I'm leaving for Japan soon so don't expect another chapter for 3 weeks. Hope you like!
"It's time, Weiss."
At last, the darkness had finally come to take Weiss. From how certain Whitley seemed, Weiss scowled. Anxiety almost overwhelmed her, but she had Yang right next to her. Yang's mere presence made Weiss almost feel invincible.
I need more time, Weiss thought. No, it will never be enough. I fell in love with this place- with her- and this love can't expire.
"Like hell!" Yang blurted in anger. "You're gonna have a hell of a time gettin' past me, bud."
Those words compelled Whitley to roll his eyes. For his short and slim stature, he acted like he was some wild, relentless gladiator. It perplexed Yang, so she figured he had a few tricks up his sleeve.
"I'm not going with you, Whitley," Weiss announced. "I belong in Vale."
In finality, Yang squeezed her hand as they stood side-by-side.
"I thought you might say that."
It was then that two scarred guys emerged behind large trees. They adorned sinister grins as they slowly approached the couple. Snickers erupted behind the pair, which caused them to whirl around. Three more goons and a couple of them had crowbars at the ready.
While the guys defensively approached, snow trickled calmly to the ground and vanished into the wood. The tranquil weather was a stark contrast to what was about to go down.
"Great…" Yang mumbled as she dropped to a defensive boxing stance with her hands up high. "What, you punks want some of this?"
She'd never been in a fight before, so her facade was transparent to Weiss. While Yang itched to fight, she was undoubtedly nervous since this was a first against multiple people.
"Yang," Weiss whispered as they slowly approached. Whitley stood there, waiting for them to do his dirty work. "Do as I say."
We can do this, Weiss thought. We only need to focus.
"You're the boss," Yang sent her a smirk.
The goons behind them got close, but not close enough to swing at them. Yang was about to go on the offensive rather than wait for them to throw the first punch. Instead, Weiss exclaimed.
"Duck!"
Automatically, Yang dropped to her knees and couldn't resist the reply. "Goose!"
When Yang lowered, two firm hands landed on her shoulders. Weiss flipped around horizontally with a spin. Enough force powered the kick to knock back three of them. Two of them flew over the railing and dropped in the shallow river below.
"Holy shit-" Yang said in awe as she dodged a punch and grabbed his arm, kicking him in the abdomen and sending him backward. "Where'd you learn that?"
"Just now," Weiss revealed and blocked a kick with her good wrist. "I don't normally have a partner for this."
For a moment, Weiss almost smiled. It was nice. Not fighting alone. Her partner could hold her own. Weiss had her fair share of scuffles in the past and mostly emerged victorious. It seemed they made a good couple and team.
I'm glad she's here, Weiss thought. I couldn't defeat five guys by myself.
"Wish I had my brass knuckles," Yang said after she punched a goon in the eye, which earned a pained grunt.
Right after, another blindsided her. They kept coming- one after the other, barely giving them time to recover. A fist screwed hardly into Yang's stomach. Yang let out a feeble gasp and gained her bearings, grabbing his arm and breaking it on her knee.
"Agh, fuck!" the boy screamed to the heavens and dropped like a sack of potatoes.
"Give up and go home!" Yang shouted, not having sympathy. "It's a clean break. You're welcome."
Behind her, Weiss had dealt with another punk that swung the crowbar. When she ducked to avoid it, Yang was beaten on the shoulder with immense force by the large metal. She yelped and stumbled away from the assailant.
"Agh!"
"I'm so sorry!" Weiss instantly apologized when she realized her dodge meant Yang was hit. "Hey!" she yelled when the guy leered over Yang. "Screw off!"
When the guy almost whacked Yang again, Weiss rammed into his side. This elicited a yelp as he fell over the bridge for a second time.
From her language, Yang was intrigued by this side of her girlfriend. She'd never witnessed it before. And it was kind of hot. She stared at her in a mix of awe and shock.
Time to get serious, Weiss thought in determination, liking the stare her girlfriend sent her. That's the last hit she'll have to endure.
"Are you okay?" Weiss asked quickly.
"Only a bruise," Yang replied as she rubbed her shoulder. "I like it when you get feisty."
"You'll like this, then."
Swiftly, Weiss reached into her stocking. Yang watched in curiosity and her jaw almost dropped from the unexpected weapon.
"That's where you keep that thing?!"
Weiss clicked the button on the side of the switchblade, which forced it to flick out. "Since we met."
"Sly, sly, ice princess," Yang commented in amusement, secretly thinking she was blessed to have such a badass girlfriend.
When they analyzed the situation, it seemed three of the goons were out of commission. One guy accepted defeat and lay in the river, not wanting to get back up. One of them charged.
When he gave a war cry with the crowbar raised, Weiss said.
"Duck."
Knowing the drill, Yang dropped and watched in awe as Weiss flipped over her shoulders. Her foot landed directly on top of the goon's head and knocked him into oblivion as he dropped in front of them.
"Is that all of 'em?" Yang asked as they glanced around.
Three bodies laid unconscious in front of them, scattered around the bridge. For a moment, it was almost peaceful with the snowflakes floating around them.
"It's clear-" Weiss said, then gasped as she fumbled.
A hand below grabbed her ankle, which forced Weiss to stay in place.
"Don't be a pest!" Weiss growled and tried to wiggle out of the iron grip.
Easily, Yang crushed the hand and kicked it to make him lose his grip on her foot and bridge. The guy screamed on the way down and landed with a satisfying thud.
"Duck!" Weiss suddenly yelled.
Yang ducked, but this was getting old. "Guess that's my signature move."
When a crowbar was about to hit Yang on the head, Weiss whirled around to block it with the switchblade. She used two hands and firmly stood her ground during the standstill.
"Give up!" Weiss shouted at him. "All your friends are done!"
The punk grunted in determination as he pressed down harder, which caused her to step backward. "We're gonna take you back, you stupid bi-"
Before he could finish that thought, Yang simply lifted him under his arms.
"W-what're you doing?!"
"What I should've done a while ago," Yang said.
Easily, she tossed him over the bridge like he was a feather and he screamed all the way down.
"Or that could happen," Weiss thought out loud, impressed by her strength.
When Weiss looked at Yang like that, she grinned widely. Impressing her wasn't the goal, but it was so nice.
"Hey!" Yang called to the other side of the bridge at Whitley. "Come fight us yourself!"
The couple stood next to each other, victorious among the unconscious bodies.
From watching the fight, Whitley grew impatient. It wasn't hard to take down two girls. These guys were amateurs. Laughably so. He noted not to work with them again as he sighed. He reached into the bag that was previously on his back.
Since Weiss had an inkling of what he had planned, she protectively stood in front of Yang. Her actions caused Yang to be confused as she fought the urge to shield her girlfriend. She must've done that for a damn good reason.
And there the damn good reason was. A gun. Guns were extremely hard to come by. So its powerful presence shocked them. From the sight, Yang almost took a step back. But then remembered she needed to be with Weiss. She had to protect Weiss.
"What were you saying?" Whitley asked in a challenge as he pointed the gun at them. "You wanted to fight me?"
"Whitley," Weiss addressed softly like she was talking to a crazed animal. "Don't do this."
A bullet roared as it whizzed through wild blonde tresses and right above Yang's ear. She stood there in shock as fear tried to consume her. Lilac eyes widened the size of dinner plates and her body refused to move as pieces of her hair drifted to the bridge below.
"Darn, I missed," Whitley said in disappointment after he cocked it. "It's new. I haven't gotten used to it yet."
"Don't," Weiss said in a desperate plea. "Whitley, please."
Confidently, Whitley held out the gun and shut one eye to aim. "Don't worry, I won't miss this time."
Fully, Weiss stood in front of her girlfriend with her arms out. "I'll come with you, okay? Stop."
I have to save her, Weiss thought, knowing her safety was above everything. Her being safe and well makes me truly happy. I have to risk it all for her.
"Weiss," Yang put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm not letting you do this."
Winter… I'll keep our promise. I'll do what makes me happy. Until the end. I did well while it lasted, right?
"I'm sorry, Yang," Weiss said through a cracked voice as she suppressed tears.
Yang watched her frown and glance away, trying to hide the tears. Yang was speechless. There were a million things she could say to her now, but none would work. Weiss didn't typically change her mind.
The plea caused Whitley to scoff. "I love that helpless look on your face. I can't wait to see more."
"You sick fuck!" Yang blurted, not caring a gun was pointed at her. "You really want to kill your own sister?!"
Rather than shoot, Whitley smiled. He could tolerate an outburst from a blubbering girl who was about to lose everything. "I'll spare her, Weiss. Only because she'll have to live with the pain of losing you."
He's so cruel. Possibly more than father.
Yang placed both her hands on her shoulders and said desperately. "Please don't go with him. Do you think I give a shit if I get shot? I'd get shot a million times if it meant I can take you back home."
From the misery in her voice, Weiss frowned. Tears stung those lilac eyes. The grip on her shoulders was desperate. It took all her willpower not to give her one last kiss. Weiss sniffled once from what was to come.
I already miss her.
Weiss felt the tiny bump in her stocking more prominently. The tracker was on her. Going with Whitley was a death sentence, but Weiss wanted to be saved. And that would have to be done carefully.
She decided to drop one hint to Yang, which should be all she needed.
This world needs her, Weiss thought. Yang's like sunshine. Everything's better with her around. That's why I…
"I love you," Weiss said sternly and whispered in her ear. "You can find me… with the drone…."
When she was certain Yang heard that, Weiss chopped her hand into the back of her neck. Yang dropped, but was caught by supportive arms and was gently lowered to the wooden ground.
While Weiss looked down at her with regret for causing her harm, she thought. I could be forced to fade away. If you don't find me, I'll never forget you and hope you will remember me.
As a goodbye, Weiss tenderly kissed her on the forehead. She gazed at her face in yearning, hoping this wasn't the last time she'd see her.
"You did the right thing," Whitley said.
Weiss scowled up at him. "Only because you shot at her."
"Come on," Whitley demanded and grabbed her arm. "The sun will set soon."
After a heavy sigh, Weiss folded the switchblade and placed it in Yang's loosely curled hand. She left with her brother, hoping Yang would be okay.
Lyrics from My Dearest: "You're my dearest treasure and for you, I'd take my heart and soul and I'd...risk it all." "There will come a time when our own strength won't be enough. If the darkness comes and tries to take you far away." "Even if all hope is lost and I am forced to fade away. I'll never forget you and hope you will remember me."
Stay dandy,
~Toto