A/N: 14 to 16 hour work days suck I won't even lie. My first day off in like forever, but even though I barely have time to write life is looking up for the most part! I have mixed feelings about this chapter but some people wanted to see some more interactions so... here! Lol, next chapter though we go back to what I enjoy writing... Battle! I hope you're all ready to bear witness to that! And the meeting of another familiar face we've seen before! And also to witness the sisters in battle together finally!
But yeah, that's next time. Geeze look at me spoiling what's to come. Enough outta me, enjoy guys and see you all next time! Remember to check out my profile to see what the future plans are for me and the story!
"And that's really what happened." Jay continued to reiterate.
Both Weiss and Yang stared at the girl in question, one with a disbelieving look and the other with a stern one.
For Yang… she couldn't believe that her Vanguard unit would all be killed in that way. Lured into a trap so easily and taken out?
"T- There's no way." Yang muttered lowly as she tried to keep her calm. She was in no way feeling a hundred percent ever since she woke up a few hours ago but still she was ordered to report to General Weiss as soon as she awoke along with Jay to which now the two girls were giving their debriefing to their superior.
"You of all people should know that the Vanguard wouldn't be led into a trap so easily, Jay!" Yang continued. She could already feel the heat of anger taking ahold of her mind. It was odd to her for some reason, she never before felt such a need to anger for another's sake if it wasn't Ruby.
But even as Yang voiced her disbelief to her comrade, the lioness kept her eyes downcast with an unreadable expression on; saying nothing else.
"Captain, Rebecca, Isaac, and… and Duncan? All gone just like that?" The fiery blonde continued, her voice rising. "N- No way… No fuc-" Yang started before she fell into a coughing fit. The inhaling of all the smoke and dust still caused the girl to be short of breath and with her being so excited at the moment; it only caused her to fall to one knee in pain as she continued to cough relentlessly.
Instantly Weiss, who had been standing silent in her tent with the other two girls, cast a worried glance down at Yang. She had to fight the urge to help the usual powerful girl. It was odd to see her in such a state. She seemed so powerless and vulnerable at the moment. But upon hearing Jay finally speak up again caught the white haired girl's attention and she turned her gaze towards the downcast Faunus.
"I'm sorry. There wasn't anything I could do." Jay said in an almost ghostly whisper. "By the time we realized where we were being led was a trap, the explosion already was set off. We had no way of knowing that they had intercepted our plans or set the tower with enough gunpowder to explode on that magnitude."
Taking a deep breath the Faunus shook slightly before speaking up once more. "I can't believe it either, Yang."
Weiss continued standing there silent before flicking her gaze between the two girls. It wasn't until Yang finally got her coughing under control and stood back up that she once again thought about what was just told to her.
Jay had reiterated that the Vanguard, under Captain LeAnn's orders followed a man named Jacque who was posing as one of Cambridge's militiamen into the center tower. They were under the impression that they were meeting with the other militiamen to launch their attack on preoccupied Haven soldiers before they were ambushed and engaged in close quarters combat in the narrow rooms of the tower before an explosion set off that leveled the tower. But the only reason that Yang was spared was because it seemed as if LeAnn had caught that something was amiss and left the blonde behind. This only left…
Weiss turned her gaze to Jay once more and fell into thought again.
'She said that they were ambushed and caught in the explosion, yet she's still alive.'
"Jay, how did you survive the blast?" Weiss asked in a low tone which caught both girls' attention at the hearing of her speak. It seemed as if the question had caught Yang's full attention as well.
"I told you, I don't remember. The last thing I remember was just seeing fire closing in around me from all directions and falling. Then I woke up in the back of a wagon here." She explained.
Weiss kept her face impassive but noticed the girl kept her eyes downwards; never once looking up at her or Yang once ever since stepping foot into the tent. Weiss wasn't sure if it was guilt, sadness, or what, but both girls' story of what happened plus the militiamen's she heard the other day back in Cambridge all added up to something she didn't want to believe.
'Someone's leaking information to Haven.'
It was something that Weiss didn't want to believe at all and in fact she wasn't completely sure she was right. It could have just been one of the militiamen in Cambridge was intercepted by a Haven trooper and that Empire planned accordingly. She would have to think more on it before acting irrationally. Even yet, she'd confer with Blake first before planning anything too severe.
But the thought of someone being a spy within their ranks reminded the Schnee girl of one of the last things her father had said to her prior to her leaving for the campaign. He himself was aware of Haven spies within the kingdom of Vale.
Just knowing how easily they could and have integrated themselves within Vale's forces sent a cold realization down the general's spine. It made her wonder just how long Haven had been planning this seemingly random war. Or if it even is random… It didn't make any sense to Weiss.
"I understand." Weiss finally said as she looked towards the two girls. "You're dismissed, Jay. Get some rest before we reach Fort Beacon tomorrow morning."
She watched as Jay's face relaxed suddenly before looking slightly concerned. "Yes ma'am, but how about my reassignment to a new unit?" The girl asked.
Weiss only smirked a tiny bit before shaking her head. "Don't worry about that for now, dismissed."
She watched Jay salute before exiting the tent without another word.
Once the lioness had left though, Weiss turned her eyes towards the room's last occupant.
Yang.
She waited until her lilac eyes focused on her with rapt attention before Weiss even thought about speaking. What she was thinking about she didn't take very lightly, but she had to instill this responsibility on someone. And quite frankly she thought the blonde was worth it.
As the two girls held their staring contest it almost reminded Weiss of the times the two had butted heads before. But this time as she peered into Yang's face, she no longer saw the wild and rebellious girl from before. No, her eyes held a different kind of fire to them, one that Weiss couldn't place. Once again, Yang has continued to intrigue her in some way or another.
"How are you doing, Yang?" Weiss asked as she finally let her stern stance dissipate and adopted a slightly relaxed posture. She was still fully dressed in her armor but attempted to appear not like her usual stern self but… nicer.
She watched as Yang eyed her warily before snorting defiantly. "How am I doing, princess? How do you think? I just found out that my entire unit died!" The girl angrily burst out.
It was then that Weiss realized what she had just said. It was just like how when Penny asked her how she was doing just the other day and she responded almost in the same way as the blonde. Just thinking that the two of them could be similar in any way caused the General to chuckle humorlessly.
"I don't see how that's supposed to be funny." Yang growled dangerously towards her superior to which Weiss only shook her head.
"I wasn't laughing at that. I was just thinking about how much we're simi-" She started before stopping herself and looking at Yang. She watched the girl's angry eyes turn upwards very slowly in curiosity. Clearing her throat though, Weiss continued. "I know exactly how you feel right now actually. They were not just my soldiers appointed under me, but my fellow countrymen and women."
She watched as the girl's face twisted once again into something that Weiss had never thought she'd see on the fiery woman's face.
Sadness.
'I wonder if you've even noticed how much you've changed, Yang.'
"It's never easy to deal with loss, especially when you know you'll have to deal with it over and over again in a time of war." Weiss continued before walking around the wooden desk that sat in the middle of the tent and taking a seat behind it.
"But what you do afterwards defines who you are as a person. As a soldier…" Weiss uttered before exhaling and staring back into Yang's eyes fiercely with what she was about to say. "As a leader."
She kept her gaze steady as she watched Yang's eye her curiously once more, but before the blonde could say anything, Weiss continued speaking in a calm and collected voice although inside she felt anything but. She felt like she was cursing the girl with a burden, but she knew that she'd be strong enough to handle it.
'That's one thing that you've always made clear to me Yang. Your strength… but you don't always have to shoulder whatever burdens you encounter alone anymore.'
That was what Weiss wanted to say, but she couldn't. Something held back her tongue from what was truly on her mind.
Standing up suddenly and turning her back to the girl in an attempt to hide the uncertainty that was creeping its way to her face, Weiss continued. "I… I want to make you the new Captain of my Vanguard."
But just as Weiss was going to continue and explain that Yang didn't have to agree as of yet, she heard the girl state with an absolute resolve that she had never heard before from the girl.
"I'll do it."
Turning back around to face the blonde, Weiss blinked dumbfounded. She wasn't even sure if she had heard her correctly, but Yang repeated the statement as if sensing Weiss' predicament.
"I'll do it." She stated once more. "I'll lead it."
It took a moment for the usually always prepared girl to find her voice again but when she did, she wanted to make sure as to what Yang was accepting and about to sign up for.
"You do know that I don't place this title and position lightly on you. Have you ever even led troops before?" She asked, already knowing the answer.
She watched as Yang shook her head but her earlier expression changing to that of one Weiss was used to seeing on the cocky girl. One that made her just that much more confident in the girl's abilities.
Yang smirked.
"I haven't." Yang answered before winking at the white haired girl with that same smug smirk that Weiss used to hate. "But if you're choosing me, you must think I've got what it takes, yeah?"
For some reason or another though for Weiss, she felt herself getting hot within her armor as she felt a bead of sweat roll down her face. She held her eyes towards Yang's own before the lilac pupils became too much to bear for her. Turning around to face away from the blonde, Weiss took a moment to collect herself and cleared her throat. She was unsure as to why she was at a loss for words suddenly but quickly composed herself as she reseated herself at her desk.
"I wouldn't say all that." Weiss started hesitantly before taking a deep breath. "But I do need the position filled. Not just for my sake but for all of my forces. The Vanguard is a unit that inspires the rest when they see them ride out at the head of the formation."
Turning now to once again peer at Yang's still smirking face, Weiss couldn't help but think the girl had returned to her old cocky self.
"Who better to lead the Vanguard than someone as headstrong as yourself?"
Suddenly and without warning though the ex-princess watched the blonde stand up straight and snap off a crisp salute. The sudden gesture caught the General by surprise and she couldn't help but take notice at the girl's body now.
Yang was dressed in a grey sleeveless undershirt and loose fitting leather trousers. But the way the girl stood now let Weiss observe her form. She knew she was in shape but now she could see it firsthand.
Peering at Yang's arm that was raised up with her fist over her heart in the standard Vale salute, she noticed the girl's muscular tone in them. As she held the salute though, Weiss felt her eyes slowly drift downwards and perceived the way her undershirt lifted up and granted sight to the bottom of Yang's abs. As she let her eyes drift there for a moment, Weiss took note that Yang too was sweating, as clear beads trickled down her firm stomach downwards until they disappeared at the hem of her trousers.
"But I'm gonna need soldiers."
Hearing the girl speak now caused Weiss to tear her eyes away from the girl's body and up at her eyes.
What the hell was I looking at?!
Weiss tried to gauge Yang's face to see if the girl had noticed what she was doing but was unable to really ascertain anything unusual. Trying not to risk another embarrassing situation for herself, Weiss quickly pondered a response.
"Do you have any suggestions?" The white haired General finally asked, feeling a blush spread across her face as she fought the urge to look at Yang again. She really had no idea as to what was coming over her at this moment. Maybe she was just exhausted and needed sleep perhaps.
Yang hummed to herself before speaking. "I want my sister Ruby with me." To which she spotted Weiss nodding her head while avoiding eye contact.
"Of course. I already knew that." Weiss muttered.
"Jay as well. Also that Nora Valkyrie girl; the one who patched me up." The blonde continued before quickly adding "Also Ren. He seems skillful as well."
As Weiss listened to Yang list off the names of everyone she wanted reassigned to her, she couldn't help but notice the excited way the girl spoke.
"Done. Their superiors will be informed of their reassignments." Weiss stated as she continued to avoid eye contact with the taller girl in front of her and instead occupied her eyes with looking at the map laid out in front of her. "Sorry for the short notice and the lack of ceremony, but it'll have to wait. We'll be staging for our assault on Fort Beacon by tomorrow. I suggest you familiarize yourself with your new troops in the meantime."
"Got it… General."
Weiss heard the girl slap her fist against her chest again as she saluted and turned on her heel to exit the tent. But another person popped into the girl's mind that gave her another candidate for her new Vanguard.
"Ah, one more thing… Captain." Weiss called out as she finally let her eyes meet Yang's own as she turned around to face the girl again. "There's someone else I want for you to take along."
Yang tilted her head slightly to the right as her rebellious blonde hair shifted at the movement. "Captain, huh? Anyways, who would that be?" She asked while her famous smirk stayed plastered on her face at the hearing of her new rank.
It only caused Weiss' usually impassive face to crack just a tad bit as she too smirked, albeit a small one as she answered.
"His name is Sun. Sun Wukong, he showed promise back in Sanctum and will be a good addition to your forces."
Yang nodded her head and again Weiss took note of how her blonde hair bobbed smoothly with every motion the girl took.
"Anything you say, my liege." The blonde said in a smooth teasing voice which only set Weiss off even more.
Swallowing quickly, Weiss huffed and turned her attention back towards the map on the table, focusing on the various and countless red and blue lines. "That'll be all… Captain. Dismissed." She uttered without looking at the other girl.
Hearing a chuckle as Yang pushed the flap and exited the tent, Weiss heard the blonde utter something under her breath.
"I like the way that sounds… Captain, huh?"
"Maybe if we add another half a pound or so to the blade or in fact add a second blade to counter balance the weight of the crossbow?"
Ruby stared at the orange haired girl as she spoke to herself in a hurried manner while fawning over the giant scythe that the two of them had crafted a couple weeks ago and smiled. She was ecstatic to have been lucky enough to meet a girl like Nora. The girl was an absolute weapon's nut like herself and a skilled blacksmith as well. Her ideas were simply amazing to Ruby and for the girl to even fashion the odd designs like her new scythe crossed with her repeating crossbow and make it actually work? It only proved the girl's prowess with a hammer. Both as a weapon and as a tool.
Ruby only continued to watch the girl make minor adjustments to her weapon as she idly sat on the ground and smiled. Her weapon, while deadly as ever felt slightly off when she'd swing to her left. As she practiced with the large weapon, she was glad that Nora noticed how she'd become off balanced while sparring and took it upon herself to remedy the problem.
"Hm, maybe I should fold steel to the outside of the blade to help with it instead. Let you parry with the dull side of your scythe while not having to worry about damaging the shaft." Nora once again spoke up but this time her eyes flickered to Ruby's as if asking for her approval.
Ruby felt her smile grow as she quickly nodded her head to the girl's question and she watched Nora's sweaty and slightly dirty face mirror her own as she happily began to shuffle through one of the wagons for the materials she needed.
Ever since the girl joined up with Weiss' army, she quickly made herself at home. She commandeered one of the army's wagons and forged her own little work station for fixing and crafting weapons while the army was on the move. Although Weiss gave her a bit of flak for just doing as she pleased with the materials the Order had brought along with them during their campaign, Nora proved to be a resourceful and competent blacksmith for all of their forces.
Hearing someone walk up behind her though, Ruby turned her head to spot a familiar black clad Faunus slowly walking to where she and Nora were. Ruby quickly widened her smile at the new girl as she watched Blake return it.
"Hello Ruby." The Faunus greeted as she slowly took a seat on the ground next to her in front of Nora's improvised anvil. "And Nora." She added once she noticed the other girl had given her a slight frown.
Ruby couldn't help but notice the small amount of distance between her and Blake as they sat next to each other but as she felt her face becoming flushed she tried to occupy her mind with the steady hammering of Nora working on her weapon.
"It's such a lovely evening tonight."
Hearing the girl speak caused Ruby to turn her silver eyes upwards towards the sky. Once she did however she felt a small gasp escape her lips at the sight.
It indeed was lovely. The sun's rays were descending below the hills and mountains in the distance which caused a vast and beautiful array of purple and orange lights to spew across the entire sky and landscape. With the lush green fields surrounding them as well; it almost seemed like something out of a painting.
"Such a shame that the beauties of this world are so short lived."
Ruby turned to look at the suddenly solemn looking girl as Blake's earlier smile turned into a slight frown. The crimson haired girl also took note of how the cat ears atop Blake's hair drooped a bit.
"Beauty always gives way to the ugliness that is war, especially now more than ever." The Faunus finished as she sighed before adopting her earlier smile as golden eyes locked onto silver ones.
Ruby felt the heat rush up to her cheeks and quickly looked back to what Nora was doing and nodded her head slowly as if to agree with what Blake was saying. But what the girl did in fact say rang true with the younger girl. She bore witness to it time and time again. With what happened to her village; being so close to her and Yang's goal to reunite with their mother… only to have their shared dream ruthlessly shattered in front of them. Or for her finally making her first true friends; Neptune and Velvet, only to lose them in a horrible manner.
What Blake said really was true. Beauty would always lose to the ugliness in the world. It was just the way the world worked…
But Blake noticed the other girl's demeanor change at her words and nudged her shoulder which caused the crimsonette to look up at her once more. The way the sun's dying rays casted over Ruby's delicate features, and the way her bangs fell over the tops of her eyes only made Blake smile even brighter. Slowly and carefully, she raised her gloved hand and pushed the few strands of hair out of Ruby's eyes and even let out a small chuckle when Ruby closed her eyes at the move and wrinkled her nose. It was simply childish and adorable to the Faunus.
But another voice cut in which caused Blake to instantly drop her hand from the girl's face and widen her eyes in surprise.
"Keep those paws where I can see them kitty cat."
Sighing to herself and scooting over away from Ruby about an inch did Blake turn to see the unarmored blonde walking over towards them. Although Blake thought the girl would be annoyed, instead she spotted Yang with a smirk on her face.
Guess not everything went south with their briefing with Weiss.
Pushing herself up, Blake stood and stretched her arms out before speaking. "It's such a surprise to not see you with a scowl on your face, Yang."
She watched the blonde roll her eyes before focusing on her younger sister. Ruby quickly got to her feet and the two sisters embraced each other with Yang playfully ruffling Ruby's hair and causing the shorter sister to pout up at her.
Seeing the loving sisterly exchange in front of her caused Blake to smile despite herself.
As the two broke their hug she watched Yang's face turn serious however and Blake couldn't help but wonder what was on her mind.
"Well I got some big news baby sis." Yang started as she then turned her gaze towards the still hammering Nora who glanced up as if just now noticing the blonde's arrival. "Hey Nora, this is gonna include you too."
The orange haired girl stopped her hammering and gave the blonde a confused look before grinning deviously. "A plan with me could only mean something fun. Whatever it is, I'm in!" She joyfully shouted while raising her blacksmith hammer in the air and waved it wildly.
Yang laughed to herself before turning her face serious again. "Well, I'm not one for suspenseful moments but I'd rather only say this once and in front of everyone it pertains to." The blonde said as she rubbed the back of her head nervously. "So, Nora could you head out and find me Ren, Jay, and a guy named Sun?"
Nora's smile never faltered as she quickly set down her hammer and jogged off towards the various campfires that were being set up. "Nora's on the job!" The girl shouted over her shoulder as she disappeared around the tents in search of the names given to her.
Wrapping an arm around Ruby's shoulder, Yang smirked at the shorter girl who only looked back at her with a confused gaze. But even though Yang wanted more than anything to fill Ruby in on her new position…
Yang then turned her gaze to Blake. "So Blake, I see you and my sister are fast friends now."
Golden eyes widened at the statement and Blake silently cursed herself for letting her emotions show. She started to notice that she was horrible at hiding her true feelings on her face when it came to Ruby. Although she didn't want to admit it out loud Blake knew it was because she cared for the young girl. But there was no way in hell she'd say that let alone in front of Yang.
"Y- Yeah. As a matter of fact I consider Ruby a friend." Blake responded as she rested her hands on her belt loops as she sighed and shook her head in disbelief. "I still can't believe you two are related. You're so different from each other."
She watched as Yang cocked an eyebrow at the statement and pursed her lips. "How so?"
Blake let out a soft chuckle. It was her turn to roll her eyes now. "You're serious? For one; the way you two act. One's a hothead and the other is calm and collected." Blake explained as she watched Yang look away. "Two; your looks… which stands out the most."
The blonde turned to glance at Blake again and smirked dangerously as she flipped her hair back in a seductive manner. "Oh? Is that all it was, Blake?" She started as she shuffled forward towards the cat Faunus. "You were attracted to me all this time weren't you~?" Yang cooed out.
Blake snorted before easily shooting the blonde down. "Not even a little bit. Beauty is only skin deep, and I can tell that you aren't and never will be the type of person I'd ever even be slightly attracted to."
Blake watched Yang's expression turn sour instantly. "Geeze, you didn't have to be so damned honest. I was joking."
A small sound sounded behind Yang as Blake peered over the girl's shoulder and watched Ruby giggle silently, letting small gasps of air and tiny squeals out as her face lit up happily. Blake felt herself start to laugh as well as she kept her eyes on Ruby and felt a blush spread across her face.
But your sister on the other hand… I think she's-.
"I found 'em!" Nora's voice shouted as the girl bounded back into view along with three others who all looked slightly confused.
Yang dropped her playful attitude and turned to face all the newcomers and cleared her throat of any and all fears and doubts in her mind. It wasn't that she was unsure of her abilities to be in charge of others, she knew she could get the job done. She'd do it for her old squad, for her mother, for herself… but most importantly…
She turned her gaze to her sister's own and felt her lips turn upwards.
I'll do it for Ruby.
Casting her lilac eyes and adopting as fierce a look as she could, Yang stood in front of her future soldiers. Troops and members of the team that she would lead into battle starting tomorrow. Her squad, her family, her responsibility.
Noticing all eyes on her now, Yang made sure to look each and every one of them in their eyes before speaking.
"You've all been handpicked to be a part of the new Vanguard unit." Yang announced confidently before she took in another breath and gauged everyone's reactions. Everyone only looked at her with wide and disbelieving looks… Well everyone but Ruby. Her sister smiled at her encouragingly which only eased the nervousness Yang felt.
Smiling back towards Ruby, the blonde continued. "Headed by me, I've been newly appointed as the Captain but make no mistake; I know I'm new to this." She paused before contemplating her next words carefully and exhaled. "Let's fight together, bleed together, learn together, and finally… conquer together. All I ask is you try you hardest and I promise you… I promise every single one of you that I'll do the same. I swear I'll be the best leader I can, not just for myself but for our fallen comrades, for Vale, for the General, but most importantly… for you all."
Yang felt her heartbeat quicken and sweat start to streak down her body at the feelings she was experiencing. It was oddly terrifying in its own way to voice her current emotions. Earlier when she was told by Weiss that she'd be taking the mantle to lead, she originally only thought of it as a way to finally lead the charge to crush her opposition her own way… but now. Now seeing the men and women whose lives would ultimately be in her hands, knowing each and every one of them have their own fears, weaknesses, stories to tell… it was different.
They weren't just tools to be used, they were comrades to be trusted and depended on. She was depending on them just as much as they would her.
Once more searching everyone's faces for doubt, Yang relaxed and when no one said anything added "Tomorrow will be our first battle together. I've chosen you all because I'd rather no one else watch my back. We will be victorious tomorrow and then you new Vanguard recruits will earn your stamp like Jay and I have before." Yang added as she remembered the black imprint she had earned after her first major battle in the Vanguard.
"Pass this initiation and I'll forever gladly call you brother or sister. Any questions?"
Looking around once more, the blonde felt something akin to accomplishment welling up in her chest. Seeing her future comrades standing before her with gazes that could only be described as trusting caused Yang to wonder if she would really pull this off.
As she continued glancing into everyone's eyes though, she watched Jay wink at her before speaking up in a thunderous voice. "Negative Cap'n!"
The lioness then thumped her fist against her chest in a salute as she stood firmly.
"Negative Captain!" A chorus of voices shouted together right after to which Yang bore witness that all of them, her Vanguard, saluted her as well.
Yang could only feel her mask of seriousness break away as she smiled at them all and snapped off her own rigid and crisp salute back towards them. The feeling of tears threatening to push past her eyes forced Yang to take in another deep and calming breath. She never before would have seen herself in a position like this and now actually witnessing it… she couldn't be more honored.
I hope I can live up to the Vanguard's name… LeAnn, Isaac, Rebecca, Duncan… Weiss.
"Thank you guys, I swear I won't let you down…"