Night had fallen in the forests of Sanus. Kiku had quickly made a campground for the team, and so they settled for the night. He and Blake were by the fireside.
"…And, well, that's when you showed up, and joined the party."
Blake gave a confused laugh. "Well, that's… a lot to absorb. First off, I'd like to express how sad I am that had to be your first impression of Faunus."
"It wasn't my exact impression on Faunus themselves. It was more of my impression of the group, being a mix of humans and Faunus. It's just them I had an impression of. Never got to talk to one personally then. At least… I think."
"Well, then. So… another dimension? How exactly is that supposed to work?"
Kiku chuckled, and shrugged. "Honestly? I'm still trying to fully understand it. I guess we're just different planes side-by-side that never touch until now."
"I only wonder what kind of imbalance that has to-"
"Ah, yes. Almost forgot. Someone else left this world and entered mine. Yang's sister."
Blake's expression shifted at his saying this, to one of disbelieving concern. "You… You mean Ruby?"
He nodded. "Hai. Ruby. Yang was devastated to hear the news, and, well, being another of her teammates, I'd assume… that…" He trailed off upon a quick glance at her face.
"Oh… Oh God…" she muttered, her eyes wide.
"I… I'm sorry I had to tell you that."
Her head sharply turned to him. Her concern was still there, but there was a fire in her eyes to rival Yang's. "She's safe, right? Who am I kidding, she can handle herself, but nothing's going to kill her, right?!"
His mind drifted to less desirable thoughts for a moment, but he quickly shook them away. "Yes. Given what I have been told about her, she seems very capable of defending herself if some thug wants to-"
Blake stood up sharply. "I'm aware of that, Kiku! She's strong. She's capable. Everyone knows this. But can you try to promise me she can get back here?!"
Shocked by her reaction, he nodded very quickly. "Y-Yes, yes! If I can, she can. There should be someone who can help her, and she can find her way back home."
Blake took a moment, breathing slowly, calming herself down. "Alright. Okay." She sat back down. "So… You and Yang seem to…"
"Get along?" Kiku guessed. "Yes, I've noticed that. I've really enjoyed her company."
She smiled. "Yeah, she's… really easy to be friends with. Luckily for me, I mean, I'm her partner…"
"Yes, that's important," he commented. "I'm glad she could accompany me on this journey. Without her, I wouldn't had escaped the clutches of those fiends. She did so much for me, but that part stuck out."
"She tends to do that. Saving people. Part of who she is. Protective."
"Yes, but… I feel it was a bit… more than that."
She looked to him, curiously. "What are you talking about?"
He turned his head away, moderately blushing and smiling slyly. "What do you think?"
Blake smirked. "Yeah, she tends to have that effect on people."
"But do you think this is any different?"
"…Do you?"
He thought for a moment. "…I think so."
Like a proverbial ghost, Yang appeared in the firelight. "What are you guys talking about?" she asked.
Kiku turned swiftly, and his blush intensified. "A-Ah, just your little feat you pulled off a while ago."
Blake nodded. "It was quite impressive. How you handled yourself."
Yang snickered. "If only you were around, Blake. Oh, what I would not give to show them a taste of the Bumblebee…"
Kiku tilted his head. "You mean your motorcycle?"
Yang laughed again, a bit louder. "No, no, I mean Blake's and my team attack."
Kiku looked at them both, switching back and forth. "Ohhhh. I get it."
Yang smirked, before turning to Blake. "Hey, uh… Blake, could I talk to you for a second? Alone?"
She stood up. "Absolutely." The two walked off a short distance.
Kiku watched them walk off, and then turned his gaze to the fire.
'…I seem to be at a stalemate,' he thought. 'I wasn't expecting this.'
'Why?' asked his emotion. 'Do I not think I am good enough for her? I must think better of myself.'
'It's because of attachments, obviously,' his reason interjected. 'Attachments are rather risky. Especially with people more… mortal.'
Kiku arrived at the question that had been burning in his mind for a short while. 'Should I let myself love her?'
'I should,' said his emotion. 'It's been awhile since I've felt such feelings. I should embrace it.'
'And why do I think it's been such a while?' shouted his reason. 'Even if there's some way to see her again once I've left, she's mortal still. She'll die. I'll live. And besides that… there's no guarantee she feels the same way.'
'But that is a better reason to enjoy this emotion while it lasts,' his emotion said. 'It's uncommon, and must be treasured. Live for the moment, as they say.'
'But if I'm wrong…' spoke his reason. 'I'd foul with her life in more ways than I can think of.'
Kiku sighed. "And yet…"
