Chapter 14 - Bippity Boppity Boo

An open door brought in the frigid night air and the sound of a pleased blonde woman. "I got some great news for you! And some bad news, but the good news is better!"

Yang took off her jacket and hung it on the rack. Each shoe came off with a pleased sigh of "that feels awesome." It was only after Yang had fully relaxed herself, did she hear the whimpering and continued sobbing nearby. At once she spun around to see her sister curled up in the corner.

The first thing Yang noticed was the amount of dirt on the girl. It smudged her cheeks and coated her hands. While she could not see her nails, she knew they must be just as filthy. Her pants had grass stains and mud stains, especially around the knees as if she spent hours digging in the ground. Even Ruby's red sweater was covered- Yang gasped, quickly rushing over to her sister. Scattered remains of the large red sweater which had once belonged to their mother surrounded the both of them. What Ruby still wore was a mockery.

Tears and loose threads hung off each arm and across the back of the shirt. There were frayed knots and the collar had slipped off one of Ruby's shoulders. Yang hugged Ruby tightly, trying to sooth the poor girl only for Ruby to burst out into louder sobs. Yang felt wetness on her shoulder. Her sister's arms were loose around her waist, but Yang knew better than to let go.

"Shh… Shh… It's alright. I'm here for you." Yang soothed, gently stroking her short hair and rubbing calming circles along her back.

Ruby's whimpers continued. "Mom is gone for good."

"It's alright," Yang cooed. "I'm here for you. Mom will never leave you for good. I promise."

This brought on a new round of tears. The young girl shook in her sister's arms, a leaf trembling against a wintry night. Yang had no more words. She was lost with how to help her. It was shocking. She knew she had to do something, but, feeling the rent fabric between her fingers, she was at a loss. She felt liquid pool in her eyes, but she quickly blinked it back. No, now was a time to be strong. Strong for her baby sister.

Ever so slowly, the aching and crying receded. The young girl sniffled loudly, pulling back slightly for her big sister to wipe at her eyes with the clean parts on the back of her hands. Then she leaned in, to hug Yang once more, grasping tight and pouring every bit of emotion she could into it.

"I want my mommy." She whispered. Yang squeezed harder. "Daddy too."

"I love you Rubes. Mom and dad did too. Never forget that."

The room was silent once more, save for the sounds of cold wind rustling through the branches of the trees and swishing the curtains inside.

"Yang?"

"Yes, Rubes?"

"Can you close the door? It's kind of cold."

Yang chuckled. Ruby did too, between sniffles. With one final sniffle and a hiccup, Ruby pulled away, composing herself as Yang shut the front door.

"Tell me what happened Ruby. Please." Yang voice was calm and motherly. Ruby withdrew, but their eyes remained focused on each other. "Please Ruby."

And so, Ruby Rose told her sister everything. About Cinder and her threat. About the work and chores she did every day when Yang was away at work. How Ruby was doing everything she could to help pay rent. About how her grades were slipping. About how far behind in her homework she was.

About that night.

As Ruby spoke, Yang grew quieter. Her eyes narrowed further and a scowl appeared on her lips. Once her sister finished, detailing Emerald's attack on their mother's sweater, she burst to her feet. Red hot anger clouding her vision.

"I am going to kill Cinder and her pets!" Yang shouted, fists clenched.

"Yang no!" Ruby tried, grasping onto Yang's shirt, trying to stop her from reaching for the doorknob.

"Look at what they did to you. They forced you to work!"

"I chose to work!"

"No. You were threatened. You worked for Cinder for months without any reward. You think she told me about any reduction in rent? Huh? Ruby. You worked for that… that… monster! For months! And it's bad enough that she treated you like a slave, but this takes the cake."

"If you do anything to her we might lose the house." Ruby whispered as her sister blazed furiously.

Her words did the trick though.

At once, Yang calmed herself, turning to look at the redheaded girl beside her. She sighed in defeat.

"You're right. As usual. But you're done working for her."

"I am." Ruby repeated. Yang nodded.

"I'll get a broom."

The floor was cleaned quickly, and Ruby took a bath, while Yang did what she could to remove any stains from Ruby's sweater. But, as good as Yang was at sewing and stain removal, there was just no fixing that red sweater. As she heard the sounds of the water stop and the telltale signs of Ruby stepping out of the tub, she had a solution.

It was not a perfect one, far from it. But it was something.

Something so Ruby would always have her mother with her.

There was a knock at her bedroom door. Ruby, wrapped in a much too large towel walked inside as Yang worked.

"You said you had some good and bad news?"

"Oh, right. I forgot about that. Which do you want to hear first?"

Ruby sighed. "I guess the bad. I just want it out of the way."

"You remember our meeting with Beacon U's staff? The one for our scholarships?"

"Ya?" Ruby feared the worst. "D-did something happen? Are they not going to give us a chance for scholarships anymore?"

"No, no. Nothing like that. Just, the meeting date has been scheduled for this weekend. It's the day of the competition."

Ruby's head dropped. "Oh. You're going to have to prepare the house for their arrival. Get our papers in order, make sure my report cards are ready. Yours too. Does that mean…" She couldn't bring herself to say it.

Yang shook her head with a smile. "That's the good news. So, I asked Blake for some help. And, she really pulled through. Her boss is Weiss Schnee. I told you I was going to get you a rad ride to the party. You will be taking a limo there and back. And more, Weiss is paying your entry fee."

Ruby could not hold back her excitement. Her silver eyes lit up and she jumped into her sister's arms, still wrapped up in that towel. "This is incredible!"

"Blake is going to drive you there Saturday morning and drive you home Saturday night. Remember, the meeting will start at 8 o'clock sharp. I was told if either of us isn't there, then we won't be able to get the scholarships, no exceptions. That means you need to be back in that limo when the clock strikes six. Any later and you will miss the meeting. Is that understood?"

"Yes Yang. Thank you so so SO so much!"

"Anytime Rubiroo. And thank Blake and Weiss for me too."

Ruby giggled. "I can't wait to meet your girlfriend. I always wanted to try out the little sister speech."

"Little sister speech?"

"it's like the big sister speech, but instead of me threatening death on them for harming you, I pretend to cry and give them the puppy dog eyes until they promise to be good to you."

"Hey!" Yang laughed, "you cheeky girl. Oh, I have one more surprise for you. It's a bit more good news actually. Well, it's not so much news as a gift. Still good though. No, it's great!"

"Yang-"

"I would even go so far as to say this will make all your wishes come true-"

"Yang! You're pulling a Ruby."

"Oh sorry. Well, do you remember that music toy you were telling me about during the festival in Vale? Well, I was walking home on a different route than normal and guess what I found?"

"No."

"Happy very late birthday Ruby."

Yang held out the wooden toy. Ruby took it from her in both hands, treating it like a treasure worth of fortune. Ever so quietly, she rolled the wooden cylinder, listening to the faint click-clack it was making. She almost burst into tears then and there.

Joy was her only expression.

"This is what I've needed. Can I- can I go to my workshop? I have so many ideas! And I only have a few days to prepare!"

Yang nodded, reminding her to put on some clothes first, which she sheepishly agreed to and sped out of the room.

Watching from her bedroom window as her sister, wrapped up tightly in two pairs of sweatpants and one of Yang's heavy wool sweatshirts, brave the cold to reach the safety of her workshop, Yang could only smile. She knew Ruby would be alright. She was a brave girl. The bravest even.

Her eyes turned to the thin strands of red which had once been Summer Rose's and then Ruby Rose's sweater. Ruby had a competition to prepare for. And Yang; she had her own work as well.