did, but I couldn't stand it there any longer so I ran away. I got here a couple hours ago and ran into Ruby maybe twenty minutes ago. We were on our way back to the hotel when you showed up."
Yang smirked back at Weiss, "Wow, the fabled Heiress of the mighty Schnee Dust Company running away from home? Imagine that." Weiss responded with a scowl, which Yang just laughed at, "regardless, I am glad you're here Weiss, really." Yang looked back to Ruby and pulled her into another embrace. Yang was so relieved that Ruby was okay. She let go and looked back at Weiss. Yang held out her new robotic arm and wiggled her index finger to gesturing for Weiss to come towards her. Weiss' eyes widened a little at the sight of Yang's new arm, but she obliged and walked up to Yang only to be wrapped in a hug as well. One she happily returned.
After Yang wiped the tears from her eyes she looked between Weiss and Ruby "So, where's this hotel of yours?" Ruby grabbed both Yang and Weiss' hands and started pulling them both forward, "Just up the street, come on!"
Ruby had just taken off towards the dust shop in search of the white haired girl the receptionist mentioned, leaving Qrow to take what little stuff they had up to their room. "Thanks kiddo…" He said sarcastically with a smirk on his face. He followed the bellhop up to their room and set everything down before sitting down on the bed. After a moment he decided a shower was a good idea. After a quick shower Qrow decided to head downstairs towards the bar. Once he got there he sat down and waited for the bartender to approach him.
"What can I get for you?" he asked. "Umm, give me a moment actually." Qrow said. The bartender nodded and walked back to his other customers. "What is wrong with me?" Qrow said under his breath. He thought back on the events of the past few days. Ruby had taken the revelation surprisingly well. There was a warm sensation building in Qrow's chest. What was the feeling? It was so foreign to him. Was it… happiness? Was Qrow actually happy? Qrow smiled, it had been such a long time since he'd felt this way. The bartender came back and asked "do you know what I can get you yet?" Qrow looked up, "actually, can I just get a soda?" The bartender looked a little surprised, "sure thing, I'll be right back."
After a minute the bartender came back with Qrow's soda. Qrow paid the man and he went back to his business. "Excuse me…" A voice spoke up from behind Qrow. Qrow turned to face where the voice had come from. He spotted a black haired boy with many freckles on his face, wearing a dirty white tee shirt. "You know, I don't think they serve kids in here, pipsqueak." Qrow said to the boy. "Shut up, I'm getting there." the boy said out loud to himself before looking back at Qrow. Qrow raised an eyebrow before the kid continued, "Um… I'm supposed to tell you… I'd like my cane back." The statement almost sounded like more of a question.
Qrow closed his eyes and started nodding before he reopened them and stood up, causing the boy to take a step back. Qrow took Ozpin's cane from his belt and held it for a moment. "It's good to see you again Oz." he said before tossing the cane to the boy. The boy caught the cane as it extended to its full length catching the boy off guard. "Come with me, we have a lot we need to discuss." Qrow said gesturing towards a seat away from the bar.
Authors note: I hope you all enjoyed chapter four. I was hoping to get this up a few days ago, but life decided to happen instead. I'm hoping to get the next one up by the end of the month...hoping...we'll see how that actually plays out...
Anyways, thanks for reading and I'll see you all in the next chapters! :D
I had quite a bit of help from a good friend, Siegfried Salazar. Wouldn't have been able to do it without him. He is also accepting PM's about this fiction.