The storm raged on through the afternoon and into the night. It took over an hour for Yang to reach her home on the outskirts of town. The walk was usually calm and easy, but the torrential downpour created small lakes in the road and the wind blew down small trees and branches to obscure the only dry parts of the path. Yang did her best to keep her semblance going to keep the small bundle warm. She stopped several times to check on the little girl and adjust her position so that she was snug up against her chest. There were times when the little kitten rasped a mew along the way, but otherwise, she was silent.
Upon arrival, Yang proceeded to kick down the door. She didn't have much of a choice since her only hand was occupied. Taiyang was away for the night at Signal checking up on his student's studies. The Signal students loved Zwei, the resident corgi on Patch, so Taiyang decided to bring the pup to school this time.
One final kick spelled the end to the lock that kept Yang outside. She burst into the house, frantically looking around for something to keep her new friend warm. She spotted a red blanket cast off on the side of the couch and ran to it. It was well loved, showing its age through the many tears and stains that littered its fuzzy surface. It once belonged to Ruby, but after one too many washes she decided to let it go. Yang found it right before it was going to be taken to the donation bin. Even though Ruby had outgrown it, Yang was still attached to the little piece of Ruby's childhood.
Yang placed the small kitten on the blanket, wrapping her around the cloth to warm her. She then ran to the bathroom in search of supplies to heal the fresh wound on the kitten's flank. Opening the cabinet with haste, she began tearing through the supplies until she came upon the first aid kit. It was limited, but it would have to do. She stuffed the kit under her arm and proceeded to fill a small paper cup with water. Luckily she got one class of first aid under her belt at Beacon.
It was a long hour before she could get the wound closed. The kitten stayed still for most of the stitching procedure, purring to keep her body calm. Yang stepped back looked over her one-handed job. It wasn't easy and it was nowhere near perfect, but it would save the kitten from infection and that's all that mattered to her. The young girl sighed and walked to the kitchen to clean herself up. As soon as she turned on the faucet she heard a tiny sound. She turned around and saw the little kitten shaking on her four paws.
"Oh no, stay down little guy," Yang called back, rushing back to the living room. She knelt down and looked the kitten in the eyes. They were full of life and determination. Yang tried to push the little creature back down, but the kitten stayed standing.
"I can already tell you are a fighter," she murmured, giving the kitten a small smile. "You and her are one in the same."
Yang stood back up and stretched her arms. She was tired and was a mess after the long day. The kitten copied Yang, stretching her back and kneading the worn cloth below her. Yang sighed, realizing that the once treasured blanket was no longer hers. It was covered in fur and drops of blood and the cat was already making it her new nest.
Yang started to walk towards her room, stopping once more to look back at her new houseguest.
"I think I'll call you Kuro," she said, the kitten's ears perking at the sound of her new name.
"Goodnight, Kuro. See you in the morning."
She moved into her room, leaving the door open for the first time since she was home. Without undressing, the young woman flopped on her bed and shut her eyes. After a few moments, she felt her bed jump and the distinct sound of purring. Kuro padded over to her, nestling her head under the brawler's left arm and then flopping down on the bed.
For the first night since the fall of Beacon, Yang slept without a single nightmare.
Light filtered in through the blinds and the small sounds of songbirds could be heard in the distance. Yang's eyes fluttered open, stretching her arms up and above her head to wake her up.
"Good morning, Kuro," she murmured lazily, lifting her head to try and see her new friend.
"Kuro?" She looked around the bed and saw no sign of the black kitten.
"Kuro?!" She sat up fast and ran to the living room. She looked on the blanket, looked under the sofa, around the kitchen, and even in the bathroom, but there was no sign of the kitten anywhere.
That's when she looked to the front foyer. She had forgotten that she kicked it down the night before. Reality struck her when she saw that the door was open slightly with the morning rays shining into the dim house.
Kuro was gone.