"I'm back, I forgot to get myself some water." Blake entered the apartment, glancing over everyone. Weiss had to discuss something with Pearl and Sapphire was back to listening to music. She should find out what exactly was she listening to. Although, Weiss most likely already made sure it was appropriate.

"Oh, I see. Were you that thirsty, Blake?" Weiss raised a brow. Both her words and tone of voice showing she wasn't really having any of it.

"R-Right. Weiss? Mind if I steal you for a moment? I'd wanted to discuss something with you." The older faunus felt her bow twitch, as her ears wanted to lower, a worried expression on her face.

That changed the sarcastic attitude of the Schnee into a more concern look, as she nodded and stood up. "Of course Blake. Pearl we'll finish in a moment, alright?" The Schnee smiled at the bunny girl, receiving a nod in response.

The small apartment didn't have any place for them to talk in private, away from the girl's ears, as such the older catgirl lead her friend outside and started to walk among the corridors of the building.

"Weiss would you mind if I stayed here overnight? And I don't mean it in a way that you would not allow me to stay with the girls for the entire night. I'm more asking if You'd be alright to excuse me in front of Ruby and Yang." The black haired girl wasn't sure if she was happy about sounding so exhausted, or if it made things worse. It made her excuse more believable, but at the same time seeing the Schnee worried pained her heart.

"What's...the issue Blake? You've been acting strange all day today. I know I said it already, but You can talk to me. We already share a big secret together, so please don't keep secrets from me that are obviously hurting you." The Schnee wore a frown, as her eyes were locked on the catgirl.

"I will...but I need some time to think about it, alright? And I could use some time alone, well technically alone. But you know what I mean. A few moments for myself, some distraction with the girls. I promise I'll tell you when I'm ready." Blake put her best reassuring smile. It didn't seem to work, as the Schnee let out a sigh.

"I...I don't like this, but alright. I won't push you about the issue. And I guess you'll get the saturday, and sunday is mine hm? Remember to study, as we have an exam on monday. It could be an issue if we slipped even lower with our grades." Weiss finally smiled, although it was a weak smile, it still counted in Blake's mind.

oooOOOooo

It was a pleasant night, in terms of weather that is. The shattered moon was brightly visible on the empty sky. Some of the more bright stars accompanying it. Blake was sure that if she was outside of the city, or if there was some sudden power outage, then the sky would look beautiful.

What a horrible night to be depressed.

She was lying on the small couch with no intent on sleeping. She knew she wouldn't be able to sleep, so why even fool yourself into trying. Petty attempts.

Sound of door opening brought her attention back to reality. As she tilted her head to the side to see the bedroom door open, and the bunny girl sneak out of it. Their eyes crossed, and Pearl's ears went down, as if she was just caught doing something she wasn't supposed to. Still, she offered a small smile after the initial shook as she approached the older faunus.

"You should be sleeping." Blake said flatly as she sat up to make room on the couch, a clear invitation to join her.

"I always have problems when it's nights like that. With my sleep I mean. And I didn't want to wake up Sapphire with my fumbling in the bed." The bunny hopped onto the couch and stretched. "Aunt Blake?"

"Yeah?" The older girl leaned against the couch and looked at the ceiling. She wasn't sure if she was glad or not for this surprise company tonight.

"What's troubling you?" That made the older faunus blink, as she sat up straight and peered down at the bunny.

"Why do you think something is troubling me?" Blake tilted her head. Did they listen in on them talking? Or was it this obvious.

Pearl let out a soft sigh, smiling afterwards. "It's clear you have something on your mind, Aunt Blake. And Sapphire thought that You still haven't told Aunt Weiss about it, since otherwise You wouldn't be this troubled. And Aunt Weiss was worried since you two talked."

Blake let out a dry chuckle at that. "Or I could have told her, and She's worried together with me, with whatever is bothering me hm?" Two people could play this game, as Blake smirked.

"Maybe, but Sapphire told me that You didn't tell Aunt Weiss, She saw something that made her believe that, so I trust her. I always will. So could you please trust me, Aunt Blake?" The older faunus slouched over in her sitting position, hiding her face within her own hands.

"It's complicated, Pearl. I'm not sure You would understand." The older girl hoped deep down that this excuse would suffice. But at the same time? At the same time she knew it wouldn't. She hoped it would, but the logical part of her brain understood it wouldn't.

"Try me." Came the stubborn response that Blake expected. The older faunus sighed.

"You want some juice?" Pearl wanted to pressure with her question, but once she saw Blake's defeated face, her confidence melted into worry. She nodded.

Blake stood up and went to the kitchen corner. Buying some time to think it over in her head. How much could and should she say. Was this a setup from Weiss? Did she sent Pearl to spy on her? That made the older faunus freeze in her spot. Was she really this paranoid that she was assuming such things from her friends. Friends and...and what? Family? Was Pearl and Sapphire her family now? She shook her head. More stupid questions. For now she has to deal with a curious little bunny.

"It's between You and Aunt Weiss, yes?" The older faunus was glad she didn't held the glass in her hand when the question was asked, there was a high possibility she would drop it otherwise. Blake clenched her jaw.

"So it's true..." Pearl continued.

"Shut up!" Blake slammed her fist against the counter. That made the younger faunus jump in surprise, as her expression immediately turned into one of fear. The catgirl leaned against the counter and hid her face within her own hands.

She had enough of this. For once in her life she wanted to have things go smoothly. This entire idea blew up in her face. First with the scale and her being unprepared. Then with Weiss and her stupid crush. And now she couldn't even be alone with her own thoughts. If it wasn't for her own heart and mind, it was for a child to torment her.

Maybe She should just leave. Weiss had everything under control. She can tell Ruby and Yang. What does she add into this? Nothing.

Her thoughts were interrupted, as she felt something pressure against her side. She felt arms wrap around her waist, and as she looked down she saw the younger girl hug her. "I'm not afraid of You. I just want to help, aunt Blake." And indeed, there was no fear in the younger girl's eyes, only determination.

The older girl let out a tired sigh and lowered herself till she sat on the ground, pulling the other girl into a hug as She felt the bunny hug her back. They sat like that in silence for a long moment on the kitchen floor, or what could be considered kitchen in the small place they rented.

In a strange moment of clarity, Blake noticed that she didn't really want to cry. Usually whenever she broke, allowing for her walls to crumble by a tiny bit, there were always tears involved. But not this time. It was something she welcomed with a relief. "I'm sorry Pearl."

"It's okay. I asked...um, hard questions? It's what aunt Weiss says whenever Sapphire asks about things." That made Blake chuckle. That small cat sure asked weird questions at times.

"Yea, hard questions." The older girl nodded, although more to herself since she wasn't sure if the white haired faunus could see that.

"Will you tell me about your problem, Aunt Blake?" The bunny girl was persistent. And the older faunus knew she wouldn't let go unless she demanded she stops. And that of course could lead to worse things.

"I'm not sure You'll understand, Pearl. And I'm not trying to avoid answering the question. Just...I really think You might not." Would someone her age even comprehend love? She couldn't even use an example of her parents. First of all, it was a sensitive subject considering what they did to the two girls. And second, it was between two girls. Was it even appropriate to introduce a girl like her to such things?

Blake couldn't help but let out a soft snort at that. She wondered if this girl could understand love because of her young age. She herself still wasn't sure what love was. Even better, love was subjective and a mystery for ages with various philosophers and poets.

"Pearl? Do you know what love is?" The older girl wasn't sure if she was simply making sure, or if she was seeking an answer in this child. Perhaps both.

"It's when you care about someone very much, no? And You'll do anything for them. And when their life is more important than your own. I-I think. I love my sister and I would do all that for her." The catgirl couldn't help but smile at that, her hug tightening a tiny bit as she couldn't help but feel a bit of pride in the girl's answer. Such a smart bunny.

"In a general sense, I guess you could define love as such. And do you know there are...different kind of love?" This was the difficult part. Of course someone her age could understand the general idea behind love. But Blake wasn't really aware of how long does it take to understand the difference between types of love. Or was she simply acting as if Pearl was too stupid for her own age?

"I...I think I do. Like family, or how I love my sister. And then there's love where you date someone and kiss them and things like that, right?" Blake nodded and reached with one of her hands to gently ruffle the younger girl's hair.

"Yes." Was all she could muster. What else was there to say? Should she lead Pearl on with some weird analogies? Should she be direct? Was there some middle ground she could take. It seems as if it was decided for her.

"Are you in Love with Aunt Weiss?" That made Blake wince. Was it a crush, or was it love. Or was it the same thing, but people opted to use the word crush in order to avoid saying the L word. And was it really important at this moment?

"I...Guess I am, Pearl." The bunny girl moved away from the hug, although she still sat on Blake's lap. She tilted her head as she carefully looked over the older faunus.

"Did you tell her?" The catgirl smiled. She wanted to laugh at that, how easy that would be to just approach Weiss and tell her about all this. Damn be the consequences. Sadly this wasn't so easy.

"I can't, Pearl. That's the problem. I can't." Her smile gained a hint of sadness and her answer made the younger faunus grow even more confused.

"Is it because you're a faunus and she's not?" Her bunny ears dropped down at that, and Blake couldn't help but nudge one of them with her finger.

"Part of it. But not because Weiss would have anything against it. But it's because of her being..." The catgirl stopped. She had to think of something simple, yet accurate so that Pearl could understand. "...Her being rich. And her Father would not approve. And then he would not give her money and that would make the situation harder on you two girls." Blake nodded. This was the best she could explain, and enough for the bunny to understand.

"Oh... You don't have to keep it from aunt Weiss if it's just for us. We'll manage somehow. I'm sure! And I don't want you to be sad, aunt Blake. And neither would Sapphire." The younger girl smiled and nodded her head so fast her ears flailed all around, making Blake gently grab her head before those ears were to fly off by accident.

"It's not that simple, Pearl. It would also complicate her own life. Her own goals. And I don't want her to have problems because of Me being selfish." It was Pearl's turn to sigh.

"It sounds complicated. I'm sorry aunt Blake, if there's anything I could do for You, just ask, alright?" The catgirl smiled at that and leaned down to nuzzle the girl's cheek. Something she returned.

"You already helped, Pearl. Thank you. And now You should go to bed, alright? I'll try to get some sleep as well." The bunny girl nodded as she got up, and with a wave turned to go towards the bedroom. Glancing a few times at the older faunus, who'd slowly get up from the kitchen floor.

Blake felt...refreshed. As if some part of the weight that was burdening her heart was lifted off. Not all of it, but still it was a relief. She couldn't help but smile at that. Who knows, maybe she'll even sleep this night.

oooOOOooo

Saturday went without much issues. While Weiss spent it around Beacon academy, mostly studying for the monday exam, Blake spent the time with the girls. Although her time was partially spent on trying to catch up for the same exam Weiss was studying.

The catgirl came back to Beacon that evening, excuse already prepared as she talked first with Ruby, then Yang. It was clear that the line was being further stretched with them trusting the faunus teammate. Still, it was worth it, as the catgirl did feel better after her night at the apartment.

The monotony was broke, when at early hour of sunday morning Weiss's scroll started to buzz. She opened it, only to see Pearl's face covered in tears. "A-Aunt Weiss! It's Sapphire. She's...I don't know, She's not alright. I don't know what to do. Please come, I don't want to loose my sister." the girl was clearly on the verge of panic, keeping herself in line enough to call for help.

The Schnee's eyes went wide at that. "Pearl, what happened? What's going on? What's wrong with Sapphire?" It wasn't just curiosity. She wanted to get any kind of information that could help. The more she knew, the better she could act, or even arrive prepared in someway.

"I d-don't know. She's not well. Please! Aunt Weiss." Yet it seemed that She wouldn't get much out of the scared bunny. She nodded.

"Alright, Pearl I'll be there as soon as possible, don't worry, everything will be alright. I promise." She waited for the younger girl to give any sign that she heard her words, the faunus simply nodding. With that Weiss turned off the scroll and went to find Blake. Or try to, if She wouldn't find her in the two spots she should be, then she opted to just go by herself.

Authors note:

I decided that two small faunus girls is too much and I'm getting rid of one.

Hope You enjoyed this chapter. Please leave a review/comment, share with me what you disliked/liked about it, as well as any worries, ideas or suggestions. Or all of those. It also helps motivate me with writing future chapters.

Also clearly I'm joking about the "getting rid of" stuff ... But for some reason I feel like I should write this down just to make sure.