"Why are you so reckless? You could've died in that fire." Yin said, taking on an exasperated but teasing tone. He gave a small smile.

Yang stared up at him, surprised to find him so close to a place that was dangerous for him.

With a softness in his eyes, he looked down at Yang's neck. With an arm around her shoulders, he touched the chain holding the emblem. "I see you kept this." He slid his finger down and across the chain.

Yang tensed and pulled his hand away, squirming to get free. Yin's arms released and Yang leaped away, getting into a battle stance. She lifted her hands up, preparing her gauntlets. But she stopped, realizing that they weren't there.

Her eyes drifted to Yin's waist. There, hanging from an attachment chain, were her gauntlets.

She looked up, glaring. "Give them back, Yin."

His smile faded, morphing into pain and guilt. "Don't hate me, please."

She thought it ridiculous that he would ever suggest such a thing. "Why wouldn't I? You murdered a student here and started a war!" Yang pointed her right arm out towards the academy, it's structure had been deformed by students still in battle.

He looked back at her. "You don't know the whole story."

"Do I even need to?"

"Yes!" He took a step forward, his sudden anger shocked her into silence. It was the first time she had known him to show such emotions.

He inhaled deeply, his eyes never leaving hers. "Yes, you do, Yang. I need you to know."

She looked away, then looked back. "Why me?" she finally asked.

His anger simmered away, leaving only sorrow. "Because you're all I have." He admitted.

A breeze blew by, whipping Yang's hair to the side. She knew she should go and continue to fight. But she couldn't. She wanted answers, and the way he looked at her, she couldn't deny she felt sorrow as well, knowing she mattered to him.

Yang gave a nod and looked at him calmly. "Alright. I'll listen."

Yang sat on a massive root that stuck out from underneath the ground. The tree with its huge branches cast darker shadows over the already moonless night.

She looked out at the Academy, hearing no more battle cries or Grimm to be seen. Though she knew better, knowing the amount of lives they had lost in just one night. The town was black and dark, all the fires put out and without any Grimm flying overhead.

Yang felt the impact of staying awake all night, but that didn't take away her determination to hear the truth. As soon as she heard what Yin wanted to say, she would go to her friends and check on them.

Yang sighed and leaned back against a tree trunk, putting her hands on the edge. She doubted she had the strength to leave him, but what could she do? She was confused about what she felt and what she needed to do. Should she turn him in? If so, would she ever see him again?

Yang did not have the answers.

Yin was silent, leaning against the tree's trunk, his sight was in the sky, deep in thought. With a sudden decision, he snapped his eyes to look at Yang. "I will start from the beginning, since you want the full story." He began. "I lived in a desolate land, with no food or water. My parents barely made ends meet from their garden, which was too dry."

Yang waited patiently, listening.

"When I was ten, we were attacked by Grimm, and my parents didn't make it." He spoke with a blank look, his voice taking on an automatic tone.

Yang swallowed, unsure if she should speak or not, but he went on.

"I was found by Salem, after I was badly beaten by the Grimm. She saw potential and thought I was lucky to be alive." He spoke with sudden venom, hating that he was even associated with her. "At that time I knew what my semblance was, and she wanted to use me. Of course I was threatened, and I didn't have a choice." He looked into Yang's eyes, giving her the full effect of his stare. "I have done bad things, Yang. But I tell you, I tried everything I could to stop her. I saved a few people I was assigned to kill. But she got furious every time." He looked away again. Yin didn't continue, and he didn't have to. Yang could imagine what it must've been like.

She stood up, facing him. "So you didn't want to kill Sage?" She asked quietly.

Yin gave a short nod. "I tried to think of a way to save him, but I knew no other way to get into the academy." He spoke in an apologetic manner.

Yang thought for a second, and a sudden question popped up. "Ok, what about when you defeated Sky? How was it possible that--"

"I slowed down the screen" he interjected. "My semblance can slow down a person's energy and even none living things."

Yang blinked. "That's, incredible."

Yin's lip twitched, suppressing a smile. "Thanks."

She held up her hand to stop any further teasing from him. "Why did you delay it though?"

He breathed in and shifted on his feet, already knowing that she would ask that. "To get Ozpin to know I was a spy. I wanted to tell him in a secretive way that he should watch me. So that I wouldn't get all the right information."

Yang grinned. "Wow, that's clever." She said.

He shrugged. "I tried to do the same with the Grimm, but I was only able to slow down some of the really big ones. Even that made me pass out for a few hours." He pushed himself away from the tree and stood in front of her.

Yang looked up at him, understanding dawned on her that he wasn't so bad. Still bad, yes. But not entirely.

Yang smiled and placed her hands on her hips. "Looks like I was being a bit too hard on you." She became serious again "But Yin, you know that you're a wanted thug here."

Yin smiled. "Yeah, but that's why I'll have to leave you for a while." He tried to act casual, but he was dreading having to leave.

With a sad look she couldn't help, she looked at her feet. "Oh."

Yin's eyes softened, and he looked at her intently. He took a step forward. "Will you miss me?" This time there was no joke in his voice or features.

Yang looked up at him again, trying to give a careless air. "Ha! You're the one who will be crying when you leave." But her heart wasn't as enthusiastic as before.

Yin smiled softly and took another step. "Perhaps one day I could attend the academy as a real student." He spoke hopefully, with his attention still fully focused on her.

Yang's lip quivered, but she hid it with a smile. "Yeah, then I'll really beat you." She tried to hold back the sob rising in her throat.

Yin swallowed, his throat moved form the action. "I can't wait."

He grabbed her arm and pulled her against him, wrapping his arms around her waist. Yang was shocked for only a second, before she grabbed him and buried her face in his chest.

He sighed and placed his chin on her head. With his left hand, he rubbed Yang's back, giving comfort.

Yang silently cried, shaking against him. "You'd better come back!" She choked out.

Yin's voice was thick with a promise, he hugged her harder. "I will."