Looking Back, Moving Forward
Blake watched as Yang twisted in her sleep again, a small moan escaping her lips. She had been observing the woman for a while now, and she had never been still for more than ten minutes. Clearly Blake wasn't the only one who suffered from horrible nightmares. She thought about waking her up, but frankly, the less time Yang spent awake before they reached Beacon, the better. Less time awake meant less time to think, which meant less time to get upset.
They were about thirty minutes out, so Blake could let her sleep for a bit longer, at least. It seemed Yang didn't have the patience to wait for Blake's call though, as her eyes promptly shot open. Lilac irises blearily focused on the ceiling above her, and the faunus noted a small look of confusion knitted her brow.
"Afternoon, Yang." The blonde glanced at her. "Are you alright?"
Yang pushed herself into a sitting position. "Fine," she murmured. She ran a hand through thick, golden locks and glanced around the cabin, noting its size and décor. "This…is not my room…"
"No," Blake confirmed, "it's mine. Figured you could do with a real bed after yesterday."
The brawler glanced down at the mattress she was on, suddenly realizing how nice it felt. "Where'd you sleep?"
Blake jerked her head backward, toward the couch set against the right-hand wall. "You'd be surprised how comfortable that thing is."
Silence reigned for a moment before Yang broke it with a question. "What's the situation?"
"We're about…" she glanced down at her scroll resting in her lap, "twenty-seven minutes out from Beacon. I've let Ozpin know we'll be there shortly. He wants to meet with us as soon as we touch down." Yang opened her mouth to say something, but was silenced as Blake handed her a small pile of clothes and a stern look which blatantly told her not to complain. Yang took the clothes, realizing that the only thing covering her torso was a thin black sheet. "Your shirt and jacket have been cleaned and patched up. How're your wounds feeling?"
Yang realized that she hadn't even considered her injuries after awaking. She gave her shoulders an experimental roll. Her muscles clenched and unclenched reluctantly, but there was no horrible stab of pain. "Stiff, but they don't hurt. What did you do?"
"Healing salve, compliments of the Schnee Dust Company. Can fix up most injuries in a day or two. Expensive as hell, but worth every lien. Of course, knowing one of the major people who helped develop it means I get it pretty cheap."
Yang 'hmmed' distractedly and stared at the clothes in her lap, mind working back through everything that had happened the previous day. Amazingly, it was not visiting her sister's grave or her failed attempt at revenge that held prominence. What stuck out most to her was Blake's tirade. Every single one of the Huntress' words had cut Yang deep and hard. As they had tumbled angrily from Blake's mouth, Yang had felt something inside of her moving. It was slow and sluggish, but it was there. It was like the layers and layers of rage, pain, and anger she had frozen up around herself for the past four years were being thawed. It was strange, finding out that underneath all of it, she was still alive, that she could still feel.
She wasn't quite what to do with it, but she did know that it was because of Blake. And she knew that everything she had done to the brunette was wrong. She made a decision to try and be better to Blake…to her partner. It wasn't much, but it was a start. Yang bowed her head, letting her hair fall over her eyes. "I'm sorry," she breathed in a voice so quiet only she could hear it. Blake's second set of ears picked it up though, and her eyes grew wide.
Had she heard that correctly? Had Yang just apologized to her? "For-," stunned as she was, Blake's voice failed her momentarily. "For what?"
"Everything. For leaving."
Blake could do nothing but stare at Yang as her words sunk in. Warmth which she hadn't experienced for four years blossomed in her chest, and spread throughout her body. A smile slowly slid across her face, and she didn't even attempt to hide it. There, in front of her, was her Yang. Not completely, not yet, but she was there. She was buried beneath a mountain of pain still, but there were cracks, and through them, Blake caught glimpses of the shining supernova that had been her partner. She leaned forward gently resting her forehead again Yang's, and forcing the blonde to meet her eyes.
"I'm right here," Blake said quietly. "I will stay right here." She reached out and grasped Yang's hand. The woman flinched slightly, but didn't pull away. "We'll get through it together." Gold stared into lilac, and vice versa, for a silent minute. "C'mon, you need a shower before we get there," Blake finally commented. She pulled Yang to her feet and gave her a light shove towards the small shower section in the corner of the room. "Make it fast; I'll need time to reapply your bandages."
Yang didn't protest. A hot shower sounded really good right about now. It would give her time to think about where to go from here, and to figure out how she was going to deal with Ozpin when they met him face to face.
Twenty-five minutes later found the Shadowshift touching down lightly on the intricate stonework of Beacon Academy's airdocks. After Blake dismissed her crew for a day of free time, she and Yang departed the ship. The instant her booted foot touched the grey stone, though, it occurred to Yang that she had made a mistake.
She had been focusing on what she was going to do, or not do, whenever she came face to face with Ozpin. She still burned in anger at the mere thought of him, and figured if she didn't want to fly off the handle like she had with Roman, she'd need to get herself in the proper state of mind to suppress, at the very least, her more violent impulses. As her eyes scanned the open area of the docks and the towering spires of Beacon impaling the sky, though, she felt her stomach roil sickeningly. The school's namesake seemed to wink at her from its position high atop the central tower, and Yang realized that she had been preparing herself for the wrong thing.
Rather than its headmaster, she should have been preparing herself for Beacon.
The school itself felt like it was attacking her. The very air vibrated with a stifling thickness that pressed on her chest and made it hard to breathe. Images and memories flashed through her head. Fire, screams, blood, Ruby. Her eyes landed on an area to her right, along the Cliffside, where an entire section of the landing pads was missing. The area around it was scorched, the stone melted by an intense heat. Yang's breathing stopped, and she could hear her heart march loudly through her ears as she saw that horrible scene play out before her once again.
Her little sister slumped on the Deathstalker's corpse, blood pouring from her tiny frame, holding tightly to Crescent Rose as she tried, and failed, to rise. Cinder beginning to glow, and then unleashing that awful wave of fire. Yang watched in horror as those flames burned the very air, bubbled the concrete they passed over, and seared the world behind them black. She choked back a sob as the fire slammed into Ruby with so much force the ground beneath her shattered, and she disappeared into the abyss, the fire consuming all traces of her.
A hand rested on her shoulder, and Yang turned to find Blake watching her with concern. She could tell by the pain in her partner's eyes that she was not the only one who had just relived Ruby's death. Yang took a deep breath, and closed her eyes as her partner's hand squeezed lightly. She looked at Blake and nodded, and the faunus gave her the faintest of smiles in return as she withdrew her arm. They set out toward the school, Yang focusing her gaze strictly on the ground in front of her. She didn't want to chance seeing anymore of the scars left by the Siege. The air by itself was enough to stir a familiar despair in her chest and make her feel like fleeing back to the Shadowshift and curling into a ball. Any visual reminders would surely bring her to her knees.
There were very few people on campus. As it was still early afternoon, most of the students and teachers were probably in classes, something for which both girls were wholly appreciative. Still, there were a few professors scattered throughout Beacon's many pathways, and even a student or two. Blake avoided them as best she could, knowing that Yang would want to limit contact as much as possible. She may have been starting to come back to what she was, but given how she had acted around her crew before they left the Swift, Blake figured that, for the moment at least, that new attitude was reserved solely for her.
"Ms. Belladonna!" A voice suddenly called out, and Blake froze and grit her teeth. She turned to confront the caller, a short man with a head of spiky green hair. His appearance was disheveled and uneven, and in his hand he carried an open thermos. He continued in a hurried voice, "Though I suppose it's Agent Belladonna now. Never can seem to remember that."
She forced a smile. "Hello, Professor Oobleck. How are you?"
"Wonderful, simply wonderful. How about you, my dear? Back from another successful mission abroad, are we?"
"Yes, well, sort of. Actually, we're going to talk to Professor Ozpin right now so-"
Oobleck talked over her as if she hadn't even spoken. "And who's this? You're not one for company nowadays, Ms. Belladonna." He zipped around her before she could say a word. When he realized who accompanied her, his glasses slipped down his nose, revealing eyes wide with surprise. "Great Vytalian Tomes! Ms. Xiao Long?" Yang didn't reply, eyes glued to her feet. "So you've finally decided to return! Oh this is splendid!" Blake noticed Yang's fists were clenched so tightly her arms were trembling. "Some of us were beginning to lose hope of seeing you again. After the Siege-"
Yang could take no more. Her head snapped up, lips pulled back in a snarl. A scathing insult was halfway up her throat whenever a new voice cut Oobleck off, this one strong and commanding. "That's enough, Bartholomew." With a sharp clacking of heels, Glynda Goodwitch strode up to the trio. Her cape fluttered restlessly behind her, green eyes glinting behind her glasses. She looked exactly how Yang remembered her, including the royal-sized stick up her ass. "Professor has asked to meet with these two immediately, so you'll have to forgive them for not stopping to chat."
"Right, of course. My apologies, Glynda. Farewell, Ms. Belladonna. It was good to see you again, Ms. Xiao Long. Feel free to drop by anytime." And with that, the energetic man was gone.
Blake sighed quietly in relief at his departure. She turned to the older woman. "Thanks, Professor. I'm not really sure how to stop him once he gets going."
Glynda nodded, but her gaze was pinned to Yang, who glared right back, the edges of her irises stained a light red. She hadn't forgotten being subdued by the Huntress after the final battle. More than that though, she was the closest person to Ozpin, and by default, that meant Yang was displeased with everything about her.
"Ms. Xiao Long," she greeted tersely.
"Goodbitch." Yang was pleased to see the other woman clench her jaw.
Glynda turned to Blake. "Professor Ozpin is waiting for you in his office. I have a class to escort into Forever Fall, so you'll have to see yourself there."
"We can manage. Thank you, professor." Glynda inclined her head, and with one last mildly reproachful look at Yang, walked away.
When she was out of earshot, Blake spoke, "I wish you wouldn't antagonize her."
Yang 'hmphed' before turning and resuming her way to the headmaster's office. Blake exhaled in exasperation before following. Fortunately, the rest of the walk to the Ozpin's room was uneventful. Blake rapped firmly on the tall, thick doors of dark wood.
"Come in," a voice muffled voice called from the other side, and Yang felt her stomach curdle a bit.
Blake sent her a brief look of assurance before pushing open the door and stepping through. Yang took a moment to gather herself before doing the same.
The office looked pretty much the same as she remembered it from the last time she had been in here, when Ozpin had reprimanded her for roughing up a few seniors who had been making fun of her sister. The large room was furnished cozily with dark wood panels and a thick, forest green rug with the Beacon sigil emblazoned in white at its center. At the back of the room was a large curving desk, piled high with various files. The right-side was dominated by a large computer screen. The back wall had three arched windows set in it, two smaller ones flanking a taller, wider one. The wall to their left was filled corner to corner with bookshelves overflowing with books. There were so many that the that the table beneath the left hand was covered in haphazard stacks of them as well. On their right was a short table, a few filing cabinets, three wooden chairs, and several shelves bolted to the wall, cluttered with all sorts of different knickknacks.
Yang focused on the man behind the desk, sitting perfectly straight, mug in hand. He looked a little older than he had when last she had seen him, the lines on his face a bit deeper, but for the most part, he was the same. Right down that fucking mug.
Ozpin slid smoothly to his feet. "Ah, Agent Belladonna, I've been expecting you." He turned to Yang and, ignoring her glare, greeted her, "Ms. Xiao Long. It is good to see you again." He tone was warm, and try as she might, Yang could detect no hidden malice or back-handed undertones. As far as she could tell, he was being perfectly sincere. She didn't reply though, figuring that the best way to avoid screaming at the man was to just say nothing. For Blake's sake, if nothing else.
Blake saluted briefly. "You wanted to talk with us, sir?" She didn't bother stating how obvious it was that he would wish to speak to them.
Ozpin took a sip from his mug, and for some reason that made Yang's rage flair. She clenched her fists and bit the inside of her cheek, suppressing her anger. "I did, and I apologize for not giving you anytime to rest. However, from the brief summary you sent me already, I gathered that time is of the essence." Blake nodded. "On that note, I would like to hear your full mission report." Blake took a deep breath before giving the full story of their failed mission. When she finished Ozpin raised his glass to his lips in contemplative silence.
"Where is he now?" He finally asked.
"The tracker stopped moving this morning. He's in Atlas." She pulled out her scroll, slid it open and tapped a few buttons. "It's still transmitting too, which means he probably hasn't noticed it yet."
"Returning here to rest and acquire reinforcements was a good call. Roman is most likely anticipating some sort of pursuit. Even if he believes he successfully dealt with you in Ashfall, he will be ready now that he knows he can be found." Again, Yang heard no accusation in his voice. He saw the situation for what it was rather than dwelling on who to blame for it. Ozpin leaned forward, setting down his mug and interlacing his fingers in front of his face. "As such, I am expanding the taskforce assigned to this operation. I shall send a message to Ms. Schnee immediately to inform her of the situation."
Blake smiled. It had been a few months since she had seen her white-haired teammate, and she missed her dearly. Aside from that, Weiss, and those with her, would prove an invaluable asset. "Thank you, sir."
"Additionally, I would like to recommend you take Beacon's Spear and Shield with you."
Blake's brow furrowed. "They're back? Since when?"
"They returned late last night."
"A week earlier than expected." Blake shook her head. "I swear they're getting scarier and scarier."
A small smile pulled at Ozpin's mouth. "I'll leave it to you two to explain the situation to them."
"Yes, sir."
"I wish you both luck." Taking that as a dismissal, Yang spun on her heel and yanked the door open hard enough she heard the hinges groan. She needed out; holding herself back this whole time had taken its toll. She didn't really care about the details of the mission, she just wanted to go.
The brawler was halfway out the door, Blake a few steps behind, when Ozpin spoke once more.
"Agent Belladonna," he said, "a moment, if you will."
Blake looked at Yang, silently letting her know that it was okay. The blonde glanced between her partner and the headmaster unsurely, before nodding and slipping out the door, shutting it behind her with more force than was necessary.
As soon as the latch had clicked, Ozpin let out a long sigh. "Blake," he began tiredly. "I thought I specifically told you not to involve Yang."
"Must have missed that part of the briefing," she commented with a small quirk of her lips.
Ozpin pushed his glasses up his nose and narrowed his eyes mildly, clearly unamused. "She's too unstable, Blake. I was afraid she could ruin the operation, and it looks like my fears were justified."
"I know, Professor, but…I couldn't just leave her behind. She deserved a shot at Roman more than anyone."
"That reasoning may have fooled her, Blake, but it will not do the same to me. I know you are smart enough to understand that Yang does not have an exclusive right to revenge on Roman. What about all of the people whose family members perished in the Grimm assault? Those students that lost teammates in the Siege? Weiss? Velvet?" Amber eyes fixed on her golden ones. "I know Ruby was dear to you, but do not belittle her sacrifice by using it to excuse your own whims."
Blake flinched and hung her head. Ozpin's words struck hard truth. Blake had been trying to convince herself that risking the entire operation by bringing Yang with her was justified by the tragedies she had endured as a direct result of Roman's actions. She had silenced the logical voice in her head that had called her on that lie. In reality, the reason she had gone out of her way to enlist Yang's help was something much simpler. "I've…I've managed to bring her back. Just a bit," Blake said weakly.
Ozpin nodded before leaning back in his chair. "I understand your desire to help her, Blake. I admire it, even. The issue is that this has now interfered with our work, and set us back a step that we cannot afford. Roman is our only lead left. If we lose him, then we lose our biggest chance at routing this organization and putting a stop to their plans, whatever they may be." He reached for his mug, but found it empty. With a sigh, he set it back down. "I advised you against contacting Yang because she is too unpredictable at a time when we cannot afford any missteps. She is driven purely by a desire for revenge, and will throw away whatever is necessary in order to achieve it. Look at what she did to Cinder, or Team CRDL."
"CRDL was not her fault. Sky and Russel died during the Siege."
He fixed her with a look that clearly said to stop skirting the issue. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. If Professor Goodwitch had not found her in time, she would have killed Cardinal and Dove that first day after Ruby's death as well. As it stands, Cardin will never walk again, and Dove's mind will most likely remain broken for the rest of his life."
"No less than they deserved," Blake murmured, but closed her mouth when Ozpin gave her a hard stare.
"What they did or did not deserve is beside the point. Yang is dangerous, and currently mentally unstable." He closed his eyes for a moment before focusing them back on her. "I know you're not going to send her away just because I recommend it. She may continue to travel with you for the time being, but the next time she causes trouble or interferes, she will immediately be removed from the situation and disallowed any and all access to Beacon and all related subjects. Is that clear, Agent Belladonna?"
Blake stiffened her spine and clasped her hands behind her back in response to the formal title. "Crystal, sir," she said smoothly.
Ozpin's face softened. "Be careful, Blake. I have a feeling things are only going to get more dangerous for us henceforth."
"I'll be fine, Professor."
He nodded at her. "Dismissed, Agent Belladonna. I'll be expecting an update when you reach Atlas."
Blake spun on her heel and left the office, closing the door softly behind her. She took a moment to close her eyes and sigh. More dangerous, huh? What else is new?
"Blake?" Golden irises opened up and turned to face the blonde woman sat in a chair against the corridor's wall. "What'd he want?"
Blake shook her head to Yang's question. "Nothing important, just to go over a few details from the report." She started walking. "C'mon, let's go to the alumni dorms. We've got a couple of lovebirds to surprise."
A/N: Woot! Next chapter! On time once more! Double points!
So, what did we all think? You finally get to find out what happened to Cardin/Dove. Sorry to all of you who were hoping they were dead ten times over. Anyway, I liked a lot of the dialogue in this chapter, especially Ozpin's. Seriously, the 'don't belittle her sacrifice' line came out of nowhere, but I loved it the instant I wrote it.
Anyway, everyone's favorite ice queen will be making an appearance next chapter, among many others. Consider the beginning of the second arc of the story, and with it we see a change in Yang. Not monumental, but the beginnings of it
To all of you who do not frequent the subreddit, Ren's design is up over on my DA account, so please go check him out if you'd like.
As always, I love all of you. Please drop me a review, and let me know what you think