Welp, I got away from life for a little. Time for this.
Chapter 6:
Yang smiled as she began to crack her back. Her knees were aching, but she felt like they achieved something that day. Even though she knew the area was small considering how hard they had to scrub to remove the ghastly reds and browns staining the floor. That was something that she hadn't expected to take so long, but was glad they had it clear to the what was now infamous room amongst the group.
She knew why it was going to be hard for some of the people, but she also knew that it had to be done. Taking a deep breath, Yang turned to see Blake still holding the nose plugs that she had gotten when she had to leave to get some more bleach.
If Yang was being honest, the smell of bleach was actually starting to seem worse to her than the smell of the putrefying blood. But it wasn't done yet. They were going to need to fight the hardest to go into that one room. But for now they could hold their heads up for now.
"Blake do you mind? Smelling the room?" Weiss asked standing up causing a chuckle in just about everyone at the small amounts of already hardened blood on her knees and hands from clearly not being used to working hard to clean something.
"Not happening. If you guys can't smell it at all, close the door and give me like ten minutes to let the room air out." Blake said as best as she could given how her nose was blocked off to a clearly painful degree. Something that no one blamed her for because of how strong it was and how sensitive her sense of smell is.
"You know what just occurred?" Reese asked as she walked towards the door and quickly covered her nose with her hoodie as she closed the door. She knew that her dramatic pause was going to get on the nerves of Pyrrha, but she was going to be fine with it just because it would make some sense. "If Blake can't smell it that just means a cat Fauns can't smell. Correct me if I'm wrong, I haven't seen her in a long time, but Velvet is a rabbit Faunus. Her senses are totally different."
As Reese walked back into the room, she could see some glares coming from everyone. She had no idea why some would be coming from Blake until she spoke up answering her point. "Think of my senses like a cat, and her's are more like a rabbit. Better hearing but a predator has a better sense of smell and sight."
"So, what do we do while we wait?" Weiss asked as she took a seat down next to Blake just next to Reese who was pulled into Pyrrha's lap, as Yang walked around to the front of the group taking a seat on the coffee table.
"I don't know. I'd say drink, but I promised myself not to until this place is at least clean enough for Velvet to live in." Yang said as she rubbed her face, trying to just stay awake and far away from her own thoughts. She didn't want to think about any of the things that were going to happen once it was revealed what she had been doing.
Before anyone could say anything, the sound of a phone ringing snapped them out of what they were talking about. Recognising her ringtone, Yang walked over to where she rested her phone and didn't recognise the number. Quickly picking up her phone Yang spoke up, "Hello, Yang Xiao Long speaking."
"Yang honey, you need to come down to the police station. I need you to bail me out."
"Yeah, it might sound like I'm hanging up on you Summer but that is because I'm hanging up on you." Yang said quickly hanging her phone up and resting it down on the counter. She was a little curious as to the reason as why Summer had broken their near truce of never contacting each other and even more curious as to why Summer was in jail. But no where near curious enough to actually bail her out.
Walking over to her seat again, Yang took her seat to see the look of curiosity on her friends' faces, which alone caused Yang to roll her eyes. "Summer is in jail and used me as her one phone call. Personally I hope she drops the soap. And then bites her tongue off. I mean there is no word in the world that could describe my hatred for the woman." Yang said as she heard her phone starting to go off again.
Sighing deeply, Yang stood up and walked towards her phone again seeing the same number causing her to just sigh. She knew that it couldn't be Summer because she clearly wasted her call. Curious as to who it was this time calling her she picked up the phone and put up the same sort of mask figuring it was probably her Dad.
"Hello, Yang Xiao Long speaking."
"Yang... your Mom started a fist fight. I need your help." Velvet spoke causing Yang to just frown and walk over towards her set of keys.
"Fine, I'm up town right now with Weiss. We are going to get down there as fast as we can and you can explain the story." Yang said as she rubbed her eyes, a little out of irritation, a little out of the genuine brewing need to just have a single drink. That she knew it was stupid to hold back on, but right now Velvet took priority. And she wouldn't be able to give Velvet the respect if she was wasted like she wanted to be.
Hanging her phone up and slipping it into her pocket, Yang just turned to see Weiss sighing as she rubbed her eyes. "What happened?" Weiss asked, softly as the exhaustion started to become more and more apparent.
"Fist fight with Queen Bitch. Probably why she broke our unspoken truce. The old man probably was brought in as well. Difference is I can imagine he never threw a punch and may have been spouting racist comments." Yang said rubbing her eyes again as she heard Weiss stand up. "Sorry I still can't drive without getting sent to jail for a long time."
"Fine, I suppose we can always finish the rest at another time." Weiss said in a calm tone as she walked over towards Yang. Ready to just put everything aside for the moment, she didn't want to work that hard any more than they had to. Just the thought was going to be enough warrant her to vomit.
"If by 'another time' you mean tomorrow then fine. Just make sure all the windows are closed before you walk out. And maybe get some air fresheners for tomorrow. Preferably ones that can be sprayed, but don't just hurt human and Faunus noses." Yang said as Weiss just smiled a small smile as she turned around at the door waiting for the rest to get up and start. Or at least Yang so they could leave the almost soul crushing building. They all knew this was going to be hard, but Weiss, just felt the urge to dive out at the first chance.
She knew that it might be perceived as a vile thought, but she couldn't help it. The sight and smell of her friend's blood was everywhere, even the feel of the blood on her hands was enough to make her want to vomit. She knew at this point all she could do until the next time was put as much distance as possible between her and this now hollowed out home her friend had created.
"Come on Weiss." Yang said as she grabbed her coat. "Velvet is probably going to be seconds away from popping someone she shouldn't." Yang continued as Weiss opened the door. Putting a smile on her face as they started to walk out.
Something they both knew was a hollow gesture, but it was going to be what they needed to at least give Velvet the semblance that everything was going to be fine. They were fine. That once she could accept that Ruby did a selfish action, then maybe she could become alright as well. They just had to show her that it was possible to accept how she was gone forever and that life could go on.
A thing that Yang wanted just so she could start to go through the stages, and even start to drink again. Then maybe she could see what Ruby would really want. She didn't believe for one second that Ruby wanted her to bury the hatchet in anything but Summer's head. It was a little laughable that even in her sister's suicide note she was still trying to remove the rift between Summer and Yang. It was a little tragic really considering the feud that they had devolved into wasn't going to end with nice words. It would need to be violence and one of them ending up going to jail, and with the history Yang had with police, even if she wasn't the aggressor she would most likely be the one to go.
Climbing into the car, Yang closed her eyes and took a deep breath just because she had to think of the right things to say to Velvet to get her to talk. Something that she started to become more and more envious of towards her little sister who seemed like she could talk to anyone about anything and have them open up regardless of how much they tried to fight it.
Instead, all Yang had was an ability to hold her drink, throw punches at people like it was nothing, and an ability that Yang knew she had that Ruby was very envious of. Being comfortable in her skin.
"Did she tell you what started the fight?" Weiss asked causing Yang to open her eyes and look at her. "I only ask because, I doubt you have the cash on hand to bail her out and this was another reason as to why you want me."
"It is for the ride. Sun's on the clock. Along with Neptune. They'll accept an I.O.U. from me." Yang said as she rubbed her eyes once more. Trying to shove all the sleep from her eyes. Already knowing that she was starting to doubt that Velvet would be able to pull out of it any time soon. Especially with a fist fight right now that could easily turn into assault charges. "But no. She didn't say what started it, she didn't say how it ended. All I know is it happened and I could hazard a guess it is about the name on Ruby's headstone." Yang said closing her eyes once more. Figuring that Weiss was going to continue this.
"Legally they can't. Can they?"
"No. Ruby had her name changed along with the gender on her birth certificate. In the eyes of the law she is no longer a he and her name is Ruby not Ruben. They can't do anything, unless the courts deem her insane, which can't be done because she is dead, or her current acting attorney gives them the right to do that." Yang said with her eyes closed. Glad for once that she was able to use the knowledge Ruby had constantly drove into her just so she could get a piece of paper.
"Which is who? You haven't taken the bar exam have you? Or at least you haven't practiced law." Weiss asked curious as to how Yang was going to act if it did come to that.
Smirking, Yang opened her eyes again. "It is Velvet legally, I am Velvet's attorney, and I passed the bar exam a long time ago. Just after Ruby came out. Now can you stop playing amateur shrink and take a right up head?" Yang asked, not trying to sound like her fuse was short, but she didn't want to talk about this. To Yang it was nothing but crushed dreams, that thankfully in situations like this came in handy.
When the car came to a stop, Yang smiled as she reached for the door handle. "It is best to stay in here. It looks like you have some dried blood on you." Yang said causing Weiss to look down and notice the almost pink colour staining her clothes. It just seemed to sting as she knew Yang was right. She couldn't stand next to Velvet and think of some convincing lie.
"Fine, just hurry up." Weiss scolded as Yang walked out of the car.
Taking in the sight of the police station in the afternoon, she couldn't help but notice it seemed to look different not in handcuffs. Smiling softly knowing that this was going to be a simple process, all she had to do is mind her tongue, and bail Velvet out. But the fact remained that she knew the people in there knew of Summer and Tai's relationship with Yang, which meant that she would need to get up close to them if it was anything like when Ruby bailed her out one of the countless times she had.
'Just ignore them Yang. Get Velvet. Get out. That is it.' Yang thought like it was a mantra in her head. Just to try and keep her calm considering she could be a matter of seconds away from killing her Mother and possible her spineless Father. She wouldn't even feel bad going away for that considering the hell they put Ruby through. It might even feel therapeutic to her.
Shaking the thought from her mind, Yang just continued the mantra. It was the right thing given the circumstances. She could live that fantasy out later. Velvet took priority now. That was what mattered to her. Just so Ruby could keep resting peacefully.
Author's Note:
Welp, here's hoping that life slowed down. It should, and those of you interested in Hammer To Fall, I might be able to get some time soon to start writing for that again. But more frequent updates on this is almost entirely guaranteed. Onto the guest review...
Guest 4: No rush. As for the non flashback parts, after the first chapter it is a week after the funeral. Then it starts clicking days past slowly. By my count, this would be the second day. But this is why I tell you to make sure your machine is properly maintained. How else are we meant to plot world domination?