Team RWBY had settled into their dorm well. The bunkbeds held, even when Yang and Ruby had jumped onto their top bunks rather haphazardly. Not to say either was heavy, but Ruby had used knots that Weiss was sure did not exist and Yang was not the most delicate flower in the bouquet.
Blake's extensive book collection holding the blonde's bunk had withstood the onslaught of excited bouncing and the eventual collapse of the brawler, then continued to hold her as she tossed and turned through the night. Ruby's bed swung slightly, despite Ruby's claims of 'It's just like a hammock, so relaxing' Weiss underneath it kept catching a breath and preparing to jettison herself from her bed with every creek.
Morning had finally come, Ruby was the first up. She hopped down from her bed and made sure to grab the bathroom while she could, her sister was not the quickest when it came to having a shower and she could not take the chance that someone else was just as bad. Can't be late on her first day. She bounced past the end of Blake's bunk and a still impressive unused pile of books on the floor.
The red caped prodigy was excited, buzzing and felt completely, irrationally terrified. On one hand she could ace her classes make friends, even Weiss, and come out of beacon and live a romantic life of a huntress. On the other hand she could not make any friends, her classes could be out of her league and she would come out of beacon and live the life of an almost huntress. A sigh fogged the mirror in front of her, she splashed some water on her face and began her morning ritual.
As she smoothed her new uniform an excited squeak left her mouth, it fit perfectly and it was so comfortable. She span in a circle and watched as her skirt puffed up. This was it. Ruby pulled out her whistle, wet her lips and drew a breath in. A loud, harsh squeal erupted from the end and she watched Blake jump from her bed hitting her head on Yang's bed. Weiss had also jumped from the bed, but she was looking up at Ruby's bunk patting herself to make sure she was alive. Yang, meanwhile, continued to snore quietly her golden mane splayed out behind her head. The younger sibling sighed for the thousandth time that morning. 'Well back to the old tricks.' "Yang" She spoke softly. Ruby climbed onto Yang's bed hands bared like claws.
Yang mumbled. "I dare you."
"Fine" The small girl thrust her hands into the older sibling's hair and began erratically shaking them, causing Yang's treasured hair to fluff and twist unusually. Red eyes suddenly began to bore into Ruby's silver ones.
"Uh-oh" She spoke as she used her semblance to exit the bed leaving her sister grabbing at petals.
"RUBY!" It was a growl, a low guttural quite fearsome growl. Then the bed headed monster arose from her pit. Nostrils flaring, her hands clenched before she vaulted from the top of the bed landing with a bang, barefoot on the floor.
"Gotta get ready, classes now. Don't want to turn up in your pyjama's sis!" Ruby had said quickly before grabbing Weiss as she exited the bathroom adding the finishing touches to her uniform, then rushing them away.
Blake stifled a laugh as her bed-headed partner shuffled into the bathroom. "Brat" She shook her golden locks and petted, as if comforting them. The onyx haired girl began getting dressed while her partner was in the bathroom, finding a small trace of a smile on her face and discovering that a small part of herself was looking forward to the years to come. But only a small part.
Classes. She could handle one of the most damaging weapons of their time, two of them in fact. She could handle almost being eaten by a Nevermore. But classes were the real test, she slumped over her desk attempting to use her thick locks as mufflers. A droning voice, like the vocal equivalent of a nagging, pulsing headache was all she could hear. Next to her was her sister, franticly taking notes or at least that's what she thought. When Yang shuffled closer Ruby held up her stick drawing and they both slapped hands over their mouths, muffed laughter coming from within them. Weiss shuffled away from the two impish teens and continued to sit, back straight, and take notes.
The onyx haired member of the team was analysing the space around her, judging exits and entrances visualising the time it would take to get to one. Amber eyes fell on a poster that the teacher was referencing. It was a fairly large poster, depicting extinct fanus species and the reason for extinction. The top of the list was the usual, small minded, primitive Dodo fanus. This subspecies had emerged when civilisation was young, the 'cavemen' of the fanus race. They were hunted because humans did not understand their difference. Blake gripped her desk tightly. An entire subspecies that were part human, hunted.
Barbaric.
Hunting and trading fanus is obviously illegal now but the piece of paper taped to the bottom of the poster was handwritten and some of the writing looked recent, adding more to the list of endangered or extinct fanus. Reminding Blake that fanus are still being hunted in secret, still being captured and sold as slaves or entertainment. The poster was sickening, her nails bit into the desk below her as her eyes traced down the names. Rhino. Sabretooth. Phoenix. Shark. Each name made her breathing heavier and her knuckles whiter. She couldn't read anymore as her stomach did a flip. She excused herself and left the class.
Yang was watching Blake as she gripped the table then paled, well paled more than her usual skin tone. Her eyes followed that of her partner's horrified stare before Yang could ask the girl if she was okay Blake stood and left the class with a mumbled apology about a stomach ache. She wanted to go after her but decided against it, I mean they weren't exactly friends yet. She slumped her head on her hand and rolled her pencil about the table. It took a few minutes for her sister to look at her, then began a whole conversation through simple glances.
You ok? Ruby's eyes showed worry.
Yeah. Yang nodded and subconsciously looked at the door.
Go talk to her, class will be here after you have helped her. Ruby had nodded at her sister and looked toward the door.
Yang grinned and squeezed her sister's shoulder. "Sir?" Her hand was in the air.
"Yes Miss Xiao-Long"
"May I be excused?" She smiled.
"What for?" He questioned, sipping his cup of coffee, clutching it between both his slender hands. He looked as if he were vibrating in and out of different realities. Yang shook her head, not the time to be distracted. What should she say? She's ill? No. She thought back and remembered her dad saying honesty is the best policy, so she went with…
"My partner just excused herself and I am worried about her" It was the truth, Ruby nodded and grinned up at her sister, a true idol, and a true honourable…
"Sit down Miss Xiao Long, Miss Belladonna will be fine she is a capable young woman." With that the professor turned and began speaking again. Well the blonde had tried it the honest and true way but now she would have to make a scene. Oh how she hated that, Yang grinned to herself and vaulted her desk.
"Sorry Prof, got some team building to do" She spoke as she sprinted out the door. Now to find Blake, she stared left and right down the large halls and began to think. Her feet began walking her toward the library.
Blake had got some fresh air and was walking towards her sanctuary, filled with new books and stories that made her bristle with delight. Her breaths now steady as she walks through the corridors of Beacon Academy. Although she had not been in the school long, she took the time to memorise all routes to and from each place within its walls. She had looked over the school map for hours, taking in all the information about fire exits and which windows had branches she could jump too. She allowed herself a metaphorical pat on the back for her genius.
As she approached the library she darted to a corner and peered round. Voices up ahead, judging by the pitch it was a distressed female. She continued, cautiously, towards the noise. It was louder now, around the next turn. Another voice, deep threatening whispers. Blake took a chance to peek, and what she saw made her pulse quicken. Instinctively she grabbed for Gambol Shroud, of course it wasn't there, it was safe in her locker which was across campus. She straightened and made the decision to intervene, as she opened her mouth to speak it her voice was lost under another.
"HEY! Winchester" A commanding female voice that the ninja girl recognised. Blake hid back round the corner, looking past Cardin to see a strutting Yang, gold adorned wrists.
"Huh? What do you want? Can't you see I am busy" He said pulling the bunny ears of the fanus girl he had trapped. Yang's eyes were a dark purple and she had not activated her gauntlets.
"Leave. Her. Alone." Each word snapped from gritted teeth.
"Or wha" Cardin did not get the privilege of finishing his counter threat before knuckles had folded him in half. Another small growl as the boy straightened with a wince. "You will pay for that."
"Take a shot, first ones free" A smile followed and the blonde dropped her guard. Blake winced as a fist connected with flesh, causing Yang's head to snap to the left. Silence. Threatening, deathly silence. The brawler girl released a slow breath. Not yet turning back to face her opponent, who was looking at his fist, mumbling in confusion.
"My turn" Before anyone could realise, a fist had caught the Winchester boy in the jaw. The world stilled for a second after the loud 'crack' and Blake ducked behind the corner, watching as Cardin's form sailed into the wall just left of her, leaving a crater. Blake dare a look back her partner was still bare-knuckled but was almost smoking. Then the ninja caught a glimpse of crimson eyes before they diluted to a faded lilac as Yang bent to help the girl.
The fanus girl gasped and stood with Yang's help. "Th…tha...Thanks" She juddered.
"It's cool. I needed something to liven up my day. Will you be okay getting to class?...Oh I am Yang by the way"
"Velvet" The rabbit fanus bowed a little. "I will be fine. He's out for the count. What about you, you will get in trouble won't you?"
"Not if no-one saw but us" Blake rounded the corner speaking quirking an eyebrow at the two girls. Velvet turned to Yang making a zip motion on her lips. The long eared girl laughed and waved before heading to class. The blonde fell into step next to her partner walking to the library.
"Why aren't you in class Yang?"
"You looked sick so I wanted to make sure you were alright" The brawler spoke honestly and unashamed.
"Oh…Well, I just needed some air." The black haired partner spoke seriously. "But thanks." She placed a gentle hand on Yang's shoulder.
"It's cool. Class was draining me anyway" Yang shrugged and threw a smile at Blake.
"I wasn't sure anything could drain your *Ahem* energy" Both girls froze and slowly looked back. The headmaster stood behind them, sipping his tea. "I would like to speak to both of you, if you please." He politely stretched his arm in the direction of his office. Both girls shared a glance, swearing in silence to secrecy.
"Stupid brute, running after Blake like that! She is going to give the team a bad name" Weiss sat with her lunch, unfolding a napkin and placing it on her lap.
"Hey! My sister was just showing some compassion" Ruby had sat next to the heiress and was currently defending her sister's honour, she hoped.
"She went truant, caused a scene in class and I am pretty sure the crater in the school wall we passed was not some accident." Ruby had taken a heaped spoonful of her ice cream waving her spoon at Weiss.
"She is not a common vandal, there had to be a reason" The spoon stabbed into the ice cream tub again but before Ruby could place it to her mouth a hand took the spoon away.
"Rubes, sandwich first then dessert" Yang sat calmly next to the two bickering teammates, Blake followed suit and buried her nose into a book. Ruby groaned and opened a sandwich she had in her bag.
"Ice Queen." Yang greeted a little coldly.
"Brute" A short response.
"Where were you two?" Ruby said between bites. Weiss looked to her side and rolled her eyes.
"Chew with your mouth closed would you? No one wants to see your post masticated food."
"Post what now?" The leader turned a bemused expression adorning her face.
Lunch passed without Yang or Blake speaking too much or spilling the beans about where they were. The truth was Professor Ozpin had sat them down, with tea, and was asking if something was wrong with their class or themselves. Both girls had answered recalling that Blake was not feeling well and Yang wanted to take the time to care for her partner. Ozpin chuckled and mentioned something about a familiar person. Both girls were warned as they left. "Girls look after each other but try to stay in class, also please be gentle with the walls." At this the girls stiffened but strode on to lunch.
Blake sighed at the recent event, glancing over at Yang doing push ups with Ruby laying on her back reading a comic. Her gauntlets, still bracelets on her wrists. The sisters were close, it was refreshing to see a family filled with love despite their circumstanced. Blake thought of her own family, wondering if they were out there still or if Adam had been right when he told her they were dead. A grunt tore her from her thoughts, Yang had begun to sweat, but her face remained forward, focused ahead. The girl had risked a beating for a fanus, she had forced a fairly heavy boy, wearing full armour, into a wall 10 feet from where he stood and left a crater, without using her weapons. Blake struggled to understand why she had them on even in front of Ozpin the school had a strict policy on weapons even if they were in 'safe mode'. This girl was nothing like the people she had met before. The blonde stood from the floor and wiped her glistening brow with a nearby towel. "I'm going in the shower anyone need anything before I go in?" The three girls shook their heads and the blonde continued to the shower.
"How are you feeling Blake" Weiss broke her study to glance at her team mate.
"Huh?" The ninja turned from the bathroom door and registered the question. "Much better thank you."
"What was wrong? Did Yang help?" Ruby asked lowering her comic.
"Urm..." The assassin felt very on the spot, she was not good at conversation. "Yes she did. She showed me something that really helped."
Both girls satisfied went back to their respective books and Blake let her mind wonder.
About an hour or so later a click broke the silence and Yang stepped out of the bathroom in shorts and a yellow vest. Blake stared, the golden bracelets were smoking and wet. Why? Is she scared of attack? Will she attack? As she refocused a hand was waving in her face. "Blake? Are you okay? Kind of spacing out." Her partner's airy voice brought her back.
"Sorry. Just thinking." Three pairs of eyes settled, probing for more. She attempted to look elsewhere but gave up and made up a lie. "About that Grimm fight." Ruby took this as a que to begin retelling the epic tale of Team RWBY defeating the two titan sized Grimm. As the tale was told Yang grabbed her towel and flapped it pretending to be the Nevermore whilst Weiss also stood and played herself in the enactment. Blake smiled. Their young leader had wrapped to jumpers around her wrists pretending to be her sister jumped 'bravely' into the 'Nevermore's' mouth punching. Still raving about the events she grabbed a belt from a dressing gown and played Blake, this swelled the quiet member's heart. She was needed and she was appreciated. She let out a laugh as Yang feigned an over dramatic death, even the Ice queen laughed.
Family are those that are given to you, friends are the family you find and earn.