*Looks at calendar

What do you mean it's Thursday of next week?! I'm still in Monday Mode!

Hey guys, Ceru here! This chapter is super long on account of I'm going on haitus. Have to work on my novel, as I mentioned last chapter. Hope you enjoy! This chapter is very important and explains some things about the world and stuff.

Episode 4: The Black Night Pixie

"Tadaima!" Ruby announced as she and Weiss entered the house holding groceries.

"But Dad she needs me!" They heard Yang protest. The two approached the living room after putting the food away, seeing Taiyang and Yang argue over something.

"It's a stray. They're used to fending for themselves. We can't take care of it." Taiyang replied.

"What's going on?" Ruby asked.

"Ah, Ruby! Dad said I can't take care of the cat I found." Yang replied. "Cat?"

"And I told you why. You have school. And don't think I don't know about your job. I can't have you overworking yourself Yang. We'll find the cat a shelter but we can't keep it. That's final." Taiyang walked away.

"But—"

"Final."

Yang groaned. "Why does Ruby get to bring a roommate but I don't!?"

"Weiss pays to stay here. In money and in food. She can take care of herself, the cat can't." Taiyang replied from the other room.

Ruby and Weiss turned to look next to Yang. On the floor sat a black cat, watching Yang with amber eyes. Weiss froze. "Weiss? What's wrong? Are you afraid of cats?" Ruby asked.

"No, not afraid or allergic or anything. I'm just...more of a dog person." Weiss replied, eying the cat cautiously. The cat turned to look at her with narrowed eyes. "Huh?"

"Well I'm keeping her so get used to it." Yang picked up the cat carefully. The animal purred, seemingly happy to be near Yang.

Weiss' eyes narrowed. "I'll be in our room Ruby." The Pixie walked away.

"Why do I feel like life just got a little more complicated?" Ruby looked at the cat before following Weiss.

Weiss and Ruby had just finished their homework when Ruby noticed her fiance get tense. "Weiss?" Ruby tilted her head. Weiss turned around, towards the door.

"It's rude to stare without saying anything." She told the snooping cat. The cat raised her head and her amber eyes shimmered with both amusement and annoyance.

"I was just about to introduce myself." A voice replied. The cat disappeared in a flash of shadows and a girl with cat ears stood in its place.

Ruby flinched. "Wait what?!"

"Ruby. This is a Night Pixie. They're different from regular Pixies: the humans they chose in the beginning rejected them. They mostly stay in Pixie Form and when they are in normal form, a part of their Pixie Form remains with them. I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want to alarm you." Weiss explained.

"I'm not that bad." The Night Pixie rolled her eyes.

"S-So what are you doing here?" Ruby asked.

"Yes, that's what I'd like to know as well." Weiss added.

"Relax, Schnee. I have no bad reasons to trespass on your territory. I have an engagement with your engagement's sister. I'm no threat to you." The Night Pixie explained.

"My sister?! You're engaged to Yang?! Wait. Yang's a Huntress?!" Ruby squeaked.

"Yes, although she still has her free months. I believe soon we shall be sisters in law. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ruby." The catgirl bowed.

"Y-Yeah. Likewise um…"

"Belladonna. Blake Belladonna. You can call me 'big sis' if you'd like." Blake introduced herself.

"No thanks. I'll stick with Blake if that's fine." Ruby waved her hand. Blake nodded.

"Blake. It seems like we'll have to set some Pixie Rules. Anything you'd like to say?" Weiss crossed her arms.

Blake transformed back into her Pixie Form. "I'd appreciate it if you could help Yang out more. It seems like she won't be able to convince our father in law about me staying. Not saying you should care for me, just that maybe you should take care of food and other things. If Yang can quit her job, she could have time to supposedly look after a stray. Of course, I don't need to be looked after."

"If you don't need to be looked after, why bother staying here?" Ruby questioned.

"Shelter. Although I am still one of the most privileged Pixies, I find it better to stay here during the night. Night Pixies are most active during the night but that also means Grimm always know when to hunt for unclaimed ones."

"And Grimm can't enter Hunter Domains…" Weiss frowned. "So you're just going to cower here."

"I'm also getting used to living with my fiance and her family. The situation is a bit more complicated now though. So what are your rules?" Blake gazed at Weiss defiantly.

"Just stay out of my way and don't compete with me when Ruby's around. Other than that, I hope you'll fill in Yang about the extent of being a Hunter."

"Count on it. It was nice meeting you, Ruby. Schnee, I hope we can be civil in our new house for arrangement." Blake turned, her tail flicking, and left the room.

"Hey, Weiss. I feel like there's some things you're not telling me." Ruby said.

"I'm sorry. I just don't want to overwhelm you with all the information. Night Pixies are territorial: they hate other Pixies in their Domain. When a situation such as two Pixie's fiances being related happens, those Pixies make Pixie Rules that neither can break.

"Night Pixies have trouble receiving and giving trust to other Pixies because of their betrayals in their life. Normal Pixies don't agree with their means of getting a Hunter. They lie to keep the human from leaving. Meaning they don't always say everything about the job."

"Weiss? What happens when a Human leaves a Pixie?" Ruby asked. Weiss turned to her.

"Nothing for the Human. They still have to be a Hunter…just with no support. As for the Pixie...well, I already told you that: a part of their Pixie Form remains with their regular form. Then they become a Night Pixie. They won't be social anymore, they have to stay indoors at night, and they become outcasts because they failed to do their job. The same thing happens when a Hunter dies."

"So...did you know Blake? She seemed to know your last name."

"I did." Weiss cast her eyes down. "I knew her before she was a Night Pixie. Not all Humans that become Hunters are good, Ruby. The first one she got... wasn't an ideal partner. It was she who left him. The second…died because she didn't really explain well about the job. Third...they left her. We grew distant despite us both being nobles. Now... she's just not the same."

"This'll be... difficult." Ruby thought, already predicting mayhem.

The next day at school, Ruby didn't feel like learning Calculus and turned her head to the window. What she didn't expect was a black cat watching her from outside the school gate. "What? What does she think she's doing?"

Blake turned her head, breaking the eye contact with Ruby, and begin striding towards the school. "She... she's not doing what I think she's doing right? No, definitely not going into the school to get Yang. In her Pixie Form. In the beginning of the day... damnit Yang! Why'd it'd have to be you with a Pixie? And a Night Pixie too. That Weiss knows! Anyone else in the school would've been easier!" "Miss Rose!"

"Gah!" Ruby fell out of her chair at the unexpected call of her name. Her classmates, minus Weiss, laughed.

"Clutz."

"Seriously, she might've skipped two grades but she doesn't belong here."

Ruby frowned and slowly got up. "Are you okay?" Weiss whispered to her. Ruby clasped her engagement necklace.

"Y-Yeah." Ruby looked at her necklace with a small smile. Now, she had two people in school who cared about her.

Meanwhile, slipping into her fiance's school was a piece of cake for Blake. The halls were mostly empty and she found Yang's classroom fairly easily. But that could've been because she'd already memorized the blonde's scent and traced it here. "If Grimm were this easy to find, they'd all be gone already…" Blake muttered as she slid open the door with her paw.

The teacher paused his lesson and looked at Blake in surprise. The Night Pixie paid him no mind and slowly walked into the room. She all but glanced at the students before leaping onto the nearest windowsill and staring out nonchalantly. Second row, third seat was Yang, who, along with her classmates, was utterly shocked that Blake waltzed in like she belonged here.

Yang stood up frantically. "U-um sir! I apologise, Blake must've followed me from home. Could I…" Yang's voice trailed off as she quickly went over to her cat. Her cat who looked at her as if she hadn't just disrupted class. "You're not supposed to be here!" She whisper shouted at Blake, picking her up and leaving in a hurry.

"I thought you needed company here. You told me everyone avoids you." Blake explained her logic in the hallway, looking up at Yang.

"Can't you just use your Pixie magic or whatever to transfer here or something?"

"Oh... Perhaps. I hadn't thought about it. But if I did then I'd have to have multiple human interaction." Blake leapt out of Yang's arms and onto the floor in front of her.

"If you don't want to interact with humans, why'd you come here?!"

"I believe I already answered that."

Yang sighed. "You know, I never asked to be a Huntress. You could at least make this easier for me."

"Why'd you agree to be my wife then? It's not required." Blake asked.

Yang flinched at the mention of her engagement. "I...I don't know... I guess...you seemed nice enough when we met a week ago. Plus, didn't you say you were rejected three times?"

"Was it a guilt trip then?"

"No! I... I just wanted you...to know what love feels like…" Yang blushed red.

Blake tilted her head. "That's...the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me." The human and Night Pixie stared at each other. Yang broke the long silence by clearing her throat.

"Anyway. I should get you back home." Yang walked past Blake, the cat following.

"... You're not going to get in trouble are you?" Blake asked.

"Nah. I'm a pretty hard working student so missing one homeroom'll be fine. Plus, didn't you say you're being hunted?"

"Only in the night. Mornings are fine for me."

"Well what if you run into any stray dogs?" Yang joked.

Blake froze. "There are dogs in this neighborhood?!" Yang looked down at Blake curiously.

"Are you... afraid of dogs?"

Blake shook her head. "No, no, no! I just dislike them that's all."

Yang smiled and picked up the Night Pixie. "Even so, you won't mind if I carry you?"

"If you like, I'm fine with that." Blake nodded, trying to appear fazed.

"Great! Let's go home." Yang continued walking through the corridor. She didn't notice Blake's ear twitch and her apparent alertness that came after…

—

"There's a Grimm nearby." Weiss told Ruby as she grabbed her wrist and led her to the side exit. Homeroom was over and the students were transfering to their next class.

"Wait, what about class?" Ruby asked.

"Your sister's in danger." Weiss was almost running now. "That stupid Pixie…" She muttered, gritting her teeth.

Ruby's breath got caught in her throat. "But, Yang wouldn't skip class."

"I don't think she wasn't, not for a bad reason. Blake must've done something."

"Um... I saw Blake at the entrance of the school during homeroom." Ruby said.

"What?!" Weiss turned to face her. Ruby flinched at her voice level. Weiss noticed and tried to calm down. "Sorry Ruby, I'm just a bit scared. Blake doesn't really explain a lot of things. And if Yang got hurt... I don't think I'd like to see what you'd be like. I'd feel it was my fault." Weiss cast her eyes down.

Ruby put a hand on Weiss' cheek. "Weiss. It's okay. You don't have to be strong for me." Ruby smiled. "I've been through a lot. Bullies, my mom, food. I can't keep relying on Yang for that anymore. I don't want to. And I don't want to be a burden for you either."

"Y-You're not a burden..." Weiss replied.

"Maybe. But I want to learn to be strong on my own. So... let's go help Yang and Blake together!" Ruby extended her hand to her fiance. Weiss stared at her before nodding and taking her hand. The two left school undetected and the hunter followed the Pixie to the two troublemakers.

Across town, Yang was running with Blake in her arms. On her tail were five Ursa. "Bllllaaaaakeee! I thought you said they hunt at night!?"

"That's only when they know what time I'm outside! They must be after you!"

"Why me?!"

"Hunters hunt Grimm. It's only natural that they make prey out of you when you're least threatening. Less predators to kill them. Grimm sense Pixies to get to Hunters. I'm a Night Pixie, so my scent is stronger."

"Couldn't you have mentioned that earlier?!" Yang shouted.

"I didn't want to scare you…" Blake's ears fell against her head. Her voice grew timid and afraid.

""Well this isn't any better!" Yang rebutted. She swung open her yard gate and ran to her house, collapsing on her balcony out of breath. "Are we...in the...clear?"

Blake turned her head. "It appears they have moved on to a different prey."

Yang sat up and turned to the front of her house. The Ursa were slowly moving towards the neighboring house. "Wha–What are they doing?"

"Only a Hunter's Domain is protected. Nothing else will stop them from preying upon other people. That's what Hunters and Pixies are for: we protect the defenseless.

"Normal Humans can't see Grimm, or disguised Pixies, or a Pixie Necklace on its own. It's why you're special. If one Human can stop Grimm, millions of other Humans are saved. We care for Humans. It's why... it's why it's so bad to fail one. To let them die…" Blake looked down.

"Blake?" Yang watched the cat's eyes glisten with tears.

"I didn't want to... I was... I couldn't do anything. I didn't want him to die! I didn't mean it! It wasn't my fault! It wasn't…" Blake let the tears fall on to the balcony tiles. '"I hear by denounce you, Blake Belladonna, for endangering a human, resulting in his downfall, by withholding information. You will forever be a disgraceful Night Pixie."' "I didn't lie…"

Yang frowned and walked back to her yard. "Blake. How do I become a Huntress?" Blake's ears twitched and she looked up.

"I... I haven't told you everything though. You could get hurt—"

"Blake!" Blake flinched at Yang's yelling. "All my life, I've been looking after my sister. I got a job to help my dad with money, I became top of my class, I don't even have any friends. Ruby just got her first friend the other day and she was skipped ahead two grades. I'm just...used to helping people. So, if I can be stronger to help them more...and to protect even strangers, then let me!" Yang turned around. "That's why you're here isn't it?!"

Blake looked at Yang in surprise. She stood up and nodded silently. Yang stood still for a moment then ran towards the Ursa. "Yang!" Blake ran after her.

"Hey ugly!" Yang shouted at the Grimm. "You want to hunt down humanity? Then prepare to be hunted yourselves!" The Ursa growled and roared at the blonde. Yang gritted her teeth before charging at one. "You don't scare meeeeee!"

Yang heard a loud smash behind her. The Ursa had swiped it's large paw and broke the road and a fence nearby. Yang realized it was where she'd been standing and was moved out of the way by Blake, now in her normal form. The two ended up on the opposite side of the street, pressed against a wall.

"You shouldn't have left without me." Blake scolded.

"You should've told me what I was getting into. If I'm gonna be a Huntress, I should know how to be a Huntress." Yang replied. Blake's cat ears drooped a bit.

"Yeah, I should've told you. I promise, if we both make it out of this, I'll tell you everything."

"No ifs Blake. We'll live." Yang said even as the five Ursa surrounded them. "Somehow."

"I'll get us out of this. You're not becoming a Huntress, Yang. Not until you hear everything." Blake stood in front of the Human. The Grimm slowly enclosed them.

"Blake—"

"Run when there's an opening."

"What?"

And that's when the Grimm attacked. "Watch out!" Blake covered Yang the best she could. One paw slashed open Blake's back, making her gasp and scream in pain. The Night Pixie could barely stand and Yang held her closely.

"Blake! Oh god, what do I do?! Blake, make me a Huntress, now! You're injured! What can I do?!" Yang panicked.

"R-Run…" Blake pleaded.

"What about you?! I can't just, no, I'm not leaving you here!" Yang said.

"Please...If I could just have helped you in my life. I'd be okay with that." Blake whispered. Yang teared up and shook her head, choosing to hold Blake close. She caught a glimpse of the Grimm readying another swing and her life flashed before her eyes.

Her mother. Real, biological mother. And her mom. Ruby's real mom. And their dad. Then when Summer died, and Yang became more of a mother then a sister to Ruby. The cookies they'd make, the stories they'd share. The times when Yang got in trouble for beating up Ruby's bullies. Her first job. How proud she was when Ruby told her she was skipping two grades.

When she met Blake while on a night walk, after finding a topaz necklace. When Ruby got her first friend. Huh. She never did explain what happened the other day. But even so...her last flashback was, how Weiss looked at her little sister.

"Please. Take care of Ruby…"

The sound of something slashing through another thing echoed through the air.

"Step away from my big sister." Yang opened her eyes to see Ruby in front of her wearing a vibrant red dress she'd never seen before and holding a large weapon similar to the one the Grim Reaper was thought to have. A small white fox stood next to the girl, eyes alert towards the monsters in front of them. It's ears twitched.

"Always one for trouble, huh Belladonna?" Yang felt like the voice was familiar. Blake chuckled bitterly.

"Well I am a black cat after all...Thanks, Schnee."

"Just call me Weiss." The fox replied. Yang gasped. That was Weiss?! But how?! Only person she knew that could turn into an animal was Bla—

Suddenly, everything clicked for Yang. "Ruby... you're a Huntress."

The redhead turned to look back at her sister. She smiled warmly. It was a smile that said 'everything's going to be okay'. "Yes. I am." She turned back to the Grimm, who were hesitating on attacking a stronger opponent. "You're lucky: Weiss said there's no other Hunters around. You'd be long dead by now."

"Uh, yeah I kinda got that." Yang replied.

Ruby nodded. "Weiss, go help Blake and my sister. I can handle myself." Weiss looked at Ruby worryingly and hesitated but decided to listen. Ruby took note of Blake bleeding and Yang's distressed look about it. The Huntress turned to glare at the four remaining Ursa, her silver eyes practically glowing with rage. She gripped Crescent tightly.

"You're going to pay...for messing with my family."

Andddd that's that. Ceru's gonna be taking a break to publish her novel. See you all in two months and before you leave please review. Reviews are appreciated and they make me feel happy!

Thank you and sayonara till May!