A/N: Wahoo, we're back to daily updates! Thank you again everyone for the lovely reviews! Also a bit of a warning from here on out, the story is going to get a lot darker, and I mean a lot.

Ruby watched the two bickering back and forth. Blake walked ahead of them, not wishing to be caught in the crossfire while she lead them to the nearest outpost.

"Besides, I had it all under control!"

"Under control Yang? You caused the roof to cave in! You could've killed us!"

Yang gave Weiss a sidelong glance. "But I didn't!"

"But you could have." Weiss growled, clearly becoming more irritated with Yang.

"Ah well, that's all in the past, no need to worry about it anymore."

Weiss sighed, rubbing her temples. "I'm more worried about what you might cause in the future."

Yang giggled, then gave a look Weiss was all too familiar with. Before Weiss could shout at her to not say it, Yang said, "Well don't you worry your little butt off… Weiss queen."

Angrily, Weiss stomped off ahead, opting to walk beside Blake. Ruby let out a giggle of her own, attracting the attention of the blonde haired girl, who spun around while staring at her.

Blake and Weiss also stopped, wondering what Yang was doing. "That reminds me, how in the world did you know Ruby's name? I have yet to even introduce the both of you." Weiss said, clearly suspicious.

Yang however ignored Weiss, still looking over Ruby. "U-um… yeah I was kinda wondering that too." Ruby squeaked out under Yang's careful observation.

Yang's eyes jumped up to meet Ruby's, a mixture of sadness and happiness. "You… you really don't recognize me?"

Ruby shook her head. "The only people I can remember are mom, dad, uncle Qrow, and my sis-" her voice stopped, memories of bright golden hair and a grin filled with sunshine playing in her mind.

Yang's eyes brimmed with tears. "It really is you, after all these years of searching. I… when dad told me you left without me… I just couldn't… I didn't." Her voice gave out, unable to continue, tears breaking out.

Ruby walked up to Yang, gently wiping away her tears. "I'm so sorry Yang, I wanted to say goodbye, but if I didn't leave then, I wouldn't have been able to become what I am now. I missed you so much."

"B-but why, why did you leave? What was wrong with our family? What was wrong with me?"

Ruby looked aghast, having not realized how her disappearance would look to her family. "Oh Yang, there was nothing wrong with you or our family. I just… I couldn't stand it."

Yang's eyes desperately searched Ruby's. "Stand what?"

"I couldn't stand letting mom's dream die." Silence took over.

The sisters both stood there, tears plodding softly onto the dirt below them. Weiss glanced over at Blake, realizing the both of them were trying their best to stifle their own tears.

"I still love you Yang, I always have and I always will."

Yang nodded happily. Slowly, she stuck her arms out to Ruby, but hesitated. One last look at Ruby's face crushed her hesitation, and she flung herself into her little sister, swinging the both of them around in circles as they hugged each other. Blake turned around, walking away a bit while she sniffled heavily, unable to bear the sight of the sisters laughing and crying at the same time while they shouted their love for each other. Weiss watched on. A Schnee shall not cry! N-no matter… no matter… Agh I give up! Weiss spun around, hurrying to catch up with Blake, leaving the sisters alone.


After the reunion, they began on their path once more, heading to the nearest military outpost to give news of the bandits. It had turned out that Yang had sent the rest of the squad to go in the other direction, while secretly following Blake's trail. Of course, Yang wouldn't dare admit she feared for the cat faunus' safety, instead saying she got bored without Blake.

Weiss and Blake watched out of the corner of their eyes as Yang bonked Ruby on the head, asking how in the world she had forgotten Yang's name. It turned out that Ruby as a child used to call Yang by her full name, but because Ruby's name was 'Ruby Rose', she'd call her 'Yang Rose'. Their father had gotten Ruby to start calling Yang by her actual last name, 'Xiao Long', in an effort to get her to learn it was not the same, but with how often Ruby only called her by her last name, it caused the young girl to forget Yang's first name after so many years of separation. Weiss had asked why their last names were different, finding out the two were actually step-sisters, having the same father, but different mother.

Weiss couldn't help the small smile lighting up her face, watching Ruby sleep peacefully on Yang's lap, cuddling into the blonde's hand that was resting softly in her hair. Yang had taken off her plate and chainmail armor, letting Ruby snuggle into her short woolen trousers. The four had been given a tent of their own upon arriving at the military outpost. The soldiers were preparing to move out the day after, letting the four have their much needed rest from their constant adventures.

Weiss laid back down on her cot, staring up at the ceiling. Her conversation with Blake kept echoing throughout her mind. The discovery of the two being sisters made it all the more reason for the heiress to leave Ruby behind, but at the same time made it all the harder. It was no longer a matter of convincing Ruby, but Yang as well. Not only that, but to have to separate them when they just found each other. I can't imagine how I would react if someone did that to Winter and I. A slight ruffle from the cot occupied by Blake made her look over. Amber eyes looked intensely back into ice blue. The cat faunus nodded slightly, Weiss returning with her own hesitant one.

Weiss knew the road she was bringing the others on. This was only the beginning, and it was only going to get darker from here on out. That's right, it's my family's darkness that will cause harm to us. I can't let it affect anymore than necessary. Even though her mind could logically accept the idea of leaving Ruby, her heart didn't seem to take it well. In the end, Weiss fell asleep, filled with feelings of dread and loneliness.


The next day the soldiers returned, bringing along the still unconscious bandits tied up. A few separated from the squad, returning the weapons they found hidden in the inn to Ruby and Weiss. The squeal that came from Ruby after reacquiring Crescent Rose almost made Weiss end their companionship right there on the spot.

Once the four were satisfied that all the bandits had been caught, they began discussing what to do next, or at least would have had it not been for a certain heiress' realization. Making sure Ruby was thoroughly distracted with her weapon, the three girls turned to each other.

"Yang, what exactly happened once I was… kidnapped?"

Yang and Blake looked at each other, before giving Weiss a distraught look. "Are you sure you wanna hear it now Weiss? We've still got more time to rest," Yang said uncertainly.

Weiss shook her head. "I'm the leader of this squad, it's my duty to know, even in the worst of circumstances, the state of my soldiers."

Yang sighed, but right before she could speak, Blake gently laid her on on Yang's arm. An unspoken conversation passed between them, and eventually Yang turned around, heading over to a group of nearby soldiers. Blake turned to Weiss. "We lost exactly half of the squad."

Weiss' eyes trailed downwards, gritting her teeth. "Who… who made it?"

"Jaune, Cardin, Ren, Dove, Sky, Reese, and Bolin."

Anger coursed through Weiss. Reality was a harsh mistress. Despite all the adventures she had with Ruby, the truth was that she had failed, not only as a Schnee, but as a person. People, her people, had died. Neptune, Russell, Nadir, Arslan, Velvet. With each name came an image of their face, smiling around the campfire as the squad sang a song, Weiss watching happily in the background.

"Weiss, please don't blame yourself, there's no way you could've known we'd be ambushed."

Weiss' hands curled, knuckles whitening. "I've been targeted all my life, I should've expected at least something to happen." She shook her head at Blake, stopping her friend from countering. "I'm sorry Blake… I… need some time to myself."

Blake nodded. "Don't forget Weiss, we're always here for you, just as I'm sure Ruby is."

Weiss watched solemnly as Blake joined Yang and the soldiers.

"Hey Weiss, everything alright?"

Ruby bounced on her feet, tilting her head, waiting for Weiss to answer, but was disappointed as the heiress turned away from her and walked away.

Ruby sighed. She knew she could only try her best to cheer up the three girls. The world is truly a dark place, I can only hope they take it better than I did. Silver eyes hardened, grim memories flashing through her mind. Crying. Screaming. The blood. Ruby shook her head harshly, trying her best to rid herself of the death plaguing her mind. Sighing again, she walked back towards their tent.