Originally I was going to have Yang and Ruby have their own 'shorts' but after some thinking I thought it best to combine the two.
TW: Transphobia
Yang leaned against her bike, the lamp in front of her flickering. Crickets chirped around her, owls hooting. She exhaled, leaning her head back, staring up at the starry skies.
She had never seen the skies so clear; the shattered moon looming so large, surrounding by twinkling lights of so many colors. Yellow, white, blue, red, purple, and all surrounded by the black of space.
She grimaced, feeling a twinge in her gut as her stomach growled. She looked over at the bags on her bike and shook her head. Gotta make it last as long as possible, no telling when she would reach another village or stop.
She bolted to her feet, her aura arm forming, howls ringing in the distance. She stood there, staring into the darkness past her lamplight, her hand trembling. She heard another howl, much further away, and exhaled, sitting back down. Her arm dissolved, the end of her stump itching.
She rubbed the end of her stump, looking down at the Weiss' ribbon tied around her arm. She sighed, looking away.
after i find her, i'm coming for you weiss. just hold on, please.
Yang looked at the lamp, watching the yellow Dust crystal in it flicker, the lightning dancing against the container. She yawned, her eyes feeling heavy as she watched it.
She clutched her side, her eyes watering as she laughed at Sterling's joke. Drey and Jet were laughing as well, Sterling smirking as they laughed.
Students around them chatted, the air filled with varying conversations. Yang wiped at her eyes and glanced down a hallway they were passing.
"Aight, later guys. I can't be late for class again," Yang said, walking down the hallway.
"Later, Yang," Sterling said, holding up a hand.
She shifted her backpack, pulling out her scroll, flipping through her unread messages. She exited out of the messages, scrolling through the films she had downloaded. Just because she couldn't afford to be late, didn't mean she had to pay attention. And besides, who cares about learning the different Grimm types. If she can punch it, she can kill it.
Her head jerked up at the sound of a scream. Her eyes narrowed, and she shoved her scroll in her pocket as she ran forward, shoving past people, embers trailing from her hair.
Ruby screamed, the locker slamming against the back of her head, stars erupting in her vision. She grabbed at the boy's hand, trying to tug it free of her hair.
"Let me go!" she yelled. She heard laughter from the crowd around them, and yelped as he yanked up, feeling bits of her hair rip out.
"You hear this freak? Hear how squeaky his voice is?"
"I'm not a boy!" She yanked his hand free of her hair and swung at him. He caught her fist, a glint in his eye as he kicked her crotch.
Pain rocked through her as she crumpled to the floor, biting her lip, not letting them get the satisfaction of hearing her cry.
"That, says otherwise." He said. Another roar of laughter. He smiled down at her, cracking his knuckles.
The laughter died. Fear flickered through the Boy's face at the sound of running.
Yang's fist slammed into the side of his head, throwing him off his feet and hurling him into the crowd. Yang's hair was ablaze, her eyes burning red. She threw a hand in front of Ruby, her voice a growl.
"Any of you try and fuck with her, then you're fucking with me! Got it!"
The Boy got to his feet, rubbing his jaw, snarling.
"The hell's going on out here?"
The Boy's confidence faltered as Qrow stepped into the crowd. He glanced at her and Yang, and looked at the crowd, scowling.
"Those of you supposed to be in my class right now, know that you're getting a letter home, and extra homework. And you," he turned to the Boy, pointing at him. "Are coming with me."
The crowd dispersed, some shooting her a dirty look as they left. The fire in Yang's hair began to simmer and die as Qrow led the Boy away. Yang exhaled, her shoulder's slumping. She turned around, holding out her hand. Ruby took it, Yang pulling her to her feet.
"You okay?" Yang asked. Ruby shook her head, gripping the hem of her skirt. "Are any of your friends here today? Sakura, or Tawny?" Ruby shook her head. She opened her mouth-
Hear how squeaky his voice is?
She closed her mouth, tears welling. Yang's face softened, and she embraced her, holding her tight. She ran a hand through her hair, her touch gentle.
"I love you. Remember that I'll always be there for you, sis."
Ruby returned the hug, burying her face in her sister's shoulder.
Yang stretched her arms as she watched Qrow and Ruby train. Sweat dripped down Ruby's face as she tried to mimic their Uncle's swings, struggling to lift and move the hulking scythe she had created.
Ruby had named it Crescent Rose, and Yang couldn't help but chuckle as she watched her sister's arms shake as she tried to move it around. Her swings were clumsy, shooting dirt into the air as she tried to swing it around, cutting into the ground.
After a few more swings, Qrow collapsed Harbinger, holstering it. Ruby was drenched in sweat, gasping for air, leaning against her scythe.
"I think that's all for today, kiddo."
"I…I can keep…going…" Ruby wheezed. Qrow chuckled.
"Don't push yourself, Ruby. It takes time to get good at this type of weapon." He looked over at Yang, nodding at her. He turned to leave, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I'm gonna head back, I'll see if I can make something for you two. Or at least get Tai to do it." He said over his shoulder.
Yang walked up to her sister, resting her hands on her hips as she stopped in front of her. Ruby looked up at her, her hair clinging to her face.
"I know you want to learn how to use a scythe like Uncle Qrow, but I want to teach you some things too."
"W-why?"
"Because… because I want you to be able to defend yourself, encase I'm not around." Ruby cocked her head to the side.
"You said that you would always be there for me though?"
"I will, Ruby. But I'm two grade's ahead of you, I'll be leaving for Beacon before you know it. I won't be able to help you at school, and…and I don't want you getting hurt."
Ruby groaned in annoyance, but collapsed her scythe, holstering it.
Yang took a stance, Ruby copying her, glancing down to make sure her feet were positioned the same.
"I want you to attack me," Yang said. Ruby nodded, throwing a punch. Yang parried, grabbing Ruby's wrist, noting the way her fist was formed. "Don't make a fist like that. Keep your thumb below the other fingers, you're going to hurt yourself doing it that way."
She let go of Ruby's hand, watching Ruby reform a fist, tucking her thumb out of the way. She threw the punch again. Yang parried again. She shook her head. "Line up your knuckles. If you punch with your fingers, you're just going to break something."
"Won't my aura fix that?" Ruby said. Yang shrugged, releasing Ruby's hand.
"It would, but trust me, broken fingers hurt like a bitch."
Ruby smirked, her leg shooting out. Yang caught it, Ruby yelping.
"Let's stick to just punching today, kicks are a whole 'nother thing." She let go of Ruby's leg. Ruby frowned. She took her stance again, Yang smiled as Ruby formed a proper fist.
Ruby punched at her, Yang parried, gasping in surprise as Ruby's other fist shot at her stomach. She blocked it, hurling a punch. Ruby yelped, disappearing in a red blur. Rose petals filled the air, a trail leading into the bushes around them.
Yang laughed.
"Come on, Ruby. Get back out here."
Fear shot through her as Ruby screamed, a red blur flying out of the bushes. Ruby materialized behind her, cowering behind her. The ground trembled, a low, guttural growl coming from the bushes. Yang swallowed, Ember Celica shifting into place as an Ursa lumbered out, drooling, its hellish eyes fixed on Ruby.
"Ruby, run."
She felt a quick breeze, rose petals drifting past her.
The Ursa roared, charging after Ruby. Yang dashed forward, slamming into its side, her fist bouncing off its thick bone armor. The Ursa growled, turning on her, swiping at her. She ducked, firing several shots, bits of its armor flying off, black blood spurting.
It howled, smacking her aside with its giant paw. She slid in the dirt, gritting her teeth. The Ursa turned around, growling as it swung. She caught its paw, her feet sliding, her arms trembling as she struggled against it.
She yelled, twisting the paw, yanking the bear forward, spinning, and firing up. Blood and bone sprayed over her, the Ursa screaming as the armor around its head shattered.
The Ursa swiped at her, she ducked under, firing behind her, shooting between its legs. The Ursa whipped around, Yang grunting as she caught its paw. She fired into it, watching it blow apart at the wrist.
It howled, limping back, smoke drifting from its stump, blood dripping onto the dirt. She charged, leaping into the air, swinging her leg. She gasped, feeling its teeth sink into her leg, and screamed as she was hurled aside, spots of red and black flashing into her vision as she slammed into a tree, the wind ripping from her lungs.
She slid down, her back aching, her head swimming. She shook her head, looking up. Ruby stood in the tree line, staring in horror at her as the Ursa lumbered toward her, licking its maw.
Yang growled, forcing herself to stand, and sprinted after the Ursa, jumping onto its back; the Ursa rearing up. She yelped as it grabbed her, pulling her off it and slamming her into the ground.
Yang screamed as the Ursa's jaw clamped around her, its teeth sinking it her, her aura flickering. Saliva drenched her stomach as the the Ursa hefted her into the air, shaking its head viciously before it slammed her into the ground, again and again.
She could hear Ruby screaming.
Ember's flew past Yang as she snarled, firing a shot at the Ursa's face. It howled in pain, Yang grunting as she tumbled from its mouth. Blood soaked the remains of its face, backing away. Yang limped toward it, clutching her stomach, the drool drenching her glove.
She punched its head with a yell, firing a shot, the Ursa's head exploding. Its body slumped to the ground, smoke billowing from it as blood pooled in the dirt.
Yang collapsed, every part of her body screaming in pain. She heard Ruby run up. Ruby crouched next to her, lifting her up, looking down at her, worry in her silver eyes.
"Are you okay?!" Yang nodded, resting a hand on her sisters' shoulder.
"I think we should call it day," Yang said. Ruby laughed.
"You think?" Yang ignored the pain as she shifted, forcing a smile for her sister. Ruby hugged her, rubbing her face against hers.
"Thank you, Yang." Yang wrapped her arms around her, closing her eyes.
"I told you, I'll always be there to protect you."
And that's the end of the V5 shorts! We'll be getting to the actual volume momentarily.
And I finished the prologue to my book!