Interlude 1 Chapter 13: Lighting a Firecracker

AN: Oh, look, I said that Monday's chapter wasn't going to happen more than likely, so of course here I am three hours after last chapter went up to work on this one. I mean… yeah, this'll get worked on between schoolwork and the like, but the chances of a Monday chapter just went up by 100%.

On a side note, sorry for the… let me be nice and call it "lackluster" author's notes last chapter. Was exhausted and kinda out of it. Won't happen again if I can help it.

In this penultimate chapter of the interlude, Yang has a big day today! More fluff, more trips to Vale, and Kassidy has a couple gifts in mind for her… whatever you want to call them now.

(Perspective: Kassidy)

"I thought you said you knew how to do this."

"Shut up, Bob! Do you remember the last time I had to wrap something? No, you don't, because you weren't built then. I was, like, nine at the time."

"You are aware you're supposed to use more wrapping paper than tape, right?"

"I know!" Kassidy snarled, shooting a quick glare at her computer before giving an even bigger glare to the mess of tape, paper, and ribbon in front of her. I've fought a quasi-police state, legions of biologically-impossible demons, superpowered teenagers and adults, and about four different criminal organizations. I'm as close to immortal as science is capable of. And yet I'm utterly defeated by a mass of decorative paper and adhesive strips.

"Need a hand?" A voice from the doorway made Kassidy tense up, before she remembered that she still hadn't heard Yang get up. Taiyang was still in the kitchen cooking a breakfast feast, so that left her team leader to be the one walking into her room and sitting down next to her. Ruby took a good look at it, then nodded with raised eyebrows. "That's a really nice jacket you got her, Kass."

Kassidy snorted, then tried to attach another panel of paper to the gift. "Glad to hear my tastes in fashion are alright. Hope she likes it, this thing cleared me out."

"Wait, what?" Kassidy looked over to see Ruby tilting her head. "How much was this? I mean, sure, it's nice, but it doesn't-"

"It was expensive enough," she hastily concluded. "And if my contact did his job right, worth every Lien."

"Ohhhhhh." Ruby hummed in thought for a minute, then snapped her finger. "Yeah, you don't really know how to wrap this, do you?" Kassidy simply shook her head, before grunting and tearing off the latest failed addition to the sticky bundle. "Here, I'll handle it for you, if you can take care of something for me."

"Hey, if you can wrap this as well as Yang wrapped you a couple days ago, just name your price."

"Hey! I thought we agreed that never happened!" Ruby puffed her reddened cheeks out, scowled, and poked Kassidy in the shoulder.

"No, you said it never happened. I was busy recording it to save the moment for posterity." Kassidy chuckled at the horrified gasp Ruby made, shaking her head at the memory. Yang had come back into the door with a gigantic grin on her face and a silver bundle thrown over her shoulder. She declared that she had returned from the hunt and had brought a gift as well, before throwing Ruby down in front of her partner and father.

Kassidy wasn't sure whether it was Ruby's cute and pitiful grunts and struggles, the duct tape bow on top of her head, or the absurdity of the whole situation, but she hadn't laughed that hard in years. It didn't help that both Taiyang and Yang completely lost it, too.

"Well, I know just how to make it up." Ruby's grin grew teeth, and Kassidy stopped chuckling. "Go wake Yang up."

Kassidy paled slightly. "I knew that was going to come back and bite me. Do I have to?"

Ruby giggled and nodded. "Team leader's orders. Mostly because I don't want to."

"Keep this up and I'm going to plot a coup," Kassidy sighed.

"Yeah, yeah. Away with you, my loyal minion." Ruby shook her hand out the door with a giggle, and shooed her away.

Unfortunately, it was but a short walk down the hall, and it took the slowest pace possible for Kassidy to go over the risk/reward analysis of ditching the mission. Alright, on the one hand, I'll have a very upset partner that's more than capable of beating the stuffing out of me. On the other, a team leader that'll be quite… displeased with the lack of results and is liable to take her frustrations out on me some other way in the future.

She was quite literally knocked out of her thoughts when Yang's door opened and hit her in the forehead, the woman in question stepping out shortly afterward to find out why her door wasn't opening all the way. "Oh Oum, K! Are you okay?!"

Kassidy couldn't help but chuckle. "Yang, I would've thought you would know by now that getting bludgeoned by a door is quite mild for me."

Yang let out a deep breath, before opening her eyes again and smiling softly. "Yeah, well, you know me. I like to worry."

"Nuh-uh. I'm the pessimist of the group, remember?" They both shared a chuckle and started walking down the hall. When they joined Taiyang and Ruby in the kitchen, Kassidy socked her partner in the shoulder and added, "Happy birthday, Firecracker."

She had intended to leave it at that, sit down to a ridiculously large breakfast, and probably get to opening Yang's gifts afterwards. Unfortunately, that just wasn't in the cards just yet as she got hug-tackled to the ground by her partner.

"You think you're getting away with just that? I gotta show you my appreciation!" Yang laughed from her position on top of Kassidy and brushed her hair out of her face, then squeezed tighter. "Oh, you're the best partner ever! Thank you!"

"You're – urk – welcome." Kassidy returned the embrace, reasoning it was the only way to regain control of her lungs. "Uh, partner? Need. Air."

"Oh. Uh, whoops. Sorry, K." Yang got up and gave her a hand up as well, then turned to her family. After tilting her head at their expressions, she asked, "What?"

"It's weird not being on the other end of that…" Ruby rubbed her chin thoughtfully, but suddenly snapped out of it and tried to tackle-hug her sister also (tried being the operative word). "Oh, you two are so cute together!"

Kassidy rolled her eyes and left the two sisters to their devices as she made her way to the other side of the kitchen. "Sure you don't need a hand with that?"

"Nope, just finished!" Proving his point, Taiyang expertly flipped the eggs in the pan onto a plate and dragged a heap of bacon and four slices of toast to join them. He left the plate on the counter and pulled his daughter into a hug. "Happy birthday, my sunny little dragon."

"Daaaaaad! Not in front of K!" Yang blushed and tried to swat her father away, but the physical differences between Yang and Taiyang were almost as extreme as the differences between Kassidy and Yang. As strong as Yang was… her dad was just so much stronger. He eventually relented, laughing and tousling her hair before getting breakfast distributed to everyone. Even with the extra food, it didn't take long for the four to demolish the protein-packed meal, and after breaking so everyone could grab their respective gifts they met back in the living room.

Ruby interrupted the proceedings before they could even begin, however. "Ooh, everyone hold on, I almost forgot!" The younger girl spent some time fighting with her Scroll, which gave Kassidy ample time to sit next to Yang on the couch. At this point, she wasn't surprised when a hand slunk over to seek hers out, and she also didn't think much about grabbing it.

"Ugh, sorry about that, Ruby. I thought brunch would never end." Both Kassidy's and Yang's heads shot over when they heard a certain heiress' voice coming from Ruby's scroll. Ruby pushed some more buttons, and soon the television screen flickered before showing a live video image of Weiss. "Hello, Ruby, Kassidy, Yang, Mr. Xiao Long."

"What's up, Weissicle?" Yang smirked as Weiss bristled at the nickname, then waved it off. "Just messin' with ya. How's Atlas treating you?"

Weiss shuddered. "Let's just say that I can't wait for this last week of summer break to be over." She took a moment to compose herself in front of the camera, then continued. "Happy birthday, Yang. I trust it's been satisfactory so far?"

Yang's smirk grew. "You could say that. Got to sleep in a bit, had a big breakfast, and now you're joining us."

Weiss smiled in return. "I'm glad to hear it. Let's see, I already talked with Ruby and Mr. Xiao Long this morning, so that just leaves Kassidy. How are you…" Kassidy raised an eyebrow as she trailed off, but Weiss shook her head and returned to her composed self. "Well, it's about time."

The raised eyebrow gave way to narrowed eyes. "What's about time?"

Weiss paled slightly (which was quite impressive, given her complexion), and this time spoke up before she managed to recompose herself. "I haven't missed anything yet, have I, Ruby?"

"Nope! We were just about to start!" Ruby saved her partner from having to answer the question, before dashing over and handing a wrapped package to her sister. "Here you are, Yang! It took me a while to figure out how to machine it just right."

"Ooh, boy, this is gonna be good." Yang let go of Kassidy's hand as she got to the task of tearing apart the paper, and she squealed when she got it. "A new supercharger for Bumblebee! Awesome!" A yellow blur rocketed over to the chair, almost knocking it over as she tackled her younger sister off of it. "Well isn't my little sister the budding engineer! You made this?"

"Ugh, yup. Can't breathe. Please get off." The two sisters detangled themselves, smiles still plastered on their faces, and Yang returned to the couch just in time for her father to shove two packages her way.

"Huh, you got me a gift too, Zwei?" Yang looked down at the dog sitting at her feet, before opening it and revealing a three-pack of aviator shades. "Best dog ever. Who's a good boy? You're a good boy!" Kassidy watched with a smile as her partner played with the dog, but a quick glance at the television showed a far too pleased heiress watching them. She thought for a bit about what exactly Weiss was referring to earlier, but was returned to reality when Yang kept poking her shoulder. Her partner had one of the glasses on now, the tag still on the bridge of the glasses and hanging on her nose. "How do they look?"

Kassidy couldn't help but snicker at the silliness. "They look great. Would look even better if you took the tag off."

"But where's the fun in that?" Yang snickered, before grabbing another one and shoving it onto Kassidy's head. She rubbed her chin and furrowed her brows for a moment, then nodded authoritatively. "Much better."

"Alright, lovebirds, break it up." Taiyang's comment led to a bout of stammering denials from the two blondes, which everyone laughed at. It didn't take long for his face to turn melancholy, however. "Yang, your Uncle Qrow… he really wanted to be here. It's… you know how it is."

"Duty calls. I know." Yang's voice had fallen appropriately as she took the next package. "It's just… I dunno."

Kassidy hated how down her partner sounded, especially when it was so obvious what needed to be done. She put her hand over Yang's while she was trying to undo the wrapping, and their eyes locked. "Yang. I was talking with your uncle when he got the call. He wanted to be here. He wanted to be here really badly. Don't doubt it for a second."

Yang smiled at her, a smile that made her stomach feel a pound or two lighter. "I know. Thanks, K." Suddenly, Kassidy found herself pulled into another one-armed hug, one which she reciprocated. Yang went back to the package, and sucked in a breath when she pulled out the fingerless gloves held within. Kassidy might not have had much of an eye for style, but she did have an eye for quality. She could count on one hand the number of gloves she'd seen better made than these; probably not even. After pulling them on and looking at how they fit, Yang turned to her father. "Tell him I said thanks. These are super awesome."

"I'll make sure he gets the message." Taiyang leaned back and clapped his hands together. "My gift is gonna be dinner – and no, I'm not telling you what it is just yet. So, I think that just leaves us with your other teammates. Girls?"

Kassidy and Weiss shared a wordless conversation over the screen, and after Weiss extended a hand and beckoned her to start, Kassidy reached over and grabbed her own much more adequately wrapped gift and handed it to her partner. "I'm sorry it might not look as extravagant as everyone else's, but I can explain."

"I'm sure it'll be great, partner." Yang tore into the wrapping paper with all the decorum of an Ursa Major in a Dust shop… wait, did I seriously just use another Remnant-ism? Sheesh, these people are really rubbing off on me. An 'ooh' sound drew her attention back to her partner, holding the jacket out at arm's length. Similar in design to her old one, it lost the bulge in the shoulders, lengthened the sleeves to her elbows and changed the cuffs to yellow, and the color changed from black on the shoulders and upper arms, to gold in the chest, and fading to white near the bottom. "I dunno what you're talking about, K, this is awesome! Thanks a ton!"

At this point, Kassidy gave her a toothy grin. "Don't thank me yet. Put it on." Yang obliged, and after making sure it was adjusted properly Kassidy's visage turned downright predatory. "There's one extra feature you should know about. Watch closely…" With the whole room watching, Kassidy's hand dropped to her belt, and quick as a flash drew a knife that was promptly buried into Yang's stomach. The shrieks, gasps, and screams only made the moment better.

"WHAT THE HELL?! WHAT IS… huh?" Yang rapidly went from shock, to fear, to anger, to pure confusion. She looked down at the knife, and her eyebrows shot to her hairline when she saw that, instead of being several inches into her abdomen, the steel was held taut against the edge of the jacket. When Kassidy pulled the knife back, she inspected the garment to find nary a strayed fiber. "Wha…?"

"Dust-infused Kevlar," Kassidy explained. Everyone looked back to her, and she smirked while sheathing her knife. "Same stuff as my vest is made of. Except, you know… not older than dirt. That jacket of yours will stop anything from a knife to semi-automatic rifle rounds, without relying on your Aura. And it's 100% more fireproof than regular Kevlar, which is nice considering your habit of self-immolation." She was quite pleased with herself, but Kassidy's smugness fell when everyone continued to stare at her with agape mouths. "What? Did I put too much into the demonstration?"

Taiyang let out a breath, and fixed his gaze on Kassidy. She could feel her blood freeze in real-time. "First off… never try to stab my daughter again."

Kassidy couldn't stop the tremble in either her hands or her voice. "Uhh… yes, sir."

"Good." Taiyang's expression lost most of its tension, and he brought his hands together in front of his face. "Second off… just how much did that cost? Not going to pretend I know what that Kevlar stuff is, but for what I do know about, that kind of protection in a package like that runs into the four figure range at minimum."

"Don't worry, it wasn't four figures. Might've gotten a bit high into the three figure range, but not four figures. I know a guy."

"Why?" Kassidy whipped her head around, with Yang still having the same dumbstruck expression she's been wearing for a solid ninety seconds now.

She shrugged, "You know my opinion on money."

"No, we don't." Weiss decided to pipe up at this turn. Her eyes were still wide, but otherwise she was once again the picture of decorum. "All we know is that you don't spend. Anything. For all we know, you might worship money in some sort of underground cult you've never told us about."

"Oh. So you don't actually know?" Four shakes of the head was her answer, and Kassidy shook her head in amazement. "Wow, I guess this does kind of look like a big thing from me, I guess. But yeah, long story short, I couldn't care less about money." When everyone still remained unconvinced, she elaborated, "Look, money is useless. That's even truer here. You don't use paper money like we do, where at least you could wipe your rear with it. Lien is plastic cards. Your money is literally useless. All money is good for is what you can get with it. All of money's value comes from what you buy with it, whether it's food, equipment, favors… or a badass jacket that ensures you won't have to replace your partner anytime soon. So, yeah. Money's not really that big a deal to me. Doesn't matter how much or how little. In the end, it's just a plastic card."

"That's… rather insightful." Weiss' voice brought Kassidy's attention back to her. "I'd call it wrong, but still rather insightful. And honestly? Quite a bit refreshing of a viewpoint also. Especially when so many people in high society practically worship the almighty Lien, it's nice to hear a different stance on the matter." Weiss' eyes shifted to the left, and she suddenly deadpanned, "Also, behind you."

Kassidy didn't even get to ask what was up before she again found herself on the receiving end of a Yang Xiao Long tackle hug. She barely managed to roll over from her position underneath Yang before her partner's hug turned vice-like. Eventually, Yang calmed down enough to actually speak, though she still remained on top of her partner. "Y'know, if you're going for the best courtship ever, it's working."

"If I'm – what?!" Kassidy's eyes went wide and her cheeks were alit with the fire of a thousand flames. "Uh, sure, let's go with that." Kassidy wanted to snark a bit at her partner, but decided against it when she felt her heart rate increase measurably. After a bit of research she conducted a few days ago on the human body's reactions to situations, she was now pretty sure what the cause was.

Yang's laugh – that glorious laugh of hers – brought her back, and her partner booped her on the nose. "Just messin' with ya, partner. Seriously, though, thanks. It means a lot that you'd get something like this for me."

Kassidy shrugged, or at least gave her best approximation of a shrug while she was on her back, hugging her partner, who also happened to be trying to break her spine. "Like I said, kinda got used to having you around. Rather not get rid of ya if I can help it. And besides," Kassidy paused, finally getting up on the couch and somehow dragging Yang with her. "You've saved my life more times than I care to count at this point. About time I start returning the favor."

"How touching." The dry remark reminded the blonde girls that they had company, as they finally broke their embrace and blushed heavily. Weiss simply shook her head with a smirk. "Well, I didn't really expect I'd get outdone in the price department, but congratulations, Kassidy. You've surprised me yet again. At any rate, I suppose now is as good a time as any to give my gift to you, Yang." Weiss flipped her hair in her trademark gesture, and coolly explained, "Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get you anything physical. Regardless, it would have been completely remiss of me to neglect to get you something, so instead I have opted to pay for an afternoon for three at a luxury spa in downtown Vale."

"Wow…" Yang slumped limply against the back of the couch, causing Kassidy no small amount of concern. That concern was quickly obliterated, however, when Yang grew a dopey smile. "You guys are the best. The literal best team ever. And the best Dad ever. And the best Uncle ever. And the best dog ever, too." She buried her face in her hands and let out a long breath. "I'm pretty sure it's not possible for today to get any better than it has."

"Well, you haven't had dinner yet, have you?" Taiyang smirked at them, before yet again clapping and standing up. "Happy birthday, Yang." His sentiments were echoed by everyone present, and he turned thoughtful for a moment. "Hmm, it's… it's 10:30 already! I need to start on dinner! That's it, you three get ready for a day in Vale. Right now. No spoilers for you guys!"

"Looks like I get to chaperone you guys to your spa, nice. Well, I am the responsible one, anyway."

"Not a chance you're opting out of this, Kassidy." Weiss' harsh tone drew everyone's attention to her. "If you've been anything like what you've been like at school – and I have no doubt that you have been – then you've yet to take a break during these past three weeks. It's called break for a reason. You're joining them in the spa, and you're going to allow yourself to be pampered. I already paid for it, so there's literally no reason for you not to."

Kassidy felt her hands being grabbed and tugged to her left. Her head followed, her eyes meeting her partner with a look of concern on her face. "K, were you seriously not thinking of joining us?"

"Uh, I mean I was, but… Yang? No, Yang, don't you start pouting. Don't you dare!" Her warnings fell on deaf ears as Yang's eyes widened and watered, her head started ducking, and the cutest smile ever formed on her partner's face. Kassidy never heard Yang's question, and she never heard her own answer.

She didn't leave autopilot until they were already halfway to Vale.

Kassidy seemed like she kept having a bunch of 'Best Day Evers' while in Patch. Indeed, spending the day with her partner and team leader at an all-expenses-paid trip to Vale's premier luxury spa, courtesy of their fourth teammate, set the stage for one of the most memorable days in recent memory. Being pampered silly, relaxing and getting all the luxuries that afternoon was incredible. Returning in the evening to the best steak dinner ever, courtesy of Taiyang, was amazing. But the best part of the day wasn't the food, or the spa. What blew all those out of the water was spending time with her partner. Yang's laughter, smile, and excitement were simply intoxicating.

That's when she figured it out. She liked Yang. She really liked Yang. Not as combat partners. Not as friends. Not as someone you fall out of a tree onto a demon bear's head in front of. Going over the past weeks' recordings and memories, comparing notes and thoughts, she realized not a day went by ever since she arrived in Patch where Yang wasn't somehow involved in the best part of it. A minor philosophical debate with Bob – which Taiyang 'coincidentally' overheard and joined in on – convinced her that she wanted it to keep happening.

That was why she vanished after dinner. It was why she just got finished asking Ruby and Taiyang to ensure they were okay with it. And it was why she was standing in the living room, watching Yang sit on the front porch to watch the sunset.

It's right there. I've just spent hours going over whether or not I want to do this. Just got finished being interrogated by both Ruby and Taiyang about this. Just endured every comment Bob could come up with about the situation – and boy can that computer come up with comments. All I've gotta do it step outside that door and ask. Just… why am I not? I want to try this, to see if this would even work. Everyone's okay with it. But what if she doesn't want it? What if… what if this ruins our partnership?

"Y'know, you can get a far better view if you come out here with me. Sunset's always better when you're outside." Yang's muted voice through the window made her jump, her lilac eyes twinkling with delight as she watched her. Kassidy took a deep breath, then stepped outside the door. Yang scooted over to make room for her on the bench swing, and the two took to holding hands instantly as she sat down. "You look like you want to say something."

Gee, thanks for putting me on the spot, partner. Alright Smith, now or never. Shuddering another breath out, Kassidy managed, "How do you think our time as partners has been?"

Yang cocked her head. "Well… I'd like to think it's gone pretty well. Why do you ask?"

Kassidy took a few more agonizing breaths, then went on a speech she had planned out as of zero seconds ago. "When I… when I crumpled to the ground in front of you on Initiation, I had no idea what our time together would be like. I assumed that a bunch of it would be me trying to get you to take even the slightest thing seriously. Obviously, I haven't done a very good job of that." They shared a giggle, then Kassidy started up again. "A lot happened over the semester. A bunch of it… not very good. But you stuck with me. When literally anyone else I've met would've dropped me faster than a pile of hot rocks, you were there, always there to help me pick things back up, to show that maybe things weren't as bad as I was making them out to be.

"And these past two weeks in Patch… they've been incredible." Kassidy ignored Yang's face as best she could, staring ahead and trying to keep her breathing under control. "Your dad's awesome, and Ruby's great also, but you're…"

"K," Yang breathed.

"You're funny, and smart, and strong, and such a good person, and everything I've ever wanted to be. I've always liked you, Yang. But these past couple weeks… I started realizing just how much I like ya. No matter what, you've always been there. You've done so much to make me happier than I've ever been before… and similarly, it means so much to me to see you happy." Reaching over, she took Yang's hand up in both of hers. "I'd… like to think it's pretty obvious something's been going on between us. I'm… I'm not quite sure what that something is, but… I'd like to see where it goes. If you want to also, that is."

Kassidy had more, she truly did. But Yang's other hand grabbing hers did a very good job of shutting her up. "Kassidy… thank you." Her partner's lilac eyes were brimming with tears for reasons she couldn't understand the source of, but then Yang started speaking again. "I've gotta be honest, I was kinda hoping we could see where this went, too. I've been beating myself silly these past couple days thinking of how to ask you." Yang flipped her hair over her shoulder, and smiled. "I've always treated life as an adventure. And you're quite the person to go on an adventure with."

"We're stuck together anyways for the next three and a half years, right? Might as well make the most of it?" Yang nodded, and Kassidy felt her smile grow. Remembering the other big question she came out here to ask, she sat up straight and tried to recompose herself. "I've been thinking, there's that fair in a few days, right? It's only two days before we need to head back to Beacon, but I was hoping… I was hoping that we could take that evening, enjoy some time together, see if this can actually work. Of course, if-"

"K?" Yang interrupted. "It's a date." They pulled each other into a fierce hug, and afterwards were more than happy to spend the rest of the evening together on the swing in the front porch. "And I lied earlier. The day's even better now."

AN 2: Last call for those with tickets to the SS Molotov Cocktail! All aboard!

Also, I am sorry to say that we have lost our beta reader. With the hiatus returned, he's gone back to his own stories and his own works. I'd like to extend another thank-you to kaiju62, and yet another shameless plug for his work. Thank you, my man, for the quality control you've done for me and for encouraging me to keep a closer eye on what I write, to make this the best story I can. Best of luck on your own adventures!

Coming up next: The last chapter in the Interlude.

AgentDraakis: I'm… going to assume that you're NOT speaking from personal experience here, mostly for my sanity. I've liked most of his work that I've read, it's just… I've never been able to get more than a few chapters into any of them other than NTTF. No idea why.

All four of them being perfectly in sync? RIP Beacon, never stood a chance, Cinder doesn't even get the opportunity to attack Amber again. The shitstorm from Weiss and Kassidy alone would be enough to obliterate the student dorms. And do not worry, everyone's going to have opportunities to comment, not just Nora. And, to be frank, of course Taiyang reacted the way he did. How would you react upon hearing your daughter's best friend/kinda-maybe-sorta-girlfriend had her face blown off with a shotgun? I wouldn't be pleased about it were I in his shoes.

Captain marvel 36: No explicit plans at the moment, but I'll keep my eyes open for opportunities.

mcd3424: Eine betrunkene Kritik? Auf Deutsch, nicht weniger? Ich fühle mich geehrt!

Google Translate is my friend.

Baconlord53: Yes, she did. We went there.

AndJrew76: Awesome weekend indeed. Got my loose ends wrapped up, got the final two chapters of the Interlude written, and a few months' hard work in both real life and in RWKY is bearing its fruits. I'm happy with where things are at the moment. I'm glad you think so highly of my work, it means a lot. Seven months indeed, we've been at this for a while, huh? So glad you've stuck it out so far, here's to another seven months (and hopefully more – I've got a lot planned out!).