A/N: Heyo! Blue again! Finally, the twist has been revealed! I have been sitting on this for so long, drawing angel Yang for SO LONG, and I could hardly show them to ANYONE! It was rough. But now you know! Some of you called it from the start, but I'm happy that I threw a lot of you guys threw a loop. I wanted it to feel like a normal life AU and then BAM! Angels. Just as a warning for this chapter, there is some old timey slang (not too much but still) so I hope no one gets thrown off by that. Thanks for all your feedback, I hope you enjoy this chapter as well! Lemme know what you think. Enjoy the Bees!

Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY

Chapter 8: Past Virtues, Present Vices

"I... You..." Blake stammered, taking in the sight. This had to be a dream, right? Blake kept her eyes trained on Ruby but fumbled behind her for a seat. When she finally landed a hand on the arm of a chair, she clumsily sat down, shaking.

"It's a lot, I know. You should have seen Weiss when I first told her." Ruby said calmly, laughing at the memory. She floated down to the ground, making her wings disappear. The room felt so much dimmer than normal. Blake thought that Ruby's light might have shortened out her own lights somehow, but the more she thought about it, it was probably the fact that Ruby's light was just so much brighter.

Angels.

Ruby was an angel.

So was Yang.

This was... unbelievable.

"How did..."

"How did we become angels?" Ruby finished for Blake. "Ok, it's kind of a long story, so bare with me."

XxXxX

1937

"'Ay, he started it, alright!" Yang yelled, standing up from her seat. She had clearly gotten into a fight, her trousers and top were both covered in dirt. If that wasn't enough, she was also sporting a black eye and had a trace of dried blood dripping from her mouth.

"Miss Xiao Long, Sit down!" headmaster Lionheart shouted. "I do not care who started the fight, you are aware of our policy on violence."

Yang slumped in the nearly broken chair he provided her. It was honestly a joke that the man had any policies at all. He tried to make the school more dignified, but who was he kidding. It was a run-down broken school for run-down broken kids. Ruby felt herself getting splinters from just sitting in the chair.

Not that she could really complain. They were lucky enough to get an education at all. People didn't really expect much from the pair, two orphaned half-sisters. Their father and Ruby's mother died in a car crash when they were still very young. And Yang's mom? Well she just left before Yang could even talk.

"You realize that it is only because of my charity that you can come here at all. You should count yourself lucky." The headmaster said with a long, drawn out sigh. "But instead, you two have given me nothing but grief."

"Nah, I'm the troublemaker here. Rubes is practically an angel."

"Oh really? And I suppose that you stole all those cookies on your own a couple months ago."

Busted. While it was true that Yang was mostly the one making problems, Ruby got wrapped up into her antics more often than not. She couldn't help it, Yang was always having fun, making the most of their sad little life. And nowadays, she needed that levity.

Everyone did.

"Yeah, but she didn't do anything this time." Yang defended. "I was the one who punched that guy's lights out. And the chump deserved it."

"Miss Xiao Long!"

"What? He was being an asshole!"

"Language!"

"This all wet, egg told my sister that she was a waste of space and that it would be better if they just killed all of the orphans like her. You expect me to just let'em get away with that?"

"Miss Xiao Long, be quiet!" He boomed, standing up from his chair to tower over the blonde rascal. "I didn't want to do this, but I cannot let your insubordination go unpunished."

"Wait, please,sir!" Ruby spoke up for the first time since the meeting began. "Y-yang didn't mean any harm, honest. She was just looking out for me."

"I understand, Miss Rose. But the fact of the matter is that this is not the first time you two have been in my office."

"Wait." Yang interjected. "Wait...Sir."

Headmaster Lionheart raised an eyebrow at her sudden show of respect. The only people Yang really showed respect to was her fellow orphans, and even then she was very causal around them.

"What is it?"

"Can I talk with you alone, please?"

The man considered it for a moment, and then nodded his head, gesturing Ruby to step out of the room. The girl in the red cape sat on the bench outside of his office and kicked her legs about. She felt awful, it was her fault that Yang got involved in the first place. But Cardin wouldn't stop, he kept teasing her, pulling on her cape (the only memento she had of her mother). She started crying, and that is when Yang saw what was going on and proceeded to beat the daylights out of the pill.

Ruby fiddled with the hem of her skirt, idly wondering when she'd be able to get out of the stuffy old uniform and get into her normal clothes. She wanted to put her slacks on, go back to her lumpy bed and forget this day ever happened. She laughed, thinking about how Yang didn't follow the dress code what-so-ever. She just wore her normal pair of trousers with the 'dress shirt' they provided all the girls, except she rolled up the sleeves. Yang never seemed to care what others thought of her. She would always say that the only person's opinion that mattered was Ruby's.

And Amber's of course. She was one of the younger girls in the orphanage that had taken a liking to the misfit sisters. She was left on the doorstep of the orphanage when she was just a tiny baby. Yang and Ruby watched her grow up before their eyes. They treated her as if she was their younger sibling, though no blood was shared between them.

The opening of the office door garnered Ruby's attention. Yang coolly walked out of the room with her hands folded behind her head.

"Come on, Rubes. Time to go home."

"What happened?" Ruby asked, no longer able to contain herself.

"Don't worry. You'll be fine."

"What about you?"

Yang turned around to give her a melancholy smile.

"School's never really been my thing, I've always been a scrub. It's alright." Yang told her. "Besides, I'm seventeen. I was almost outta that joint, anyhow."

"Yang..."

"It's fine, Ruby. I'd rather see you get a good education." Yang said, giving her a large hug. "Now, let's get back."

The pair walked down the streets to the seedier part of Vale, down to the orphanage. Unfortunately for them, Miss Goodwitch was waiting at the top of the steps.

"Dammit." Yang swore. She put on a very cheesy smile for the woman who ran the orphanage. "Hello, Miss Goodwitch. You look lovely today."

"Don't even try it, Yang. The headmaster just called over the horn."

"Did he tell you what lovely and respectful ladies we are?" Yang asked facetiously.

"No he did not." She hissed. "I can't believe you threw away this opportunity, Yang. You really want to prove everyone right, don't you. You just want to prove that you won't amount to anything, don't you? Well congratulations, you're doing a bang up job."

The woman swiftly turned around and walked back inside. Yang hung her head.

"Yang."

"I'm fine, don't worry about me." Yang said, putting on a smile for her sister. But Ruby saw past it. Those words hurt her, they cut her to her very core.

Walking inside, they were immediately greeted by a pair of tiny arms doing their best to wrap around the two of them.

"Hey there kid." Yang chuckled, messing up Amber's hair. She looked up at them with a large smile. But it dropped when she saw Yang's eye.

"What happened, Yang?" She asked, letting go and pointing to her face. Her voice was filled with fear.

"Aw this? It's nothin'. You should see the other guy." Yang brushed off, kneeling down to maintain eye-contact with the small girl. The seven-year old giggled, her messy brunette bob bounced in time with her laughter.

"You're so tough, Yang. Will you teach me to fight like you? I wanna go to Jimmy's to train too."

"I don't think that's a good idea kid. Maybe when you're older."

"But you said that last year." Amber whined. "I wanna be strong like you."

"You don't have to work out to be as strong as Yang, Amber." Ruby informed her. She laughed as her small head tilted in confusion. "Why do you think Yang is strong?"

"She beats people up." She answered bluntly. Yang pinched the bridge of her nose. She really wasn't getting it.

"Ok, why do you think she does that?"

"They... they were being mean."

"Yeah, she stands up for what's right. For those who need her." Ruby honestly answered. "But you can do that without your fists too. You can do it with your mind."

"My mind?"

"Yeah, like Ruby." Yang said. "Ruby fights in her own way. Whenever someone is doing something wrong, she uses her words instead."

"But does that work?"

"Oh absolutely. You're smart, kid. Keep learning and you'll go far."

"Okay, but will you promise to take me to Jimmy's some time? I want to be strong in both ways, like both of you!"

"When you're older."

"Hmmph."

"Buuut in the meantime, how about we get some other kids together and play some games on the street."

Her eyes lit up at this. She ran off inside to grab some other kids, leaving Ruby and Yang to watch in amusement.

XxXxX

After playing for a couple hours, Goodwitch called them all inside for dinner and bed. Ruby stared up at the ceiling, contemplating something that had stuck with her since leaving school.

Yang was seventeen, about to turn eighteen soon. She would be kicked out of the orphanage, into the real world. What would they do then? What would happen?

"Yang." Ruby whispered to the bed next to her.

"Yeah?"

"What happens... On your birthday?"

"Well I'd hope that you would say 'happy birthday, Yang'."

"That's not what I meant."

"I know what you mean."

"What will you do?"

"I was thinking about trying to find a job before that happens."

"Do you really think you can get a job?"

"I'm not sure, but I gotta try. Maybe Jimmy will let me work at the gym."

"He's not doing so well either."

"No one is, Ruby. We're all just trying to live another day."

"Will... will you visit me?" Ruby said, voice cracking with emotion.

"Ruby."

"I'm sorry. I just... I'm gonna miss you."

"Then... come with me."

"What?"

"I'll be eighteen, an adult. I could adopt you."

"You think Goodwitch would allow that."

"I think she just cares about getting these kids out of here. And maybe we can bring Amber too. I'll find a way to support the three of us."

"Do you really think that you could?"

"I'm not sure, but I'll never know if I don't try."

"Maybe I can work too in that case."

"Nah, Rubes. You gotta keep learning. I can figure it out."

"If you say so."

"Just imagine it though. You, me and Amber. A real family. Sounds pretty kippy, don't it?"

"Yeah, yeah I like the sound of that."

XxXxX

The following day was luckily a Saturday. And that meant that Ruby didn't have to go to school. Which also meant she wasn't stuck in a lousy uniform all day. Yang and her got up real early to hit the streets. They first stopped by Jimmy's gym (catchy name, wasn't it?) so Yang could get a little workout in. The owner was a middle aged man who had a prosthetic right arm and leg, but he still was able to move with the best of them.

His full name was James Ironwood, he was a veteran who served until he lost the limbs. And even after that he wanted to keep going. He seemed intimidating, but he was a kind soul. Insisted that everyone call him Jimmy. Yang asked him about a job, but the man told her that he could barely afford the people he had hired already.

For the rest of the day, they wandered about Vale, checking out the familiar sights. They even decided to make the trek out to the park their parents took them to when they were small. A curtain of willow trees, a bed of flowers, the breeze. It was turning out to be a perfect day. They started heading back just before it was getting dark so they would make it back before curfew. The last thing they needed was Goodwitch mad at them again.

But, as they approached the building they called their home, Ruby got the feeling that was the last thing on the woman's mind. Smoke billowed, visible from a block away. They ran the rest of the way back to see what was the commotion.

Flames poured out of the orphanage like water from a gutter on a rainy day. A bunch of the kids and Goodwitch stood outside in sleepwear, in shock of the scene before them, some coughing from the smoke. The firemen were still no where to be seen though, but the flames rose higher and higher.

Yang ran up to Goodwitch.

"What happened?"

"I don't know! Someone shouted fire and we all got out of there."

Ruby swiveled around to count all the kids. Five were missing, including Amber.

"Some kids are still in there!" Ruby shouted in panic.

"What?" Yang shouted.

"We can't do anything until the firemen show up! No one can go in there, it's too dangerous!"

"Like hell! Come on Ruby. Let's go."

"NO, WAIT!" Was the last thing they heard as they rushed into the building, leaping over the flames. Looking around, they already spotted three of the missing kids on the first floor. They were in the corner of a room, cowering from the flames that threatened to bite.

"Hey! We need to leave!" Yang shouted at them. The one on the right (Ruby recalled that his name was Liam) shook his head vigorously.

"No! Too scary!"

"It'll be scarier to stay!" Ruby insisted. She outstretched her hand to them and took the hands of the child in the middle and the one on the left. Liam would not budge though. In the end,Yang had to pick him up and carry him outside. After dropping them off, the sisters ran right back into the burning building to find the other two. They scoured the first floor, hoping they wouldn't have to walk up the rickety stairs, but it appeared they had no other choice. They ran up stairs and found one girl, Sweetie they called her, banging on one of the doors.

"What's going on?" Ruby asked Sweetie, coughing from the smoke pouring into her lungs.

"Amber's in there! I can't... open... the door." She shouted in between coughs.

"Get out of here, we'll get her." Yang told her, covering up her mouth with her sleeve. It didn't completely stop her from inhaling the smoke, but it was better than directly inhaling the fumes.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Get out, Sweetie!"

With that, Sweetie ran down the stairs and, hopefully, out of the building. Yang focused her attention on the door. She tried the handle, but found it to be too hot. Instead, she backed up and threw her body against the door with all her might, letting out a loud grunt. She did this multiple times, until it finally burst open.

"AAH!" Yang yelled out, gripping her shoulder.

"Yang! Are you alright?" Ruby asked in concern.

"I'm... fine... get Amber." She said through gritted teeth. Ruby jumped across the flames that danced across the wooden floor and searched for Amber. She was cowering on one of the bunks, gripping her tattered stuffed animal puppy.

"Amber! Amber we need to leave!" Ruby shouted, making her way over to the young girl. She snapped her head to the red head, but made no effort to move. "Amber, come with me!"

"I-I c-caaaan't."

"Yes you can! I know you can!"

"I'm t-too suh-scaaaared." The girl sobbed. "I-I'm not strong l-like you!"

"Yes you are! You are so strong! But I need you to be extra strong for me right now!"

"B-but."

Ruby grabbed the frightened child's hand and looked into her eyes. Catching her attention, Ruby unhooked her red cape and draped it around Amber.

"You are strong, I believe in you!" Ruby said as calmly as she could. The girl looked back at Ruby and slowly nodded her head, shakily getting to her feet. Ruby held her hand as she led them through the burning wreckage. It would have been faster if Yang could have carried Amber, but there was no way that would be possible with her shoulder injured as it was.

They were just about free when Amber got her foot trapped in the floor. Yang stopped to help her get it out, twisting it with her one good arm. She finally got it free, but then Ruby noticed a large piece of wood that came hurtling down from the ceiling, right above Yang.

"YANG! LOOK OUT!" Ruby shrieked, pushing her sister out of harms way.

And then everything went black.

XxXxX

When her vision came back, everything around her seemed pure white, it was almost blinding. There was no more burning building, no more smoke infiltrating her lungs, no more pain. Just pure white as far as she could see. And it stayed like this for a couple minutes. Hours? Who knew, time felt weird and arbitrary then for some odd reason.

And then, all of a sudden, Yang was right next to her, looking very distraught and sad. Tears ran down her face furiously.

"Ruby! Y-you're alive!" She sobbed, wrapping her sister in a very large hug.

"Actually, she's not. And neither are you." A sudden voice informed. Turning to face him, the sisters saw a man in gleaming armor with a pair of teal tipped wings.

"We're... Dead?" Ruby clarified.

"That is correct."

"But... We had so much to do..." Yang whimpered.

"Yes, you still do." The man said with a smile. "Which is why you are being given this opportunity."

"What opportunity?" Ruby asked.

"Your final actions on earth were quite heroic and selfless. Putting others lives before your own. It's not an easy thing to do." He explained. "Therefore, we are giving you the chance to help more people."

"How can we help people if we're dead, chump?" Yang asked, tired of his cryptic responses.

"By becoming angels."

XxXxX

Present

"Obviously, we took the offer. We had a second chance to help people, to do some good in the world. I could tell Yang was happy with it. She had a purpose, she amounted to something after all, not that anyone from our old lives would know that."

"So, where does Weiss come into this? Why did Yang act like she didn't know you if you were so close?" Blake answered, her mind swirling with all this new information abut Yang and Ruby.

"Weiss... was my charge."

"Charge?"

"The person I was assigned to help, like what you are to Yang."

"I'm Yang's charge?"

"Yes. When someone really needs help, they'll send an angel to help them out on a personal level. Kind of like undercover agents. Weiss had all this potential to do good, we could all see that." Ruby beamed, full of hope. "The problem was that she was... in a very dark place. We weren't sure if she would turn out the way she was meant to if she kept going the way she was."

Blake turned her attention to Weiss, who hung her head lower than before. She was different back then. She had always known that Ruby helped her out of it, but she didn't know that it was Ruby's job.

"But... I started to develop feelings for Weiss. I tried to deny it, tried to fight it, but I couldn't. I was falling madly in love with my charge, and they knew."

"They?"

"The other angels, the ones that watched over specific cases." Ruby explained. "But... Yang didn't even know. Not until I told her."

"What did she say?"

"She... Didn't take it well. We got into a big fight over it and that was the last time we spoke... Before seeing her here... and later on that night."

"Wait, you didn't tell me you went to see her." Weiss said with mild confusion. "I told you not to go!"

"I'm sorry, I... I needed to know what was going on with Blake. And I didn't want to worry you."

"What do you mean 'what was going on with Blake'?" Blake asked.

"Well I can handle it ok? You trust me right?" Weiss asked.

"What's going on?" Blake tried to grab their attention once again.

"Of course I do! I'm sorry, I just panicked."

"HEY!" Blake shouted above them. They both turned to look at Blake. "Is something going to happen to me?"

"It's... complicated." Ruby answered.

"What does that mean?" Blake asked. "What does she mean?"

"I don't know, she can't even explain it to me." Weiss told her.

"I can't say anything. If I do, I could just make things... worse."

"What? But, nothing has-" Blake started, but recalled what had recently happened to her since meeting Yang. "Meeting her wasn't an accident, she was sent to save me from that car."

"Yes."

"Why was she spending time with me, then?"

"Part of her job was probably to teach you some sort of lesson. Get you to enjoy your life."

Well she certainly did that. Blake had been having more fun, doing more, actually living. Taking chances. But was that all Yang was supposed to do?

"Ruby, how come the bullets didn't hurt Yang? I know for a fact that you've gotten hurt before."

"Well that's because she's a complete angel. I'm clipped."

"Clipped?"

"We aren't supposed to fall in love with anyone, let alone our charges. I chose Weiss, so they took away my immortality." Ruby explained. "I still retain much of my power, but now I age and I can die again."

"That doesn't sound bad. You get a second chance at life!"

"True, but... I have no idea what will happen when I die again. There could be punishments waiting for me. And I have no connections to the angels anymore. I can't hear and see them, and they can't see or hear me. It's probably why they sent Yang in to help. They couldn't get much information on you."

"What do you mean?"

"When clipped angels come into contact with humans, complete ones can't see those interactions. They are blocked from seeing it. The reason that Yang acted as if she didn't know me was because she's not allowed to talk to me. It's believed that complete angels will get tempted if they talk to clipped angels, so they are completely cut off from each other. And honestly they're right, they need as many angels as they can get. They can't afford to keep losing them." Ruby said. "I was selfish, but I don't regret my decision. Not for one single day." Ruby sat down beside Weiss and squeezed her hand.

This was so much for Blake. A whole new world that she knew nothing about. It was hard enough getting used to living in Vale, but now she had to deal with angels? She couldn't believe that she had fallen for a literal angel, one that she had no chance with either.

It was as Ruby had said, she was just doing her job. It was the reason she hadn't seen much of her anymore, her job was over. She didn't need to be around her anymore. She wasn't worth her time.

"But Yang... She's not coming back, is she?"

"I don't think so." Ruby replied. "She's done her job. In normal circumstances, she would probably wipe your memory, but she can't do that because of me."

"I wish she could." Blake honestly whispered.

"Oh, Blake." Weiss said sympathetically. "You really liked her, didn't you?"

"Yeah, yeah I really did."