Chapter 2

The night of the big day was slow in its approach, and everyone was eager to just get in to the ballroom and enjoy themselves one their friends, dates, anyone really.

Back at his own dorm room he had received, for reasons considering his situation of being on a team of four other girls, Aero carefully adjusted his outfit, nothing more then a simple tux he himself had brought with, just in case an occasion like this came up at any point.

"I really cannot believe I actually managed to find a use for this thing." He quietly spoke to himself as he made sure everything seemed to be in proper order.

Of course, the way he looked wasn't as important to him as what was about to occur. In a way, this was going to be the first ever date he'd possibly have with Blake. He had only become a couple with her about a day or so ago, and now already they were heading off to a rather large dance that was about to be held. Needless to say, despite his outer appearance looking like his usual calm and collected self, inside, Aero felt like a total mess with his emotions.

"God, I shouldn't be so nervous about this, but I can't help but feeling as such! I've done stuff like this before with other girls, I've danced before, I've had a good time... so why is it I feel so nervous about doing this with Blake!?" He felt his face grow hot from embarrassment as he pressed a hand against the wall as if to keep himself up from falling over.

It was true as he said. Going on dates before, dancing with them, spending time with them, enjoying the kinds of things couples normally enjoyed, Aero had done all of that before, and never once did he ever feel off about it. He enjoyed it himself even, as was to be expected, like most guys would. But there was something different about it when he thought of Blake.

He wasn't sure what it was. She was just, different from all the other girls Aero had ever dated or even fallen in love with. She had a quality about her, a mysterious kind of aura, that just radiated something that made him attracted to her, in ways he never even thought were possible. Maybe it was that usual kind of cool air she had about her, or maybe the mysteriousness she just let off constantly. He just wasn't sure. But, whatever the case was, and whatever it was that made her so different from every other girl he had been around, he just wasn't able to get his mind off of her. The magnitude of how far he was in love with Blake... exceeded even his expectations.

"I swear I just want to hold her and never let go, not matter what anyone says..." He quietly spoke again, not even realizing just how strong such words could be.

Letting out a sigh, he pushed himself back up, before glancing over to the nightstand where his clock rested.

"Oh shi- There's only five minutes left before the time I'm supposed to meet up with her! Damn it!" He cursed himself and quickly grabbed whatever was necessary before running out into the hallway and sprinting like a madman towards the ballroom.

There was no way in hell he was going to be late for his first date with Blake. If he was, he'd curse himself till the day he'd die. These thoughts in mind... Aero once again realized just how madly in love he was with Blake.

Aero found himself running past couples and groups of students, all who were headed in the same direction was he was. All were dressed in similar outfits to his own, evening wear that was appropriate looking for an event like this.

As he approached the entrance to the ballroom, Aero could see some familiar faces ahead of him, from friends he had made, to even the other members of his. Obviously though his attention wasn't drawn to finding them. What he couldn't see, or at least, whom he had yet to see, was Blake. He looked at the entrance to the ballroom but couldn't see her, and for a moment, got worried that maybe he was in fact late.

'Damn, don't tell me I'm late!' He thought as he glanced around hoping to see her.

It was then he felt a tap on his shoulder, a light one though. Not sure who to expect, he quickly turned around, only to find himself staring into the amber eyes of the very person his heart constantly wanted to be around.

"Hey Aero." The voice of his lover spoke as she looked to him with a smile.

Aero on the other hand fell dead silent. He couldn't believe how beautiful Blake looked. Her dress seemed simple enough, a black strapless piece with a skirt that flowed as gracefully as her hair, but through his own eyes, seeing such a thing on her made his mind shut down completely, and even made his face turn a deep shade of red.

"I... y-you... a-ah... t-that..." The words he tried to speak became a jumbled mess, and his mind once again thought just how crazy his mind went when it came to Blake.

"What's wrong?" Blake asked, wearing a confused look as she looked to her boyfriend who she could see seemed rather out of it.

"Ah! N-Nothing! Sorry! I just... thought you looked really beautiful is all Blake, that's it." He turned his head the other way to avoid her gaze, his own face flushed as he spoke.

Blake herself became red in the face as well, but even so, she smiled, feeling happy Aero saw her as such. "Thank you Aero."

Her response and smile made Aero feel like his heart got shot by an arrow of pure love. But he quickly shook off any odd thoughts in his head. This wasn't the time to be feeling lovestruck.

"Anyway, come on, let's go inside okay?" He looked to her with a smile of his own as he held his hand out to her.

Blake simply nodded as she placed her hand in his as he gently took hold of it, smiling at him.

Leading her inside, both Aero and Blake were amazed by how amazing things looked. The ballroom was as large as was to be expected, and people were already on the floor dancing to music that was being played from further back. Food had also been set up in various, and rather creative assortments by the bunches on tables nearby, and people could be seen sitting at tables that mainly seated the specific teams they are part of. Of course that didn't stop people from pushing tables together to converse with their dates if necessary in doing so.

"This is beyond anything I was expecting. Its amazing." Aero found himself in awe at the sight of everything he saw. He had expected to see a lot of things when he came to Vytal, but he never would have expected to see anything like this.

"Yeah, it is." Blake nodded in agreement, wearing a similar awe-inspired expression herself.

"So, since we're here now Blake, would you, care to dance with me?" Aero looked to Blake with a smile as he asked her.

"Huh? Oh, well, I'd love to. Its, just..." Blake looked to him for a moment then away, her face slightly flushed with what could only be thought of as embarrassment.

"Do you, not know how to dance Blake?"

A nod from her was his response. This caused him to chuckle lightly. She was so cute sometimes.

"Don't worry then Blake, I can teach you. I've danced a good few times myself so I know what to do." He looked to her with a smile as he took her hand again, leading her to the dance floor.

Blake's embarrassment quickly faded, replaced by a relieved smile as she found herself pulled on to the main floor.

"Right then. So here, just take my hands, and follow my lead closely. Trust me, it's a lot easier then you think."

"Alright then." Blake's expression conveyed her apparent nervousness, but she nonetheless found herself feeling calm as she took hold of Aero's hands as he asked her to.

"Alright, now just follow my lead." And with those words, Aero carefully lead Blake into a simple dance, giving her instructions on what to do as they took one step after another, finding themselves and their bodies flowing to the rhythm of the music as it played.

Blake had expected herself to possibly fall over and make a fool of herself, but she soon realized, that Aero was right. Dancing was easier then she thought. She wasn't sure though if it was actually because it was in fact easy, or because it was Aero who was teaching her. Either way, the fact she was able to be so close to him now like this, filled her heart with a warmth that she realized only he could give her.

Realizing this, her thoughts went back to before, when she was in the room still getting herself dressed. She recalled how she felt very strong feelings about him, and how a simple glance from him made her heart skip a beat. She recalled how before, when he had helped her take care of Topaz, and when he helped her retrieve her very private book, how the smile he showed, how his kindness radiated warmly to her, and how all of that, despite any shortcomings, filled her heart with the utmost of feelings that made her realize just how much she in fact came to treasure him more then as just a teammate, and especially more then as just a friend.

And the confession. Oh the confession. She still remembered when he pulled her away from everyone for the briefest of moments. A moment she knew she would forever remember for as long as she lived, when he poured his emotions out to her, and confessed his love to her. She still remembered how her heart practically stopped, and how all time seemed to freeze instantly. But then, how her happiness was the greatest it had ever been. The warmth of his embrace as he took hold of her, swearing to always be with her regardless of what happened. Those were the sweetest and most beautiful words she had ever had spoken to her.

Now they were here within each others arms, dancing to the rhythm of music, enjoying each others company, and both she and him hoping for the moment to last as long as possible.

Eventually, both stopped for a moment, the music having stopped as well for the moment. Aero looked to Blake with that same smile of his that made her fall for him.

"See? It was easy, wasn't it?" With those words, Aero leaned in and kissed Blake lightly on the forehead, prompting a blushing smile from her.

Along with her smile and blush, she giggles. "Yeah, it was. Thank you Aero."

The moment as it was felt beyond memorable, the couple looking to one another with smiles on their faces.

But that moment quickly disappeared almost as soon as it appeared. Out of nowhere, Aero suddenly caught glance of a glass filled with punch fly through the air, and before he could react, it hit its intended mark. That mark, being Blake, whose dress was now wet and sticky from the red fluid, said girl being not happy in the least to have neither her dress ruined, nor moment with Aero abruptly over.

"Hey! Who in the world through that!?" Aero quickly shouted out within the crowd of people, only to be responded to by a sound of roaring laughter.

"I have an idea who did it Aero." Blake quickly released Aero, her anger still easily visible on her face as she confronted the culprit of her ruined moment.

"CRDL."

Aero's anger reflected his companions as he ran up to the confronted culprits. "Again with you Cardin? What the hells your damn deal!?"

"Hahaha! Calm down lady killer! I just added a little color to your "date". Ya know, "beauty" her up. But it looks more like I ruined her instead! Hah!" Cardin continued laughing as if he had just told one of the funniest jokes ever, but this matter was hardly worth laughing over for some.

"You damn scum, you piss me off so much!" Aero's eyes reflected his anger as he spoke.

As was to be expected though, Blake didn't take the insults sitting down, and quickly grabbed Cardin by the collar of his shirt, anger seething in her eyes

But Cardin only laughed, raising his hands in a manner that made it seem like he was surrendering. "Oh I'm so scared! What are you gonna do to me huh?"

He got his answer quicker then even he thought. Without warning, Blake tightened her other hand into a fist and quickly threw a jab at Cardin, a bruise forming where she had hit.

Of course, his teammates didn't take that sitting down either. "Hey now! No one said you could hit!" Without warning, Russell called out and quickly grabbed Blake by her wrist, attempting to pry her off of his team leader.

"And no one said you could lay a hand on her!" Aero didn't even let a second pass before he quickly grabbed Russell's wrist and pulled it back, twisting his arm behind his back, thus forcing him to release Blake.

"Son of a bitch!" The voice of another CRDL member, Dove, spoke up, as he prepared to grab Aero from behind.

"You missy need to learn to play nice!" The fourth member, Sky, spoke as he managed to get behind Blake before grabbing her by the hair, pulling her back.

"Ow!" Blake let out a smell yelp of pain as she felt her hair getting pulled, still managing to keep a grip on Cardin's collar.

"Damn you all to hell!" His anger peaking, Aero quickly released Russell before slamming his elbow back into Dove's stomach, forcing him to fall to the ground, before finally dashing forward and roundhouse kicking Sky away from Blake. "The lot of you piss me off!"

"Aero!?" Blake let out a surprised gasp as she saw Aero fight the remaining three off, people within the crowd noticing the scuffle but backing away to not get involved.

"So, that's how you wanna play huh you little bitch? Fine, then how about this!?" His own anger peaked from getting hit, Cardin quickly yanked off Blake's hand holding him, and with his free hand quickly reached over, grabbing the bow that rested atop her head. But instead of just grabbing it, the force causes him to pull it completely off.

"Ah!?" Blake's eyes widened in fear as she realized her bow had come off, which revealed something no one had expected to see.

Cat ears.

"Bla-! ... wait... c-cat ears?" Aero's expression turned to one of complete shock as he saw Blake standing there, her eyes still laced with fear over what had just happened.

'Wait, so, Blake was... a Faunus this whole time?' His thoughts became as confused as they had ever been, but he quickly shook the confusion off and charged forward, putting himself between Blake and CRDL. "Okay, that's it! Enough!"

"No... No!" Blake's voice spoke softly as she tried to cover the ears on her head. This whole time, the bow really had hidden something, something Blake had been trying to hide from everyone. She was shocked with fear her secret was now out in the open, Aero was in complete surprise his girlfriend was in reality a Faunus... but some found the situation to be hilarious.

"Oh, my, AHAHAHAHA! You mean this whole time your girl was actually a Faunus!? So you've been with a freak this whole time, that is hilarious!" Cardin began to laugh hysterically along with his teammates, finding Aero's situation hilarious as it was.

But Aero wasn't laughing at all. In face, he was pissed. No, beyond pissed. He had dealt with Cardin's discrimination against Faunus for as long as he could remember, probably since he saw the jerk messing with Velvet Scarlatina. Having grown up in a family that was accepting of people regardless of their race or species, seeing such a thing enraged him beyond words. And now... someone was doing it. And against someone Aero loved to death. That, pushed him over the edge.

"You... You... YOU... KOOOOONOOO YAAAAAAAAAROOOOOOUUUUU!" His anger peaked and blew, he himself reverting to speaking in his native language.

What happened next, could only be described as unbelievable. Aero charged forward with blinding speeds at Cardin, and pulling his arm back and quickly sending it forward, colliding with the side of Cardin's face, the same spot where Blake had hit as well. Only his hit was stronger, and formed more then just a bruise. But it didn't stop there. Before Cardin could even react, Aero performed a quick turn on his heel, and bringing his leg up, brought his foot down onto Cardin's legs, hard, shattering both, and causing the usual tough looking leader to collapse in absolute pain from both hits he had taken. Aero definitely had lived up to Nora's suggestion.

"SHINU! ANATA GOMIBAKO NO KACHINONAI SAKUHIN!" He yelled out in his native language still, CRDL's other members unable to even react to that, not wanting to mess with him or Blake any further after seeing that.

At that moment, Aero felt a hand grab him by his wrist, and his emotions still in a rage, he turned, nearly attempting to attack the person, who turned out to be none other then Nova, one of his closest friends.

"Aero... calm down. That's enough." Were the words Nova spoke softly as he looked to Aero.

Despite the rage he had just felt before, which was nearly aimed at Nova now, the feeling of having finally delivered punishment to Cardin managed to bring the calm back to Aero, and his anger filled expression softened back into its usual calm demeanor.

But the same couldn't be said for Blake.

"No... no... NO!" Before even anyone could react, Blake in a tear stained mess quickly picked herself up and ran for the entrance of the ballroom, rushing to only where she felt she could get away from everyone, especially Aero.

"Blake?! Nova, I have to go!" Without a second wasted, Aero quickly pulled his arm away from Nova and rushed off in the direction he saw Blake run in.

He knew what she must be feeling. Embarrassment, fear, shame, possibly even more at the fact a great secret she had tried to keep hidden was now out in the open for everyone to know. And with the way some people discriminated against Faunus, it was almost no surprise she had tried to keep such a thing hidden away from prying eyes.

But that didn't change a thing about how he felt towards her, and he wasn't about to leave her by herself.

With all this in mind he quickened his pace to try and catch up to Blake, only managing to see her silhouette from afar, but still no where close to catching up to her. He was surprised she could run so fast even in heels.

'Come on Blake! Please stop running!' His thoughts pleaded for her to slow down even as he continued after her, his heart set on hoping to make her feel better.

"Blake! Wait! Please stop!" Aero yelled out to her as he continued after her.

"J-Just leave me! Leave me alone!" Was the response he received from her as the silhouette of hers seemed to fade further into the dark of the night.

"Like all in the entirety of Yomotsu Hirasaka am I gonna do that!" He didn't even stop for a moment, and quickened his pace further.

Soon Aero found himself entering an area that he knew led to the Emerald Forest, and a feeling of worry and fear filled him as he continued chasing after Blake.
'The Emerald Forest? Oh god, please don't let this get ugly.' His thoughts filled with dread as he continued moving, rain suddenly beginning to fall.

"No, no, no, no, NO, NO!" Blake cried out from further ahead, tears rolling down her face as she kept running, but continued to not pay attention to what was ahead of her.

As she continued running, the front of her foot caught onto the root of a tree, causing her to fall forward. "Ah!"

"BLAKE!" Letting out a cry, Aero quickly dashed forward at his highest speed yet, and quickly caught Blake in his arms before she hit the ground.
In his arms, Blake didn't even bother to look in his direction, feelings of fear and shame filling her as she continued to cry, the ears on her head drooped as if expressing her emotions, the rain coming down on both of them.

"Blake... why? Why did you run off like that?" Aero's tone grew both soft and gentle as he spoke to her, standing her up on her feet, the rain still pouring down.

"B-Because... I'm a Faunus... you should know that by now Aero... I was scared... scared, because before I never wanted you to know, and that if you did, you'd possibly hate me, and stop loving me. Scared you would see me as a freak, like other people do with Faunus... and I was scared... t-that if you knew about who I really was, that, I'd lose you... y-you're the only person I've ever loved the way I do, and, if I lost you just because of being non-human, and having these stupid ears... I-I don't know what I would do..."

The emotions she poured out through both words and tears easily hit Aero's heart heavily. He knew she must have felt strongly about being hurt from not being human, but the way she said it made it clear, that her biggest fear, was not about being accepted by others, but mainly by being accepted by him.
He was now a big part of her life, and losing him would probably destroy her emotionally. The normally cool, calm, collected, and often times funny girl Aero had seen on multiple occasions was no longer in his arms. Instead, that same girl was now a crying mess of emotion who feared that the very man she loved would leave her because she herself was not like him.

'All this time then... even after everything I've told her, about how accepting I am, she still felt this way regardless...' His thoughts fell heavy on his mind, and hearing all this made him want to tear up as well.

But he didn't. Instead, he gently took Blake, and embraced her tightly, keeping her close to him as much as he could.

"Wha... A-Aero?" Blake's voice became soft, and almost fragile sounding, her expression conveying surprise by his sudden actions.

"Blake... please don't think that at all. I would never, in my entire life, ever think of you as a freak, just because you're a Faunus."

"B-But..."

"Blake, listen... I don't care if you're a Faunus. Don't you remember what I told you once before in the past when we were still just friends? I have never discriminated against anyone because of a difference in their physical character. The fact that you are a Faunus doesn't change any of the feelings I have towards you. Just because you're different from me, doesn't mean I see you any less as the woman I fell in love with. I should say I almost feel I've been given something even more valuable to treasure in my life, now that I know you're different from all the other girls I have ever been around. But, regardless of that, just cause you're different in one little aspect, won't change any of my feelings towards you. When I finally worked up my nerves to confess to you, I swore I'd treasure our relationship more then anything, and that I would never allow anyone to take you from me, or to ever lose you. Just because your a Faunus, that changes nothing. So what if you're a Faunus? I love you still as much as I have always till now Blake Belladonna. And nothing, I swear, nothing, will ever change that."

As he spoke, Aero gently lifted her face, silver and amber eyes once again meeting with one another as he cupped the side of her face gently with his hand, wiping her tears away, a warm and gentle smile forming on his face as he finished.

His words... they were beautiful. They were filled with kindness. They were filled with love. They were filled with admiration. And all of that, was directed at her. She wasn't sure how to speak at first. She almost wanted to cry even his words were so wonderful. For a moment even, she felt the words were too good for her ears to hear.

But they were. They were indeed words meant for her to hear. Her heart and soul felt entirely at peace, soothed and calm from the fear and worry she had before, all her troubles gone from her.

"A-Aero... h-how, is it, I feel like I am the luckiest woman ever, to have met such a wonderful person as you...?"

"Maybe, because it's just a fact. I don't mean to give myself credit when I say that, but, that's just how I am. And nothing is ever going to change that." Smiling warmly, he looked to her, his eyes staring lovingly into hers.

"Aero... please, never leave me. Ever." And with those words of her own, she quickly leaned in, placing her lips against his, a great feeling of love passing from one to the other as she embraced him tightly.

'I never will Blake. I'll always be with you no matter what. Till the day I die even.' He couldn't speak with his lips pressed against hers, but his thoughts were strong with the emotion that he'd never part ways with her.

The kiss lasted for only a few minutes longer, but it almost seemed like an eternity for both. The way their tongues seemingly danced around each others, and the flare of passion that lit up between them. It was truly a moment they would remember forever, as one where they were now not just a simple couple like the others, but as one between two very different individuals. One a human, the other a Faunus.

"Come on Blake. Let's go back, otherwise you might catch a cold."

"Yeah, okay." Blake looked to her beloved with a truly happy smile.

As both lovers made their way back, from within the shadows, two eyes filled with little to no emotion, colored like blood, watched over at them, observing the couple as they left.

"... Blake..." A female voice spoke from the shadowed figured, and within a split second, the figure vanished from sight completely...

... moonlit shadows dance, emotions bared between both, but when from the dark a soul watches them, what will become of these two shadows...?

... all I can say is, this may be the most emotional piece I have done. Ever. Anyway, like/follow and review if you enjoyed, which I hope everyone did. Also, for anyone who may read this that has also read my Black Roses, White Violets piece, I may change focus to this more often at certain points, but that doesn't mean I've stopped the aforementioned fic. I will try to remain consistent with both, along with Beacon Radio Live. Anyway, this is Kasai everyone, signing off for now.