Road to the End, Volume 3
By: athrunzala
13: Relaxation
The days passed slowly while Beacon was being rebuilt. So slowly, in fact, that Team RWBY was spending a lot of time training in Patch. There wasn't much they could do, after all, with Ironwood having finally figured out how to restore the CCT network to full capacity. They were hailed as heroes in Vale, along with all the Huntsmen and Huntresses who had assisted in the reclamation.
So it was nice to get away from the city and be able to hide out. For a time, they were accompanied by Ren and Nora, but the pair disappeared to a small village near Vale. They hadn't heard from them in a while, but they assumed that the two had been busy with life-related things, and weren't in the mood for a call.
Things were peaceful enough until a SDC airship landed outside of the house.
Ruby's normally happy expression changed to a disheartened one as she read the side. She knew what was going to happen. They were here for Weiss. She waited by the window for a white suit to step out and demand to see his daughter. When it was only a group of men in black suits, she left her room to head out and see what was going on.
She moved faster as she heard Weiss cry out.
"We're sorry, ma'am. He died last night. The cause is under investigation."
Before she could hit the ground, Ruby had caught the heiress and was holding her. All Weiss could bring herself to do was lean into her partner's embrace and begin to cry.
"Is... is your sister here?"
"If you're looking for me, you merely needed to look to your right."
The older Schnee stepped forward, her face set in disapproval.
"I assume that your visit has to do with company matters."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Then you will discuss them with me."
"They're private, ma'am."
"They are just as much my family right now as any. What you have to say, you say in front of them as well as the others here."
The man swallowed hard, and, sweating nervously, began to tell them of what was known.
Valkoinen Schnee, head of the Schnee Dust Company, was dead. The board was in a panic, as he hadn't said which of his two descendants were going to take over, if they were at all. Every last word was lost on Weiss, who was curled up in Ruby's lap.
"I'll do it. I'll head back to Atlas with you," Winter said these words in an authoritative tone, turning to look at her sister and Ruby. "If you need me, you know where to go."
Glancing back, she motioned to Qrow, who had kept his distance.
"We're goin' back there, eh? Ruby, you be good now. Don't do anything I wouldn't do... wait... scratch that. Don't do anything I would do. Yeah. That's better."
He then knelt and put a hand on Weiss' shoulder. "Ruby'll look after you. I know it. And I'll take care of your sister. I promise."
"You... you had better."
Qrow smiled, his half-smirk an affirmation to the her.
"See ya later, Ice Princess."
He then stood and joined Winter in the airship. Ruby watched as it took off into the sky, still cradling her girlfriend.
"Ruby?"
"Yeah?"
"Can... can we go inside now?"
"Sure thing, Weiss."
On the second floor, Yang returned her attention to her company, her "romantic escape" with her Faunus partner having been interrupted when Sun had shown up out of the blue.
"So, Blake, my bad on putting this all on hold. You wanted to tell us something?"
"Yang. Sun. I... I can't pick between you both. I really can't. I mean, I love how Sun makes me laugh, and I feel like I can talk to him about Faunus... stuff... without issue, but Yang, you make me feel safe and wanted. Like I belong. So I... I can't decide between you two."
The two blondes looked at each other, confusion on their faces. This was only deepened when Blake kissed both of them.
"What..."
"...is going on?"
"Look, you two," the cat Faunus said, placing her hands across her chest, "I want you both."
"I can deal with that."
"No biggie here. I mean, you're both... really really hot."
Blake and Yang both turned beet red at the monkey Faunus' comment on their appearance.
"But are you both okay with me being involved? I mean, I can step back if you want."
"Sun, bro, Let's give this a try. For Blake." Yang extended her hand, meeting Sun part way.
"Sounds good. If it doesn't work, though..."
"Then the offending party backs off."
"That'll work."
The blonde male closed his hand around Yang's prosthetic.