Breaking Remnant: Bound by Shadows

Rating: T/M

Series: RWBY

Pairing:

Volume 2: Summer

Summary: Aganju came to Beacon wanting to be treated as equal. Pyrrha wanted to be viewed as a normal girl. Neither of them expected to be that fate would have them meet. Now, they navigate the academy grounds and beyond, with secrets and danger awaiting them at every corner. The alternate timeline takes place just before the start of RWBY volume 1 and AU in the Breaking Remnant series.

(Rewrite of RWBY: Shadows of Destiny)

Author's Note:

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to RWBY... that honor belongs to Rooster Teeth. I do own the rights to my OCs.


Chapter 10


Within the city of Higanbana, Team RNJR (or JNNR if you'd prefer) were checking into an inn, thankful that their night wouldn't be spent in the rain. Unbeknownst to them, a red-eyed male was watching them from across the street. The torrential downpour proved to be a fitting scene as he sat dejectedly at his table, content that the four were going to be safe from the ferocious tempest. Between that and the Grimm he'd been killing along the way, he could use some relief.

As he watched them check in with the innkeeper, that relief presented itself in the form of a shot glass being placed on the table. Looking up he noticed the young and attractive waitress who set the drink down.

"Uh, I didn't-"

"From the woman upstairs; Red eyes. Said you wouldn't mind bottom shelf." the woman pointed.

Qrow watched as she turned her head to the balcony section of the bar, pondering the physical trait mentioned by the lovely gal serving him. He had a good idea of who the person was, and he was none too pleased about it. That didn't mean that he wouldn't accept the offer, even if it was cheap booze.

"Thanks..." he blankly stared at the wooden table.

Interestingly, the woman leaned in closer to Qrow, her smile growing more and more alluring as she neared him.

"But, I went ahead and gave you top," she winked before finally resuming her duties. "Lucky you."

He watched the young woman until she disappeared behind the counter to attend to some other customers with a mind to 'thank' her for her generosity. Unfortunately, he had business to attend to first. His slight grin steadily faded as he walked over to the staircase, dreading the inevitable meeting. Add to that the fact that Ruby and her friends were no longer in sight and there was little for him to enjoy at the moment.

As he ventured upward, his eyes rested on the last person he thought would ever appear before him at this point.

The already poorly lit room grew dimmer upon his ascension making the scene more ominous; perfect for such an occasion. Sitting at the farthest table, a pale-skin woman sat, her lips curled into a smug grin. Her long black hair and crimson eyes gave away her identity to Qrow Branwen.

"Hello, brother."

"Raven..."

He prepared to sit down but stopped short when he took notice of the Grimm-like mask that rested in the middle of the table. Seeing this, Raven Branwen huffed and rolled her eyes before moving it to the side. Her twin brother could be petty at times.

"So, what do you want?"

"A girl can't just catch up with her family?"

"She can... But, you're not. How about we get on with it, unless you plan on keeping these coming."

Seeing her sibling shake the glass made Raven want to vomit, but, she'd refrain from such actions if it meant she'd get what she wanted. If entertaining the drunkard bore that result, she'd stomach the terrible sensation in her gut for the time being.

"Does she have it?"

"Did you know Yang lost her arm?"

"That's not...!"

"Rhetorical question; I know you know..." he cut her off. "It's just obnoxious that you bring up family, yet you carry on like your own daughter doesn't exist."

Hearing the judgment in his tone, Raven quickly sought to counter the accusation.

"I saved her!"

"Once..." he held up a digit, clearly not falling for her desperate attempt at self-defense. "...because that was your rule. Right? A real mom of the year material, sis."

You self-righteous, arrogant, asshole...! her mind yelled.

However, her expression wouldn't dare match her inner feelings. That didn't mean she was going to let him call her poker face either. Grabbing his wrist, the woman glared daggers, pools of blood locked onto one another, each waging a silent war that started ever since they were teenagers.

"I told you Beacon would fall, and it did. I told you Ozpin would fail, and he has. Now you tell me, does Salem have it?"

"I thought you weren't interested in all of that?"

By now, Raven wanted nothing more than to bite her lip off as the frustration began to surface.

"I just want to know what we're up against..."

Not one to be fooled, Qrow flashed a ghost of a grin at his sister. "And which we are you referring to?"

Raven knew where the conversation was headed and she wanted no part of that. Thankfully, Qrow managed to shift the nature of their debate to some comical idea of her coming back to fight Salem together. She found it rather entertaining when he brought up the idea of survival and saving the world; oh, how she wished she could help him see the light.

She merely countered by bringing up his own form of betrayal.

"You're the one who left. The tribe raised us and you turned your back on them."

"They were killers and thieves..." he replied nonchalantly.

"They were your family!" she growled.

Family. A word that carried so much weight that it felt more like a burden than anything else. Neither could truly gain an upper hand when using that word as they had their own definition for it. For Qrow, Ruby and Yang, as well as his brother-in-law, Tai were all considered family. Even Raven, as irritating as she was being, was his sister and thus, his family. But, that tribe; the Branwen Tribe? That was pushing it...

"You have a very skewed perception of that word..."

That was the trigger that forced Raven to stand from her seat in both defiance and haughtiness.

"I lead our people now..." she proudly proclaimed. "And as I leader, I will do everything in my power to ensure our survival."

"I saw... The people of Shion saw too."

"The weak die and the strong live. Those are the rules."

Hearing those words made the liquor in Qrow's mouth taste bitter. No doubt, that mantra was one of the reasons he'd leave to join Ozpin and become a huntsman. He frowned softly toward his kin.

"Well, you certainly got someone strong on your side. I've seen the damage..."

"We couldn't have known the Grimm would set in as quickly as they did," she turned away, feigning ignorance.

"I'm not talking about the Grimm," her eyes widened suddenly, unsure of where this was going, she faced him again. "...and I'm not talking about you either."

At this point, Raven would have enough. If this was just a waste of her time, then it'd be best for her to move on rather than things getting any more pointless or worse, personal. Reaching for her mask, she condescendingly glared at her brother.

"If you don't know where the relic is, then we have nothing left to talk about."

"I don't know where the spring maiden is either." he slammed his hand on the Grimm-like face. "If you do, I need you to tell me."

"And why would I do that?"

"Because without her, we're all going to die..."

This, however, didn't deter Raven from her desire to leave as she ripped the helmet back.

"And which 'we' are you referring to?"

That was the end of their little discussion, or rather, it should've been. Interestingly, while staring at the table Qrow allowed the grimmest of smirks to adorn his face. Meanwhile, Raven used her sword to open what appeared to be a swirling red and black portal but, stopped when he grabbed her wrist.

"You met him didn't you?"

"What are you talking-"

"I know that you ran into him at that town. My question is: What did you think when you saw him?"

"..."

"Are you still trying to convince yourself that he doesn't exist? Well, he does and he's all grown up now. Can you live with yourself knowing that your greatest fear has come back to haunt you? Did you try to kill him back at Shion?"

If it weren't for the helmet shielding her features, Qrow would've seen the look of shock and horror that washed over the woman's face. He didn't need to see it though; he felt it the moment he uttered the words. When she looked back, he could feel the rage boiling over through the eye holes before she ripped away from him and left through the gateway, leaving him to stare at the dark wall.

Qrow let out a soft sigh before hearing glass shattering behind him. He turned to find the same woman who gave him the drink staring back with a frightful gaze; first at the spot where his sister once stood, then back at him.

Just my luck... he growled internally while grabbing the shot glass. "Make this one a double."


[Vale/Patch Island]

After weeks of suffering, and an impromptu intervention, Yang sat along the side of her bed, deep in thought. Contemplating the words from her father, her professors, and even Roxanne, the sunny dragon had been at a crossroads when it came to what she would do next. She'd still have the occasional panic attack, but she'd find herself comforted throughout the night until she was calm again.

While this was expected of her father, who loved her dearly, Yang Xiao Long was surprised at first when the typically composed Faunus would come into her room just to check up on her. It revealed a softer side that the blond had only seen once before during the Vytal Festival. It was a little amusing to realize just how easily the tables had turned where now she was the one being tended to.

I guess life's funny that way...

Still, Yang felt conflicted as her gaze traversed the full length of her room. Memories poured in of that happy and carefree girl who used to play and protect her little sister. From hide and seek to the pair re-enacting fairytales, Yang couldn't ignore the sounds of her younger self, alongside Ruby, playing the day away without a care in the world.

However, those days were gone; Ruby wasn't that little girl anymore and she wasn't the oblivious teenager. Now, they both were on separate paths that would eventually cross again. In light of that, there wasn't much choice the more Yang thought about things.

"After that, you'll want to use your elbow in case your opponent is fast enough to get in close," Tai instructed, demonstrating a combination sequence for Roxanne who was hanging on his every word. "This way you can-"

The lesson was halted when the creaking of the back door caught the duo's awareness. Yang emerged from the Xiao Long household, shielding her eyes from the midday sun. What was equally pleasant was the fact that she was now wearing the Atlas manufactured arm that was gifted to her. Tai and Roxanne shared a look of contentment as the girl finally turned to them.

"Alright. Let's get started!" the patriarch smiled warmly.

Yang nodded.

Roxanne gently touched her bandaged left arm and smiled upon seeing her friend finally coming back from her funk. Yang saw this and returned the gesture though it quickly twisted into a look that surprisingly made the ram even happier:

She saw the fire that burned brightly from deep within her soul.

Welcome back... she grinned, taking up a boxer's stance in preparation for the first of, undoubtedly many rounds of sparring.


Raven Branwen.

Leader of the Branwen tribe.

The former member of team STRQ.

Sister to Qrow Branwen.

Whatever title one knew her by, all that mattered to the woman was one thing. If you didn't regard her with respect or fear, she would gladly ingrain into your very soul. It was her way; the way of the strong devouring the weak.

"Devour..." she whispered in a shaky voice. "Seems appropriate."

The mind of the pale woman was filled with varying thoughts as she sat in her tent while her developed family enjoyed the fruits of their plunder after the events in Shion. Normally, she'd be governing where certain resources would go before this, but, she was too conflicted to care and passed off the responsibility to her second in command.

"Everything's been stashed."

"Thank you, Vernal. I'll be sure to take a look at the spoils later."

"Very well," she bowed respectively. "Are you alright? You seem to be troubled."

"I'm fine!" Raven huffed, her red eyes flashed angrily before closing apologetically at the young girl. "Thank you, Vernal. I just need some time to think about things."

Icy blue eyes looked on sympathetically at her concerned leader as she exited the shelter. Once more, dread began to set into Raven Branwen's soul as her mind finally pinpointed the two derelict parties accountable for her perplexion.

The first culprit was none other than her traitor of a brother. The thought of her twin sibling STILL working for Ozpin's suicidal cause made her head throb. How could someone with so much talent and ability continue to blindly follow someone based on baseless rhetoric and unkeepable promises? Then to wrap up children, barely capable of fending off Grimm, into the man's 'army'?

Clearly, her kinsman had little shame...

Then, there was the boy she happened across during the raid. She figured with the chaotic combination of Grimm and the fire, the presence of Huntsmen/Huntresses would be inevitable. In fact, she was expecting it; relishing the thought of potentially adding another so-called defender but, it wasn't expected for her to run into him.

Though he looked like any other Faunus, what caught Raven's attention were his eyes. Those eyes struck fear in her heart; eyes of that demon who constantly stalked and hounded her tribe over and over and over again, no matter how many times they would run. Now, she had another potential problem on her hand. If that boy was who she believed him to be, then there was no room for error.

...and if Qrow knew about him, then there really was no time to waste; she couldn't let him have the boy. Her crimson gaze eyed the large mask, narrowing as a plan began to form in her head. She had the element of surprise and, if she was careful enough, then maybe... just maybe... Raven could turn this all around in her favor.

She rushed out of her tent, finding Vernal approaching her tent. As she kneeled, those azure orbs noticed the abrupt shift from the earlier ambivalence to one of determination. Interestingly, her leader acknowledged her imminent report.

"What is it, Vernal?"

"Scouts have reported two travelers heading in our general direction; no doubt, they're probably on their way to Mistral."

"Details?"

"Based on the intel, they appear to be huntsmen, a female with red hair and a male Faunus with black hair, fox ears, and tail. They're currently going through the Kanaton Caves as we speak."

What were the odds?

Raven tapped her chin. "Set-up an ambush near the end of the cave. It'll take them at least the whole night to traverse the length of the cave so, you'll have plenty of time to intercept them."

"It will be done..." Vernal nodded.

"But, I want them alive. I believe we can use them to our advantage so, I will be joining you later when you've given word that you've finished preparations."

Without a word, the short-haired brunette rushed off to relay the orders given to her. Raven watched with a sly grin tugging on her lips. She had a plan and, one way or another, this nagging in her heart would finally be taken care of. Maybe, she could be rid of Salem and her goons as a result too? Whatever happened now, she convinced herself of this truth.

It's for the good of the tribe.

The chief of the bandit tribe only hoped that her claim would hold true.


[Patch Island]

"Haaaa!"

"Yaaaahh!"

Tai Yang Xiao Long managed to narrowly dodge the team attack only to find himself knocked back by a knee from Yang that he used to push himself backward. With enough space now, he expertly blocked her right hook while simultaneously catching a flying knee from Roxanne. He then used her momentum to his advantage, shift her limb into his daughter's. He then dropped his body to sweep their legs from underneath them.

Roxanne rolled backward while Yang hopped over her to initiate a boxing sequence that was a fast as it was predictable. Yang wasn't always the most adept at using her legs consistently in combat. In the same token, Roxanne was actually skilled in the use of the four major limbs but, she too had her own flaws that Tai would exploit.

That was typically the gist of things as she continued to charge ahead, throwing power strikes that were otherwise devastating; they would be if they landed. Heavy and powerful, Roxanne found it difficult to strike the faster Tai Yang who dodged her like wind passing through her fingers. The final result came when the two girls nodded at one another before lunging at him at the same time again.

Still, Tai wasn't one to be fooled and with a little finessing, he pushed himself off of a tree behind him and dove between them. What surprised them, even more, was when he snagged their shirts yanking them backward. Both crashed on their butts while the father-figure tucked and rolled back to his feet. With a smirk, he chuckled while his trainees groaned from the hard landing.

"Nice try girls..." he triumphantly called out. "I must admit you both pack a wallop! Well, when you could land a hit."

Yang rolled her eyes, albeit playfully while Roxanne was still rubbing her sore bottom.

"Yeah, yeah..."

"I'm surprised at how easily I got used to this arm though. Seriously, I thought it would just be this extra weight but, it feels natural. They really did a great job over at Atlas!"

Hearing the excitement in Yang's voice really made Tai happy. It seemed like the months of sulking were over and he knew one of the main reasons. Roxanne would start fawning over the metallic limb, exchanging notes about it with her best friend as if they were at a slumber party. He grabbed a towel to wipe his forehead, slowly recalling the moment he believed shifted things.

Two Weeks Ago

A worn-out Tai stumbled into the door after nearly a week straight of helping out with the relief efforts in Vale.

From Grimm to the occasional White Fang attack, he was exhausted and just happy that he made it through with only a few bumps and bruises. Opening the door to his home, he wasted little time in putting some groceries he picked up in the fridge and pushed his way upstairs, each step drawing him closer to his beloved bed.

However, that fated meeting would have to wait as he noticed a small strip of light peeking from one of the rooms.

Yang's room.

Then he noticed the eerie silence, prompting him to tiptoe near the door to ensure everything was alright. Interestingly, he found the pair just standing across from each other, neither saying a word but, the tension was clearly there as they exchanged glares at one another. He pondered whether to step in but, a rough sigh from the ram-girl stopped that.

"You're impossible..."

"What more do you want from me?!" Yang fired back, rubbing her temple with her left hand.

Crossing her arms under her chest, Roxanne grit her teeth.

"How about a bit of honesty, Yang?"

"Honesty? What else should I say, Roxie? It's not that simple!"

"Yes, it is! You're just playing the victim because it's easier than accepting the cruel truth! Your sad attempt at feigning strength is hurting everyone you care about."

From the sound of things, Tai Yang could tell that this wasn't their first go-round with this conversation. By the looks of things, the two were reaching their boiling point. In spite of this development, a part of him resisted the urge to intervene. Was it his ever-increasing need for rest? One could believe that, but, he knew there was something else holding him back.

This was an intervention, one he'd been too nervous to have with his own daughter.

"That I'm scared? That every time I close my eyes, I see the monster who did this to me?! That's frightening, okay?"

"Oh give it a rest!"

"What do you know?!" Yang shouted, tears threatening to spill over.

"YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE!"

Yang just stood there as the usually calm and stoic Roxanne has now erupted. Her own eyes flowed with tears as she undid the ribbons that normally kept her hair tied in pigtails, revealing her point. It was a point that actually sparked their friendship, along with Blake as well back during the Vytal Festival.

How could Yang forget?

"Roxie. I-"

"Do you know what it's like to not only be hurt and threatened by your own kind but humiliated?!" the blond said nothing. "Yes, I told you that they attacked my family, but, I never told you what led to this."

Roxanne Octane pointed at the spot where only a part of her horns remained.

"W-what happened?" now, Yang's voice was soft, her passionate flame now nothing more than a flicker in comparison to the molten lava burning from the Faunus.

"They..." Roxie lightly rubbed her scarred and wrapped arm. "The White Fang came into Vacuo looking for new recruits. I was one of their intended targets since I was skilled at tech and a good fighter. Unfortunately, I told them no and they didn't take too kindly to my answer. The next thing I knew, they were attacking my mom's shop when I came back from a delivery and... I did my best to fight them off."

At this point, Yang just stared in shock at the full story being told to her.

"I did pretty well until they ganged up on me. That's when I saw him..."

Her voice was shaky, still riddled with fear and trepidation at the mere mention of her assailant, yet Roxanne refused to stop now. In a way, she needed this as much as Yang did.

"Adam?"

"Yup. I remember him ordering them to hold me down while he drew his sword. I'll never forget that twisted grin on his mug." her fiery orange eyes narrowed in both pain and anger. "He gave me one last chance to accept the offer and I spit in his face; a mistake I'd come to regret. After that, I remember the first horn being cut clean through with one swipe. Surprisingly, I felt nothing but shock seeing it crash onto the sandy streets. Unfortunately, I wasn't so fortunate with my other horn."

"W-What did he do?"

"He... He took his time with the second one; Made everyone watch as a sign to either get on board or meet the same fate. Though it was less than a minute, the pain and agony I felt made it seem like an eternity as I screamed as loud as my lungs would let me. I passed out shortly before he finished my torture, bleeding, and shivering from the shock, the last thing I remember was hearing his disgusting laugh before I blacked out."

Yang looked at the hurt girl before her trembling as if she were exposed in the frigid cold. Only now did this image bear a greater significance for Yang Xiao Long; a powerful reflection of who she's been ever since the attack on the school. Even more, she saw someone who'd been dealing with this for much longer than she'd been. But, there was something else.

"I'm sorry..."

"I get it, Yang. You've lost an arm and that is beyond traumatizing." flashed an empathetic grin, tears still falling steadily. "You've lost a part of yourself, but you've also been given a chance to make the best of a bad situation. I never got that. I've had to live my life feeling like I'm only half the person I was before that day with no way to replace what I've lost, but... I gained something far greater as a result."

Frowning lightly, Yang raised an eyebrow.

"What's that?"

"Shortly after I recovered, I discovered my semblance and had a new drive and purpose in life."

"Revenge on Adam?"

Roxanne shook her head.

"No. I have no intention of ever seeking vengeance on that beast. I don't have to. My 'revenge' is living my life knowing that he didn't break me."

There it was; the hidden gem hidden within the iniquity that plagued Yang Xiao Long.

"So, you're saying I should keep moving forward?"

"I'm saying that you should allow yourself to feel and begin healing," Roxanne smiled softly, finally quelling her inner fire. "It's not easy, but that's why you have us. Your dad and I? We really care about you, Yang. We want you to get better, at your own pace of course. But, all we want is for you to try. We really love you, girl."

Yang was speechless. Not since Ruby had she felt this overwhelming amount of affection being presented to her. Sure, her father was always there for her. He did the best he could as a single father to raise and love his daughters unconditionally. Still, a part of Yang knew that she needed this.

The floodgates opened and Yang simply stepped to Roxanne slowly but surely. She then wrapped her arms around the ram and just let the waterworks flow out freely as the two embraced. Neither said anything at that moment, at least nothing that Tai could hear. It didn't matter though. His eldest daughter had finally had her breakthrough and he couldn't be happier.

However, with just enough energy left in his body, he slipped past the door silently and retired to his room, missing the dual shadows now shifting their position to a more intimate one. He'd find out soon enough though...

Present Day

That night made Tai Yang Xiao Long with vigor while the two girls watched from a distance with matching looks of concern. Still, the fact that he too was at peace made it less awkward as the pair exchanged glances at one other before quietly agreeing on a plan to sneak up on the unsuspecting elder.

"Ready old man?"

He opened his eyes to find that both Roxanne and Yang were only mere inches away before they jumped on him.

Needless to say, they won this round.


With night rolling in quickly, Aganju and Pyrrha had made it to Kanaton Cave just as the rain had let up. With their feet aching, clothes soaked, and several days' worth of walking, neither of them had much time to just relax. This had put a slight strain on their relationship as they hadn't even spent time for a single (proper) date since they set off on this journey.

Sure, their friendship was solidified but, finding a spot to rest within the dank cavern, the former took notice of something that appeared rather peculiar. He held the torch they had made over the map and noticed that there were several locations that would be perfect for them to relax and enjoy one another's company.

However, their need to rest would delay the trip there for a little while...

Meanwhile, Pyrrha had other plans, one that involved a much closer locale. Taking the fox's hand, she began heading down a separate pathway where the sound of rushing water began to fill the pair's ears.

"Pyrrha? Where are we going?"

"You'll see..." she replied in a sing-song tone.

Not one to stifle his girlfriend's chipper demeanor, Aganju followed her down the long, rocky corridor until a sound began to fill his ears. Sounds of rushing water coupled with the sight of various crystals glowing under the moonlight.

"It's beautiful, Pyrrha..." his eyes grew to the size of saucers at the marvelous sight. "I take it that we'll be camping out here?"

The warrior nodded with a small smile.

"We can relax and let our clothes dry with a fire."

This made Aganju blush upon realizing the situation proposed by the green-eyed girl.

"We'd be naked..."

"I'm well aware of that. What's important is that we get out of these wet clothes before we get sick."

"But, are you sure about-?" he stopped when he saw her annoyed frown. "Right. Wet clothes. Stripping now."

He did as he was told, removing the garments after starting a fire and hanging them on their weapons near the flames. With nothing else to wear, both of them couldn't resist the urge to blush and avert their gazes so that they wouldn't see the other in their own nude glory. This only made things awkward between the two.

For Aganju, his head began filling with thoughts of how much of a horrible boyfriend he was.

In his mind, Pyrrha deserved to be dined and taken out to fancy places and here they were, settling in a cave while their outfits dried off. Looking over, he could see the unreadable expression of the girl staring silently at the flickering flames licking the air close by. Guilt began to eat away at him as he tried to divert his attention toward anything other than the object of his affection.

That's when he saw it.

A pool of crystal clear water, highlighted by the now fully visible moon. He had nothing more to lose as he slipped away.

Meanwhile, Pyrrha began to let her own mind wander, mainly about her own shortcomings. Unknown to the faunus, Pyrrha Nikos felt like she didn't deserve him. Sure, she was popular but, that's not the same as being interesting. Aside from being friendly and strong in combat, she felt that there was nothing about her that made her stand out.

She wasn't adorably short like Ruby; she was rather tall compared to most girls.

She wasn't as culturally fascinating in her opinion as Weiss or Roxanne.

She wasn't mysterious like Blake nor was she considered as energetic as Yang or Nora.

She was just common...

I've been watchin' you lately

Chasing your tail and it drives me crazy

You'll never get that girl

She don't see in you the things that I can see

The girl's ice-cold, it ain't meant to be

Looking above the upon you

She recalled the previous insecurities, courtesy of one Cinder Fall, completely missing the nude faunus rushing over to the water until she heard a splash. Looking over, she saw only the ripples before Aganju finally emerged from the depths, a goofy smirk adorning his lips. This was the first time, she'd seen his body and she had to admit that she was truly loving the sight.

I've been spending time wondering why

Nothing that I do can catch your eye

Just can't capture your attention

In the midst of her silent sulking, Pyrrha felt icy splashes touch her skin, making her shiver and yelp in surprise. He laughed as she immediately began patting the spot where the water had hit her, like swatting mosquitos. This was merely a ploy to get her attention and perhaps, convince her to join him. It wasn't much, but, if they were going to be spending the night, then they both deserved to have some fun.

Maybe I'm too tall or not your type

But I'm not giving up, I'll get it right

Being close to you is my intention

I see more in you than the rest of them do

And I'm not gonna let you fall

I'll swallow my pride, time after time

Cause you're worth it all

Seeing that he was enjoying the results of his little prank, a thought began to form in Pyrrha's mind; a dirty thought.

It was a risk but, it could be funny all the same. Standing up, she allowed a small grin to rest on her lips before slowly dropping her arms. Aganju watched as she did this, uncertain about what she was doing until he received his answer in the form of... Pyrrha's form.

His face froze and his face turned a beet red at the sight of a naked girl running past him and jumping in the water, the frigid waves finally ripping him from his stupor.

Whenever I think of you

How I wish you only knew

That you might be my dream come true

But what do I have to do to make you notice me?

Once she finally came up, Aganju felt his heartbeat stop for a split second as he took in the girl's image. Sure, he knew that she was beautiful, but with her hair down, her mood seemingly calm, and her smile accentuated by the moon above, she was absolutely gorgeous. The way the water reflected on her shoulder, they looked like crystals ornamenting her, making her appear even more majestic.

I can keep on waiting

Cause my heart I've been saving

I think your gonna figure it out

I'm the one for you and there's no one else

Pyrrha giggled at his expression before pulling him deeper and the two spent the next few minutes just floating around and splashing each other. It wasn't fancy or elegant and it didn't need to be. From chasing each other to holding their breaths underwater, they were finally doing something that they hadn't done since their days at Beacon; have fun.

Whenever I think of you

How I wish you only knew

That you might be my dream come true

But what do I have to do to make you notice me?

Fatigue soon began to set in and the pair eventually grew content with floating alongside one another. Aganju soon felt Pyrrha wrap her arms around his shoulders. He responded by matching her gesture by enveloping his arms around her waist. Her green orbs stared into his dual violet eyes, each lost in a silent conversation that spelled out the issues they'd been hiding throughout the trip.

Pyrrha's insecurities.

Aganju's guilt.

Neither was used to being involved with someone romantically, especially long term but, it wasn't a breaking issue either. Their bodies pressed together, not one of them felt the cold anymore; they were focused on something far more important. They spared another steady gaze before leaning in, capturing the other in a soft kiss that sent shivers down Pyrrha's spine and a flutter in Aganju's heart.

It's gonna be you for me and me for you

Forget the chick in white and make my dream come true

Gotta get it right when I get it done

I'm gonna win your heart, I'm gonna make you mine

Come on, come on

Come on, come on, come on, come on now baby

But what do I have to do to make you notice

Me?

Notice me

Notice me

The fox and the human soon floated back to the shore, dripping and cold from the air around them but, they didn't care. All that mattered now was that they had shed this depressive mood they'd been in for a long while. Between trying to find his mother, fighting Grimm, dealing with racism and prejudice, not to mention rarely anytime to just spend quality time together, their swim was much needed.

Thankfully, their clothes had nearly completely dried; their underwear fully so. They sat comfortably in silence after getting dressed and just enjoyed one another's company.

"Agan?" Oh, how he loved/hated how adorable she sounded using his nickname. "Do you think I'm special?"

"Of course I do! Why do you ask?"

"I was thinking about us and this. We've been together and I just wondered what separates me from those like Weiss or Roxanne or Yang."

Aganju's silence made her nervous, but looking up, she could tell that he was thoroughly thinking about her question. He then took a deep breath, turning his body so that they were facing one another.

"Pyrrha, It's clear that you're my girlfriend; that goes without saying. But, honestly, I don't think I can really find a single thing to pinpoint about you," Expectedly, Pyrrha felt a tiny amount of hurt fill her heart until Aganju held up a digit, signaling that he wasn't done. "There are far too many things to list. Your kindness is nothing I've ever experienced. You're a tremendous dancer. You're clearly the most beautiful girl I've ever met."

"But what about...?"

"Honestly, Blake and Yang are pretty, but, I've never considered them as romantic candidates..." He crossed his arms in contemplation, showing that he's thought about his subject at some point in the past. "As for Weiss... I recall her having issues with faunus. I doubt she ever considered a romance with someone like me anyway, not as if I've thought about that, mind you."

Little do you know... Pyrrha averted her gaze for a second, getting the gist of what he was saying.

"So, what you're saying is..."

"It takes more than just physical attraction. I'm more concerned with the girl who captured my heart."

Tears began to well up in her eyes after hearing Aganju's words. Sure, doubt attempted to creep in, but she wouldn't give it any quarter as her smile increased with each reason she stood out to him. Even with the hidden knowledge she had, it was evident that the vulpine desired her on a level far deeper than even she considered.

"So, you don't mind me being tall?"

"It just means I don't bend down so low to do this."

He leaned in against, capturing Pyrrha's lips with his own. She responded by cupping his face with both hands, deepening the embrace, making his tail wag happily. This time they wouldn't break apart until the need for oxygen had become too great to resist. Still, they both just laughed softly. It was a good ending to an uneventful past few weeks.

That is...

Pyrrha leans in, planning to steal another kiss when she heard her boyfriend sniffing wildly like a bloodhound. Gone was the tender gaze replaced by a hardening glare directed to the only way in or out of their makeshift campsite.

"Agan?"

"Who's there?!" he snarled.

The sound of footsteps bounced off of the walls of the cave followed by a dark figure emerging from the shadows. When they stepped into the light, Pyrrha stared in confusion at the feminine intruder wearing a Grimm-like helmet that obscured her features.

The same could not be said for Aganju.

"I would apologize for interrupting such a tender moment..." she smugly announced. "But I couldn't care less."

"What are you doing here?" he snarled.

The woman merely lifted her hand to point directly at the faunus.

"I'm here for you, boy."