RWBY: Grey Chapter 12

"I... I seriously... I literally can't... you two really did that... in here... wow... you are so lucky that it was me who walked in." Weiss scolded the giggling pair on the other side of the table. Yuri shrugged indifferently as Yang squeezed him against her. "We wanted to be spontaneous, if you want to get mad at someone... get mad at me... I'm the one who suggested it." He laughed. Weiss grunted haughtily. "You need to learn an... ounce of self respect." She said. His eyes darkened, and Weiss knew almost instantly that she had pushed a button. "I... have no respect for someone who can't protect those close to them..." He said.

Weiss immediately pulled back, her intuition had told her the comment would be offensive... but she just had to give him a response. He stood, pushing Yang off of him. "See you girls." He said, and began walking away. "Wait... Yu-" He put his hand up to stop her, then disappeared in a crowd of students looking for seats. Blake cringed, and Yang stared angrily at Weiss. "Didn't exactly think that comment through... did you?" Ruby asked. "Well... ah shit... okay I fucked up... how do I fix it?" She asked. "You apologize, obviously." Blake said.

Weiss looked at her for a second. "But I tried to-" "You tried to save your own ass, since you said something rude, and you didn't want to feel guilty." Blake said. The harshness of her voice carried more weight than the words, and Weiss noticed. "Hey... it's not like he's your boyfriend or anything... so why do you care?" She said. Blake burst into a deep blush. "He's my friend! I'm allowed to care about him!" She shouted back. "Ohhhhhh, really? You think we don't hear you talking in your sleep? 'Ohhhh... I just wish Yuri would kiss me again... why is Yang so lucky?' You think I don't hear that?" She scoffed.

Blake, now fuming... stood up, and leaned in close to Weiss. "Sorry, I don't think that who I find attractive or pursue romantically is any of your business!" She screamed. "Well, maybe it's not... but how do you think Yang feels?" Weiss asked. "I don't care, honestly. If he wants to do what he did to me to both of you, I don't have any complaints." Yang said. Weiss' mouth nearly hit the table, not to mention Blake, who had nearly fallen from her chair in surprise. "You... don't care? I thought you two were-" "I told you yesterday, Yuri and I like having sex with each other. That's it. I don't care if either of you decide you want him as your boyfriend."

Both Blake and Weiss' eyes widened in shock, as both had been all but certain that Yuri and Yang would become a couple after their... illicit encounters. Yang perked up for a moment, turning to Weiss. She pulled a small slip of paper from her jacket, then tossed it to her. "When you go apologize, give this to him, please." She said with a smile. Weiss took it then nodded. "Umm, sorry... Blake... for being so heated. I got a little angry... it clouded my judgment." She said. "Apology accepted, now... go use those linguistic skills to show Yuri how sorry you really are." She said. Weiss nodded, then got up from the table. She pushed her chair in slowly before she realized that Yuri wasn't the only one absent. "Hey... where's Ruby?"

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Ruby giggled as Yuri played with the young Grimm that had approached them, lifting it over his head, and play-hunting with it. "I... didn't realize that they were so... amicable." She said. "Well... it depends on how people first interact with them... when people see the Grimm, they think of heartless animals... but the truth is they are born and grow just like we do... we just only notice when they attack us." He said. She smiled. "Nothing can be all bad to you... can it?" She said. He shook his head. "Deliberate abuse of others is a true evil in this world... when someone can smile and continue living life when they know others are suffering, that's a true evil in this world." He said.

He smiled to her. "As a huntress, you carry the slaughter of thousands of creatures... not that I blame people for that. I believe that it was a mutual desire to destroy one another, rather than doing something tedious like taking time to understand our differences. But... I still think that can be turned around." He said. "You want to what? Tame the Grimm?" Ruby asked. He gave a sort of half nod. "I don't know if we can tame them... per se... but I do believe that we could eventually cohabitate... maybe... if we can help people learn to think with their heads, and not their fears." He said.

He turned away from her, facing the treeline near them. "You know... there's so much suffering in this world... but people seem to be blind to it... we've been devouring a beautiful landscape for so long... and we've ignored the plights of our world. But no one seems to care... what will we do... when this world can no longer sustain us?" He asked. She looked a bit taken aback. "Well... I don't think I've ever... considered that." She said.

"Of course you haven't... because this world will still be completely fine long after you die... but I still think it's important to prepare those who will succeed us to help keep this world healthy for eternity. All it takes is one generation to be concerned about a problem before it exists, for that problem to be solved." He said. "Wow... you really care about this world, don't you?" She asked. "Not at all... this world is filled with evil, and even I don't escape it... I love destruction... the very notion of it makes my heart sing with glee... but that's only one half of me." He said.

"So what? The other loves kittens and rainbows and candy?" Ruby laughed. "More like... one side likes death and destruction, and the other likes to subjugate and control." He said. "So no part of you is good?" She asked. "Well... it's not that simple... the me that you know, that the girls know... this me... isn't the true me... it's more of a... personality-less me." He said. "I force down my desires... made them weak in comparison to my nothingness. I am a facade... a fake... I lie to everyone... even to myself." He admitted.

"Doesn't that bother you though? You know... hiding who you really are?" She asked. "Well... it did at first... I realized how dangerous the real me was when I was younger... and I thrust it away... then I realized that the more repressed I became... the more depraved I acted. It was as though my heart was telling me "If I can't destroy anyone, I'll just make them miserable". I was a regular anti-hero, using my looks and my mouth to get what I wanted during the day, all the while protecting the very people I was screwing over during the night... one day I finally decided that I wanted to live apart from my desires... so I cleared my mind and did nothing but put myself down for a month straight... eventually, the man you see before you emerged." He said. "When Weiss said what she did in the Dining Hall, it didn't hurt my feelings... it just reminded that there was nothing about me that I should respect. Although... I did want to punch her for being rude."

Ruby giggled. "I don't think that's true at all." She started. "Even if it isn't who you are, you're kind, well-spoken, intelligent, and hardworking, not to mention that you give my sister a run for her money... just look at how happy you make her. In my honest opinion, you deserve a lot of respect, considering just how much of yourself you have to put up with... also... any man who can make my sister that happy... can't be bad." She said. He scoffed. "My mother... knew what I was like... she knew how I hated, knew how much I wanted to destroy, but she didn't scold me for it... I think... the freedom she gave me... helped me fight my desires." He said.

"You still want us to go with you to meet them next week... right?" Ruby asked. He nodded, then smiled at the change from what was obviously an uncomfortable topic. "Of course... you girls are my new family... I think it's important that you meet my parents and siblings, especially considering that we'll likely be sent on missions together once we graduate." He said. "So... you do intend on staying?" She asked. "Do you think I'd have stayed this long if I didn't have some intention to stay with you girls?" He asked. "Well... I guess you have a point... eh, I think we're done here aren't we?" She said.

He nodded. "We're done Boss, now if you'll excuse me... I have to find an incredibly roundabout way of teaching our little Ice Princess that she doesn't get to tread on people..." He paused, then shuddered for a moment. Ruby laughed as his eyes changed from their typical yellow to a light blue. "WOW it's been a while since I've been in charge. Hey, kid, you don't mind if I torture Snow Girl's mind for a little bit, do ya?" He asked. His tone had changed completely, as well as the way he carried himself. He had slumped, obviously uninterested in the goings on around him. Ruby shook her head. "Do what you have to." She said. "Thanks, Cap'n, oh by the way... if you see her on the way back, tell her to use her Scroll, since she still has my data... well, later!" He said, before turning and rushing into the forest, with the young Grimm still in his arms.

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Weiss' head shot in a multitude of directions as she walked along the path of overgrowth that Ruby had directed her to. She was nervous... and even her immense pride wasn't enough to keep it from showing. Why is he here? She barely had a moment to collect herself before she caught a glimpse of him. He was watching silently in a tree a bit less than a hundred meters from her. She blinked, and he was gone without a sound. Wait what? Where the hell did he go? She felt a breath down the back of her neck and spun around. Nothing. This is ridiculous... is he screwing with me? Her eyes darted around her surroundings, but she found nothing.

She nearly screamed when she felt fingers brush against her face. Her breathing had become even heavier than she realized. It's okay... it's okay... calm down dammit. What... what's that noise? She jerked her head to the left, searching for the soft, scratching sound that had begun ringing in her ears. Okay... I need to get away from this. She began running... she didn't know where she was going, but she just wanted to get away. Despite her efforts, the noise began to grow louder. She threw her hands over her ears, trying to make the sound stop. It didn't help in the least, it in fact grew louder.

The grinding, screeching sound forced her to a halt, and she fell to her knees. She writhed there for a moment, trying her hardest ignore the sounds. They stopped, they didn't fade out... she didn't figure out how to ignore them... they just stopped, no echo, no ringing in her ears. Then... came a booming voice, that nearly threw her into insanity. "DO YOU FEEL IT? THE FEAR... OF BEING ALONE?" She searched endlessly for the source, but was again greeted with a normal forest.

The voice spoke once again. "You think you'll be anything, eh? You think that you'll take over the company and everything will be just fine right? HA! What wishful thinking... you'll be a failure as a Huntress, a failure in business... and most of all... you're already a failure as a woman." The voice taunted. Weiss felt her mind fray... she couldn't think... she couldn't focus. Why... why is this getting to me... is it even real? She finally got back to her. Then she saw it. Yuri. But it wasn't Yuri, this... thing... couldn't be Yuri.

It was completely gray, and was almost lifeless in comparison. Its twisted form shuddered and contorted as it spoke. "You... whores... thought you could take him from me? Slut... you have no chance with him... even if I let you play your little games... Blake will win every time." It cackled. Weiss screamed. I can't take it... I want to die... I don't know why... it's in my head... and I want to die... She dropped to the ground once more. "What's wrong? You giving up, coward? Just what I expected... but don't worry... I'll make this quick." It jeered.

It shambled towards her, muttering about loose ends under its breath. It slipped something out from behind its back. It has Yuri's jitte. It popped off the bladed end, brandishing it towards her. I really am... going to die here... "Stop..." The figure growled, before backing away. Weiss struggled to stand, but eventually succeeded. The thing was writhing, seemingly trying to escape the grasp of an unknown entity. "Stop it... stop it... you aren't in control... no... it's me it's me it's me. You won't win... she dies now... no... no..." Its head jerked up to her. "You... you die now!" It shrieked. It lunged towards her, she shut her eyes. The sound of blade breaking skin rang in her ears.

She stood deathly still for a moment, then opened her eyes. "Yu-yu-Yuri?" She stammered. This one was the real one, and now she knew where the sounds of someone being stabbed had come from. His jitte's blade deep in his stomach, left hand on its hilt, and his right hand on her head. "Oh... good... you woke up... you doing okay?" He asked. She looked at him worriedly. "Uhh... uhh... yeah... wh... what about you?" She asked. He looked down. "Oh... yeah... this uhh... one of my worse sides was in control... and the one thing it fears is pain... so I knew if... I did this... it would let go of you." He said.

She felt drained, empty, exhausted. She looked at him, then frowned. "That... scared the shit out of me... I thought I was going to die." He looked at her for a moment. "You were going to die... we just got lucky this time. Next time... well, hopefully I can keep you safe... so there won't be a next time." He said. "Yuri... I'm sorry-" "Stop." He said. "What... are... you not going to forgive me?" She said. He smiled, but refused to respond. He turned away for a moment, pulled the blade from his stomach, then waved her deeper into the forest. "Come... I need to see to my wound." He told her. She nodded. Is... he going to forgive me or not? I really can't afford for him to hate me... * if * I have any intentions of being with him... and for now... I do.

They walked slowly, Yuri's body slowly draining of blood. He had an obvious favor for his right leg. "Is your left leg okay?" She asked. He nodded. "Yeah, I scuffed it a bit when I came down to get you." He said. She leaned back slightly, trying to get a better look. "Oh my god... it looks like something bit you, that seems pretty nasty." She said. "It's alright... both wounds will heal fine... just wait until we get to the spring." He said.

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"So... what are you going to do, Blake?" Yang asked. "Umm... what do you mean?" Blake countered. "Well... your reaction when I told you that I had no interest in dating Yuri wasn't very subtle... it's pretty obvious that you like him... are you sure you're okay with Weiss getting one up on you like this?" She asked. "I don't see how this is getting one up on me, I mean, she's apologizing for being rude, so doesn't that mean that she's technically one down already?" Blake asked.

Yang pondered for a second, then grinned. "So... you don't see them... like, you know... getting caught up in the heat of the moment, right after she gives him a heartfelt apology... and them... maybe... getting a little... closer... than they are right now?" Yang asked. Blake's mouth hung open for a second. "I... hadn't considered that possibility... but now that you say something about it... that does make sense." She said. "But... I think... Yuri trusts me... and right now it's way to early for either of us to really make a permanent claim towards him." She said.

Yang shrugged, then nodded in agreement. "True, but the heart of a man like Yuri is steadfast, and he develops opinions quickly... if you don't make any sort of move, period... maybe he'll mistake it for your lack of interest." Yang warned. Again, another claim that Blake hadn't considered. "Wait... you didn't just expect Yuri to fall in your lap on his own, did you?" Yang asked. Blake didn't answer, but the blush on her face gave enough of a response. "Oh, hell... well it's not my business what goes on between you three, and it's not my job to pick sides." She grinned.

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Weiss stammered a bit after a nude Yuri commanded her to step into the small spring with him. The smile on his face was playful... flirty even, and saw this as the best chance to get closer. Ha! Win this time Blake. She forced him to turn away, then took a few minutes to strip bare. When she was certain he was still looking the other way, she slipped into the spring next to him. "I'm in." She said. "I heard... now I need you in front of me." He said. The strange comment embarrassed her, slightly, but she eventually drifted through the dark water to him. "Why is the water... black?" She asked. "Because I use this spring quite often, and over time, it's become tainted with my Aura." He explained.

He put his hands on her shoulders. "I hope you don't mind me using a bit of your Aura, I used up most of mine fighting off the other me." He said. She shook her head. "It's... all yours." She said. His hands, which he moved down to her waist, began drifting up her back. "I need to find out where your Aura condenses." He said. "What do you do after you find it?" She asked. She wasn't sure what he meant when he said condense, but she knew that when it came to Aura, he was likely second to none in terms of knowledge. "Well, I extract it... with my tongue..." He said. "So let's hope for your sake, that your Aura doesn't condense anywhere lewd." He laughed.

His hands stopped at the base of her neck. "Here it is... I'll get started if you don't mind." He said. She nodded, and his mouth closed in. She could hear his breathing, heavy and wavering. Is he... nervous? His tongue flicked along her skin a few times, making her shudder nervously. After a few moments, he clamped his lips down on her. She gasped. "Hey... warn me before you do that!" She said. His response was muffled, and the movements from his mouth sent chills running through her. He continued his work diligently, then after a moment, bit down slightly. The moment Weiss realized that the moan she heard following was in fact her own, she nearly tried to drown herself from embarrassment.

Yuri pulled away and looked at her, smug as ever. "So... you're a deviant." He said. She took a swing at him, but he ducked underneath as though she were a child. "Shut up... what's wrong with me liking something... even if it... is that?" She said. He shrugged. "Nothing... nothing at all... in fact... now that I know... you're actually even cuter than before." He grinned. His stupid fucking compliments... they fry my brain... oh well... at least he doesn't think I'm weird. "Hey... we have classes tomorrow, right?" He asked. She nodded. "Oh... that's right... this is your first time in a classroom." She noted. "Yep... hopefully I don't screw it up." He smiled. "I think you'll do just fine."

I mean, what's the worst that can happen on the first day of classes?