"The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time."
― Mark Twain
Chapter 23-
Raven's eyes seemed to water slightly at the simple word as she replied, "Hello little Rose. I heard all of it from Mizu's explanation through to now." Raven replied, walking to the bed to engulf both women into a hug.
"I see." Ruby said, looking away from her aunt.
"Don't give me that Ruby, I've known about your illness for a while. Summer told me about it when she found out, she was freaked out and it was rather funny to see my sister who was normally so collected freaking out a lot. It was understandable but it was still funny looking back on it." Raven said jokingly.
Ruby couldn't help but laugh in response to Raven's statement as she knew her mother could face down hundreds of Grimm without a problem but would constantly worry about her and would freak out easily.
"Those first few months with you I practically lived with your mother to help her out, and she was freaked out a lot from it." Raven told the pair.
Both girls laughed lightly as Raven told them about Summer, before the topic got more serious, "So you heard us talking?" Ruby asked.
"I did, I was surprised that Mizu is your father but I should have seen it. They were always together and doing a lot of things together so it was pretty obvious, and Summer never went to Mizu's wedding." Raven said.
"That wasn't what we meant." Neo said softly.
"I know what you meant, and well I'd rather not think about it if you don't mind. Rather I'd want to help you plan out your wedding, we haven't got long to get it all sorted." Raven said, sitting on a chair next to the bed.
Both women smiled at the woman's attitude to the whole situation as they moved onto the topic of the wedding itself.
"We want it simple, a couple of people and someone to officiate for us but that's it. I can't really do much as I'm wheelchair bound." Ruby said.
"Well that doesn't mean you can't dress up. And you Neo have no excuse, I'm sure you both have a dress you can wear for it as well. When do you want to do it?" Raven asked.
"Tomorrow if possible, the next day if not." Neo said, not having to explain why the short timeframe.
"Ok, I can speak to Ozpin for you. I can get to his office easily without anyone seeing." Raven said, "Anything you'd like from your room?" The woman asked.
"Neo, you need to get somethings don't you?" Ruby asked.
"I do, I'll leave you two alone." Neo said, jumping up as she left the room. Knowing that Ruby wanted her to stretch but also shower as well from the dirt from the fighting and sweat from waiting in that hospital room.
"You realise that Yang will be there don't you?" Ruby stated bluntly.
Raven's face immediately lost its smile and colour as she seemed to collapse into the seat. "How's she been doing?" She asked.
"Good, good in her lessons although she has been picking fights with Neo over me, thinking that she was abusing me or something but otherwise she's great, well trained and attentive when she wants to be but also playful and gets into trouble." Ruby explained.
"I see. Well Tai did teach her." Raven replied back weakly.
"You know you can't hide from her, she'll work it out eventually." Ruby told her.
"I know, but well she doesn't really remember my face. I left before she could really start to know me, she was only three years old." Raven said sadly.
"I know, for that I apologise to you. You could have gone back sooner if it wasn't for me." Ruby replied.
"Don't apologise, I wouldn't have it any other way, you know that and I know that. I will mourn the time I lost with Yang but I won't ever regret it because I know that what I did was for a good cause." Raven replied back quickly.
"Still, I'm pretty sure you can tell her now. She already knows about me, so it's only a matter of time." Ruby told her.
"But how do I tell her? It's not something I can just come out with." Raven said. "I can't just say, 'Hey Yang I'm the mother that abandoned you when you were just three years old to join the White Fang.' Can I?" Raven stated.
Ruby could only laugh in response to Raven's look and her words as she said, "Mizu said that's exactly what she was worried about, but if you keep letting worry dictate everything you'll never get anything done." Ruby replied.
"I guess, I just don't really know how to do it." Raven said once more.
"Wing it, it's what I do." Ruby said with a shrug.
"I wouldn't tell anyone else that, if they knew you winged it than I don't think there would be as much trust in you." Raven informed her, smiling at Ruby's attitude.
"Well I better let you rest while I sort some stuff out for your wedding I guess." Raven said, standing from her chair.
"And telling Yang." Ruby added as Raven walked out of the room, instead of teleporting as she normally did.
With Neo.
Neo already knew what Ruby was going to tell Raven, she knew Ruby wanted to make peace and this was on the things Ruby wanted to have get sorted before she goes, or at least out in the open.
But Neo wasn't too concerned with that as she went towards the Schnee women's dorm, Aria had told her that they were all in Mizu's dorm room, including Blake for some odd reason but she didn't question it.
She had already stopped by the armoury to retrieve Ruby's broken weapons now it was only the second part of her plan.
Lightly knocking on the door she waited to hear a reply before entering the room to find all four women sitting on the two beds.
"Hello, hope I'm not disturbing anything." Neo said politely as she came into the room.
"It's alright Neo, I was just explaining about the fact I'm Ruby's father to them." Mizu replied.
"I see, and how's that going?" Neo asked.
"Well, I think Weiss is over most of the shock." Winter teased as her sister just glared towards her.
"Ah well as long as most of it is over with." Neo replied back, as she sat down next to Weiss and Blake.
"I never really expected it to happen, I never really thought much on what my mother did before." Weiss added.
"We've all got a history, some longer than others." Neo said with a shrug.
"So what brings you here Neo? I thought you'd be staying with Ruby." Blake asked.
"She's talking with someone at the moment, it's another issue that brings me here, or rather two things." Neo replied.
"What are they?" Weiss asked.
"Firstly Ruby and I are planning to marry, we want you four to all be present alongside Yang and a couple other people." Neo stated.
"When and where?" Mizu asked.
"Either tomorrow or the day after at the latest. And we plan to have it here at Beacon." Neo answered.
"That's rather quick, what about dresses and everything?" Weiss asked.
"We're planning on just using our dresses from the dance, we don't have the time to really go and try them on. And Ruby is wheelchair bound at least so I'd rather not take her into the town itself." Neo responded.
"I see. What is the other thing you came to ask us?" Mizu asked.
Neo took the backpack she had gotten from the armoury, opening it up as she took out Ruby's broken short sword. "Ruby's weapons are broken, and in need of some repair. She holds the belief that when passing through to the next side she should be armed as the warrior she is and well, I simply don't have the time needed to repair all the weapons." Neo informed them all.
"Blake, if you wouldn't mind. If you could repair Ruby's short sword." Neo asked, handing over the simple weapon to the feline Faunus.
Blake nodded as she took the weapon into her hands, drawing the sword to see that it was broken in half. "I can do it." Blake replied.
Neo smiled her thanks towards the Faunus before turning to the younger of the two sisters, "Weiss with your affinity to your rapier I think if you could repair her throwing knives, she rarely uses them but are important all the same." Neo asked, handing over two sheaths of five throwing knives, some missing.
"But why me? I'm not particularly close to her." Weiss asked, confused but accepted the two leather sheaths.
"No, but even if you've only just found out you're half-sisters so you have a connection to her. Blake and Ruby both share a history together although it may seem a little rocky and for the large part unknown, but as one of her sisters you share a connection to her." Neo explained and once seeing Weiss nod in response she turned to Winter.
"This is her longer sword, the short sword is an offhand one while the long sword is her primary. You've gotten the closest to Ruby in a long time and even though she may not say it she trusts you and so I would like for you to repair this." Neo explained.
Winter took the sword carefully, as she gently took it out to see the blade broken off but also split down the middle alongside the handle being a little broken. "It would be my honour." Winter said, inclining her head towards Neo.
Once more Neo smiled her thanks towards the woman and how she treated the weapon at the same time before finally turning towards Mizu, "I'm sorry to say I'm asking you the hardest job." Neo said, taking out the three parts Crescent Rose broke into.
Firstly the sniper and handle part of the weapon had completely snapped exposing the barrel and firing chamber while the blade section had become dull and bent out of shape with the tips having broken off.
"You hold the most relation to Ruby and so I would ask if you could repair her most beloved weapon." Neo asked, holding out the bag to her with the broken pieces inside.
"But surely you would want to do that?" Mizu asked.
"Perhaps but I have something else to repair instead." Neo explained.
"Does Ruby know about this?" Weiss asked.
"She doesn't, I don't think it's completely on her mind but I know she has thought about it." Neo answered.
"What do you mean?" Blake asked.
"She's dying, we all know it as well as she does. One thing I learnt about her beliefs echoed by her mother and aunt is the fact that they are warriors. They are very in much in touch with nature and their environment and believe about pre-destined paths and the Fates. But they are also warriors when needed to be, so their weapons are everything to them. It is rare that Ruby isn't armed in some way, normally she's deadly enough with her body but weapons carry symbols." Neo explained to them.
"Wait. But at the dance she wasn't armed, was she?" Weiss asked.
"She was. Ruby, her mother and aunt all carry a small dagger. It's one they forged themselves and keep on their person constantly. It's said that they would only ever use it to deliver mercy killing, or against themselves." Neo explained.
"Summer had one as well, she didn't tell me too much about it except she made it herself, and she always carried it with her. It was a white blade with a red handle and a rose engraved into it." Mizu stated.
Neo smiled in response, "The blade symbolises there person, Ruby's is a black blade and red handle alongside a rose engraving to show her families symbol." Neo explained. "But I digress from my topic, their weapons are important to them. Each are handmade and can only be used by themselves or significant other. When she passes onto the next life, if possible she should at least be armed with her knife as a minimum but the highest honour is to have all their weapons on their body as they pass on." Neo explained.
"If they have fought in battle and been seriously hurt with their weapons broken, those closest to the person are trusted enough to repair the weapons so they may pass onto the next life, ready to face any foe." Neo explained the belief.
The four women all understood this, knowing the varying beliefs out there in the world but Blake seemed to pick up on one important thing, "You said that Ruby has an aunt. Who is she?" Blake asked.
"You'll meet her soon enough, she's a little odd and enjoys scaring people, especially new people. But you'll meet her soon enough." Neo told them, as she got up from her seat bowing slightly to the group. "Thank you for doing this." Neo added before leaving the room.
Now all she needed to do was get someone to repair Ruby's two pistols while she had the mask to repair herself.
Ruby was laying in her bed with her scroll in her hands, typing out quick fire messages to her other contact within the White Fang, updating them on the situation and how things were going to slightly change.
She had even spoken to Emerald who had come to see her briefly once she heard what had happened but that visit was short, just to see how the woman was doing as Emerald quickly left.
She heard a loud banging sound which she disregarded at first but when her door was almost blown off its hinges she noticed Yang, eyes having changed colour showing she was angry with her weapons deployed.
"Yes Yang?" Ruby asked gently.
"Don't yes Yang me. It was your fault! Your fault my mother left me!" Yang shouted at Ruby.
Ruby sat herself up carefully as she turned her body to face Yang, "She finally worked up the courage to tell you then?" She mumbled to herself.
"Why! Why did you take my mother away from me?" Yang shouted at her, advancing on the woman.
"I didn't take your mother away." Ruby said.
"Yes you did. You made her leave me!" Yang shouted once more.
"I don't make anyone do anything, I asked her about what she knew about the White Fang and their plans. She suggested that she infiltrates the White Fang and pass me any information she finds. I didn't ask her how she could do it, or how she got to such a high level so quickly." Ruby said.
"You're lying. My mother would never leave me." Yang shouted, getting right up to Ruby's face.
"You're right, she wouldn't leave you. It was very hard for her to go, she planned only to do it for a short time before coming back but it didn't work out like that. She was in too deep and couldn't get out, even now she can't be gone for too long without being noticed." Ruby attempted to explain but Yang didn't want to hear it.
"You took my mother from me!" Yang repeated.
"She didn't do anything Yang, it was my own choice to go. I regret the fact I had to leave you, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat." Raven said, coming through the door.
"If she didn't ask you, you wouldn't have gone!" Yang replied back harshly.
"Yes I would have, if Ruby didn't ask me I'm sure someone else would have or I would have done it myself, either way I was going to attempt to stop the White Fang. It's my duty as a Huntress." Raven said gently, approaching her daughter slowly.
"But…" Yang tried to reply but couldn't find the words.
"Why don't we leave Ruby alone to rest? She has a big day tomorrow." Raven suggested.
Yang just nodded allowing her mother to lead her out of the room where the pair came across Neo, who after a few brief words, Neo handed over two pistols to Raven before they went their separate ways.
"Raven finally tell Yang?" Neo asked, entering the room but quickly changed topics when she saw Ruby trying to get out of bed. "Oh no, stay in bed." Neo said, stopping Ruby.
"I'm fine, I need to get out of this bed." Ruby said.
"How about I get the doctor first? See what he says." Neo said.
"Fine." Ruby said, knowing she wasn't going to get out of here otherwise.
Five minutes later found a male doctor in the room, asking Ruby different questions as he checked her over.
"Can you feel this?" The doctor asked, putting pressure against Ruby's foot.
"I can. I can feel my legs, but I just can't move them. It's like they're being weighted or something." Ruby explained.
"Ok than, I'll permit you to leave the bed but you must always be with someone. You are not allowed to be alone, and you will also need a wheelchair as well as you can't move your legs." The doctor explained. "Also we would prefer to monitor you, but your um…daughter is able to monitor you and inform us of any changes." The doctor said, unsure how to refer to Aria.
"Ok, but I want to make it known that I don't want anything done to extend my life. When it ends, it ends. No operation, or drugs." Ruby explained.
"If that is your wish, we have to respect that." The doctor said, although it was clear he didn't like it.
"Thank you." Ruby replied as the doctor left.
"Alright, what's wrong?" Neo asked when the doctor had gone.
"Nothing's wrong. I've just been getting bored being in this room all day." Ruby replied.
"So what do you want to do?" Neo asked.
"Well Raven's sorting out the wedding, I can't train or do anything. Nothing's catching my eyes to read." Ruby stated.
"So you wanted to get out of bed and do what exactly?" Neo asked teasingly.
"Um." Ruby said, unsure how to answer.
"Hey Rubes, you ready or not?" Naomi asked, coming into the room before stopping to see Neo glaring at her.
"Um I'll wait outside." Naomi said, turning immediately to leave the room.
"Alright, so you were having Naomi take you somewhere. Where?" Neo asked, turning her glare onto Ruby.
"Town. I got her to load up my bike and I was going to ride around town." Ruby said.
"You can't use your legs, how were you going to ride?" Neo asked.
"Tape my legs to the bike and have Arai change the gears for me." Ruby said shyly.
"Really? I hope for your sake that you're joking." Neo threatened, not believing that Ruby would do that.
"Um." Ruby said, looking away from Neo.
Sighing to herself Neo softened her tone as she said, "Next time just ask me, ok?" Neo said.
"Ok." Ruby replied, not correcting Neo that there wouldn't be a next time.
"Well we better not keep Naomi waiting, is that the only reason we're going to Vale?" Neo asked, curious if there was something else.
"No. Naomi is moving my arsenal again, she's bringing it to Beacon to store it." Ruby said softly, her intent clear that it was for Neo to do with as she pleased.
Ruby didn't own much except for weapons, all of which she had modified herself and has either used at one point or has at least trained herself to be sufficient in their use.
"Come on then." Neo said, opening the door to see a wheelchair waiting for them. Taking it she pulled it inside the room and helped Ruby get into it.
Ruby reluctantly climbed into the wheelchair, not liking the fact she had to be in one but knew Neo wouldn't let her try and walk by herself.
"Could you hold onto me?" Ruby asked gently.
"Of course." Neo said, reaching down to hold onto Ruby as she wheeled her from the medical centre to the docks, luckily they didn't run into anyone or those they saw didn't seem to notice them.
They found Naomi waiting for them next to her aircraft, Ruby's bike being displayed neatly in the back.
"Hello ladies, your chariot awaits." Naomi said dramatically.
"Thank you Naomi, from both of us. However next time you plan on taking Ruby into town along while she can't use her legs, I expect to know first." Neo said, glaring at Naomi.
"Sure, sure. I hope you don't mind but I'm meeting an old friend tonight, will you two be alright?" Naomi asked, helping Neo get Ruby into the aircraft.
"We'll be fine, thank you. Who are you meeting?" Ruby asked.
"A friend I met on a joint military exercise with Atlas a few years ago, we kept in contact with each over the years and well, she's in town so we're going to meet up." Naomi informed the pair as she climbed into the cockpit.
"I see, I hope you have fun." Neo said.
"Thanks, it'll be nice seeing her again." Naomi replied, getting the aircraft powered up and into the air.
The rest of the trip was silent, even when Naomi had put them into hover mode to help Ruby onto the bike with Neo.
"I'll drop you on the edge of town so you can drive in, that alright?" Naomi called back.
"It's fine, thank you for doing this." Neo replied.
"It's no problem." Naomi called back.
"Show your friend my arsenal, I'm sure she'll like it." Ruby called back.
"I might just do that, I'm sure you'll like her weapon choices as well. Anyway touching down in five." Naomi said.
As soon as the back touched the ground, with the ramp down they were already roaring out of the aircraft and onto the road.
"Where do you want to go?" Neo asked as they quickly approached the city.
"I don't know. Let's just drive." Ruby replied, holding onto Neo alongside leaning her head against her back.
"Got it. Nowhere it is." Neo said back smiling.
Neo drove into the town and along the roads, when it came up to dividing paths they just went in whichever direction felt natural to them.
After almost two hours of just purely driving around the entire city they somehow ended up at the location of the breach. The ruined shops, even part of the ground was still destroyed from where the train had breached through the centre.
Neo slowed up until she finally stopped the bike as they looked around at the damage, the silence between the two was broken when Ruby spoke.
"How many?" She asked softly, she asked so softly that Neo barely heard her. But she understood the question.
"About twenty injured by the initial blast and the Grimm that made it through, five were killed outright in the blast, none died by Grimm." Neo said emotionlessly.
Ruby didn't answer as she just nodded her head, looking around at the damage. "When will it end? When will the pointless deaths end?" She asked.
"I don't know, soon I hope." Neo said.
"How many more will need to die? How many more will die because of other people?" Ruby asked, just looking at the damage around the entire area.
"Come on, it doesn't do one's soul good to dwell on the past." Neo said, accelerating the bike away from breach and somewhere else in the town.
"Where do you want to go?" Neo asked.
"Wherever you go. I want to just stay with you, where my home is." Ruby replied back in a whisper, leaning into Neo's body.
"Ok. Home it is." Neo replied, smiling as she took them away once more, but this time away from the city for good.
A/N
So this wasn't the chapter I thought it was, I thought it was the wedding one but actually it's the one before it. I'm slowly running out of what I've written so far as I've been focusing on Surfing Blues and Valetown tales in order to get them finished and perhaps finishing off Singing to hide the Suffering, which I feel is going to be rather shit as I've sort of speed things up a little in there.
Not much else to really say, I'm undecided as to when I'll release the next chapter. Either Saturday or earlier just to tease all of you ;)
Oh and if you want an explanation of Ruby's family tree, then just ask. I've sort of got it worked out, I think.
Also with the release of the Extra Life pokemon poster I'm more determined to finish and post my pokemon story but I'm trying something new. Actually finishing the story before I fucking post it. Hopefully it'll work great, just a little annoying that I've got to rework a few things to incorporate some of the pokemon.
Anyway that's pretty much it, so until next time. ^_^