What up! Before this starts I wanted to shamelessly promote my new story: Let Me Hear. It's not your typical vampire fic, so give it a read! ;D Now let's get down to business for this fic, shall we?
"Find them! And when you do, show them no mercy. They'll pay for what they've done."
The people narrowed their eyes and said in unison. "Yes sir."
"Fan out!" he commanded. "No Schnee will get away."
The mob took off and scattered in search for their targets in the vast mansion.
Behind a door and under a layer of coats was a little Weiss Schnee. Her face was drenched in tears, and she was confused as to what was happening. All she knew was that her parents told her to be quiet and left her there all alone.
She was trembling and kept chiding herself to stop, to wait until her parents would come to pick her up when it was safe. She didn't understand anything, but the look of horror on her parents' faces before they hid her in the closet told her something was terribly wrong.
So she did the best she could to be quiet. Seeing her parents like that struck her heart with pure fear. Whatever was happening, it couldn't be good. That much was certain.
While sniffling, she buried herself further underneath the coats that acted as her shield.
Suddenly, the closet door had creaked open.
Her safe haven was breached.
Her body reacted on instinct, which instantly froze in fear.
A female saw a strand of white-hair protruding under the layer of coats. "She's in here," she said calmly to her partner.
Little Weiss was confused. The voice said that in a calm whisper rather than alert the others. That was a good sign, so she slowly peaked over to see two silhouettes in front of the door.
"Hi," the female's soothing voice called. "Please be quiet."
"W-w-why? W-who are you?" Weiss asked, making sure to keep her voice barely audible.
If the mob found her, she'd be done for.
Another deep voice answered. "We're here to help," he held out his hand. "Hurry. They're coming."
Little Weiss sniffled and was intrigued to see the male and female adorned cat ears. Their gazes also wore expressions of concern. Rather than ripping her out of the hiding spot, their body language seemed gentle, innocent even.
Little Weiss examined the patient hand. "W-what about mommy and daddy?"
The female gently lifted the coats off the frightened girl. "They'll be relieved you're okay."
Weiss sniffled once more. At last, she got a glimpse of the two people trying to help. Both cat faunus adorned jet-black hair. As the female knelt down, she noticed that the older woman had bright blue eyes, similar to her family's own.
Seeing her parents soon was a comforting thought. "O-okay," she hesitantly reached out and grabbed the man's hand, glad it was soft and kind, similar to her father's.
The two faunus smiled, intent to lead the little Schnee outside and away from harm. Far away from the people out for blood. They took each of her tiny hands and silently coaxed her out of the closet.
The male and female cat faunus walked behind the frightened girl, making sure to shield her from the attackers.
They scurried towards the front door as fast as their legs could carry them.
The nice female cat faunus squeezed Weiss' hand. "Almost there."
Little Weiss silently nodded as the three neared the exit.
Suddenly, the sound of a gun rang out. Before anyone could even think, blood splattered on the floor and on Weiss. She looked up and saw the two faunus' eyes widened in shock, with their hands firmly pressed against their bleeding wounds.
"A-are you okay?!" Weiss frantically asked the couple.
The male and female cat faunus knelt to the ground in pain, spitting out blood.
"Gah," the male spat more blood and looked to his partner. "Kira, are you alright?"
Kira gazed yearningly in his amber eyes. "I... love you…"
The female cat faunus collapsed to the ground.
Lifeless.
Weiss shrieked in horror as she slowly backed away from the pair, now traumatized.
The male faunus' amber eyes widened from the loss of his wife. While pressing against his wounds, he slowly turned his head to find the murderer, who was in the distance.
"Get away from my little girl!" the man cocked his gun again.
The male faunus shakily reached out to the man, pleading. "Please don't-"
Another pang reverberated in the air. The faunus had been shot right in between the eyes, instantly dropping dead on the cold marble floor. Silence filled the air until the haunting loud thump reached their ears.
"Daddy!" Little Weiss cried out. "They-they were nice! W-why'd you do that?!"
Mr. Schnee shoved the pistol in his holster and ran over to pick up his daughter. "We have to get out of here."
Her father was terrified of the events as he frantically leaped out of the mansion and to the outside before any attackers could pursue the remaining bloodline.
Weiss barely caught him utter. "They're not going to take you, too…"
"Wh-why do they wanna take us, daddy?" Little Weiss rasped. "I don't get it…" she began crying in his arms.
Mr. Schnee soothed his fingers through her white-hair that was now dyed crimson. Thankfully, it wasn't his daughter's own blood.
"Don't worry. I promise I'll protect you, no matter what. We'll go to a place far, far away…"
The sun was now setting for another day to end. After the tortuous events, everyone was left exhausted.
Yang held the hand on Weiss' good right arm as she watched her sleep. "It's over now… you can sleep peacefully. I'm sorry you had to go through that."
Ruby dabbed Weiss' forehead that beaded with sweat. "Will she be okay?"
"Hopefully," the faunus stated. "The worst is over."
Blake wanted to provide as much comfort to her friends as possible. Seeing Ruby's faint smile afterwards was worth it, but she knew that Weiss would be in immense pain for a while, at least until they figured out how to dull it.
They made sure to keep the fire roaring with life in the night. After cauterizing Weiss' wounds, the girls moved her in the fort, patiently waiting for her to come to.
Ruby nibbled on the cooked fish. "Thanks for doing that, Blake. It couldn't have been easy."
Blake remembered the haunting screams during the process and twitched her cat ears at the memory. "I didn't want you to do it."
Amber and silver eyes met tiredly, but the two were comforted by each other's presence.
The faunus noticed Yang hadn't eaten and held out a fish to her. "You need to eat."
Yang's eyes never left Weiss. "I'm not hungry."
Biting her bottom lip, Blake thought of what Yang needed to hear. "Eat," she shoved the fish in her face. "You need the energy to help Weiss as much as possible."
Sensing her friend spoke the truth; Yang grabbed the fish and took a bite. "Thanks…" she muttered.
After Yang swallowed a bite, a groan filled the air.
"Nngh…"
The blonde dropped the fish on the sand without thought and hovered over Weiss. "Weiss? Weiss, are you feelin' better?"
Before Weiss even opened her eyes, her lips slightly parted and mumbled. "Blake…"
Yang's eyes widened when her brain registered what she had said. She felt like a knife stabbed her heart when the girl called out for Blake instead of Yang. She was heartbroken, and it was in that moment she realized how much she loved the girl.
Everything up until this point made sense. Why she cared so much, why her stomach twisted in a knot at the mere thought of Weiss being in pain. Her feelings had been strong since the night Yang took care of Weiss when she had a fever, but to this degree…
She was madly in love and was willing to do anything for the girl.
Why? Why does she want to see Blake? Yang thought as tears threatened to spill over. She… she doesn't want to see me?
Now more awake, Weiss called again. "Blake…"
"I'm here," the faunus was there in a flash. "What is it?"
"I'm sorry," she rasped as tears flowed from the corners of her eyes. "I'm so sorry."
Blake was confused. "For what?"
Weiss took a deep breath. "I finally know why you look so familiar…"
"I do?" Blake pointed to herself.
Yang and Ruby were now fully paying attention from the comment, remembering what Weiss had told them several days before.
"Your… your parents," Weiss' clouded over eyes gazed at Blake's cat ears. "They died trying to save me."
"W-what are you talking about?" Blake was caught off guard. "I don't understand."
Weiss briefly smiled in an attempt to comfort the faunus as tears stained her cheeks. "It's only fair I die…"
Yang squeezed Weiss' limp hand tightly from the statement, droplets hitting the sand. "Don't say that!"
"It's fair…"
With a withered breath, her eyes fluttered shut as the realm of darkness pulled her in once more.
"Weiss?!" Blake yelped.
Yang's eyes widened and her heart constricted, thinking the worst. "D-did she..."
Ruby gently put her finger under the girl's nose to feel for breathing. "She passed out but she's still breathing."
They sighed with relief.
"What the hell was she talking about?" Blake asked the sisters.
Yang answered. "She told us you looked familiar, but didn't know why."
"She must've remembered," Ruby said, visibly saddened. "Why would she say that?"
"I don't care what happened in the past," Blake said. "She doesn't deserve to die."
Ruby gulped. "We need to get out of here."
The situation slowly dawned on them. Blake knew the truth better than anybody.
"Come on, Ruby," Blake grabbed her hand. "Let's make the S.O.S. signal brighter. I'm getting sick of this place."
Ruby sensed the venom in her voice and nodded. The two left the fort with unease, leaving Yang and Nora to comfort the sleeping girl.
After throwing in more sticks, Ruby and Blake sat around the fire, silently thinking about the situation. It was now pitch black outside, save for the flames and bright moonlight.
Ruby's voice broke the silence. "Sh-she," her voice cracked. "She'll be fine, right? Right Blake?"
Blake's gaze was firmly on the fire, avoiding Ruby's pleading silver eyes. "She has to be."
"Blake," Ruby stated with caution. "Tell me the truth."
The faunus sighed and gazed in Ruby's silver orbs. "If Weiss doesn't get legitimate medical attention soon…"
Ruby started to sob, burying her face in her knees. "She can't die! She-she can't!"
Even though Ruby was always the optimistic one, sometimes she needed to be held and comforted, too.
Blake wasted no time and embraced the girl. "Hey," she whispered in her ear. "We're the best team around, remember?"
Ruby sniffled and nodded.
"We will all get off this island alive," the faunus said. "I promised you that."
"Y-yeah, but Weiss-"
"Is in bad condition," Blake finished. "The worst is over, and she'll hopefully improve eventually. But she can't without our help. We need to be strong, Ruby."
"But she needs proper medical attention!" Ruby yelped, tears flowing down her cheeks. "You said it yourself…"
Blake stared in Ruby's silver eyes. "You're right, she does. I'll be honest, she's cutting it close to death here. And things might get worse, but you keep forgetting something."
Ruby sniffled once more. "What?"
"She's stubborn as hell," the faunus answered. "She won't go down without a fight."
Ruby finally returned the embrace. "You're right, I-I'm sorry. I'm just so scared… I can't lose someone again."
Blake soothed her fingers through Ruby's flowing hair. "I can't either, so we should hope for the best."
Slightly whimpering, Ruby hugged the girl tighter. "I wonder how Yang is doing."
"Badly," the faunus replied. "But we're here for her too."
"But Yang, she… she..."
Blake pulled back, her cat ears flat on her head. "You figured it out, didn't you?"
Ruby sniffled as she stared in Blake's amber eyes.
"She really loves her."
After inspecting Weiss' wounds for what seemed like the tenth time that night, Yang sighed in relief when they officially stopped bleeding. However, the injury looked much more irritated than it had before, which made her worried.
The stench of blood filled the air as Weiss' injured left arm was set on the crimson towel that was once pure white. The towel was so drenched that it leaked through, causing some of the surrounding sand to turn into a pool of blood.
Sadly, the blonde was used to the reeking stench after being around it all day. All she could do was re-wipe the sand, replacing it with other patches of more white sand.
"Brrah!"
Yang smiled at the sloth, who was wrapped around Weiss' good arm, refusing to leave her side.
The blonde was comforted as her fingers ran through Nora's fur. However, her gaze landed on Weiss.
Yang noticed she was profusely sweating over the course of a few hours, so she grabbed a leaf-cup full of freshwater.
Should I wake her? But… she's finally sleeping peacefully. She needs the rest, but she also needs water…
Yang gulped, with a plan in mind, she carefully sipped the cool water and let it settle in her mouth.
With her hand firmly on the back of Weiss' head, she lifted her up and leaned down.
A blush formed on Yang's cheeks, but she persevered, repeatedly telling herself Weiss needed the water.
Yang's soft lips grazed Weiss' own to transfer the liquid. Once she heard her reflexively swallow, she gently set her head down on the sand-pillow she made for her.
Yang was blushing madly as she thought about what transpired. But she convinced herself it was the right thing to do, and wondered what else she could do for the girl.
After coming up blank, Yang figured speaking her thoughts would make the knot in her stomach go away.
"Why'd you go and do that?" she whispered. "You're like this cuz'a me…"
Bile was stuck in her throat as she reached for another piece of seaweed, taking great care and setting it on her forehead.
Yang grabbed the hand Nora was clinging to.
"I-I'm so sorry," her voice cracked with misery, her head lowered. "I'm sorry," tears fell to the sand, dampening it.
"It's not your fault," a familiar voice reached her ears.
Yang's head whipped up to the voice. "Weiss? How long have you been awake?"
"Not long," she answered. "You need to understand something."
Yang's eyes frantically searched her gaze. "What is it?"
Weiss made sure to take slow and steady breaths. "I didn't want you to get hurt."
Yang held her hand tightly. "But why? I'm the reason we're even in this mess. I'm the one that wrecked your ship in the first place!"
Seeing Yang cry tears sent a pang in Weiss' heart. "I'm over that. You three are actually the best friends I've ever had…"
"And what about your father?" Yang's voice trembled. "He… he might be dead. Once again, because of me…"
Weiss slowly blinked and savored the warmth around her arm, only to realize it was the sloth.
"I still don't know if he's alive or not, but you mustn't blame yourself," she rasped.
"But-"
Weiss slowly sat up, careful not to move the throbbing left arm so much as a centimeter.
Yang leaned forward frantically in case Weiss fell back down, something Weiss was grateful for.
However, Weiss succeeded the feat and glared at the blonde.
"Does it look like I'm in the mood to argue?"
Her breathing was slightly ragged and she still looked pale, but she was also pissed off beyond belief that Yang would even think to blame herself.
"No," the blonde lowered her head in shame.
Weiss was happy with the response. "Good," she slowly lifted up her good arm. "How long has she been clinging to me?" she asked, referring to the sloth.
Yang sniffled and wiped the tears away. "Pretty much all night."
Nora lifted her head with a smile present. "Brrah!"
"Along with you, huh?"
Yang smiled her first smile that night. "Yeah."
After kissing the top of the sloth's head, Weiss looked at Yang. "Thank you, Yang."
The blonde stared at Nora and then to Weiss' lips, thinking about what she did earlier. Yang's thoughts went back to when she transferred the water.
Even though Weiss was parched, her lips were so soft...
Yang blushed madly. "N-no problem, but you need to eat," she held out a fish.
Just the thought of food made Weiss nauseous. Her stomach was still twisted in a knot from the cauterization process. Couple that with the throbbing arm and excess heat, food was completely out of the question.
"No."
"You need the energy," the blonde insisted.
"Yang, if you make me eat that I promise I'll throw-up on you," Weiss deadpanned.
"Okay, okay," Yang surrendered. "But you're eating in the morning."
Weiss laid back down and said in a teasing tone. "Okay, mom..."
Yang made sure her wounds were stationary on the towel as she did so. "You goin' back to sleep?"
Weiss closed her eyes. "Yes."
Just as she did, Ruby and Blake removed the door and entered the fort.
"Hey, how's she doing?" Blake whispered while Ruby shut the door.
Weiss shot her eyes open. "Not too well."
Blake was taken aback when it was Weiss who answered. "Hey."
Weiss gave a pitiful smile. "Hey."
Ruby was happy Weiss was awake and took a seat next to her sister. The three could tell she was exhausted just by listening to her voice, but she seemed willing to talk.
The faunus leaned over Weiss. "What were you talking about earlier?"
Blake's curiosity was peaked the last time Weiss and her talked. She knew Weiss needed the rest, but her parents had died when she was so young, and she never found out the cause. Any bit of information would be helpful. She knew it was wrong to press at a time like this, but she couldn't help herself.
"Huh?"
"You mentioned my parents," Blake recalled. "H-how do you know them?"
Tears started to flow down Weiss' cheeks from the memory. "I'm so sorry. It's all my fault they're dead."
The faunus clung tightly to her hand. "What do you mean?"
"Your parents… were killed."
"Killed?" Blake rasped. "H-how? By who?"
Weiss took a deep breath. "My father."
Silence filled the air from revelation.
Weiss took the silence as permission to continue.
"Now you know it's fair I die… M-my father killed your parents, Blake. While they tried to save me…" she started to sob.
"Hey, hey," Blake comforted. "I don't know what happened, but I certainly know for a fact you don't deserve to die."
The day had taken a toll on Weiss as emotions stirred within her. She no longer had the energy to cry, and slowly shut her eyes.
Blake hovered over her. "Weiss? Weiss!" she frantically put her finger on her neck to check for a pulse.
"I-is she okay?!" Ruby frantically asked.
Blake felt more intently, it was slight, but a pulse was still present.
Blake heaved a sigh. "Yes."
"She's exhausted," Yang said. "Let her sleep."
"What'd she mean?" Ruby asked the two. "She couldn't have known it was Blake's parents, right?"
"Who knows…" Yang sighed.
"She'll have to tell me later," the faunus reasoned. "When she's in better condition to tell the story."
"Good plan," Ruby agreed.
Blake noticed that Weiss' arm looked worse than before. "How long has it been like this?"
Yang wiped her tears and she sniffled a bit. "Maybe about an hour by now."
"Is it an infection?!" Ruby fretted.
The faunus held out Weiss' arm to get a good view.
"More than likely. We'll have to keep an eye on it tonight."
The sisters nodded, silently agreeing with the statement.
Over the course of a few hours, the three girls remained awake to take care of their friend. Sleep was a difficult prize to achieve in a stressful time like this, and before they knew it, the sun was rising for another day…
Definitely not all shits and giggles right now. Hope you liked it, and if you get bored waiting for the next chapter, maybe Let Me Hear will keep you entertained since it's posted weekly.
Stay dandy,
~Toto