Finally got around to finishing this, so thanks for being patient guys! This chapter sorta put me in a rut since it's all build up, but hey, I'm not perfect. On the bright side, that just means this arc is much longer than i anticipated. This arc as well as the previous arc were only meant to be two chapters long but this one is sizing to be three.
Also, to the guest reviewer who complained about me giving Blake a lot of attention, she's kinda a main character and I did say I was moving on to the next arc in my author's note so...
EDIT: I removed two specific paragraphs for a better story flow. They're points that I will touch and elaborate on in the future, but I've noticed, thanks to a helpful reviewer, how obtrusive they are when telling the chapter's actual story.
04. Uncharted Territory (Yang)
Sweat trailed down her body, awaiting her opponent's next move. With both fists in front, she took on a defensive stance. Her legs were in constant movement. She bounced back and forth while staying in the same spot to keep up her momentum.
Her opponent, Cardin Winchester, went for multiple jabs.
Yang anticipated the move, blocking strike after strike. Cardin was good, but he was reckless. During their sparring sessions, she would always take advantage of his offense over defense mentality. With every opening the red head provided, Yang would counter with her own jabs.
Dodge, block, punch. Dodge, block, punch. Yang had sparred against Cardin for so long that he has become predictable over time. She employed a specific fighting style against him that was not far off from a well-rehearsed routine dance she was used to seeing Weiss do.
I think played with him enough. Yang shortened the distance between herself and her opponent, baiting him once more. Cardin, disorientated from the various hits he had taken earlier, attempted to take the opportunity presented to him. With a powerful shout, his fist flew forward as if it was fired from a cannon.
Yang pulled all her weight downward, crouching to perform a slip counter. Taking advantage of her lower position, Yang smirked and shot her fist upward for the final blow.
The uppercut nearly sent Cardin flying. Fortunately for him, the gut punching strike was only enough to send him lying on his back.
"And Yang wins again!" Mr. Port, or rather here he's known as Coach Peter, announced. "You might want to vary your approach options a bit more, Cardin. Yang was able to read your movements with far too much ease."
A thumbs up raised from the ground and a mumble of agreement followed it, "Got it, Coach."
With several tired pants, Yang exited the makeshift ring and grabbed a small towel piled with her duffel bag. She wiped off the excess sweat from her forehead and gulped down nearly the entire contents of her water bottle, the chilled beverage instantly cooling her down.
Her eyes wandered around the training room. Most of the other matches were still ongoing, but it had already been a couple hours since school ended. Yang gathered that it wouldn't be too long before everyone finished for the day and left.
In fact, it was time for her to go. After addressing her coach, Yang slipped into the locker room, had a quick shower, and changed into her regular clothes. Outside, she saw a certain alabaster-haired girl waiting for her.
"Yo Weiss," the blonde waved her hand to catch her friend's attention. "How long have you been here?"
"I just arrived, actually." Weiss replied.
"What? No fancy limo to pick you up today? Or were you just waiting for lil' old me?" Yang teased with a big grin. Ever since their break up, Yang never really thought about her old relationship with Weiss much. It wasn't until she had that talk with Blake that she had really remembered and now she used it as a joking mechanism against the young heiress.
Weiss groaned, fully aware of Yang's poor attempt at playful flirting. "Don't be absurd, you oaf. I don't need a ride home every time you have practice. Besides, as ridiculous as it sounds, I actually enjoy walking home with you, assuming you didn't bring that accursed bike of yours."
Yang feigned surprise and fanned herself akin to a shy blushing fangirl. "Oh dear me. The Weiss Schnee says she actually enjoys my company! I-I don't know what to say!"
Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a heavy sigh. "Why do I even bother?"
"Aww, come on Weiss! I'm just joking." Yang bellowed as she smacked Weiss on the back. The heiress in turn made an audible "oof" before glaring at the blonde.
"Yeah, whatever." Weiss grumbled. They both left the gym, Yang with her standard grin and Weiss with her cool and collected expression.
Their conversation covered their usual topics: classes, homework, and… whatever Yang felt like talking about. However, one particular topic came to Weiss's mind.
"So… I've notice you and that Belladonna girl have been spending a lot of time with each other lately."
"Oh Blake? Oh yeah, she's great! Why do you ask?" Yang smirked, starting to get an idea where Weiss was going with her question. "Don't tell me, you're jealous?"
"W-What?! No!" Weiss answered, flustered. As Yang guffawed, Weiss wondered why she always kept hanging around with her insufferable companion. They both were sure it had nothing to do with their past relationship, but it still boggled her mind why they hung out in the first place.
"Don't get your panties in a twist, princess." Weiss scoffed at her nickname. "We're fine. Great, actually. She got me into this really good book and she actually helps me with my homework, unlike a certain someone."
"You? Voluntarily reading a book? Get real. And what's that supposed to mean?!"
Ignoring Weiss's comments, Yang continued. "She's really cool when you get to know her. I honestly don't know why she's not that popular. The whole shy, nerdy girl schtick? Guys eat that sort of stuff up. You know, hanging out with her really made me realize how cute she is."
"That's hardly an appropriate topic to talk to me about, but whatever." Weiss sighed. "And what about that girl she's always with? That… Ruby girl."
Yang's expression contorted to a scowl after hearing the younger girl's name. "Blake always tries to make time for her. Every damn time we have lunch or hang out after school, she's making plans with her for the weekend. I don't know what she sees in her."
"Sounds to me you're the one who's jealous." Weiss mockingly smiled.
Yang scoffed, dismissing even the thought that she'd envy that Rose girl. "As if. It's fine though. The more she spends time with me, the less she'll be with her. It's a win-win. Why do you ask, anyway?"
"Huh? Oh… no reason." Weiss avoided eye contact with Yang, an action that stood out to her. As long as she knew her, Weiss always spoke her mind and rarely ever kept secrets. Especially from her. "I was just worried you were getting into more trouble than you usually do."
"Okay…" As much as Yang loved teasing Weiss, she knew better than to constantly press her buttons. Even she knew when to draw the line, though her previous behaviors towards her new friend Blake would say otherwise.
"So," Yang started, trying to change the subject. "Dad's been seeing this woman. I think they're really getting serious too. Saw a ring in his room and everything."
"Really?" Weiss asked, intrigued. "How long have they been dating?"
"About a year or so. He told me that they've been friends since college, when he was still dating my mom. I've met her a couple of times and she seems great. Wouldn't mind her being my stepmom."
"They've been dating a year, about to get engaged, and you've only seen her 'a couple of times'? I can't be the only one sensing something wrong here."
"Oh, well, she has a daughter at home. She said she's not the most social butterfly so she's not over that often."
"So basically, you're about to get a stepsister that you know nothing about." Weiss clarified in disbelief. "I can't wait to see how that turns out."
"How bad can she be?" Yang shrugged, crossing her arms around her back. "I mean, I always wanted a sister." The thought had occurred to Yang before. Being an only child of a neglectful mother made way to a specific yearning for a meaningful relationship. Luckily for her, she met a certain girl in middle school that would come to mend that.
"What? Am I not enough for you?" Weiss asked, arching her brow.
It was true. Yang and Weiss knew each other for years and practically became sisters in arms. It was strange to some that the confident, boundless fire of energy and excitement could or would form an unbreakable sisterhood with the local Ice Queen from Mantle and the few that knew were even more shocked when they found out that they were dating. Luckily, even after their break up, their sisterly bond persisted.
"Oh don't be like that, Weiss!" Yang wrapped her arm around Weiss's neck, pulling her closer. "I still love you!"
"Yeah, whatever." With that statement, an electronic beep could be heard from Weiss's pockets. Scrabbling through, she produced her cell phone, eyes widening and then scrunching up in irritation. She sighed. "My father says that he needs me for an upcoming meeting."
"Now?"
"Right now."
Yang shrugged, scratching the back of her head. "There's not much we can do about that. It must tough being the heiress of a multi-billion lien company."
"No kidding." It was a shame too. Yang had hardly spent any time with Weiss since she started befriending Blake a while back. "Ever since Winter left with that vagabond she calls her best friend to become a damn huntress, mother and father pushed all the responsibilities of heiress on me! She rarely even calls home anymore!"
"That sucks. But hey, I'll see you later. How about lunch some time?"
"You sure you don't need a ride?" Weiss asked.
"Nah," Yang rejected, "my place isn't that far from here. Catch you on the flip side."
After exchanging their farewells, Yang strolled her way back home. The summer heat never seemed to bother her even with her favorite letterman jacket on after a long training session, a trait that Weiss found to be utterly unfathomable. She supposed that it was a family trait, considering her name meant "dragon" after all.
Speaking of her family…
"I'm home!" Yang called out after slamming the door to the Xiao Long residence wide open. Her dad and she lived in a sizeable apartment, not too big, not too small, but more than enough space for two people. Not much has changed since her mother died a few years back, but that never bothered Yang. She was more of an out and about kinda girl anyway. She would much rather go out and explore than be cooped inside all day.
Of course, when two pairs of eyes met hers, and the fact that the owners of each pair were in very close proximity with each other, Yang knew she interrupted a rather intimate moment. "Uh… whoops?"
"Oh, Yang!" The woman released her hold on Yang's father, Taiyang, and pulled Yang into a very tight, if not bone-crushing, hug. "Your father just proposed! I'm gonna be your stepmom!"
"Th-That's great… S-Summer…" Yang barely managed to choke out. Her dad had a really good eye for women. Summer, in the few times Yang got to know her, was a great catch in Yang's book. She never knew about her dad's dating experience, and frankly she didn't want to, but she reconsidered asking for his advice and tips.
Looking at Summer, Yang had a hard time believing that she was actually the same age as her dad. Not that her dad looked like an old geezer, but he certainly didn't look like he was still in his early thirties. Summer's shorter stature and well-kempt features would make anyone think that she was still in her twenties.
Finally realizing she was strangling her future stepdaughter, Summer put Yang down, who scrambled to regain her breath. "Haha, sorry 'bout that. Perhaps I got a little carried away."
"I'd say after that little rude entrance, she deserved it." Taiyang quipped with a huge grin on his face. Summer in response smacked his arm, to which he winced in mock pain.
"Oh shush, you." Diverting her attention back to Yang, Summer clasped her hands onto Yang's shoulder. Yang didn't mind the contact coming from her. Everything about her felt so homely.
"So Yang…"
"Don't worry, Summer. You don't have to do the whole 'I-know-I'm-not-your-mother' bullcrap. It gets old after the sixth stepmother."
"Oh ha ha, very funny." Taiyang deadpanned at the quip. Yang had often heard stories from the local housewives that her dad used to be quite the stud back in his younger days. Of course, being the daughter of the dorky nine-year-old trapped within an adult body, she never took them seriously but added them to her arsenal of possible teases she could throw in her dad's way. That and sometimes she couldn't handle having the mental image of her dad being a playboy.
Summer, however, remained unfazed. "It's perfect timing too since it happened right before the move!"
Yang had almost forgot that Summer had made plans with her dad to move in together even prior to the engagement. The dusty old apartment they were currently living had seen better days and it didn't feel as homey as it once did. The empty space created when her mother left made the apartment bleak and desolate, a shell of its former self. Even her Uncle Qrow rarely ever visited anymore. Summer had suggested that they move out somewhere else in the neighborhood that was closer to the gym Taiyang operated and to get a better feel of suburban life as opposed to a somewhat cramped apartment life. She had also suggested to move in alongside her daughter to help with any costs, but Yang had a feeling that Summer already knew that her father would propose beforehand and played it off.
Sometimes, she just underestimated this woman.
"Oh dear, I have to tell my daughter about this!" Summer, with engagement ring in hand, bolted out of the apartment akin to a child about to have playdate with their secret crush.
"Congrats again, Summer!" Yang called out, rather positive that her cry was rather futile at the speed her future stepmother was going. Looking back at her father, who looked back with arms crossed and eyebrows raised, she managed an innocent grin.
"You already knew about this, didn't you?"
"Maayyyybbeee?" Yang's grin grew, stretching to the point where she believed no picture editing software could even dream to duplicate. When her father could only return an unamused expression, Yang relented. "Okay, well, you gotta admit, hiding it with all your gym equipment wasn't the brightest idea."
Taiyang tried to rebuttal, but he knew he had no response. He was never the tidiest person around, Yang had to admit, so keeping it in a place where he checked out often was ideal. He acquainted his face with the palm of his hand and let out a sigh. Not before long, the two were sharing chuckles.
"So you ready to check out our new place?" Taiyang asked, petting the blonde's wild mane and responding with laughter when Yang smacked his hand away in mock anger.
"Hell yeah!"
Drives with her dad were, more often than not, uneventful, but never boring. Taiyang was always energetic, daring, and full of life. There was never a dull moment with him. It was no wonder to Yang how Summer managed to fall for him and vice versa. Here he was somehow taking her description of her school day and laughing like Yang told him the best joke he heard all year. It was times like these that truly made Yang wonder how the hell an exuberant man like her father ever fell in love with the distant and cold Raven Branwen.
She didn't know what to think about her mother. Raven was aloof. Perhaps far more than someone should be. She was hardly abusive, not at all. But neglectful definitely. No matter what she did, Yang was never able to capture her attention long enough for her to care. Her training in various martial arts, courtesy of her father, did no good. Her good grades (mainly thanks to Weiss's tutoring) failed to impress. And if she got into trouble in school, Raven would always be the one to pick her up (assuming she wasn't away on any of her missions) but her mother would cast her a sideways glance and apologize to the principal.
Yang wasn't certain, but somewhere in the recesses of her brain laid a certain memory. A time where her mother was far more tender and kindhearted. A time when she would never be outside her arms. A time when her mother was never far away when she hurt herself. A time when she was congratulated her for her hard work. Even if these memories weren't real, she did remember one thing. The time where all those good times ceased to exist.
The day Raven Branwen became a huntress.
From then on, her eyes became empty, her soul went as black as her hair, and the life she once had was ripped out and lost somewhere on the battlefield.
Raven Branwen ceased to be her mother.
And then when she died a few years ago, Yang had no idea how to react. Her father took it hard, becoming a reclusive hermit for quite a bit of time. Admittedly, Yang felt sad too. She somehow lost her mother not once, but twice in a single lifetime.
"We're here!"
Breaking out of her thoughts, Yang looked up out the windshield of the car. The structure was large. Two stories with beige outer walls, a maroon front door, and a garage on the side. The lawn was well-kept, having various fruit trees, flowers, some of the greenest grass she's ever seen. The driveway was large, big enough to easily fit two cars side by side, ideal for when Summer moves in. And to top it all off, a "For Sale" sign stood opposite to the mailbox had a new brand right in front of it. It read "Sold".
This was it.
This will be her new home, away from the haunting memories of Raven Branwen.
"Wow. Not bad, Dad! And here I thought I had to help you like I do your clothes!"
Taiyang scratched the back of his head, slightly embarrassed. "Yeah, Summer helped a lot in choosing the place. Got it for a really good price too. And hey, I can choose clothes on my own, thank you very much!"
"Do I have to bring up the red cowboy boots again?"
"…No." Taiyang relented in shame. No one wanted to hear that story more than once.
"So… what do you think?"
The interior was quite impressive, nothing like their shabby and modest apartment home. The entrance hall was woodwork, a darkish brown color. To the immediate right, there was a rather large dining room with a table that could easily fit six people. Through there, there was a rather large kitchen with beautiful granite countertops and dark chocolate brown cabinets, topped off with a sink island in the middle and solid tile floors. The living room across was ginormous. Okay, maybe that was exaggerating a bit, but Yang had to admit she could easily fit two or three additional families there. The furniture left behind by the previous owners weren't half bad either. The couches were soft enough for a decent nap and that was more than sufficient for Yang.
"Impressive, Dad! It looks good!"
Taiyang nodded in agreement. "Sure does. We'll start moving our stuff in this weekend. You'll finally get to meet your stepsister then."
Was it just her imagination or did her dad's voice sorta trail off there?
It was moving day.
Thankfully, most of the Xiao Long property and possessions had already been boxed away, knowing that they will find a new home in the suburban neighborhood. Yang had already made a mental note to use the garage as a workshop for her bike, and she hardly drove her car so she was more than thrilled to sell it to a retailer for some extra cash. Yang wasn't going to lie to herself, she was gonna miss that old apartment, but it was time for her to start anew. Meeting Blake was the start of her evolution of self.
Blake was, in a word, exquisite. She was kind, intellectual, creative, and in short really cool. Just hanging out with her made Yang realize how much of jerk she's been for the past few years. Blake had taught her that she shouldn't let her mother rule her life, even in death. Yang's experience with the bookworm was cathartic, a word Weiss would most definitely use, in a way. In turn, Yang learned a lot about Blake. She had heard about her dream to be a novelist and artist and she certainly saw evidence that she was fully capable of achieving that. Suffice to say, Yang was thoroughly impressed.
But she had to wonder, why was Blake so enamored with Ruby Rose? No, enamored isn't the correct term. Why was she so… friendly with her? Blake wasn't the most sociable person in the world, but even a quiet girl like her must know the truth. Ruby was the sister of arguably one of the most hated men of Vale.
Argent Rose. The man who stole her cousin Altair Branwen's chances of getting into a good college. The man who took Winter Schnee's position as future CEO of the Schnee Dust Company. And worst of all, he was the man who got his teammate killed through an act of revenge. Someone who was well respected in Vale.
So why? What made Ruby so much different from her brother that she was able to make someone as sweet as Blake actually like her?
Yang shook the thoughts out of her head. She was supposed to be unpacking, not asking herself questions she could never possibly hope to understand. She made the finishing touches to her new room to distract herself. Only when she left her room did she notice some was odd.
"Dad?" Yang called, storming down the stairs. "Why are they so many rooms up here? We have more than enough space for four people and then some."
"Didn't I tell you?" Taiyang replied, climbing down the stepladder in the kitchen. "Summer has two kids: a daughter and a son who's currently out of the kingdom."
"Oh, well I guess that's fine." But then realization dawned on the younger blonde's face. "Wait… you said that Summer's last name was 'Rose', right?"
When his daughter finally caught on, Taiyang audibly gulped. He wanted to delay this as long as possible, but Summer had no idea. He knew Yang wouldn't be happy if she found out the truth. Before he could answer, the door creaked open.
"Okay dear, your new room is upstairs, right hallway, second door." Summer said.
"Got it. Thanks, mom." Another voice replied.
Yang turned her gaze to the front door while her dad slowly creeped to her side with a nervous smile. Didn't Summer have... silver eyes?
Before the fourth individual could even reach the stairs, they made eye contact. Those steel silver eyes, that black and crimson hair, there was no mistaking it.
"YOU!" The two girls stepped forward, entering Remnant's fiercest glaring contest. Silver stared down lilac, neither side relenting their side of power over the other. No further words were exchanged between the two. Only clenched teeth and barely subdued growls.
Summer could hardly contain her astonishment at the greeting but Taiyang finally spoke up in an attempt to diffuse the ticking time bomb in front of them.
"Yang… meet your future stepsister Ruby."
And the drama commences! So yeah, more elaboration on Yang's back story and a few revelations about Argent before his introduction. I have a few ideas on what to do next chapter, so hopefully I won't have to take another week off.
I also thought of an Arkos one-shot I want to do after watching that new episode. Yikes. Thankfully, January 2nd is closer than I thought.
Thanks for reading and please a review!