Chapter 6

Shadows of the Heart

Spring was gradually dissolving into summer on The Isle of Patch. The sun was greeting its inhabitants almost every day now, and for those sharing its namesake, they seemed the most eager to spend their days outdoors, albeit with a little prodding.

Yang and Blake laid in lounge chairs on the deck while Taiyang labored in the garden. He'd gone to work that morning but came home early after the majority of students skipped their afternoon classes in favor of going to the beach. Only a few overachievers had even bothered going to class, only to discover their classrooms completely empty. Considering it was Signal Academy, whether it had been the students or teachers that first decided to skip class was anybody's guess.

The more Blake learned about the unusual combat school the more she was coming to understand the laid-back attitudes of its graduates and staff. Nobody seemed to be in a hurry on The Isle of Patch, and everyone was genuinely good natured which was in stark contrast to her own island upbringing.

Before meeting the sisters, Blake's only knowledge of Signal Academy was that it was supposedly more of a party school than a primary combat academy, but this was only partially true. She'd met a few Signalites besides the sisters at Beacon, and although they were usually the top of their respective classes, what they learned in the classroom tended to be secondary to partying. Even graduation seemed inconsequential compared to spring break.

Being the time of year that all Signalites lived for, Blake was sorry that Yang hadn't been able to participate in spring break, especially after all the plans they'd made while at Beacon. That seemed like a lifetime ago however. A different time with different Blake and a very different Yang...

Under ordinary circumstances, Yang would've been spilling out of a too small bikini, soaking up as many rays as possible despite radiating sunlight herself. Instead, she was wearing what had become her uniform as of late, sweat pants and an unflattering top to hide where she'd technically been stabbed to death.

Her legs were still badly bruised from when she had fallen down the stairs a couple weeks prior, but Blake got the feeling that Yang might have also been cold despite the warm weather and sunshine. She even thought it possible that Yang might be in danger of sunburn due to how pale she'd gotten, but to suggest that Yang Xiao Long needed sunscreen was borderline blasphemous, and she avoided the train of thought whenever possible.

Blake herself was in a pair of shorts her partner would've normally approved of, and a black crop top that exposed her midriff and had been purchased by Yang on account of having diamond shaped cutouts around the neckline reminiscent of a cat's face. She had never worn it previously as Blake refused to wear any of Yang's gag gifts involving cats even if she did think some of them were cute, but wore it today thinking it might help cheer her up. If nothing else, she might appreciate the interesting tan lines she was sure to have later.

She smiled to herself, hearing the old Yang's voice teasing her in the back of her mind. "This is the life," she said, hoping to start a conversation. Yang didn't respond, but on a warm, beautiful day such as today, Blake couldn't help feeling the least bit hopeful about them both. While Yang had spent the majority of her life indulging in Patch's many pleasures, Blake had lived outdoors most of her life experiencing flood, drought, snow, and everything in between first hand, and had come to appreciate fair weather whenever she could.

Being a cat faunus also might've had something to do with enjoying sunshine as she and Zwei tended to follow what her teammates called 'The ray of death' created by the sun and bedroom window, and couldn't help occasionally sunbathing while reading a good book until she inevitably dozed off. She put some of the blame on many faunus being naturally nocturnal, and even now was struggling not to fall asleep.

"Menagerie has nothing on Patch," she said, practically purring. "Parts of Kuo Kuana have their charms I suppose, but it's too crowded and noisy, and you always have to watch your back because of Grimm, bandits, thieves, and your neighbors. Then there's the humidity and what it does to your hair."

Yang grunted in reply which was progress since she'd gotten her latest results from the doctor. It wasn't bad news thankfully, but it also hadn't been good news either. Once again an inconclusive test result had given them another uncertain prognosis, which might have been the worst news Yang could've heard.

Everyone but Yang was most concerned about the damage done to her heart, which was getting stronger by the day thankfully, but the doctors didn't know how her heart would handle anesthesia and prolonged surgery on her arm. They still weren't sure if the arm was salvageable or not, but Yang was adamant they at least try even if it caused further damage to her heart, or possibly killed her. If Yang was anything it was stubborn, and if she was going to lose the arm or die, it was going to be on her terms for once.

Being told she would keep the arm and regain all motor functions would've been the best news possible even if it meant retiring before her huntress career officially began, but being told her arm would have to be amputated would've been better than sitting around and dwelling on it with every passing minute. The long awaited and dreaded day of surgery was only a week away, which felt like an eternity to Yang but a blink of an eye to everyone else.

It could be her final week as far as anybody knew.

Their last week together...

Blake turned and raised her sunglasses to better study Yang, her gaze falling on the withered hand belonging to an old woman. The flesh pulled tight around the bones reminded Blake of the crones on Menagerie that had either been blessed or cursed with long life depending on your point of view. Living to an old age in the territories was an achievement in itself, almost unheard of in certain parts of Menagerie, but they were always all too happy to share their secrets with anyone willing to listen. Blake had listened intently from an early age, admiring them all, but never wanting to be like them.

'She looks old..." Blake finally admitted to herself.

Yang Xiao Long was eighteen years old and yet felt like a woman three or four times her age, and sometimes looked it. Even before the fall of Beacon, she could honestly say she had lived a full life, albeit in a short amount of time.

Blake could say the same, and there were days she felt even older than her partner. It seemed strange then that the man working in the garden should be twice their age and yet act like a man half that. 'Dirty hands and a clean soul' he had told her when she shyly complimented him. It was a popular saying among the simpler folk of Vale, particularly The Isle of Patch. It was said by farmers, ranchers, and beach bums and bunnies alike, but Blake wasn't entirely sure she could relate.

She understood the meaning well-enough, but she had blood on her hands. Innocent blood at that, and she wasn't sure if her soul would ever be clean again.

Watching Tai work, Blake suddenly got the urge to help him, and even moved to stand, but remembered her partner lying beside her. She was always sore to leave Yang's side, even if she was currently dozing in the sunlight and probably wouldn't notice. It had been Blake's idea to come outside on the first pretty day in weeks after all, and Yang had only reluctantly agreed because it was easier than arguing.

Blake sat there uncertain what to do or even what to say. She'd never been very good at small talk, and it was her opinion that most people tended to forget she was even in the same room with them. Yang might tease her about being her 'comfort faunus', but Blake felt nothing of the sort.

A familiar shadow fell over her heart, and she briefly considered leaving it lying there while she hid inside. If she could be certain her shadow would remain silent she might've, but instead settled on studying her partner, noting the way her chest rose and fell at mostly regular intervals.

'I'm sorry,' she mouthed. 'It's all my fault. I-

*Bzzt, Bzzt*

Blake's stomach sank at the sound of Yang's scroll vibrating on the table between them, and a bitter chill instinctively ran down her spine. Yang at first didn't indicate whether she heard it or not, and might've let it vibrate all day if not for her own instincts and the butterflies in her chest.

"Schnee Dust Company World Headquarters," she read aloud after removing her glasses. The partners shared a smile, albeit one more forced than the other. Yang tried reaching for the scroll with her right hand but unlike usual, didn't get immediately discouraged and instead grabbed it with her left.

"Talk to me if you've got pale skin and sexy legs."

"Thank you for contacting SDC technical support," replied a sarcastic but otherwise robotic sounding voice. "We sincerely apologize that you've been experiencing technical difficulties with your state of the art holographic tablet, but if you'll please be patient with your chaste technical support adviser, you'll be able to return to wasting time on social media and enabling your depravity in a timely fashion."

Blake had no trouble hearing the other side of the conversation thanks to an extra pair of ears atop her head, but suspected even Tai could hear Weiss across the yard on account of Yang's volume being turned to the max. Even so, Yang put it on speaker and placed the scroll atop her lap. "We've really gotta work on your dirty talk, Weiss. Whatcha wearing?"

"A white pantsuit that costs more than your motorcycle."

Yang snorted. "That a girl. Send a picture of your paycheck later and I'll make it worth your while. Topless pics are gonna have to wait until I heal up, but Blake's sunbathing in her cat-face top. That's a pretty good tradeoff if you ask me, but seeing how you chose Ruby over me to be your partner, you're probably more of a Bellabooty kind of girl."

She nudged Blake to say something, but all she could manage was a meek 'Hello' which Weiss promptly ignored. Zwei must have recognized the high-pitched voice on the other end of the line however because he came running onto the deck with his tongue hanging out, and leaped atop Yang's lap.

*Yip, yip!*

"Is that my puppy prince!?" Weiss exclaimed. "Who's a good boy! Who's a good boy!"

Yang's laughter was music to Blake's ears as Zwei did his best to answer and crawl into the hologram. "How come you're not on video?" Yang asked. "You sitting in your underwear at home working remotely now?"

"I'm afraid not," she said, lowering her voice. "Since I last contacted you, I've learned that video conferences are more easily tracked than audio. I should be able to talk to you for twice as long now without getting caught. Should being the operative word.

"..."

Weiss sighed heavily on the other end, and Blake swore she could hear it all the way from Atlas. "No, Yang. I'm not sitting at home in my underwear. I'm in the same office I was last time."

"So does that mean you aren't wearing underwear? For the record neither am I. Pretty sure Blake isn't either, and knowing my dad-"

"Could you please be serious for once in your life! I'm risking my career and livelihood here to talk to you, and you're making comments about my legs, underwear, and sending nudes!" She couldn't quite keep up the indignant heiress act however, and about mid-way through her rant joined Yang's laughter.

'Why can't I make her laugh like that?' Blake thought bitterly to herself.

"Listen," Weiss said, growing serious again. "Although I probably have more time to talk, the less suspicion I raise the better. I'll be able to call more frequently if I keep these calls short. I'm calling now however because I just heard about your latest doctor's visit."

Yang's smile twitched. "Whatever happened to patient confidentiality?"

"I'm a Schnee," she reminded her. "There is no confidentiality. Besides injured Fall Maidens locked up in basements, I can find out just about anything I want. I can even see the search history on your scroll..." She made a sound that may have been her gagging. "I also happen to be the one paying your medical bills. It isn't hard to reverse engineer an expense report and figure out what exactly is going on."

This time Yang's smile disappeared completely. The death of Amber, Yang's childhood friend, had hit her hard, but as far as Blake knew, Weiss wasn't aware who exactly the Fall Maiden hidden away in Beacon's vault had been. Blake only figured it out by piecing together various news reports, Yang and Tai's version of events, and Professor Goodwitch's account of what all happened atop The Emerald Tower while she and Yang were busy fighting Adam. To think that a shadow war with magic and demigods was being waged across campus while they fought a faunus extremist was difficult for her to believe, and a part of her still didn't.

"I already said thanks," Yang said evenly. "What more do you want?"

There was another pause on the other end of the line, and Blake got the impression that Weiss was trying to figure out which of them was to blame for Yang's sudden hostility. "I wasn't trying to rub it in," she said. "Just stating it as a fact. Money is no object to me. You already know that."

"Yeah, I do," she sighed. "Sorry..."

"You also know that apologies are unnecessary," Weiss said a little more kindly. "Now, as I was saying before you so rudely interrupted, and as to why I'm risking an investigation from my father and the Atlesian government. Yesterday I was informed about your latest doctor's visit and wanted to speak to you about cybernetics."

Yang winced and suddenly looked as though she might vomit. "I-I don't really wanna talk about it, Weiss."

"Nonsense. I won't allow you to wear some second rate prosthetic, or God forbid, a hook."

"I-I-"

"I had already gone through the trouble of sending your dimensions to the SDC's cybernetics lab weeks ago. As you know, I like being prepared, and good thing too. The first arm is made for everyday use and will even have synthetic skin that'll regenerate through aura. Penny's veneer was just a prototype, but yours will be the latest advancement in SDC technology," she said proudly. "The other is a combat cybernetic that's standard among huntsmen, but yours of course will be top of the line. It'll be installed with its very own Dual Ranged Shot Gauntlet just like Ember Celica, but it'll also be customizable since I know you and Ruby can't leave well-enough alone. How does that sound?"

"Weiss, I-"

"No thank you necessary. I promise the cybernetic will be the best money can buy, and the highest quality the SDC has to offer. You'll be better than ever, and soon enough you won't even miss the old arm."

Yang remained silent for several moments. Her good hand tightening into a fist while her eyes slowly darkened. "How many times do I have to tell you people!" Yang shouted. "I don't want a cybernetic! I want my old arm and my old life back! The best money can buy isn't worth waking up without my arm!"

Zwei hopped down from her lap and without warning, Yang threw the scroll across the deck into the fencing where the device sparked and crackled. Yang stood up abruptly and looked as though she might stomp out what little life remained in the so-called 'state of the art holographic tablet', but regret flashed across her face and she ran into the cabin as quickly as her bruised legs, inconsistent heartbeat, and patched lungs would let her.

Blake got to her feet to follow but found herself unable to move. She just stared and watched as she left, listening to the sobs of her partner as she limped across the cabin and up the stairs.

"Yang..."

Finally she found the strength to follow but another source of sobbing caused her cat ears to swivel, and she glanced at the damaged scroll lying on the ground. Almost on their own accord her feet carried her across the deck and she bent down to retrieve it.

"Weiss?" she said, struggling to keep her usually monotone voice steady. "Weiss, are you there? Can you hear me?"

"Of course I'm here!" she shouted back. "I should be there with Yang or traveling with Ruby, but unless I want to kiss my future goodbye, I have to remain in Atlas like a good little Schnee! Unlike you however, I was at least there when Yang woke up and needed us!"

"Weiss, I-"

"This is all your fault! Adam! The White Fang! Beacon! The team breaking up! Everything!"

"..."

"Every time Yang woke up in the hospital, she asked for YOU! For days Ruby and I had to lie and tell her that you just stepped out. She was in absolute agony but it was YOU that hurt her the most. At first she thought the Grimm or White Fang had gotten you, and blamed Ruby and I for not keeping a better eye on her partner. She didn't want to believe- couldn't believe that you'd actually abandon her like that. After everything the two of you have been through! After everything you and I have been through! HOW COULD YOU!"

*sniff*

Blake had seen Weiss with a broken arm, mauled by Beowolves, and half-dead on her feet, but never had she seen or heard her cry. To a Schnee, tears were a sign of weakness, but Blake was the one that had never felt more vulnerable and inadequate in all her life.

"There are days where I just sit in bed staring at photos of us," Weiss sobbed. "Imagining the four of us together again. Imagining being with Yang. Imagining being with Ruby again. My partner..."

Her voice cracked and it took several moments for her to find it again. "I hated you," she said. "I hated you more than I've ever hated anyone my entire life. I stayed with Ruby and Yang for as long as I could, and I'd still be there if I had a choice. You left us when we needed you, and you hurt me in ways I never thought imaginable. You stay with Yang, and don't you dare leave her again. You hear me? This is the last chance you'll ever receive from me. If you ever hurt Yang or my Ruby again, I'll- I'll-"

"I'm not leaving," Blake promised, her conviction surprising even herself. "Not now. Not ever. Never again."

"You had better not. Yang may forgive you, and Ruby may have forgiven you the moment you abandoned us, but I warned you once before that I'm not a very forgiving person. If you want my forgiveness, you'll have to earn it!"

Weiss hung up the phone abruptly, tears pouring from her face from the sound of it, and Blake stared at the damaged scroll with a hollow expression. When she finally looked up, she saw Tai standing in the garden looking at her. She couldn't quite read his expression, other than to say it was heartbroken and sympathetic. He didn't make a move toward the cabin and his daughter however. Instead, it seemed to her that he was waiting for his daughter's partner to make the first move.

Blake's feet on their own accord made for the door but stopped abruptly when she heard Yang crying from upstairs.

"I won't leave her," she whispered. "I won't."

Despite her many promises, Blake made no immediate move toward the door.

"I can't..."

(A/N: Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed. For as cold of a person Weiss can be, she's also very vulnerable, and her being hurt the most by Blake abandoning the team fits her personality in my opinion. She's not a very forgiving person, and while Blake may have redeemed herself in Ruby and Yang's eyes, Weiss is still hurt, and she's also alone across the world. She was put in a very difficult position by her father, but she's doing what she can for her friends. Yang thinks with her heart but Weiss thinks logically, and I think her wanting Yang to know that she's taken care of the cybernetic issue and to not worry about it is very in character for her. Weiss is trying to fix something that can't really be "fixed", and right now, Yang lashing out because of it fits in my opinion.

All credit goes to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who has blessed me with this story and wonderful readers such as yourself. God bless)