Welp, welp, back to this... no idea how much I'll get done before I get distracted with final fantasy... I don't give myself good odds... But I suppose this is a slightly sadder chapter compared to the last one I just uploaded. Translation time 'Hǎi Tún' means dolphin. 'Xǐng lái' means wake up
Chapter 14:
Cinder blearily rubbed her eyes as she glanced at her phone. 'Who the hell is calling me at six in the morning?' She thought as the blinding neon light stung her eyes. She glanced across the message but none of the words were going in. She frowned as she quickly hit the call button and rested the phone against her ear.
She just hoped that whoever it was had a good reason.
"Hello...? You just texted me... at six in the morning..." Cinder asked as she grabbed her second pillow and moved it down, holding it close to her chest. She really wished that it was Ruby in her arms but it was really early.
"Yeah... did you forget you wanted to come with me to get chemo? It's okay if you did... Weiss said she would give me a lift. It is really early. We can meet there if you still want to go. I'll even bring my helmet so you can drive me back here."
Cinder was fully awake after that comment. She had no idea how she could forget such an important thing. She held onto her phone as she sat up. "Sorry Ruby. I forgot to set my alarm... I can get to your place in twenty minutes."
"Sorry Cinnamon Bun... I need to be in the hospital in half an hour... we can meet at the hospital though. Weiss or Yang well wait for you if I'm not there..."
"Okay, see you soon then Ruby."
"Bye Cinnamon Bun. Drive safely." Ruby spoke as she hung up the phone causing Cinder to frown. 'That reminds me... I need to kill dad... that name is so embarrassing.'
"Yang! Get down here!" Weiss yelled up the stairs as she took a sip from her cup. "I have a large mug of coffee down here made the way you like it... with more coffee." Weiss continued to yell as she heard some groaning.
"Do you mind if she is angry for the day? I can get her up... I do have some experience." Ruby commented as she tossed her bag by the door, making sure her hat was on just right. "Go ahead... just don't make her to mad... I'm going to be sore then."
Ruby shuttered as she turned around to face her friend. "Weiss... boundaries... I do not need to know that. Seriously... bad enough you are bumping uglies with my sister... even worse I can't look at my hǎi tún anymore. You both ruined him." Ruby spoke as she began to walk up the stairs.
"I don't even know what that means." Weiss nearly yelled as Ruby reached the top of the stairs. "My dolphin!" Ruby yelled back as she tossed the door open to her sister's room and climbed onto the bed and began to bounce.
Yang wasn't sure how... but she just knew she was going to kill her sister. "Xǐng lái!" Ruby yelled as she plopped down onto Yang's lap causing the blonde to groan once more. Yang sat up and glared at her sister. "Again... pushing out of my bed was so much better."
"And I want my hǎi tún not to have seen things... now get up. Weiss says she wants you to come as well... she even made you a cafe tobio... so you can get up now... or I'm going to start beating you with my impure hǎi tún." Ruby spoke as she climbed off her sister's lap and stretched. "Go get changed now. We leave in five minutes."
With that Ruby left the room and quickly walked down the stairs to see Weiss' raised eyebrow. "Come on... you've heard Xǐng lái before... I know my dad has used that a few times."
Weiss shook her head as they began to walk towards the kitchen. "Not what I'm questioning. I know what that means. I'm questioning how the hell you are this preppy and how do did you get Yang up?"
"Haven't slept... and jumped on her bed to land on her lap. I may be a light but I am skin and bones. And that really plays to my advantage in some moments like that. Told you... I have three years worth of practise getting her up this early." Ruby yawned into her hand as she followed Weiss into the kitchen.
Weiss was about to speak when Ruby began to cough into her elbow. She could feel the blood already starting soak through. She pulled back her arm and was about to walk over to the sink to get a glass of water when Weiss grabbed her hand and pulled her arm closer to see the fresh, red blotches on her shirt.
"Weiss, it is fine. A bit of blood coming out from a cough when you have a tumour about eight and a half centimetres in my lungs. So you just need to relax." Ruby commented taking her hand back as her friend just stared at her. "Seriously Weiss. Relax. I feel fine... now are you going to panic at every little thing that comes out of my body?"
"It is just I've looked up the statistics for the type you said you had... and that low number scares me..." Weiss continued as she wrapped both hands around the mug in her hands as Ruby took a mouth full of water. "Weiss... It is nearly one fifth of the people who still have it after five years survives... and you made it painfully clear four years ago, I don't get out of life that easily. So you need to take some deep breaths. Yang shouldn't be much longer." Ruby continued as she placed the now empty glass in the sink.
She turned around to see her sister turning the corner rubbing her eyes. The blonde woman didn't say anything and walked over to the lone mug on the counter. She felt the cold mug and frowned as she downed it all in one gulp. The last dregs of warmth made it so the caffeine overload was not enough to turn her stomach.
Yang walked over to Weiss and gave her a kiss on the cheek as she began to walk towards the base of the stairs and began to pull her shoes on. "Let's go... I need more coffee... a lot more coffee." Yang spoke as she re entered the kitchen.
Weiss held her own mug out for Yang to take a sip which quickly turned into her drinking it all. She practically slammed the mug back onto the counter just behind the white haired woman as she quickly walked over to the fridge and pulled it open.
"Rubes... you bitch... you drank all the monster... I should kill you." Yang muttered grabbing a bottle of water from it. "You keep eating all my favourite cereal. It is only fair. So I shan't apologise." Ruby commented as she began to lead the way back towards the front door.
"By the way, I'll need one of you to wait in the reception for Cinder if she isn't there waiting for us." Ruby practically demanded as she grabbed her bag. She could feel two pairs of eyes rolling at the comment but she didn't care. "Guys, I'm dating Cinder. She wanted to go. Get over it. If I have to be the mature one I'm going to kill the both of you. Won't even feel bad about it... Cinder is kinda hot."
"Glad to know you would kill me for some girl." Weiss stated as she walked up to her car and unlocked it. "To be fair... I've threatened to kill Rubbles for less... hell I threatened to kill her when she freaked out when she we started to date. You know when she refused to speak English for a month."
Weiss frowned at the memory where she thought she nearly lost her best friend and the people who were better to her than her own parents. That was easily the toughest month Weiss had ever gone through. Constantly being worried that she screwed up her relationship with her best friend for being attracted to her sister. It was the only time where Weiss had contemplated breaking up Yang so that way she could maintain her friendship with Ruby.
"Relax Weiss... I wouldn't kill you... for Cinder that is. I should kill you for destroying my hǎi tún. Only reason I haven't killed over it... is because I have a better idea for revenge in mind... one that makes what mom or dad could do pale in comparison."
"Good to know I'm at least a little safe... no idea why you keep acting like that dolphin was used... it didn't even get dirty." Weiss commented as she began to drive off once the sisters had secured the seat belts. "She has seen terrible things... terrible, terrible things."
"Whatever Rubbles. I'll wait for Cinder that way I can get coffee."
Summer walked out of the on call quickly tying the strings on her scrub pants stopping once she saw Weiss and Ruby walking up. 'What is Weiss doing here...?' Summer thought as Ruby ran up and wrapped her small arms around her.
Shocked, Summer just barely had time to finish tying the knot in her pants to catch her daughter. She could feel Ruby's thin arms try to squeeze her harder. "Weiss? This is a shock... what are you doing here?" Summer asked, just above a whisper, hoping the brunette in the next room heard and took the hint.
Ruby pulled back as she looked up into her mother's eyes as she spoke, "Did Aunt Raven no tell you? I accidentally let the ball drop on my birthday... I forgot we made plans and they came in and I thought it was Yang and I accidentally told all my friends... so Weiss is pulling a Weiss... and doesn't believe me that Jim is one of if not the best Oncologist."
"Sorry I had to lie to you Weiss dear..."
"It is okay Summer... Yang explained it mostly. I'm more so mad my name is now apparently a verb." Weiss muttered as she walked over and hugged Summer as well who returned the hug.
"I'd love to stay and chat with you two... but you" Summer began as she poked Ruby's nose "Need to get going. Jim is going to Worry. You are already a couple of minutes late. And I forgot my phone in the room there. So you two get going. If I get some free time I'll try to stop by."
With that Summer leaned down a little and kissed Ruby's forehead. Ruby frowned as her mom pushed her on. Once she was sure Ruby was out of sight Summer opened the door to see the brunette she had fallen for buttoning her jeans as Summer scowled a little.
Raven smiled as Summer crossed her arms. "Now that is by far the least pretty face I've ever seen on you... but to be fair... it is still very pretty."
"Her friends know and you didn't tell me? Did that no come up when I asked 'Hey Raven how is everything with my girls? Anything new with them?'" Summer asked taking a step closer towards Raven who pulled her shirt on. "To be fair... I forget a lot of things. It comes with age. But what I do know... is you look really sexy like that."
Raven took another step closer and cupped the side of Summer's face, leaning in just to be pushed away by Summer. "I'm mad at you. You've been a naughty girl. I'd spank you... but I know you like that. Plus my break is nearly done. I do have children I need to get to and I'm not talking about my own." Summer spoke causing Raven to frown.
"When will I see you again then? We don't nearly get together as often as we should." Raven asked as she began to run her hand down Summers arm and grasped her hand. That had been what was on the brunette's mind since Summer said she was going to work nearly non-stop till two weeks before Christmas. She just had no way to approach it.
"Probably not until I get done here. Raven... it is just for the last few years it has been the girls and you for the last two. After Ruby got diagnosed... we accidentally threw ourselves into work... but I can guarantee you come the fifth I'll need this more than ever."
Raven smiled as she recognised that look on her face. It meant one of a few things. "Either your mom, or Tai's mom... which one?" She asked as Summer frowned at how easily Raven could read her face. "Tai's... Yang and Ruby haven't seen her since we last went to Hong Kong five years ago. They saw mine over the summer holidays. Now I really have got to get going. I told the nurses I'd only be gone for half an hour."
"Didn't you leave an hour ago?"
"That is why I need to get back. Lunch can only last so long. Bad enough the nurses gossip all the time." Summer muttered as she quickly stole a kiss from the brunette. "Yang may or may not be here... I didn't see her, so you may want to be careful when you leave." Summer spoke as she quickly exited the room once more.
Ruby sat in the familiar chair as Jim pressed a button on the machine. Ruby leaned back closing her eyes. The familiar burning feeling began to flow through her as she let out an exhale. She knew what this meant. It was only a matter of time that she would find herself throwing up.
She frowned as she heard Weiss moving in the chair next to her. She just knew she was trying to get comfortable. Or hoped she was at least. If not Ruby may kill her because of how loud the noise was becoming.
"Oh my god Weiss. Get comfortable. I'm going to be here for another two hours. If you get bored... at least wait for Cinder to get here before you leave... or do whatever it is you want with Yang." Ruby nearly yelled as she kept her eyes closed.
It was the hardest part every session. Getting used to the familiar, and yet alien sensation. The feeling of her blood turning into liquid magma that she had developed a loathing of. She was dreading how long it would take her to get used to those chemicals coursing her veins.
She finally opened them as she began to cough once more. She just barely had enough room to cover her mouth with her hand. The blood she could feel splattering against her palm she frowned at but knew there was nothing that she could do about it.
Once the coughing died down she pulled her hand away from her mouth to look at the blood and frowned. "Remind me I need to talk to Jim about that... I'll give you that much... there is a lot more blood than I would like." Ruby began to wipe her hand on her shirt as she pulled her bag up onto her lap.
She felt around her bag for the book Cinder had loaned her just a couple of days ago had been the cause of a fixation in her mind. As she opened the white book Weiss looked at the title and frowned. Ruby looked over and rolled her eyes.
"What is it Princess? If you complain about the chair, I'm going to beat you with the book I'm holding."
"Why are you reading? I thought we could talk. I mean we haven't had a chance... you know since you and Cinder starting to date, and when Yang isn't busy distracting me... we just haven't been able to talk like we used to." Weiss asked as Ruby put the book on her lap and dropped her bag onto the ground next to her.
Ruby smiled as she moved back further onto her chair. "Sorry for having someone I have feelings for, kinda like how you have feelings for Yang... and I'm sorry for not spending time with you. But as you can see, I haven't exactly had free time. If I haven't been at chemo it has been school or you've been with Yang."
"Which reminds me... how does... this all feel?" Weiss asked as Ruby let out a loud groan from her seat. "I feel like I've answered this question a million plus times since you guys found out. And I know I've told you." Ruby got out as she closed her eyes once more. She felt the bile starting to rise up slightly earlier than what normally would happen. It was startling to her.
"No, you keep dodging it. Like something bad will happen the second you tell me the truth."
"Be honest. How much sleep have you gotten in the last two weeks because I know you've been stressing about it, as well as researching about it. Which while flattering at the same time it is slightly annoying."
Weiss looked down at the tiles next to Ruby's seat. She decided to count the number of coloured lines forming a pattern inside the tile. "Can you give me a rough estimate? I'm not asking for exact number of seconds or anything."
"About four hours every night. It is because that scary ass statistic is what keeps me up. How the hell can you even shrug everything off?"
"You see this is why I don't want to tell you. You always make a mountain out of a mole hill. That statistic is skewed from different ages. To countless diets and all sort of other variables. You need to relax. Plain and simple."
Weiss looked up at her friend who casually pulled her feet up so her boots were resting on the chair. "But to answer your question... it hurts. The shit I'm getting pumped with is meant to kill cells. And by extension... it hurts. A lot." Ruby off handedly commented as she could see Yang walking in closely followed by Cinder.
Ruby felt her heart fluttered as she watched Cinder pick up pace once she saw Ruby. Ruby covered her nose. The smell of coffee wasn't one she wanted to be greeted with at this moment. She could feel the bile just started to rise once again.
"Is it the coffee?" Yang asked taking a sip as Ruby nodded. "Want me to go see if a nurse has a bedpan you can use?" Yang continued as Ruby shook her head. She did not want the nurses have more work. She already knew how overworked they were normally.
"It is starting to pass..." Ruby began taking her hand away from her mouth to quickly cover it again. Cinder took a seat right next to Ruby's left side and began to rub her back. "Okay... pretty sure for now it is passed... and thanks Cinnamon Bun?" Ruby continued, she could feel the glare from the brunette, causing the ghosting of a smile growing on her lips.
Cinder pulled her hand back to continue to glare at her. Weiss began to snicker at the pet name. The brunette looked up and glared at her. "Only Ruby and my father can call me that. Everyone else is dead. So try it." Cinder challenged as Ruby grabbed hold of Cinder's hand as Yang grabbed hold of Weiss.
Yang leaned down and whispered, "Don't accept the challenge Snowpea. You've gotta take some deep breaths."
Ruby pulled Cinder closer to give her a kiss on the cheek. "Play nice Cinder. Princess probably finds it cute. She just hides her emotions. I swear it is like the natural reaction of Germans... and being incredibly anti-Semitic." Ruby joked causing Yang to let out a bark of laughter.
"One that happened in my grandfather's childhood. Two I can show emotions... I just rather not. Last person I showed emotion to ended up getting a plushie dolphin thrown at me... besides at least my natural reaction isn't some sort of weird tentacle thing..." Weiss commented as Ruby glanced at her.
"Wrong Asian culture. That is Japanese. Which I'll give you... they are weird. And you should be glad it was just my hǎi tún. I would have thrown something heavier if I could." Ruby muttered as she closed her eyes and rested her head against the back of the chair.
Ruby took a few more deep breaths as she opened her eyes and once they were open she looked down to the book and cracked it open to where she got to before Weiss came down the stairs that morning. She could feel some hostile glares being tossed across her. She just tried to focus on her book.
She heard some muttering between Weiss and Yang. She could feel like someone was reading over her shoulders. She turned her head a little to see her girlfriend with a cheeky grin plastered on her face.
"What? It is fine when you do it, but the second someone else does it, it is rude? And while you are thinking of an answer mind turning the page?" Cinder asked as Ruby smiled. She attempted to try her best Cinder impression. "It's rude to read over someone's shoulder."
They both began to giggle at the memory. As Weiss looked over at them. "Sorry I didn't set my alarm Ruby..."
"It is okay Cinder. Even if Weiss didn't want to give me a lift up, I still would have dragged Yang out of bed. I've been doing this a while. And I'm starting to think the more I wake her up the more often I catch her in more and more positions I'd rather not see... ever."
"Actually not that bad of an idea... but it is seriously just down to kinks Weiss has. Kinda like the biting." Yang commented as Weiss and Ruby both blushed a dark shade. "Dear god Yang... if you make another comment like that I swear I'm calling security on you again." Ruby spoke as she snapped the book she was reading shut.
She could see the look the others gave her. "She was really annoying the first time she had to drive me. Threatened to start a fight with this one girl named Neo... I figured security would understand it a bit better if I called them."
She heard Cinder nearly choke at the mention of the name. After a brief coughing spasm and Ruby reaching over and rubbed her back. "Are you sure you don't have lung cancer? That cough sounds slightly bad." Ruby asked seeing a look in Cinder's face as she turned to face Ruby.
'Nah... It can't be the same Neo.'
"I just knew someone with that name. But it can't be the same person... the Neo I knew was a slight bitch... adorable... but a bitch." Cinder spoke as Ruby reached into her back and produced a bottle of water and handed it to Cinder.
"Could be... she was a bitch... until she had a portion of her throat removed... I think it is because she was small... where is she anyway Rubbles?" Yang asked looking around quickly joined by Cinder. "Yeah... couldn't be... the one I knew didn't exactly have cancer or any parts of her throat removed." Cinder spoke as she let out a sigh as she realised with the exception of a few nurses and a roaming doctor there was no one really there.
"One Neo wasn't that bad. Two she only got pissed at you because you spent a solid half an hour making short jokes about her... just after she had surgery... be glad she didn't stab you." Ruby spoke as she opened the book once more. "By the way Rubes... me and Cinder ran into Raven. She says hi." Yang muttered as she took another sip from her coffee cup.
Author's Note:
Welp, more writing done... quick edit time, some final fantasy... don'tcha love gil grinding... but I'm also going to watch some Archer. Hoped you guys enjoyed the chapter. Also there is a poll on my page that may effect this story... it was more so to prove a point... one i'm sadly losing...