Chapter Sixteen

Ashe's body was heavy and weighed down. Her breath was hot and heavy with pants while the glistening of sweat and morning dew shined upon her skin. Her muscles strained and protested any movement, demanding to relax and still. "…Nn…" Was her cheek swollen? Yes, yes it was. It was puffy and red.

She couldn't feel her face. Ashe knew she probably looked like a bruised plum.

"Hah…I know, right? I haven't been this sore and out of breath in so long. It's wonderful."

With a strain, Ashe rolls her head toward the sound and finds Pyrrha laying beside her. She is also in a similar state. Although she has a hand cradled into her chest. The wrist under the glove was swollen and tender. Red hair was clinging onto her skin from the sweat, green eyes sparkling in mirth. "I didn't hit you too hard, did I?" Pyrrha giggles in amusement at a dismissive grunt and lazy wave of a limp hand. Not at all bothered by her own sprain.

Relaxing into the disturbed grass, Ashe closes her eyes to enjoy the shade and breeze. They were at the edge of the Emerald Forest and weary from their spar. Ashe decided to focus on her frontal combat and less guerrilla warfare. She is very much feeling the repercussions for such a direct choice of confrontation. If her face has anything to say about it. Pyrrha must be more tired than she let on, because she also was quiet and content to rest. Thankfully it was still early in the morning, so the dew was a welcome relief to her body heat.

"There you are! I was looking everywh—What happened to your face?"

Ashe doesn't bat an eye at the sound of Ruby's approach. Though she was not amused at the sound Pyrrha made. The sound of Ruby approaching closer and peeking over, finally causes Ashe to crack an eye open. There, she finds Ruby curiously looking down and blinking calmly. Silver eyes stare down at her and peer at the fresh swelling upon her cheek. "Uh, you okay?"

Another grunt is all the answer Ashe gives to the younger girl. Ruby shuffles back once Ashe finally finds the strength to sit back up. Her muscles protesting the whole way. She is out of shape. Ashe will have to spar much more frequently with Pyrrha to get back to tip-top shape. She should not have procrastinated training so much before she came to Beacon. "'M, fine."

Pyrrha sits up easily and calmly with a concerned expression adorning her features. "Are you sure? I didn't mean to hit you that hard. I got caught up in the heat of the moment, and you really caught me off guard." A nod is all she gets, honey colored eyes directing their gaze to her own sprained wrist. Pyrrha raises it and calmly shrugs her shoulders with a smile. "Don't worry about this, it doesn't hurt all that much. My aura will heal it right up before we know it."

Of course, their aura will heal up their minor injuries, but that doesn't mean they don't hurt. Hopefully, her face doesn't become a prime target for Pyrrha, because it's going to piss her off if she gets hit there again.

"So…Is it a bad time to ask to get started on our training?" Questioned Ruby with an awkward chuckle and shuffle of her feet. Crescent rose held out within her hands.

Ashe waves her off while shaking her head. She then turns to glance at Pyrrha, "I believe we are done for the day?" Receiving a nod and smile from Pyrrha, her focus turns back to Ruby. "You won't need your weapon."

Pyrrha quirks an eyebrow curiously toward Ashe. Ruby blinks before snuggling Crescent Rose toward her affectionately. "But…why?"

"Because I don't know how to use a scythe, and full contact sparring would be less productive."

Blinking rapidly, Ruby awkwardly shuffles her feet around, "So, uh, what are we going to do then?"

Rising to her feet, Ashe sways a bit before a larger hand grasps onto her wrist from Pyrrha, steadying her posture. "Well, there's something I noticed during your spars while watching. You have a…weakness…quirk?" Tilting her head, she wasn't quite sure what to label it.

She suddenly has rapt attention from both Pyrrha and Ruby, Ashe couldn't help but shuffle upon her feet. "I…do? What's that?" Questioned out Ruby.

With a calming breath, Ashe approaches toward Ruby and raises a hand into a fist. She then lightly taps it onto Ruby's chest with her knuckles. "You're afraid to take a hit, you flinch a lot."

Ruby's face scrunches up in confusion, while Pyrrha's good hand positions under her chin in thought. "I do? I think anyone would be afraid to take a hit, I mean you're not supposed to get hit."

"Yes, but getting hit is inevitable, unavoidable." Pyrrha stands to her full height easily and show cases her wrist. "No matter how good you are, you'll eventually take a hit. If you're afraid, you'll flinch, close your eyes, and take hits that you could have easily avoided. I think I know what you're getting at, Ashe."

"Mm."

Nodding her head awkwardly, Ruby glances between the two more experienced fighters. "Alright then…so what do you recommend?"

Crossing her arms, Ashe hums in thought. "Have you ever fought someone bare-handed?"

"Ah-uh. Maybe? Possibly…" Ruby lights up and snaps finger guns toward Ashe, "I did fight Yang once, bare-handed…That didn't go so well for me though…" Ruby hangs her head down in shame. The sound of a chime forces her gaze back up. She suddenly yelps in shock, backpedaling away from a gloved fist near her nose. True to their statement, Ruby flinched and squeezed her eyes shut while covering her face.

But the hit never came.

"Mm."

"Looks like you were right. We'll have to work on that, so she breaks that habit." Stated Pyrrha.

"We?" Questioned out Ashe. Since when was Pyrrha going to help? Ashe figured Pyrrha would head back to the Academy and do…whatever it is she does throughout the day.

Pyrrha smiles down toward Ashe, "Of course, this looks interesting, but mostly fun. It would be a good cool down exercise after our spars in the morning. Though, I do have a favor to ask."

With a slow blink, Ashe looks up toward the warrioress in question. What kind of favor would Pyrrha ask her for? She's already the top student. Best in combat skills, rivaled by none in the sparring ring, and only contended by Weiss for the top spot in academics. Natural prodigies at their finest. "What's that?"

A slight red tint then shimmies onto Pyrrha's upper cheeks. "Would it be alright if I bring Jaune to train with Ruby as well?" Ashe just stares toward her along with Ruby who's hiding under her hood. Pyrrha waves a hand frantically in front of her in embarrassment. "A-ah, it's not what you think. Honest, it's just that he's been struggling in his fights, and this would really help him out."

"That's up to Ruby."

Said girl shrugs her shoulders with a dismissive hand, "Eh, yea, sure. Why not?"

"Wonderful~" Beamed out Pyrrha with a bright smile.

Ruby huffs and stomps a foot in impatience. "So, are we doing this thing or not? What exactly is it that you want me to do?"

Pyrrha and Ashe glance toward one another. The warrioress staring down with an arched brow at the tiny assassin. Mirth twinkles in their eyes in understanding of one another before turning back toward Ruby. She suddenly has a sinking feeling in her gut.

"We're going to beat you up." Bluntly stated Ashe in a monotone voice, Pyrrha just nods along with a soft smile.

Ruby jolts back, an unsure chuckle escaping her lips with a hand rubbing onto the back of her head. "Ah-ha, th-that doesn't sound so good. I mean can't we just, I dunno, something else?"

This time, Pyrrha shakes her head with a good hand upon her cocked hip. Her tender wrist already feeling better from her aura. "I never really paid it any mind, but when Ashe brought it up, it's true. You're afraid to take a hit, you flinch quite a bit. In order to break you from this habit, we need to force a new habit into you." A small smirk tugs at her lips, "And beat the old one out of you." Just because she's never really told a joke or pun before, doesn't mean she doesn't know how.

Ruby awkwardly chuckles and shuffles a foot back along the dirt, "A-ah, well. M-maybe this wasn't such a g—"

"If you want to run, then go ahead. I won't stop you." Ruby and Pyrrha snap their heads toward Ashe who stands with her arms crossed over her chest, annoyance masked over her face. The red and swollen cheek easing back down from aura healing. "I owed you, and you asked me to train you. I do not mind doing so, but do not waste my time."

Snapping her mouth shut, silver eyes glance toward Pyrrha who has a neutral expression. She remains silent, but her silence speaks volumes. Her gaze was more focused on Ruby than Ashe. Yang and their father always tried to force hand-to-hand combat on her. Ruby hated it, she does not like having to use her hands. Getting that up and close always makes her uneasy. That's why she preferred training and learning under her uncle. If there was something she didn't like, he didn't push it at all. His training was easy, and she enjoyed it. He was laid back, spoiled her, and let her work at her own pace.

She has never once won a fight against Yang, let alone touched her. Ruby always chalked it up to her being older and more experienced…But for how long will that excuse hold? Ruby wants to fight her older sister on even ground. Yang has always been looking out for her. Ever since they were little and the forest incident. She loves her older sister, very much. But she wants to prove to her that she can stand on her own. And the one thing that Yang understands well, is fighting.

Ruby wants to win. At least once.

With arms hanging down her front, Ruby clenches her skirt and looks back up toward Ashe fiercely. "I'll do it. Just tell me what to do."

A soft tug works upward on Ashe's lips. Her arms uncross with a nod, "Good, first remove the hood, it will only get in the way. Once you get better, you can train with it on. For now, I'll go easy on you, and let you be on the offensive. I want to see what I have to deal with." When Ruby finishes removing her hood with a grumble and curse, she looks at it longingly. Shaking her head of negative thoughts, she smacks her cheeks to pump herself up. "Attack me, and I'll just defend."

Clenching her fists, Ruby nods and lets a quick breeze rupture through the clearing. With an awkward battle cry, she rushes forward with a drawn back fist, and thrusts it forward. Ashe just stares at the wonky attack, her lips in a thin neutral line. She doesn't even defend, Ashe steps to the side and lets Ruby sail on by. Ruby slightly tumbles on her own feet before coming to a stop.

"Heh—"

Honey colored eyes perk toward Pyrrha who is looking away with a red tint to her cheeks. A fist near her lips, holding back a chuckle at the scene. Though she couldn't quite suppress the shivers. Ashe lets her have the moment while turning her attention back to Ruby. Said girl was staring toward them with a rosey tint of her cheeks. If anything, she looked like she was trying to make the ground swallow her up.

"Do you even know how to throw a punch?" Silence, that was all she got in response. Closing her eyes, Ashe lets out a deep breath, willing her patience into a calm. "That's alright, I can show you, come here." It takes her a moment, but slowly Ruby shuffles on closer with her head down and a prominent rose tint to her cheeks. Nibbling on her lower lip, made her look like a cute chipmunk.

Just like…

Stomping the thought, Ashe raises her hands and grasps onto Ruby's. Ashe could feel her warmth through her gloves, and her hands were soft, but kind of slick. Perhaps from all the oils and grease she uses from her weapon obsession. "This is how you make a proper fist. Now, let me show you how to punch."

Ashe goes through the motion with a soft chime of her bell. Before long, the two spend a few minutes training Ruby in throwing a basic punch. Contrary to popular belief, the power comes more from the legs than the arm itself. Ashe has never cared for the science of it all, she just does it. Thankfully, Ruby is quick on the pick-up, so they don't spend too long with it. Though, now it comes to the awkward part for Ashe.

"I'm…not really sure what to do next. Because when I was showed that, I was thrown into a pit of a dozen fighters and told to survive." Spoke out Ashe with an eerie calm and faraway look within her eyes.

Ruby gulps and has a mild panic attack at the thought of Ashe suddenly throwing her into a ravine with a mob of gangsters. A sudden hand upon her shoulder forces a startle and scream of fright. Pyrrha winces slightly at the volume. "Ah, sorry for startling you. But perhaps I should take over from here then. I have a less…stressful method." Ruby brightens up like she's seen the light. Pyrrha must look like an angel in her eyes right now.

Next thing Ashe knew, she was being used as a punching bag. With her hands held out, Pyrrha was coaching Ruby on how to attack. Pyrrha was quite the aggressive coach apparently. She had Ruby doing jabs, crosses, hooks, and uppercuts without rest, and she expected nothing except perfection. It was very repetitive. Ashe yawned quietly with soft taps sounding from her palms with each hit.

She was bored.

Ruby strikes out with a soft jab against Ashe's right palm. "Dodge."

"Wha—" Ashe lashes out with her left, and bops Ruby on her head. Said girl squeaks out in pain and grumbles out a curse. "What was that for?!" It was an awkward angle, considering Ashe is shorter than Ruby.

"Why didn't you dodge? I was bored."

Silver eyes widen in disbelief, like a heckled hen. "Bored? So, you smacked me on the noggin? I already have a difficult time keeping up with class work. What if it becomes worse?!" She's not joking either. It is already hard enough for Ruby to remember homework and exam topics.

Ashe shrugs and rolls her shoulders, "You'll manage…I think."

Ruby squawks in disbelief before Pyrrha steps in to placate the two. "Now, now, I understand where Ashe is coming from. I apologize, I got carried away, and you must have been bored." Ashe huffs to the side and nods once. "Why not call it a day here for now? We've been at it for a while now, and the next step is to actually put it into practice."

"Mm, fight time."

"Haha, yes, fight time." Pyrrha smiles in mirth and paces toward Ashe with a look over her shoulder toward Ruby. "Make sure to practice before next week, because you'll be fighting against Ashe instead of me. I'm going to invite Jaune and hopefully he will join us." Green eyes turn toward the secret faunus. "Lunch?"

"Sure."

"Are you coming Ruby?" Questioned Pyrrha over her shoulder.

A sudden grumble echoes out, from Ruby's belly. "Um, yea. I could go for some food."

As a group, the three huntress-in-training make their way toward the academy's cafeteria. Pyrrha and Ruby made up for most of the conversation. Ashe only making a comment or two after being questioned or called upon for input.

Though, Pyrrha and Ashe did make mention of the strange sight they saw early in the morning. Passing through the hallways, they saw a giant of a teenager sleeping on a bench. He must have been cold, because he was shivering and had quite a frown upon his face while mumbling quietly. Maybe he just likes sleeping outside? They ignored him on their way and paid him little mind in the morning.

Lunch was quite the normal affair and before long, they went their separate ways. Making her way back to the dorm, Ashe finds a surprising visitor within her room. "Oh! Hey Ashe! When did you come back?" Nora was laying on her stomach and propped on her elbows. A bag of chips next to her while noise of a movie coming from her scroll.

Nora had a plastered smile upon her pretty face. Sparkling eyes of aqua stared back into those dulled honey. "Hello, Nora. When did you get here?"

With a chip in hand, Nora waves her hand dismissively, "Lil ol me? Not long ago. See, here's the thing." Rolling onto her back, Nora huffs in annoyance. "Pyrrha disappeared this morning, so that left Jaune, Ren, and I, so Ren and Jaune got to talking. Apparently, they decided to have a 'guy's day or something. Whatever that means."

Ashe had an ear to Nora's monologue while she started to remove most of her top layer clothing, softly humming out occasionally to signal she was listening. "So, I got to thinking…" Rolling back over onto her stomach, Nora takes an exaggerated chomp on the chip with a loud crunch. "That we could have a girls day watching movies! Or whatever it is that girls do, I've never had a girl's night before, hah! I'm kinda excited. I already sent a message to Pyrrha, so I'm sure she will show up whenever."

"Mm." With pajamas in hand, Ashe retreats into her bathroom for a quick shower. With a towel tightly covering her head, Ashe re-appears to only hear a knock upon her door. Nora waves it off for Ashe. Opening the door, she finds a familiar person on the other side.

"Hello again~" Pyrrha waves with a smile. Her long red hair was damp and loosely hanging down. She was wearing a gym outfit. A black crop-top and biker-shorts with a towel wrapped around her neck. It really showed off her muscles and curves and were they curvy. "Sorry for showing up unannounced, but Nora sent me a message about watching some movies together. I brought drinks." Pyrrha holds up a bag of bottled drinks.

"Whoop whoop! You're my girl Pyrrha! Knew I could count on you." Nora whirls on by and peeks into the bag with a wiggle of her bottom.

"Um…How are we going to watch movies? I don't have a television or anything like that…" Questioned out Ashe. She has no electronics besides her Academy issued scroll, so exactly what was it that Nora was planning to do? Crowd around her scroll to watch?

Wait, when exactly did she agree to this? Did she agree to this? No, Nora's just dragging her along, and Ashe didn't even realize it. She's good at that.

Nora looks up with an orange flavored soda of choice in her hand. "Oh, that's easy. We will use the student's lounge. It has a big screen, and no one is using it today. We have it all to ourselves!" With a fist upon her hip, Nora thrusts out the bottle and points out with it heroically. "Bring your pillows and blankets! We shall build a fort, and it will be glorious!" Without waiting for a response, Nora whoops and rushes on by with spread arms, imitating a plane.

Pyrrha and Ashe watch Nora fade down the hall, "Sorry about this. Nora is quite spontaneous. You didn't have plans today, did you?"

Ashe hums quietly in a negative, "Nn, not really, and don't worry about it. I like Nora, she's fun."

With a chuckle, Pyrrha watches Ashe back-track into her dorm to collect her sleeping pillow, and smaller pillow from Ozpin. When did she put her hat back on? "I'll admit. I am also quite excited myself. I didn't have any friends back in Mistral, so this makes me happy." With a smile, the door clicks shut, "What about you? Did you have any friends when you were younger?"

Her bell chimes quietly, straightening her top hat back upon her head, Ashe hums softly. "I used to have one."

Nothing more needed to be said. Pyrrha's lips thin, watching Ashe walk off without a delay. Pyrrha mentally kicks herself, but she lost herself in excitement. Catching up, the two make their way toward the lounge in silence. They are met with a peculiar sight.

Nora ransacked the furniture and built herself a cushion fort. She was looking quite smug at her accomplishment. "There you slowpokes are, let's get a move on girls! Party isn't gonna start on its own, ya know. You've kept us waiting."

Ashe remains expressionless while Pyrrha perks a brow, "Us?"

Ruby suddenly bursts upward, like a jack-in-the-box, and hands holding various snacks. "I bring offerings of delicious tribute!"

"Yea! She even brought strawberry wafers! Totally best friend material." Nora and Ruby give each other a high-five.

With a chuckle from Pyrrha, they approach the fort and make their way in. Ashe blinks in surprise, in the corner is Blake, pillow and novel in hand. Without looking up, she waves her hand in greeting. "In exchange for coming, they let me pick a few movies."

No one even asked.

"Ah…" Finding a cozy spot along a cushion wall, Ashe shuffles her pillows to make a nest. "What about Yang and Weiss?"

Ruby and Nora's expression turn serious, causing Ashe to flinch away a moment. "Yang is on a super, secret, and vital quest. We pray for her success, so that the V.I.P arrives safely and soundly." Nora nods her head along with Ruby.

Ashe blinks and then turns toward Blake, she sighs and rolls her eyes, "She went to get the pizza."

"And Weiss?"

"She will join us later. She had something to do today."

Ashe feels a tiny pull on her stomach at the statement, but she ignores it. "Ah, do you have the next book for Ninja's of L—"

A sudden palm smacks onto her mouth, Blake eyeing Ashe in a panic. "Don't finish that sentence. Yes, I do. I'll bring it to your dorm tonight."

"Mm." Removing her hand, Blake goes back to reading. Only after staring at Ashe for a moment longer.

The door suddenly slams open. "With a bang, enters Yang! I hope you all ordered something fresh and hot! Because here I am!" She then holds out two boxes of pizza with her sunglasses on. "Oh, I have the pizza too." And just like that, the get-together boomed.

At least for most of the girls, Ashe and Blake were perfectly content to remain in the corners in their personal space. At least till Yang forced her way between the two and made them socialize. Ashe supposed she did need to socialize just a little bit. The fact Yang had one box with extra cheese pizza had nothing to do with it.

Nothing at all.

Ashe didn't pay much attention to the movie when it started. She would look at the screen, but hardly paid attention. Mostly just zoning out and enjoying the vivid colors and snappy one-liners. Something about a lion cub, becoming king of a pride. She's not entirely sure, her mind is elsewhere. Looking around, Weiss has yet to arrive. She would rather have her around for this.

"Something on your mind?"

Honey eyes flicker toward the voice beside her, Yang happily munches on a slice with meaty toppings. "Mm?"

Lilac turns toward her with a string of cheese, "Well, you don't seem to be paying much attention to the movie." A sly smirk spreads across her lips in a tease, "Thinking about Weiss?"

With a slow blink, Ashe tilts her head with a soft chime of her bell. "A little bit."

Yang looks vaguely shocked before slurping up the string of cheese, "Oh, seriously? I honestly didn't think you would confirm something like that. I was planning to tease you a bit. Good for you."

Ashe reaches for another slice and takes a bite. Nora had hopped up and began to switch out the movie for another. Did it already end? Huh, she must have missed it. "So that's a good thing?"

"Well, yea. Although, it kind of sucks for me." Yang leans back and waves her slice around lazily, "I mean, I can't exactly tease you about it. Thankfully, Weiss more than makes up for it. Her reactions are always hilarious. But I guess that's why she's crushin' so bad."

"What do you mean?"

With a shrug, Yang crosses one leg over the other. "To me, Weiss seems to be a sucker for honesty. It's like she's a lie detector. Hard to get anything passed her, and not for a lack of trying. But it explains why she doesn't mind Ruby and seems to be coming around so quickly. Little sis is horrible at telling lies."

"Shh."

Yang and Ashe turn toward Blake who shushed them quietly, she was intently staring at the screen. Yang whispers out a sheepish apology to Blake.

Ashe finds herself staring at a strange scene. A cartoon fawn playing in the snow with its mother doe. It was a happy scene, yet it pulled on Ashe's heart. Was she like that around her own mother? Pulling her knees to her chest, she couldn't help but watch the scene play out. When the two suddenly took off running, a gun shot rang out through speakers. It didn't take long before the fawn escaped into the thickets but became separated from its mother.

The pit within her belly began to swell. There was no sight of its mother, but it called out to her. Clenching at her knees, the scene is hitting way too close to home. Yet, it did not stop there. The fawn kept going, calling for its mother. The word repeating within her mind over and over. The fawn rushes out of its thicket, searching frantically for its mother. Cold sweat breaks out over Ashe's pale skin. Hands raising to clench onto the trim of her top hat and tugging it down.

She can't watch anymore. It's suffocating.

Springing to her feet, she quickly excuses herself amid frantic startles. The room swirls in a vortex during her escape, slamming the door open, an angry and startled cry shouts out. Ashe pays it no mind and frantically retreats down the hallway. Without directing, her legs carry her to an outdoor balcony. Slamming herself against the stone railing, Ashe braces herself and clenches her body, forcing it to calm amid the cool wind.

Her hands clench and squeeze the unyielding stone without mercy. Turning her knuckles white from stress. She hates this weakness. Ashe understands this over-reaction to any little trigger is absurd and illogical. She logically knows it needs to stop. That she needs to get over these attacks. To stop letting them affect her. Without realizing it, her legs give out slowly from under her. Sinking down onto her knees while holding the railing, Ashe rests her blazing forehead against the cool marble. Her body and mind refusing to obey.

It's pathetic. She's pathetic.

But she can't help it. She is fully aware how stupid it is, but she cannot control herself. She's trying.

Through her shivering and numb body, a sudden warmth rubs onto her upper back. "What happened?"

Ashe didn't have to look back, she knew from the voice. Weiss was slowly rubbing onto her upper back, the warmth of her hand was soothing and calming. Her throat was turning dry with a crack of her voice. "It happened again. Another trigger."

Weiss slowly sinks down to a crouch beside Ashe, worry evident upon her face. "What was the trigger?"

A pitiful laugh escapes from Ashe, mocking herself at the absurdity of it, "A simple scene from a movie. A cartoon fawn crying out for its mother. Pathetic. I'm so pathetic." People are starting to notice her conditions, she's lashing out. The triggers happening in public and near others. She can't control it. They turn their gaze toward her. Whispering and talking about her in hushed voices.

"Hey, there's no need to talk about yourself like that, you're not. It's alr—"

Ashe whirls around to stare at Weiss, her bell chimes loudly. Her eyes wide and shaky, "No! It's not alright! I know it's stupid. I know there's no reason for me to be having these attacks. I'm old enough to be having some cheap mommy issues." She can't control herself. She's lashing out at the nearest source, emotions raw and unrelenting. Ashe has better control than this, knows better, but she can't control herself.

Weiss makes to reach out toward Ashe, but Ashe recoils away in fright, "Ash—"

"No! You'll get tired of me too. I don't want to hurt you either." Standing to her feet, Ashe staggers backwards before retreating and rushing back into the Academy. Never noticing the third person at the entrance in her race to the dorm. Weiss made the attempt to chase after, but the figure blocks her with an extended arm.

Glacial eyes couldn't help but bore a hole through the figure, but those lilac eyes were unflinching and took it in stride. "Let me handle it from here."

If anything, that glare only grew colder. Yang decided she never wants to be on the receiving end of this glare again. Clenching her teeth, Weiss balls her hands into fists. "Don't hurt her." Without a response, Weiss whirls around and heads to the lounge. Snow-colored hair lashing out in a whip. No doubt the other girls are gossiping and making their own wild accusations. She just got here, and already she has to run damage control.

Yang watches her retreat with an angry step. Whether it was a trick of her eyes or not, Yang could swore that she saw ice shavings floating from her clenched fists and frost in her steps. Not delaying a moment longer, Yang makes her way toward Ashe's dorm. She'd rather not piss off the Ice Queen any further. Knocking, there's no response, but she opens it anyway.

There upon the open window, Ashe is quietly sitting with her back toward Yang. Closing the door with an audible click, Yang makes her way toward the opposite side of the window and leans against the seal. Looking out, the sky was turning a soft shade of orange with a dominate setting of a dull blue. The earliest signs of dusk. "You don't have to say anything, but at least hear me out."

Silence is all that greets her, crossing her arms under her bust, Yang rests the side of her head against the window frame. "I can…understand having mommy issues." A twitch of the hand from Ashe, "Growing up, we had a super mom, baker of cookies and slayer of monsters. She would go on missions around the world, and sometimes our dad would be busy as well. That left me to babysit most of the time. Till one day, she went on a mission and didn't come back. Our dad shut down after that, so it was mostly just Ruby and I."

A few birds chirp on by outside the window, Yang doesn't know whether Ashe is listening or not. She's been silent and motionless, but she keeps going regardless. "It was only later when I found out why dad shut down so badly. Turns out, Summer was his second lover." With a huff, Yang shrugs her shoulders to herself. "His first, was my mom. When I was born, she abandoned us."

"Why?" The soft voice cracked and whispered into the wind.

"Dunno, I have been searching for the answer to that question ever since I found out. I know that no matter what, Summer will always be my mom. She was the one that stepped up and raised me. Loved me just as much as she loved dad and Ruby." Yang rubs her triceps with the opposite hands in a self-hug. "That doesn't mean that I still don't want to know about my real mom. Who is she? Where is she? Is she even still alive? Why did she leave? I know I have anger issues, and sometimes, I lash out when people poke fun about how different Ruby, and I look. So, when you said you have mommy issues. Something just clicked, like I could somewhat understand. Even though they may be completely different situations." Perhaps, someone could also understand her. Yang has never told anyone else about their mothers. Ruby knows, but she would never be able to understand. Their dad has all but given up on Yang's mother as well. He doesn't even talk about her to Yang.

It felt...like a bit of weight was lifted from her shoulders. Perhaps, she should talk about it more often.

With the setting of the sun, the two girls stare out into the tree covered horizon. It isn't long before a soft voice breaks through the silence once more. "Have you made any progress?"

Yang shrugs her shoulders, "Depends on what you mean by progress. Have I made progress finding my mother? Not really, but I at least found out her name when my uncle got drunk one night. Progress with my mommy issues? Not really, I still get angry when people bring her up, or joke about how different Ruby and I look. Just the other day I almost punched an asshole through the wall for poking fun at our different hair colors."

"I'm sorry."

A brow perks up, "For what?"

"Ruining the night."

Yang snorts and kicks herself off the window seal to stride toward Ashe. Her hand gently grasps onto the thin and fragile shoulder, "You have absolutely nothing to apologize for, and the night is still young. I'll tell you what. We can stay here till you're ready, and then we can head back to the lounge. Or if you just want to stay here, then I'll keep you company for the night." Yang leans closer with a wiggle of her brows, "Unless you want me to get Weiss to keep you company for the night."

Ashe turns her head slightly toward Yang with a slight twitch of her nose, "That does sound ni—"

"Great! That settles it then." Yang hops and stretches up with a crack of her joints. "I'll have Weiss come join you in your room." Striding toward the door, Yang opens it and turns to offer a wave and wink at the flabbergasted look of Ashe. "She will be here shortly. Trust me." The door quickly slams shut without waiting for a retort.

Alone within her room, Ashe stares at the door before sighing to herself. Everyone really seems to be doing what they want, with or without her consent lately. Though, she is still on the fence whether to be grateful or not. She only has time to stand and close the window before a rapid set of heels click and clack along the outside flooring. They grow louder and stronger before the door is suddenly slammed open.

Ashe's bell chimes softly, causing Weiss to stare directly toward her. She enters the room and slams the door behind her. With a beeline toward Ashe, her light blue eyes flicker and roam along her figure. "What's wrong? Yang said you needed me." Weiss is suddenly upon her and looking down at her with concern. "What happened?"

Raising her hands, she placates the heiress before it could go any further. "It's okay…I'm okay…I just…rather not go back to the lounge yet. I prefer to be in here a while longer with you."

"Oh…Oh." Weiss reels back slightly, a red hue upon her cheeks. "Well, Yang made it seem like you were in distress. It appears I was mistaken. None-the-less, I am happy to hear you are doing better."

"Mm."

Silence rustles through the dorm room in an awkward breeze. At least for Weiss. Ashe on the other hand was quite content and allowed the quiet to soothe her mind. Just by being in her presence, it allowed her thoughts to quiet and calm. If she could, Ashe would prefer to stay like this for a while longer. Sadly, it was not meant to be.

"Ahem." Glancing up, Ashe finds Weiss staring at her, eyes shining with anticipation. Tilting her head in confusion, Weiss just arches a brow in response. "Don't you have something to say to me?"

Ashe's bell chimes softly with a slow and puzzled expression, "I…do?" She has something say to her, since when? Nothing comes to mind, but her mind is a bit clouded.

With hands upon her hips, Weiss steps forward and lurches toward Ashe, "Of course. You were quite rude to me earlier. I went out of my way for you, checked on your well-being, and what do I get?" Stepping forward toward Ashe, her face inches closer, causing Ashe to lean back slightly. "You yelled at me. Interrupted me. Twice! Then had the gall to make some bogus claim about me." Ashe suddenly finds Weiss jamming a finger against her chest. "So, don't you have something to say to me?"

Ah, when she says it like that. It is starting to come back to mind. Yea, she wasn't exactly in the right state of mind then. Adverting her gaze, Ashe mumbles under her breath.

Weiss smirks slyly to herself, leaning toward Ashe's adverted gaze. "Did you say something?"

Once more, Ashe adverts her gaze downward and toward the other side. Only for Weiss to lean forward in the same direction. Not letting Ashe's gaze escape. "…Sorry…"

Her lips curl into a mischievous smirk, Weiss was thoroughly enjoying this. That book she read and studied about courting and flirting was worth it. Though they are quite hidden, Weiss is finding a few of Ashe's buttons. Normally the girl is quiet and snarky toward others, except for the few common friends they have. "Say it again, but louder."

Clenching her fists, Ashe suddenly raises her head, a light red hue upon her nose. "I'm sorry!" Apologizing is the worst. She hates it. Ashe makes an effort to avoid it at all possible outcomes. It makes her feel weak and vulnerable. She can probably count the number of people she's apologized to on one hand.

Grinning to herself, Weiss flicks a hand through her side-tail. "I suppose, that will do. Apology accepted." She couldn't help the quiet chuckle from escaping at the annoyed and grumpy pout from Ashe. Weiss calmly reaches out to take the small hand into her own, "Do you want to rejoin the others, or stay here for a bit longer?"

With a shaky breath, Ashe gives a small squeeze in return. She should take her own advice and not run away. Although, that is easier said than done, but she will try. "I'll go back."

"Are you sure?"

"Mm."

"Alright, let's go." Weiss reaches out with her free hand and tilts Ashe's hat back on straight for her. Said girl just twitches her nose in response in thanks. Weiss then drags and leads her by the hand back toward the lounge. She does not even allow Ashe a pause and leads her directly into the room.

With a chime, all eyes turn toward Ashe. Out of instinct, Ashe squeezes and clenches onto Weiss's hand. Absorbing all the warmth that it comforted. Their gazes made her flinch, but she knows them. They wouldn't mock or look down upon her. Sucking in a deep breath, Ashe lets it out and contents with the warmth beside her.

Nora was the only one to bounce up onto her feet at the sight of Ashe. Though, she was calm and slow with her movements. Nora offered a small smile with her brightly colored aqua eyes. Approaching her, Nora leans forward a bit and waves with her radiant smile. "Welcome back~ We missed you."

Ashe quietly and timidly nods, squeezing Weiss's hand. "Mm."

Whirling back around, Nora throws a hand up into the air with a grin, "Let's continue, round two! Let's go!" Skipping along, Nora enters back into the group as they once more mingle between each other. Nothing more needed to be said. Ashe was thankful for Nora.

She feels a soft squeeze in return before a tug upon her hand. Turning her head, she finds Weiss staring at her while motioning forward. "Come on." Ashe finds herself dragged back into the fort. Did it grow? Apparently, Nora and Ruby are not the ones to sit idly by. It looks like they raided some more cushions from who knows where.

Curling back into her undisturbed nest, Ashe noticed the movie has changed. She doesn't know why, but the guilt drops like a stone within her stomach. Sinking into her pillows, another squeeze of the hand draws her attention. It's like Weiss was reading her mind. A soft curl on the corner of her lips with a shake of her head. "No one really wanted to watch it anyway from what I heard. Don't worry about it."

Looking down, Ashe didn't respond and just watched the new movie. Hardly even paying attention as the colors reflected upon her eyes. Not once did she ever make to release the soft and warm hand, nor did it attempt to break away. Sadly, all things must come to an end. The door suddenly slammed open.

"Who took all the cushions in the teacher's lounge?!" Professor Goodwitch stood angrily at the door before striding in.

Nora and Ruby suddenly pop their heads up in fright. "Cheese it!" Not even a drop of a hat, a red blur whirls by a startled Goodwitch before an orange haired teen bulldozes on through to safety with a maniacal laughter..

Goodwitch snarls before whirling on her heels and chasing down the troublemakers out the hall. Blake sighs and is the first to stand and leave. "That's my cue." Yang follows with a wave toward Ashe and Pyrrha.

As Pyrrha approaches, their hands finally part to stand to their feet. "Shall we go as well?" The trip back was made in silence. They only escorted her part of the way, their dorms in the other direction. Weiss turns to glance at Ashe's retreating form. Her eyes squint before shaking her head. She turns back to Pyrrha and makes casual chat. Her mind playing tricks on her.

Why would there be smoke creeping along the floor?

Making it to her dorm, Ashe returns her pillows to their natural place before plopping into bed. Snuggling up, she makes to turn off her lamp before a knock sounds onto her door. With a groan after finally getting comfortable, Ashe throws off her blanket and strides to the door with a yawn. A hand upon the knob, she throws it open with a grunt of effort.

Amber colored eyes stare toward her in a monotone. Ashe suddenly finds a book pressed into her chest. Looking back up, Blake raises a finger to her lips with a cold and serious stare. "I was never here." Ashe could only nod once, the black-haired teen motioning from her eyes, to point at Ashe.

Watching her retreating form back into the darkness, Ashe couldn't help but shrug in confusion at what just happened. Looking at the book, Ashe returns to her dorm while closing the door. "Ninja's of Love: Volume t—"

A boney hand suddenly grips and covers her mouth in a frightening squeeze. Startling in fright, Ashe is roughly slammed back into the door in a violent crash. Instinctively, one hand reaches for the offending wrist, as the other snaps toward the forearm. Before she could snap it, a searing pain ruptures from her kidney.

The handle of a dagger pounding at the sensitive organ in a violent thrust. She couldn't help but groan out in a muffled cry of pain. Her head went blank at the rupture of torment.

The pain was blinding, fresh tears pooling into her eyelids. Her grip on the offender's wrist slackens, without mercy, she's thrown across the room. Her back slams against her bookshelf, a textbook falling and slamming against her temple. That pain went ignored in favor of her kidney. Curling in on herself, Ashe clenches her teeth, refusing to sound out in pain. Her hand claws at the wound, any attempt to lessen the pain. Someone managed to get the drop on her, either they were that good, or she was growing rusty.

"You've grown weak. Adapted to safety and comfort."

She knows that voice. Perhaps she was not as rusty as she believed. He's one of the only few that can get the drop on her so easily. After all, that is the voice she learned from. It guided her to strength. Yet it also brought discomfort and pain. Suffering. But it gave her the most important thing. Survival.

With her eyes clenched, she forces them open in a grit. Focusing her gaze, a hunched and hooded figure stands before her. It lowers down and peers over the fallen girl curiously, disappointed. "I told you, never stay in one place for too long. Stupid brat, hak-hak."

The pain was dulling, slowly, but not fast enough. Though, if he wanted her dead, she would be already. Ashe could only intensify her glare. Why was he here? How did he get in? Beacon is supposed to be a haven of safety. Yet, he snuck in so easily. More importantly, why was he looking for her?

"I knew you survived. Too stubborn to die." The hooded figure slowly and uneasily kneels to look down at her. The soft crack of aching bones sounding out through her dorm from the pop of his joints. The glow in her eyes was bright and defiant. "Yes, yes, too stubborn. I trained you after all. I'd expect nothing less."

Sucking down a breath, Ashe was finally able to speak again with a graveled voice. "How did you find me?"

The cloaked figure shakes its head in amusement, "Did that book hit you harder than I thought? You know better than to ask that. Heh-heh."

An assassin never reveals their secrets. To do so is idiotic. The best assassin is the unknown assassin. Secretive, without anyone knowing a thing about them. Has she truly forgotten about her training? "What do you want?"

"Hyak-hak-hak, what indeed." Slowly, the cloaked figure rises and turns back to the door. Hobbling and limping toward the doorway. "For now, I bring you a warning."

Ashe grits and uses an elbow to prop herself up slightly, a hand clenching onto her tender kidney area. "For what?" Why would he bring her a warning?

"I wasn't the only one looking for you."

Sitting up slowly, Ashe rests her back against the bookshelf, "Who?"

The figure slowly begins to vibrate in mirth, "Hmhmhmhm, now, now. It wouldn't be entertaining if I told you that. You'll find out soon enough. They are almost here." As if a breeze was blowing through, his body wisps away into smoke. Pooling and slithering along the ground before disappearing under the door.

Sitting upon the ground, Ashe grits her teeth in rage. Her eyes glow brightly before grasping the textbook beside her, she yells in unbridled rage before throwing it at the door. A dull and banging thunk rages through her dorm. Struggling to her feet, Ashe shuffles toward the door. Shouting once more, both fists slam into the thick wood.

Once more, she let her guard down.

Fangs pronounced; Ashe digs her claws into the wood. "He's right. Elder took me down with one blow, like a newly born pup." But, why? Why did he just incapacitate her and deliver a warning? He could have easily killed her, he should have. After all, she betrayed their pack. An unforgivable sin among their ranks. They have always had a strange relationship. Perhaps he was also sending another message. He could have reached for her whenever he wanted.

He was her mentor and guardian, but he never showed anything else. After her atrocious act, he searched for her, found her, incapacitated her, and warned her. Yet, he refused to tell her who. Who would be searching for her? Adam? Sienna?

Squinting her eyes, Ashe leans her forehead against the dull wood in thought, "No, they left long before. Why would they want to look for me? They probably believe me to be dead. There's no one else who would hunt for me." She whispered to herself.

"There is another."

Ashe whirls around and swipes an angry slash through the air with gritted teeth. "No! He's dead! We made sure of it!"

A ghost of her past lazily rests upon the bookshelf, swaying side-to-side playfully. "Did we though? The memories are a haze for us."

Stomping forward, Ashe lashes out with a swipe through her past self. "I did! There's no way he could have survived!" Her ghost dissipates like a fog. Ashe denied it vehemently. Not allowing any piece of that thought to take root within her mind. She will not let it bury and grow within her conscious. Ashe will find out who's searching for her. But she needs information. Right now, she knows nothing, and that's unacceptable. Clenching her dagger, she turns off the lamp and returns to sleep. Blade in hand under the pillow, she made sure to keep an eye open during her sleep. If she slept at all.

Yet the dark whisper kept echoing within her mind on repeat.

'What if he survived?'

Deep within the void of her mind, the ghost of her past floats about the space. Lazily keeping her gaze up, like drifting within a calm current. Glistening fragments slowly trickle down from the heavens. With a frown, tendrils of miasma form and slither toward the ceiling. A portrait of stained glass covering the endless void. It was cracked and disfigured with missing pieces. Patches of make-shift bandages holding it together.

A fresh crack had formed, the tendrils ease into the rupture and fill it once more. Patching and sticking the pieces together. A crimson aura leaking from the crack trickles and drips. Slowly floating toward the crimson aura, the ghost of past braces herself with clenched teeth. Thrusting out a hand, it clenches around the tendril of crimson and the effect is immediate.

It absorbs into her being, screaming in pain, the ghost reaches up to her head and clenches in suffering. Curling in despair, her knees find refuge upon an invisible surface. The crimson aura torments her endlessly, but it must be purified. Purged from the mindset. She must withstand the pain. She must be unshakable.

Unbreakable.

Her body convulses before slowly beginning to vibrate. "Heh…heh-heh…hehehehe." Throwing back her head, they glow in madness. One eye shaded with a glow of honey, as the other is infested with crimson. "AH-HAHAHAHAHA!"

(A/N)

Howdy~

Sorry for the delay in the release of this chapter, and its a bit shorter than the others, but I figured that would be a good place to end it. Work has been super busy lately, putting in about 12-14 hours a day, urg. But I'm doing my best to keep going! Never give up! Never surrender!

I hope everyone has been having a wonderful read and enjoying the story thus far. It's been fun writing this up and keeping my sanity in tact, haha.

To the people who left reviews, thank you very much. It always brightens me up to see a comment or two! I shalt do you all proud.

Good news everyone! There will be a new artwork around October, so I am hoping to have the story more progressed by then, and hopefully be caught up to the scene. More work for me, but hopefully it also means faster chapter releases.

Thank you for reading this far.

Darth