Ruby was on her back laying in the dirt, breathing ragged and heavy. I was bent over, trying to catch my breath, I was covered in scrapes, bruises, and dirt. My left hand was still shaking uncontrollably. I got caught up in the adrenaline rush of the training and instead of Ruby I saw him. When the adrenaline rush was gone Ruby was laying on the ground and Weiss and the others were staring at me, a look of shock on their face. "I…" I turned and ran into the house, slamming the door behind me. I ran to our room and locked the door behind me, falling to the ground in tears. I hurt Ruby, the one person I had promised to protect. I was so frustrated with myself I just yelled into the emptiness of the room. I laid on the floor crying, drowning in a sea of self-loathing. I thought I had moved on from this, but the minute something good happened it's ruined… by me. There was a light knock on the door, followed by the wiggle of the doorknob, as whoever it was tried to come in. "Yang?" Weiss' soft voice traveled through the wall. I didn't answer and continued to let the quiet tears roll down my face. "Yang, open the door. Just talk to me, please." I sat up and wiped the tears from my eyes. I reached for the door and unlocked it with a light click. Weiss slowly pushed the door open and came inside, closing it behind her.
"Yang, what's wrong? You looked terrified out there. What happened?" She sat on the floor across from me, her light-blue eyes, so full of concern, locking on mine. "Everything is wrong Weiss. None of this is okay!" I said motioning to everything around us. "I'm not okay! I might never be okay! I'm scared of what might happen to everyone. I thought I was fine, I stopped having nightmares, I stopped seeing him. But when we were training, it wasn't Ruby I saw, it was him… Adam… And Blake's not here, she's not here with us. She ran when we needed her, when I needed her. I thought she finally trusted us. But she's gone, and she may never come back!" I couldn't contain it anymore and all my feelings just flowed out. "What am I supposed to do when somebody I love just leaves me!" I looked at Weiss realizing what I had just shouted, but the look on her face was one of understanding. "The same thing I did when I was forced to leave somebody I love. You do what it takes to get back to them, even if that means leaving your home and family, not that I had much of one back home. You, Ruby, Blake, you guys are more of a family to me than my real family, except for maybe Winter. But I didn't give up, I kept moving forward so I could get back to the person I love. And I made it, so you can too. We're not the closest members of Team RWBY, but I'm always here for you, for Ruby, and when Blake comes back I'll be there for her too. And so will you, no matter how upset you are with her right now. I'm sure she needs you as much as you need her. We're all scared, but we don't have to be scared alone." Another light knock on the door caught both of our attention. "Speaking of people I love." Weiss, mumbled, barely loud enough for me to hear, and maybe I shouldn't have.
Ruby slowly pushed the door open, the left side of her face slightly bruised. She sat down in my lap and hugged me, not saying anything, the sudden action causing more tears to form in my eyes. I hugged her back, "I'm so sorry Ruby." She pulled away, and looked at me, her silver eyes full of tears. "It's okay Yang, I know you wouldn't hurt me on purpose. You can talk to us about anything, we're a team." I wiped the tears away, my face becoming numb. "I know, but it's not always easy." Ruby and Weiss got up and helped me to my feet. "The others probably think I'm crazy." I said as we walked down the hallway. "I told them not to freak out and proved that I was okay. They probably think you just got a little… too into it." I scoffed, "Yeah sure, I got so into it I full on punched you in the face, yeah I'm sure that's what they think." I sat down on the couch while Ruby and Weiss went back outside. "Aren't you going to come out?" I shook my head, "Not right now. I'm just going to hang out in here for a bit." They nodded and closed the door. I sat on the couch in silence, collecting my thoughts. I had just admitted to Weiss that I loved Blake, and she admitted she loved Ruby… I think. But she was right, I am upset with Blake. I still couldn't understand how she could just leave us. I noticed my hand was still shaking slightly and took a few deep breaths to calm down.
I got up and looked out the window. Oscar, or Ozpin, was training with Jaune, their cane deflecting many of Jaune's sword strikes. I watched as they went back and forth, each of them showing a surprising amount of skill. I stepped away from the window and reached for the backdoor, taking a deep breath before stepping outside. I walked over to Ruby and stood next to her, watching Jaune and Oscar. They traded strikes until Jaune knocked the cane away and they stopped. "Heh, you got me." Oscar picked the cane up and retracted it. "Well, I had a good coach." Jaune collapsed his shield and sheathed his sword. "Uh, Yang?" I glanced at Oscar who was tightly gripping his cane. "Yeah?" He swallowed nervously, "Ozpin is asking to speak with you… alone, if that's okay?" I nodded. "We'll go into the house so the rest of you can still train." I followed Oscar inside and closed the door. He sat down in the large chair as the familiar little glow washed over him. When he spoke this time, it was Ozpin.
"Thank you, Miss Xiao-Long. I along with the others am more than curious to know what happened during your little bout with Miss Rose." I took a seat and nervously swallowed. "I'm still… broken, if that makes sense, sir. I can't shake Adam from my head, and I keep seeing him even if he's not there." Ozpin nodded. "I see, I understand that it must've been hard for you, losing a part of yourself, but I, along with the others, need you to stay strong. From what Qrow has reported, many of the Huntsmen and Huntresses have disappeared so it is very likely that we are all that will stand to defend Haven. From what happened at Beacon I can only assume that the White Fang will make an appearance here as well. I need you to promise me that you will not engage Adam Taurus. It's not that I don't believe you capable of engaging him, but I don't want you going into a fight filled with rage. I've lost many a good colleague and friends because they let their emotions get the better of them." I nodded. "I need to hear you say it, Miss Xiao-Long." I swallowed, "I won't engage Adam Taurus." He smiled at me. "Thank you for understanding. And don't worry about Miss Belladonna, I'm sure she will make it back to Team RWBY in time." He stood up and made his way to the door. "Sir?" He turned, "Yes?" I glanced out the at the others. "Can we really do this? I mean not counting Qrow or you, there are seven of us, seven kids. I'll fight, but I can't help but ear that we're not going to be able to make a difference." He sighed and turned back to me. "I fear the same, but we must hold on to hope. Alone none of you students can make a difference, but when you are working together I've seen you all accomplish incredible feats. It's okay to feel fear, Miss Xiao-Long, just don't let it take over." I nodded, and Oscar took back control. "Ugh, I hate that so much."
"Hey Oscar, are you okay with all of this?" He glanced at me confused. "I mean, you had all of this thrust into your lap. You didn't have a choice on whether you wanted to be a part of this or not." He sighed, "You're right, and you're also wrong. I chose to listen to Ozpin and leave home for Haven. I always wanted more out of life than just being a farmhand, but this isn't really what I expected. And to be honest, I'm scared. I haven't known everyone for very long, you and Weiss I've known less than a day. But even though everyone is still just getting to know me and I'm just getting to know them, I don't want to lose anyone. Your sister is actually the one who made me understand. She's scared too, but she told me she's fighting because you've already lost two friends, and she doesn't want to lose anymore. I made a choice and I'm going to stand by it." I was almost amazed at his resolve. I don't know what I would've done had I been in his position. "What about you? You had the choice, you could've just stayed home." I thought about it. "All my life people have left me. My mom, Ruby's mom, my partner, and then even Ruby too. I was tired of getting left behind and I couldn't just let the people I love leave me again. I found Ruby and Weiss, and once we find Blake I'm never letting any of them leave me behind again. I guess I chose to leave home because the people I need in my life also need me."
A loud caw caught my attention as a large crow flew into the living room and flopped down on the couch. A second later and the crow was gone but Qrow was sprawled out on the couch. I stared in shock as he sat up on the couch and ran his hands through his hair. "Ugh?" He looked up and noticed me and Oscar near the door. "Damn. I forgot that you and Little Ice Queen didn't know." I stared at Qrow and then at Oscar. "Actually, we did. Ozpin, I need to know, why'd you do it?" I turned back to Oscar, but it wasn't Oscar's eyes I was staring into. He stepped away from the door and walked over to Qrow. "What exactly did your mother tell you I did?" I swallowed, not taking my eyes off of him. "She said that you cursed her and Qrow." He sighed and closed his eyes. "I should've assumed as much. While your mother may see it as a curse, when I gave these powers to your mother and uncle they were both more than willing to accept them." Qrow nodded, "He's right, Raven and I both made the decision to accept the powers that Ozpin had offered us. Your mother isn't one to lie often, but she will manipulate the truth." Ozpin coughed, stopping Qrow. "It's never my intention to lie to any of you. But like most people I have made choices that I can't undo, and have some things that I wish to keep close to myself. I'm sorry if you feel that I've hidden something from you, but ever since this has started I've never withheld necessary knowledge from any of you."
"I believe you, really I do. But please, no more secrets… from either of you. If Ruby gets hurt because of something you didn't tell us, I'll never forgive either of you." Ozpin nodded, "You made a promise to me, and now I make a promise to you." Qrow gave me a wry smile. "Sorry kiddo, but bedroom secrets have to remain secrets." I fake gagged. "My god you are such an old perv." "Hey, I'm not old!" Oscar sat down, exhausted, as he took control back. "I never want to hear that again in my life. Qrow grabbed his shoulders and shook him a little. "Oh lighten up kid, my girls have been hearing that from me for as long as they can remember. Look at Yang and Ruby, they turned out fine." I rolled my eyes, "Whatever perv. I'm serious though, no more secrets." Qrow nodded. "Thank you."
"Yang, how bout you go back outside and get the others, I need to speak with Oz for a minute." I nodded and went back outside. Weiss was working with Ruby on her combat reflexes. "No, no, no, come on Ruby. You need to sharpen your movements and make them more fluid. You're taking too much time between movements and leaving openings for your enemy to strike." Ruby frowned, "No I'm not." I watched as Weiss conjured a glyph and launched forward at Ruby, stopping just short of tackling her and tapping her on the head lightly. "Yes, you are." I laughed as Ruby sat on the ground and pouted. "Way to go Weiss. See Ruby, even Ice Queen can beat you." She groaned and sprawled out on the ground. "That's not fair Yang, she just got lucky." Weiss flipped her ponytail back and turned her head away from Ruby. "Luck has nothing to do with it Ruby, it's all practice and skill." She helped Ruby to her feet, "That's why I said you need to be more fluid in your actions. We'll be up against people with more skill then all of us, I don't want you getting hurt." Ruby stared at Weiss with loving eyes, "Aw you really do care about me… Ow!" We all laughed as Weiss smacked Ruby on the head. "All funniness aside," I spoke over the laughter, "Qrow and Ozpin asked me to come get everyone."
"What do they want?" Nora asked. I shrugged, "Didn't say, just asked me to get everyone." Ruby collapsed Crescent Rose and latched it to her back. "Do you think Lionheart got through to the council?" Jaune asked. "If so that is very strange. He seemed very against the whole idea when we visited him." Ren replied. "I don't know, maybe he talked them into it." Ruby added. "Well we won't figure it out if just stand around out here. Let's go inside." Weiss strode away from the group and opened the door, looking back at us. "Well?" Jaune, Ren, and Nora followed Weiss, but I grabbed Ruby when she tried to go. "Just give us a minute, I want to talk to Ruby." I waited until the others went inside, leaving just me and Ruby outside.
"Is something wrong Yang?" I shook my head, "No nothing's wrong… I mean something is kind of wrong, but it isn't that big of a deal." I looked into her curious silver eyes. "How do you feel about Weiss?" Ruby's cheeks tinged a slight shade of pink. "I mean she's cool and everything. I know she may seem cold and mean, but I know that's not who she really is. I've seen her around her sister, so I know she can be nice and bubbly just like me. She's pretty and smart and she sings well and she's amazing at fighting." I smiled as Ruby rambled on. "She's part of our family now Yang. I love her… just like I love all of Team RWBY" She added that last part very quickly and hid her face as she blushed really hard. I laughed and she looked at me in adorable anger. "Don't laugh at me!" I couldn't help it and grabbed Ruby, pulling her in for a tight hug. "Just listen to Weiss when she's trying to help. She really does care and doesn't want you getting hurt. I'm sure she loves you too." I let Ruby go and ruffled her hair. "Let's go inside, everyone is waiting on us."
Everyone was sitting in the living room waiting on us. "Okay now that we're all here, I'll tell you all what I told Oz. Leo contacted me and told me he's made a breakthrough with the council and he wants to meet with us and plan out our next move. He wants to meet with us tomorrow night. I don't want to be the one to put a negative spin on this, but it sounds like a trap. He was very against the idea a week ago and said the council was as well. He still doesn't know we have Oz back and he doesn't know that Yang and Weiss are now with us either. I told him we'd meet with him tomorrow like he asked but we need to be prepared for anything. For now, we're just going to relax and make sure we're well rested. I'm going to take a nap, no one is to go into town." He got up and walked off to his room shutting the door behind him. I looked around at everyone else. "Well what do we do now?" Ruby asked. My stomach growled loudly causing everyone to look at me. "What? It's almost lunch time and I'm hungry." Ruby smiled and got up. "I'll cook lunch." Weiss followed her to the kitchen, "I'll help you out." They both went to the kitchen leaving Jaune, Ren, Nora, Oscar, and me. "Yang, I'm going outside to meditate, how about you join me?" I looked at Ren for a moment but nodded and followed him outside.
"Take a seat Yang. Fold your legs and relax your body." I faced Ren and matched his posture, taking a few deep breaths to relax my body. "If I may ask, is anything bothering you?" I had a feeling that this was why he asked me to meditate with him. So far on this journey I've had to deal with everything myself, but these are my friends, I can trust them. "Yes." He closed his eyes and took deep slow breaths, letting me continue at my own pace. "I'm not the same as I use to be, and I'm okay with that. But you saw what I did to Ruby, you should know that I'd never try to hurt her. But randomly, when I let my guard down, I see images of Adam Taurus and I lose control." The wind blew lightly, playing with both my hair and Ren's.
"I'd like you to close your eyes and breath deeply for me." I did as he asked and took slow deep breaths. I heard a slight shuffling and then few moments later felt hands placed on my shoulder. "Try to not think about Adam for a moment, don't think about where you, don't think about what we're doing here, don't think about me or Ruby or any of the others. Let everything you're feeling fade away." As he was talking I felt a creeping calmness wash over me. "Once you let go of all of that I want you to focus, focus on something that brings you comfort, picture it in your mind." Slowly images began to form in the darkness. Three blobs of red, white, and black. The more I focused on the blobs they took humanoid form and solidified into Ruby, Weiss, and Blake. "When you get stressed out or scared focus on that image." I opened my eyes and Ren was seated back across from me, I hadn't even realized that he was no longer touching me. "I may not know what it's like to lose a physical part of one's self, I've lost important things in my life. You never truly forget about them, but you don't need to. Sometimes you just need to accept that they happened and do your best to move on, and never forget that there are always friends who will help you." He smiled at me, full of kindness and concern. "let's meditate a while longer." I smiled back and nodded. At first I did have to face my problems by myself, but I now have a strong and loving family to help me when I need it.