I should probably clarify, some chapters or scenes are from the manga, since they are canon to RWBY itself, so to me, they are just as important as the animated series, just encase you were wondering :)

Arc II - Barons Rising

Chapter 13: Mirrored Realization

[Sometime After Chapter 13]

"You ready?" In response to Weiss' question, I merely released a shaky breath

"Given how I acted towards their worry, I'm prepared to be either shot, punched, or thrown out the window," I replied, but a frown found it's way to my face. "Absolutely not."

"You'll be fine, they aren't the sort of people to be so judgemental towards friends, isn't that how we started out? Not liking each other?" Weiss attempted to reassure me, and I was honestly thankful to have her support

"I know-I know...just...I find it difficult to apologize in front of people I've let down, I can't look them in the eye." I probably won't for them. Yet a small amount of confidence did make it's way back to me. "Thank you, Weiss."

"Now, enough skating around the issue, I used that training session to try and get your mind a rest, now go on." Weiss pushed the door open, and as the light crept out into the hall, I swallowed the lump in my throat

Upon entering the room, I was met with several gazes, and out the corner of my eye, Weiss was smiling with her arms crossed. It wasn't just my team, everyone, Jaune, Pyyrha, Nora, Ren, Coco, Velvet, alongside Ruby, Yang, Blake, Sun and Neptune. I hadn't realized that Weiss planned this, and I fell right into the obvious trap.

"Why am I not surprised..." Iota sighed shamefully. "...I guess it's true..." Huh?

"Sup, Bluey, finally let that anger out, eh?" Velvet jabbed Coco in the side, making her recoil. "Ouch, sorry..."

"Why are all of you...?" I haven't the words, nothing I could say would help make sense of this. Yet the one to move, to stand eye-to-eye with me sort of, was Ruby, she looked upset, but that look reminded me of myself, how I felt about me, it was reflected on her

"I heard what you said to Weiss. Me, Yang and Blake all did, and I." Ruby stopped herself, looking down to find a way to describe it to me, after a moment, she looked up again, taunting my emotions for what felt like an eternity. "You told me that if you ever felt lost, you would let me help you, and I want to."

"We all do, you're our friend, Sky, don't shut us out." Jaune spoke up, looking equally worried for my sake. 'ME' of all people! Why did hurt so much to see them care so much? Why, why, why...

"Ever since you came to Beacon, you've done nothing but try and improve yourself, but what good is that when you continuously beat yourself up over something you can't control?" Coco stated firmly to me, her shades taken off to stare back at me calmly. "Like hell, I'd let you do this anymore."

"We get that you don't like talking about your past, or about your personalities, we just want to help you however we can," Yang added with her own look of concern, meanwhile, I felt...nothing, only conflictions, I wasn't their friend, I'm a liar...a broken person

"I, and Neptune might not have known you for long, but you're our friend too, so if you need to talk, just come ask!" Sun grinned with a salute. But even he considers me a friend

"Why...?" I suddenly felt my mouth move on its own, as someone took over, Iota. "Why?"

None of them spoke, some having looks of surprise, given that it was the first they've seen Iota take control, but he didn't lash out like some thought, he merely looked at his hands, then to all of them.

"We've lied. Hurt you, toyed with your emotions like a game. We continue to hold secrets." Iota then narrowed our eyes, my confusion mingling with his threads of anger, or a sign of his own conflict. "How can any of you still stand here and listen to us?"

I finally had control again, the pressure in my forehead relieving itself, but I still stood with my eyes on my hand, the palm twitching from my own fear, dread...I...I don't know. Nothing makes sense.

"...I don't...I-I..." I can't do this, my eyes shut for a moment of shame overall I've done, I just ca-

"It's okay." That same, soft voice again, it didn't matter how many times I lashed out or turned her kindness away, she always saw through it, every time. The slight shakiness of my hand had ceased, and I was left to look down at a pale hand holding onto my hand tightly, but I still didn't look up

"You know I'm still hiding a lot from all of you?" I whispered, my head bowed to stare at the silver rose on her skirt

"I know." That was it? Really? "But you aren't a bad person, everyone has secrets or things they don't want to tell anyone because they're scared of what might happen if they said anything, but as I said to Iota, I won't abandon my friends, I never will."

"You mean a lot to us, even if you find it hard to see, you've done so much to do right, but watching you constantly beat yourself up over something you have no control over isn't right." Blake responded in-kind to Ruby's reply to me, much like Coco's explanation, her hand also rested on my right shoulder

"I don't think I need a reason to help my best friend, do I?" Yang's quick and simple response was enough, her hand against my left shoulder, and now Weiss' hands cupped both mine and Ruby's together

"You're not alone." That finally hit the nail I kept from being hammered into my head, that simple phrase held so much for me, so much I had buried under lock and key

I couldn't help it, I embraced the warm welcoming girls back, desperately latching onto the support and comfort this single group of people have given me; the affection and care I completely undeserved, but that didn't stop my tears, I didn't care anymore, I just wanted to rid myself of everything wrong with me. But I did here Ruby sigh softly with relief, just glad her friend was ok.

If I even deserve to be called that...but I'll everything I can to be that.

[1 Week Later...]

[Vale, Commercial District]

"Why are we here? Just to suffer this endless cycle of despair under the shadows of our captors?" Iota, much as I love your endless drabble, shut up. "...You know I'm right."

"Wanna play some Destiny?" Eric offered after a lengthy pause

"...Hunter master race, I accept your invite." And like that, my issue was taken care of, now onto my next challenge, one so groundbreaking, so unimaginable, it would rattle your bones to their they core

"We have arrived!" Coco grinned ear-to-ear, and I merely kept my stable frown since this morning

Clothes Shopping.

"I hate you, Coco, did you know that?" Came my immediate reply, the strangely warm December day ushering me towards a fiery end, even being hit by an oncoming bus would suffice, sure, I've faced creatures of darkness, fought off a mafia, and even tanked a fist from a robot, but death by moving transport didn't sound too bad. "Maybe I should walk into oncoming traffic?"

"Sky, you know she was going to ask you to come out with us one of these days, it is coming close to the new year?" Velvet's classy voice did coax me to follow them both into the store

"Doesn't mean I have to like it. Besides, who shops for spring clothing two months prior?" I questioned her, Coco already walking towards a few select aisles of her choosing, with Velvet walking slowly beside my crossed-armed form. "Seems a tad random."

"I understand, but given how the Vital Festival is between the end of Winter and beginning of Spring, we'll be caught up in missions outside the kingdom, and preparations for the festival Coco didn't want to forget, or leave it to last minute." Velvet explained her friend's plan to me, her own warm smile greeting me. "Plus she wanted to spend time with you, including me."

Now that had me stop, my gaze drifting to Coco, whose shades were swinging in her fingers, her eyes narrowed inquisitively at a few outfits before her, while she tilted her head left and right. But my curiosity was peaked at Velvet's answer as to our current day out, I mean, I guess we only hung out at the school and during practice...so, I guess we never did go into town.

"Yeah...I guess we never have just 'hung out' before, huh." I nodded at the realization, before a hand suddenly grabbed Velvet's, pulling the Faunus across the store

"Less talk, more shop!" Coco cheered, pulling Velvet nearly off her feet

"A-Ah, Cocooo~!" Velvet squealed, with me trying not to laugh at the now reddened girl's expense, sure, I hated shopping for clothes, but hanging with Coco and Velvet is always fun, the two were complete opposites

Velvet was more calm and collected, always ready to help her friends when she could, and had always kept a sweet smile on her face. Coco was a tomboy, not much else to say, besides her helping me back when I first 'appeared' in Remnant, she taught me how to fight properly, and our challenging friendship bloomed from that, in a way, she was another person I could call my Best Friend, something I never really had...well, say for one person, but that's something even Iota and Eric wouldn't bring up now.

"Alrighty, I think these might do." While my eyes did draw themselves back to the girls, Velvet hid them behind her back, the only hint I got was that of white and brown, with Coco wagging her index finger before me. "Now, what would be the fun in spoiling the surprise?"

"What?" My dry response only made her laugh, the three of us walking towards the changing rooms before I was stopped just before the cornered off section of the shop, where a line of changing stands covered the wooden walls

"Now, you'll be our judge for our chosen outfits, Bluey, I expect a good response from you too, given your keen eye for detail and all that," Coco explained with a half-serious expression, then winked at me. "No peeking."

"I'd die if I tried." My shrug was enough for her, and I did notice how uncomfortable Velvet looked. "I'll stand guard, don't worry, just humor our sad gunnut, Velvet." She seemed to giggle at that

"Thank you, Sky." With a final nod, the two walked inside, and I sat on the bench just outside, keeping a close eye on any idiots who may try something stupid, while also keeping my attention from the girls behind the thick, black curtain, my own notion was the shadows of their legs

Only the sound of soft voices and muffled movement of clothing could be heard for at least a full minute, my mind drifting elsewhere for the time being. Wonder if I could bake something this weekend? I dunno, just the feeling of baking comes and goes like many thoughts, but it wouldn't be such a waste of time, maybe...could do a spot of gaming with Yang or Ruby later this evening, perhaps?

"So, Bluey, what's been going on with you and Red, hmm?" I nearly hit my head on the back of the wood wall at that, turning my attention back to the dressing rooms were Coco's voice originated from, and I swore that even with the veil between us, I could picture her smug expression

"What do you mean by that?" Don't be saying what I think you're saying, don't be saying what I think you're saying for the love of the Gods

"Can't fool me, Bluey, I know you have the hots for Ruby, don't lie." I immediately felt my chest burst at that, my face erupting into a deep red when those words dared to leave her mouth. I-I well...me and...Ruby...I...umm. "Velvet, did he say anything?"

"I think you broke him." Velvet sighed at my silence from behind the dressing rooms, my mind currently trying to piece a decent response

"I like Ruby, but...'like-like' her...I don't, what the hell gave you THAT impression?" I answered back, my face still flush, even with my hands trying to pat them with their cool surfaces, but that was a difficult task

"Considering what happened a week ago, how you both seem really happy around each other, countless adventures with your team...I have a list if you want to see it?" Coco's sarcastic, slash, honest reply made me feel...something, I can't really describe how butterflies, mixed with fire feels like, but there's a picture for you. "Why, she not your type then?"

"Wha-no, I mean...I just, you...I don't know how to answer that." I was stuck in a bind, without Eric or Iota to back me up, or they were staying away with a ten-foot barge-pole, I would. "She and I are just great friends."

"Uh-huh, sure-sure, just know that Aunt Coco is here if you need advice on how to catch her attention, well, if you haven't already." Now I was really confused, and her laugh didn't help. "Don't worry, I ain't gunnin' for ya."

"Thank the Gods for that, I already have enough crazy in my life." That was a great relief, but finally, I saw the curtain pull away for my opinion on their - WHAT THE FUUUUUUU~!

My once red face returned full force at the sight of both girls, both in bikinis. Velvet had a simple dark hazel bikini with a golden, oval trim with a white string tied around her back and neck. Coco was much keener on flair, with a white bikini with a dark-grey infinity on her left, with grey sting tied like Velvet's, only in a bow for her. She also had a see-through, white cloth tied around her waist, with a gold style stitched into it. That was all I could describe before I felt my head begin to spin.

"So, how do we look?" Coco grinned slyly, looking at me from over her shades, with Velvet placing her hands together, fidgeting with her fingers

"I...umm..." Answer them, Sky! if you do, you can get out of this, even if they look really cu-shut up brain! "B-Both of you a-are...stunning, to s-say the least."

At my simple reply, both blinked at my bold response, with Velvet turning a small shade of red, and I swore it was the same for Coco, but she held her poker face, pushing her shades over her hazel eyes with a grin, bowing as she did.

"Well, good to know come Spring, we'll be turning heads." She then nudged Velvet, pushing her back into the changing room. "See, told you Bluey always has an eye for detail."

"It's what I do." I was able to reply with a calmer state of mind, I swore a new lock of white hair joined the rest on my head after this day would end, Ana wouldn't have shit on me after this, who needs a blast of ice to the heat when you just have a tomboy for a best friend?

"Wonder how Ruby would look in say...royal crimson, eh, Sky?" First came no response, then a mental image of Ruby in said outfit drew itself into my mind, sticking itself upon my train of thought, and for the first time ever, I felt blood trickle out my nose

I hate you, Coco, even if you are really cool.

[Two Weeks Later...]

"I still think the idea of these classes is illogical, what we can find here can be easily found in a library. Alone." Iota grumbled once more in my head like the old man he is. "I was formed by your own subconscious, we're the same age."

"I know that we're the same age, doesn't mean you can't act like an old man with a cane of his ass." I fired back immediately, rubbing my eyes again. Another day, another Friday closer to game time

"Wait...how old are you anyway?" Yang suddenly made the room grow silent, with all eyes directed at me, well, with the strange exception of Weiss

"Okay, so a guy asks a girl their age and gets verbally abused for it, but when a girl asks a guy's age it's all fine and dandy..." I replied bitterly, but simply shrugged after putting my blazer on. "I'm nineteen in another month."

"Awesome, finally a guy I know who's older and better lookin'." Yang's sly grin made a chill run its course, and I instantly felt my vision shift again

"Come anywhere near us, and I'll personally have your head on the mantle," Iota growled, yet Yang had already bypassed his threat, linking an arm around our shoulder. "Let go of me crazy-woman...thing!"

"Aww, don't be so dramatic, you know I love you too~" Her teasing only made Blake and Ruby crack a smile, with Iota's white gaze shifting to allowed me in control again. Meanwhile, I saw that Weiss had slowly sat up against the board of the bed, her face a deep crimson

"You're not going to class? Playing hooky?" Ruby smiled cheekily at Weiss, but my expression soon turned to...well, I was now concerned

"I'm not playing hooky. I have a cold." Weiss sighed, sniffing slightly, then a fire grew in her eyes. "Maybe I caught it from someone who had a cold the other day!"

"Sorry!" Ruby bowed with her hands together

"C'mon, let her rest." Yang pulled at Ruby's ear, making her wince, but little red didn't move, I did, but it was to grab the armchair resting in the corner where my stuff was, the others not noticing my actions

"Shouldn't you be going to class?" Weiss questioned with her arms hanging limply on her lap

"No! I'm taking the day off too." That resolve wasn't going to last, while I can see Ruby as just being a good friend, this didn't warrant her missing classes

"Never going to happen, sis." Yang grinned, pulling Ruby towards the door in her arm, waving back to Weiss, with Blake sharing a look with me, her mouth moving 'You're staying?', and I smiled, nodding silently

"Weiss, don't cry even you're lonely without me~!" Ruby's final cry of defiance was silenced by the door, and I felt a small chuckle leave my lips

"Finally, some quiet..." Weiss fell back onto the bed, her hand over her eyes

"She's a great friend, too bad the hardships of school keep her at bay." My sudden rise in voice made Weiss jump, her arm moving for her eyes to view me, as I sat down on the armchair before her, my hand holding a book, with a pencil in my right

"Why are you still here?" Weiss repeated, and I merely pointed the end of the pencil to my chest

"Ozpin can nag all he wants, but I ain't leaving you alone while you're sick," I was crazy sounding, but my reason for this...I...can't quite place it, but I just...I wanted to. "Don't worry, I'm just sticking around to keep you company or help, other than that I'll be as silent as the air."

"T-thank you, Sky...but...why are you here? It's just a cold." Weiss argued weakly, and I felt my cheek rise in heat, the thought of why I sat here was...not something I'd share so voluntary

"Well...i-if I tell you, promise not to laugh?" Weiss merely gave me a skeptical look, but I was serious. "It's personal, but...back home, I and my sister would do this."

"Huh?" Weiss breathed, with me trying to construct the right way to explain this without making a fool of myself

"When one of us would end up ill, the other would drop everything they were doing to keep the other company, we sometimes never needed to say anything, just...sit there as the other rested, the thought of waking up or sitting in a gloomy room on your own felt...scary, the isolation was sometimes suffocating," I replied evenly, my gaze to the window, my hands shaking slightly. "It was worse for me..."

Without a word, I painted the picture of a fragment of my life.

"Erika was always full of energy and life, it took a level of darkness to hate her, and in a way, that's what made her special, if she was missing, it was to take care of me when I was sick, or vice versa. She was perfect, and I having her around made me feel safe."

"For me though? My whole life was a big mystery of gloom, I was...an orphan, as I said before, Erika's parents adopted me, while the reason was due to her mother being fertile after a disease, they loved me...and...they were all I had, so when I felt ill, and no one was around, it made...it made me feel as though it was all a dream, that I'd open my eyes again, those horrid, grey walls would be there, welcoming me like a sick game..."

When I finished speaking, I felt something nudge my trembling hands, and I slowly looked up at Weiss, who sat up straight to look at me clearly.

"I get it...when I was younger, my sister, Winter, would always come to comfort me when I got ill, no matter the circumstances, she would always sit with me until I either fell asleep or got better. My...father...at first, I was proud to have a father who would put a cause ahead of his own family."

Weiss looked slightly bitter at that.

"It didn't take long for me to understand that Winter was the only person I looked up to, who I wanted to be proud of, and who I wanted to live up to." Weiss suddenly looked as though her eyes swam with a sea of conflicting emotions, pride, sorrow, happiness, anger...

Slowly, her smile returned, her hands cupped together on her lap. "Expressing my feelings to my family...that was never really easy."

"In a way, I think...Erika didn't just stay with me to keep me company, and...I don't think your sister stayed with you to do the same, at least, not to such a short reason." At my sudden response, Weiss looked at me, a warm smile resting on my face. "They did it, to say that out there, someone will always be there for you to lean on, even when you believe you're alone without anyone to understand you."

"Honestly, the things Erika drills into my head can be both insightful, and very distracting, sorry." I apologized, my own problems weren't really the issue here

"..." Weiss was quiet for a moment, but she soon rested back onto her pillow, closing her eyes. "I think...I thought I wanted to be alone today...but...I'm happy to have a brother I can lean on."

"Wait, what?" I didn't get a response, Weiss, much to my surprise was out cold already, guess having a serious cold would konk anyone out quickly, but what she said, that made something familiar reach my train of thought, the more I focused on that point she made, the more I saw Erika, my sister. "Sleep well...sis."

...

...

...

Sister, that feeling will never get old.

To Be Continued...

A sweet chapter between Sky and his friends, hope you enjoyed, seeya in the next chapter!

Next Chapter: Not So Normal Birthday

Sky has a problem with December 27th, not that it was anything crazy or groundbreaking, just that the day just happened to be his Birthday.