Weiss couldn't sleep.

The day was just so hectic; the rowdy bunch went through so many casks of wine. Nora and Yang were like a hurricane together, both couldn't contain their excitement as they told the elaborate story of the past few days. Nora chatted excitedly about how she and Ren were stowaways on Jaune's boat just so they could see her. Yang told Ruby about her awesome pirate slaying and Grimm Sea Dragon adventure.

And Ruby laughed to tears at the series of coincidences that brought all the people that love her together. She laughed because there was just so any people out here that love and care for her and it made the hell she survived worth it.

It warmed Weiss' heart to see Ruby there in her home, a smile on her face as her friends and sister showered her with endless attention. How it just looked like some life was being breathed back into the worn out Gladiator.

Gently, she padded down the hallway, she heard Yang's incessant snoring coming from her room which made Weiss slightly roll her eyes. Pyrrha and Jaune went back to her Villa while Ren and Nora went back to the Inn they stayed at. Weiss offered the two the last available room, but the two declined saying they didn't want to impose.

She wondered if there would be any coals left to rake over in the hearth to start a fire outside.

"Can't sleep?"

Weiss snapped her head up to see the reason why she couldn't sleep.

The Gladiator cleaned up well compared to the practical rags she arrived in, the clothing she wore now was in great repair. The layer of grime and sweat was gone and her eyes – Oum, Ruby's eyes had a dull sparkle to them, it reminded her of the subdue burn of coals. There was a deafening calm about Ruby as she teased the hearth to catch flame to the new log she had put on.

"Should I not be wandering around?" Ruby caught on to the silence.

Weiss shook her head, "Heavens, no, I've opened my home to you and your sister." She smiled, "Please, make yourself comfortable."

"Thank you for doing that." Ruby said.

"It's the least I could do," Weiss let out, "How're you handling everything? And you can be honest, I really want to know."

"Over whelming." She simply replied, "I'm still trying to take it all in."

"If you need a break from… whatever today was and everyone here, just say so." Weiss advised, "They would understand."

The Gladiator looked up at Weiss, "You think so?"

Another grin broke out on the Merchant's face, "I know so."

Ruby returned the smile, her eyes flicked back over to the hearth, "You asked me once what it was like to be in the Arena." She teased the flame.

"I did." Weiss couldn't forget the day even if she tried, it was their first time together.

"Can I give you my real answer?" She left the hearth alone as the flames began to dance.

The Merchant sat down on one of her chairs, the Gladiator took a spot adjacent to hers.

"I would love to hear it." Weiss replied smoothly.

Ruby took a deep breathe and stared into the fire, "It's crushing, exhausting, and most of all daunting. It's not just me and my opponent, it's me and all my comrades in there too with who ever is trying to kill me – and then there's Roman. Standing over while commanding me to do one thing and that's to win, at all costs – or else." She closed her eyes, "And once that match starts, it's just me… and I have never felt more alone than when I'm in there. It's like I have to carry everyone's lives on my shoulders while I fight what ever monster is waiting for me."

"Ruby…" Weiss reached across to place her hand on hers.

"Weiss, I don't ever want to be in there again." She looked down at the soft hand on top of hers.

"You don't have to go back in there." Weiss reassured, "You can go home and think that this is a bad dream." As soon as she said home, there was a slight sadness that was sparked at the bottom of her stomach. Ruby leaving…

"Home…" Ruby looked back up at Weiss, a small but bright smile on her face at the thought.

"Yes. Home." Weiss repeated, the smile growing bigger, "Get away from here, from all of this."

"Yeah, get away." Ruby's thoughts were racing back to the last time she had seen Weiss, "You didn't have to do that for me, in the dungeon."

"I couldn't let him do that to you."

"He would have just found another reason to do so to me, it didn't have to be for you – it could have been for anything."

"So you wanted me to just leave you be and let him have his way with you?"

"It wouldn't have been the first time."

"Ruby." Weiss was irritated, "Do not belittle what I did for you, do not tell me what I should or should not have done." She stood over the Gladiator, "I was given the choice to either protect you or walk away completely – and I chose to protect you." Her voice shook, "And I swear to Oum that I would make that same choice as much as it takes to show you that I want to protect you."

Ruby stared at her. Weiss Schnee standing underneath the night sky and by the fireside that made her glow something ethereal.

This time she grabbed Weiss' hand and pulled her into the second embrace that day.

"You… You do so much for a slave like me." Ruby muttered as she buried her face into her hair.

Weiss tightened her hold on the free woman, "You're not a slave," With Ruby there in her arms, it simply clicked. This. This moment with this person. She wanted this for as long as she could have it.

She tried to erase the distance, but there was just none left to erase, so Weiss clutched on to Ruby harder. She felt the warm press of Ruby's lips on temple, then another on her cheek, and on the third kiss, Weiss turned her head to meet them with her own.

It was slow, sensual, the smell of the fire and Ruby's powerful scent filled her being. And it was uplifting and so much sweeter than her favorite wine. Weiss wanted more, her hands snaked up around Ruby's back, she felt her fingers brush across the hard muscles there. She craned her neck and trailed her kisses down Ruby's jawline, trying to memorize her taste. She sucked lightly on her neck and smiled as she felt Ruby's groan reverberate through he throat.

Ruby gripped Weiss' waist tightly, struggling to stay calm at what the woman was doing to her.

"Weiss." Ruby's voice strained against the onslaught of kisses.

She smiled when Ruby said just her name, no titles or anything "What?" Weiss lips were still on Ruby's skin, she only pause to reply as she made way to her collarbone.

The Gladiator took a deep breath, "I can't – This is – " Another labored breathe.

"What if I said that I want this?" Weiss pulled back, Ruby leaned down to rest her forehead against hers, "I want you."

"Do you want this? Do you want me?" Ruby squeezed her waist, "Because I do. I want you."

Blue looked into Silver; wordlessly Weiss grabbed a hold of Ruby's hand and led her upstairs.

They padded silently as to not wake the rest of the Villa. Weiss opened the door and led Ruby inside, for a moment Ruby admired the décor of cool whites and blues, her bed was huge and draped in heavy blankets to accommodate the cold.

Two arms wrapped around her waist, Ruby leaned into the embrace and closed her eyes once she felt those lips on her skin. "Weiss…" She breathed out.

Something about the way Weiss' name hung off of Ruby's lips set a fire within the Merchant.

Her tunic was pulled up over her head and then her form was spun around and made to sit on the bed, the kisses increased with so much fervor that Ruby nearly forgot breathe while she felt those hands roam up and down her body. Weiss straddled Ruby, the Gladiator's hands roaming up and down her legs, pulling at her nightgown to come off.

Once again the kiss broke off and the Merchant stepped out of her garments, she pulled at Ruby's trousers and she quickly complied. The two stood face-to-face, Ruby's rough hands roaming up and down her sides and Weiss tracing the various scars that decorated her. Her hands slowed once they came across the most recent one – the one she received because of Weiss.

Tenderly Weiss leaned down and kissed it, "I'm sorry." She whispered against the wound.

"Don't be." Ruby tilted her chin up to meet her lips once more.

"Say it." Weiss bit Ruby's lower lip in the kiss, "My name." She wanted to hear it more.

"Weiss." She nipped her neck.

Ruby let out a low moan, careful to not make too much noise, "Weiss." She nearly choked out.

They fell back on the bed, the heated kisses continued.

For a brief moment, both pulled away to simply gaze at each other – the moment so surreal for the both of them.

"Ruby." Weiss sang out gently.

Yang watched intently as Ruby walked about in loose brown breeches and a cream colored tunic that clung to the taut muscles of the seasoned fighter. Weiss didn't have much else in Ruby's tastes, but the former Gladiator didn't complain.

"We can get you some better clothes later, I don't have too many spare sets myself so it'd be good for the both of us." Yang offered.

Ruby looked up at the blond woman, she was still trying to digest that this Huntress was indeed her long lost sister, "I don't have any money."

"Let me worry about that." An easy smile, "You sure you wanna leave the Villa already? It's barely been a day." Yang was slightly concerned.

"I want to see Bolin… he mentioned we – or I should come by and visit the flower shop. I'll be with Ren and Nora." Ruby replied, "And… I don't know, I just feel so restless sitting around."

"You sure I can't tag along?" The blond tried one more time.

"Yang." Ruby smiled when she said the name, "I wanna focus on Bolin right now… and I can't do that if you're there distracting me." She was surprisingly forward, something Yang wasn't expecting.

The Huntress smiled back at her little sister, literally little since the Huntress stood a couple inches taller than the Gladiator, "I can understand that… but you can't blame me for being restless about having you out of my sight."

"I'll be back." Ruby reassured, "And then we can talk… as long as we want."

"All night? Like you and Weiss over there?" Yang wore a suggestive look, "Ice Queen sure does have some pipes on her."

"Y-Yang!" Ruby stuttered as she walked away from the laughing blond.

Nora smiled as she watched Ruby emerge from the back of the Villa after changing into something more suitable for a quick trip into the Kingdom. "You ready?"

"Yeah." Ruby nodded, but her eyes caught something that Ren held in his hand.

"I think it would be smart for you to wear this, considering Bolin and Pyrrha can't walk too far without someone recognizing them." Ren held out the item.

Ruby proudly took the cloak and wrapped it around her.

She pulled up the hood a little tighter to hide herself, but she liked it at the same time. It was green and it was warm and it smelled like the Valesian forests she roamed around from time to time. Ruby Rose followed Ren and Nora through the city streets, they were in the heart of the city and Ruby could see the Coliseum.

It was bristling with life everywhere as everyone had a place to be, fast walking and talking and the different smells of the shops and bakery that lined the streets. Her eyes snapped around as both citizens and slaves were busy with whatever tasks at hand. It was hectic and chaotic but it was peaceful in a way.

"So you've never been really out in the city?" Nora asked.

"Didn't really have much time to go exploring." Ruby answered smoothly, she caught the curious gaze of an onlooker, but she pulled the hood up more to avoid recognition.

Ruby was not in the mood to get swarmed on the streets due to the Reaper.

Ren looked around, "Good thing the flower shop is away from most of the crowds, although a few of Bolin's neighbors are pretty big fans of the gladiators."

"We'll just be careful to not hang around outside then." Ruby answered.

The free woman looked about the buildings as they were leaving the hustle and bustle of the epicenter of it all – the Coliseum. The structure looked absolutely towering on the outside, and it was as if Ruby was seeing the practical monument for the first time.

It just looked so different today than it did when she last fought.

"Through here." Ren motioned, Ruby snapped out of her trance as she followed the two down a side street, it was still lined with various stall, but nothing nearly as crowded as the shops around the Coliseum.

They walked for what seemed to be half a mile before coming to a stop.

"We're here." Nora proudly announced.

Ruby paused as she looked the shop over and saw the various flowers that decorated the front of the store.

"No soliciting." A steady voice called out from the entrance, a slight smile on the shopkeeper's face.

"I honestly couldn't even begin to imagine you as a florist." Ruby broke out into a smile.

"Hey Rubes." Bolin let out, he stepped out into the open.

"Hey Bo." Ruby smiled as she stepped up to him.

It was a fierce hug between the two old friends, Reese watched from inside as both of them began to shudder slightly.

She always knew Bolin was just a big crybaby.

Ren and Nora smiled at the two reunited friends, they stayed in the front of the shop with Reese as they watched the pair head to a room in the back in order to properly talk.

"How's Ruby holding up?" Reese asked, as soon as she caught sight of the small girl with red hair and silver eyes, she automatically knew who it was without having to be introduced.

Nora smiled as she sat down by the window, her gaze caught sunflower that was sitting out, "I think it's pretty over whelming, but she's taking it in stride." Her face faltered, "She's a lot quieter than before…"

"We just need to give her time." Ren reassured, "Like you said, it's over whelming."

Reese nodded, her eyes caught sight of the closed door to the backroom where more pots and plants resided, "Bo was the same when he first came home… he still gets this distant look on his face from time to time if he isn't doing anything, but I know he's still himself – just a little different."

"I don't think any of us could begin to truly fathom what the past couple years have been like for them." Ren thought a loud, "But it doesn't mean that we have to stop trying our best to be there for them."

"Couldn't have said it better myself, Renny."

Ruby looked over the storeroom, she found a spot at an empty workbench to sit down while Bolin took a seat on a stool near by.

"How's life now?" Ruby started out.

"Honestly, it's still taking some adjustment… but it's better than perfect." Bolin smiled gently, "How's Sun doing?"

"We… He's doing alright for himself." The smaller Gladiator looked about the room for the words, "Neptune, Sage and Scarlet have gotten pretty good… Torchwick gave them their own quarters. I think Sage is staying in your old room."

Bolin studied Ruby's face, he wasn't sure if he should say it, but the thought was burning him.

"Ruby… I was there. For Nadir."

His words hung in the air, the room became slightly stifling while Ruby sat in silence, her gaze directed to the floor.

"I think Nadir wanted that."

"For me to kill him?" Ruby's voice cracked, "That wasn't what I wanted."

"He wanted you to end it, you saw him – he was in pain." Bolin was no fool, he knew for a fact that Nadir was nowhere near his usual form during that match.

"But why?" Ruby's voice cracked.

Instinctively, Bolin crossed the room and wrapped both of his arms around his friend. "I don't know… I really don't know what goes on inside that monster's head."

Silently, Ruby's body shook as the tears fell down her face, Bolin stroked her hair and back in an attempt to ease the pain.

For hours, it seemed like the two stood there, clutching at each other as they both mourned the loss of Nadir.

"He's like a brother to me – you and Sun too." Ruby's words were hoarse, "And I killed – "

"You didn't kill him." Bolin pulled apart, he looked vindictively into those silver eyes, "Roman killed him, you gave him peace." He took a deep breath in, "I swore I saw a smile on his face when he threw down his shield."

"Even though we've told him not to do it countless times."

"Roman killed him, and one day, the bastard will pay – some how." Bolin seethed at the thought, "I'm not sure how, but I promise you Ruby, he will get his one day – I swear by Oum he will."

A slight smile formed on her face, "I believe you." She sighed, "And then Sun, Oum – Bo, it just isn't fair."

A hard line was seen on Bolin's face at the thought, Sun was alone now, "It feels like no matter what we do, we just can never get a clean win."

"Not like when we fight in… in there." The smaller Gladiator broke away to look at some of the flowers in the room, "Sun has a couple more years left on his sentence."

"If Roman lets him live that long." Bolin thought back to Nadir, "I thought it was strange that… that Nadir was given away."

Ruby perked up slightly, she recalled some of the whisperings that the house slaves echoed, "It was to settle a debt with the Fall family…"

"March… revolt... beware… the fall…"

The memory of the Wilding's last word was fresh on her mind, her eyes scrunched together in confusion – she thought Nadir's last words were strange. Until now, she didn't think much of it since she was going through the first initial shocks of her friend's death, but here where things are so much clearer…

"Bo… what would your last words be in the Arena?" Ruby asked, seemingly out of nowhere.

"What?" Bolin was taken back, "You mean, like my dying words?"

"Yeah… Nadir said something to me, I didn't think much of it at first, but it's bugging me now that… now that we're talking about him." She sighed.

The older Gladiator sighed, he looked up to the ceiling and closed his eyes – he imagined the sands at his feet, a gladius in hand, and the crowds cheering his name.

"Glory to Oum." He muttered with his eyes still closed.

Ruby chose to remain silent at that, she wasn't daft, but she wasn't too sure either.

Instead, Ruby chose to simply sit there and talk to Bolin. It was something they both needed, to just sit and talk with each other about everything and nothing.

The tell tale sign of spring was in the air that evening, it wasn't nearly as chilly as previous nights, but Weiss still chose to light the hearths since she got cold quite easily – which was something Blake appreciated whole heartedly.

"I was 19 when Roman bought me." Ruby explained to the Faunus, Blake couldn't really explain why it was so easy to talk to the former slave.

"Master Schnee… she bought almost a year ago now." She explained.

"How old are you?" Ruby asked.

"I'm 23 now." Blake looked up at the setting sun, "I was caught stealing."

"Sounds just like a friend of mine, maybe you've heard of him? His name's Sun."

"He's only just one of the most well-known gladiators." Blake teased slightly, "I've heard of him several times, especially when Master Schnee would come back from the Arena."

"He's got a good heart," Ruby teased the hearth to make the flame jump a bit, "He's from Menagerie, left home because he got tired of the same thing day in and day out."

Blake looked down, it sounded all too familiar to her, "I can relate."

"I'm back!" A voice called out from the front of the Villa, "I got you something Rubes."

"Use your inside voice, brute." Weiss stepped out of her study and smiled at the sight of Blake and Ruby sitting together around the fire, "I didn't even know you came back already."

"Klein mentioned that you were working, I didn't want to interrupt," Ruby flashed a smile. "Blake makes really great company."

"She does, doesn't she?" Weiss' expression was gentle as she approached the hearth. "What have you two been talking about?"

"Just… stuff." Ruby shrugged, "I was telling her about Sun."

"The Monkey King." Weiss recalled.

"He actually doesn't like the name too much." Ruby was a bit sheepish.

"Why? It's a good title, better than some of the others like 'Max the Destroyer' or 'The Incinerator'." Weiss joked, Yang laughed at some of the names as she took a seat near Blake by the hearth.

"It's… well, racist." Ruby answered.

Blake's eyes went wide, "That… I didn't think you would know that."

"That the Faunus don't like being called their… traits, Sun only mentioned it in passing."

"Interesting." Yang held out a burlap bag, "I got you some clothes while I went to the Huntsman Guild."

"Yang…" Ruby looked into the bag, a fresh pair of trousers, breeches, and a few tunics that looked like would fit her a lot less snug than the one she currently wore.

"What did you go to the Guild for?" Weiss picked up the blonde's cue to change the subject.

"Just seeing if there's any updates, I was thinking about taking on a hunt." Yang answered, "Just to work off all the excitement of the past few days."

"Is that right?" Weiss questioned.

"Not all of us have a nice partner to do some midnight stretching." Yang winked, her lilac eyes not failing to land on Blake.

"Y-You…" Weiss turned bright pink at the comment.

"It was a little hard to sleep through some of the night." Blake chimed in as she looked to the ground.

"You too, Blake?" Weiss looked mortified and her blue eyes landed on the only one who had chosen to remain silent. "Ruby…" Her tone warned slightly.

"I… uh… it's never occurred to me that people minded your screams before." Ruby started.

"Before?" Yang arched an eyebrow, "Weiss, you dog." She mocked.

Blake let out a giggle as her Master huffed in exasperation.

"There will be no more on this subject." She commanded while taking a spot next to Ruby. Curiously, she looked from Ruby to Yang a few times, the question had been racking through her mind throughout the day, "So… you're sisters, but you don't look like it."

Ruby snapped her attention to Yang, "I… I can't really answer that."

"You really don't remember?" Yang looked at her little sister, "Nora mentioned you hurt your head during the fire."

Ruby nodded, "Madame Weatherly, she's the lady in charge of the orphanage that took me in. She said they found me at sea with my skull busted open." Absentmindedly her hand trailed to the back of her head, the scar had stayed with her.

"That's what that is… I thought that maybe you took a club to the head." Weiss looked at the fighter's head.

"There's only so many orphanages in Vale." Yang began.

"I don't know how long I was at sea for, I actually don't remember any of it." Ruby looked down, "It was a miracle I survived – they gave the bodies from the fire a sea burial, apparently there was just so many. And then when I did make it to Madame Weatherly, I was incoherent for a whole month, no one knew if I would actually survive or heal from the head trauma – but here I am." A slight smile.

"What do you remember?" Yang tried again, the horrifying scene of their home collapsing was something that still haunted her dreams.

"Just… thick smoke, everything was so hot, someone yelled to run to the river…" Ruby tried, "And then I remember a little girl with blond hair and lilac eyes, every time I try to remember you all I can see is forests, you, a basket of strawberries, and then me calling your name – but that's it."

"You were so young when it happened." The Huntress suppressed a tear from falling, she was surprised by a light touch at her leg. Yang looked up to see Blake there, comforting her the best she can. Slowly, Yang put her hand on top of the Faunus'. Weiss said nothing as she observed the exchange.

Yang cleared her throat, "Your mother is Summer Rose, she died when you were about three years old – a pack of Beowolves caught her off guard on Patch… she didn't have a weapon. Your… Our father is Taiyang Xiao-Long, after Summer died… I think that was the tipping point, he went somewhere really dark and that left us alone in our home for a very long time." She took a deep breath, "Taiyang abandoned us, and then I did what I could to help raise you – the neighbors did their best to help out too. Everyone was so nice."

Ruby nodded as she took the information in, nothing was ringing any bells but Yang's words sounded familiar some how.

"It started early morning, not sure how, but it started in the stables and by the time anyone could do anything it was already too late. We woke up and our home was on fire." Yang continued on, "I ran outside, but… I didn't realize you were still stuck in the house, I heard you crying… and then the door collapsed, and then after that the house."

Ruby closed her eyes, she tried to remember that dream, "I think the backside of the house collapsed first before the whole thing came down, and then I managed to run out. Every now and then I'll have these dreams where I'm surrounded by smoke, but at the last second before I run out of air, a hole always opens up and I can run out."

"I passed out due to all the smoke, when I woke up I was at a relief station that had been put together." Yang smiled bitterly, "It was sheer luck that Qrow had come to town, he found me."

"If that was luck, then it was an act of Oum that I survived at all." Ruby looked down, "This… to think I'd see you here of all places."

"Yeah, it's incredible, it really is." Yang looked up at her sister, "Qrow took me under his wing, for two years we searched all over Remnant to find my mom – Raven."

"Did you find her?" Ruby asked, curious as to whom this Qrow and Raven were, both names did sound vaguely familiar to her.

"I… I did we found her right outside of Mistral actually, but... she wasn't ready to have me in her life, and I don't think she'll ever be." Yang tightened the hold she had on Blake's hand, "And then after that, me and Qrow kept travelling around."

"You said this was your first time in Mistral though." Weiss was a little confused.

"Trust me, it is. I never once step foot in this kingdom until recently. During our travels, Qrow and I would go everywhere but here because… well because Raven's around here." Yang let out, "After hearing stories of Pyrrha fighting the Reaper." She looked up at Ruby who smiled sheepishly, "I realized how much I've missed out on not purposely coming here."

"I'm glad you did." Ruby took a deep breath, "Tell me more about Qrow."

Yang smiled, she looked her over, "Well… he's our Uncle."

Blake smiled to herself as she sat and listened to the two reunited sisters interact with each other, each asking endless questions about the other's life. The hand Yang placed over hers didn't bother to move, instead it was rather animated as it would clutch to hers during exciting stories, and then twitch ever so subtly when they got to a more remorse topic – the first time Yang had seen what a Grimm horde does when left uncheck for too long.

Weiss was getting ready to get up and leave before she felt a warm hand on her arm, she looked over and glanced at Ruby who was engrossed in a story that Yang was telling about her first time going on a hunt as a Huntress. The Schnee Merchant complied and opted to stay sitting next to the Gladiator a little longer, leaning into the strong body as Yang continued on her story with her sister listening intently.

And Ruby – she told stories about her time in the army as a scout, the missions she had went on and some of the bad guys she had fought in order to liberate small towns way out in the country. Some stories from her upbringing in the orphanage, how she still kept up with Madame Weatherly, dinners with Nora and Ren. Then the way she talked about her cottage, it made Yang wish that she could see it for herself one day.

The home that Ruby had made for herself.

The whole time the two traded stories, Blake and Weiss would sit and actively listen, offering a comment here and there, but most importantly the two provided some small strength to keep going. The strength to begin their journey to rebuild this long-lost bond between sisters.

And just like that, the setting sun turned into the night sky, Yang and Ruby still went at it with their quiet conversation.

"Perhaps it's time we put Weiss to bed." Blake looked over at the sleeping Merchant, Ruby looked to the side and was ashamed to say that she was too engrossed in the conversation to have noticed.

Yang smiled, "That's the first time I heard you say her first name." She pointed out.

Blake looked panicked, "I didn't mean to – "

"I'm not mad, but I think you should try calling her that when she's not sleeping." Yang looked down at the Faunus, "Something tells me that Weiss wouldn't mind at all."

"You think so?" Blake questioned.

"I know so." Ruby smiled gently at her new found friend, "I'll take her up to her room."

"Don't bother pretending you're coming back down, I'm sure Weissy wouldn't mind a cuddle buddy." Yang jested.

"Shut up." Ruby gave a toothy grin to her sister, easily she swept up Weiss into her arms began to walk to the master bedroom upstairs.

Blake smiled, she looked down at Yang's hand that was still intertwined with her own, a light blush crept upon her face as she noticed the proximity between the two.

"Getting cold feet, Kitten?" Yang teased, "Oh wait – sorry, I forget that you don't really like that." She genuinely felt apologetic for the slip.

The Faunus gave her companion a side eye stare, "I'll forgive you this one time." Blake said in a mock seriousness.

"How benevolent of you." Yang returned the favor.

"It's been a crazy few days for you, hasn't it?" She questioned, a slight chill swept through the room and despite the fire, Blake shivered.

Yang took note and draped her arm around the smaller slave, "It has been." Her voice was gentle.

"Yang…" Blake let out, "I'm a slave you know…"

"You're a Faunus, actually, and it's a temporary arrangement." Yang quietly corrected, "And I could really give a damn."

"I have a sentence I need to finish out." She tried again.

"And you'll be here with Weiss for the rest of it, and then you'll be free to do whatever you please." Yang pushed, she leaned her head against Blake's "I've never been so enamored by a single woman before." She admitted with her lips a scant inch away from the slave's.

The adrenaline rushed to her cheeks as she watched in slow motion those lips approach her own, for several nights now she wondered what it would feel like against her own, "I…" Blake frowned slightly, she pushed the Huntress away, "I can't."

It was Yang's turn to frown, "Why not?" The blonde was so sure of herself that she had been reading into Blake's reactions right the past few weeks.

"It's… complicated." She bit the inside of her cheek at the thought.

When it comes in like a Lion and goes out like a Lamb.

"Complicated?" Yang repeated, she let the word hang in the air for a bit as she mulled through whatever it was that was racing through her mind, "Is it because I'm a human?"

"No!" Blake exclaimed, her hands raised, "I'm just… I need time, please." Despite her weak protest, her heart was thumping loudly in her ears as she replayed the scenario that was about to unfold.

"Do you think I'm toying with you?" Yang offered, "I'm not, I don't see you as a… slave, just someone in a tough situation."

'Dust, just stop talking. You're far too kind.' Blake thought to herself as she attempted to let those words fall on deaf ears. "I… Yes, yes I do." She lied.

A dejected look was seen on the Huntress' face, "I swear I'm not." Yang looked down at the ground, "I mean it, I respect you in so many ways. You're kind in the way that you wake up early before Klein does in order to do the outside chores so that his back won't bother him the rest of the day. I like the way you bring Weiss a cup of wine without even asking when she's been working through paperwork all morning. It's cute when you're curled up by the hearth, reading your stories and poems that's been hanging around in that growing library. Then the way your right ear has a slight twitch when you find something amusing."

Blake turned away in an attempt to hide the growing blush on her face, Yang had other ideas as she took the tip of her thumb and fore finger to the Faunus' chin to tilt her head back in the Huntress' direction, "And then your eyes always give you away whenever you tell a white lie."

With a slight gasp, Yang nearly toppled backwards as Blake closed the distance between the two. For Blake, she tasted something wild and free, like a dense forest coated in morning dew, it was refreshing.

And for Yang, she tasted lavender, just sweet and gentle lavender that coaxed so strongly at her heart.

Jaune Arc smiled lightly as he leaned back on the bench outside, March had rolled in strongly and brought with it a comfortable breeze and warm sunshine as they enjoyed some wine and tea out in Weiss' courtyard.

"About time to go back, isn't it?" Ren asked as he looked up at the Valesian Commander.

The Shield of Vale nodded, "Yesterday was the last of them, in a week or so we'll all ship out together to go back to Vale… On that vessel you guys snuck aboard on." He narrowed his eyes playfully at the two scouts who sat across from him.

"We had good reason too!" Nora proclaimed in a huff, Pyrrha laughed at the girl's antics.

"Perhaps I'll come along too and visit Vale, the stories you've told me of Forever Fall Forest has simply captivated me." Pyrrha offered.

"You sure you aren't captivated by somebody else?" Weiss said just loud enough for just the Mistrali Commander to hear.

"Hello pot, its kettle." Pyrrha shot back.

Ruby (while dressed in the new clothes her sister got for her) watched the exchange between all her friends, it was the first time that she had seen Pyrrha since her release nearly a week ago now. Her and Commander Arc had been going around freeing the other slaves who were in a similar predicament as hers. Now the deed was done and the prisoners could go home.

'Home…' Ruby thought to herself, she looked over at Weiss – the woman she had shared a bed with every night now.

"March… revolt… beware… the fall."

'Beware… the Fall… family.' Ruby finished mentally, Nadir's words had been echoing through her head every day now.

"Commander Nikos…" Ruby began.

"Please, Pyrrha is just fine." The Mistrali champion flashed a smile, "You have had my utmost respect ever since we crossed swords."

Ruby let out a breath of relief she didn't even know she was holding, "Thank you."

"What is it that you wanted?" asked Pyrrha.

"I need to talk to you." The Gladiator had a serious expression, "In private."

"What's it about?" The Mistrali Commander stood and motioned Ruby to follow, Jaune looked up perplex, but dropped it when he saw Pyrrha wave a hand at him.

"Nadir's last words."

A/N:

I'm one lucky duck. I got pretty sick after posting Chapter 15 and got to take a few days off work - which meant that I literally had days dedicated to writing. So I was able to finish penning Chapter 16 and then some (and by some, I mean a lot of some).

Really happy to hear that a lot of you liked how the last chapter went, and it was definitely a lot of fun writing up this whole chapter with Ruby as a free woman. Really liberating. Looking at the date, I realize now that it's been nearly a year since I posted the first chapter of Gladiator - so shout out to everyone who has supported and liked this story since day one.

And you're right GrnDrgnzrd, it's definitely not over yet.

Hope you guys enjoyed the read and am looking forward to seeing a lot of you in the next one.

Cheers,

DevilRed