Ruby, Winter and Yang discuss Blake's involvement in their plans.
Blake makes another promise.
Ruby is not happy.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Ruby says bitterly to Yang the moment they leave the room. "You just left Weiss with a woman that we don't know anything about apart from the fact that she used to be in the White Fang! And we all know that the White Fang would do anything to capture and kill Weiss!" the brunette takes a deep breath. "Tell me why I shouldn't just go inside that room right now and stop them from talking."
"Because you're not seeing the big picture sister." Yang tells her calmly. "In fact, it surprises me to see you so upset."
"Yang." Winter warns her because she knows her girlfriend is trying to rile Ruby. "Ruby is right in being worried."
"My sister is calmer than this." the blonde explains. "But for some reason it looks like she's ready to take out Crescent Rose and attack Blake with it." she smirks. "I want to know why."
"Because we can't trust her! She's White Fang." Ruby exclaims.
"She was White Fang." Yang reminds her. "And, it seems like she's not interested at all in going back there."
"We don't know that, Yang! I know you talked to her on your way here, but that doesn't eliminate the fact that she is part of an organization that wants Weiss dead." Ruby says angrily. "I'm supposed to protect Weiss! I am the one that needs to keep her safe and instead of being by her side I'm here talking to you."
"Ruby…" Winter whispers sadly. "We are just a couple of steps away."
"You don't understand Winter! You haven't lost your partner." she closes her eyes bitterly. "I did."
"Weiss isn't your partner, Ruby." Yang tells her seriously and a small part of her feels bad about being so severe with her sister.
Yet she knew she needed to do this.
She needed to understand why Ruby was so upset.
"I know. Weiss is more than that." Ruby confesses terrified. "And I can't… I can't lose someone else." she chokes out. "After losing Copper, I decided to not get close to anyone again. Yet you know Weiss…" she chuckles bitterly. "She just has this way of breaking down your walls and now I'm too invested." she closes her eyes. "I can't lose her too."
"Weiss is not in danger." the blonde promises her soothingly. "Blake is simply incapable of hurting her because she loves Weiss."
"Loves Weiss?" Winter asks surprised. "They've only known each other for three weeks, Yang. How can they love each other?"
"I don't know if Weiss loves her." Yang says carefully. "But I'm pretty sure that Blake sees Weiss as a mate already."
"As a mate?" Ruby asks carefully.
"Indeed. Faunus define relationships differently and act based on their instincts more than their logic. That's why Blake, instead of abandoning Atlas, has decided to stay by Weiss' side. She can't leave because she knows that the bond she has with Weiss is important."
"So even she doesn't know that Weiss is being considered by her as a potential mate?"
"I don't think she has realized yet the extent of her affections. She just knows she wants to stay close to Weiss and protect her."
"Still, that is not argument enough to give her access and knowledge about this base." Winter says softly.
"Indeed. My reasons for bringing her here are more selfish than that. Ruby, you saw her fight." Yang says to her sister. "How good is she?"
"Pretty good." Ruby murmurs. "If I fought against her, I don't know who would win. It would all depend on the place and the situation."
This makes Winter stare surprised at her girlfriend.
"And even knowing that you allowed her to stay alone with Weiss!" Winter huffs while trying to move back to the room.
"I let her stay in there with Weiss because there's something I need to tell you two." the blonde prevents her girlfriend from leaving. "Something I found out a couple of days ago in my scouting mission. And I didn't want Weiss to be there when I told you."
"What do you mean?" Ruby asks worriedly. "I thought you said nothing of importance was discovered."
"I lied because I knew Weiss would be listening." Yang says simply. "But the reality is that some members of the White Fang know about the documentary Weiss made. And they're not happy."
"Of course they're not." Winter murmurs. "It shows that faunus children are being taken care of and that faunus families have some support from the SDC. And that's the last thing the White Fang wants faunus in Atlas to see."
"Indeed. Which is why they're planning to attack the orphanage."
"What?! Ruby asks shocked. "When? Who is your source?"
"It's a reliable one." Yang says bitterly. "And she told me that the attack will be in the next couple of days. She doesn't know the exact date because the operation is being handled by a lieutenant."
"Taurus?" Winter asks worriedly.
"No, a new one that took over Blake's position. It's kinda like his initiation trial."
"So the mission is to…"
"Destroy the orphanage." Yang summarizes. "Leave the faunus kids alive but kill the staff in there."
"That's horrible." Ruby whispers. "Weiss will be devastated the moment she finds out."
"That's why she won't find out. We're not going to tell her about it."
"Weiss needs to know so she can protect herself!" Winter says determined.
"If Weiss happens to be in the orphanage, Ruby can protect her. But if we let Weiss know, she'll take the children away and the White Fang will know that they have a mole."
"And we will lose our contact inside the White Fang." Ruby says bitterly. "I don't like this at all, Yang."
"I know, but you also understand that this is the only way we can proceed with our plans." Yang says and her sister nods in confirmation.
"Can we expect a small battalion like the one the White Fang sent to the Dust basement?" Winter asks and Yang nods. "That shouldn't be unmanageable to the SDC and us." the oldest Schnee murmurs. "Of course, father cannot know that we will be involved."
"I will put some of my contacts in the rounds so that they can help the SDC guards." Yang tells them confidently. "I'll also stay close to the orphanage in case something happens and you need my help."
"I don't like this plan but I guess it's the best way to keep our source in the White Fang safe." Ruby says simply. "What about Blake?"
"What do you mean what about Blake?" Winter asks. "She must leave Atlas."
"She won't leave." Yang chuckles. "Didn't you listen to what I told you earlier? She's too attached."
"Then if she won't leave we can use her." Ruby says and runs back to the room.
"What? What does she mean?" Winter asks but all she gets from her girlfriend is a knowing laugh.
"I promise I'll tell you later." Yang tells her with a soft kiss on the lips. "Right now we must stop Ruby from intimidating Blake."
WBWBWBWBWBWB
"A position in the orphanage?" Blake asks curiously to the younger huntress. "Teaching kids about Atlas?"
"It would be the perfect place to hide you." Yang says with a knowing smirk. "You can use that bow and no one will know you're a faunus while teaching faunus kids about your culture."
"Teaching faunus kids does sound nice." the cat faunus murmurs. "What's the catch?"
"The catch is that since you'll be in the orphanage we hope you will be willing to protect Weiss if something were to happen while she's there." Winter says simply. "Also, we never know where some spies may be, and father is quite capable of placing someone inside the orphanage to keep an eye on things. If you happen to notice anyone asking too many questions or taking a special interest in Weiss, we would like to know about it so we can investigate it."
"So I would be working for you."
"More or less." Yang chuckles. "I did my research and I know you're quite good at doing this Blakey. So it shouldn't be too hard for you. Besides, nothing comes for free."
Weiss immediately gets in front of Yang and hits her on the shoulder, making the older woman groan.
"Why did you do that?!" she complains.
"Because you can't ask her to do that." Weiss says immediately and then stares at Blake. "I know you don't like to fight." she says soothingly. "And no one should force you to do that."
"But she wouldn't be fighting, Weiss." Winter tells her. "She would only be keeping an eye on things and informing us of what happens at the orphanage when you're not there."
"Besides, you did tell me that you were wondering if your father had placed a mole inside." Ruby reminds her. "This is a way to find out."
"But…" Weiss closes her eyes. "Blake shouldn't have to do this. It's not right."
"No one is forcing her to do this." Yang smiles at the younger Schnee. "But she does need to do something if she plans to stay in Atlas, Weiss."
"Besides, isn't it at the end of the day, her choice?" Winter asks knowingly and turns to look at the cat faunus. "What would you like to do?"
"Could Weiss be in danger there?" Blake asks instead of answering the question being asked to her. "I thought the orphanage was protected by the SDC."
"Weiss is always in danger." Ruby simply says. "And while the SDC guard is there, she has many enemies inside the SDC itself."
"Which means you don't trust the SDC." the black-haired woman summarizes.
"Of course not!" Yang chuckles. "Besides, the SDC is not the only threat we have to worry about. As you may be aware, not many people are happy with seeing faunus getting and receiving equal treatment." the huntress adds and Blake knows that the blonde woman is referring to the White Fang.
"Then I will do it." the cat faunus agrees and stares at Weiss. "I don't like to fight." she says to the heiress. "But I also don't want to see you get hurt." she blushes.
"Then it's decided!" the blonde huntress says happily. "Blake will start working at the orphanage and she'll keep an eye on Weiss and other things while she's there."
"But…" Weiss says confused.
"Now that we all agree about our next step, we should make sure that Ruby and Weiss return to the Schnee Manor." Yang interrupts the younger Schnee. "We don't want to give Papa Schnee any reason to suspect you two."
"Yang is right." Ruby agrees with her sister. "In half an hour the maids will go to your room to check on you, and if we're not there they'll tell your father."
"The last thing we want is to give father more reasons to start digging around us." Winter adds while giving her sister a knowing look.
"But Blake…" Weiss starts saying.
"Will stay here where Winter and I will inform her of her new job and give her all she needs." Yang smiles at her. "Don't worry Weiss, we will treat her right and you'll see her tomorrow morning."
Blake gives her an encouraging smile.
"Now that I found you it will be hard for you to get rid of me." she chuckles and is surprised when this makes Weiss tear up. "Wh… What happened?"
"Weiss?" her sister asks worriedly.
"I just…" she closes her eyes. "I just need five minutes alone with Blake." she stares at Ruby mostly. "Please?"
Groaning in acceptance, Ruby starts pulling Yang and Winter away.
"Five minutes and then we have to leave Weiss." Ruby says to her before closing the door and leaving the two women alone.
"I…" Blake starts saying confused. "I didn't want to make you cry. I don't know what I said, but I hope you forgive me."
"I'm crying." Weiss starts explaining. "Because I'm the one that should be apologizing to you." she looks away. "You're getting involved in all of this because of me. And for that I am sorry."
Blake simply stares at the white-haired woman, not sure of what to say.
"And it's not fair." Weiss whispers. "That just because you know me you're immediately in danger."
"Weiss, I'm a former White Fang lieutenant. I'm in danger already just because of that." the cat faunus says simply.
"And that should be enough motivation for you to leave!" Weiss says desperately. "You don't even enjoy fighting."
"Weiss…" Blake gets close to her and grabs her hands. "It's true that I don't enjoy fighting." she is honest with the heiress. "But I know I'm good at it. And, if I'm good at it and it can help keep you safe, then I will do it."
"But can't you see that you shouldn't?! Keeping me safe isn't your responsibility."
"I want it to be." Blake says determined to her. "It also wasn't your responsibility to save me from the SDC and yet you did it. And if you did it, why can't I do it as well?"
This makes Weiss stare at the cat faunus bitterly.
"That's just not fair." she groans.
"Of course it is." the black-haired woman chuckles. "You're just too stubborn to accept it."
"Says the woman that chooses to stay in Atlas." Weiss retorts but then looks down in embarrassment. "Though I'm happy that you're doing so. I'm so selfish."
"Selfish?" Blake asks curiously.
"When Ruby gave you the option to leave, I didn't want you to take it." she confesses bitterly. "I wanted you to stay." she chuckles. "I'm such a horrible human being."
Blake immediately closes the distance between them and hugs her tight.
"Wanting something that I also want doesn't make you selfish." she tries to calm down the white-haired woman. "I want to stay with you, Weiss. It would be selfish of you if you forced me to leave."
"Leaving Atlas would ensure your safety." Weiss tells her with a sad smile.
"But it would also make me unhappy." Blake closes her eyes and touches her forehead with Weiss'. "I don't know how to explain this…" she whispers. "But just the thought of being away from you… It brings me such sorrow, Weiss."
"Now you're being unfair." the heiress chuckles sadly. "I'm trying to do the right thing and here you are making it impossible for me to do so."
"I know." the cat faunus agrees. "I guess that makes me selfish as well. I know that leaving would make things easier for both of us." she strokes Weiss' cheek tenderly. "But I don't want to do that. And I don't think you want me to leave."
"I don't want you to leave Blake." Weiss whispers. "But I also can't explain why I don't want it." she looks at them. "What I feel, it's so confusing."
Blake chuckles knowingly.
"Then why try to explain it?" she asks the woman in her arms. "Why not just let go and see where this leads us?"
"Because the people that decide to stay close to me don't get happy endings." Weiss says sadly. "And the last thing I want is to see you unhappy, Blake."
"I know that the way I feel, specially after only knowing you for three weeks, is special." she confesses softly. "And that the feelings I have can no longer be ignored." she stares at Weiss deeply. "Leaving you would make me unhappy."
Weiss looks at her.
"Tell me to stay." Blake begs the white-haired woman. "Tell me to not leave your side."
"Please stay." she kisses the cat faunus' palm. "Stay by my side."
"I will." Blake kisses Weiss' forehead. "For as long as you want me."
WBWBWBWBWB
"You know…" Winter says to her while laying on their bed. "What you just did was incredibly risky."
Yang chuckles.
"It seemed like Ruby was ready to take Crescent Rose out the moment she saw Blake with me."
"Ruby is very protective of Weiss." the Atlas specialist murmurs. "You know this more than anyone."
"Still, she was too upset about it. And Ruby is not like that."
"You are thinking something." Winter tells her simply. "A reason why Ruby would feel that upset."
"I have two theories. One, she thinks that Blake will take her place as Weiss' protector. Or two, she is afraid of Weiss reciprocating Blake's feelings."
"But then she would have to feel something for Weiss as well." the older Schnee murmurs. "Has Ruby ever been interested in anyone romantically?"
"Never." Yang says softly. "She was too young when Copper and her were partners. After that she decided to be alone and until she accepted to care of Weiss there was no one in her life."
"So you're saying that Ruby could just be scared of losing the only friend she has. That what she feels for Weiss is not necessarily romantic."
"Perhaps." the blonde mutters. "The only thing we can be certain of is that Ruby is quite unhappy with involving Blake in all of this. Why she's upset, well, that's something only Ruby knows."
"Will that be a problem in the future?" Winter asks worriedly.
"No." Yang says surely. "Because Ruby cares too much about Weiss' feelings. And, she won't say anything that will upset her. Even if that means keeping her opinions about Blake to herself."
"Weiss is quite lucky." she chuckles.
"Indeed." Yang says warmly. "But you're right, I could have done things better." the blonde agrees because bringing Blake to their hideout was an incredible risk. "Nevertheless, it seems that my instincts were right."
"What do you mean?" the white-haired woman asks curiously.
"When Weiss asked me to find out more about Blake, I asked my contacts about her. About her position in the White Fang, her personality, her views, her way of being…" she huffs. "Basically anything that anyone could tell me about the woman."
"And what did you find out?"
"Ironically almost nothing." she chuckles. "People inside the White Fang told me that she was one of the quiet ones. A lieutenant close to Adam Taurus, she avoided conflict with other lieutenants and only carried out missions that were specifically ordered to her. She never tried to climb positions though many were afraid of her because of her quiet personality. Yet they also admired her because most of her missions were successful. She never punished her underlings and that's why many in the White Fang wanted to be on her team. Some even said that she's a literate, very knowledgeable of faunus history and Atlas politics."
"That just makes me wonder how a woman like that could end in a movement like the White Fang." Winter murmurs.
"We both know that she joined because of her parents. Ghira Belladonna was the former leader of the White Fang and though he and his wife left after the White Massacre, it seemed that Blake chose to stay." Yang smiles sadly. "She said it herself; it was a childish mistake to stay."
"And because the movement became extremist, she couldn't exactly leave without being labelled a traitor. That's just terrible."
"It sure is." Yang agrees with her girlfriend. "But hopefully, the moment we manage to take Papa Schnee out of power and put your sister in, the White Fang will no longer be needed and the organization will collapse."
"Quite the burden for my sister." Winter says bitterly.
"She knew what she was getting into the moment we explained to her our plan." she reminds the white-haired woman. "Besides, you know that she wants this position because she knows it will allow her to bring the change she desires."
"Not many in the board will support her. They will try to buy her out. Or worse, kill her."
"That's why we'll be with her the whole time." Yang soothes her. "We have a good plan Winter, we are prepared for all of this."
"Not exactly." Winter says suddenly. "We didn't plan to have someone else involved."
"You mean Blake?"
"Of course I mean Blake." she exclaims. "Even I can see how attached she is to my sister. Our plan started to change the moment my sister saved her from the SDC."
"Perhaps it did." Yang agrees. "But that doesn't mean that we can't use this to our advantage."
This makes Winter stare deeply at her girlfriend.
"You are going to use her for more than just protecting Weiss." she realizes the huntress' intentions. "You plan to use Blake's knowledge about the White Fang to hurt the organization. That's why you showed her our secret base."
"I think that having Blake as an ally will help us in the long-run."
"If she is like you told me, then she will never sell her former comrades to us. Though she left the White Fang, she will never tell us any information about their bases or operations." Winter says simply.
"Not voluntarily." Yang agrees. "But, if Blake starts to notice that the dangers Weiss faces not only come from the SDC, then she will do anything to protect her."
Winter opens her eyes in shock.
"You plan to use the feelings Blake has for Weiss to bring her to our side." she whispers. "And Ruby realized this as well."
Yang nods.
"It took her longer than I expected." the huntress explains. "But I knew that she would figure out what I had in mind the moment she saw firsthand how deep Blake's affection for Weiss goes."
"That's why she suggested Blake work at the orphanage. Because we know that the White Fang is planning an ambush soon." Winter closes her eyes. "That's why you suggested to not tell Weiss about it."
Yang nods in confirmation.
"Though we decided that an honest reaction from Weiss would allow us to better protect her, you saw it yourself Winter: Blake would do anything to keep Weiss safe." Yang says with a sad smile. "And the moment she realizes that Weiss is also being chased by the White Fang, that will be the moment she'll start working with us."
"That's just…" Winter whispers. "That's just selfish Yang. To use the feelings that cat faunus has for my sister to further our personal vendetta."
"Perhaps…" Yang agrees. "But then again, nothing in life comes for free."
Winter chuckles bitterly.
"And here I was believing you brought her all the way here because you honestly believed that star-crossed lovers bullshit."
"I do believe it." the blonde smiles. "And I am happy that my suspicions regarding Blake's feelings for your sister were correct." she says honestly. "Don't get me wrong, I am very happy that I got to make your sister happy and reunited them. But, that doesn't mean that we can't use this situation to our advantage."
"You are so complicated Yang."
"Mixing love with guerrilla warfare can do that." she chuckles bitterly. "Because at the end of the day Winter, the three of us are here because of revenge. Let's not forget that."
Winter closes her eyes.
"Of course not." she whispers mournfully. "How could I forget?"
WBWBWBWBWB
"You have been quiet." Weiss says to her while putting her pajama on. "Ever since we came back from the base you haven't said a single word."
"Sorry." Ruby apologizes. "I just have a lot on my mind."
"Regarding Blake?" the heiress asks. "You have nothing to worry about."
"I will always worry." the huntress murmurs. "Unlike Yang, I haven't had the chance to exactly talk to her."
"Then we have to fix that." Weiss exclaims excitedly. "Tomorrow at the orphanage, the two of you can talk about things."
"Perhaps…" Ruby doesn't promise anything. "I just don't want you to get hurt, Weiss."
"With you protecting me I'm confident nothing will happen to me."
"I am not talking about that kind of hurt." she says knowingly to Weiss who blushes. "Something happened the moment you asked us to leave the room."
"Nothing happened." Weiss promises. "We just talked."
"Perhaps." Ruby agrees. "But what you discussed, it changed something within you."
"Ruby…" the white-haired woman closes her eyes. "Please just say what you want to say."
Ruby takes a deep breath.
"I know that Blake has some sort of infatuation with you." she is honest. "And I can understand why; you saved her from imminent death and then nursed her back to health. That kind of support can certainly lead to confusing feelings."
"So you're saying that whatever Blake is feeling for me is because of the fact that I helped her and not because of me. Not because I'm Weiss." the heiress whispers and Ruby can see how the younger woman could interpret her words.
"No, I didn't mean it like that."
"It sure sounded like you did."
"I…" Ruby closes her eyes. "I just don't know how to say this!"
"You just have to say it, Ruby!" Weiss tells her bitterly. "Instead of trying to twist your words and placing hidden meaning on things, just for once tell me what you truly think about things."
"How can you trust a person you just met?!" Ruby loses control. "How can you just pretend that she isn't from the White Fang or that she may very well be working for them?!"
"Because she said she wasn't." the younger Schnee simply says. "And I trust her word."
"That's what I don't understand." the raven-haired woman says bitterly. "How you can be so kind and understanding all the time."
This makes Weiss chuckle.
"So now you're mad at me because I'm too kind?"
"I'm mad at you because it seems like you don't care at all about your safety."
"If I started to suspect every person that ever talked to me…" Weiss says to her simply. "That would make my life miserable, Ruby. And the last thing I want is to live my life in constant fear."
"I understand that, but you cannot ignore the fact…"
"I know that there are enough motives and reasons to suspect Blake." she interrupts her friend. "Even I can see that." she smiles warmly. "But I believe her. I know she only wants to keep me safe. I can't explain how I know this. I just do." she grabs her friend's hand tight. "Besides, if something were to happen, I know that you'll be by my side."
This makes Ruby close her eyes.
"And here I thought that Yang was supposed to be the child of our group."
The moment she finishes saying that, Ruby is surprised when she feels Weiss hugging her out of nowhere.
"Why are you hugging me?" she asks. "Not that I don't like it, or that I want you to stop." she adds. "I just don't understand why."
"Because you just said that I'm a part of the group…" Weiss whispers. "I know that you already said that you love me like a sister." she explains. "But this is the first time you have considered me a part of the team." she takes a deep breath. "And, in every team of huntresses there must be two pairs of partners."
When Ruby hears Weiss say this she closes her eyes, knowing what the younger Schnee is trying to say.
"And Yang and Winter are already partners. Which means that…" the white-haired girl doesn't finish saying, afraid of being rejected. "I may not know much…" she takes a deep breath. "About team WYRC. About Copper. But I do know that she was your partner."
Ruby merely looks at her, not saying anything, which in turn was making Weiss panic.
"And I know that you don't like to talk about her." she adds fearfully. "Yet I wanted you to know that I will always be by your side. That to me, you are my partner and that I will always protect and trust you, Ruby."
Ruby takes a deep breath, trying her best to not let her emotions take control of her.
"Why are you telling me this now?" the red-hooded woman whispers.
"You know why…" Weiss' grip tightens. "Things are moving forward and soon enough we'll be forced to act. And I don't want to go into a dangerous situation without you knowing that as your partner I will always have your back."
"Weiss…" Ruby tells her solemnly. "I made a vow to protect you. One that I intend to keep." she reminds her. "And in order to ensure that happens, I will make sure you don't have to fight or face any danger."
"Not fight?!" she screams angrily. "Are you asking me to watch you three risk your lives while I just stay hidden behind you?!"
"I'm not asking you. I'm telling you." the older woman tells her firmly. "In fact, I'm begging you to not fight."
"But…"
"If you truly care about me." Ruby whispers brokenly. "Then you won't ask me again to be your partner." she grabs her things to leave the room. "I just can't."
So what does Ruby feel? Is she jealous because she's afraid of losing her friend or because she's afraid of losing something more?
