The vast room was quiet as the fiddling of pencils met paper.

There'd been a comfortable silence as the two worked in peace. Now and then, Yang would ask Weiss some questions about the recent physics assignment. It was their first tutoring session, and so far Yang had kept her word. She was putting in great effort and hadn't goofed off in a while.

Weiss was impressed at her progress. From what she understood, Yang was only having problems understanding which formulas worked where. She understood most of the concepts, but not being able to plug in the numbers posed a challenge. She needed to do that to solve the equations given.

The two sat next to each other on the piano, using the closed keyboard as a desk. Since Weiss had keys to the piano room due to her perks of being a model student, they decided to use it instead of the library. It was always filled with students and lingered with mindless chatter. This way, they had some privacy.

Yang had worked hard since she stepped in this room to keep her promise to Weiss, but her brain was running on fumes. It almost felt like it was steaming as she rubbed her hair in frustration. Weiss noticed this and set the pencil down to give her full attention.

"Ugh," Yang couldn't bite back the groan as she stared down at the next complicated problem. "Can we take a break?"

Weiss checked the clock on the wall. It'd been an hour and a half since they started and her partner had been nothing but determined. "I don't see why not. You've been doing well so far. I'm surprised you haven't tried to dilly-dally."

"Only because I have the best teacher," Yang replied with a sunny smile. "I don't wanna mess this up."

The barest hint of red grazed Weiss' cheeks. "It's hardly been me. If you keep this up maybe you can receive an A."

Unable to help herself, Yang lightly scoffed. "I'd be failing without you."

"This is our first session," Weiss deadpanned.

Yang adorned an impish grin. "My previous statement stands."

"Brute," Weiss fondly muttered. She was glad she could spend some alone time with Yang. Usually, they'd have some company. That reminded her, Ruby and Blake went home immediately after school. Normally, they lingered after to chat. Today, they seemed like they were on a mission to get home. "How're Ruby and Blake handling things?"

Yang held her chin in thought. "I really think that beowolf cub incident opened their eyes. They'll be mean grimm killing machines in no time."

Intrigued, the priestess perked an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Mhm," Yang hummed with confidence. "Ruby's already started practicing shooting rounds with her sniper rifle."

From surprise, Weiss' voice raised a few octaves. "That dolt has a gun?"

"It's technically Dad's," Yang clarified. "It might as well be hers. She's used it since she was little. She's always been a good shot, but she hasn't hunted in a while. To get ready for fights, she's been practicing her aim since she's a little rusty. That's what she's been doing after school lately," Yang chuckled fondly. "Sometimes I catch her shooting random soda cans in the middle of the night. For some reason she thinks the neighbors can't hear a gunshot."

"That dolt," Weiss murmured somewhat happily. She was glad the red-caped girl was taking her new role responsibly. "It'd be really nice to have a good shot on the team. How about Blake? What has she been up to?"

"Ah, the kitten," Yang spoke like she was eager to talk about her progress. "She picked up her katana that's been stashed in her room. She used to train with it all the time. Before her parents died."

"I see…" Weiss didn't want to touch on the sensitive subject.

Yang firmly nodded. "I'm proud of her. I didn't think she'd touch it ever again. I guess this is her way of doing her best to move forward."

Weiss sent her a genuine smile. "Good for her. I'm glad she's no longer clinging to the past."

"Yeah," Yang happily agreed. "When school's over she usually practices swinging on some poor plants. She's precise, too. They're pretty clean cuts. The leaves are sliced right in half."

Proud of the news, Weiss smiled directly at Yang. "Sounds like we have a good team."

"You're tellin' me," the blonde happily chirped. "I'm so proud of them. They haven't even seen what a real grimm looks like and they're ready to kick some butt."

Since normal grimm were much more intimidating than the baby grimm her teammates previously saw, the priestess thought of a plan. "Perhaps we should show them a real grimm before we search for another relic. Just so they know what to expect instead of being shocked the first time."

Yang shrugged in agreement. "I will admit that's a good idea, but I don't think they'd freeze. I think they'd react like how you did."

"Pardon?"

Yang gave her a knowing expression. "Do you remember what you did when you first saw a beowolf?"

"Screamed?"

"True, but that's not was I was gonna say."

"I can't say that I remember."

"You just went at it," the blonde said, impressed. "You had no fear."

"I'm sure that's what it looked like."

Truthfully, she was terrified. Since Yang was by her side, she still felt safe at the same time. It was a strange combination of emotions. Weiss knew she wasn't invincible, but with her partner there, she certainly felt like it.

"You looked so incredible," Yang breathed as she recalled the memory. "You sassed me and then threw yourself into it. I've never been so mesmerized in my life. It was truly incredible."

All Weiss could do was sit there with a blush as she looked down at her papers riddled with math problems. She wasn't used to being praised or complimented so much.

Yang continued with awe in her voice. "My point is that I think we're worrying too much. Ruby and Blake will kick butt like we do. I know it."

"I suppose you're right," Weiss admitted with a sigh. "They handled themselves well in that death trap. Even when they couldn't see the creeps."

"Exactly," Yang chirped, glad they came to an agreement. "Oh, that reminds me. I've been wanting to ask you something about what happened down there."

"What might that be?"

Suddenly, Yang's tone shifted. She become stoic and curious. Like a weight was on her voice. "Why did you react that way to Cinder's presence?" from that, Weiss visibly tensed. "You- you just stiffened like right now. You froze like a deer in headlights. Not to mention, when you saw her and then heard her name, you were livid."

Weiss remained silent as she felt her throat tightened. Yang took this as permission to continue.

"Cinder was affected by you, too. She seemed to recognize you, and maybe even fear you. My question is why? It's okay if you don't want to tell me, but since the half-demon that started this whole mess was effected, I feel like it's important to know what happened between you two."

Weiss' hands were stiffly folded in her lap as she breathed a sigh. "You're right, Yang. You have a right to know. I suppose I should tell you."

When Yang gave her a firm nod, Weiss continued.

"One of the few memories I have from my childhood is my burning home."

From the mention of her childhood, Yang's eyes widened. Rarely did Weiss speak of it. Yang was touched she finally felt comfortable enough to open up about it. Yang noticed how she looked, and almost stopped from continuing, but knew she had to know this.

"There were so many flames," Weiss said softly as her hands curled into her skirt. "Just before I was tossed from the window, I saw… something."

Her voice lowered a few notes like Weiss was unsure, yet certain. Curious, Yang leaned in. She didn't want to press, but she had to know.

"What exactly?"

The priestess swallowed the bile in her throat as her stomach churned. "I must've forgotten about it all these years. I didn't want to remember," she paused for a moment as she imagined it clear as day. "There was a face in the flames. The face of the one who killed my mother."

Dreadful silence. Yang didn't even know what to say or how to say it. That day so many years ago had to be so hectic in so many ways. It was only natural that it pained her partner to speak about it.

Determined, Weiss whipped her head up to meet the blonde's concerned gaze. This time, her voice was stern and unyielding. Sharp like a blade. "No human could withstand that fire. Only a demon could. That demon had the face of Cinder."

Yang took a moment to process those words. It was well-known that Cinder had fire powers, so that was very plausible. Not to mention, Cinder was after the relics, it was highly likely that she went after Willow to obtain one.

"I'm so sorry," Yang said softly and placed a hand on her back. "I had no idea."

Fondly, Weiss grasped the locket around her neck. Her heartbeat slammed against her rib cage as the overwhelming feeling of loathing stomped on her.

"She killed my mother, Yang," her voice wavered. "Her reaction confirmed it. She killed her for a mere shard! For greed! She didn't even succeed in taking it!"

Tears were about to spill over, but Weiss stopped them from overflowing as she gripped the locket tighter. She had to hold it together. If not for Yang, for her mother.

Yang sent her a timid smile. "You're alive because of your mom's love."

"And she's not," Weiss reminded grimly.

"I can't thank her enough," fondly, Yang gently grasped the girl's hand that was wrapped around the locket. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Like that, her sadness washed away when they came into contact. Yang's hand was warm like the sun. Weiss' fingers released the jewelry to curl around Yang's own.

"I'm sorry you lost your mom," Yang said. "My mom died in a car accident. She died on impact, so at least it was instant. Ruby's mom went slowly. She suffered. The only memories Ruby has of her are her bedridden and withering away."

Gently, Weiss curled her fingers around her hand as Yang continued the story.

"When Raven and Summer passed, nothing tasted right. Dad kinda… shut down for a while," from the memory, Yang's eyes watered a bit. "I took over mom's duties to take my mind off things. Eventually, Dad felt better. But he's never been the same. Nothing has been. I'm just glad Ruby can't remember that clearly. It was awful seeing Summer like that."

"I'm sorry," Weiss breathed, processing the weight of her words. "I didn't realize how much it affected you since you don't talk about it."

Yang lightly chuckled. "I could say the same about you."

"I guess we're both guilty."

A comfortable silence passed as Yang tightened her grip around her hand. The fond memories of this room overflowed her mind. The sun's rays beamed through the windows as the two sat at the magnificent piano.

Despite it almost being evening, the room was a dim orange from the sun. It was pleasantly tranquil as the silence calmly washed over them.

This was where Yang first introduced Weiss to the New World. Because of that, they'd grown closer than she could imagine. Yang's heart began to beat faster as a blush formed. Especially when she realized that Weiss was gently rubbing her thumb over Yang's own to provide any comfort from their previous conversation.

The blonde's giddy grin vanished when she glanced down in her lap. There was no mistaking it. Weiss' sleeve was rolled up a tiny bit, but it was just enough to spot the discoloration. Her normally pale wrist was green.

"Hey," Yang's voice worriedly raised as alarm bells rang in her head. She lifted the girl's hand for emphasis to show her that she saw. "What happened?"

Hastily, Weiss yanked away and tugged down the sleeve so the discoloration was no longer in sight.

"It's nothing," Weiss said blankly. "Forget it."

"What?" Yang asked in disbelief. The fact that she was so quick to hide it meant only one thing. "It can't be nothing."

"It was my fault," Weiss left it at that. "Now can you please drop it?"

This is exactly what Yang feared. Those icy walls she managed to melt had magically became ice that stood taller than towers and guarded her heart. From the realization, Yang felt her own heart sink.

"Weiss," Yang called with concern laced in her voice. "Don't do this. Please. Don't shut me out. We both know that whatever happened couldn't have been your fault. Please tell me."

Weiss felt powerless and helpless, but most of all, guilty for not being able to tell Yang about her home life. If she told her, Yang would undoubtedly worry. And for what? It's not like she could do anything about it. Because of that, Weiss wanted to shut this topic down as quickly as it started.

Swiftly, Weiss stood and dipped her head down at the piano, unable to meet Yang's concerned gaze.

"I said drop it!"

From the sudden yell, Yang flinched. Rarely did she raise her voice. It boomed throughout the room and sounded like she choked on the words. Like she didn't want to say it. There was a mixture of guilt and stoicness swimming in it, which led Yang to believe that this was a very sensitive matter.

"Hey," slowly, Yang stood. Her voice was soothing as she gently placed a hand on her back. "I just want to know if something's wrong."

Weiss' throat was caught in her mouth. She felt like she was glued to the floor and squeezed her eyes shut. The last thing she ever wanted to do is to worry Yang. The person she trusts the most. The person she trusted with her life. But she wasn't quite ready to discuss her home life with anyone. It was something she kept hidden under lock and key since her mother died.

"Yang," now Weiss' tone was drenched in sorrow. "Please forget it."

Yang had never heard her so… helpless before. Not to mention plea to her. There's no way she could forget something like this, but for her sake, she was willing to drop the subject. For now.

"It's all good," Yang conceded and removed the hand on her back.

"I know you worry," Weiss used a voice that strove for steadiness. "It's one of my favorite traits about you."

From having her heart sink a moment ago, now Yang felt a little better. Now she was swimming, but still struggling. At least her partner wasn't mad at her, but it was clear Weiss was now in a sour mood.

Yang stated sternly with no doubt. "Know that if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here. Always."

"I know, Yang. Thank you."

"Yeah, no problem."

Sadly, Weiss gazed down at the scattered papers. About half the physics problems had been finished. Her heart was heavy and beating fast, so she was in no mood to finish her homework now. There was no way she could get back in the zone after the touchy subject.

The priestess sighed heavily. "I need to go."

As Weiss packed and slid her books in her backpack, Yang worriedly watched her.

"Oh, okay," Yang replied, worried that she upset her. Eager to help, she stood and grabbed a few of her notebooks. "Here, I'll help."

Unknowingly, Weiss somehow smiled. This girl had a knack for always being there for her even when she didn't realize it. The small, kind gesture didn't go unnoticed. Soon, Weiss gathered all her things and slung her backpack around her back.

"Thank you."

"Text me, okay?"

Absentmindedly, Weiss hummed as she made her way over to the large double doors. Before she opened them, Yang heard her whisper barely audibly.

"I'm sorry."

When the door shut, the thud echoed in the room as Yang was left standing there.

Alone.


Yaaaaang you and always worrying about your teammates. How sweet.

Stay dandy,

~Toto