AN: I love cliffhangers. I feel slightly evil for ending the last chapter like I did but I love it. I got a request to make POV changes more clear and I will try to do this in future chapters. Thank you everyone for the support and motivation to keep writing!
Chapter 11
Summer Falls
"Ruby killed our mother" Yang said outloud. A tear rolled down her face.
"What?" Weiss said. She was shocked. She was not expecting Yang to say anything like that. Ruby had told her that her mother had left because of work but not that she died. It seemed impossible that Ruby would have killed her mother. What reason did Yang have to lie to her though.
"Ruby couldn't have done something like that. She's so quiet and gentle. She couldn't have killed her mother." Weiss thought. Weiss looked over at Yang, who had remained quiet. She was taking deep breaths and fighting back tears. They remained in silence for what felt like hours. Weiss kept going over and trying to process what Yang had just told her.
Finally Weiss couldn't take it any longer and spoke up again. "What do you mean Ruby killed her mother? I don't understand." Weiss said.
Yang's purple eyes stared directly into Weiss. Weiss could feel herself began to shake because she was overwhelmed with so many emotions.
Yang took a final deep breath. "I guess I should explain from the beginning." She said.
"I told you that my mother, father, Ruby's mother, and our uncle were all on a team together. My father and mother had me but shortly after I was born, my mother just left us. My father was broken but Summer was there for him when my mother left. Soon they fell in love and gave birth to Ruby. Everyone was so happy when she was born. Once Summer moved into our house, I accepted her as my mother. There was no question. When Ruby was born, I was so happy because I was a big sister.
Ruby looked just like Summer. They both were very pale, had black hair and red tips, and had those unique gray eyes. The more Ruby has grown up, the more I see Summer's personality in her as well. They always see the good in people and are always trying to help others.
We all lived in a small cozy house up north in the mountains. Not a lot of people lived near us but we were surrounded with nature and we loved it. When I was about 5 years old I discovered my semblance and was so happy. My father told taught me the basics of fighting because I loved going on adventures and exploring and he knew he couldn't stop me, the older I got. Summer would go on mini adventures with me. We would go climbing up mountains or swim in lakes. I would come home covered in cuts and bruises and she could patch me up and bake cookies.
Everything felt great and everyone was happy. My father loved his family and everything felt perfect. Qrow would come visit all the time. Any conversation about my mother was avoided but he loved spending time with us. Ruby always wanted Qrow to hold him whenever he came to visit. Even though they were not related by blood, Qrow treated Ruby like family. Qrow is the best uncle ever.
When he would visit, I would show him new bruises I got and tell him stories about how I got them from climbing trees or rolling down hills. He would ask me about my training with my father and how I used my semblance. He taught me about Aura and semblance and how my skills are an extension of who I am. He said my semblance is my strength but also tells me about my burdens. I didn't understand what he meant.
When I turned 8 years old Summer gave me the greatest gift ever. We built my first weapon together. I was always extremely jealous about how cool her weapon was. I made a pair of Gold and Red gauntlets that I loved. I out grew them since then but I will always treasure them.
Everything in life was great. I had an awesome mother, a loving father, a goofy uncle, and the best baby sister I could ask for. Sadly, all good things have to come to an end. It happened so quickly and so suddenly. No one could have know what would have happened that night.
I was playing with Ruby in the front yard. Summer, my father, and Qrow were sitting on the porch talking while we played. We were playing a mixture of hide and go seek tag. I was 8 and Ruby was 6. Ruby was always hyper so it was a good way to take some of that energy out of her at the end of the day. I always let her win because I'm an awesome big sister.
Anyways, I was "it" and I was looking for her. I found her hiding behind a tree. "I found you!" I called out and chased her.
"You can't catch me Yang!" She giggled and started to run.
I started jogging toward her. I was going to let her run for awhile before I actually tried to catch her but something strange was happening. When I decided to speed up and tag her, Ruby went faster. I actually couldn't catch her.
"I'm going to get you! No one can escape me!" I called out while I ran. I was starting to get out of breathe.
"You can't catch me!" She giggled.
She was right. I couldn't catch her. She was running quickly. The adults looked up at us and all stood up.
At this point I had given up and was just standing in the middle of the yard watching Ruby run circles around me in a blur. I looked over at my family and Summer smiled.
That was the day Ruby discovered her semblance was speed. She couldn't control her speed though.
"Yang don't give up! Catch me!" She giggled and I did try. I tried to watch her and pounced when I thought she was close, but I ended up just falling face first into the ground.
"Mommy, Daddy, uncle Qrow! Look how fast I am!" she called out toward them. She wasn't looking where she was running though and tripped. We lived on a hill and at the speed she was running, she fell, and she fell hard. I could hear the sound of her body hitting the ground and beginning to tumble down the hill. On the way down the hill she hit rocks, and trees. All I remember was seeing my mother get up and use her speed to chase after her.
She ran Ruby back up to our house on the top of the hill. Ruby was covered in blood and it looked like one of her arms and legs were bent in an unnatural way. Ruby was in shock. She was asking what happened. Ruby was losing a lot of blood fast and the closest hospital to us was over an hour away.
Qrow held the door open for Summer as she ran inside and my father was the kitchen getting a bowl of warm water and medical supplies. Summer ran Ruby to her bedroom and placed her in bed. My father came in shortly after her. I walked toward the bedroom but Qrow stopped me.
"I think you and I should stay out here kiddo. Lets sit on the couch." Qrow said. I refused and tried to keep heading to the bedroom but Qrow grabbed me and forced me to stay with him. My father closed the door to the bedroom so I couldn't see what was happening.
"Mommy what's wrong?" Ruby asked.
"Sweety, you fell and got hurt. I'm going to help you feel better but its going to hurt. I need you to hold daddy's hands and hold them tight." Summer said and kissed Ruby's forehead. Ruby used her good arm to hold onto her father's hand.
Summer quickly took off all of Ruby's clothes and tossed them to the floor. She had cuts everywhere but had a very deep one in her stomach from where a branch had stabbed her. Summer poured hydrogen peroxide into the wound and Ruby began to scream in pain. She let go of her father and began to try to get off the bed. Her father held her down as Summer cleaned her wounds and stopped the bleeding. Once she did that, she wrapped up the cuts.
She treated the arm and leg the same way. Ruby screamed in pain when they touched her broke bones and passed out. I could hear the screams from outside and I thought she died when my parents came out of the room. They were both covered in her blood and quiet. They told Qrow that they stopped the bleeding and that she would be okay.
"She has your semblance Summer. Does this mean she also has….?" Qrow started to ask.
"Most likely. I will talk to her and teach her how to control it." Summer said.
We all sat in the living room that right. I couldn't sleep. None of us could. Summer played a game with me to try and distract me. I finally ended up falling asleep.
At about 4am Ruby woke up. They heard sounds coming from the room and they all went inside. Ruby woke up and flung her arm and broke an arm. She was gasping for breath and in a panic. Qrow approached her and tried to calm her down. "Hey honey. Its me, uncle Qrow. You took a fall and got hurt but your mommy helped you." Qrow said
Ruby just started breathing faster and harder. She started screaming and didn't want anyone to touch her. Qrow reached to pet her good arm but she screamed again and her eyes turned red. She swung at him and he crashed against the bedroom wall and passed out.
Her screams became unnatural and her injuries all healed suddenly. My parents tried to calm her down but she changed- "I don't want to tell Weiss about the wolf so I'm going to keep this vague. Ruby will tell her about the wolf when the time is right." Yang thought. She changed and she wasn't Ruby anymore. The bedroom wall was destroyed and she ran out of the house. My parents chased after her. They didn't want to hurt her but they needed to stop her and calm her down.
My father ran at Ruby but she cut him and he suffered a deep wound in the chest. Ruby grabbed him and threw him against a tree and he passed out.
I was still in the house but all the noise had woken me up. I went to the bedroom and saw Qrow passed out and the hole in the wall. I ran after them by following the destroyed trees and drops of blood.
Summer kept trying to stop Ruby without hurting her. She had the same change that Ruby had and had her speed. I froze in place when I saw them fighting. Summer was covered in blood and neither of them looked like themselves anymore. I could still feel Summer inside her change but Ruby was no where.
"Mom, Ruby?" I called out.
Suddenly Ruby's red eyes looked at me and she came at me with her speed. Summer screamed out and blocked Ruby. She hit Ruby with the dull side of her weapon and knocked her out but not before Ruby had given her a fatal blow. Ruby had clawed straight through Summer to try and get to me. I was covered in her blood.
Ruby fell to the ground, passed out. I looked at Summer and she smiled warmly at me. She slowly walked to me. Blood pooled behind her. She gave me a warm hug and a kiss. I started to cry.
"Mom! We have to fix you! We can stop the bleeding just like we did for Ruby!" I started to cry.
She looked at me and shook her head. "We can't fix this Yang. Its okay. I need you to listen to me. I don't have much time left." She said weakly.
I fought back tears and nodded.
"Yang, never stop being you. Keep having fun and going on adventures. You are a beautiful girl and will become an even more beautiful woman. People are going to underestimate you and not look pass your looks. Show them how strong and passionate you are! Never stop fighting, smiling, and loving." Summer said
"Mom please don't leave me! I need you." I said as tears streamed down my face. She wiped them away.
"I'm not leaving you. I will always be with you. Every time you feel that warmth inside of you that is fueling you to do what you what, know that that feeling is me. I'm always with you." She said.
I nodded. "I love you." Tears dripped down my face again.
"Your father is going to be broken when he fines out but tell him its no ones fault. Tell him to try and be happy and love you children. You are the best thing in this world." She said.
"I wish there was more time. I wanted to see you children grow and do what you love. You guys are special and are going to do a lot of amazing things and help a lot of people." She smiled at me and tears started forming in her eyes.
"Please don't tell Ruby she killed me. She isn't ready to hear it. You will know when to tell her when the time comes. Please just help her and look out for her until them." She reached into her pocket and handed me a key.
"You'll know what this opens one day. Keep it safe for now. I need you to tell Ruby this when she is ready." She whispered something into my ear. Summer kissed my head. "I love you and Ruby so much." She said. "You guys are the best thing that ever happened to me"
She started to glow and she touched her forehead against my own. I felt something strange but I couldn't focus on it. I just started to cry.
Head fell onto my lap and became lifeless. I sat there and cried. I don't know how long it was until I felt Qrow gently touch my shoulder. He took me inside and started a warm bath and I got inside. He told me he would be right back. He carried in my father, Ruby, and Summer.
Eventually my father woke up and found out what happened. He broke down he tears and blamed himself. I couldn't tell him or Qrow what Summer had told me . We were all broken and upset.
When Ruby woke up she was confused and asked what happened. She looked around and asked where Summer was. My father was the first to speak up.
"She had to go on a mission for work last night! She won't be back for awhile but she said she loves you!" He said while fighting back tears.
"That's too bad! I always miss her when she goes on missions! I hope shes back soon!" Ruby said and smiled.
The next day we moved to the city and moved in with Qrow. Ruby was upset but we told her it was because of school. My father had become a mental wreck and we rarely saw him after that day.
Qrow watched over us and taught Ruby about her semblance and most of what we know today. He helped her build a weapon as well. Soon he was busy with work though and it was just me and Ruby. I wanted to be the best big sister I could and protected Ruby from everything, bullies, jerks, and society.
It was me and her, alone in the world. We had to make it work. Over the years Ruby slowly stopped asking about Summer and when she would return or if she made mailed us anything. I know she still misses her.
The reason we moved here was because a group of kids were making fun of Ruby for how she looked, sounded, and acted. I beat them up and it was our final warning at the school.
I know Ruby still struggles with depression and feels alone most of the time. I don't blame her. She has a lot going on." Yang said
Weiss and Yang sat in silence for a moment before Weiss stood up.
"Why did you tell me all this?" Weiss demanded.
"Are you afraid of Ruby now?" Yang asked.
"No! I could never be afraid of her! Ruby is still Ruby! Nothing has changed! Everyone has problems but none of that matters!" Weiss yelled at Yang.
"Good." Yang said.
"Good?! That's all you have to say? How dare you even ask me if I would be afraid of Ruby. Ruby likes me! She's the first person to ever want to be my friend! I like her and will help her with her problems!" Weiss said.
Yang looked at Weiss and smiled.
"Why the fuck are you smiling?!" Weiss yelled.
"Ruby picked did a good job by finding you as a friend. I like you and your attitude." Yang said.
Weiss grunted and huffed at Yang. She crossed her arms and eventually calmed down. "Thank you for telling me about this. I was really worried that I had fucked up and upset Ruby. Is she okay?" Weiss asked.
"She was pretty upset when she came home but I cuddled her in bed until she fell asleep. She should be fine." Yang said.
"I need to tell her I'm sorry." Weiss said.
"You will. Don't worry about it to much." Yang said.
"I can't help it! Shes upset and it was my fault!" Weiss said and started to freak out until Yang grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her into a hug. Weiss tensed up at first but calmed down into the hug.
"I'm glad you care about her. Do you want to go up to her room and see her now?" Yang asked.
"Yes. If that is alright." Weiss said.
"That's fine with me." Yang said and chuckled.
"Can you let go of me now?" Weiss asked. She felt a bit uncomfortable because her face was set inbetween Yang's breasts. "Why do I have to be so short? Hugs are always so weird." She thought.
Yang laughed and let go of her. Weiss started walking up to the bedroom but stopped when Yang called out for her. She turned around on the stairs and faced her.
"If you tell Ruby I told you any of this, any of the story at all. I will have to fight you Princess." Yang said in a deep and threatening tone.
Weiss stood in shock and agreed not to say a word. "I promise." Weiss said and turned and kept going up the stairs.
She got to the door with the rose craved into it and slowly and quietly opened the door. She peaked in and saw Ruby in her bed sleeping. She was laying on her back and her mouth was slightly opening. She was breathing softy. Weiss could tell she had been crying because her eyelids were red and her cheeks were flushed.
She slowly opened the door enough so she could walk inside. She turned and closed the door behind her. It made the room dark again. Weiss's eyes had not adjusted to the dark yet and she tried to quietly walk across the room and avoid waking up Ruby.
She did not see a shoe that was left in the middle of the room and she tripped on it and fell face first onto the side of Ruby's bed. Her head hit the bed but she fell onto the floor and landed on her knees. The thud woke up Ruby and she began to stir. She slowly sat up in her bed and rubbed her eyes. She looked toward the end of bed. She looked slightly confused.
"Weiss?" Ruby called out in a sleepy tone.
"Why are you so messy Dolt?" Weiss asked.
"What are you doing in my room?" Ruby asked.
Weiss suddenly became very flustered by the question and avoided the answer. "I just thought I would come visit you." Weiss said.
"Weiss its 3 in the morning." Ruby stated.
"So?" Weiss said.
Ruby looked at her and started to grin and laugh.
"What's so funny Dolt?" Weiss said in an annoyed tone.
"Did you come here because you wanted to make sure I was ok? Does someone secretly care about me?" Ruby said with a smile.
Weiss turned red but Ruby couldn't tell because it was dark. "Of course I care, Idolt!" Weiss said
"Weiss!" Ruby called out and pulled Weiss onto the bed and into her arms. Weiss turned red and awkwardly sat up in Ruby's lap and hugged her back. Her arms were shaking but she tried to relax them. Ruby felt warm and she still had a blanket around her.
"I'm sorry about earlier. I get upset and angry when I think about my parents. I didn't mean to upset you." Weiss said into the hug.
"That's okay Weiss. I get upset when I think about my parents. You just reminded me about them alittle bit when you mentioned you parents. I miss my mother. I haven't seen her in a long time." Ruby said.
"I haven't seen my family in a long time as well." Weiss said.
They stayed hugging each other for awhile. Ruby decided she wanted to lay down again at some point and plopped onto the bed. She pulled Weiss down with her and Weiss fell on top of Ruby. Ruby still held onto her. Ruby eventually let go on Weiss rolled next to her.
"I should go on the couch and sleep since we have class in a few hours." Weiss said.
"No! Just stay here. There's plenty of room on my bed for both of us. You can sleep here." Ruby said.
"Fine Dolt. If that will make you happy." Weiss said.
"It does!" Ruby said.
They both laid in bed in silence. Ruby ended up curling up into her side and started falling asleep again.
"Hey Ruby." Weiss quietly said.
"Hmm?" Ruby answered.
"Thank you for being my friend." Weiss said.
"I'm happy to have you." Ruby said and rubbed her face on Weiss's side.
They both ended up falling asleep pretty quickly after their talk and Weiss felt a lot better knowing she didn't do anything to upset Ruby. She wanted to know more about the girl but she knew she just had wait for Ruby to open up to her. She wasn't going to force it. She was just glad Ruby was okay at that very moment.
The next morning Blake and Yang woke up and got ready for school. Once they were ready for school Yang walked up to Ruby's room to see if they were ready to head out. She cracked the door open quietly and peaked inside. She stood in the doorway and smiled.
"What are you so happy about?" Blake asked and walked next to Yang.
Yang put her index finger to her mouth and pointed into Ruby's room. Ruby curled up into Weiss's side and Weiss laid spread out on her back. Weiss had a serious expression on her face. Yang quietly laughed.
"What?" Blake whispered.
"They make an interesting pair. Lets go ahead without them." Yang smiled and turned to the stairs. Blake shrugged it off and followed behind Yang.
About 30minutes later Weiss woke up and reached for her phone. She looked at the time and screamed. Ruby jumped up and was now wide awake.
"Why are you screaming?" Ruby asked in a concerned voice.
"We slept in! We are going to be late for class! Why didn't your stupid sister or her bookworm wake us up?!" Weiss said as she scrambled out of bed and looked for her backpack.
Ruby watched her and giggled. "Nerd."
"Don't call me that!" Weiss huffed.
Ruby jumped over to Weiss and hugged her. "I didn't mean it as an insult. I love that you love school. You wouldn't be Weiss if you didn't care about school!" Ruby said.
"Plus you're the reason I'm trying so hard in school. I want to impress you." Ruby whispered.
"What was that Ruby?" Weiss asked
"Nothing! Lets start heading to school." Ruby said with a smile.
"Ruby you are still in your pajamas" Weiss said.
"Oh! You are right!" Ruby said and dashed to her dresser to get an outfit. Weiss couldn't help but smile.