Chapter Fourteen: Cats Out of the Bag (Again)
"What the hell was that back there?" Blake demanded to know.
"What do you mean?" Phoenix asked.
"For starters you charged in without a plan to fight Torchwick, and then you nearly let him kill you just so we could get a bit of an advantage."
"Like I said before I-" Phoenix tried to say, but was interrupted by a new voice.
"Aha! So this is where you've been sneaking off to!" Weiss declared as she jumped out of some bushes. "I thought I told you not to keep secrets from us. And you," she said looking at Phoenix, "Why are you here?"
"I'm guessing you won't believe we just happened to meet up."
"No."
"I told you they'd find out at some point," Blake told Phoenix.
"What would I find out?" Weiss asked, annoyed about being left in the dark about something.
"I'm the Flaming Shadow, that vigilante you saw tonight." Upon hearing this Weiss burst into laughter.
"And here I was thinking you couldn't be funny. But seriously, what are you two up to out here?"
"What!" Phoenix shouted. "Why is it so hard to believe I'm the vigilante?"
"For starters, you aren't nearly as skilled as him. Also, you don't have his weapons or his semblance. And to top it off, you're nowhere near as heroic as he is, no offence."
"Get ready to eat your words Ice Queen," he said as he pulled out his lighter. "A lighter? How's that supposed to prove any…thing…" She slowly became silent as part of the flame from the lighter broke off, grew, and took the form of a dragon.
"Still think I'm not him?"
"How? Why?" Weiss stammered.
"Wow…" Weiss muttered after hearing Phoenix's story. "But why keep it from us?"
"Two reasons. First, and slightly more embarrassing, I was afraid of how you'd react, especially the part about my mother. Second, even if you were fine with everything, you might want to help. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something happened because of that."
"One last question, why are you here?" she asked.
"Ask her," he replied, gesturing to Blake.
"Both tonight and at the docks, he seemed to not care if he lived or died. I want to know why," she answered. "So?"
"Simple. I don't. If I die before putting down my mother then so be it. As long as my death brings us even one step closer to stopping her then I my only regret will be that I didn't stop her before. Besides, no one will miss me. I may value you guys, but I'm just an ally at best. Sure you'll be sad, but you'll get over it soon enough."
"You dunce!" Weiss yelled. "You think we don't care! Why do you think Blake called you here to talk to you about this? Why do you think Ruby was so worried about you? Do you have any idea what it would do to her if one of her best friends died? Hell, even that may be an understatement!"
"She… she likes me?"
"Yes you dunce, and don't think I haven't seen how you act around her. That and how defensive of her you are as the vigilante make it obvious."
"Wh- what do you mean? I have no idea what you're talking about?" Phoenix stammered, turning a bright red.
"You're in love with Ruby."
"Wha-? Me? In love with her? No… that's crazy. Like I'd ever do something like that. I mean… really, what could possibly make you think that? Even if I did feel that way, which I don't, it's not like I'd have a chance. I'm just some thug playing hero and…" he continued to ramble on for a while about how Weiss's accusation was false, but each word had the exact opposite effect. As his rant continued he turned an even brighter red, something he didn't even think was possible. His long winded reply was simply met with a knowing looks from Weiss and Blake, who clearly hadn't bought a word of what he said. "Fine. I'm in love with her," he finally admitted, partly to them, partly to himself.
"Okay, you need to tell her. Not just about your mother, not just about your identity, but about this," Blake stated.
"No way! On the off chance she doesn't shoot me on the spot after finding out about my mother, she'll want to help me with my 'job'. Like I said before, I'd never be able to live with myself if one of you died because of my failure, especially her. I don't think I could take it. Please, don't tell anyone," Phoenix begged struggling to keep his emotions in check.
"We won't," Weiss promised, "But you need to tell her eventually. About everything. If you don't, she'll find out."
"So… I was… uh… wondering if you wanted to go the dance with me," Phoenix stammered. "I mean of friends… of course. Not in a romantic way. Otherwise, it would be… well… awkward. Like this conversation. You know what, just forget I was ever here. Sorry for wasting your time," he said as he walked out team RWBY's door.
"Sure, I'll go," Ruby answered cheerfully.
"Yeah you're right it was a stupi- wait what?"
"I said I'll go with you."
"Oh… thanks. I guess I'll see you on Sunday. I mean I'll probably see you before Sunday, but I'll also see you on Sunday. I'm just making this awkward again aren't I?"
"Yep," Ruby laughed.
Sorry about the short chapter, but to be fair a lot happened. As always, Thanks for reading!
