Fangs of the Exiles
Rated M
Rwby
Summary:
Life is not about what happens to you, but what you make of it... At least that's what everyone says. Two faunus will answer whose way is right, carrying the will of a titanic kingdom while the other, the spirit of one who shouldn't exist. Forgotten, their paths will cross, for better or worse.
A/N:
Alright, I want to apologize for the issues with one of the previous chapters. I had written chapter 17 and thought I posted it only to find out I overwrote that with a half-finished chapter 18 instead. So, I rewrote both chapters and am gifting this chapter to get things back on track. Three chapters in one day?! I must be a glutton for punishment...
Also, I haven't posted much about Sango (pronounce Shango in Yoruban) because he'll be playing a greater role in the Atlas Arc that is coming.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the rewritten and new chapters!
Chapter 20 will probably be posted soon as well, depending on how everything works itself out. Love and thanks to all who support and follow this story!
Chapter 19: What Remains of What We Were-4
Two pairs of eyes stared at the indecipherable features of one Yang Xiao-Long, cold steel shaking in the hands of their respective wielders. The prospect of death did nothing to rattle her disturbingly placid bearing. Whatever her reasoning for putting herself in such peril, it proved to be more powerful an influencer.
The same could not be said for the two standing on either side of her.
"Yang?"
"What are you doing here?!" Raven seethed, her eyes flaring with surprise as Yang said nothing still.
She was too preoccupied with the dueling fronts.
On one side, the dangerously shivering eyes of the faunus stared back at her as if she'd lost her mind. She found deep-rooted suffering now tangled with a scolding layer added toward her well-being. It was endearing and yet, heartbreaking given what Yang would expectedly find from the woman she called mom.
A dark glare from the woman she spent years wondering about searching and longing for; those bloody eyes perfectly suiting Raven's checkered past. The coldness she observed only a couple of days prior was now filled with a viciousness that could challenge any demonic gaze from the Grimm.
Yang believed she had a clear understanding of her surroundings and lightly pushed Cerberus with her left hand. The boy seemed bewildered by her actions, which made Yang smile. However, his confusion increased when he noticed that she was missing her prosthetic right arm. Despite this, Yang surprised him with her next move.
She hugged him.
This surprised both parties as she wrapped her arm around his neck, pulling him tighter into the embrace. Even Raven was taken aback by the sudden display of affection, sheathing her sword though, her hand remained near the hilt as a precaution.
The shocked vulpine reluctantly returned the gesture, still uncertain as to what brought this sudden act of kindness.
"Yang...?" he tried to pull away, but she refused to let him go.
"I won't lose you too!" she whispered/cried.
"You're not making any sense right now."
Raven, having enough of this soft scene, cleared her throat. "Are you two done?"
Raven...
That's right. Aganju was about to finish things with the woman who nearly succeeded in ending his life.
Once more, his gaze stiffened as his desire to slaughter the woman began brewing once again. He wanted nothing more than to unleash his wrath, but seeing her tear-brimmed eyes and the outstretched arm of the blond, Aganju found himself unable to fully commit. He didn't understand why she was trying to protect the woman.
"I tried to warn you, Yang..." Raven spoke up, forcing the girl to acknowledge the matriarch. "I gave you every opportunity to walk away from Qrow and Oz. So, you can believe me when I say, this wasn't personal."
Expecting a snappy comeback, Raven wasn't given the satisfaction. Instead, the warrior matriarch watched as lavender orbs silently studied her. No, Yang wasn't looking at her. She was staring past her...
"You opened the vault..."
"Thanks to the chaos you and your friends caused upstairs. I knew you could handle it," Raven gloated. "You are my daughter after all."
"Daughter?" Aganju's left ear twitched upon hearing this. "Then that would mean..."
"In some weird way, you two would be siblings."
"Bonded by the heart of one and the cowardice of you..."
Yang's words cut deeper than any sharpened blade could ever hope to. Aganju simply watched as Yang turned to him, smiling despite the turmoil of her declaration.
Now, it made sense! He knew the girl was headstrong at times, but not completely reckless. Given what he heard about her actions to defend Blake back at Beacon and her protective nature with Ruby, he couldn't help but feel a knot in his stomach. First, there was Roxanne who was his partner and sister in spirit. With Ciel's blood connection and, the now-late, Vernal, this was a lot to take in!
I have more sisters...?
Meanwhile, Yang shifted her focus back to the woman who left her all of those years ago.
"Qrow and Oz told me how the maiden powers are transferred. The girl you found, she would've had to trust you if you were in her final thoughts."
With her back now turned to the pair, Raven hid the disgusted look on her face; this was just like her brother all over again. Why couldn't the pair see her perspective? Why must she be the bad guy in all of this? It ate away at her, knowing that her offspring had no clue of the truth that loomed ahead.
"I'm sure they told you plenty and you just sat and obeyed."
"No. I'm starting to ask questions as you said. So tell me, what happened to the last spring maiden? Did she die in battle? Was it a sickness?"
"What does it matter to you?"
Raven finally faced her estranged children, seeing the judgmental glare from Yang, and the slowly growing look of repugnance from the faunus as their judgment slowly transformed into a horrifying awareness.
"I can already see the answer... It's all over your face."
"How could you?" Aganju grimaced at the idea, feeling that all too familiar burning coursing through his lower torso.
"She was scared when we found her; weak. No matter how much training I put her through, she never learned! She wasn't cut out for this world, and with those powers, she would've been hunted her entire life! What I did..."
"...wasn't personal?"
"It was mercy!"
The hallowed room soon fell silent as Raven's response echoed into oblivion. Every second that followed only the air of discomfort heavier. Aganju just stood there, trying his hardest to keep the queasy sensation in his stomach from coming up. Yang was tired of all the excuses.
...and Raven? Raven just wanted to get the relic and disappear from the two who eyed her as if they were better than her.
"Which is it, Mom? Are you merciful or are you a survivor? Did you let me walk into that trap because 'you knew I could handle it' or because it meant you could get what you wanted?!"
"It's... It's not that simple."
"Oh? Was it that simple when you rejected your kids only to threaten one and attempt to murder the other when confronted by them?!
"Then what is it?"
"How was I to know that she wanted me to babysit some...!" Raven couldn't even finish her rebuttal, almost as if her soul rejected the falsehood before it could finish leaving her mouth. "You don't know me; don't know what I've been through! The choices I've had to make!"
"You're right. I don't know you... and neither did he."
Raven looked over her shoulder, noticing that the faunus standing a good distance away. His eyes were downcast, yet there was no deciphering just what was going on in the vulpine's head. Whether that was a good thing or not had yet to be seen.
Even worse, Yang wasn't finished.
Back on the main floors, Roxanne was busy taking on Mercury who was none too pleased with missing his chance to stop the blond girl from heading to the vault. He continued to expertly dodge all of the girl's attacks, comfortable with being on the defensive for the time being.
It wasn't that he couldn't attack. It just wasn't wise to do so without a clear opening. Roxanne had improved greatly thanks to her time training with the Xiao Long family. Where she was primarily a technical kickboxer at first, the ram learned how to shift her techniques to accommodate other conflicting styles of combat, such as Mercury's.
When he stood and traded with her, she would assume a traditional boxer's stance, bobbing and weaving under and away from his otherwise solid strikes. When he switched to a wilder approach, she would flare up her semblance to counter his gun boots and take a freer stance akin to Capoeira. She'd twist her body around seamlessly to outmaneuver the cocky boy, even scoring a few hits of her own.
"You're just full of surprises aren't you?" he sneered.
"I'm surprised you've lasted this long. Guess you're not a quickie..." she smirked confidently at her insulting innuendo.
The boy with silver hair appeared frustrated and continued his attack, disregarding any tactical approach. He threw imprecise punches and kicks that were easily avoidable or stoppable. Roxanne defensively blocked his shin with her knee and then maneuvered under his straight right punch, giving her the chance to land a six-punch combination on his vulnerable body. Utilizing her special ability, the fire dust infused extra power into her punches, causing Mercury to fall.
With the final hit, Mercury tried his best to recover some air into his lungs only to receive a flying knee to the gut that sent him sliding across the floor in intense pain. Thankfully, his aura took the bulk of the damage, otherwise, he'd be unconscious or worse.
"Had enough, pretty boy?" she placed a hand on her hips, a smug grin creasing her lips.
"Grrr..." he picked himself up, staggered but, not yet beaten.
The trio was engulfed by the falling golden leaves, creating an ominous atmosphere. The mother and her estranged children were surrounded by a gilded brilliance that only served to highlight the darkness that shrouded their past. As the younger pair stood on either side of Raven Branwen, their lilac and violet eyes seemed to bore into her, demanding answers. The calmness in their gaze was unsettling and only served to make Raven feel more tense and apprehensive.
After nullifying the woman's claims of not knowing one another, what more could be said in her defense?
"I only know the Raven that Dad told me about," Yang pressed on. "She was troubled and complicated but, she fought for what she believed in, whether it was her team or her tribe."
The stoic face of Raven was like a stone fortress, unmoving, and impenitent to her only daughter's words. It didn't matter what she said; the ends justified her means and that was all that mattered to her. Yang figured this, only then did she notice something off in the distance. It was the unmoving body of Vernal.
"Did you kill her too?" Yang accusingly inquired.
This only infuriated the woman, finally showing a crack in the emotional armor that was Raven Branwen. Ferocious crimson eyes looked away for only a moment before a small flame appeared, showing the cracks in her resolve had begun spreading like a virus.
How dare she ask such a heartless question of her?
"I've stared death in the face over and over again and every time I've spat in that face because I'm strong enough to do what others won't!"
"Shut up!"
Both women looked over to the shivering form of Aganju, his left ear twitching violently. It was clear that he'd had enough of the subterfuges.
With fists clenched and eyes filled with frustration, he stared at the now incautious woman with no malice but a lingering pain that Raven finally detected; the pain of a child left behind with nowhere to go and no one to turn to. Even Raven couldn't deny the hurt she felt seeing him in such a state.
"Strength? That's what you call strength?! Abandoning your children? Threats and ultimatums? Attempted murder?!" His eyes flashed red but, lacked the darkness that usually surrounded the sanguine orbs. It was like looking in a mirror now, forcing Raven to view the heinous deeds she'd down to both Aganju and Yang. "You don't know the first thing about strength! You run away or take the easy way when things get too hard. You'd rather put others in harm's way instead of yourself! In what sick world does that equal strength?!"
Hearing the agony in his voice, Raven was speechless.
This was the first time she'd ever had anything remotely close to a decent conversation with the boy she birthed but, this was too much. She didn't even see the young man standing before her now. Now, only an image of what she perceived to be a small faunus pup with large red eyes, filled with fresh rage and abandonment glaring back at her.
...and Raven knew it was her fault...
"You were my mom! You're Yang's mom!" he pointed angrily. "Moms are supposed to protect! Love! Comfort! Nurture! How dare you even consider using such a word when you were too damn weak to take care of either of us?!"
"I..."
"You left us; Yang with her dad and sister but... I had no one and yet, I managed to survive. I did what I had to because I was a child with only two choices, fight or die. Your creed is all about survival, right? How ironic to see that, even after living under that damned creed, it still wasn't good enough; I wasn't good enough!"
Yang looked on with empathy as he finally stopped to catch his breath. How long has he been holding this in...? She wondered. One thing was evident though, Aganju had reached his emotional limit, so she'd take the lead again while he calmed down.
"You may be powerful, but that doesn't make you strong..."
Floored at such a bold claim, Raven clenched her eyes shut. Anger and denial crawled up from the deepest crevices of her soul, once more removing any accountability from the tribe leader. They were only children. They knew nothing about the real world, only what Ozpin and Qrow told them. They had no right to judge her when they were nothing more than naive youth.
How could they possibly understand?
"Who do you two think you are lecturing me?! Standing there, shaking like scared little children!..." she unleashed her fury at the duo.
"You're right. We are scared, but we're still standing here! We're not like you... We won't run."
Yang stomped closer to her mother, a newfound fire burning from her soul.
"Which is why you're going to give us the relic."
Was she serious?! Of all the audacity, this took the cake. No amount of yelling or recounting the past could compare to such an outrageous claim.
"And why would I?"
"Because you're afraid of Salem!" Yang cut her off. "And if you thought having maiden powers put a target on your back, imagine what she'll do when she finds out you have a relic."
Stunned.
Silent.
Those two words accurately described Raven Branwen at this point. In truth, she hadn't thought about that; how could she not have thought of that? She spent so many years protecting her identity as the spring maiden with a carefully crafted ruse and yet, her shortsightedness caused her to forget that Salem wanted the relic...
...and she'd come for it at any cost.
"She'll come after you with everything she has! Or, she could come after us..." Raven gradually stared at her daughter in disbelief. Soon, a silent Aganju joined her, the tiniest of grins crossing his face. "...and we'll be waiting for her."
Unity.
This was the one thing she always rejected since leaving Beacon and team STRQ; It was a worthless notion to live by, according to her. But, seeing her two offspring standing united despite just finding out their relation, was something to be proud of, and yet, she was saddened that she was the commonality that brought this on.
The falling petals continued to fall around them as an uneasy stillness only ate away at the matriarch.
"You don't want to do this..." she pleaded softly, hoping that her tender tone would sway them.
"Nope. But, we're going to do it anyway." Yang answered without faltering.
Aganju nodded in agreement, no longer willing to keep the cycle of bitterness going. If Yang was going to fight for her courage, then he'd do the same. As they passed her by, the former bumping shoulders with their mother, Raven couldn't find any further justification. All of this time, she believed that everything she did was just one more step to getting stronger.
Whether by blood or spirit, Raven could not deny the rebellion behind their gaze.
Raven's mind reflected on the cruelty she'd yielded to them. Yang, wanting nothing more than her presence, grew up with love and affection, though she still ached from the void left by her absence. Aganju was worse. Not only did she leave him to fend for himself at a young age, but, she tried to kill him upon their first meeting in years without hesitation.
Secrets weighed heavy on her heart, pushing her to commit such a dark act, but... there was no excuse.
"Aganju... I..."
"I heard Cinder was down here too" he cut in. "I guess I have you to thank for not finding her here, Raven."
His serene tone only made the woman feel worse. True, he was genuine in his thanks, but it didn't take the sting out of his words. No mother. No mom or mommy. She didn't deserve that title after all she'd done to them both. She wouldn't challenge that as tears began to strike the ground. A heart once solid and cold as granite itself had now begun to feel like that of a true human.
Now, all she craved was to hear that name; the only words that could mend her shattering spirit at this moment.
Sadly, what she'd received only wounded her more.
Guilt.
Shame.
Remorse.
None of these feelings within her could change the truth in Raven's eyes. As of this moment, she could've dropped on her knees and begged her children for their forgiveness, but, all she could muster were two words; two words that may not change anything, but, they at least deserved to hear.
"I... I'm sorry." she finally eked out.
Aganju said nothing, keeping his eyes on the relic straight ahead. In truth, his chest was tight as he fought with every fiber of his being to repress the sorrow in his soul. Yang mirrored his actions, but she couldn't find the power to fully mask her true emotions.
"Yeah... Me too."
The next thing they heard was the familiar noise of Raven's gateway. When they turned around, there was no trace of the woman whose love they once clamored for. Only a single black feather floating to the ground remained.
Raven left... again.
This was the norm but, it didn't hurt any less. The pair just stared at the spot where the feather lay for what felt like forever. The only remnant of their mother, the coward. But, when they turned to each other, Yang and Aganju flashed smiles that both knew were forced. Yet, they wouldn't press the issue.
"You okay... sis?" his voice trembled slightly partly from the awkwardness.
Yang giggled softly, understanding how he felt.
"Nope... but, I'll get over it. You?"
"I never had a mom until a month ago... I'll get by."
"You get the relic," he instructed. "I'll keep watch just in case we're attacked again."
Yang wanted to say something but, she only nodded before making her way to the glowing lamp. However, her truth only grew heavier with each step. Try as she might, she couldn't get the harsh reality out of her mind; it was still fresh. Their mother abandoned them again. She reached for the handle, glaring softly at the item that gave that woman another easy way out.
She didn't hate it but, there was no excuse at this point.
In seconds, what little resolve Yang had left had all but disappeared, giving way to the little girl who only wanted her mom.
The nights of wishing. Days spent asking her father about her. No answers. No birthdays were spent with her biological mother's love. No. Summer was there for a while, but, even that was temporary. In the end, Yang, Tai's sunny dragon felt the weight of storm clouds crashing down on her as she sobbed softly, holding the infernal artifact.
Amid her agony, she heard the clank of metal clanking behind her. She prepared herself as best she could, but, even she couldn't be prepared for what she saw. Aganju, her maternal half-brother was on his knees. Though she couldn't see it, she knew his gaze was fixed on the spot where Raven previously stood.
His tail hung limply and his sniffles could be heard, even with the distance between them. His Ears hung lower than she'd ever seen them before. In his mind, Aganju had been without a family.
Yang had her father and sister to fall back on but, he had nobody. Eighteen birthdays passed without a party or proper recognition. No parental guidance or support. He didn't want to break down but, his resolve failed him as he clenched his eyes in a last-ditch effort to hold back the tears but it was all for naught.
Memories of him being hurt and having to fix himself up. Cold winter's night was spent in the slums of Mistral instead of the warmth of his mother's warm arms. After years of questioning his value, he finally found her only to be attacked and even impaled by the woman who gave birth to him.
How could anyone handle that without breaking?
His silent sobs were met with the imagery of him crying out for someone... anyone... but it was always the same. Now? He knew the face of the person who left him to fend for himself.
Screw her...
I survived all of these years without her and I'll keep going.
Good riddance!
TO HELL WITH HER!
No matter what his mind told him, the anguish just poured out of the faunus as he felt pressure on his shoulder. Wait... He wasn't imagining this feeling. He opened his eyes to see the blond looking at him with a woeful smile.
Tears stained her cheeks as well.
"Why didn't she want me?" he croaked, still fighting to remain strong. Yang simply shook her head, wiping some of the wet streaks from his face. The desperation in his features pained her more than her problems at the moment.
Pulling him into an embrace, Yang allowed him to let out all of the negativity that had taken root in his soul since he could form a coherent thought. He mumbled more self-loathing barbs but, she'd quickly shushed him every time. Though the woman was no longer willing to be a mother nor try to heal the damage she caused, they weren't alone. Yang never viewed Ruby as anything other than her sister even though they had different moms and Aganju was no different.
"No more hatred," she whispered. "It's not your fault."
"But..."
"No 'buts'. She made her choice and nothing will change that. That doesn't mean that we won't get through this together."
Aganju nodded, but it was clear that they'd both need more time before they'd fully heal from this traumatic ordeal. Still, it was comforting to know that there was a positive that came out of all of this. He squeezed his newly acquired sister before they pulled apart to stand up.
"You're family and family sticks together," Yang smiled, wiping her face. "You don't have to be alone anymore. You got me and I know Ruby will love you as one of us as well. Plus, you got Pyrrha and the others too! We're your family now..."
Aganju grabbed the lamp, studying it before handing it to the slightly older girl. To him, this cursed thing was only a symptom of the bigger disease that plagued him. Still, they both couldn't remain in this chamber of sorrows for too long.
"Thanks, Yang..." he grinned gently.
She bumped into the boy softly, eliciting a chuckle/giggle from them both. When they felt they were satisfied, the half-siblings made their way back to the elevator. As they ascended, Aganju tried to break the awkward silence.
"Hey, Yang?"
"Yeah..."
"Promise me that you won't bombard me with your bad puns?"
Surprisingly, Yang nudged him in the side playfully.
"Hey! I'm funny, ya know?" she defended only to receive an unconvinced scoff. "Fine. But, I'll only cut back if you do the same with your brooding, cool-guy act."
"I do not brood..." he deadpanned.
"Please, if you squat on a ledge, people would mistake you for a gargoyle. Talk about... going batty?"
"Ew... Yang...?" he stuck his tongue out in disgust. "That was worse than your one-woman act!"
"Heyo..." she weakly replied. "Out with a Yang?"
Aganju rolled his eyes, though not without a small grin.
"Out with a Yang."
It wasn't much in terms of changing their mood but, it was a small and welcome change from the depressing experience that just transpired. It got the job done and that's what mattered the most; a brother and sister trying their best to cheer the other up.
It was a good start.
The battle was over...
Emerald, Mercury, and an exhausted Hazel had been defeated and the White Fang, arrested. With only Adam Taurus escaping, it was clear that things had finally turned right for the good guys.
"That's enough! Just give up..." Ruby Rose proclaimed through labored breaths.
A sore and tired Mercury yelled, slamming his fist into the ground. However, it was Emerald who still appeared to be defiant.
"It's not over! Cinder will come back! She'll have the relic and she'll stop all of you."
Her delusional confidence in the woman was both alarming and disheartening. Sadly for her and her crew, the elevator made its way back to the top revealing not Cinder Fall, but the image of a calm Aganju and Yang.
In their hands, they both held up the relic of knowledge in somber triumph.
What little bravado Emerald had, vanished almost instantly as she processed the soul-crushing truth: Cinder wasn't coming back. She'd failed and either ran away or was killed.
No! There's no way that Cinder would just leave without them; without her. But, the idea of her being defeated and/or killed was even more farfetched. Either way, Emerald could only silently mourn as she watched the faunus and blond standing there, victorious. The pair looked down at their friends with gentle grins of victory before descending the steps. When they made it to their comrades, Roxanne walked over to Yang, slapping her on the shoulder in approval. Ruby, Jaune, and the others soon joined in the congratulations.
Meanwhile, Aganju was greeted with the vision of a certain green-eyed girl who looked at him as if she was viewing him for the first time. As the two approached each other, Pyrrha reached out her hand. Trembling, she dared to touch his face, finding it was not an illusion but, the real Aganju standing in front of her, lopsided grin and all.
As soon as their eyes met, time seemed to slow down and the world around them faded away. Without a word, she leaned in and pressed her soft lips against his, sending shivers down his spine. He responded eagerly, his arms wrapping around her waist as they melted into each other in a passionate embrace. At that moment, nothing else mattered but the intense connection they shared. As they finally pulled away, their eyes locked in a loving gaze, and they knew that they were meant to be together.
While this was a touching moment for the group, it was nauseating to their defeated foes. This was the tipping point for Emerald. Seeing this disgusting display the girl dropped to her knees. Soon, she began hyperventilating as her mind raced. Mercury tried to whisper for her to get up and escape but, it was too late. Her brain couldn't handle everything that'd occurred and in a fit of rage, she did something she was warned never to do.
"Emerald... We've got to go."
She tried to steady herself and focus her scattered mind, but after several failed attempts, she could only shriek in despair.
The lights suddenly went out, shrouding everyone in darkness. As they tried to figure out what was going on, a large puddle of bubbling ooze began to take shape in front of them. It grew larger and larger by the second, only completing its transformation once it towered over them all.
White hair wrapped by ornaments.
Eyes as dark as blood and the abyss.
Ghastly white skin covered with purple veins.
While only two of them recognized the image that towered over the group, only one was horrified as a sonic shock ripped through the air. It then rushed at them, except... Nothing happened after that.
While frozen by the monstrous figure, the terror that such an image wrought was enough to leave its mark on the party, even if it was merely an illusion. However, the fear that gripped them as a result surely was as they completely forgot about bringing their enemies to justice in favor of shielding one another until even the lingering presence of the visual could no longer be felt.
"What... what was that?" Blake exhaled, her heart pounding.
"An illusion..." Oscar/Ozpin remarked. "But, an accurate one. That was Salem."
Even with the sudden scare and the escape of Emerald, Hazel, and Mercury, there was no denying the fact that they'd won the night.
The battle for Haven was finally over and they had won!
The aftermath was well worth the effort. Haven still stood proudly, albeit a little worse for wear after the damage caused, but it sustain far less than Beacon which would bring a beacon of hope for the kingdom moving forward. The group bases with their allies to ensure that everyone was safe.
Time passed and news finally broke out throughout the continent.
The White Fang members, barring Adam himself were arrested and charged for their involvement in the attempt to attack the school. With Adam no longer in power, Sienna was offered the chance to reassume her role as the high leader only to respectfully decline. Instead, she mentioned the idea of Ghira taking the mantle once more.
However, given the events of the battle, Sienna wasn't off the hook either. She expected to be taken into custody along with her brethren only to be offered the headmaster's role and a seat on the council as a direct liaison between Mistral and Menagerie.
But why?
This led to the saddening revelation of Leonardo Lionheart's demise. It would be reported that he died defending the school, much to the student's disdain. They knew the truth, but a word from Qrow settled things: "If it was found out that Leo was a part of this, it would set the faunus/human relations back centuries."
They begrudgingly agreed to this, though many were still unhappy.
Blake's parents expressed their gratitude to the faunus who helped to defend Haven and offered roles to many of them who wanted to be instrumental in the rebirth of the White Fang. Speaking of parents, after a long talk, Sienna decided to christen her fresh start by meeting Ciel and adopting her and Aganju as her own, giving them an established family alongside a reformed Ilia.
Needless to say, Aganju was growing overwhelmed with the number of sisters, though at least he had Jaune to empathize with. Speaking of that, the two decided it was best to bury the hatchet from the months before. Tempers had simmered after all this time and there was no need to resurrect the past, though there would still need to be work done between them and Pyrrha.
Sun was invited to bunk with the gang while they recovered, an offer he happily accepted without hesitation. Speaking of the group, Aganju was finally introduced to Ruby and Qrow. He explained his connection to Raven and they welcomed him with a solid slap on the back (Qrow) and a glomp attack that was super-effective in knocking out the already tired fox (Ruby).
All that was left was for Oscar who was still drained from Ozpin's mental takeover. It would be a couple of days before they could set out for their next objective as the trains were also delayed so, it appeared that the teams would have to get comfortable. In the home that Qrow was renting.
[Haven Residence]
Aganju yawned as he left the bathroom, content with the fresh shower he'd just received. Having to live in dingy inns and the 'great outdoors' for so long did a number on him, so it was no secret that he'd savor the hot water soothing his aching muscles. As he dried his hair, he was surprised to find a certain red-haired girl sitting on his bed wearing a rather large t-shirt.
His T-shirt.
"You're still up?"
"I was going to until I found that Jaune and Weiss took it over instead." Shaking her head, Pyrrha Nikos smiled warmly at her confused friend. "Besides, I've been finding it hard to sleep lately."
Aganju didn't need any further explanation. Between his near-death experience and her kidnapping, not to mention the imagery of the witch Salem, there was no denying that Pyrrha needed some R&R herself.
"I didn't realize they were a thing..." he chuckled.
"They're not. She's making him sleep on the floor," she giggled softly. "I just chose to let them stay and come in here with you if that's okay."
While her story sounded legitimate, Aganju didn't miss the spark in her eyes that suggested more on her mind. However, he wouldn't press the issue and instead shut the door behind him. Cutting off the lights, the room became bathed in the warm glow of the approaching sunrise, signaling the early start of the day.
Neither, however, found joy in the pinkish-orange hue peeking through the closed curtain.
It did little to hide that awkward truth that held control over them. It'd been months since they left Beacon with Ciel and after everything that happened to them, they couldn't deny it any longer.
"Agan?" she squeaked when he hovered over her. "Are you... Are you sure?"
Her eyes fell only to be lifted by a gentle finger tilting her chin upward so that they were leveled. Her mouth went dry as she saw his dual-colored orbs glow with certainty. His smile gave her clarity of his forgiveness from that wretched night.
"Ciel's right, Pyrrha!" he whispered coarsely. "I can't just be your friend when every time I see you I... I want to be more. I want to touch in places only I should be permitted to touch. I've wanted to kiss you ever since that night, not just here," he rested his forehead on hers.
"But here," he brushed his lips over hers, leaving her shuddering.
"Yes, what happened then wasn't completely genuine. Regardless, I know you feel something for me too, right?" he leaned back, allowing her a chance to inhale deeply before nodding in concurrence. She couldn't tear away from his gentle stare. "Then tell me that you want me, for real. If this is going to work, then I want us to start this on the right track, Pyrrha. I... I love you."
"Aganju... I," she hesitated, but only to recollect herself by taking deep breaths.
Pyrrha's heart skipped as he leaned in, gently claiming her lips. Inhibitions be damned. Now, they both agreed that there needed to be a change if their relationship was going to prosper. Sadly, the need to sleep continued to make its presence known despite the pair's desires emerging.
"Agan..." she moaned, clutching at his strong arms as his lips latched onto her neck.
Aganju growled softly as he teased her, allowing his lips to travel down to her collarbone before returning to her neglected mouth once more. For Pyrrha, she savored every second of this, even biting down on the boy's bottom lip gently upon his return.
Their escapades soon transitioned into the bed with Aganju being the mattress for his beloved spartan princess. From there, they'd remain, staring into each other's eyes, stealing kisses every so often. There was a lot to say, but a yawn from Pyrrha finally made its stand, followed by the faunus. However, even as the sandman took hold, there was one more thing that needed to be taken care of.
"Agan?" she called in a hushed tone.
"Yeah?" he peered through half-lidded eyes.
"I love you..."
He didn't say anything at first, making Pyrrha feel completely embarrassed for having possibly crossed a line too quickly. It didn't help when his body tensed slightly. Did she do it wrong? Was he not ready? Would things be awkward now?
These questions plagued the poor girl until a sudden yawn snapped her out of her daunting imagination. Her fears were then put to rest when she felt his soft lips press against her forehead accompanied by a warm and comforting smile. He continued to stare at the girl in his arms with adoration. The feeling of freedom swelled as she slept so peacefully in his arms, her legs tangled with his.
He reached over and brushed the strands from her face, allowing him a full view of her serenity. If only they weren't so fatigued, he'd gladly show her how much she meant to him.
In his eyes, no woman could replace Pyrrha. She was perfect to him, and he would spend the rest of his life reminding her of this truth. Soon, he succumbed to the need for rest and settled into the comfy bed with his beloved in his arms. However long this lasted was anyone's guess, but they'd soak up every moment possible.
Little did they know, Ciel and Nora would be the reason for the protection of their privacy, courtesy of a sign that hung on their doorknob.
Booping in Progress
Do NOT Enter Dumb Blond
i.e. Jaune