There was a thick air of anxiety in the infirmary, empty apart from four people in one corner. Two of them were lying on beds adjacent to eachother, each accompanied by their partners. Yang rested her bloodied arms on the edge, watching Blakes motionless body with intense worry. She didn't care about the fresh bruises that riddled her skin, or the immense throbbing pain that pulsed through her body. She couldn't feel her arms, her clothes were glued to her with rain. She could see her sister on the opposite side of the cubicle, Weiss holding her hand in both of her own. Yang could see the concern in her eyes, for once she wasn't trying to hide her emotions under a icy facade.
Ruby was propped against the wall with several pillows, patches of deep crimson blood seeping through her black clothing. She held her knee with one hand, trying her best to ignore the twinging pain in her leg. It didn't feel right. She was fighting back tears, Weiss could see that even through the damp hair that clung to the smaller girls face. She was too exhausted to say anything, both physically and mentally. She knew her partner felt the same way, they had been through a lot together. She glanced up at Blake, lying still with Yang sitting next to her. There were so many feelings circulating around each of them, they all sensed each-others regrets, their worries, their anger.
She heard a gentle tapping behind her, the sound of footsteps approaching. She turned her head, keeping her hands clasped firmly around Rubys own. Yang looked up from her unconscious partner, watching as Professor Ozpin stood at the foot of Rubys bed. His voice was calm as he spoke, casting his eyes over the four of them.
"First and foremost, are you severely injured?" He asked with an unwavering tone, holding his cup in one hand and his cane in the other. Weiss spoke for Yang, she knew that the fiery girl wouldn't control herself if she became even slightly aggravated.
"Blake has been unconscious for a while, Ruby is disoriented and battered, she may have fractured her leg. My wounds are unimportant compared to Yangs." She replied, doing her best to speak clearly. Her words lead Ozpins eyes on a survey of their states. She was right, for the most part she was fine. Ruby clutched her knee protectively, her whole aura exuded of agony, both physical and emotional. Blake was seemingly untouched, with only minor scrapes on her back. Her eyes were closed, in stark contrast to Yang. The bold girls arms were red raw with both blood and sliced flesh, she was injured in many ways on every single body-part.
He gave a nod of respect, before continuing. "I'll be expecting a full report on the events that transpired in the last several hours." Yangs head shot up from beside Blake, her eyes flaring in anger. Ozpin silenced the fire in her heart, locking his own eyes with hers.
"When you feel you are ready. I understand you've been through an incredible ordeal. Take all the time you need, reports can wait." He turned on his heel and left, well aware that the information he'd receive would be vital. He had too much experience to rush them through it.
Yang watched the headmaster leave, feeling a sea of emotions beating at her mind. She was weary, the chase had drained all of her energy. She felt sick, lightheaded, the rush of adrenalin long dissolved. It hurt her to move, but she resisted her fatigue. Fear still lingered, shaking her body with the cold. Most of all, she was distraught. She couldn't stop remembering her partner, standing alone as death came for her. She was frozen to the spot, not of cold but of terror. What could've broken Blakes will like that? She was usually so collected and quiet, but something happened that Yang couldn't see.
It pained her, trying to understand what her partner was going through. She looked so peaceful, almost as though she was asleep. She'd lost the battle for consciousness at some point during the pursuit, but Yang didn't know when. She was already close to passing out when Yang had propped her against the tree, though she wasn't sure why. She had wanted nothing more than to reassure Blake that everything would be fine, but she had a faint feeling that she would've been lying.
The four remained this way for much of the day, oblivious to the world around them. Weiss had pulled the screen across, giving them much needed privacy from the rest of the school. She was used to herself being hurt, but never someone else like this. Ruby gradually came around, slowly returning some of her usual cheer.
"I guess that could've gone better, huh?" She asked jokingly, wincing at the jolt that ran up her leg.
Weiss gave her the warmest smile her tired body could muster, rolling up her partners sleeve to check the bandages she'd applied herself. They seemed to be holding, but she could see the various bruises and cuts that decorated her skin. The ordeal had been painful for them all, and Weiss almost felt guilty that she was comparatively uninjured. Sure, she had been bleeding on one or two places, her dress stained beyond recognition by the soil and blood, mixed together with the rain. She was tired, but she wasn't in immense pain as her teammates were. She did her best to comfort Ruby, gently adjusting her posture against the pillows when she began to slouch.
Weiss didn't even need to ask about Blakes condition, Yangs body language told everything. She was incredibly anxious, constantly shifting her position. She had lacerations all across her forearms and down her legs, no doubt by the lashing branches as she forced her way through them. She had selflessly thrown herself in the path of that monster, and ran across the majority of the forest while carrying her partner. Weiss admired her strength, noting the energy glowing beneath her exhausted body. She would fight right here and now if she had to, that very willingness to protect her friends was incredible.
All of their attention turned to the resting girl on the bed, murmuring something too quiet to hear. Yang stood up in an instant, leaning over Blake with her hand on top of her partners.
"Blake? Are you alright? Are you hurt?" She asked breathlessly, relief replacing her previous concerns. Ruby began to climb off her bed, but Weiss stopped her in her tracks.
"You're injured, Ruby. Here, let me help." She hooked Rubys arm over her shoulder and began easing her towards Blake, giving her leader no chances to protest. Ruby walked with a visible limp, barely putting any weight on her left leg at all. Yang took the chair she was sitting on and slotted it underneath her sister, who practically fell onto it. She was grateful for the reprieve it gave her, the few steps she had taken between beds had already re-ignited the searing pain in her knee. She ignored it for now, instead leaning forwards as Weiss and Yang helped Blake into a sitting position.
Her brilliant amber eyes were narrow as she came to, her raven hair still stuck to her shoulders. She looked around slowly, her observational skills working even now. Yang stood on her left, looking as though she'd been through hell. Her clothes were torn, her skin ripped. Weiss and Ruby were on the right, the former standing with a reassuring hand on the latters shoulder. They were both worse for wear, with Ruby bearing the brunt of her wounds. Dried blood caked her injuries, but she still managed to give an encouraging smile despite her obvious pain. Weiss too was smiling weakly, but her eyes betrayed the reassurance she was trying to give. She was worried.
Blake spoke slowly and quietly, still coming to terms with her slowly warming limbs and the mess of emotions inside her head.
"I'm fine Yang. Really, it's nothing." She was taken by surprise at the ferocity of the response.
"No you're not. I watched. I know for a fact you are not fine. Don't even try to tell me otherwise." Yangs voice was infused with emotion, her concern evident in her words. She was barely controlling herself, battling her feelings to prevent an outburst. Her eyes were bright even now, burning with a spirit to match her heart. Blake took a few attempts to form a coherent sentence, taken aback by her partners response.
"I...I don't know. I'm not hurt. You shouldn't worr-" Her sentence was cut short. Yang responded with even more feeling, her voice shaking.
"No. I won't let you say that. You're my partner, I will worry about you..." She stopped briefly, hanging her head and heaving her body, fighting back tears.
"You mean so much to me, I'm not going to stop worrying." Cracks in her voice appeared mid sentence, breaking through the brave face she wore at all times.
"I want you to be okay, and you're not." Tears streamed down her face, passing over her bloodied wounds. She spoke between fits of crying, racking her shoulders with every breath.
"I want you to be safe."
Blake took a moment to understand her friends words, stunned by her heartfelt reaction. She leaned forwards slowly, placing one arm around Yangs back and pulling gently, too overwhelmed to speak. Yang buckled her arms and flung them around her partner, burying her head into Blakes shoulder. Her entire body shuddered with feeling, muffled cries touching Blakes heart in a way she'd never felt before. She could sense the anxiety in Yang fading away as they held one-another. All the feelings that she had built up were being released, filling Blake with an immense happiness.
Yang clung to her partner in zeal, refusing to let go. She felt the warmth radiating from Blake, chasing away the cold from inside her. She didn't want to let go, all she cared about was this moment. She was immersed in the embrace, feeling how gently yet firmly Blake held her. It was incredible, pushing all the worry and fear away in a single movement. They remained locked around eachother for minutes, too absorbed in one another to break apart. Yang slowly lessened her tears, still shaking uncontrollably.
Ruby silently stood, exchanged brief glances with Weiss and began to leave, still supported by her partner. Weiss insisted that she rested, but Ruby was adamant that her sister and Blake deserved time alone. Weiss reluctantly guided her out of the infirmary, leaving the two together, still holding eachother.