Chapter Twelve: The Black Cat In A Bow.

Yang was excited. Actually she was more than excited, she was as giddy as a school girl. Firstly because Ruby was released from the infirmary with a clean bill of health, no lasting damage from the Reaver claws would affect the crimson wolf for very long once the stiches came out. She and Blake had gone back to the infirmary in the morning to find wide silver eyes and a blushing Heiress, though neither would say why Weiss looked like a rip tomato. The brawler wanted to push but a look from her partner told her to drop it, for now.

Secondly she was so excited because of her partner. After their little moment in the bathroom she was more than determined to catch the elusive black cat, namely by the lips. Even if Blake had slipped past her then Yang had gotten close enough to feel the breath of the panther on her lips letting her know that she hadn't activated her semblance until the last second.

The question now was how to make sure the cat couldn't slip through her fingers again. Yang didn't want to scare the black haired girl away with to forward advances but she also didn't want to have to waste so much time. So she searched for something that she knew if Blake found out she had done she would be very upset about it. Yang had looked up 'how to get a cat to like you'.

She had found several sites that gave several bits of good advice but there were several that she was sure only applied to actually cats and not Faunus. But a few she was positive would work regardless. There was a small worry that it wouldn't work because Blake was a panther Faunus and not a typical cat but several searches later made the blonde feel confident that no matter the size of the cat they all enjoyed the same things. Which only left implementing her plan.

Step one, cats like quiet places. This part was going to be especially hard for Yang to pull off as she wasn't found of the quiet herself but she could deal with it if it was for Blake. Now whenever she was in the dorm room she would remain at a subdued level of her normal self, speaking in a quieter voice and trying to keep her normally heavy footsteps lighter allowing the panther to read in silence. But once they had left the dorm she would return to her boisterous self she did have to make sure that Blake could handle both her quiet side as well as her normal behavior, so far she seemed fine with both.

Step two, cats like the warmth. That was easily taken care of for the blonde; her Aura could generate massive amounts of heat. However she didn't want to scorch Blake so she had to reduce her heat to the point where it was barely noticeable but still there. Settling for what could be considered the first setting on a heating pad Yang now just had to keep enough contact with her partner so she would seek the warmth. Every time she would touch the black haired girl she would make sure to use her adjusted heat. It sent tingles up her spine every time Blake would shift into the touch or how she would seek out the warmth when they were both on the panther's bed she would slip her feet under Yang's legs or would curl her back into the blonde's side.

Step three, cats liked to play. Well that part was a bit harder, it wasn't like she could use a cat toy on the Faunus that would surely land her in hot water. So how could she keep Blake actively engaged in an activity that could be considered 'playing'? Well the best idea Yang could come up with was sparing. It was like playing mostly, they could set their own rules of engagement and continue until they where both exhausted. Even after their sessions when they were both leaning against each other Blake would lean in closer to the blonde in search of warmth, a happy smile on her lips.

Step four, let the cat come to you don't force yourself on the cat. This was a very important step in Yang's mind. Sure they enjoyed playing their little 'game' but she was the one who normally started the game. So to make sure she wasn't reading to much into the panther's reactions and just imagining the attraction she had to back off and let Blake start some of their games. That was actually getting very tricky for the blonde because the panther had yet to make her move and it was starting to bother her.

Now Yang was second guessing whether or not Blake actually did like her. Blake had flirted back every time but maybe that was just her personality she'd flirt only when it was started with her but never bother t actually initiate it. The brawler had come across people like that and they usually would show no interest outside of flirting. The thoughts were enough to start to get her down so Yang did the same thing she always did when she started to get down, go to the gym.

The gym was normally where she was able to just push her thoughts aside and focus on her workout. Normally Yang could go for hours on end with out a single thought as worked on her punches or as she pumped iron. There was something meditative about the rhythms of moving her body in the same way over and over again that just allowed her to slip away. That was normally now however, now she couldn't get the beautiful black haired girl out of her mind. With a sigh Yang lowered metal bar back to the resting position.

"Something wrong?" Nora asked looking down at the blonde. It was a surprise how strong the little berserker actually was. So far the only person in their class that could come close to lifting as much as Yang was the small orange haired girl. Well seeing as how her weapon was a giant fuck off hammer that doubled as a grenade launcher maybe the brawler shouldn't have been that surprised.

"Just having trouble focusing I guess." Yang shook her head replacing her hands on the bar. "Can't find my space for some reason."

Nora paused as Yang continued her reps she could see the lack of focus in the brawlers eyes and she had a pretty good guess as to what was going on, "This wouldn't happen to do something with a certain black haired ninja whose side you always seemed to be glued to?" Yang's hands slipped causing the bar to dip unevenly. Nora's hands shot quickly out supporting the bar before it could dip below a recovery point.

"Wh-what are you talking about?" Yang sputtered as she hoisted the bar back up with Nora's help. "There's nothing going on between me and Blake."

"Yeah and I'm the Queen of Atlas." Nora rolled her eyes, she hadn't seen the blonde with out the black haired girl since maybe the second day even then she was sure that had only been for like two hours. Yang sat up narrowing her eyes at the orange hair girl trying to see just how much she suspected. "Oh come on Yang you two spend nearly every waking second together it doesn't take a Dust scientist to guess what's going on."

"Yeah well what about you and Ren?" Yang questioned back hoping to divert the subject."

Nora just laughed as she sat down across from the brawler, "Ren doesn't feel that way towards people." Yang blinked, but weren't they together? "And its totally cool cause he can see a person for what they are right off the bat rather than for what they look like."

"Oh." Yang nodded, that was probably why he hadn't even blinked when Ruby went from not having wolf ears one day to having them and a tail. The rest of his team had had a mix of reactions to her little sister. Nora being even more hyper than Ruby had almost tackled the crimson girl to the ground just to pet her ears fortunately Ren had snagged her collar at the last second holding her back. Jaune had only been able to stare with a dumbfounded look trying to understand what he was seeing while Pyrrha had smiled and complemented her on how cute it she looked.

"Yep, he's awesome like that and he's a great cook too so it's even more amazing." Nora smiled. "But we're not talking about Ren and me, we're talking about you and Blake." Yang sighed she had hoped that she had side tracked the small girl. "So what's going on?"

Yang shook her head, "I don't know Nora." The girl gave a disbelieving look, "Well shit it's true. Like we flirt back and forth all the time but I'm the one who always starts it and then she ends it. And it's great cause she's like really good at it and she makes me feel really happy when it's going on but I don't know if she feels the same way cause she never starts it. Like if you were interested in a person you would start some of the flirting to right"

Nora considered the question; "Maybe she's not comfortable with being the one starting it." She offered with a shrug.

"Yeah maybe. But it would be nice to know if she had the same interest as I a do." Yang gave a slightly dejected sigh.

"So you are into her?" Nora grinned cheekily.

Yang gave a small smirk, "Have you seen her Nora? She's hot, smart, she's caring and she's not afraid to call me out on my bullshit or shut me down. Did I mention she's hot?" Nora gave a chuckle, "I mean I've been all over Remnant and met a shit load of people, flirted with damn near all of them but with Blake it's like it's the first time every time. Like I'm always discovering something new about her and I can't wait to learn more."

"Well you could always ask her how she feels about you." Nora offered. Yang had considered that idea but she figured Blake might be a bit skittish if she went for the direct approach.

"Yeah…" Yang shrugged, she really didn't want to scare the black cat away after all the work she had done to this far.

"I take it that's a no go?" Nora inquired Yang shook her head.

"I'll figure something out." Yang grinned back at her weightlifting partner, she'd catch her a cat. Looking up at the clock the brawler decided that she should go find her partner and see if she could get another game going, it was a fun game no matter who started it regardless. "I'm gonna call it a day see ya Nora."

"Bye bye!" Nora smiled, "Next time let's go a few rounds, it's fun hitting you through walls."

"That was a lucky shot." Yang snorted. With another wave she made her way to the showers and cleaned the sweat off herself. While she showered she thought of how she could get Blake to spill on how she felt.

While she had learned how to read some of the panther's subtle reactions she was still learning. Some of what passed through those amber eyes was still a mystery to the brawler. Yang had a feeling that Blake would be one hell of a poker player and while it was impressive how well she schooled herself from showing emotions it was also very frustrating when she was trying to tell if the panther liked her. Yes she did like a challenge but this one was starting to get to her.

Freshly showered the blonde grabbed her fresh set of clothes before leaving the gym to look for her partner. The summer air was starting to dwindle giving way into fall it wouldn't be long before the leaves began to turn and the days started to grow longer. Of all the seasons Yang preferred the summer there was just something about the heat of the long days that invigorated her so with the change of the season she always felt as if something was missing.

With a sigh the blonde stretched out her arms soaking in as much sun as she could and headed towards the spot she was most likely to find the panther. Near their dorm there was a small courtyard with a babbling fountain and large trees that provided great shade to rest under, more often than not if she needed to find Blake it would be there. A purr like laugh filled the air causing Yang to pause, that was Blake's laugh but why was Blake laughing.

Slowing her pace the blonde peered around the corner. Blake was sitting against her favorite tree like always with a closed book on her lap but she wasn't alone. Standing beside her was a tall muscular blond boy in a white shirt and jeans even from the distance she was at Yang could see the boy's blinding white grin as he laughed along with the panther. A twitch of a long yellow tail came from behind the boy caused Yang to flick her eyes between the two Faunus. Again the boy said something that caused the black haired girl to laugh and grin at him.

A spark of jealousy tapped at the brawlers mind. She knew that laugh and smile, it was the one Blake wore when they were flirting. It was a look Yang had thought was only for her but yet here she was flirting right along with this new boy and it annoyed the blonde. She hadn't thought that Blake was the type of person who would flirt with just anyone, the black haired panther had never showed the least bit of interest in anyone else but now this ab flashing idiot was flirting with Blake and she was flirting back. The more she thought about it the more annoyed the brawler got.

Shaking her head Yang marched out of her place and towards her partner, "Hey." She barked out causing both Faunus to look over at her. Instantly she saw a light the amber eyes that made her hesitate a step. That was a light she only saw when Blake was happy. Now Yang was very confused.

Rising in a fluid motion Blake walked over to Yang, the boy following a few steps behind, a large grin plastered on his face. "Hey." Blake smiled at her, "How was your work out?"

Now Yang was very confused, was Blake not flirting with this boy? "Uhh, it was good." She said slowly trying to handle on the situation.

"Nora didn't smash you through another wall did she?" Blake question narrowing her eyes at the blonde, Professor Goodwitch was livid after the last time so she would not be happy if they broke another one.

"What? No, that was only a one time thing and it was a lucky shot she's not going to get that again." Yang shook her head as Blake rolled her eyes.

"Sure." Blake sighed, she leaned in towards the blonde, she loved the smell of lilacs and subtle but sharp accent of gunpowder and after a workout the brawler had an even stronger scent of lilacs.

"So who's this?" Yang's eyes drifted over to the blonde boy who was still grinning like he hadn't a care in the world.

"Name's Sun Wukong." The boy smiled offering out his hand to her. "Leader of Team SSSN from Haven." Yang took the offered hand squeezing it a bit harder than she normally would, Sun's eyes widened slightly as the lilac eyes bore into his.

"Yang Xiao Long, Blake's partner." Yang replied with her eyes still narrowed. Seeing the small glare from the brawler Blake gave a short cough causing Yang to back down.

"He and his team are at Beacon to do some training with other second years." Blake continued as she gave Yang an unamused look, she had seen the challenging glare she had given the monkey Faunus.

"Yep. Our Headmaster and yours are old buddies and are trying to get a study abroad idea going with all the academies. I was just finishing a meeting with your Headmaster and wanted to check Beacon out when I found Blake here reading." Sun explained his smile returning. "Figured it would be better to get a quick run down of the area before I got lost."

"So you're here for the semester or something?" Yang inquired, she really didn't like the idea of this guy hanging around Blake.

Sun nodded, "Well we're going to try it out for the semester but if it goes good then we'll be sticking out the entire year here." Yang narrowed her eyes earning her a light slap from the panther. "Anyways I need to head back to the city to make sure my team's flight gets in on time. See ya around Blake, Yang." With a small salute the blond monkey walked the courtyard.

As soon as the boy was out of sight Blake turned to face her partner with slightly narrowed eyes, "What was that?" She asked calmly.

"What was what?" Yang came back as she shrugged like she had no idea what the panther was talking about.

"Don't play the dumb blonde card, it doesn't work." Blake continued her glare getting a nervous chuckle from the blonde. "Yang, answer me."

"I ahh…. I ahh thought that he was flirting with you." Yang muttered kicking at the ground.

Blake blinked, Yang thought Sun was flirting with her and it had made the blonde jealous. Sure when he had first showed up he had tried to flirt with her but Blake had quickly shut him down. She wasn't the type of person to flirt with multiple people at the same time and Yang had definitely pulled her in enough that she knew what she wanted, Yang.

Yang was nothing like he had been and she had found the proof to cement that idea. The blonde was kind and caring at all times. She had started to take an interest in activities that Blake found relaxing allowing her to read in peace even asking which one's were her favorite, their sparing session had gotten more interesting allowing both to stretch their abilities and learn the others strength and weakness and she was so warm. Blake knew that the blonde's semblance produced a by product of heat but her body seemed to radiate the comforting warmth at all times. The panther had to fight her Faunus instincts to stop herself from curling up into the blonde, on more than one occasion she had to fight the urge to purr.

The panther had been wary about getting involved with Yang because of her past. She was still hesitant to reveal her connection to the White Fang out of fear of rejection but now looking at the sheepish blonde she could tell Yang wouldn't reject her. With sigh the panther shook her head, it was time to end this little game. "So you were jealous at the idea of another person flirting with me?" She smirked knowing the blonde would take the bait.

"Maybe." Yang muttered as she continued to look anywhere but at the panther's eyes.

Blake sighed, jealousy was a bad thing in her opinion she had seen the things it could make a person do. He had been exceptionally jealousy of anyone that talked to her, if she wanted this then she needed to put the blonde's down before it grew. "Yang, look at me." Slowly lilac eyes shifted up to meet her own, "I'm only going to tell you this once so pay very close attention to me, I will talk with other people and I'm going to interact with them it does not mean I'm flirting with them or that they are flirting with me. Yes Sun did try but I shut him down because I'm already interested in another person." Slowly she watched as the lilac eyes flash with confidence. "You can't get jealous at a simple conversation." Again the blonde adopted a sheepish look.

"Yeah, sorry." Yang mumbled before perking up slightly. With a small smirk she looked into amber eyes, "So there's someone else you're interested in?"

Blake bit her lower lip as she felt heat grace her cheeks, "Yeah. She's kind of a flirt but she's not that great at it."

Yang scoffed as she took a step forward Blake took one back, "Oh really? What would you suggest she do to make it better?" With each step they grew closer and closer to the tree.

"Well she could use some pointers on being more subtle." Blake shrugged as her back hit the bark, she could use her shadow to get around the blonde to continue their little game of chase but she was tired of evading.

"Subtlety is for the dead." Yang shrugged causing Blake to roll her eyes, "Well is there anything you like about this girl?" She wanted to lean in further but she didn't want to overwhelm the panther either.

Blake gave a pause to act as if she was thinking, "Well she's really caring and kind. She's always smiling and has these really warm eyes that I could stare at all day. Her smell reminds me of a warm summers day laying in a field of flowers but with hints of gunpowder." Yang smirked as she leaned forward slightly Blake got a whiff of the blonde's scent her heart throbbed as she leaned up, "She's so strong even with these past scars she has but they just make her more beautiful. And she so warm, it's hard for me to not curl into her when she's sitting next to me."

The brawler hummed, "Seems like a nice person, I'd like to meet this girl sometime." Their lips where just a breath apart but Yang stopped if Blake wanted this then she would have to make the final move.

"I'll introduce you sometime." Blake sighed she realized what Yang had done. The brawler had given her once last chance to back down but she couldn't, she wanted this she wanted…

The blonde's lips felt like she was kissing a campfire. The heat that radiated from them was soft and comfortable as she leaned into her partner. The gentle warmth worked its way down to her core igniting it into a blaze. Blake wanted more contact as she wrapped her arms around the back of Yang pulling her closer. She felt the brawlers hands rest on her hips the warmth spreading from the two points. She felt the tongue of her partner swipe across her lips.

Eagerly accepting Blake opened her mouth allowing the blonde access. Yang's tongue licked around her month curling around her own tongue. Yang might have smelled like lilacs but her taste was that of citrus, Blake had never tasted anything like it before and she wanted more. Fighting back Yang's tongue with her own Blake pushed into to blonde's mouth making her moan.

Yang could barely think once their lips made contact. The smell of lilies filled her nose as the panther pulled her closer. She could feel the heat in her building as she swiped her tongue across the Blake haired girl's lips. As soon as her tongue invaded her mouth Yang could barely contain herself as the sweet flavors of her partner invade her mind. Suddenly Blake's tongue pushed back against her catching her by surprise.

Breaking the kiss after what felt like an eternity to the panther she sucked down several deep breaths of air. She looked up at the blonde who was panting just as she was with red cheeks. She felt a small amount of pride at the thought that she managed to take Yang's breath away. Slowly Yang cupped her cheek giving her a wide smile. "Wow." The brawler breathed out making Blake roll her eyes. Yang shifted her hand to cup the back of her head pulling her back in. Again their lips met this time a bit more tame but it still ignited a fire in the black haired girl.

Pulling way again Blake looked into lilac eyes seeing a deep caring behind the irises. When Yang dipped back down Blake stopped her lips with a finger, "Hold up. I need to show you something." Confusion flashed in the blonde's eyes as she backed away. Slowly Blake reached up to her bow making Yang's eyes grow wider.

"Are you sure?" Yang inquired looking around, sure they were alone but the courtyard was still a public area.

Nodding Blake continued undoing the knot that held the bow with practiced motions. She had scanned the area early so she knew that they weren't in any risk of spotted. "It's fine, I need to show you." Before she pulled the bow loose she stopped fixing Yang with an amber stare, "Just please try not to ask many questions." Yang gave her a confused look before nodding. With a deep breath Blake released the bow.

Yang's breath caught. She had been expecting to see the panther's ears below the soft silk but she was not expecting what she saw. Blake's ears were black just like her hair covered in a soft looking fur but that wasn't the only thing they were covered in. Scars. The panther's ears were marred with uneven tissue that raised and lowered the fur in places. Her left ear had received considerably more damage than her right, a large nick had been taken out of the ear leaving a 'v' shaped cut along the out side. The only one thought crossed her mind.

"Blake…" Yang breathed as she continued to look on. "What happened?"

Blake looked into her lilac eyes and she could see the pain in them. Pain that told her she was cared for. She didn't want to answer the question it was still hard for her to talk about but Yang had opened up to her about her trauma so maybe it would help if she did the same. Taking a shaky breath Blake focused on her partner, "You're not the first partner I have had." She began making sure to keep her eyes on Yang, it was the only way she was going to make it through, "He was very, very possessive of me. If anyone talked to me without him around it would turn ugly quick. One time he was drunk and got angry, it was the only time he ever turned his blade on me." She could feel the tears well in her eyes. Yang instantly pulled her into a gentle hug rubbing her back and making soft shushing sounds.

"Hey, hey I'm right here." Yang cooed, as she kissed the top of Blake's head between her ears. "You're safe right here, I'm not going to let you go."

Blake nodded into the blonde's chest before lifting her head, looking at the lilac eyes again, "Now do you understand why I don't want you to be jealous of everyone I talk to? I can't go through that again." Yang nodded pulling her back to her shoulder.

"I get it." Yang whispered, "I'll do my best but I'm going to count on you for still calling me out okay?" Blake nodded she could work with that, as long as the blonde was willing to work on it she would help. Warmth flooded through the panther as Yang flared her Aura.

"Thank you." Blake sighed into Yang's neck her lips leaving a lingering kiss into the flesh.

"Anything for you Kitten." Yang shivered as the lips continued to ghost over her skin. "Hey let's go get some grub then call it? Weiss should have Ruby in the library for a few more hours so you can let your ears out in the dorm until they get back."

Blake nodded as she pulled away, "Actually I was going to show Weiss my ears anyways." Yang raised and eyebrow, "She's shown so much concern and kindness towards Ruby that I can safely say that she is not like her family. If she can accept a wolf then I'm positive she can accept a panther as well." With another kiss to the blonde's lips she redid her bow so they could walk across campus to the cafeteria.


Blake's nerves ticked as she listened for the Heiress' voice to trickle down their hallway. She and Yang were both on her bed again, the blonde had nodded off a few minutes ago, so she read curled up into her side. The warmth that radiated from the blonde was almost enough to lull her to sleep as well but she had to wait.

"Ruby slow down." Weiss' voice broke through her reading, "You only just got out of the infirmary." Even though she was reprimanding the wolf, Blake could hear the caring behind the icy girl's voice.

"But Weiss I've been stuck in a bed for days, I need to move." Ruby whined back. The fact that the wolf had been unconscious for three of those days was conveniently left out.

"I will march you back down to the infirmary if you keep this up." Weiss challenged. Blake wondered how the Heiress could openly challenge the wolf and not have it trigger Ruby's Alpha nature. Obviously there was something there that the wolf was leaving out and as her Beta Blake wanted to find out what it was.

"You'd miss me to much." Ruby laughed, their voices were getting closer.

"I-I-I would not you dolt." Weiss stuttered, Blake could imagine the blush now gracing the white haired girl's cheeks. Suddenly the door to the dorm opened revealing the Heiress and the wolf.

Weiss' eyes gazed over her and Yang before turning back to the wolf, her mouth opening to continue to reprimand her partner before she paused.

Blue eyes whipped back and focused on Blake, specifically her ears. Weiss' mouth opened and closed several times but no sound came out.

"OOO!" Ruby cheered as she too spotted her ears out in the open. "Blake you don't have your bow on." Weiss whipped her head to look at her partner then back to the panther then back to her partner.

"You knew?" Weiss asked the wolf dumbfounded.

Ruby smiled up at Weiss with a wide grin, "Yep." The wolf lightly touched the side of her nose.

"Oh for the love of Dust." Weiss groaned as she shook her head and made her way to the wardrobe.

Blake raised an eyebrow at the Heiress' back, "Is that all you have to say?"

As the white haired girl grabbed a fresh nightgown she rolled her eyes and looked at the panther. "Blake I'm not my family, I don't care if you're a Faunus. I thought you would have learned that when Ruby showed her ears and tail to me."

"I had to be sure." Blake shrugged.

Weiss nodded, "I can accept that. That however," She said looking towards the blonde laying beside her already in her nightclothes and no sign of moving. Blake noticed Ruby tense up but Weiss didn't, "Just don't wake me or ruin Ruby's innocence." Ruby's ears perked up, now Blake really wanted to know what was up. Turning back towards the wolf Weiss sighed, "You're sleeping on the bottom tonight. I will not have you getting even more injured because of your bed." Ruby went to argue but Weiss cut her off, "Ruby please, do this for me." Blake could see emotions swirling behind the ice blue eyes.

Ruby gave a soft nod as her ears dropped slightly. "Okay Weiss." Weiss reach out and touched the wolf's shoulder.

"Thank you." The panther could see the Heiress give the shoulder a soft squeeze before heading towards the bathroom.

Blake eyed her leader as the girl gathered her own sleep ware, "Ruby." She called, the wolf flick and ear. "What was that?"

She watched in amusement as the wolf stiffened up, "Ah n-nothing." Ruby shook her head. "Nothing at all." Blake hummed as she shut her book, if Ruby wasn't ready to share she wouldn't push unless she had to.

Weiss exited the bathroom and was replaced by Ruby, as the Heiress crawled up into the top bunk Blake pulled the sheets over herself and Yang settling down into the blonde's side. Strong arms instantly wrapped around her. "Everything good?" Yang whispered into her ear.

Blake smile as she snuggled in to her space heater, "Yeah just your sister and Weiss ignoring the obvious."

Yang chuckled, "Kids, am I right?"

"Right." Blake agreed pressing a kiss to the blonde's lips before allowing herself to drift off in the safe feeling in her chest.


A/N: And we have bumblebee! Yay! Moving on, so there's half of Blake's secret, Sun showed up meaning his team is on the way and we are in total cannon divergent so I will not be following their time line, in case that wasn't obvious. So it's been brought to my attention that I never gave ages of the girls (my bad) So Yang, Blake and Weiss are all 20 and Ruby's 18 here for reasons, sorry about that I totally forgot about that I mean I've been writing this so it never really occurred to me that I left that out. Next time we're with Weiss and her thoughts and more on Ruby! So looking forward to that!

With that: As always I cannot thank you all enough, let me know how you're doing, and may you find a reason to smile.